EP0635290B1 - Kite with supporting structure - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a kite of the type comprising a principal supporting structure with longitudinal (10, 12, 13) and transverse (11, 11') strips and a secondary supporting structure comprising strips (2) known as "whiskers" ("wiskers"). According to the invention, these strips (2) are extended in order to meet at a junction point (22) located in the median plane of symmetry. According to a first embodiment, elastic or non-elastic strings (23, 24) place these strips (2) under tension. According to a second embodiment, a supplementary piece of fabric forming a rudder is provided, this piece of fabric being stretched between the median longitudinal strip (10) and the junction point (22). <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a kite of the type with frames intended to stretch its canvas (s).

• les armatures constituant l'ossature même du cerf-volant, reliées entre elles, de façon quasi-rigide, et créant une sorte de treillis dans un même plan;
• d'autres armatures, habituellement plus légères que l'on peut appeler secondaires, prenant appui sur l'armature principale, et venant pousser ou forcer la toile en dehors du plan de cette armature principale. Ces armatures ne sont pas nécessairement indispensables et le cerf-volant peut voler éventuellement sans les armatures secondaires.

Generally, kites with frames actually have two types of frames:

• the reinforcements constituting the very framework of the kite, connected together, in a quasi-rigid manner, and creating a sort of trellis in the same plane;
• other reinforcements, usually lighter that can be called secondary, resting on the main reinforcement, and pushing or forcing the canvas outside the plane of this main reinforcement. These frames are not necessarily essential and the kite may fly without the secondary frames.

In what follows, we will consider the case of a kite of the "Delta" type, without this being limiting in any way within the scope of the invention.

• une baguette longitudinale médiane, allant jusqu'à la tête du cerf-volant. Elle est, soit située dans un fourreau, soit placée en soutien derrière la toile;
• deux baguettes longitudinales latérales, allant aussi jusqu'à la tête du cerf-volant: elles sont situées dans un fourreau de la toile;
• une ou plusieurs baguettes transversales reliant entre elles ces baguettes longitudinales: elles ne sont pas en contact direct avec la toile mais fixées sur les baguettes longitudinales.

The main frame is then usually made up as follows:

• a median longitudinal rod, going up to the head of the kite. It is either located in a sheath or placed in support behind the canvas;
• two longitudinal side rods, also going to the head of the kite: they are located in a sheath of the canvas;
• one or more transverse rods connecting these longitudinal rods to each other: they are not in direct contact with the fabric but fixed to the longitudinal rods.

The secondary reinforcement, for its part, comprises, in the current state of the art, one or more pairs of small rods, bearing on one side on the transverse rod or rods and coming, on the other tender side or push the canvas or other floating frames outside the plane of the main frame.

The invention relates more particularly to this second type of frame, called according to the country: "Whiskers", "Wiskers", "Stand Off", "tensioners", "pushers", etc. In what follows, for the sake of simplification, this type of frame will be called "Wiskers".

• déformation de l'armature principale, qui se galbe sous l'effort de pression de ces wiskers: il en résulte une modification de la forme du cerf-volant et de son vol;
• difficulté d'exercer un effort important, puisque l'appui se déforme;
• fragilisation des armatures transversales: celles-ci sont soumises lors du vol à un effort de compression, et tout effort secondaire transversal tend à les faire "flamber" et à les briser;
• manque de constance dans le maintien de la toile, en raison des déformations de l'armature principale selon la pression du vent;
• difficulté de positionner correctement ces "wiskers" pour pousser selon une bonne incidence sur la toile puisqu'il est nécessaire de prendre appui sur une baguette transversale, même si la position n'est pas idéale.

The support of the wiskers on the transverse rod (s) has many disadvantages:

• deformation of the main frame, which curves under the pressure force of these wiskers: this results in a modification of the shape of the kite and of its flight;
• difficulty exerting a significant effort, since the support deforms;
• weakening of the transverse reinforcements: these are subjected during the flight to a compression force, and any transverse secondary force tends to cause them to "flare" and to break them;
• lack of consistency in the maintenance of the fabric, due to deformations of the main frame according to the wind pressure;
• difficulty in correctly positioning these "wiskers" to push at a good angle on the canvas since it is necessary to rest on a transverse rod, even if the position is not ideal.

The object of the invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art, some of which have just been mentioned.

To do this, there is provided a secondary frame always comprising at least one pair of "wiskers" but arranged differently.

More precisely, the ends of each pair of wiskers are extended, until they bear against each other, in the median plane of symmetry. These two ends can then be positioned in an optimized manner in this plane, and the maintenance of this position is carried out by a simple clamping comprising at least one strand on the central strip.

The subject of the invention is therefore a kite of the type comprising at least one canvas and a main frame made up of longitudinal and transverse strips, and a secondary frame comprising additional strips used to stretch the rear edge of the canvas or to provide it curves, the kite having a median plane of symmetry; characterized in that said additional rods come to bear one on the other on a structure at a junction point located in the median plane of symmetry and at a distance from the transverse rods.

• déformation de l'armature;
• possibilité d'une tension importante;
• pas de fragilisation de la baguette transversale;
• pas de déformation du maintien;
• positionnement des "wiskers" sans contrainte.

It therefore avoids all the drawbacks reported:

• deformation of the reinforcement;
• possibility of significant tension;
• no weakening of the transverse rod;
• no deformation of the posture;
• positioning of "wiskers" without constraint.

• possibilité de faire varier l'inclinaison des "wiskers" par simple réglage des brides;
• possibilité de faire varier la tension de ces "wiskers", par simple tension de ces brides;
• possibilité de mettre des brides élastiques, qui compensent ou encaissent les variations de vent, et rendent ainsi le cerf-volant silencieux quel que soit le vent.

Simultaneously, the following additional advantages are obtained:

• possibility of varying the inclination of the "wiskers" by simply adjusting the flanges;
• possibility of varying the tension of these "wiskers", by simple tension of these flanges;
• possibility of putting elastic straps, which compensate or absorb the variations of wind, and thus make the kite silent whatever the wind.

In addition, in an additional embodiment, it is possible to use a small complementary fabric forming a keel or drift in the median plane. This drift has several interests: guiding the kite by stabilizing its trajectory, which is important during takeoffs; brake the kite and break its inertia when doing a very tight looping, which is important to slow down a kite and make it land.

• d'utiliser un matériau plus ou moins poreux pour cette dérive, limitant l'effet de stabilisation;
• d'utiliser une dérive avec un centre de voilure très en arrière, en adjoignant un bord d'attaque rigide à cette dérive.

In this embodiment, it is possible:

• to use a more or less porous material for this drift, limiting the stabilization effect;
• to use a fin with a sail center far back, adding a rigid leading edge to this fin.

The kite being supported on its daggerboard picks up the wind alone, without needing to turn it around, or without the help of another person.

Finally, the two wiskers being connected to each other, a lifter is created which balances the tension between the two wings, especially when cornering.

• la Fig. 1 représente un cerf-volant du type "Delta" comprenant une armature secondaire munie de "wiskers" selon l'art connu;
• la Fig. 2 est une vue partielle d'un cerf-volant comprenant une armature secondaire selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention;
• la Fig. 3 illustre schématiquement ce même cerf-volant, vu de derrière;
• la Fig. 4 illustre un élément de détail de ce cerf-volant;
• les Figs. 5 et 6 illustrent des variantes de ce mode de réalisation;
• la Fig. 7 illustre une variante supplémentaire de ce mode de réalisation,
• la Fig. 8 illustre un second mode de réalisation d'une armature secondaire selon l'invention.

The invention will be better understood and other characteristics and advantages will appear on reading the description which follows and with regard to the appended figures and among which:

• Fig. 1 represents a kite of the "Delta" type comprising a secondary frame provided with "wiskers" according to known art;
• Fig. 2 is a partial view of a kite comprising a secondary frame according to a first embodiment of the invention;
• Fig. 3 schematically illustrates this same kite, seen from behind;
• Fig. 4 illustrates an element of detail of this kite;
• Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate variants of this embodiment;
• Fig. 7 illustrates an additional variant of this embodiment,
• Fig. 8 illustrates a second embodiment of a secondary frame according to the invention.

Fig. 1 represents a kite 1 of the "Delta" type of the known art. It comprises a main frame made up, as has been indicated, of a median longitudinal rod 10, of one or more transverse rods 11 and 11 ′ (in the example illustrated), connecting two longitudinal rods 12 and 13 to each other. The baguettes transverse are not in contact with the fabric 15 of the kite 1 but they are fixed on the longitudinal rods using junctions 14. These junctions 14 are for example fixed on the rods 12 and 13 and have an orifice in which the ends of the transverse rods 11 and 11 'are threaded.

Still in the example illustrated, the front of the fabric 15 comprises a sheath 150 in which the rods 10, 12 and 13 are threaded.

The fabric 15 is fixed to the rear ends of the rods 10, 12 and 13 using conventional fixing means 11 (elastic slot for example).

Two sets of flanges 17 are provided to distribute the forces exerted on two cables 18 of the kite 1, themselves wound on a pair of control handles 19, on the frame of the kite 1 and, so, get a flight driving.

To do this, in the example illustrated, the flanges 17 of each set are connected, at one of their ends, to the side strips 12 and 13, on the one hand, and to the central strip 10, on the other hand .

In the prior art, the secondary reinforcement comprises in particular one or more pairs of wiskers 2, connected by one of their ends to the fabric 15, by attachment means 20, and supported by the other end , on the transverse rod or rods, in this case the transverse rod 11 in the example illustrated. For this purpose, junctions 21 of a type analogous to junctions 14 are provided.

This arrangement has the drawbacks which have been mentioned above.

We will now describe a first embodiment of a kite according to the invention and more particularly of its secondary frame with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

In these figures, as well as in the other figures annexed to this description, the elements identical or similar to those of FIG. 1 have the same reference and will only be described as necessary.

Fig. 2 partially illustrates a kite 1 of a type similar to that of FIG. 1 but incorporating the provisions specific to the invention.

Fig. 3 schematically illustrates this same kite 1, in rear view.

The main frame is quite similar to that described above because it is not directly concerned with the invention. It is therefore unnecessary to describe it again. For the sake of simplification, the guide flanges 17, the cables 18 and the handles 19 have not been shown either (Fig. 1).

According to one of the important characteristics of the invention, the pair or pairs of wiskers 2 no longer rest on the transverse rod or rods, the rod 11 in the example illustrated in FIG. 2, but extend until they meet in the median plane P (Fig. 3) of the main frame of kite 1.

The corresponding ends of the wiskers are connected to each other by any suitable joining means 22. It may be a two-part joining 220 and 221 as illustrated in FIG. 4. These two parts 220 and 221 can be movable in rotation about an axis d and include orifices 2200 and 2210, respectively, into which the ends of the wiskers 2 to be connected can be introduced. The other ends are fixed at 20 to the fabric 15 in a conventional manner.

According to another aspect of the invention, the wiskers are kept in a fixed position relative to the main frame using flanges 23 and 24, or similar means.

These flanges 23 and 24 are attached, at one end to the junction 22, and by another end to the longitudinal center strip 10, respectively towards the front and towards the rear of the kite 1.

The junction 22 is advantageously provided with a fastening means 223, for example in its lower part, itself provided with an orifice 2230, or any other similar means: hook, ring, etc.

The flanges 23 and 24 form a V-structure included in the median plane P (Fig. 3), while the pair of wiskers 2 forms also a V-shaped structure but orthogonal to the previous structure.

The invention has the advantage of being able to position the junction point 22 at will in the plane P (Fig. 3).

On the one hand, the distance separating the junction point 22 from the rod 10 depends on the effective length of the wiskers 2.

On the other hand, as illustrated by Figs. 5 and 6 which schematically represent the kite 1 in side view, the junction point 22 can be placed towards the rear, as for example in FIG. 5, towards the front, or at any other position depending on the respective lengths of the flanges 23 and 24.

These adjustments, which notably determine the inclination of the wiskers 2, forwards or backwards, can therefore be carried out very simply. Therefore, it is possible to obtain different behaviors from the kite 1 in flight.

It is also possible to vary the tension of the wiskers 2 by simply varying the tension of the flanges 23 and 24.

According to a first embodiment, the links forming the flanges 23 and 24 are made of non-elastic material, of the strap or twine type for example.

However, these flanges 23 and 24 can be made of elastic material, which makes it possible, as has been indicated, to compensate or "absorb" the variations in the wind (gusts, etc.) and thus make the kite 1 particularly silent whatever the flight conditions.

This role can also be played alone or in addition to the flanges, by the secondary reinforcement. More precisely, it suffices to make the wiskers 2 in elastic material, which is generally the case.

It is also possible, in a variant not shown, to provide a configuration of more complex flanges attached to various elements of the frame at one of their ends.

Up to now, it has been implicitly assumed that the number of flanges associated with each pair of wiskers 2 is at least two.

In reality, as illustrated in FIG. 7, a single flange 25 is sufficient, which simplifies the secondary structure.

Depending on the point of attachment along the central rod 10, the pair of wiskers 2 will be more or less inclined, towards the front or towards the rear of the kite 1.

Naturally, the flange 25 can be rigid or elastic.

Fig. 8 illustrates a second embodiment of a kite according to the invention.

The main teaching, namely the extension of the wiskers 2 and the junction of their ends, opposite to those linked to the fabric 15, at a point 22 located in the median plane P (Fig. 3) is naturally preserved.

However, according to this embodiment, an additional canvas 4 is added, arranged at the tail of the kite 1. This canvas 4 serves as a fin or keel in the median plane P (FIG. 3). It is tensioned using wiskers 2, either directly or by calling, as illustrated in FIG. 8, to an additional rod 3.

This additional strip is supported on the longitudinal central strip 10, using a junction element 31 similar to the elements 14 (Fig. 1), by one of its ends.

The additional fabric 4 can be attached to the other end at 30 in a similar manner to the fastening means 16 (Fig. 1). It is possible to provide in the canvas 4 a sheath in which the rod 3 is threaded, while preserving an opening 40 leaving an area of the rod accessible to fix it at the junction point 22.

The joining element 22, as illustrated in FIG. 4 can moreover be fixed on the rod 3. It suffices, for example, to provide an orifice 2230 of sufficient diameter to thread the rod 3 into it.

One can also provide a sheath in the canvas 4 for threading the rod 10.

According to this embodiment, the flanges 23 and 24 become unnecessary.

The fact of stiffening the leading edge of the canvas makes it possible to adapt a keel configuration making it possible to regulate the center of wing thereof.

However, if unlike the example illustrated in FIG. 8, no additional rod is used 3, the canvas additional 4 will then have a substantially V-shaped cutout connected, at at least two extreme points to the rod 10, on the one hand, and to the junction point 22, on the other hand. Preferably, the rod 30 is threaded into the additional fabric 4 using a sheath.

According to this variant, not shown, it is the fabric itself which plays the role of the flanges 23 and 24.

As has been indicated, the use of a fin has several advantages, in particular being able to guide kite 1, by stabilizing its trajectory, braking it and breaking its inertia when performing a tight looping and make it land.

The additional fabric 4 can be made of different materials, more or less porous, which makes it possible to limit the stabilization effect to a determined degree, depending on the model of kite.

The fabric 4 can be provided with orifices distributed regularly to form a keel.

The invention is naturally not limited to the only variant embodiments precisely described in relation, in particular, to FIGS. 2 to 8.

In particular, it cannot be limited to only kites having the general configuration of a "Delta", this current configuration having been retained only to better describe the invention. It applies to any kite having a main frame intended to stretch its canvas (s) and a secondary frame of the type using pairs of elements known under the name of "wiskers", as it has been defined. in this description.

It should be remembered that the main frame of the kite is not directly concerned by the provisions of the invention.

As has also been indicated, the number of these pairs of wiskers is not limited to one pair. We can just as easily use two or more pairs depending on the type of kite.

It should be noted that one of the advantages of the invention which has not been mentioned above resides in the fact that when landing, a kite according to the invention does not lie flat even the ground but on the common ends 22 of the whiskeys 2, in the cases shown in Figs. 3, 5, 6 and 7, and on the end 30 of the additional rod 3 in the case of FIG. 8, ends which are under the plane which contains in particular the rod 10. As a result, although the kite is placed on the ground, the wind still rushes into the canvas 15 and it is possible to make it take off again by a simple tension on the cables 18, so easily, unlike kites of the prior art which must be replaced facing the wind.

Claims (10)

1. Kite (1) of the type comprising at least one cloth section (15) and a main strut consisting of longitudinal and transverse rods (10, 11, 11', 12, 13) tensioning this cloth (15), and a secondary strut comprising additional rods (2) designed to tension the trailing edge of the cloth (15) or giving it contour, the kite (1) having a mid-plane of symmetry (P); characterized in that the said additional rods (2) bear on each other on a structure (23 to 25, 3) at a junction point (22) situated in the centre plane of symmetry (P), at a distance from the transverse rods (11, 11').
2. Kite (1) as per claim 1, characterized in that the said structure comprises at least one link (23, 24, 25) of which one end is fixed to at least one rod (10) of the main structure and the other end to the said junction point (22).
3. Kite (1) as per claim 2, characterized in that the tension of the said structure is adjusted by acting on the tension of each link (23, 24).
4. Kite (1) as per either of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that as the kite (1) is subject to variations in wind intensity, the links or secondary strutting are of flexible material to maintain constant tension despite deformation of the struts due to the said variations in wind strength.
5. Kite (1) as per one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the relative lengths of the said links are adjusted to set the additional rods (2) at an angle towards the front or the back of the kite (1), the junction point (22) remaining within the mid-plane of symmetry (P).
6. Kite (1) as per claim 1, characterized in that the said structure comprises an additional cloth section (4) forming a keel situated in the mid-plane of symmetry (P) such as to stabilize the kite (1).
7. Kite (1) as per claim 6, characterized in that the said additional cloth section (4) is of porous material.
8. Kite (1) as per claim 6, characterized in that the additional cloth section (4) has slots forming a grille.
9. Kite (1) as per one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the said structure comprises a means (3) of making rigid the leading edge of the additional cloth section (4) to move back the centre of gravity of the main flight structure of the keel.
10. Kite (1) as per claim 9, characterized in that the said means used to make rigid the leading edge consist of a rod (3), one end of which bears on the longitudinal bar (10) that falls within the said mid-plane of symmetry (P).

Images