GB2033323A - Improvements in or relating to sail apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Sail apparatus for removably fastening on the human body and having two sail elements 10, 11 which in use extend one to each side of the user's body. Each sail element has a handle 15, and a body strap 18 joins the two sail elements and can be fastened round the chest of a user. Attached to the lower end of each sail element by means of cords 23 and 25 is a strap 20 which can be fastened around an ankle of the user by a quick release buckle 21. In use, the apparatus may be unfastened from the user's body by the user dropping the handles 15 and the body strap 18. The drag then exerted by sail elements 10, 11 pulls the respective release members 22 of buckles 21 through cords 25, thereby releasing buckles 21. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to sail apparatus This invention relates to sail apparatus adapted for fastening on a human body. for use for example when using a skateboard, roller skates or the like.

When using roller skates, it is possible to propel oneself along at considerable speeds with a from of "running" action, which action however requires some effort. When using a skateboard, such an action is not possible but instead one has to "scoot" along and again, although considerable speeds can be built up in this way, some effort must be expended. It is an aim or this invention to provide sail apparatus, whereby wind power may be employed to propel the user of a skateboard roller skates.

According to this invention, there is provided sail apparatus for fastening on the human body, comprising a first strap having a releasable buckle and adapted for fastening around the torso of the user, a pair of second straps each having a releasable buckle and adapted for fastening one around each leg respectively of the user, a pair of fabric sail elements each having a first edge adapted when in use to extend alongside the user's torso, the first strap being connected to both sail elements at one end of the first edges thereof and the second straps being connected one to each of the other ends respectively of the first of each sail element and each sail element having a second edge extending at an angle to the first edge of each sail element and each sail element having a second edge extending at an angle to the first edge, each second edge being connected to a substantially rigid member having a manually-grippable handle, the connection of each sail element to the associated second strap being such that when in use the first edge lies alongside the user's torso and the buckle of the second strap remains fastened, but that when the first strap and the handles are released to allow the sail elements to fall away from the torso, the buckle of each second strap automatically is released to free the entire sail apparatus from the user.

The concept of fastening "wings" or sails to the human torso is very old, but known sails are difficult to fasten to and release from the user's body. By contrast, the arrangement of this invention is inherently safe because should the user find himself in difficulties -- for instance travelling too quickly - the user simply releases the handles and unfastens the buckle of the first strap, whereafter the entire sail apparatus falls away from his body, due to the automatic release of the second straps from the user's legs.

Preferably, the buckle of the first strap is of the "quick release" type requiring a very simple operation of a release member to cause complete release thereof. For example, buckles such as those found sometimes in aircraft or on car seat belts are particularly appropriate for this purpose, for these often require either the depression of a button or the movement of a lever to effect complete release thereof.

Each second strap preferably is adapted for fastening around the ankle of a user and the first strap is adapted for fastening around the chest of the user, to pass immediately beneath the user's armpits. The dimensions of each sail element and the first edge thereof in particular must therefore appropriately be selected for any given user.

Each second strap is advantageously connected to the associated sail element by means of two substantially inextensible flexible tension members, such as cords. One of such cords can be attached to the second strap proper or to the buckle attached thereto, and also to the sail element adjacent the end of the first edge thereof, so that when in use, this member normally is in tension to interconnect the sail element to the strap. The second tension member preferably is coupled to a release element of the releasable buckle, so that tension applied thereto at the correct relative angle will release the buckle, the second tension element being attached to the sail element adjacent the first edge thereof but at a point spaced from the end whereat the first tension element is connected.The second tension member should be of such a length that normally when in use, there is no tension in the second member, but that when the sail element falls away rearwardly from the user, tension occurs in that member in the required direction to operate the release element of the releasable buckle, thereby releasing the second strap.

Each fabric sail element may be of any suitable flexible material, such as a woven textile or a synthetic plastics sheet.

Though each sail element may be any convenient shape, in the preferred embodiment, each sail element is quadrilateral in shape, generally in the form of a parallelogram with an obtuse angle between the first and second edges of each sail element. Convenieritly, extending generally diagonally across each sail element from the junction between the first and second edges is a substantially rigid member, which member serves to assist the filling of the sail element with wind when in use. Moreover, such a member may drag on the ground when the first strap and the handles have been released, thereby to increase the force imparted to the second tension members to release the buckles of the second straps.In addition, a flexible tension member may extend between the two sail elements, from points intermediate the ends of each first edge, which member is adapted to pass behind the user's torso. Such a member assists the first edges to extend alongside the user's body when in use and thus for each sail element to retain its proper shape.

By way of example only, one specific embodiment of this invention will now be described, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagramatic view of a part of a sail apparatus arranged in accordance with this invention, the part of the apparatus omitted from this Figure being substantially a mirror image of that part shown to the left-hand side of the Figure; and Figure 2 is a diagramatic view of a second strap of this invention, when fastened.

Referring to the drawings, the sail apparatus of this invention comprises a pair of sail elements 10 and 11, sail element 11 and the associated components being shown in part but in general being a mirror image of that shown at 10. The sail element 10 is in the form of a parallelogram, having a first edge 12 and a second edge 13, there being an obtuse angle between edges 12 and 13. Edges 13 of the sail element 10 is tied to a substantially rigid pole 14 at the ends of that edge and at a point intermediate the ends. The pole 14 is provided with a handle 15, in the form of a rod which is pivotally connected by pin 1 6 to the pole 14 so that the handle may be rotated as required to a comfortable position when in use.

Extending diagonally across the sail element 10 from the region of the junction between the edges 12 and 13 is a substantially rigid bar 17, connected for instance by means of rivets to the sail element. The bar 1 7 may have ribs or other protrustions formed on its face directed away from the sail element 10.

A torso strap 1 8 of an adjustable length is provided with a quick-release buckle 1 9 (shown released in Figure 1), the strap 1 8 being connected indirectly to both sail elements 10 and 11 by means of the poles 14, to which the strap 1 8 is secured. The torso strap 1 8 is adjusted to such a length that it may conveniently be passed and fastened around the torso of the user, beneath his armpits. Connected to the other end of edge 12 of each sail element is an ankle strap 20, having a quick-release buckle 21 operable by means of a lever 22.The fixed part of the buckle 21 is connected by a cord 23 to the sail element at a point 24 adjacent the end of the first edge 1 2, whereas a second cord 25 interconnects the buckle release lever 22 and a point 26 on the sail element adjacent the edge 12 but spaced along that edge from point 24.

Intermediate the ends of edge 12, there is a cord 27 extending between the elements 10 and 11, the cord passings through eyelets 28 and having knobs 29 attached on the ends thereof.

The length of this cord 27 can be adjusted by appropriate tying.

The buckles 19 and 21 are essentially of the design, and may be released by lifting the operating lever 22 thereof out of the general plane of the main part of the buckle. As can be seen from Figure 2, the length of the strap 20 can be adjusted by pulling the free end 30 thereof, the strap passing around a self-clamping arrangement contained within the buckle itself. The other end of the strap is provided with a catch element 31 which is engagable with a portion of the operating lever 22 when the operating lever is in the position shown in Figure 2; when the operating lever is rotated clockwise (in Figure 2) the catch member is freed from the operating lever and the buckle thereby released.

In use, strap 1 8 and the two straps 20 are adjusted so that they may fit respectively round the torso of a user and around the ankles of a user.

Then, the buckles are fastened so that the sail apparatus is held both around the upper torso of the user and to his two ankles, and so that the handles 1 5 may be gripped. The lengths of the cords 23 and 25 are adjusted so that with the sail apparatus fastened to the user's body in this manner, cord 23 is in tension and cord 25 is relatively slack. Then, by spreading his arms, the user may extend the sails to that wind may be caught to propel the user along, when the user stands on a skateboard or is wearing rollerskates.

Normaily, when used as described above, the cords 23 transfer force from the sail elements to the associated buckles 21 and thence to the user's ankle, and cords 25 are slack. However, if the handles 1 6 are released and buckle 1 9 is unfastened by moving its operating lever (which action easily can be performed by a user even travelling at speed on a skateboard) the apparatus may fall rearwardly behind the user until the bars 1 7 rub on the ground. In falling rearwardly, cords 25 start to become subjected to tension, and thus operate the levers 22, thereby releasing the buckles of both the ankle straps 20. With the release of both ankle straps, the entire apparatus falls away from the user quickly and safely.

Claims (14)

1. Sail apparatus for removably fastening on the human body, comprising a first strap having a releasable buckle and adapted for fastening around the torso of the user, a pair of second straps each having a releasable buckle and adapted for fastening one around each leg respectively of the user, a pair of fabric elements each having a first edge adapted when in use to extend alongside the user's body, the first strap being connected to both sail elements at one end of the first edges thereof and the second straps being connected one to each of the other ends respectively of the first edge of each sail element and each sail element having a second edge extending at an angle to the first edge, each second edge being connected to a substantially rigid member having a manually-grippable handie, the connection of each sail element to the associated second strap being such that when in use the first edge lies alongside the user's body and the buckle of the second strap remains fastened, but that when the first strap and the handles are released to allow the sail elements to fall away from the body, the buckle of each second strap automatically is released to free the entire sail apparatus from the user.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the releaseable buckles of the first and second straps are of the quick release type and each includes a release member to cause complete release thereof.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each second strap is adapted for fastening around the ankle of a user.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the first strap is adapted for fastening around the chest of the user, to pass immediately beneath the user's armpits.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein each second strap is connected to the associated sail element by means of two substantially inextensible flexible tension members.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein one of the tension members is attached at one end to the second strap proper or to the buckle attached thereto, and at the other end to the sail element adjacent the end of the first edge thereof.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second tension member is coupled at one end to the release element of the releasable buckle, and at the other end to the sail element adjacent the first edge thereof but at a point spaced from the end whereat the first tension element is connected.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the second tension member is such a length that normally when in use, there is no tension in the second member, but that when the sail element falls away rearwardly from the user, tension occurs in that member to operate the release element of the releasable buckle, thereby releasing the second strap.

9. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein each fabric sail element is ofa woven textile or a synthetic plastics material.

1 0. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein each sail element is quadrilateral in shape.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein each sail element is in the form of a parallelogram with an obtuse angle between the first and second edges of each sail element.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11, wherein there is provided a substantially rigid member which extends generally diagonally across each sail element from the junction between the first and second edges.

13. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a flexible tension member extends between the two sail elements, from points intermediate the ends of each first edge, which member is adapted to pass behind the. user's torso, and to assist the first edges to extend alongside the user's body when in use.

14. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims and substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.