US3357660A - Rectangular moulded plastic kite - Google Patents

Description

' Dc.-12-, 1967- Y Y s F. coNDRAsHQx-FV v 3,357,560

RECTANGULAR Mou/LDBD ELASTIC KITEA Filed June l, 1966 Q., Y Y ,Y Y 1 v Y Y INVENTOR l FIG. 3]

Sergei Feodo Condrqshoff TroRNEYs United States Patent O 3,357,660 RECTANGULAR MOULDED PLASTIC KITE Sergei Feodore Cond'rashol, 1230 St. Patrick St., Victoria, British Columbia, Canada Filed June 1, 1966, Ser. No. 554,513 10 Claims. (Cl. 244-153) ABSTRACT OF 'I'HE DISCLOSURE A kite made of a durable framework of plastic in the shape of a square and a plastic film fused to the frame- Work. A cross brace having tapered arms is secured within the square to increase the strength of the square. A bridle is secured to one side of the frame and a tail harness is secured to the opposite parallel side. A plastic tail is secured to the tail harness.

This invention relates to a kite for use as a toy, signal device, emergency radio antenna, or any other use requiring an eicient air-planing device.

Single-plane kites are constructed in a variety of shapes, and from various materials and combinations of materials, such as wood, paper, aluminum and plastics. The requirements for an ecient kite are (1) light weight in relation to area of sail, (2) balance and stability in flight, (3) easy take-off and return, (4) good flight under varied weather conditions, and (5) durability under stress. Cornmonly, single-plane kites have no definite leading, trailing or lateral edges. Because the lateral edges are illdefined and not parallel to the central axis, the tail and bridle are usually attached to the superstructure in a way that permits the kite to roll or slip by pivoting on the central axis. In the absence of a Well-defined leading and trailing edge a constant leading angle cannot be maintained, thus making take-offs dificult. Basically, the shape presents imbalance in weight distribution and wind impact over the surface. These kites must be carefully adjusted to wind force by altering the bridle and tail length or weight. Further-more, the more a plane departs from radial symmetry the smaller is its area in relation to dimensions, so the kite may be both heavy and unwieldy. Kites with a wooden framework tend to break in strong winds or shatter on collision; those with aluminum framework may bend to become misshapen or eventually break from -metal fatigue. Paper sails are easily torn and are damaged by water, while plastic sails loosely attached to a framework of line-supported edges must be of heavy gauge to be adaptable. Line-supported edges cannot maintain shape under stress and are subject to breakage. Mixed materials and long dimensions present assembly and packaging problems to the manufacturer.

I have found that these disadvantages are overcome by using a rectangular, and preferably a square, frame of non-brittle plastic fused to a plastic film sail, with bridle and tail harness attached to the corners, with fine gauge plastic film for a tail. The square shape provides balance in weight distribution and Wind impact over the entire surface. Attachment of the bridle to the corners of the leading edge, and the tail harness to the corners of the trailing edge, orients the kite parallel to the direction of the wind. Because the lateral edges are parallel to the central axis, and are secured at both ends, pivoting, rolling or slipping does not occur. A well-defined leading and Vtrailing edge maintain a constant leading angle, making take-offs easy, with no adjustment of bridle necessary for varied wind force. The -lm tail is extremely light and provides balance by means of tension from air friction and can be flown in winds of various velocities without adjustment. A resilient plastic (such as polyethylene or butyrate) framework fused to a plastic film provides a structure that is light, is resistant to tearing, breaking or shattering, and maintains its shape. The edges are part of the framework and tend to retain their shape under stress. The kite is completely waterproof and can be flown under varied weather conditions. Assembly is not a problem because the superstructure can be moulded, and packaging is simple because of the economy of space with a square shape.

In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention,

FIGURE 1 is a view of the lower surface of the embodiment;

FIGURE 2 is a frontal, downward-tilted view of the embodiment;

FIGURE 3 is an oblique view of the central portion of the lower surface of the embodiment; and

FIGURE 4 is a view of the lower surface of one corner of the embodiment.

The kite illustrated comprises crossbraces 1, and framing 2 (lateral edge) joined as a single framework and fused to a film sail 3. Crossbraces may be T-shaped or otherwise shaped for greater strength and tapered toward the apex to reduce weight. Corners 4 of the leading edge 5 hold the lateral reins 6 of the bridle (displayed in FIG- URE 2) which contains a loop 7 at its end for attachment of a tow line; the center eyelet 8, shown in FIG- URE 3, holds the central rein 9 of the bridle. Corners 10 of the trailing edge 11 hold the reins of the tail harness, which has a loop 13 for attaching the film 14 used for a tail. FIGURE 4 shows a corner with a rein attached. Dimensions or shape of the tail may be variable; it may be a ribbon up to 8 inches or more wide and 10 or more feet long, or may be in the form of a tassel. Bridle and tail harness may be any suitable material (cotton, monotilament nylon, etc.) and attached in any suitable manner (tying, fusing, hinging, etc.).

What is claimed is:

1. A kite comprising a hollow one-piece rigid rectangular plastic frame, a plastic film fused to the frame, a bridle attached to the corners at one side of the frame, and a tail harness attached to the corners at the opposite side thereof.

2. A kite as dened in claim 1 further including a plastic cross brace comprising a rigid pair of crossed arms, means securing the ends of the arms to the corners of the frame, and said plastic lm being fused to said brace.

3. A kite as defined in claim 2 further including an eyelet rigid vwith the center of the crossed arms.

4. A kite as defined in claim 3 wherein the plastic of the frame and cross brace is polyethylene.

5. A kite as defined in claim 3 wherein the plastic of the frame and cross brace is a butyrate.

6. A kite as defined in claim 2 wherein the frame is square.

7. A kite as defined in claim 6 wherein the crossed arms are of a one-piece moulded construction.

8. A kite as defined in claim 7 wherein the arms are 4 3 4 tapered from a maximum dimension at their intersection 2,986,363 5/ 1961 Vandegrift 244-153 to a minimum dimension at their ends. 3,248,075 4/ 1966 Cunningham 244--153 9. A kite as defined in claim 8 wherein the arms are T-shaped in cross section. FOREIGN PATENTS 10. A kite as defined in claim 1 wherein the frame 5 212,887 2/1958 Australia.

is moulded of the plastic. 300,646 2/ 1907 France.

130,807 5/ 1902 Germany. References Clfed 997,791 7/1965 Great Britain. UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,609,569 12/1926 Nakata n. 244 153 10 MILTON BUCHLER, Primary Examiner. 1,814,811 7/ 1931 Kramer et al. 244-153 P. E. SAUBERER, Assistant Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A KITE COMPRISING A HOLLOW ONE-PIECE RIGID RECTANGULAR PLASTIC FRAME, A PLASTIC FILM FUSED TO THE FRAME, A BRIDLE ATTACHED TO THE CORNERS AT ONE SIDE OF THE FRAME, AND A TAIL HARNESS ATTACHED TO THE CORNERS AT THE OPPOSITE SIDE THEREOF.

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