DE20206695U1 - Photo Dragons - Google Patents

Description

Application for utility model protection

Frank Herold 25.04.2002

Chestnut Way 51
06406 Bernburg

Photo Kites

The invention relates to a technical structure according to the preamble of claim 1.

Flying a kite in the wind is an autumnal pleasure. There are kites that can be controlled passively with a handle line, and there are kites that can be actively controlled with two holding lines. These kites come in a wide variety of designs. Usually a flexible base frame is covered with a windproof, lightweight material. In relation to its mass, this represents considerable air resistance, so that it is carried along in the wind. Because the kite is held from the ground, the air flow initiates a more or less constant upward movement. The angle of the attack surface in relation to the air flow is of crucial importance. A patent has been published under the publication number DE 10061145 in which the kite is even used to let parachutes rise up on its holding line, in order to release them once they have reached the top.
Another state of the art that is related to the invention is the disposable camera. These disposable cameras are available for purchase from numerous companies. They are characterized by the fact that they are very light and small, function purely mechanically and are delivered for development with the integrated film.

In principle, there is no disadvantage to either device. But both devices can be combined to create an advantage. You cannot take photos from a certain height with a kite alone. The same applies to the camera on flat terrain.

The combination of kite and disposable camera has the advantages of being able to take photos from a bird's eye view and also being able to take photos of yourself while doing this leisure activity.

To solve these problems, the disposable camera is attached to a kite in a convenient position. A mechanical system triggers the camera when the holding lines are pulled apart.

The advantages can be, on the one hand, inexpensive, professional photography of parcels of land, buildings or similar.

Furthermore, interested parties (children, adults) can take photos of themselves enjoying their leisure time or capture extraordinary aerial perspectives on photo.

Description

Examples of embodiments are shown in the drawings and are described in more detail below.
Show it

Figure I: a view of the surface of the kite facing the handlebars
Figure II: a side view of a swivel mount of the camera

A stunt kite (1) is usually stabilized and stretched using a fiberglass or plastic rod (2; 5). The camera holder is attached to the middle intersection point of this rod. The disposable camera (3) can be rigidly attached to the rod, as shown in Figure I. This allows photos to be taken perpendicular to the holding line.

Alternatively, a swivel bracket (6) can be attached to the rod (2; 5), which holds the camera (10) and the release mechanism (7). A swivel coupling (11) allows the camera to be swiveled forwards or backwards and locks the camera holder (9). This camera holder is also equipped with a roll bar (9) so that the camera lens is not damaged when the kite lands.
The release mechanism consists of a cylinder or cuboid with a hole through it. A release bolt (7) is anchored in this hole with a spring. This bolt can be pre-tensioned by pulling it out. This position is locked by a split pin (8) inserted vertically into the cylinder and the bolt. The entire mechanism is placed exactly above the camera's release button. As soon as the split pin is pulled out, the spring relaxes and presses the release bolt (7) onto the camera's release button. The photo is taken.

The release in flight is as follows:

The locking pin (8) has an eyelet at the end. A tow line (4) is fed through this eyelet. This tow line is connected to both of the kite's holding lines, at a distance of 20 to 150 cm from the suspension point. It is important that the tow line is not taut when the holding lines are guided parallel, but sags slightly. This ensures that the kite can be started and steered without activating the release mechanism. Only when the holding lines, which are initially guided parallel, are moved apart, is the pin pulled out of the bolt by shortening the relative length of the tow line, and triggers the photo.

After taking the photo, you can continue flying the kite or you can land it to wind up the camera again and pre-tension the release mechanism. This means you can take one photo per flight.
This combination works for kites with a wingspan of 160 cm and a wind range of 2 to 5 Beaufort. Instead of a disposable camera, you can of course also use a lightweight reusable camera.
Instead of the mechanical release mechanism, an electro-mechanical solution can also be used, which triggers the device either by remote control or by time delay.

All parts to be used should be made of plastic or light metal so that the additional total weight of the apparatus does not affect the flight characteristics of the kite.

Claims (3)

1. Photo kite, consisting of a stunt kite ( 1 ) and a camera ( 3 ; 10 ), characterized in that the camera ( 3 ; 10 ) is connected to the kite rods ( 2 ; 5 ) rigidly or by means of a pivoting holder ( 6 ). 2. Photo kite according to claim 1, characterized in that a release mechanism is temporarily attached to the camera ( 3 ; 10 ) by means of a strap above the release button. This consists of a plastic cylinder or cuboid that guides the spring-loaded release bolt ( 7 ) vertically and accommodates the locking pin ( 8 ) horizontally in a hole. The pull line ( 4 ) is guided through the eyelet of the locking pin ( 8 ). 3. Photo kite according to claim 1, characterized in that a swivel holder made of plastic ( 6 ) is firmly attached to the kite rods ( 5 ; 2 ), which on the other hand holds the camera ( 10 ; 3 ) together with the release mechanism. A swivel coupling ( 11 ), also made of plastic, is used as a connecting element. This holds the swiveling receiver of the camera connected to the roll bar ( 9 ).