ADJUSTABLE TENSION SAFETY RELEASE DEVICE AND RELEASE LOCK FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a novel integrated kite control bar, adjustable tension safety release device and release lock for use in kite boarding.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Kite boarding is a sport which has developed rapidly in popularity over the past two decades. To kite board, a kite boarder stands on a water, land or snow borne surf board and is connected by a harness which is fastened around his or her waist and buttocks, a center line, a control bar and traction lines to a kite. The center line is attached at the rear end to the harness and passes through a control bar. The control bar is held in the two hands of the kite boarder. The front end of the center line is attached by front and back lines to the kite. When there is sufficient wind, the kite boarder can launch the kite into the air by pulling on the control bar which in turn pulls on the front and back lines. The wind inflates the kite and pulls the kite boarder and surf board over the surface of the water. If the wind is strong enough, the kite boarder can actually launch himself or herself into the air for a brief period of time. The kite boarder can also perform assorted tricks and maneuvers while being pulled by the kite : Kite boarding can also be performed on land, ice or snow.

Although kite boarding is an exciting sport, it can also be a dangerous sport.

Unexpected gusts of wind can cause the kite to accelerate rapidly and in certain cases, if the gust is sufficiently strong, the kite can actually pull the kite boarder and the surf board off the surface of the water and dangerously high into the air. If the kite boarder loses control, he or she may fall and suffer injury. Alternatively, the unexpected gust of wind may drag the surfboarder underwater, or across the ground if on land. In such cases, to avoid a hazardous situation, the kite boarder will want to release himself or herself from the center line, control bar and kite.

Existing center line, control bar and harness designs for kite boards have a manual release knob which enables the kite boarder to release from the kite if the kite boarder so wishes. However, such a manual release knob is not handy or convenient in rapidly escalating danger situations because the kite boarder must let go of the control bar with one hand in order to grab the manual release knob with the free hand. Control of the control bar is not easy with only one hand so if the kite pulls strongly, the kite boarder can lose control, thereby exacerbating the hazardous situation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION- The invention is directed to a kite control bar and safety release device comprising a kite control bar; a center line associated with the kite control bar and having a first end and a second end; characterized by a safety release activation device associated with the first end of the center line on a first side of the control bar; and a hook engaging device associated with the second end of the center line linked to the safety release activation device, said hook engaging device being openable when the control bar is impinged against the safety release activation device.

The safety release activation device can be linked to the hook engaging device by a trigger line which passes through the interior of the center line or the exterior of the center line. The hook engaging device can be a loop and when the trigger line is moved by the safety release activation device being contacted by the control bar, the trigger line can activate a release mechanism which enables the hook engaging loop to be opened.

The trigger line, when activated by the safety release activation device, can unfurl a hook and pile fastener which secures a free end of the hook engaging loop, thereby enabling the loop to be opened. The free end of the hook engaging loop can be connected to the second end of the center line by a pin and loop combina- tion.

The center line and the trigger line can be housed in a hollow tube. The safety release activation device can be a collar which is connected to the trigger line which passes through the interior of the center line.

A variable force resistance mechanism can be associated with the safety release activation device. The resistance mechanism can be a resilient tubing. The tubing can be rubber, and can have a slit therein.

A second end of the trigger line can be secured to the hook and pile fastener which when unfurled by tension applied by the trigger line, can enable the loop to separate at its free end. A manual release lever can be included with the hook engaging device and the lever can enable the hook engaging device to open.

The safety release device can be a tube and pin combination, and the trigger line can pull the tube off the pin and release the pin, and thereby enable the loop to be opened.

An adjustable compression or tension device can be included with the tube and pin to adjust the release force. The adjustable compression or tension device can be a spring or a resilient polymer. The device can include a device which can be moved manually and prevent the manual release lever from being opened.

The invention is also directed to a method of releasably securing a kite boarder to a kite which comprises fitting the kite boarder with a harness, the harness being connected to front and back lines of the kite, and a control bar and release safety device being positioned between the harness and the front and back lines of the kite. The control bar and safety release device comprises: (a) a kite control bar; (b) a center line passing through the kite control bar and having a first end and a second end; (c) a safety release trigger device associated with the first end of the center line on a first side of the control bar; and (d) a hook engaging loop associated with the second end of the center line, on a side of the control bar opposite to the safety trigger release device, and being linked to the safety release trigger device, said loop being openable when the control bar is impinged against the safety release device at the first end of the center line.

The kite boarder can release himself or herself from the front and back lines of the kite by contacting the safety release device with the control bar, thereby enabling the loop to be detached from the harness.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS In drawings which illustrate specific embodiments of the invention, but which should not be construed as restricting the spirit or scope of the invention in any way:

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a kite boarder standing on a surf board and being pulled over the water by a kite, with front and back lines secured to a center line and a control bar with a harness fitting around the waist and buttocks of the kite boarder.

Figure 2 illustrates a front view of one embodiment of the integrated kite control bar, center line, adjustable tension release safety device and depower trim loop.

Figure 3 illustrates an isometric view of a harness equipped with a hook.

Figure 4 illustrates a front view of a depower trim loop as it appears when released by activating a trigger line.

Figure 5 illustrates a front view of an integrated kite control bar and controlled tension release safety device when activated by moving the control bar against a safety release ball which activates a trigger line.

Figure 6 illustrates a front view of an alternative embodiment of safety release mechanism.

Figure 7 illustrates a front view of a third embodiment of safety release mechanism.

Figure 8 illustrates a front view of a fourth embodiment of safety release mechanism.

Figure 9 illustrates a front view of an embodiment of the integrated kite control bar with adjustable release tension and a lock which prevents premature release of the safety release device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The following description involves a four line kite (front and back line pairs), which a the common design, but the description it may be applicable without restraint to other configurations. In normal use, the kite boarder wears an open- hook harness about his hips and waist (see Figures 1 and 3). A loop which is

connected by a center line to a control bar which in turn is connected by a pair of control lines to the kite allows the user to directly power and de-power the kite by effectively modifying the pull on the control bar and control lines, and changing the air-foil characteristics of the kite. This will be referred to hereinafter as the bar- control loop. A second rear harness loop may be used and directly attaches to the control bar, as shown in Figure 1, with the result that the power from the other two control lines is transferred directly to the user through the harness, and not through the control bar and the user's arms. This will be referred to hereinafter as the line- control loop or center line and trim loop. This is preferentially used under highly controlled and stable kiting situations. Use of the line-control loop only is typical under high-performance situations, including using large kites (relative to the wind speed), and in jumping, and performing other maneuvers.

The traditional method of safety in kite boarding in coping with unexpected hazardous conditions is to release the kite, which implies unhooking it from the bar- control loop, as well as the line-control loop, and releasing the control bar. At this point, the control bar is free to be pulled away from the user, and a secondary safety line, attached by a wrist leash on the user and further attached to a single control line (although other situations may be envisioned whereby the wrist leash safety line has other attachments), comes into use. This has the effect of supporting the kite from one point only. Releasing the control lines causes the kite to to lose its wind catching shape. The kite collapses under the wind load and thus provides a safety escape for the kite boarder.

In a situation where the kite boarder is out of control and is still hooked into the harness loops, however, letting go of the control bar may have little effect in that the two lines connected to the center line and the harness are still active in flying the kite, and de-powering of the kite may not occur. One example of this is where there is so much wind force in the kite pulling the user, the person is unable to physically draw the kite in towards his or her body and provide enough slack to the harness lines to allow release of the center line (line control loop) from the harness hook. In other cases, release of one hand from the control bar, even though the kite boarder keeps the other hand on the control bar, can still cause the kite boarder to lose control because he or she is not strong enough to control the control bar with one hand. It is in these very situations that most of the injuries occur in kite boarding activities. The existing art is deficient in addressing these types of safety concerns.

This subject invention provides a number of innovative safety mechanisms whereby the kite boarder can release himself or herself from the line-control loop, and also the bar-control loop, under severe situations. In one aspect, two independ- ent but commonly acting safety devices are provided, one a control bar activated safety release governed by the user's actions on the kite control bar, and the other a direct manual hook release system that can be activated if the control bar is out of the user's control and the kite boarder wants to release his harness from the line- control loop.

The control bar activated safety release is initiated by the user firmly pushing the control bar against a safety release device on the center line. The safety release device has a defined and controllable minimum activation load which is greater typically than any flying loads. This safety release device is connected mechanically to a release pin or other mechanism, which when pulled, allows the line-control loop attached to the harness hook to be opened. This frees the harness hook and the user from the line-control loop connection and the kite. The control bar can also be released from the hands of the user. Traditional safety devices such as a safety tether from the wrist of the user to the kite are then free to work cor- rectly. Similar activation may be provided on the bar-control loop, if desired. This release mechanism according to the invention is independent of how the line and bar control loops are directed/attached at the kite boom, and several embodiments of the invention will be apparent to a person skilled in the art. The subject invention is not directly dependent on the use of a four line kite, but is applicable to any number of kite control lines.

Additionally, a commonly acting manual hook release device is provided which allows the user to manually activate the release pin on the harness loop without pushing forward on the control bar. This is discussed below in the form of a manual device acting at the same point as the above release pin, to allow the user to release the harness loop manually. The combination of these two release systems enhances safety in all situations where the harness of the user is connected to the harness lines and cannot properly release the tension and pull from the kite.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a kite boarder standing on a surf board and being pulled over the water by a kite with front and back lines secured to a control bar and a harness fitting around the waist and buttocks of the kite boarder. As seen in Figure 1, the kite boarder 2 stands on

a surf board 4 which rides on the surface of the water 5. The kite boarder 2, by means of a control bar 14, and a pair of front lines 10 and a pair of back lines 12, is connected to a kite 6 which includes a series of air inflated stiffener struts 8. The inflated stiffener struts 8 serve two purposes, namely, maintaining the concave shape of the kite 6 so that it has maximum efficiency in capturing the wind and keeping the kite 6 afloat when it lands on the water 5.

The control bar 14 can be moved forward and backward by the kite boarder along a center line 20, which is secured by a loop to a depower trim loop hook 18, which in turn is secured to a harness 16 which is worn about the waist and buttocks of the kite boarder 2. The rear ends of the pair of front lines 10 are secured to a loop at the front end of the center line 20. The rear ends of the pair of back lines 12 are secured to the ends of each arm of the control bar 14. By moving the control bar 14 forwardly or rearwardly on the center line 20, the kite boarder 2 is able to control the back lines 12 and the pitch and lift of the kite 6. The kite 6 shown in Figure 1 is manufactured from a single ply sheet, rather than a double ply or double surface kite as available on the market, but it is understood that the invention can be used with double ply kites or other designs of traction kites, including a commer- cially available kite identified with the trademark RAM-AIR..

If there is strong kite power, or if the kite boarder is tired, the kite boarder who is hooked into the bar control at either the line-control or the bar-control loop, as illustrated in Figure 1, may not be able to release the control bar under the tension from control lines. The inventors herein have invented a unique and novel safety release system which is relatively simple in concept and extremely easy for the kite boarder to use. It takes into account of the natural inclination of the kite boarder when confronted with a hazardous situation to push the control bar forward with both hands in a responsive effort to rid himself or herself of the. control bar and the kite.

Figure 2 shows the key features of a first embodiment of the invented safety system which allows the user to release himself or herself from the kite under severe conditions. By pushing forward on the control bar 14, the user activates the lower end of the release activator which is connected to the harness hook 18. An adjustable system is added to allow control of the activation loads for different users and kite sizes. One embodiment of such a system is a spring with compression loading. A simple screw threaded barrel can be used to provide adjustable spring

compression as desired to modify release activation forces. It is undesirable for the bar to release the loop under normal kite boarding situations and loads, so the invention includes a safety release adjustment mechanism which can be based on the particular conditions that are encountered.

Referring specifically to Figure 2, which illustrates a front view of the integrated kite control bar and adjustable tension release safety device, they are constructed so that the control bar 14 can be moved upwardly or downwardly (forwardly or rearwardly) on the center line 20. The control bar 14 can also be rotated about the center line 20 to enable the kite boarder to tilt the back lines and control the lateral slant of the kite. The control bar 14 has at each end a pair of forwardly extending arms 15 with a pair of back line rings 17 at each end. The center line 20 is hollow and has at the top end thereof a front line loop 22 which is connected to the pair of front lines 10 (see Figure 1). A release trigger ball 30 and the top end of a trigger line 28 are also located at the top end of the center line 20 above the control bar 14.

The trigger ball 30 includes an adjustable force resistance mechanism 29 between it and the loop attachment 22 to the kite lines. The resistance mechanism 29 on the first end of the safety release trigger device 30 controls the amount of force that is required to activate the trigger ball 30 and the release device. The adjustable resistance mechanism can be any suitable force adjustment mechanism such as a metal spring or plastic tubing. The resistance mechanism 29 ensures that the control rod 14 when it hits ball 30 with minimum force does not prematurely release the loop 19. One embodiment of the adjustable resistance mechanism is discussed in more detail below in association with Figure, 9.

The center line 20, being hollow, enables the trigger line 28 to pass down the interior of the center line 20 and emerge at the lower end of the center line 20 in association with the depower trim loop 19. The depower trim loop 19 is flexible and is secured to one side of a stiff triangle 24 which is firmly secured to the bottom of the center line 20. A hook and pile fastener 32 (Velcro) is wrapped around one side of the triangle 24. It is understood that other designs of release devices can be used, such as a snap and pin device, such as discussed below in association with Figures 6,7 and 8. The bottom end of the center trigger line 28 emerges from the bottom end of the center line 20 and at its bottom end is secured to the hook and pile fastener 32.

Figure 2 also illustrates as a secondary back-up release feature, namely a manual safety release 26 which is pivotally connected to the triangle 24 and when pulled upwardly, pulls on the trigger line 28, which in turn unfurls (unwraps) the hook and pile fastener 32, thereby enabling the depower trim loop 19 to open. The release 26 can be used with other types of release devices such as a barrel and pin.

Figure 3 illustrates an isometric view of a harness equipped with a loop hook 18. As seen in Figure 3, the harness 16 and hook 18 includes a series of buckle adjustable belts 21 and metal loops 23 which enable the harness to be of adjustable size and securely wrapped around the waist and buttocks of the kite boarder. The belts 21 and steel loops 23 also are secured to a steel cross bar 25 with a loop hook 18 which is constructed of a strong metal such as steel.

Figure 4 illustrates a front view of the depower trim loop 19 as it appears when released to an open position by activating the trigger line 28. As illustrated in Figure 4, the depower trim loop 19 has been opened in the following manner. The trigger line 28 emerging from the bottom end of the center line 20 and the triangle 24 has been pulled by pushing the control bar forward against the trigger ball 30 to thereby unfurl the hook and pile fastener (Velcro) 32. Unfurling the hook and pile fastener 32 releases the pivotal steel pin 38 and the release loop 34. Normally, when the loop 19 is closed, the pin 38 and loop. 34 engage the hook loop 36 at the end of loop 19 and close the loop. When opened in this manner, the depower trim loop 19 releases from the depower trim loop hook 18 of harness 16 which in turn enables the kite boarder to be disengaged from the kite 6.

Figure 5 illustrates a front view of the integrated kite control bar and controlled tension release safety device when activated by moving the control bar upwardly against a safety release ball which activates a trigger line. As seen in Figure 5, the control bar 14 has been pushed upwardly by the kite boarder as indicated by the arrows. The control bar 14, when pushed upwardly by the kite boarder, hits the trigger ball 30, which in turn yanks the trigger line 28 which extends downwardly through the interior of the center line 20. Since the bottom end of the trigger line 28 is secured to the hook and pile fastener 32, it causes the "Velcro"fastener 32 to unwrap from around the one arm of the triangle 24. As there is a rearward (downward) tension exerted on the depower trim loop 19 by the loop hook 18 of the harness 16, the depower trim loop 19 is pulled downwardly which in turn causes the depower trim hook loop 36 to disengage from the release

loop 34. This enables the steel pin 38 to pivot downwardly to an open position, as indicated by the dotted arrow. In this way, the depower trim loop 19 opens and is released from the depower trim loop hook 18 of the harness 16 so the kite boarder is thereby able to release himself or herself from a potentially dangerous or hazard- ous situation, such as in the case where the wind gusts strongly and the kite 6 pulls the kite boarder off the surface of the water to an elevation at which he or she is not comfortable, or under the water.

Figure 6 illustrates a second embodiment of safety release mechanism. As seen in Figure 6, the trigger line 28 and semi-sphere 30 are connected through the interior of the center line 20 to a semi-sphere 40, spring 42 and hollow pin release catch 44 at the lower end of center line 20. Hitting the semi-sphere 30 by moving the control bar 14 upwardly raises the trigger line 28 and pulls the pin release catch 44 upwardly against the spring 42 and off the release pin 46. This enables the pivotal release pin 46 to open, thereby releasing the end of the depower trim loop 19 so that it assumes an open position. If desirable, the hollow pin release catch 44 can be threaded on the interior, or equipped with some other adjustable movement mechanism, so that it can be moved relative to the center line 20, thereby adjusting the compression force on the spring 42. This provides a way of enabling the kite boarder to adjust the release tension of the overall release mechanism. Adjusting the release tension prevents premature opening of the release mechanism, but ensures the release catch 44 opens when an unacceptable level of force is exerted on it by the trigger line 28.

Figure 7 illustrates a third embodiment of the invention which includes a barrel 46 and clip 48 style release mechanism, which permits the user easy access to reconnecting the lines into their loops. The barrel 46 and clip 48 are activated by the control bar 14 being raised upwardly so that it hits the collar 52 and pulls on tension line 50, which in turn acts upwardly on the barrel 46. The barrel 46, by being raised upwardly, releases pin 48 and enables loop 54 to open. Although a clip 48 is shown here, mating to the barrel 46, any of several suitable styles of mechanisms as conventionally used in various lock and harness systems can be incorporated to perform the release function. The clip 48 can be encapsulated in a soft polymer to make it impervious to sand or other contaminants. The use of a soft polymer encapsulant also allows the clip mechanism to act as an effective spring, which can be used to provide a specific resistance so the clip will not release prematurely. The clip 48 can also have a catch or restraining device on it to deter it

slipping out of the barrel 46. Reattachment of the control loop 54 is accomplished by moving the pin 48 to an upright position and moving the barrel 46 down over the clip mechanism 48, which is the position shown in Figure 7.

Figure 8 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the invention. A ball 56 and pin 64 release mechanism provide an effective and simple release. This mechanism allows the user, by incorporation of a compression spring 60, to grab the ball 56 and force it upwards and thereby through actuator bar 58, to raise release barrel 62 upwardly so it releases pin 64. This release system demonstrates use of a compres- sion spring 60. However, in practice, a urethane rubber spring or other similar device can be used instead of a spring to provide the required functionality.

Figure 9 illustrates a front view of an embodiment of the integrated kite control bar with adjustable safety release tension and a lock loop which prevents premature release of the manual release ball. As seen in Figure 9, the adjustable compression release device 29 is constructed of a stopper collar 70, which is fastened to the center line 20, a movable collar 72, which can be moved by upward movement of the control bar 14 and a rubber (neoprene) tube 74 which has a slit 76 therein. When the control bar 14 is moved upwardly, it impinges on movable collar 72 which, according to the designed resistance of tubing 74, can move upwardly in the direction of fixed collar 70. The slit 76, by flaring, enables the tubing 74 to be compressed in length. When the collar 72 is moved upwardly by, bar 14, it pulls on trigger line 28 immediately above collar 72, which in turn pulls on fastener 32, and opens it. The compression force required to squeeze tube 74 can be adjusted by adjusting the degree of elasticity of the tube 74. The compression force can also be adjusted by regulating the number of slits. The tubing 74 can also be encased in a resistance outer tubing in order to provide more adjustability to the release force.

Figure 9 also illustrates a locking loop 80 which can be slipped over the shaft of manual safety release 26 so that it cannot be moved prematurely upwardly, thereby releasing the hook and pile fastener 32. The loop 80 is attached at one end to trim loop 19 and is typically formed of a resilient material such as rubber, so that it can be stretched over safety release 26. This loop 80 provides an option where the kite boarder may wish to deactivate the safety release 26.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the foregoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible in the practice of this invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be construed in accordance with the substance defined by the following claims.