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    Us 20060049313 A 1

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    Us 20060049313 A 1

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    Iman Saberi
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    Us 20060049313 a 1

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    Us 20060049313 a 1

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    Us 20060049313 a 1

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    8 views12 pages

    Us 20060049313 A 1

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    Iman Saberi
    Us 20060049313 a 1

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    of 12
    (a « co) os), ro} ey ~ (60) United States US 20060049313 Patent Application Publication co) Pub. No.: US 2006/0049313 AL Godley DEVICE FOR LAUNCHING A POWER KITE Inventor: Mark Brian God Vancouver (CA) Correspondence Address: NORRIS, MCLAUGHLIN & MARCUS, PA. 875 THIRD AVE ISTH FLOOR NEW YORK, NY 10022 (US) Assignee: LIQUID SKY _ KITEBOARDING, INC., Vancouver (CA) Appl. No 1/098,093 File: Apr 4, 2008 Related U Application Data Provisional application No, 60/607,911, fled on Sep 7, 2008, Provisional application No, 601611086, filed con Sep. 17, 2004, 43) Pub, Date: Mar. 9, 2006 61) Incl. B6iC 31/06 2) US. (2006.01) DHSS A. 6 ABSTRACT ‘A device is provided for the management of multiple lines attached 10 a bar, of the type used in power kites for Kiteboarding. The device is formed of an clongate body having a sbaft region, a spool region adjacent the shaft region and distal thereto, and line retaining region distal to the spool region, The shaft region has a hollow body having ‘longitudinal groove running from 2 proximal opening to 8 istalend point, and a bar retaining cans for eetining abst fghinst rotational or axial movement. The spool region bis 4 spool shaft defined by proximal and distal containment ‘means for retaining spooled lines wound about the spool shafl. Aline retaining region has a. means for separately relaining one or more lines of a plurality of lines 1 Patent Application Publication Mar. 9,2006 Sheet 1 of 7 US 2006/0049313 AI FIG.1 Patent Application Publication Mar. 9,2006 Sheet 2 of 7 US 2006/0049313 AI FIG.2 Patent Application Publication Mar. 9,2006 Sheet 3 of 7 US 2006/0049313 AI 8 8 5 38 36b 36a FIG. 3A g Patent Application Publication Mar. 9,2006 Sheet 4 of 7 US 2006/0049313 AI FIG 5 US 2006/0049313 AI Patent Application Publication Mar. 9,2006 Sheet 6 of 7 US 2006/0049313 AL US 2006/0049313 AI US 2006/0049313 AI DEVICE FOR LAUNCHING A POWER KITE [0001] This application claims priority under 35 USC 119(e) of US. Ser. No. 60/607,911, fied Sep. 7, 2004, and US. Ser. No. 601611,086, fled Sep. 17, 2004 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to a deviee for man- aging the lines of an object having multiple lines. Sp cally the device is directed toward line management of a multiple line kit, particularly those kites and related appa- ratus used in the'sport of kiteboarding or kitesurfing, The ‘device ofthe invention aids in storing the multiple lines and altached contol bir in a manner which allows forthe lines to be separated and clearly marked for casy attachment to & Kite prior to use, all within a reduced deployment area, Uper ‘deployment ofthe kite in the wind, the device further aids in managing the lines in a contolled uawindling and auto- malic disengagement from the device. [0003] The sport of kiteboarding or kitesurfing has been rapidly gaining in popularity over the las few years. Rel tively lange wing-ike traction kites, some versions being inflatable, are controlled by multiple lines allched to. 2 ‘contol bar In acommon version, fot lines ace present, with to attached tothe front or leading edge ofthe kite on either later side, and two to the rear of taling edge. Kites of this type are shown in US 2003,0154898; US 20038/0154898, US 2002:0088385 and US 20024381. However, some Kites tay have from 2 up to 5 or more lines. The user grasps the ‘contol bar, which may be further attached 10 a harness worn, by the user The user's fect are engaged in board for ‘skimming or “surfing” along the surface of the water as the kite and user are pulled by the wind [0004] ecause of the high speeds and force generated by the wind in conjunction with the kite, the activity ean be ‘dangerous. Particularly difficult isthe beginning tage, when. the user must deploy the kite into the wind. It is quite difficult f0 keep the kite and its four oF more lines (up (0 about 50 meters in length) from prematurely deploying, in the wind, or from tangling prior to or during deployment. Funhermore, once the activity is completed itis dificult 10 detach the lines from the kile and therealter store and ‘manage the lines in a manner which avoids tangling and ‘disorientation, wherein the proper lines ean not be easily matched with the proper kite postion for attachment, [0005] There is a need for a device which can improve ‘management and storage of multiple lines for power kits, and improve the ability o reattach the lines toa ite. There Ja further need fora device which can assist in maintaining the lines onganized and tangle-rve during deployment ofthe kite, while also permitting deployment in relatively small se, Thus, there isu need fora device which will allow for inch ofa kite with only a relatively shor length of the fll lines deployed, which is particulary useful in erowded areas ‘of the water or each, in short launch areas, or in connection With launch from a boat. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] Accordingly, the present invention provides a ‘device forthe management of multiple lines attached t0 a bur, of the type used in power kites for kiteboarding. The device is formed of an elongate body having a shaft exion, Mar. 9, 2006 4 spool region adjacent the shaft segion and distal thereto, And 2 line etaning region adjacent and distal to the spool ‘region. The shaft region has « hollow body having a longi- tudinal groove running from a proximal opening to distal fend point, and a bar retaining means for retaining a bar ‘against roiational or axial movement. The spool region bis. spool shaft defined by proximal and distal containment ‘means for retaining spooled lines wound about the spool shaft. A Tine retaining region has means for separately retaining one of more lines of a plrality of lines. BRIEP DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS {0007]_ FIG. 1 « perspoctive view ofthe device ofthe {0008} F1G.2 is a schematic view showing 4 power Kite Mache to is spd br, which may be sed in conjunc ti with the devie of the invention {0009} FIG. 34 shows step in hese ofthe devi, in Which the lines are gathered togeter ear the base of the Tins connected othe bat. {0010} FIG. 31 shows ep in whic the gathered tines ‘ne together pled tha the opening af he salt groove othe devi {0011} FG. sbows a tp in which the ae resides inthe eshos nd the ines re ple hog he shalt groove ane fut ead he spool {0012} FIG. 8 shows a desl demonstrating the winding ‘izeton an irastion ofthe lines from the ssl gro the spool, through a noth inthe spo! consinmest roe ‘iow {0013} FIG. 6 shows a detail of the distal end of the vee, having the ies wound shout the spool yon a ‘aig withthe ie retaining means (014) FIG fal snags ith the Tne de final nding oF the fine ends {0015} FIG.Bis schematic drawing showings launching aston ofthe kt rom the device {0016} FIG. shows the lines sisng ot fom the groove, Being pulled by the Kite ding launch {0017} FIGS. 104-100 show s prefered embodiment of ‘he invention, in a sequence of steps showing Winding and storage ofthe ines thereon shows the device with bar an lines retained sea rom the kite, prior DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0018] With eference to FIGS. 1 and 8, for managing the lines 36 of a kite Land aiding inthe deployment of 1 kite, an clongate body 2, proferably approximating, «hollow eylinde, is provided. The hody has a shaft portion 4 having retaining means, preferably inte form of a narrow groove 6 running fongitudially from an opening point 8 at the proximal end ofthe body 2 to an end point 10 ofthe groove $6 located distally inthe region ofthe spool 12. Distally from shaft 4 isa spool 12 or winding region, preferably bounded between twa spaced apa circumferential projections 14, 16 Tor retaining therebetween lines 36 Wound around the spool region 12, The respective sce walls 20, 22 of the proximal and distal ciccumferentil projections 14, 16 are preferably US 2006/0049313 AI Sloped away from tbe spool region 12, to allow for an ease ‘of unwinding during the deployment phase. Likewise, the proximal face 24of the proximal circumferential projection ‘M4iay also he optionally sloped toward the spoo! region 12, to allow for an ease of transition of the lines from the shaft region 4 to the spool region 12, [0019] Distal from the spool region 12 is the retaining region 30, which has a means 34 for separately retaining ‘each ofthe lines. he retaining means ean be any siucture ‘which can securely but simply retain a fine, while also allowing for simple and quick separation of the fine from the felaining means, In the embodiment showa ia FIGS. 6 and the retaining means is formed simply as short longitudinal grooves 3 extending acros the distal spool region projec- tion 30, Each line 36d (a A-line version is shown, with 4 ‘corresponding. gr0oves) is pulled into a comesponding, 1oove Mad, each of which is formed to be narrow enoUgh to grasp and frictionally retain the line, while allowing for release of the line by pulling with a threshold foree. The separation of the lines is important during storage and disassembly ofthe kite, in order to keep the lines dicetly associated with the correct location on the kite. In this repard, each of the rlaining means may bear an indicator 0 that the correct line ean be retained in that groove. Preer- aly the retaining means are arranged along a cicumferen- tial line, and bear indicators which coerespond in location to the attachment points on the kile- As an example, for a fourline kite, there would be four retaining means or rooves, with indicators stating rear elt front lel, front Fight, rear right [0020] While grooves are shown as one ofthe ilusirated Felaining means tis contemplated that other means could also be effective 15 will be appreciated by those skilled inthe au, forexample: a plurality of hooks around which each line ‘oil be wound; a plurality of pairs of opposing lea spring arms which could grip the lines; hook andl Joop-type fasten- ‘ers for grasping the lines, However, he design should be ‘such that, upon launch of the kite and comesponding ‘unwinding of the lines the retaining means should prefer ably allow for self-release of the lines upon a pulling force from the kite [0021] A particularly preferred embodiment ofthe retain Jing means is shown in FIG. 10, a nose 40 is provided, preferably extending beyond the distal end of the body, $6 thatthe lines 36 may coataet the nose as they extend distally toward a kite from 2 wound position on the spool 12. The nose preferably is formed! of a resilient material, such as & Sanloprene® thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material, of Neoprened® synthetic rubber, which is temporarily deform- able when a Tine 36 is pressed thereon, but which then fesiliently retains the line within the deformed groove formed from the manual pressure exerted by the lin. This may be repeated for each of the lines 36 ina laterally spaced apart location upon the nose. The nose material is such that, ‘while the lines are retained therein by a manual compression force, they are readily separated fom the nose by an ‘opposite manual force, or for example, by a foree exerted on the lines during deployment of the kite. I is also an option to include pre-formed spaced apart grooves 34 inthe nose 40 formed of resilient material, which will act as diserete felaining means clements, i similar fashion tothe embodi- ment of FM Mar. 9, 2006 [0022] | Returning tothe shat postion, the distal end $6 of the relaining groove 6 may be simply an abutment, How- ever ts benstcial to Fashion the end ofthe groove 6 with 4 tur from the longitudinal direction towards the czcum- ferential direction, In this manner, the lines 36 being pulled through the groove 6 in the distal direction ean be directed ‘nto the spool region 12 already in a circumferential wind ing direction, As shown in FIG. 5, to further facilitate the fransition ofthe Tine from the groove 6 on the shaft o the spool region 12, a generally longitudinal notch $2 or open- ing in the proximal spool projection 24 ean be provided in the region of the distal groove end 86 [0023] The transition of the groove from longitudinal to circumferential direction is preferably achieved with a rounded inside corner $4 so thatthe lines do not get eatight uring the transition, ether during the winding: phase, or uring the deployment phase where the lines must be ‘quickly uowouod and released as the kite takes ight. Likewise, i is beneficial ithe circumferential portion 86 is, in fact sloped downward continuously towaed the longiti- inal portion $8 to allow for movement ofthe lines without interference during both the storage phase and the deploy ‘ment phase. [0028] _ With eference to FIGS. 1 and 4, the proximal end of the shaft contains a bar retaining means 60 lor securely retaining a contol bar ofa kite, The siruture of the bar 62 ‘of a kite is well known, a st forth above in the referenced prior art, and generally comprises an elongate rigid bar, preferably with a circular or rounded cross-section. The bar Fetaining means 60 is sinictured to smugly retain the har ‘against rotation about the axis of the shaft as well 38 against ‘movement in the longitudinal direction ofthe shaft of the evice. The bar tetaining means is preferably in te form of ‘so notches 64 in opposing sides of the proximal end of the shaft, which notches conform in shape to the outer dimen- sion of the har. Other stactures may also accomplish this purpose, such as protruding, hooks or grasping leaf spring extensions from the proximal end of the salt. Ths, the bar should be held in the notches, against an abutment portion thereof, as the lines are pulled taught inthe distal direction While the winding operation of the lines will pull the bar against the notch abulments sa tbat the bar is not likely to ‘move out of the notches in the proximal direction, an ‘optional embodiment may fashion the notches to retain the bar independently from movement along the axis of the shaft in the proximal direction, Ifthe cylinder is made from a pliable material the notches can be created with a dimension slightly smaller than that of the bar, so that the bar is ‘squeezed within the notch. Alternatively, the proximal ends ff the notch can be slghily smaller than de bar dimension land the notch itself, o allow the bar int the notch only pon deformation ofthe notch ends, which then spring back 10 orm a retaining enclosure. A further alternative isa strap 68 (FIG. 7) oF other releasable means for retaining the bar against the abutment. Such a strap or straps. may be of & exible bt stroag material, and may be fixed on side of the proximal end region of the shal, an! attachable o the other Side, stretched or deployed around the bottom of the bar ‘when the bar is placed within the retaining notches. There should preferably be a srap neither lateral side of the bat ‘The sirap may be attachable by a snap, hook and loop, oF ‘other knosin attachment means. Aleratively, the stap may be i the form of a rigid bar or wire device, shaped or bent ‘accommodate the bar and/or end face ofthe bollow body, US 2006/0049313 AI which may swing open from a pivot or hinge point on one Jateral side, and which is attachable to the other lateral side [0025] At the proximal end of the shall, the groove open- ing preferably widens toward the endo allow the lines to be easily enter the groove (FIGS. 1, 3A, 3B, 4). As the device i secured to the lines and bat, with the bar being placed retainingly ito the notches, the user will grasp the plurality of lines together ncar thei attachment point to the bar, and bring the lines together toward the longitudinal ‘enter of the bar. When the bar is brought toward the notches, the lines are roughly within the diameter of the hollow cylindrical shaft. The lines are then browght together from insie the diameter, into the groove opening with a _zenerally lateral orientation of the lines. With the lines being srasped from outside the eylindr, they are pulled up through the groove tothe distal groove end, The with ofthe groove ‘should be enough to allow for the plurality of lines to be pulled through with relative ease, but is preferably also rarow enough © apply a slight pressure against the group ‘of lines t assist in keeping the lines together for the spooling operation, Again, for this reasoo, itis preferable that the hollow cylindrical shat region be made ofa strong but lightweight material such as PVC, thin sheet metal oF the Hike [0026] _As the lines are pulled together through the groove, they will eventually be pulled taught as the bar is held agains! the abuimeot ofthe eelaiaing notches, The lies are then pulled up through the hollow eylinder to the distal end ‘of the groove, with the portion of the lines residing rom the bar up to the distal groove end staying inside the hollow cylinder. At this sage the Tines.can be wound, sil together 8.4 single grouping, around the spool region. See FIGS. 57. [0027] To aid in insuring thatthe lines do. not become: angled during or after the winding operation, the winding about the spool region may be transitioned to @ figure-cight ‘winding about two optional longitudinally spaced-apart ‘extensions 70 adjacent the proximal and distal edges ofthe ‘pool egion, [0028] With reference fo FIGS. 6,7 and 10, as the end of the lines is reached during tbe spooling operation, still leaving a sulicient length fo manage the detachment (and Inter reattachment) of the kite iself, but leaving the lines ‘lose enough to the kite such that the user ean readily ‘dentify which line is belongs to which attachment point, the lines are visually identified (either by observing the actual attachment point, or by other indicia on the lines the lines themselves suc 3s labels or colors) and secured separately within the corresponding retaining grooves (see FIGS. 10C, 10D), [0029] As an aid in transitioning from the spool region to the relsining region, the spool region may eptionally contain 4 transitioning means, sich as a radial projection neat the ‘distal end of the spool region, and preferably centrally located with respect to the spaced apart retaining grooves. ‘The radial projection cam act to “tro the winding from a reumferental action to an axially directed action in cor- respondence with the preferably axially erionted reigning ‘grooves. Thus, as the winding operation nears completion, preferably winding towards the distal circumferential pro- Jetion, the winding of the lines together can wrap around the radial projection and pull against the proximal side Mar. 9, 2006 thereof towards the retaining grooves. It should be under stood that such radial projection should. preferably be rounded or sloped inthe region of contact with the lines, 0 that aulomalie unssnding during launch is not hindered [0030] The remainder of the Lines can then be gathered together for further winding about the device or placement within the hollow eylinder. An optional embodiment may also have an opening for storage ofthe reminder of the lines ‘ith our without the kite portion (attached or unatacbed) within a hollow head portion. [0031] When the kite i ready for deployment, the lines fein be unsiound or exposed up to the relaining grooves, See FIG.7. Tae separate lines identified by the correspondingly marked grooves, are then attached tothe kite FIG. 8). AS ‘opposed to attachment operation without the aid of the ‘device, this can be dane withthe device ina relatively short stance, a8 the remaining length of the lines is wound up and stored on the device. Onee the kite is attached, the ‘ployment can actually begin even while the remaining Jength of the lines are still wound about the device. Either by action of the wind acting on the hte (or by having someone ‘manvally pull the kite) sehile the user holds the bar (option- ally in or ouof the rani notches) thy Kite pling inthe isa direction will unsvnd the lines around the spot ( 9} asthe ims faa unwinding espe es pulled trom the distal end of the groove and out in the proximal direction toward tbe opening, As te lines exit the ‘opening, the device is set fee from the kite and the lines The ‘device can then drop int the Wate Fr later reeieval, of aa trop to the side ofthe user if attached by tether or the like In this epard, iti noted thatthe geneally hollow interior head of the device (ie. any portion including the spool region and a region distal therefrom) can be filled with ox contain lightweight buoyant flotation material, such as Siyrofoamd or the like, $0 that the device will float. To ellecuate a smooth release from the deviee, the circumfer- entally oriented distal end portion ofthe groove ean option- ally iransition to the axial portion of the groove in @ relatively smooth tum, sloped continuously from the ci ‘cumfereatial portion to the axial portion. In this way, the Tines will easily dislodge from the cireumferemial end portion ofthe groove loward eventual rclease at the proxi- ‘mal opening. ‘What is claimed is 1 Advice forthe management of multiple lines atached to a bar, comprising an elongate body comprising a shaft region, spool region adjacent the Shaft region and distal thereto, and a line retaining region distal to the spool region, the shalt region comprising « hollow body having a Tongitudinal groove runaing from a proximal opening toa distal end point, and a bar taining means for retaining a bar against rotational or axial movement, the spool region comprising a spool shalt defined by oximal and distal containment means for etsioing, spooled lines wound about the spool shaft, the line wining region comprising a means foe sepa rately and removably retaining one or more lines of & plucality of fines US 2006/0049313 AI 2, The device of claim 1, where the bar cet ‘comprises notches located in opposite lateral sides of proximal end face of the hollow body, each of sad notches having an abuiment face against which the bar is pressed ‘when cotaned therein 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the retaining means further comprises. detachable retaining moans Which is

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