Collapsible wing for watercraft

Abstract

A collapsible wing with a frame and a canopy, such that the frame transitions between a deployed state in which the canopy has an aerodynamic profile and a collapsed state with a reduced profile. The frame may have a central spar and two leading edge members pivotally connected to a hinge that slides along the central spar. The leading edge members have an orientation that extends outwardly from the central spar when the frame is in the deployed state and are generally aligned with the central spar when the frame is in the collapsed state.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A collapsible wing comprising a frame and a canopy, wherein the frame is configured to transition between a deployed state in which the canopy has an aerodynamic profile and a collapsed state with a reduced profile. 
     
     
         2 . The collapsible wing of  claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises a central spar and at least one leading edge member connected to the central spar that extends outwardly from the central spar when the frame is in the deployed state and is generally aligned with the central spar when the frame is in the collapsed state. 
     
     
         3 . The collapsible wing of  claim 2 , wherein two leading edge members are pivotally connected to a hinge that slides along the central spar. 
     
     
         4 . The collapsible wing of  claim 3 , wherein the hinge is releasably locked at a position corresponding to the deployed state by an actuator. 
     
     
         5 . The collapsible wing of  claim 3 , wherein the leading edge members form an angle less than 180 degrees with respect to each other. 
     
     
         6 . The collapsible wing of  claim 2 , wherein the canopy is attached to at least one of the central spar and the at least one leading edge member with adjustable tension to vary the aerodynamic profile. 
     
     
         7 . The collapsible wing of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the central spar and the at least one of leading edge member is configured to have a degree of flexibility that contributes to the aerodynamic profile. 
     
     
         8 . The collapsible wing of  claim 3 , further comprising a cross brace releasably secured to the leading edge members when the frame is in the deployed state. 
     
     
         9 . The collapsible wing of  claim 8 , wherein the cross brace adjusts an angle formed by the leading edge members with respect to each other when the frame is in the deployed state. 
     
     
         10 . The collapsible wing of  claim 8 , wherein the cross brace disengages from the leading edge members when the frame transitions to the collapsed state. 
     
     
         11 . The collapsible wing of  claim 1 , further comprising an integrated storage sleeve that stows the wing when the frame is in the collapsed state. 
     
     
         12 . A method for using a collapsible wing, the method comprising providing a frame and a canopy and transitioning the frame between a deployed state in which the canopy has an aerodynamic profile and a collapsed state with a reduced profile. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein providing the frame comprises providing a central spar with two leading edge members are pivotally connected to a hinge that slides along the central spar and wherein transitioning the frame comprises moving the leading edge members from an outwardly extending orientation with respect to the central spar when the frame is in the deployed state to an orientation that is generally aligned with the central spar when the frame is in the collapsed state. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein transitioning the frame comprises releasing an actuator to allow the hinge to slide distally along the central spar. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising adjusting an angle formed by the leading edge members with respect to each other. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising adjusting the tension of the attachment of the canopy to the frame to tailor the aerodynamic profile when the frame is in the deployed state. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising stowing the wing in a storage sleeve when the frame is in the collapsed state.