CA1042411A - Inflatable kite - Google Patents
Inflatable kiteInfo
- Publication number
- CA1042411A CA1042411A CA192,932A CA192932A CA1042411A CA 1042411 A CA1042411 A CA 1042411A CA 192932 A CA192932 A CA 192932A CA 1042411 A CA1042411 A CA 1042411A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- kite
- body member
- inflatable
- side members
- inflated
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
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Abstract
INFLATABLE KITE
Abstract of the Disclosure An inflatable kite exhibiting excellent lift and stability characteristics having an inflatable body provided with a rounded leading edge and having a substantially tear-drop shape, two inflatable opposing rearwardly projecting side members attached to the body member and together forming a single inflated volume, a web of flexible sheet material connecting each side member and the body and extending over at least about 50% of the area defined by the body, the side member and a straight line joining the rear extremities thereof, and a line attachment means bonded to the body member; the ratio of the maximum width to the length of the inflated kite being about 0.5 to about 1.5.
Abstract of the Disclosure An inflatable kite exhibiting excellent lift and stability characteristics having an inflatable body provided with a rounded leading edge and having a substantially tear-drop shape, two inflatable opposing rearwardly projecting side members attached to the body member and together forming a single inflated volume, a web of flexible sheet material connecting each side member and the body and extending over at least about 50% of the area defined by the body, the side member and a straight line joining the rear extremities thereof, and a line attachment means bonded to the body member; the ratio of the maximum width to the length of the inflated kite being about 0.5 to about 1.5.
Description
1(~4~
This invention relates to inflatable kites having improved lift and stabil:ity characteristics.
The kite of this invention exhibits excellent flight characteristics in mild breezes as well as in high winds without the requirement of an auxiliary tall. The kite of this invention affords several advantages as a toy or recreational device sinc~e it has excellent lift and stability, rendering it an easy and satisfying kite for children. Further, the kite of this invention, when deflated, may be folded or rolled into a compact package - and requires only inflation and the attachment of string to ready it for flight. As compared with conventional paper and box kites having sticks or other breakable structures, the kites of this invention are only subject to punctures which can be readily repaired.
Many of the kites known prior to this invention do not perform satisfactorily when produced in small sizes necessary when used as premiums. The kite of this invention has been found to perform well in a wide varlety of sizes making it an excellent flyer in a small size necessary as a premium with the purchase of another item as well as in a large size so that the kite may serve advantageously in emergency situations such as raising an antenna for emergency radio, serving as a radar reflector, and the like.
In one aspect the invention provides a kite comprising:
an inflatable rearwardly tapering body member pro-vided with a rounded leading edge forming the leading edge of said kite and having substantially teardrop shape, two ` ~ - 2 -kam:sc l~Z4~1 inflatable opposing rearwardly projecting side members attached to said body member and together forming a single inflated volume wherein said rounded leading edge is connecting with the outer edges of said side members;
a non-inflatable web of flexible sheet material connected between the trailing edge of each rearwardly projecting side member and said body member and said web ^xtending over at least 50% of the area defined by said body member the side members and straight lines joining the rear extremities of said body member and each oE said side members;
a line attachment means bonded to said body member; and the ratio of the maximum width of the kite when inflated to the length of the kite being 0.5 to 1.5.
The advantages of this invention will become more apparent in the drawings in which the kite is shown 18 i-flated wherein:
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Y.i~J . ]. i.r; Ll ~0~ Vicw o ~1 }iit~ ~f onc pl~cLrcd em~odimcnt of t:~;..s invcl~tion;
Fi~. 2 is a rear el~vational vicw of the kite sho~n in Fig. 1;
Fiy. 3 is a sidc elevational vie~ o~ the kite sho~n in Fig. l;
Fig. ~ is a top view of a kite showing another preferred eml~oclimcnt of tlliS invention;
Fig. 5 is a top view of a ~ite shown for compar~tive purposes;
Fig. 6 is a top view of another kite sho~n or comparative purposes; and ~ ig. 7 is a top view of a kite shown for comparative purposes.
Reerring to Fig. 1, a kite of this invention may be generally described as having an inflatable hollow body member 10 with a rounded leading edge and having substantially teardrop shape. Two opposing rearwardly projecting side members lla and llb are attached to the body member and together form a single inflatable volume.
~he substantially teardrop shape may be best seen in Fig. 3, a side elevational view of the kite of Fig. 1.
Body member 10 and rearwardly projecting side members lla and llb may be inflated with air, or any lifting gas, through a single opening provided by vent means 14.
Webs 13a and 13b connect each o~ the side me~ers lla and llb, respectively, to body member 10. Webs 13a and 13b are not inflated, but are flexible sheets.
.
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I 1n~ve lo~ cl Lh~ ~o achicvc tllc o~jects o~
~xccl~cn~ lift allc1 stabiJi~y ~or ki~c~s oE ~his invcn~ion, thc kitc mus~ havc a gcnerally roundcd nosc por~ion shown in Pi~. l as 12. Thc xounded nos~ portion may be smoothly alicJned with the outcr cdgcs of the projccting sidc men~bers lla aJld llb or may bc disco1l~inuous by 1~aviny shoulders as shown in Fig. l as l5a and 15b. More pronounced should~rs, sho~n in Fic3. ~ ~s 15c and l5d, are also satis~actory ~or ~ites of ~his invention. 110wever, I have found that thc rounded nose is desired for the kite of this invention, yiving bcttcr stability without a tail. ~y comparison with a kite of this invention as exemplified by Figs. l through ~, the kite shown in Fig. 6, having a pointed nose and otherwisc beiny of the same size and the same proportions as the kite shown in Fig. l, showed considerable loss of stability and some loss of lift.
I have also found that to achieve the objects of this invention, it is desirable that the two rearwardly projecting side members lla and llb extend rean~ardly about as far as body member lO and pref~rably further.
~he side me~bexs may be strai~ht cylindrical or rearwardly tapered in shape. The side members may be curved either outwardly or inwardly. It is preferred that the side members extend rearwardly beyond the body and be tapered to a point at their extremities. The kite shown in Fig. 5 for comparison, is o~ the same size and has thc same proportions as Fig. l exccpt thc rearwardly projecting side me~ers lla and llb and a corresponding portion o~
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tl~t-` W~`l)!; I3~ IJld L31~ d, nl,llc;ntl tl~e sicl~
m~ln~r~ s~lor~er than body mel~ e~ 10. Tllc kite sllown in Fig. 5 or com~.lrison, lost consiclerable lif~ and was not a satisfac~ory flyiny ki~e as a rcsult of great loss of st~ility as comparcd with ~hc kitc sho~n in Fi~. 1.
I have also found that the ratio of overall width to length of the kite is impor~ant to obtain su~erior lift and stability o~ thc kite o this -invention. I have fowld that the ratio of overall wid~h to length (W/~) must be about 0.5 to 1.5. Pre~erably, W/~ is about 0.~ to 1.3. Fig. 7 for comparison, shows a kite of general similarity to the kite of Fig except the W/L ratio is about 2. The kite shown in Fig. 7 had insufficient lift and stability to fly in a moderate breeze~ All of the above relationships refer to the inflated kite.
-"~ s,', The trailing edge of webs 13a and 13b may have a wide variety cf shapes ranging from the shape shown in Fig. 1 as solia lines and identified as A, extending from the outer extremity of side members lla and llb to ~ -the trailing edge of body member 10, to the minimum web size to obtain good flying characteristi.cs which is approximate~ by dotted line D. Between the boundaries of ~ and D, any shape lS suitable, and webs lla and llb may be scalloped or of any other shape as exemplified by dotted lines B and C. It has been found that to obtain the superior lift and stability characteristics of a kite of this invention, a web of flexible sheet matorial .' .' , v_~ ~5~
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.. ~.. . : ... .. , .. ., .. :
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conllec~:ed }~ ~w~cn ~acll sid~ men~ r al~cl l~o(ly mcm))c!r and cxl:clltlintJ ovc~r at le;lst: a)~out 50., o thc area dc~inccl by thc )~ody mcml~cr, the .sidc mcmbcr and a st~raicJht linc conncct:ing t:l~c ~car c~:trcmitics of the ho(ly member and side m~mber is dcsiral~lc. l'hc wcbs may c::tcnd rearwal~dly of the r~ar cxtremity of the body and provide trailing edges for the kit~ 1ebs 13a and 13b may be taut as shown by dol:tcd lines ~ in Fig. 2 or, preferably, have some sag as shown by solid lincs F in Fig 2. Thc degree o~ sag is governed by Wle cxtent of shoulders 15a and 15b.
It is desired that webs 13a and 13b be of flexible material and not inflated. For comparison, a kite o~ the same size and proportions as the kite shown in Fig. 1 was fabricatca whereln seals 16a and 16b were maintained except for an interior passaye to body member 10, permitting webs 13a and 13b to be inflated. The inflation of webs 13a and 13b was found to considerably decrease the lift characteristics of the kite and also to reduce the stability characteristics.
To further show the desirability of webs 13a and 13b being uninflated, a kite o the same size and proportions as the kite shown in Fig. 1 was fabricated omitting seals 16a and 16b so that webs 13a and 13b, 1~dy member 10 and projecting side merlbers lla and llb, were inflated into a single char~lber of teardrop shape.
T~e kite so constructed was not 1yable, having lost ~ssentially all o its lift and having poor stabilit~.
Still urther, a kite was fabricated o the same siæe and proportions as the kite shown in Fig. 1, ~, . , ' .
4~
except that an inflated tube was extended across the trailing edge A of webs 13a and 13b. The inflated tube was of the general nature shown in Burrell et al U.S. Patent No. 2,733,880, issued Feb. 7, 1956. Such a kite did not achieve the objects of the invention as it showed greatly reduced lift, requiring strong kite~
flying winds to fly.
The kite as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, is preferably flown from a single line secured to attach-ment means shown in Fig. 3 as 17a. The kite may be flown with mUltiple points of attachment or multiple lines which merely reduce the requirement for hiyh lift and stability requirements of the kite itself.
The attachment means 17a may be any suitable plastic or cloth material bonded to the kite and having suitable means for attachment of string, monofilament lines, or ~ -- - the like. Attachment means 17a is located aft of the area of maximum thickness of the teardrop shape of body member 10 of the kite, i.e., aft of the thickest portion of body member 10. Since the kite of this invention is symmetrical, a second attachment means 17b may be attached at a corresponding location on the top side of the kite to permit the kite to be flown with either side up.
To obtain the most advantageous lift character-istics, the maximum thickness of the inflated body, shown as T in Fig. 3, should be about 0.15 to 0.45 L, as shown in Fig. 1. Preferably, T is about 0.30 L.
Vent means 14 may be placed at any suitable location so that when air or a lifting gas is blown inwardly, the body member 10 and side members lla and jb/~
.~.. , . - . , .
.` . : ~ ; :; : :-: : , : : : : . , : . , ~ 04~411 llb in communication with body member 10, are inflated.
After inflation, vent means 14 may be twisted and/or folded upon itself and tied or fastened by a rubber band. Vent means 14 may also be in the form of any suitable one-way valve or self-sealing aperture.
I have found contrary to the teachings of Pohl U.S. Patent ~10. 3,003,722, issued Oct. 10, 1961, which teaches a plurality of interconnected hollow inflated chambers in an infla-table kite, that a single, generally rigid inflated body and rearwardly projecting side members are desirable to obtain the superior performance of the kite of this invention.
I have found contrary to the teachings of Neal U.S. Patent No. 3,335,985, issued Aug. 15, 1967, which teaches attachment of a single string at the maximum thickness of an inflated kite, that the kite of this invention preferably has strin~ attachment means 17a located aft of the maximum thickness region.
When the string attachment means is located as shown in Fig. 3 r the kite of this invention flies at an angle of about 45 to 80 from horizontal, depending on wind conditions, exhibiting constant lift and excellent stability.
From the above comparative kites, it is seen that in order to achieve the benefits of the kite of this invention, the nose is rounded r the relation W over i5 0.5 to 1.5, the rearwardly projecting side members are about as long as the body and preferably longer, and the side members are joined to the body portion j b/f3 ~"
.~ .
Wi ~ [ ~ e~ t~ y .~ 3 ~1 ~3L ]. ~ SO qj 0 ~
area ~c~ween ~lle r~ar~ardly l~rojcc~in~J sicle meml~ers lla and 111~ allcl ~ody mcm~cr 10.
T~c kitc o this invention may bc economically f~brica~ccl, prc~crably rom ~o sl-ccts o~ a thin thermo-plastic ma~erial, such as polycthylcnc, having thc same configuration alld sealing the entire peripllery of the two she~ts, onc to tlle other, exccpt for inflation op~ning 1~; and sealinc3 thc t~o sheets at seals 16a and lGb, all such seals being air tight to form the single chamber inflated shapc such as sho~n in Figs. ]
and ~. Any gas impervious sheet material may be used, The kite of this invention has been found to perform well without any auxiliary tail in mild breezes as well as high winds. If desired, ho~ever, the kite of this invention may be flown with a tail of single or multiple ribbons attached at the rear portion of the body.
While in the fore~oing specification this invention has been described in relation to certain preferred embodiments thercof, and many details have been set forth for purpose of illustration, it will be apparen~ to those skilled in the axt that the invention is ~usceptible to additional embodiments and that certain of the details described hercin can be varied ' considerably without departin~ from the basic principles Oe the invention.
.
.
.
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.... . .. . . .
This invention relates to inflatable kites having improved lift and stabil:ity characteristics.
The kite of this invention exhibits excellent flight characteristics in mild breezes as well as in high winds without the requirement of an auxiliary tall. The kite of this invention affords several advantages as a toy or recreational device sinc~e it has excellent lift and stability, rendering it an easy and satisfying kite for children. Further, the kite of this invention, when deflated, may be folded or rolled into a compact package - and requires only inflation and the attachment of string to ready it for flight. As compared with conventional paper and box kites having sticks or other breakable structures, the kites of this invention are only subject to punctures which can be readily repaired.
Many of the kites known prior to this invention do not perform satisfactorily when produced in small sizes necessary when used as premiums. The kite of this invention has been found to perform well in a wide varlety of sizes making it an excellent flyer in a small size necessary as a premium with the purchase of another item as well as in a large size so that the kite may serve advantageously in emergency situations such as raising an antenna for emergency radio, serving as a radar reflector, and the like.
In one aspect the invention provides a kite comprising:
an inflatable rearwardly tapering body member pro-vided with a rounded leading edge forming the leading edge of said kite and having substantially teardrop shape, two ` ~ - 2 -kam:sc l~Z4~1 inflatable opposing rearwardly projecting side members attached to said body member and together forming a single inflated volume wherein said rounded leading edge is connecting with the outer edges of said side members;
a non-inflatable web of flexible sheet material connected between the trailing edge of each rearwardly projecting side member and said body member and said web ^xtending over at least 50% of the area defined by said body member the side members and straight lines joining the rear extremities of said body member and each oE said side members;
a line attachment means bonded to said body member; and the ratio of the maximum width of the kite when inflated to the length of the kite being 0.5 to 1.5.
The advantages of this invention will become more apparent in the drawings in which the kite is shown 18 i-flated wherein:
- 2a -`.r ~'' `
"!~
: ' ' . ' ' .
~L~)4;~4~
Y.i~J . ]. i.r; Ll ~0~ Vicw o ~1 }iit~ ~f onc pl~cLrcd em~odimcnt of t:~;..s invcl~tion;
Fi~. 2 is a rear el~vational vicw of the kite sho~n in Fig. 1;
Fiy. 3 is a sidc elevational vie~ o~ the kite sho~n in Fig. l;
Fig. ~ is a top view of a kite showing another preferred eml~oclimcnt of tlliS invention;
Fig. 5 is a top view of a ~ite shown for compar~tive purposes;
Fig. 6 is a top view of another kite sho~n or comparative purposes; and ~ ig. 7 is a top view of a kite shown for comparative purposes.
Reerring to Fig. 1, a kite of this invention may be generally described as having an inflatable hollow body member 10 with a rounded leading edge and having substantially teardrop shape. Two opposing rearwardly projecting side members lla and llb are attached to the body member and together form a single inflatable volume.
~he substantially teardrop shape may be best seen in Fig. 3, a side elevational view of the kite of Fig. 1.
Body member 10 and rearwardly projecting side members lla and llb may be inflated with air, or any lifting gas, through a single opening provided by vent means 14.
Webs 13a and 13b connect each o~ the side me~ers lla and llb, respectively, to body member 10. Webs 13a and 13b are not inflated, but are flexible sheets.
.
: .: .: . . .: ~
~. ., : . . ~ . : ' .: ........................ . . :
~L()4~
I 1n~ve lo~ cl Lh~ ~o achicvc tllc o~jects o~
~xccl~cn~ lift allc1 stabiJi~y ~or ki~c~s oE ~his invcn~ion, thc kitc mus~ havc a gcnerally roundcd nosc por~ion shown in Pi~. l as 12. Thc xounded nos~ portion may be smoothly alicJned with the outcr cdgcs of the projccting sidc men~bers lla aJld llb or may bc disco1l~inuous by 1~aviny shoulders as shown in Fig. l as l5a and 15b. More pronounced should~rs, sho~n in Fic3. ~ ~s 15c and l5d, are also satis~actory ~or ~ites of ~his invention. 110wever, I have found that thc rounded nose is desired for the kite of this invention, yiving bcttcr stability without a tail. ~y comparison with a kite of this invention as exemplified by Figs. l through ~, the kite shown in Fig. 6, having a pointed nose and otherwisc beiny of the same size and the same proportions as the kite shown in Fig. l, showed considerable loss of stability and some loss of lift.
I have also found that to achieve the objects of this invention, it is desirable that the two rearwardly projecting side members lla and llb extend rean~ardly about as far as body member lO and pref~rably further.
~he side me~bexs may be strai~ht cylindrical or rearwardly tapered in shape. The side members may be curved either outwardly or inwardly. It is preferred that the side members extend rearwardly beyond the body and be tapered to a point at their extremities. The kite shown in Fig. 5 for comparison, is o~ the same size and has thc same proportions as Fig. l exccpt thc rearwardly projecting side me~ers lla and llb and a corresponding portion o~
V-8 ~~-.~ . .
tl~t-` W~`l)!; I3~ IJld L31~ d, nl,llc;ntl tl~e sicl~
m~ln~r~ s~lor~er than body mel~ e~ 10. Tllc kite sllown in Fig. 5 or com~.lrison, lost consiclerable lif~ and was not a satisfac~ory flyiny ki~e as a rcsult of great loss of st~ility as comparcd with ~hc kitc sho~n in Fi~. 1.
I have also found that the ratio of overall width to length of the kite is impor~ant to obtain su~erior lift and stability o~ thc kite o this -invention. I have fowld that the ratio of overall wid~h to length (W/~) must be about 0.5 to 1.5. Pre~erably, W/~ is about 0.~ to 1.3. Fig. 7 for comparison, shows a kite of general similarity to the kite of Fig except the W/L ratio is about 2. The kite shown in Fig. 7 had insufficient lift and stability to fly in a moderate breeze~ All of the above relationships refer to the inflated kite.
-"~ s,', The trailing edge of webs 13a and 13b may have a wide variety cf shapes ranging from the shape shown in Fig. 1 as solia lines and identified as A, extending from the outer extremity of side members lla and llb to ~ -the trailing edge of body member 10, to the minimum web size to obtain good flying characteristi.cs which is approximate~ by dotted line D. Between the boundaries of ~ and D, any shape lS suitable, and webs lla and llb may be scalloped or of any other shape as exemplified by dotted lines B and C. It has been found that to obtain the superior lift and stability characteristics of a kite of this invention, a web of flexible sheet matorial .' .' , v_~ ~5~
~ j ` ~ . - . . . ~.
.. ~.. . : ... .. , .. ., .. :
~Lo~
conllec~:ed }~ ~w~cn ~acll sid~ men~ r al~cl l~o(ly mcm))c!r and cxl:clltlintJ ovc~r at le;lst: a)~out 50., o thc area dc~inccl by thc )~ody mcml~cr, the .sidc mcmbcr and a st~raicJht linc conncct:ing t:l~c ~car c~:trcmitics of the ho(ly member and side m~mber is dcsiral~lc. l'hc wcbs may c::tcnd rearwal~dly of the r~ar cxtremity of the body and provide trailing edges for the kit~ 1ebs 13a and 13b may be taut as shown by dol:tcd lines ~ in Fig. 2 or, preferably, have some sag as shown by solid lincs F in Fig 2. Thc degree o~ sag is governed by Wle cxtent of shoulders 15a and 15b.
It is desired that webs 13a and 13b be of flexible material and not inflated. For comparison, a kite o~ the same size and proportions as the kite shown in Fig. 1 was fabricatca whereln seals 16a and 16b were maintained except for an interior passaye to body member 10, permitting webs 13a and 13b to be inflated. The inflation of webs 13a and 13b was found to considerably decrease the lift characteristics of the kite and also to reduce the stability characteristics.
To further show the desirability of webs 13a and 13b being uninflated, a kite o the same size and proportions as the kite shown in Fig. 1 was fabricated omitting seals 16a and 16b so that webs 13a and 13b, 1~dy member 10 and projecting side merlbers lla and llb, were inflated into a single char~lber of teardrop shape.
T~e kite so constructed was not 1yable, having lost ~ssentially all o its lift and having poor stabilit~.
Still urther, a kite was fabricated o the same siæe and proportions as the kite shown in Fig. 1, ~, . , ' .
4~
except that an inflated tube was extended across the trailing edge A of webs 13a and 13b. The inflated tube was of the general nature shown in Burrell et al U.S. Patent No. 2,733,880, issued Feb. 7, 1956. Such a kite did not achieve the objects of the invention as it showed greatly reduced lift, requiring strong kite~
flying winds to fly.
The kite as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, is preferably flown from a single line secured to attach-ment means shown in Fig. 3 as 17a. The kite may be flown with mUltiple points of attachment or multiple lines which merely reduce the requirement for hiyh lift and stability requirements of the kite itself.
The attachment means 17a may be any suitable plastic or cloth material bonded to the kite and having suitable means for attachment of string, monofilament lines, or ~ -- - the like. Attachment means 17a is located aft of the area of maximum thickness of the teardrop shape of body member 10 of the kite, i.e., aft of the thickest portion of body member 10. Since the kite of this invention is symmetrical, a second attachment means 17b may be attached at a corresponding location on the top side of the kite to permit the kite to be flown with either side up.
To obtain the most advantageous lift character-istics, the maximum thickness of the inflated body, shown as T in Fig. 3, should be about 0.15 to 0.45 L, as shown in Fig. 1. Preferably, T is about 0.30 L.
Vent means 14 may be placed at any suitable location so that when air or a lifting gas is blown inwardly, the body member 10 and side members lla and jb/~
.~.. , . - . , .
.` . : ~ ; :; : :-: : , : : : : . , : . , ~ 04~411 llb in communication with body member 10, are inflated.
After inflation, vent means 14 may be twisted and/or folded upon itself and tied or fastened by a rubber band. Vent means 14 may also be in the form of any suitable one-way valve or self-sealing aperture.
I have found contrary to the teachings of Pohl U.S. Patent ~10. 3,003,722, issued Oct. 10, 1961, which teaches a plurality of interconnected hollow inflated chambers in an infla-table kite, that a single, generally rigid inflated body and rearwardly projecting side members are desirable to obtain the superior performance of the kite of this invention.
I have found contrary to the teachings of Neal U.S. Patent No. 3,335,985, issued Aug. 15, 1967, which teaches attachment of a single string at the maximum thickness of an inflated kite, that the kite of this invention preferably has strin~ attachment means 17a located aft of the maximum thickness region.
When the string attachment means is located as shown in Fig. 3 r the kite of this invention flies at an angle of about 45 to 80 from horizontal, depending on wind conditions, exhibiting constant lift and excellent stability.
From the above comparative kites, it is seen that in order to achieve the benefits of the kite of this invention, the nose is rounded r the relation W over i5 0.5 to 1.5, the rearwardly projecting side members are about as long as the body and preferably longer, and the side members are joined to the body portion j b/f3 ~"
.~ .
Wi ~ [ ~ e~ t~ y .~ 3 ~1 ~3L ]. ~ SO qj 0 ~
area ~c~ween ~lle r~ar~ardly l~rojcc~in~J sicle meml~ers lla and 111~ allcl ~ody mcm~cr 10.
T~c kitc o this invention may bc economically f~brica~ccl, prc~crably rom ~o sl-ccts o~ a thin thermo-plastic ma~erial, such as polycthylcnc, having thc same configuration alld sealing the entire peripllery of the two she~ts, onc to tlle other, exccpt for inflation op~ning 1~; and sealinc3 thc t~o sheets at seals 16a and lGb, all such seals being air tight to form the single chamber inflated shapc such as sho~n in Figs. ]
and ~. Any gas impervious sheet material may be used, The kite of this invention has been found to perform well without any auxiliary tail in mild breezes as well as high winds. If desired, ho~ever, the kite of this invention may be flown with a tail of single or multiple ribbons attached at the rear portion of the body.
While in the fore~oing specification this invention has been described in relation to certain preferred embodiments thercof, and many details have been set forth for purpose of illustration, it will be apparen~ to those skilled in the axt that the invention is ~usceptible to additional embodiments and that certain of the details described hercin can be varied ' considerably without departin~ from the basic principles Oe the invention.
.
.
.
, ~:
.'; . ' ". ' ' ' , ': ' ' ' . ' .
.... . .. . . .
Claims (11)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A kite comprising:
an inflatable rearwardly tapering body member provided with a rounded leading edge forming the leading edge of said kite and having substantially teardrop shape, two inflatable opposing rearwardly projecting slide members attached to said body member and together forming a single inflated volume wherein said rounded leading edge is connecting with the outer edges of said side members;
a non-inflatable web of flexible sheet material connected between the trailing edge of each rear-wardly projecting side member and said body member and said web extending over at least 50% of the area defined by said body member the side members and straight lines joining the rear extremities of said body member and each of said side members;
a line attachment means bonded to said body member; and the ratio of the maximum width of the kite when inflated to the length of the kite being 0.5 to 1.5.
an inflatable rearwardly tapering body member provided with a rounded leading edge forming the leading edge of said kite and having substantially teardrop shape, two inflatable opposing rearwardly projecting slide members attached to said body member and together forming a single inflated volume wherein said rounded leading edge is connecting with the outer edges of said side members;
a non-inflatable web of flexible sheet material connected between the trailing edge of each rear-wardly projecting side member and said body member and said web extending over at least 50% of the area defined by said body member the side members and straight lines joining the rear extremities of said body member and each of said side members;
a line attachment means bonded to said body member; and the ratio of the maximum width of the kite when inflated to the length of the kite being 0.5 to 1.5.
2. The kite of Claim 1 wherein said rearwardly projecting side members extend beyond said body member.
3. The kite of Claim 1 wherein said rearwardly projecting side members are tapered toward their extremities.
4. The kite of Claim 1 wherein said web is taut.
5. The kite of Claim 1 wherein said web has sag.
6. The kite of Claim 1 wherein said line attachment means is bonded to said body member aft of the thickest portion of said body member.
7. The kite of Claim 1 having a vent means at the rear of said body member.
8. The kite of Claim 1 wherein said ratio of width to length is about 0.9 to 1.3.
9. The kite of Claim 1 wherein said rounded leading edge is discontinous with the outer edges of said side members forming shoulders at the junction of said leading edge and said outer edges.
10. The kite of Claim 1 wherein the maximum thickness of said inflatable body when inflated is about 0.15 to 0.45 of said length.
11. The kite of Claim 1 wherein said web extends rearwardly of the rear extremity of said body member and forms a trailing edge.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US34787973A | 1973-04-04 | 1973-04-04 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1042411A true CA1042411A (en) | 1978-11-14 |
Family
ID=23365674
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA192,932A Expired CA1042411A (en) | 1973-04-04 | 1974-02-19 | Inflatable kite |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU6608774A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1042411A (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB9307184D0 (en) * | 1993-04-06 | 1993-05-26 | Skystreme Uk Ltd | Inflatable kite arrangement |
-
1974
- 1974-02-19 CA CA192,932A patent/CA1042411A/en not_active Expired
- 1974-02-27 AU AU66087/74A patent/AU6608774A/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU6608774A (en) | 1975-08-28 |
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