Kite controller

Abstract

An economical kite control that allows a user to quickly and easily modulate the angle of attack of the kite without interfering with the user's ability to quickly and simultaneously steer the kite and without fatiguing the user. The kite control is preferably an elongate, substantially straight, control rod for simultaneously steering and controlling the angle of attack of the kite, and is preferably used in the sport of kiteboarding. In particular, left and right steering lines on the kite, which also serve as power and depower lines, are secured to respective ends of the rod such that rotation of the rod in a first direction along its longitudinal axis causes these lines to wrap around the rod, thereby shortening them with respect to respective depower lines extending from the rod to the kite. In a preferred embodiment, the control rod is operably harnessed to the user. In an alternative preferred embodiment, the depower lines are also operably secured to the rod such that rotation of the rod in the first direction causes the depower lines to lengthen. Conversely, rotation of the rod in an opposite second direction causes the depower lines to shorten and the power lines to lengthen.

1 . A control rod for controlling the angle of attack of a kite having power and depower lines comprising: 
 an elongate, substantially straight control rod having a longitudinal axis and operably secured to the power and depower lines such that rotation of the control rod causes the distance between the control rod and the kite along one of the power and depower lines to increase with respect to the distance between the control rod and the kite along the other of the power and depower lines thereby changing the angle of attack of the kite.    
     
     
         2 . The control rod of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said power line is wound around said control rod in a first direction; and, said depower line is wound around said control rod in an opposite second direction such that rotating said control rod about said longitudinal axis causes one of said power and depower lines to wrap around said control rod and the other of said power and depower lines to unwrap from said control rod.    
     
     
         3 . The control rod of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said power line is wound around said control rod in a first direction to wrap around said control rod during said rotation; and    said depower line is pivotally secured to said control rod so as to not wrap around said control rod during said rotation.    
     
     
         4 . The control rod of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said depower line is wound around said control rod in a first direction to wrap around said control rod during said rotation and,    said power line is pivotally secured to said control rod so as to not wrap around said control rod during said rotation.    
     
     
         5 . The control rod of  claim 1 , further including a harness for operably securing said control rod to a person.  
     
     
         6 . The control rod of  claim 5 , wherein said control rod has first and second ends, and said harness is pivotally secured to said control rod toward said first and second ends such that said control rod may be rotated about its longitudinal axis and pivoted side-to-side about substantially its longitudinal center.  
     
     
         7 . The control rod of  claim 5 , wherein the harness is pivotally secured to the control rod toward the longitudinal center of the control rod such that the control rod may be rotated about its longitudinal axis and pivoted side-to-side about substantially its longitudinal center.  
     
     
         8 . The control rod of  claim 1 , further including hand grips operably secured to said control rod.  
     
     
         9 . A kite flying system for simultaneously steering and regulating the power of the kite comprising: 
 a kite having left and right steering lines, a power line, and a depower line extending therefrom; and,    an elongate, substantially straight control rod having a left side, right side, and longitudinal axis of rotation; 
 wherein said left and right steering lines are operably secured to said left and right sides of said control rod such that tilting said control rod side-to-side causes said kite to turn, and said power and depower lines are operably secured to said control rod such that rotation of the control rod causes the distance between the control rod and the kite along one of the power and depower lines to increase with respect to the distance between the control rod and the kite along the other of the power and depower lines thereby changing the angle of attack of the kite.  
   
     
     
         10 . The kite flying system of  claim 9 , wherein said power and depower lines also serve as said left and right steering lines.  
     
     
         11 . The control rod of  claim 9 , wherein: 
 said power line is wound around said control rod in a first direction; and,    said depower line is wound around said control rod in a opposite second direction such that rotating said control rod about said axis causes one of said power and depower lines to wrap around said control rod and the other of said power and depower lines to unwrap from said control rod.    
     
     
         12 . The control rod of  claim 11 , further including a harness for operably securing said control rod to a person.  
     
     
         13 . The control rod of  claim 12 , wherein said harness is secured to said control rod toward the longitudinal center of said control rod such that said control rod may be rotated about its longitudinal axis and pivoted side-to-side about substantially its longitudinal center.  
     
     
         14 . The control rod of  claim 12 , wherein said harness is pivotally secured to said control rod toward the ends of said control rod.  
     
     
         15 . A kiteboarding system comprising: 
 a floatable board operably secured to a kiteboarder;    a kite having power and depower lines for regulating the angle with which it strikes wind;    an elongate controller held by said kiteboarder such that said kite propels the kiteboarder on said floatable device, said controller being operably secured to said power and depower lines such that rotation of the control rod by said kiteboarder causes the distance between the controller and the kite along one of the power and depower lines to increase with respect to the distance between the controller and the kite along the other of the power and depower lines thereby changing the angle with which the kite strikes the wind and regulating power provided by said kite.    
     
     
         16 . The kiteboarding system of  claim 15 , further including left and right steering lines extending between said kite and said controller such that said kiteboarder may simultaneously steer said kite and regulate said kite's power by rotating and tilting said controller.  
     
     
         17 . The kiteboarding system of  claim 15 , wherein: 
 said power line is wound around said controller in a first direction; and,    said depower line is wound around said controller in a opposite second direction such that rotating said controller about said axis causes one of said power and depower lines to wrap around said controller and the other of said power and depower lines to unwrap from said controller.    
     
     
         18 . The kiteboarding system of  claim 15 , wherein: 
 said power line is wound around said controller in a first direction to wrap around said control rod during said rotation; and    said depower line is pivotally secured to said controller so as to not wrap around said control rod during said rotation.    
     
     
         19 . The kiteboarding system of  claim 15 , further including a harness for operably securing said control rod to a person.  
     
     
         20 . The kiteboarding system of  claim 15 , wherein said controller is an elongate, cylindrical rod.