Kite load-releasing device

• US 4,842,222 A
• Filed: 09/19/1988
• Issued: 06/27/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eric A. Baird
• Original Assignee: Eric A. Baird
• Inventors: Baird, Eric A.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Assistant Examiner(s): Poindexter, Gregory R.
• Application Number:
  US07/245,520
• Time in Patent Office: 281 Days
• Field of Search: 244/155 R, 244/155 A, 446/30, 446/34, 446/63, 446/228, 446/229
• US Class Current: 244/155.00R
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 27/087 Means for launching objects along the kite string, e.g. with parachutes

Abstract

A load carrying and releasing pendular device for attachment to a kite string and release the load on jerking on the kite string. The device is fixedly attached to the kite string at an upper location. The device is also releasably coupled to the kite string at a second lower location. The kite string is releasable from coupling to the device at the second location by jerking on the string of the kite. The device assumes a first raised position when it is coupled to the kite string both at the first upper location and at the second lower location. On jerking the kite string, the string becomes released at the second lower position and the device pivots from the first raised position to a second lower position. This pivoting of the device, providing movement of portions of the device, relative to the kite string causes the release of the load releasably carried by the device.

Claims

1. A load carrying and releasing, pendular device for attachment to a kite string spaced from the kite to hang downwardly from the kite string and release the load on jerking of the string, the device comprising:

first coupling means for fixedly coupling the device to the string at a first location on the string,

second coupling means for releasably coupling the device to the string at a second location on the string spaced from the first location, the second coupling means releasably engaging the string so as to release the string on jerking of the string,

wherein, with the first coupling means coupling the device to the kite string at the first location, the device hangs from the string in a first position when the second coupling means engages the string, and the device pivots about the first location to move from the first position to a second position upon the kite string being released by the second coupling means,

load engaging means on the device releasably engaging the load,

activation means to cause the load engaging means to release the load,

the activation means being activated by relative movement of the kite string and a portion of the device spaced from the first location on pivoting of the device from the first position to the second position.

2. A device as claimed as in claim 1, wherein on the string being released by the second coupling means, the device pivots about the first location under the weight of the device and load.

3. A device as claimed as in claim 1, wherein on the string being released by the second coupling means the device pivots about the first location under the weight of the device and load and under forces of the wind acting on the device and load.

4. A device as claimed as in claim 1, further including third coupling means fixedly coupling the device to the string at a third location between the first and second locations, spaced from each and spaced from a straight line drawn between the first and second locations.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4 wherein on the string being released by the second coupling means, the device pivots about the first location as a result of tension in the kite string forcing the second and third locations to lie on a parabolic curve assumed by the kite string.

6. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second coupling means comprises a slot to frictionally engage the string therein, the frictional forces permitting release of string from the slot on jerking of the kite string.

7. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said load engaging means comprises a clamping device biased to clamp on to the load.

8. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said clamping device comprises two clamping arms pivotable relative to each other for urging one clamping end of each together to clasp the load therebetween by drawing of opposite ends of the clamping arms together,

the device including biasing means to draw the opposite ends of the clamping arms together,

wherein in the first position the string passes between the two opposite ends of the arms and under the biasing means, and whereby on pivoting of the device from the first position to the second position upon the string being released from the second coupling means, the string will contact the biasing means to disengage it from drawing the opposite ends of the clamping arms together, thereby releasing the load.

9. A load carrying and releasing, pendular device for attachment to a kite string spaced from the kite to hang downwardly from the kite string and release the load on jerking of the string, the device comprising:

first coupling means for fixedly coupling the device to the string at a first upper location on the string,

second coupling means for releasably coupling the device to the string to a second location on the string below the first location, the second coupling means releasably engaging the string so as to release the string on jerking of the string,

wherein, with the first coupling means coupling the device to the kite string at the first location, the device hangs from the string in a first raised position when the second coupling means engages the string, and the device pivots downwardly about the first location to move from the first raised position to a second lower position upon the string being released by the second coupling means,

load engaging means on the device releasably engaging the load to hang downwardly from the device,

activation means to cause the load engaging means to release the load, on release of the kite string by the second coupling means, by relative movement of the kite string and lower portions of the device spaced from the first location.

10. A load carrying and releasing, pendular device for attachment to a kite string spaced from the kite to hang downwardly from the kite string and release the load on jerking the string, the device comprising:

elongate support rod means,

first coupling means on the support rod means at an upper end of the support rod means extending upwardly from the support rod means to a first end to be fixedly coupled to a kite string,

second coupling means on the support rod means spaced from the first coupling means and extending upwardly from the support rod means to a second end carrying an upwardly directed slot to releasably, frictionally engage the kite string and release the kite string on the kite string being jerked,

third coupling means on the support rod means between the first and second coupling means spaced from each and extending upwardly away from the support rod means to a third end to be coupled to a kite string,

the first, second and third coupling means lying in the same plane with the second end spaced above a straight line drawn between the first and second ends,

clamping means on the support rod means lower than the second coupling means to releasably engage a load,

the coupling means comprising two clamping arms journaled on the support rod means for pivoting relative to each other with lower ends of the clamp arms movable towards each other to clamp the load therebetween on upper ends of the clamp arms being drawn together,

biasing means having one end fixedly coupled to the upper end of one clamp arm and a second end releasable coupled to the upper end of the other clamp arm, the biasing means drawing the upper ends of the coupling arms together,

wherein, with the first and third coupling means fixedly coupled to the kite string at positions above the second coupling means, and the second coupling means engaging the string in its slot, the support rod means assumes a first raised portion in which the kite string extends downwardly from the third coupling means to pass between the upper ends of the two coupling arms and underneath the biasing means, whereby on jerking the kite string and releasing the kite string from the slot, the device pivots about the first end downwardly with the kite string contacting the biasing means releasing the second end of the biasing means from the other clamp arm thereby releasing the load.