A kite land board is essentially a wheeled support platform adapted for carrying a rider standing on the platform, and which is suitable for propulsion by means of a kite held by the rider. The board is essentially a so-called mountain board, which resembles a heavy duty, off road skate board, typically with pneumatic tyres, foot straps, and adjustable suspension for better ride and handling performance. The support platform may be made from wood laminate, composites, or a combination of both. Mountain boards are used predominantly for off-road, downhill and racing competitions.

The use of a kite as a source of propulsion has been known for a number of years in the field of surf boards used on water or buggies used on land. In recent years, mountain boards have been adopted by kite flyers for use on flat or slightly undulating ground, using a kite as a source of propulsion. However, a mountain board has limitations when used as a kite board. There are difficulties when travelling upwind, against the down wind pull of the kite. One of the most difficult things when using a kite is to hold ground going upwind. It is hard to push on the heels sufficiently to counteract the pull of the kite. Lengthening the wheelbase provides some assistance in resisting the pull of the kite, but this makes the board heavier and that, and its length, makes the board less suitable for jumps and other stunts.

Viewed from one aspect, the present invention provides a wheeled board adapted for carrying a rider standing on the board and being suitable for propulsion by means of a kite, the board having a support platform on which a rider stands, and wheels attached to the support platform; wherein there is a first wheel set at one longitudinal end of the board, the first wheel set comprising left and right wheels which are arranged symmetrically on either side of a longitudinal axis; there is a second wheel set at the other longitudinal end of the board, the second wheel set comprising left and right wheels which are arranged symmetrically on either side of the longitudinal axis; and

there further being a pair of foot retaining zones on the support platform, spaced longitudinally from each other, the foot retaining zones being such that the heels of a rider will be positioned on one side of the longitudinal axis; characterised in that the foot retaining zones are positioned such that each foot of a rider will be located laterally asymmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the board with a bias towards the side of the longitudinal axis of the board on which the heels are positioned.

Thus, by setting the foot position so that there is a bias on the heel bearing side of the board, there will be increased leverage, making it is easier for a rider to resist the downwind pull of the kite by transferring weight through the heels.

The foot retaining zones may be defined by the positions of foot straps or other restraints for the feet, which may be adapted to cooperate directly with the feet of a user or with footwear worn by the user. The foot retaining zones may be defined by visible markings, for example being in the shape of the outlines of feet or approximating to such outlines, for example being oval. Additionally or alternatively, the foot retaining zones may be provided with non-slip portions on which a user will stand, and the positioning of these can define the foot retaining zones. The non-slip portions could be for example of gripper tape, rubber or the like, in the positions where the feet will be on the support platform.

The lateral bias of the foot position means that there will need to be a greater lateral extent of support platform on the heel side of the longitudinal axis. This can be achieved by having a symmetrical support platform which is wider than that used in a conventional board, with the foot retaining zones positioned asymmetrically with respect to the support platform. Such a construction increases weight, however. That can be accounted for by providing one or more apertures in the support platform, for example centrally or on the toe side of the platform. Such an aperture could be used, for example, as a handle for carrying the board or to hold on to when performing a stunt.

Preferably, the support platform itself is asymmetrical so as to avoid excessive weight through the presence of redundant material. Thus, preferably the support platform is

laterally asymmetrical, with the major part of the support platform being on the side of the longitudinal axis of the board on which a rider's heels will be positioned.

In a preferred arrangement, there is provided an asymmetric support platform with a novel shape. Thus, preferably on the side of the longitudinal axis on which the heels are positioned, the support platform has a profile which is generally convex in the laterally outwards direction, and in that on the other side of the longitudinal axis the support platform has a profile with a region, extending generally between the positions of the toes of a rider, which is concave in the laterally outwards direction.

Preferably, the support platform of the kite land board has a configuration which provides compensation for a rider's weight and also provides a degree of springiness when the rider is riding or jumping. Thus, preferably the support platform has a first end portion to which the first wheel set is attached, a second end portion to which the second wheel set is attached, and an intermediate portion extending longitudinally between the first and second end portions the intermediate portion being upwardly convex in the longitudinal direction. Preferably, the first and second end portions extend upwardly towards the ends of the support platform, from where they meet the intermediate portion. Preferably, the foot retaining zones are such that the heels of a rider will be positioned on the intermediate portion of the support platform, and the toes of the rider will be positioned at a lower level on the support platform. The toes may be positioned on the first and second end portions. The board is preferably designed so that when the rider stands on the board in its neutral position, the board automatically raises the heels with respect to the toes. This gives more leverage for the rider and further assists in going upwind.

In such an arrangement, it may be desirable to provide an offset mounting for the foot when using foot straps to, to reduce binding swivel and facilitate release of the feet.

The feet of a rider will normally positioned so that they are splayed apart, at an angle to the longitudinal axis.

In one embodiment, in addition to two foot straps in a normal position, there may be a third foot strap between them. This is preferably equidistant between then, running on the centre line of the support platform. This may increase the number of tricks and serve also as a handle. Another possibility is to provide a strap like handle which extends across the centre of the support platform, perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis so that a foot cannot slip inadvertently into the strap. Again this could be used to increase the number of tricks.

The degree to which the feet of a rider will be offset with respect to the longitudinal axis, may be expressed in terms of the position of foot retaining zones on the board, those being defined for example by the position of the straps and in some cases by the position of e. g. non-slip foot regions on the board, or by the physical shape, width or surface area of the board.

In terms of the lateral distance available for positioning the foot, measured perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis at the foot regions, there may be about at least 55% to 60% on the heel side of the axis, preferably the range is about 60% to 75% on the heel side, more preferably between 60% and 70%, and in some embodiments approximately 65%, and for example 62% to 67%, i. e. about two thirds.

In some embodiments the maximum width of the platform on the heel side of the longitudinal axis may be about at least 55% to 60% of the overall width of the platform, i. e. the sum of the maximum width on one side of the longitudinal axis and that on the other. These maximum widths will not be at the same point along the axis in the preferred embodiments in which there is a convex/concave profile. Preferably the range is about 60% to 75% on the heel side, more preferably between 60% and 70%, and in some embodiments approximately 65%, and for example 62% to 67%, i. e. about two thirds.

In some embodiments the surface area of the platform on the heel side of the longitudinal axis may be about at least 55% to 60% of the total surface area of the platform, Preferably the range is about 60% to 75% on the heel side, more preferably

between 60% and 70%, and in some embodiments approximately 65%, and for example 62% to 67%, i. e. about two thirds.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of a board in accordance with the invention; and Figure 2 is a diagrammatic side view of the board.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a kite land board 1 comprising a support platform 2, a first wheel set 3 at one end of the platform, and a second wheel set 4 at the other end of the platform. The board 1 has a longitudinal axis 5 and each wheel set is mounted symmetrically with respect to this axis, with the wheels being spaced laterally by equal distances from the axis. The wheel sets 3 and 4 are"trucks"of a type used in mountain boards. They are secured by fixings to the platform and provide spring suspension and a degree of rotation about axes 6 and 7. The wheels 8,9, 10 and 11 of the wheel sets 3 and 4 are provided with pneumatic tyres. The platform may be able to tilt somewhat about the longitudinal axis as a result of the suspension and/or the manner of attaching the wheel sets to the platform.

The board is symmetrical about a transverse centre line 12. However, the support platform 2 is asymmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis 5. The major part of the support platform, indicated generally at 13, is on one side of the longitudinal axis, and the minor part 14 is on the other side. The profile of the major part 13 is generally convex. However, the profile of the minor part 13 is provided with a concave portion 15 in a central region.

Positioned symmetrically either side of the transverse centre line 12 are anti-slip pads 16 and 17, which are where the feet will be positioned in use. These pads 16 and 17 are splayed apart, each being at an angle of 45'to the longitudinal axis. It will be seen that the major part of a foot is to be positioned on the major part 13 of the support platform.

Positioned across the front part of the pads 16 and 17 are respective foot straps 18 and

19. These are adjustable and arranged so that the feet of a rider will be positioned securely and comfortably in the positions indicated by the pads 16 and 17. Each strap is fastened to the support platform by fasteners, indicated at 20,21, 22 and 23, passing through apertures in the straps. The lines joining the fasteners 20,21 and 22,23 respectively are at 45'to the longitudinal axis. The fasteners are positioned asymmetrically with respect to the centre lines of the straps, being towards the heel direction. This offset affects the manner in which the bindings swivel and reduces the possibility of a foot being trapped when dismounting the board.

The cross section of the platform is such that it is raised in the centre, with the result that the heels of a rider will be elevated above the toes. The cross section is shown in Figure 2. It is a"W"type of configuration, with a first end portion 24, a second end portion 25, and an upwardly convex, curved intermediate portion 26. The end portions are directed upwardly from where they meet the intermediate portion, to form the"W". The foot straps 18,19 are positioned so that the heel of a rider will be on elevated parts 27,28 of the intermediate portion, whereas the toes will be in the regions of the valleys 29,30 between the intermediate portion and the end portions. The upwardly convex shape of the platform compensates for a rider's weight and provides resilience when riding or jumping, and raising the heels with respect to the toes gives more leverage for the rider and assists in going upwind.

Typically, the difference in height between the top of the intermediate portion 26 and the valleys 29,30 will be in the range of 20mm to 40mm, and in one preferred embodiment it is 30mm.

In use, a rider standing in the position indicated by pads 16 and 17 will hold a line attached to a kite (not shown), which will be on the downwind side"D"marked on Figure 1. The asymmetric design of the board and the raised position of the heels assist a rider in travelling in the upwind direction if desired, thus turning the board in the direction of arrows Ul or U2, depending on the direction of travel.

Typically, wheelbases may vary from about 825 mm for a stunt board to about 1045 mm for a board intended more for cruising.

The support platform 2 could be provided with an elongate, curved aperture in a central region, which could be used as a handle during stunts and to carry the board. The aperture could be positioned on the heel side or on the toe side of the board as an alternative. More than one aperture could be provided, so long as there is sufficient board material to maintain strength.

There are alternative way of defining the invention. Thus, viewed from another aspect of the present invention there is provided a wheeled board adapted for carrying a rider standing on the board and being suitable for propulsion by means of a kite, the board having a support platform on which a rider stands, and wheels attached to the support platform; wherein the board has a longitudinal axis; there is a first wheel set at one longitudinal end of the board, the first wheel set comprising left and right wheels which are arranged laterally on either side of the longitudinal axis of the board; and there is a second wheel set at the other longitudinal end of the board, the second wheel set comprising left and right wheels which are arranged laterally on either side of the longitudinal axis of the board; characterised in that the support platform is laterally asymmetrical, with the major part of the support platform being on the side of the longitudinal axis of the board on which a rider's heels will be positioned. Viewed from another aspect of the present invention there is provided a wheeled board adapted for carrying a rider standing on the board and being suitable for propulsion by means of a kite, the board having a support platform on which a rider stands, and wheels attached to the support platform; wherein the board has a longitudinal axis and the arrangement is such that a rider will stand with the heels positioned on one side of the axis and the toes on the other side of the axis; there is a first wheel set at one longitudinal end of the board, the first wheel set comprising left and right wheels which are arranged laterally on either side of the longitudinal axis of the board ; and there is a second wheel set at the other longitudinal end of the board, the second wheel set comprising left and right wheels which are arranged laterally on either side of the longitudinal axis of the board; characterised in that on the side of the longitudinal axis on which the heels are positioned, the support platform has a profile which is generally convex in the laterally outwards direction, and in that on the other side of the longitudinal axis the support platform has a profile with a region, extending generally between the positions of the

toes of a rider, which is concave in the laterally outwards direction. Viewed from another aspect the invention provides a wheeled board for carrying a rider holding on to a kite for propulsion, the board having a support platform on which the rider stands, wheel sets attached at either end of the board and a pair of foot retaining straps on the support platform, spaced longitudinally from each other, the arrangement being such that each foot of a rider will be located laterally asymmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the board with a bias towards the side of the longitudinal axis of the board on which the heels are positioned.