TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention generally relates to kiteboarding spreader bars. BACKGROUND

[0002] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[0003] Kiteboarding in a popular water sport. A kiteboarder harnesses the power of the wind with a large controllable kite. The kiteboarder is propelled across the water on a kiteboard, which is similar to a wakeboard or a small surfboard.

[0004] Figure 1 shows a typical kite 100. The kite 100 includes a canopy 102 from which lines 1 04 extend. Two outer rear lines 104a,b extend from the canopy 102 to a control bar 106 which can be used to control the steering of the kite 100. Two inner front lines 104c,d extend from the canopy 102 and converge at a pulley 108 that can be used to harness or release wind in the canopy 102. The inner front lines 104c,d pass through the control bar 106 which can slide along the front lines 104c,d. The front lines 104c,d terminate in a chicken loop 1 10 that is fastened to a harness worn by the kiteboarder.

[0005] The kiteboarder wears a fabric waist harness. Figure 2 shows a spreader bar 200 that is affixed to the front of the waist harness. The spreader bar 200 includes an arcuate base 202 that spreads kite load, from the front lines 104c,d, across the abdomen of the kiteboarder. The spreader bar further includes a hook 204 which extends from the centre of the base 202. In use, the chicken loop 1 10 of the kite 100 is hooked onto the hook 204 of the spreader bar 200.

[0006] The conventional spreader bar 200 described above is ideal for speed kiteboarding in flat water or waves. However, kiteboarders would like a slide bar that offers complete freedom when ofton dosiro to perform froostylo tricks whon wave riding. The Applicant has perceived the need for an improved spreader arrangement. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kiteboarding spreader including:

a base;

a slide member extending from the base; and

a sliding fastener for slidably fastening to the slide member and fastening to a kite.

[0008] Advantageously, the sliding fastener can slide along the slide member to improve the range of motion and freedom in performing free style wave riding when compared with a conventional spreader bar. The slide member also provides a smooth transition when the fastener slides from hip to hip.

[0009] The spreader may further include a lock for locking the fastener in a fixed position on the slide member. Advantageously, the lock may lock the sliding fastener in position when boarding for speed or unhooking unlocking in flat water for free style. The lock may include a pin for inserting into the fastener and the slide member. The pin may include a handle.

[00010] The slide member may extend obliquely to the base. The slide member may extend upwardly from the base, in use, which advantageously allows for improved sliding of the fastener when performing wave riding. An angle of about 50 to 80°, and preferably 62°, may be formed between the base and the slide member.

[00011] The slide member may include a central portion that arcs uniformly and gradually, with greater width than height, to provide good control when wave riding. The slide member and base may define a pair of opposed nooks in which the fastener can sit when transferring the kite from one side to the other ensuring a smooth transition whilst turning. The slide member may include a rigid bar. The bar may include an arced body terminating at either end in legs. Each leg may sharply deviate from the body.

[00012] The base may include a strip. The strip may terminate at either end in fasteners. The fasteners may include slots for receiving straps of a waist harness. The strip may be arced to facilitate fitting to an abdomen. The strip may arc uniformly and gradually, with greater width than height. [00013] The sliding fastener may include a hook. The sliding fastener may include a retainer for retaining the slide member. The retainer may include a loop through which the slide member passes. The retainer may define a concavity for receiving the member. The hook may define a pair of coincident mounting holes through which a tether (e.g. kite leash) can pass.

[00014] The base, slide member, sliding fastener and lock may be formed from metal.

[00015] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kiteboarding spreader including:

a base;

a member extending from the base; and

a moving fastener for movingly fastening to the member and fastening to a kite.

[00016] The member may be a slide member. The moving fastener may be a sliding fastener.

[00017] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kiteboarding waist harness including the spreader.

[00018] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kiteboarding kite including the spreader.

[00019] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00020] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[00021] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a kite; [00022] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a conventional kiteboarding spreader bar used with the kite of Figure 1 ;

[00023] Figure 3a is a top view of a kiteboarding spreader for use with the kite of Figure 1 , and in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[00024] Figure 3b is a front view of the kiteboarding spreader of Fgiure 3a;

[00025] Figure 3c is an end view of the kiteboarding spreader of Fgiure 3a;

[00026] Figure 3d is a perspective view of the kiteboarding spreader of Fgiure 3a; and

[00027] Figure 4 shows an end view of a kiteboarding spreader in accordance with another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[00028] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a kiteboarding spreader 300 as shown in Figure 3. The spreader 300 includes a base 302 for fastening to the waist harness (not shown) of the kiteboarder. An elongate slide member 304 extends outwardly from the base 302. The spreader 300 further includes a sliding fastener 306 for slidably fastening to the slide member 304 and fastening to the chicken loop 108 of the kite 100. Advantageously, the sliding fastener 306 with loop 108 can slide along the slide member to improve the range of motion and freedom in wave riding when compared with the conventional spreader bar 200.

[00029] The spreader 300 further includes a lock 308 for locking the fastener 306 in a fixed position on the slide member 304. Advantageously, the lock 308 locks the sliding fastener 306 in position when board riding for speed or unhooking unlocking in flat water for performing free style tricks. As can best be seen in Figure 3d, the lock 308 includes a pin 310 for inserting into holes of the fastener 306 and the slide member 304. The pin 310 terminates in a top handle 312 to facilitate unlocking when extracting the pin 310 therefore eliminating the need to change from a surf spread bar to a flat water spread bar. [00030] Turning to Figure 3c, the slide member 304 extends obliquely to the base 302. Elaborating further, the slide member 304 extends upwardly from the base 302, in use when worn by the kiteboarder, which advantageously allows for improved and desirable sliding of the fastener 306 to free the kiter kito 100 when wave riding. An acute angle of about 50° to 80°, and preferably 62°, is formed between the base 302 and the slide member 304. The kite 100 forces the fastener 306 to the apex of the slide member 304, but during transitions the fastener 306 will slide downward toward the kiteboarder's hips and this motion will be slowed owing to the effective downhill movement. The fastener movement is quicker at the apex, and slower at the outer edges which advantageously impedes the fastener 306 from slamming into the kiteboarder's hips.

[00031] Turning to Figure 3b, the slide member 304 includes a central body 314 that arcs uniformly and gradually, with greater width than height, to provide good control when wave riding. The slide member 304 and base 302 define a pair of opposed nooks 316a,b in which the fastener 306 can sit when transferring the kite 100 from one side to the other ensuring a smooth transition whilst turning during waver riding. The slide member 304 is typically in the form of a rigid bar. The bar includes the arced body 314 terminating at either end in stumpy legs 318. Each leg 318 sharply deviates from the body 314.

[00032] Turning to Figure 3a, the base 302 includes a strip 320. The strip 320 terminates at either end in slotted fasteners 322 for receiving straps of the waist harness. As can best be seen in Figure 3b, the strip 320 is arced to facilitate fitting to an abdomen of the kiteboarder. The strip 320 arcs uniformly and gradually, with greater width than height.

[00033] Turning to Figure 3d, the sliding fastener 306 includes a downward curving hook 324. The sliding fastener 306 also includes a retainer 326 for retaining the slide member 304. The retainer 326 is in the form of a loop through which the slide member 304 passes. The hook 324 defines a pair of coincident mounting holes 328a,b through which a tether (e.g. kite leash) can pass.

[00034] The base 302, slide member 304, sliding fastener 306 and lock 308 are all formed from metal. [00035] The skilled person will understand that the spreader 300 can be provided alone, or as part of a waist harness or kite.

[00036] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that many embodiments and variations can be made without departing from the ambit of the present invention.

[00037] Figure 4 shows a kiteboarding spreader 400 in accordance with another embodiment. The orientation of the spreader 400 depicted in Figure 4 is as it would be in use when worn by the kiteboarder. The base 302 and member 304 are as previously described, although an alternative fastener 402 and lock 404 is provided.

[00038] The moving fastener 402 includes a downward curving hook 406. The fastener 402 also includes a loop retainer 408 for retaining the member 304. The retainer 408 includes a concave bobbin 410 that may be able to rotate.

[00039] The lock 404 includes a threaded pin 412 for inserting into holes of the fastener 402 and the member 304. The pin 412 terminates in a winged handle 414 to facilitate unlocking when extracting the pin 412.

[00040] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

[00041] Reference throughout this specification to One embodiment' or 'an embodiment' means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases 'in one embodiment' or 'in an embodiment' in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.