Other

Bic Corporation

William K Winner

David Cyrus Johnson

A kite control assembly permitting arch-type kites with four attachment points to be flown with two control lines and further including changeable length line elements which may be set to cause particular performance by the kite under given wind conditions and to make the kite optimally maneuverable. Cross bridles, changeable in length, may be used to alter the turning radius of the kite in various wind conditions. Line guides and line stops may be provided for rapidly de-powering the kite.

Control line assembly for kites

An inflatable sailboard consisting of an inflatable hull, a mast, a boom, and a sail, and optionally comprising a removable rigid deck and auxiliary devices such as mast supports and center boards attached to the hull by through-hull fittings. The hull of the invention consists of a plurality of independently inflatable compartments, has a relatively high beam width to length ratio, generally in the range of 1/3 to 2/3, and in preferred embodiments may be employed without mast, boom, or sail, and with an attached seat, as a kayak. The hull may also be towed by a boat or jet ski for sporting use, or may be used as a 'boat trailer' to transport supplies or equipment. The sail of the invention incorporates head and foot cups adapted to attach the sail to the mast to control tension within the sail. Preferred masts for use with the invention are provided in a plurality of assemblable sections, and include an adjustable support for the boom and improved hull attachment means. The mast and boom optionally include a telescoping features to facilitate changing between sails of various sizes.

Inflatable sailboat

An improved sailboard (10) including a hull (12) with a fin (20) secured at the rear thereof, a flexible skirt (24) secured to the hull (12) and extending aft of the fin (20), and a rear extension (29) of the hull that extends aft of the skirt (24). The tail edge (16) of the hull (12) wraps around fin (20) and is cut forward so that the skirt (24) extends laterally of the fin (20).

Anti-ventilation device for sailboards

A sailboard or surfboard (30) having a fin (32) and a skirt (36) extending aft of the tail edge (34) of the board. The skirt (36) is mounted to the sailboard in a manner so that the skirt assumes the contour of the water when sailed. Adhesive or a clamp plate is utilized to secure the skirt (36) to the board (30). The fin (32) includes a fin base (60) and a foil (62). Foil (62) is positioned aft of the fin base (60) so that the trailing edge (64) of the foil (62) is aft of the fin base (60).

A wind propelled sailing apparatus having a sailboard hull adapted to support a user; a sail for propulsion of the sailboard hull and adapted to receive wind for motive power; a skeg positioned and oriented in a rear central portion of the sailboard hull, the skeg being adjustable between a first position, whereby the skeg has a surface area sufficient to prove lateral resistance to side forces generated by the said and to provide directional stability to the sailboard hull when sailing upwind, and a second position, whereby the area of the skeg is reduced for sailing downwind; and a housing for the skeg which facilitates vertical upward and downward movement thereof, the housing having an opening configured and positioned about the skeg to minimize air entrainment between the housing opening and skeg to the underside of the sailboard hull due to forward movement thereof.

Daggerfin adjustable sailboard skeg

A wind propelled sailing apparatus having a sailboard hull adapted to support a user; a sail for propulsion of the sailboard hull and adapted to receive wind for motive power; a skeg positioned and oriented in a rear central portion of the sailboard hull, the skeg being adjustable between a first position, whereby the skeg has a surface area sufficient to provide lateral resistance to side forces generated by the sail and to provide directional stability to the sailboard hull when sailing upwind, and a second position, whereby the area of the skeg is reduced for sailing downward; and a housing for the skeg which facilitates vertical upward and downward movement thereof, the housing having an opening configured and positioned about the skeg to minimize air entrainment between the housing opening and skeg to the underside of the sailboard hull due to forward movement thereof.

A wind propelled apparatus is disclosed which includes a surfboard having a wind-propulsion sail adapted to receive wind for motive power, and a training sleeve which surrounds a substantial portion of the surfboard and includes side pontoons or stabilizer tanks filled with air under pressure to stabilize the surfboard with respect to a longitudinal axis. The training sleeve is preferably of a woven fabric which is maintained in tension and snugly against the board and has a relatively non-skid surface for stepping by an operator. This function is useful in combination with the stabilizer tanks particularly as a training aid for novice operators, but may also be used as desired by experienced operators under extreme conditions.

Growing community of inventors

White Salmon, WA, United States of America

William K Winner