23,235. Balston. R. M. Nov. 11. Kites.-Relates to improvements in kites and aeroplanes, to increase their soaring power, and to adapt them to be easily folded up for transport. In the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the frame. consists of six rods of bamboo &c., the central one a being formed with its end curved above the part a', to which is jointed a second rod b. Two other rods c, d are jointed to a ring h, which slides on the rod b, and, in order to secure the whole frame in position, the ring is fastened by means of a pin i or other suitable catch. The other two rods e, f of the frame are connected by means of a bolt k, Fig. 5, to the rod a, and are provided with elongated loops e<1>, f<1>, which engage stops c<2>, d<2> on the rods c, d when the frame is in use, but which allow the rods c, d, e, f to be folded so as to lie against the central rod when not in use. The rod b is preferably arranged at an angle greater than a rightangle to the rod a, and the frame is strengthened by the wires or stays shown, which connect various pairs of the rods. The fabric g which covers the frame is shaped approximately as a sector of an ellipse, and extends under the rods a, e, f and over the rods c, d, holes g<1> being formed in the fabric for the latter rods. The fabric is fastened to the ends of the rods a, c, d, and is tied by loops along the rods c, d, the top being hemmed to receive the guys p. Battens u of flexible material are used to stiffen the fabric g. The shape of the fabric may be varied. The undersides of the fabric which forms the wings of the kite are caused to assume an angular concave shape, so as to give a good lifting - surface. A wire v, for supporting a balancing-weight or a scientific instrument, is connected to the rod a, and the kite is formed with a flying cord w, and a loop x<1> for attachment of a flying wire in cases where two kites are flown together. In the case of large kites, the front end of the rod a is formed separately from the rod a, and is hinged thereto in such a manner that it can be maintained in an inclined' position by means of stays, but it can be folded up when not in use. The tail of the kite is also constructed so that it may be folded up when not in use. In the form shown in Figs. 1 and 5, the tail consists of two V-shaped pieces of fabric attached to three rods 1, 2, 3 in such a manner as to form a V-shaped recess between them. The rods 2, 3 are provided with clips 12, 13 jointed together, and to the ends of the rods are fixed clips with bolts 7, 8 having eyes which engage the bolt k, a link 11 being pivoted to the bolt 7 and adapted to engage the bolt 8. A clip 15 on the rod 1 is jointed to a pin 14<a> at the top of the clip 12, and, in order to prevent the tail from hanging below the frame, the rod 1 is connected to the rod a by means of a wire 16, hook 17, and eye 18. The connexion allows the tail to give when it bears on the ground. The rod 1 is also connected to the bolt k by means of stay wires 26, 27. The bolt 7 is provided with two nuts 7<c>, 7b, which enable the rods 1, 2, 3 to be adjusted in position. The tail may be constructed as shown in Fig. 8 ; in this case, the rod 1 is mounted to turn about a pin 19 which connects the rods e, f, and the rod 1 is bevelled at its end 1<a> so as to bear against the bevelled end of the rod a. The rods 2, 3 are pivoted to the bolt k, and are held, in such a position that they can yield in both directions, by means of loops and wires 16<b>, 16‹, fixed respectively to stops a<6>, 15<a>. The invention is also applicable to other apparatus in which aeroplanes are employed.