GB1577585A

GB1577585A - Kite

Info

Publication number: GB1577585A
Application number: GB50407/77A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Mettoy Co Ltd
Current assignee: Mettoy Co Ltd
Priority date: 1978-05-23
Filing date: 1978-05-23
Publication date: 1980-10-29
Also published as: DE7834839U1

Description

(54) KITE (71) We, THE METTOY COMPANY LIM1TED, a British Company, of 14 Hailestone Road, Northampton NN5 7AF, England, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following state ment: In the production of kites, various methods are used for the attachment of the flexible sheet covering material to the frame spars of the kite, such as forming pockets in the covering material by stitching or welding and securing sleeves and socket components to the covering.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a kite comprising a frame and a covering of flexible sheet material attached to the frame by resilient clips snap-fitted onto spars of the frame with the covering material being gripped between the clips and spars. This kite construction arrangement simplifies the replacement of damaged covering material and also permits the production of a simple kite which the purchaser can assemble for himself.

One preferred form of clip consists of a moulded plastics part of C-shaped crosssection preferably having sharp edged tongues which bite into the covering material when a clip is snap-fitted over a layer of the material wrapped round a spar.

Alternatively, the clips may be of metal, also of C-shaped section with integral prongs struck out of the metal to project radially inwardly of the clip.

One form of kite embodying the invention and some different forms of clip will now be described in detail, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a box kite in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a side elevation of one form of clip used in the kite of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the clip of Figure 2; Figures 4 and 5 are views corresponding to Figures 2 and 3 of a second form of clip; Figures 6 and 7 are perspective views showing the manner of using the clips; Figures 8 and 9 are a perspective view and end view of another form of clip, and Figures 10 and 11 are a perspective view and an end view of yet another form of clip.

The kite shown in Figure 1 is a conventional form of box kite comprising four parallel main spars A supporting two sections of covering in the form of tubular socks B, say of flexible plastics film material. The socks B are held in position by two types of clip, clips I at the end of the spars and clips 2 at the intermediate points shown.

The clips 1 and 2, shown in Figures 2 to 5, are each formed as an injection moulding of resilient plastics material to have an essentially C-shaped internal cross-section with longitudinal ribs 3 to ensure a good grip, and sharp edged tongues or lips 4.

In the case of clip 1, the lips are formed at the inner end of the clip, and the outer end is closed by a transverse end wall 5 having a circular recess 6 to suit the diameter of the spars A.

Each clip 2 has the lips 4 formed half way along its length and is open at both ends.

To assemble the kite, the socks B are placed in position over the spars A and the clips 1 and 2 are snap fitted in position to trap the sock material around the spars.

The recesses 6 of clips 1 are located over the adjacent ends of the spars, and the clips swung down to embrace the spars, while the clips 2 are simply pushed straight over the spars. The clips are shown in position in Figures 6 and 7. In each case, the sharp edges of lips 4 bite into the sock material to secure the socks firmly in positions.

The clips can, however, be removed if desired to permit repair or replacement of a damaged sock, and re-used.

Figures 8 to 11 illustrate spring metal versions of the clips 1 and 2, each being of C-shaped cross-section with the lips 7 rolled back and with prongs 8 struck out of the metal to project inwardly of the clips. These prongs pierce the covering material and bite into the spars for secure attachment. The prongs 8 may lay in axial planes (Figures 8 and 9) or in radial planes (Figures 10 and 11). Only one type of clip is provided in these embodiments to replace the two types previously described.

Clips in accordance with the invention can, of course, be employed with most if not all types of kite and not just the box kite illustrated by way of example.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: I. A kite comprising a frame and a covering of flexible sheet material attached to the frame by clips snap-fitted onto spars of the frame with the covering material being gripped between the clips and spars.

2. A kite according to claim 1, wherein the clips are substantially C-shape in crosssection.

3. A kite according to claim 2, wherein at least one clip has internal gripping projections, extending longitudinally of the clip.

4. A kite according to any one of claims I to 3, wherein at least one of the clips has sharp projections which bite into the covering material.

5. A kite according to claim 2 or 3, wherein at least one clip has sharp edged tongues projecting from its longitudinal edges.

6. A kite according to claim 5, wherein said at least one clip has a pair of opposed tongues.

7. A kite according to claim 2, 3, 5 or 6, wherein at least one clip is closed at one end by a wall which is provided with a recess receiving an end of the frame spar to which the clip is fastened.

8. A kite according to claim 1, wherein at least one clip is substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.

9. A kite according to claim 1, wherein at least one clip is substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.

10. A kite according to claim 4 wherein said at least one clip is made of sheet metal and the sharp projections comprise integral prongs struck out of the metal to protrude inwardly of the clip to pierce the covering material.

11. A kite according to claim 1, wherein at least one clip is substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 8 and 9 or Figures 10 and 11 of the accompanying drawings.

12. A kite substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.

into the spars for secure attachment. The prongs 8 may lay in axial planes (Figures 8 and 9) or in radial planes (Figures 10 and 11). Only one type of clip is provided in these embodiments to replace the two types previously described.

Clips in accordance with the invention can, of course, be employed with most if not all types of kite and not just the box kite illustrated by way of example.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: I. A kite comprising a frame and a covering of flexible sheet material attached to the frame by clips snap-fitted onto spars of the frame with the covering material being gripped between the clips and spars.
2. A kite according to claim 1, wherein the clips are substantially C-shape in crosssection.
3. A kite according to claim 2, wherein at least one clip has internal gripping projections, extending longitudinally of the clip.
4. A kite according to any one of claims I to 3, wherein at least one of the clips has sharp projections which bite into the covering material.
5. A kite according to claim 2 or 3, wherein at least one clip has sharp edged tongues projecting from its longitudinal edges.
6. A kite according to claim 5, wherein said at least one clip has a pair of opposed tongues.
7. A kite according to claim 2, 3, 5 or 6, wherein at least one clip is closed at one end by a wall which is provided with a recess receiving an end of the frame spar to which the clip is fastened.
8. A kite according to claim 1, wherein at least one clip is substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.
9. A kite according to claim 1, wherein at least one clip is substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.
10. A kite according to claim 4 wherein said at least one clip is made of sheet metal and the sharp projections comprise integral prongs struck out of the metal to protrude inwardly of the clip to pierce the covering material.
11. A kite according to claim 1, wherein at least one clip is substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 8 and 9 or Figures 10 and 11 of the accompanying drawings.
12. A kite substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.