US2522422A - Kite attachment, clip, auxiliary retainer, and release mechanism - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 12, 1950 J, wo

KITE ATTACHMENT, CLIP, AUXILIARY RETAINER, AND RELEASE MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 7, 1948 R m! m x ER J. WOLF KITE ATTACHMENT, CLI

P, AUXILIARY Sept. 12, 1950 RETAINER, AND RELEASE MECHANISM .4v Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed nee. 7, 1948 IN V EN TOR.

' J. WOLF KI'I'E ATTACHMENT 0 LIP, AUXILIARY- RELEASE MEC Sep 12, 1950 HANISM RETAINER AND 4 Shets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 7, 1948 Sept. 12, 1950 2,522,422

- J. WOLF KITE ATTACHMENT, CLIP, AUXILIARY RETAINER, AND RELEASE MECHANISM Filed Dec. '7, 1948 AShee't Sheet 4 IN VEN TOR.

Patented Sept. 12, 1950 ATTACHMENT, CLIP, AUXILIARY RE- '1 e H wn smm eMEcnAMsM"' lcsephwslf B oom-x918 Y- .eynlieaiiperil sem 7, 94 rie ..NP-fi ;998

The present invention -rele tato -a. -device ior retaining individual or a plurality of varied attachments, sup-ported uak'ite string, whi;le the kite is in -flight, anqpositi-vemeansiw rapidly releasing these attachments) such means being pontrollable by the operator on the ground.

In fiying-k-ites of vrious-types, 7 it has been I -;i i; nd that the interest QOn me am enhanced byhav-ing attached; to 'the string of the kite, a.

numben'of objects, such as miniature-gliders,

parachute-home figures, birgl models and- -the '-l i1;e,which may 'befrel'ealsed, while the kiteis in the air, the various objectsfloating downward -a.iid returning to the ground.

" ile various-devices Ofthisgeneml type have been available, themethod.of supportingthe I 'si ftiai mii rits 'on the kite string, and the-method of releasing them therefrom have not been-generally satisfactory, due primarily-to the fact that the operator could not'control'andregulate-the of relea,s'e, while the kite was in flight.

In devices ofthis character, it isessentiialthat all of the attachments, carried on the kite string, be as light as practicable, {so as not to retard "the #raising of-th'kite, or affect its maneuverability. It is further' essential that the clip or support used for retaining the various .attalchmehts Joe-light;

{and that thelock or' latchingf-mecha nisrn used to hold the objects in the air be positive, so thet the qb jectswill not be released; until th operator is' reidy'to release them. v l I is therefore essential thatgsin ple, positive relefiseficoiitrollalbl'e fron 'the groundgbe provided ofdertb' enable the operator to 'eleese the "varioiisattachrnents, it will, when the kite-has objects are -over a. selected area;

or ki'ti; aitta chments'which is positive in-its acis 'to provide a.

tionfa'mdby means of which the various objects carried can be readily released under the control 'ofthe operator. r t A further object is to provide a, simple retaining-device or clip; so that comparatively inskilled youngsters can readily attach the various obr' jects thereto, and operate without difiiculty.

, A further obj eet to provide a. rele'asing rnechanisi'n which light, relatively fool-proof, and

the releasing mechifki'te is" inmate, without distortion.

A further object is to provide a variety of lgite attachments which erefsimple, can be firoduced 9m??? a :l ghtjinirei h wi'lfwiths'tand' t e strains encountered while the i iw rd the Fig. 3 is ai relevgt onpf th fi u e a para c enti'a lilei tch.

i'eeichdh predeterminedaltitude, or when-the w 'iqrriieii ens arresting the latch i Another object is to provide .a. releasing device which :is light, rugged and will climb. the-kite string, and-lpass any knots .or other obstructions, which. maybe formed thereon, .by means of .the air-pressure hehindit witha of friction andlwithout injury to the kite string.

The accomponyingdrawings, illustrative of .one embodiment and various-modifications of my invention together withnthedescription .of construction and-the-method .of operation thereof, will serve to clarify. fort-her. objects ai1 1 d.,,e.'ci-

thereto, an a plurality o f sirriulated birds releasa-bly mounted on the auxiliary retainer arm. Fig. 2 represents a. view of the-kite in night,

:si l f lei'i Fig. with, t e rel s discin engage meet with ibe' releesies s en 'mgo h i latch, bpib the cl p and th u i r r taine bein op n,

wi hing rfleu ob e t? .fl eims rees roungl. 3

chuti'st, etta chedto' a pgrgchute,,with the pa rs;- 6.1. 11 psn- I iese sidel leveiienqf t e e s m me t. 91% .th el e sqsi ip Fig.,5 is a e .1 I clip with the evsdip e QPenmwim .1? firfica stie l ihifu the liperad I hken at s owin t il iirelsz- F W! sfif jh 9. 15- h u ih' v e n the closed position,

. Fi i is? vetttelsefientekes at l-Fis'e showin e. r ysi ee ie g w v tw s e ll lip-h 1 A. in 7 mgtne ilaet fil mvemen of, th l tch- Fig. 8 is a, front elevation of the gttach ent w n it th clip and. the elixir-latch showing the opening in Eig. 10 is a vertical section ,thru the release and the plate and. =bra.cketsupporting it, taken' Fig-11 represents eiron-t elevation of the re-v lease disc hub bracket, ;taken at I 11-1 1 Fig. :10.

- Fig. 12 is an isoineti ic drawing of the auxiliary retainer loop lor alcket which supports the pivoted.

support element of the-auxiliary retainer, show-n in Figs. 1 and 19, showing the end of the support rod in the loop of the bracket.

Fig. 13 is a plan view of the miniature glider, supported by the auxiliary retainer in Fig. 1.

Fig. 14 is a side elevation of the miniature glider of Fig. 13, showing the channel bracket, used for supporting it on the auxiliary retainer.

Fig. 15 is a rear elevation of the figure of the parachutist with the parachute rolled up and supported inside the mounting bracket, showing the weight attached to the figure.

Fig. 16 is a side elevation of the figure of the parachutist of Fig. 15, showing the :m'o-unting;

bracket and the method of supporting the rolled parachute within the bracket, also the method of attaching the weight to the i-igure.

Fig. 17 is a plan View of the simulated birds,

shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 18 is a side elevation of a stack of birds, shown in Fig. 1'7. 2 .J r. :i- :L' Fig. 19 is a side elevation of :the auxiliary" re- .tainer assembly, attachedto' the. clip..-

Fig. 20 represents a .sid'e' elevation oflthef attachment clip assemblyhof :Fig. 11; mounted on the kite string, with.theminiatureghder.bracket .supported directly on the lugs of the cliplatch;

Fig. 21 is a plan view'of'the hooked end of the auxiliary retainer anchor.

simulated As indicated .in Figsjl and"2,- theattachments kite, which is raised by'the wind in the usual manner. M

A clip which is fitted with a quick-release latch may be attached to the kite string by looping the ends of string sectionsthru openings formed at both ends of the clip housing, or by any other suitable means. i v

7 An auxiliary retainer, formed .of aluminum ,Wire or other suitable material which is held on the kite string by an anchor se'ction, one end of .which has a series of coilsf'or'med thereon, the coils being slidably supportedbythe kite string, with the opposite hooked end 'pivotally attached to the clip housing may be mounted on the kite string, adjacent the clip.

A loop formed atone end of the lower support section of the auxiliary retainer, may be fitted into the coils in the anchor bracket, thus hingedly connecting the attachment support section of the retainer to the anchor, the free end of the support fitting into the loopedjend of a quick-release bracket, pivotally attached to theclip housing, thru an opening formed in the front end of" the clip housing.

, Various attachments in the form' ofminiature gliders, figures of various types, and simulated-1.;

shaped brackets, the upper.en'd'.of..,thearmsof .whichhave openings formed therein,-to slidably fit over the wire support oftheauxiliary retainer,

gliders or large figures, maybe supported .on-the clip or the auxiliary retainenby means. of U- or both lugs of the quick-release clip latch, the

to the spacing of the, slots in the clip housing. The latching element of the quickerelease clip {may be slidably supported in the :U-shaped hous- ,ingof the clip, with .a release, flange,, loc ated. at

ing left on theg fq ni i. .1

. uslyge sine the 1 99s with the latch at the front end thereof, an opening in the angular flange fitting over the kite string to slidably support the flange on the kite string.

The forward edge of the angular flange, and the outer edge of the horizontal extension of the latch are located in substantial alignment with .bn'eanother, to enable the plate of the release disc to engage both surfaces "simultaneously, in order to open the latch.

A release disc consisting of a thin card-board disc, or other suitable material, may be mounted between a plate and a mounting bracket, the flanged arms of which may be attached by riveting or other suitable means to the central portion of thedisc.

r sis an e. u eredh t e. dis ,w en. it is 'sl d alon t ek te -..st e.v Th O e in s lath p a e and b a ethub .a e-made.la e enouehte clear y kmt w m y be .orm ii th iie st e- I W i e he te i in,.m ma1.; fl eht .ihe r leas dis .m be h t aqk b t e e to pr 42- p ed on the ine-;,;neer theba lisi p ly 9e9 which is controlled; by the operator theba'llibe- When the kite reaches an a tud atwhichithje operator; d si es t ;releesect e.ra i ie atta hments, the release disc may be freed by the oper- -.at.or, the disc b na ic edn by h twin ae rapid y move onetheki est i aunti the 1111.11

-plate. .re hesthe ,relea eia ma d flan o the latch. 1' When the hub plateengagestherelease andth an of the he a chi s ida ori t e. cl p, housi a. the. l s fQ me.dat:the lowe .e of .t e l tch-being, mo ed free o the s o s-in the i ew of hepl p; hq sins. husreleasin .;2. .he at achmen a; su .asthemin tu e,slide -.sh,0wn; in Fi -1 0. v the-bracke of. .whi zi moileig directly on the lugs of the nd simultane- V t the pivoted a 11g 1. ,.l?h} %-"1' eea an moun n Lth arm, e ar ous tta hmeniszfie fihl5 9W ward toward the grouricbgas Fill cated in;Fig. 2

Itwi1l be understoodtha ,th foregoing general c scr i n mba sie t e kite attachm nt clip. allXlllhlfyl a fi -l llt release me ha i uas ell asth ewin ade- .lliailed de rip on; thereq .,+are-.int n ed s e no mi ope as planatory of the there invention and not 1... 'In't drawings. t i ..san e. ce linen designate the same parts throug'hout the various views except where. otherwise indicated.,

In the kite assembly, ncw n n akitefj fl is attachedto one end of along string l l, the oppos ts-en f;w qhie ed'fre e b llqr eiifnc spacing of the arms of the bracket corresponding 70.

h wm- A i l c mrzrieilig sheeedh ii e in ich Mi ha il l lin men formed in them s: the h leing, the end of the rear portion [8 of the string being sextet-a ii -a Sim-masses as sin-- ilar'op'ening l"1, f'ormedjat the opposite en'dof the clip housing. f

auxiliary retainer l8, formed of; an alumi-- num alloy wire or other suitable material;v may be demountably attached to one? end of the clip' housing, the hooked end 19' of the up er retainer anchor 20', being pivotally fitted into the rear opening 7 detail in Fig'. 19, with a series of coils 2|, formed at'ithe opposite end'ofthe auxiliary retainer auction. slidably' fitted over the" forward portion of: the kite string; the oint of attacnmentto the kite s't'ring' being far enough awayfroln'theykite to avoid any possibility of interference with the movement of the tail 22, attached-to the-lower end'of the-kite. 4 f

fan extension leg 23 of the hooked end of the anchor bar formed substantially'parallel tothe lofng' anchor spacer bar 24' of the anchor, which connects, the hooked end with the multiple coils at the op osite end;'is s aced fromtheanchor' bar, a distance slightly greatertnan the width across the channel side walls 25 and 26; Figs, 6 and 7;. and is made long enough to avoid accidentalremoval" of the hooked end [9' of the anchor. from the'housi'n'g. I 1" .Ihrhourifing'the anchorifl on the kite string, theopen en'd of the end coil ofithe multiple coils, atone end of the anchor, isjfitt'edover' the kite string, and the adjacent coils looped over the kite'string until the coilsslidably fit over the kite string. g

The extension leg 24 is opening I5, at the rear end ofthe housing I3, with the spacer bar located abovethe upper connecting wall 21 of' the housing, after whichthe anchor is rotated into a position in which the spacer bar is'substantially parallel to the side Wallsiofthe'housing,th hooked end supporting theanchor on the clip housing. p

The auxiliary retainer may be removed from the kite string and clip, when the wind is not sufii'cient'ly strong to'c'arry a large number of attachments, by? threading the multiple coils 21 over: the. kite string and" detaching" the hooked end!!! of the anchor from the cliphousing in themanner above described;

The substantially L-shaped attachment upport section 30, of the auxiliary retainer'may be attached to the'anchor' by m'e'ans' of an eye" 3|, formed at the upper end'of the v'ertical'arm 32;, of the support section,.. whichis" linke' d tothe" m u-ltiple' ccils 2ifornied at'the rear end of the anchor, with the open end of the lower support rod' 33, of the auxiliary retainer support, fitted into-the looped end 34, of a loop bracket 35, the upper end'of 'which maybe pivotally attached to the clip=housingby means'of the hooked end 36 of the bracketFig. l2; whichis fitted thru the forward opening ll, formed in the clip housing, thus pivotally supporting the bracket in thejhou's ing, -the-loop3 l,- formed at the free-endof the bracket being'fitted over the rear'lug' 3'L'formed1 of at' thelower end of the clip latch, Fig; 4, to hold tl1e auxiliary retainer support in theclose'd posi tion', substantially parallel tothe kitestringg as indicated in Fig. 1.

Thejextension'leg 40 orthepivotedloop' bracket;

formed'substantially parallel to the Thainbra'cket arm H, is spaced from the arm a distance greater; than' the widtha'cro'ss thefichannel side walls 25 and; l igs; G- and 7," and 'is'lnade' 'long'enough' to avoid accidental removal ofith'e hooked endof the bracket fron' -th'e housing: m mo u sung" the l in the one housihg,' as indicated in then fitted into the miniature'gli'derfl, a figure of aparachuustia ,1

. 6: l bracket f the 'clip' housing; the-eitensiori" 1 't'tefd i'r itothe' opening 'I'Tat the fo ward end or the housin with the bracket arm-- 41- located abovethejwupper connecting wall 2'lfloffthe ho'usj 1118, after which the bracket is rotated mtoa tion; in which the' aim" substantiallyparall to thejside walls of the housing, the hooked end pivotally' supporting the bracket in the housing",

A plurality of attachments in the forn'iflofa carrying a parachute 44, a plurality of si'mul'atedl birds 45', or othersuitable objects or jfig'ures', may, be"1hounted o'n'the clip orthe auxiliary retainer" after'the" kite is raised to a suitable? level.

Thehar'ger'objects, such as theminiatureglide or thefigure 0f the parachutist may bernoiinte on'lthe" clip'latch or: the auxiuaryretainer su port by'means 6f brackets 46' and 41, the sub? stantially Vertical arms 48 49' of each (if which have openings 50 and 5l fo'r"nieiiat the upper'endthreof, Figs. 14 and 15, the openings inthebr'acket' arms fitting over the lugs in thf' latch or over the support arm of the auxiliary retainer support section, as indicated in Figsi 1": and 20, the'a'ctual point of mounting depending" upon the number of attachments used, and the orderin' which the operator desires to release' th e'l" various; attachments. Theldwer Connecting Wall? 52'of' thebracket' maybe attached to the minia-il tureglider' fuselage 53' by a plurality of screws" 54, or by other suitable means of attachment. Th'er'earvertica'l arm 48 of the bracketlfi', supportingthe miniature'glid'er is made longer than the front arm, and'the openings 5D'and' 5 l in the located in such a position, with relation to"; themin'i-a'tui'e glider, that'the' glider assumes a substantiallyhorizontal position with relation to" the ground when the kite string assumesits norl the short arm 49 of the bracket amaeamme position towards the kite, thus th'rowingthefuse"; l lage 53 of the glider into an acute angle with relation to the kite string, in order to enable the top of the rudder'55of the glider to clear the.

.,outer circumference of the'release'disc 56, when the releasedisc assembly is move'd'along'the' kite: string to open the latch of the clip, and release theattachments in a manner hereinafter explained.

In'theasseinbly'shownin Fig. 1, thefigiire of the parachuti'St' 43 is slidably mounted on the support 'rod33 of the'auxiliary retainer by means of a bracket 41, similar to the one used to support the glider. As the rear vertical arm 49 is" shorter than the forward vertical arm of the bracket in the position shown, the figure assumes anfan'gular position, with relation to the kite string in itsnorr'n'al positioman'd' also in relaf him; to theground, as indicated Fig.1; Theclip as indicated in Figs; {land 5, c0lnprises a" housing l3, formed of sheet aluminum alloy of othersu'itable material, the cross sectioirj of the channel housing'being U-shape'd, as in'di cat'ed in Figs; 6'and '7, with ala'tch I4, slida bli fitted between thechannel sidewalls 25 and 26" of the housing. A plurality of tubular rivets 58 may'be'used to locate the two channel side walls" of'the'housing; the rivets spacing thein'ner surfaces of the sidewalls, a distance'slightl'y' greater! thela'tch to he" slid "between mesiaewaus' with;

closed position of the latch, shown in Fig. '4, the

two- lugs 31, and 62, formed at the bottom of the latch, formed parallel, with the bottom of the sidewalls f the clip housing are insubstantial alignment with two; U -sh aped slots .63 and 64, formed at the lower end of the channel side walls of. the clip housing.

A depression 65 may be formedin one side wai f I. 6 knots .formed in the kite string, wh'en'the release),

26 of ,the housing, theouter hemisphericalsurface Y formed by, the depression, pressing the 'bod'y't'o f the latch against theopposite sidewall .25, ,while thailatch ismovedintothe closed position, the pressurepf the. hemispherical surface against the j latch acting as a check to prevent the accidentalopening of the latch, when it isin the closed position, showninFig. 4.

fl it. fiange'fil formedbyf'foldi'ng the outer end fof the.

.the. front endof, the latch extension 66,.a.

latchcextension to a position angularly disposed to. the axis of the latch body, and a folded contaotend 6.8, formed by twisting the intermediate sectionjof the. latch extension to a plane sub-- stantially perpendicular .tothe body of. the latch,

ar'ejformed integral with the bodyof the latch. Anlopening fifi formed in the upper portion of gageboth. surfaces simultaneously, in the t The simulated birds 45, may be slidably mcu'n'ted on the lower support rod 33, of the auxiliary retainer, indicated in Fig. 1, or mounted on one of the lugs 31 and 62 of the, clip latch,

by means of an opening it formed in the tail" of the bird body, Fig. .17. The birds maybe re leased from the clip or the auxiliary retainer in the saniefmanner as the other attachments hereinbe'fore "described: I

In; order to release the various attachments frtiin thelclip and, the auxiliary retainer, a Ire-- lease disc'assembly M, shown in detail; in Figs. 9'

an fi liL may'be slid alongthe kite string, the

win pressure against the bod of the disc 56 carrying the disc assembly diagonally upward along the kite string, until the plate 16, mounted ats-ubstantially the center of the forward face of'tlre disc engages the flange 61 and. the'contact end'BBof the latch, thus sliding the latch along the clip housing from the closed position, shown in'fFi'g. '4, to the. open position, shownin Fig. .5, with/the lugs out of alignment with the slots 63ajhd'64 in the side walls of the clip housing.

The release'disc assembly l4, shown in detail inl igs'." 9 and 1'0, constitutes essentially a sub-, stantially. circular .disc .56, with an opening 11.

formed at the center thereof. A. substantially" U-"shapedbracket 18, the lower end of the legs l9'offwhich are flanged to fitthe face of the disc,'. mayfbe 'attacheditoithe disc b means of tubular? rivets '80, which connectjthe forward plate E6, the

disc; and the lower flanges of the disc bracket.

The vjhub 8| formed inthe rear wall of the disc bracket;1Fig...11, islarger, in diameter, thanJlhe 1 width of the bracket. legs, an opening 82 being.

prey dedatthacenter of the hub, withthe, rim,(

theopening flanged inward, ,the openendof, cumference being. .fianged.outward,. aii

and previously described,

.ri ever e use cornersbeing' rounded, to provideasniooth Sui-5, face in engagement withthe kite string,'to 're-' duce frictional resistance against the kite Stringto :a, minimum, in order to .avoid cuttingor' tear ing the string,,and to .facilitatemovement oven,

disc isslid along,.toward the ,cliplatch' controls." .1] The plate 16, located at the forward facelofj. the release disc has a similar opening 84 formed ,thru the center thereof, with the rim 85 of the openingfianged inward, the Open end'of thelrim; circumference being flanged outward, all corners being rounded, in the same manneras that. of) the opening formed in the hub of ,thebracket 18],;

The openings 84in the release disc plateand 82 in the hub of the bracket 18 are made,consider;

. ably larger than thediameter of .the kite string in order to. v enable the disc assembly to slide along the kite stringfand pass over any knotsj formed in the string, or knotted joints 9! formed; when sectionsof the string are tied. together,. as shown in Figs. 1,2 and 20. p ,Q j .A weight 86 may be attached to the rear end of the bodyoi the figure 43 of the parachutist by means ,of rivets 8 1, or other suitable means," of attachment, as indicated in Figs. 3 and l5 theweight moving the figure into a substantially vertical position, thus facilitating the removal on, the parachute fromthe bracket attachedto the figure, when the bracket and figure are released; from the auxiliary retainer support rod a maintaining the figure in the substantially ye tical position, while it is floating downward, wi the parachuteopen, as indicatedfat Fig. 3, The figure maybe attached to one arm oi, the bracket l'i by mean'sof a plurality of hollow rivets 88, or by other suitable means. oiattachment. The parachute 44, Fig. 3, made of thin pap er,j

or othersuitable materials'may be attached to" the lower connecting wall52ofthe bracket 41,,

attached to the figure of the parachutist by means ofaplurality of angular strings 9|. The lower end of the stringsma pass thru an open ing formed in the lower connectin'g.wall 52 of the, bracket, a knot 52;,formed at the freeend of the strings preventing the accidental removalof the] strings thru the opening. Other means of attachment of the parachute, known to the art may The method of .assemblyof the ,various .units tothe. kitestring and, the method of peration are essentially as ,follows: I .Before the end of the kite string-is attached to the guy. strings..95,.of the kite, the release dis.c,.-.

assembly 14 is, slidably mounted on the kite... string by threading the free end of the kite string thru the openings. 82 and 84 in'the release discabr acket...and plate respectively, the kite .stringt; being fed from a ball or reel, which rests on themground.,or .is held by the operator, in the con-- ventionalanannen,

. The end -01 the, rear section=l6 of the kitestring is then slipped thru the opening 69, formed ,r in the flange 61, at the forward end of the-latch which. is slidabl-y assembled in the clip housing; as. indicatedin Fig.4, after which the kite string end is slipped thru the opening I! formed in theforward endofthe clipthousing and tiedinto a knot, to secureit to the housing. One end. ofa. shirtlength 98 of the kite string, approximatelytwo feet long may then be fed thru the opening l5 in'the rear end of the clip housing andknottedtosecureit-to.-.the.clip housing, theother end-,-

of the stringlensthaa.belnalefttree.,

. The kite is then raised, in the conventional manner to a convenient height, at which it is stabilized in flight, after which the free end of the kite string I I, is attached byknotting 91, or other suitable means to the free end of the short length .SBofkite string, attached to the clip'housing.

eThis provides the kite and clip assembly, shown Zinr'igzo. I

One or more attachments, such as the miniature glider 42, the figure -of the parachutist 43,

= the simulated birds 45, may be mounted directly on the lugs 31 and 62 of the latch, by passing the lugs thru the openings 50 and formed in the bracket 46 or 41, attached to the miniature :glider or the figure of the parachutist, in the -'manner previously described, or the opening 70 I .formed in the tail of the simulated birds 45 or other simple figure may-be slipped over one of the lugs 31 or 62 of the clip latch, when the clip is in the open position, shown in Fig. 5. The clip latch is then moved into the closed position, :shown in Fig. 4, thus locking the attachment in place. I 1 While the release disc assembly Hand the ball of string are on the ground, the operator feeds ,the rear section I6, of the kite string thru his hand, thus allowing the kite to rise to any height to which the wind will carry it, the clip and the attachments mounted on it being carried up with the kite string.

The operator may then grip a portion of the,-

. kite string,behind the release disc assembly, the ball of string being left on the ground, after which the operator continues to feed the kite string -thru his hand, allowing the release disc assembly,

.the plate 16 and bracket 18 Of-WhiCh are slidably I, mounted on the kite string, to be carried upward by the kite for a short distance, after which the wind pressure behind the release disc,rapidly elez-vates the disc assembly along the kite string. The

= wind continues to move the release disc assembly 1 until the plate'lfi at the front of the release disc engages the free end of the flange 61, and the contact arm- 68, of the clip latch, the momentum of the release disc assembly and the wind pres- -;sure combining to move the clip latch from the closed position, shown in Fig. 4-to the openposi- .-.tion, shown in Fig. 5, thereby releasing the attachments, and allowing them to fall freely toward-the ground, as indicated in Fig. 2. Y Where the wind velocity is sufiiciently strong to support additional attachments, the upper anchor 20 of the auxiliary retainer l8, may be attached to the opening H: at the rear end of the clip housing, and the coils 2i formed at the rear end of the anchor, threaded over the kite string, ;-to the position shown in Fig. 1, while the kite is .in flight, without disturbing the clip assembly,

which is already attached to. the kite string. By mounting various attachments, such as the -miniature glider, the figure of the parachutist, andthe simulated birds on the lower rod, of the support section. of the auxiliary retainer, a large number ofattachments may be. mounted son the kite string. I v Thefree end of the lower support bar may then 2'10 :be slippedinto the loop 34 of the-loop bracket, which is fitted over the rear lug 31,0f the clip I latch, the latch being-manuallymoved into closed position, as indicated in Fig.1;

The kite string, with the plurality of attachments mounted on the auxiliary retainer, is then fed by the operator, untilthe kite reaches a suitable height, afterjwhich the release disc assembly 14 is freed by the operator, and the wind pressure carries itupward along the kite string until the plate reaches the flange and control arm of the clip latch, in the manner previously described, the continued movement of the release disc assembly moving the clip latch from the closedto theopen position, thus allowing the loop 34 of the loop bracket to slip off the lug, thereby allowing the open end of the lower support rod of the .auxiliaryretainer support to drop, the various attachments being progressively released, as indicated inFig, 2. r

The number of attachment-smounted on the kite string would depend upon the size of the kite,

the weight of thevarious attachments, the numher lugs on the releasing clip, the size and type of the auxiliary retainer used, and the velocity of the wind.

Ordinarily, in order to offer a minimum restraint to the altitude of the kite in flight, one clip and one auxiliary: retainer would be used, with three, or four attachments mounted on them.

Where thekite is flown at a time when the wind, is not particularly strong, only one clip would be used with the attachment or the attachment bracket mounted directly on the lugs of the latch, as indicated in Fig. 20, the auxiliary retainer being removed or omitted to reduce the weight carried by the kite.

It will, accordingly, be appreciated that the kite attachments, clip, auxiliary retainer and release mechanism, herein described, has new and useful constructional. and operational features offering distinct advantages over existing types of kite attachment supports. It will, moreover, be apparent to those skilled in the art that the foregoing description of the'various modifications of the constructionisillustrative, and that numerous changes can be made therein, without departing. from the essentials of the invention which is, rather defined by the appended claims.

What I claim asnewand desire to secure by Letters Patent .is:-.

1. A device for-detachably supporting a plurality of objects on a kite string, attached tov a kite, comprising -a clip, said clip including a housing, means for attaching the housing to the kite string, a latchslidablyfltted within said housing, means formed integral with said latch for detachably supporting one of said objects, means formed integral with the latch for moving the latch from theclosedto the open position, an auxiliary retainer, said. retainer comprising an I anchor bracket pivotally attached to one end of the clip housing, means for slidably supporting said anchor bracket on the kite string, an attachment support pivotallyattached to said anchor bracket, said support being adapted for slidably holding a plurality of objects, means pivotally attached to the clip housing for releasably supporting the open end of the attachment support on the support means/of the clip latch, and means formed integral with one end of the clip latch for sliding the latch from the closed to the open position, the objects slidably mounted on said retainer support being progressively released when the latch is opened.

2. The combination with a kite and string attached thereto, of a clip, a plurality of objects adapted to gravitate toward the ground when released, said clip includinga substantially U-shaped housing, means -for attachingthe'housing to the kite string, a latch slidabl'y fitted between the walls of said housing, a plurality of lugs formed integral with-said -latch for detachably supporting some of said objects, a plurality -of slotsformed in the walls of said housing; in substantialalignment with said lugs, inthe closed position, means formed'integral with said latch for'moving the latch from the closed to the open position,}'an auxiliary retainer, said retainercomprising an anchor bracket,;pivotally atta'chedto one end of the clip housing, means for slidably supporting said anchor-bracket 'on the kite s' tr i'ng, an attachment support, pivotally attached to sa'id anchor bracket, said support being adapted to slidably hold a plurality of releasable-- -objets, 'a looped bracket pivotally attached 'to'th clip housing for releasably supporting the open end "of'the attachment support on one of the lugs of the clip latch, and control eleinents' formed'integral with one end of the clip 'latch'for slidingith'e'latch from the closed to the open position, the; objects slida'bly mounted on the 'retainer support being progressively released'when' the latch-is opened.

3. In combination with a kite and a string at- "tachedthereto', a clipj'a'plurality of objects adapted to gravitate toward the ground when released, said fc'lip comprising a housing of substantially I Urshaped' cross-section, said clip housingbeing attached to theQkite string, a' latch slidably mounted between the -'walls' oj'saidclip housing,

means formed integral;with'said latph for detachably supporting ajplurality of -objects, control elements formed integral withsaidlatch for sliding the latch from the closed to theopen position; an auxiliary retainer, s aid auxiliary retainercomprising an anchormember pivotallyattached to the clip'body, theopposite end of said anchor member being slidably. supported on the kite string, an attachment support section fprslidably supporting a plurality .of objects, pivotally at tached to said anchor, member, means pivotally attachedto the clip housing for releasably supporting the op en end fjthe support section on one of the latch lugs, a i sc assemblyslidably mounted on the kite string,"for engagingthejcon-' trol elements of the latch, said disc 'asse'mbly'being, slidably moved alongthe kite string by the velocity of th'e wind, the latchbeing moved from the closed to the open'position. Thereby releasing the support section of the auxiliary retainer,

, clip housing, a plurality of lugs formed integral with said latchfor detachably supporting an object which 'gravit-ates downward when released, control elements formed integral with said latch for sliding the latch from the closed to the open position, an auxiliary retainer, said auxiliary re- ,tainer comprising an anchor member, pivotally attached to the clip housing, the opposite end of said anchor member being slidably supported on the kite string, an attachment support section for slidably supporting a plurality oi objects, pivotally attached to said anchor member, a looped therein, in substantial alignment witha angularly elevat bracket pivotally attached to the clip housing for releasably supporting the openfend of-the support section on onebffthflathflugsfa disc assembly, slidably mounted c'n-the kite string, for engaging the control elementso'f th latch, said disc assembly being carried along the kite string by the velocity of the wind,'- s'aidlatch being movedfrom the closed to the open position, thereby releasing the support s'ec'tion oi the auxiliary retaineri wlgin the disc assembly engages the control" elements of the latch, the objects -desjcending toward-the t Y d 5. A releasing member lidably mountedkite string, attachedftdak1 e,'compris'ing d sc, a plate adjoining oh e fac o f 'the' "disc, ahdasubstantially U shaped br'acketfsaid bracket having a plurality of flanges formed thereinfniounted at the opposite=face*o'f'said disc; mean rev attaching the'bracket-fiang'es and the pl e to the release disc, 7 said 'platehavinjg an" Gpening f-or'fned 7 jfi formed at the center"of?th'e"disc,=said pia'te ppeping being larger thafi'the diameter of thejkite string to pass knots fornid int'he kite 'stringlthe rim of said ope'ning being flanged inward; with the free-end of the rim-circumference flanged outward, the junction corners being rounded, to facilitate sliding the disc assembly alongthe kite string, the outer wall of the bracket having a similar opening formed therein, the rim ofsaid opening being flanged inward, with the free end of the rim circumference flanged outward-,"the

j unctiori' corners being I rounded, --said openings being slidably mounted the kite mag when the disc in ,its correct position, w ith *relation 'to the, kite string; while the releasingjmember-is h along'the kite sltrings 6. A figure for-detachablemounting 011 a releasing support element of a retaining member,

"mounted af kite string, attachedto a kite, ycomprising 'a formed a substantially; U-

shaped bracket attached to saidfigu're, one arm of said bracket being longer than the other to control the angular position ofthe figure with ratta t n t-s s san eac r sa bracket armshaving an opening formed therein adjacent' the open end "thereof; {said openings slid 'ably fitting over the support element (JP-theretaining member, attached to'the kite stringyand a parachute rolled into the 'inner portion-of the ll shaped bracket,-the'fr ee end of the strings attached to said-par hutebeing'attachedto'said bracket, said parachi opening to retard'the rate of descent of said figure, when the bracket arms are released fronr the support elemen 'of the retainin'gmemben H 4 7. A figure of a arachutis't for detachable mounting "on a releasing support element of a retaining member mounted ona-kite strin ;,;attached to a kite, comprising" a figure in the form of a parachutist, a substantially U-' s1'1ap ed bracket attached to said figure, one arm of said bracket being longer than the other to control the angular position of the figure with relation to'the kite string, each of said bracket armshaving'a'n opening formed therein adjacent the'openend thereof, said openings slidably fitting ver, the support element of the retaining memberattached to the kite string, a parachute rolled into the inner portion of "the U-shaped bracketfthe free end of theangularjst'rings attached to said parachute being attached to said bracket," anda weight attached to t he body of the figure said ,w i htra ce eratin t e. rate q gia n ba figure assembly and controlling-"the angular posi- 13 tion of the figure, the parachute opening to retard the rate of falling of said figure, when the bracket arms are released from the support .element of the retaining member.

8. A figure for detachable mounting on a releasing support element of a retaining member mounted on a kite string attached to a kite, comprising a formed figure, a substantially U-shaped bracket attached to said figure, each of the arms of said bracket having an opening formed adjacent the outer end thereof, said openings slidably fitting over the support element of the retaining member, attached to the kite string, a. parachute rolled into the inner portion of the U-shaped brackelgthe free end of the strings attached to said parachute being attached to said bracket, and a weight attached to the body of the figure, said weight controlling the angular position of the figure, the parachute opening to regulate the rate of falling of the figure, when the bracket arms are released from the support element of the retaining member.

9. A quick-release clip for detachably supporting an object which gravitates downward when released, on a kite string attached to a kite, comprising a substantially U-shaped housing, a latch slidably mounted between the walls of said housing, a plurality of lugs formed integral with said latch for detachably supporting said object, a plurality of rivets for relatively locating th side walls of the housing, said latch having a plurality of slots formed therein, the ends of said slots engaging the rivets for limiting the lateral movement of the latch in both directions, the walls of said housing having a plurality of substantially U-shaped slots formed therein, in substantial alignment with the latch lugs in the closed position, one wall of said housing having a depression formed therein, the surface of said depression, at the inner side of the wall, pressing the latch against the opposite wall to check the movement of the latch in the closed position, the walls of said housing having a plurality of openings formed therein, adjacent the ends thereof, the ends of the kite string fitting thru said openings for attaching the string tothe'housing, and control elements formed integral with one end of the latch for sliding the latch from the closed to the open position.

10. In combination with a kite and a string attached thereto, a quick-release clip, said clip comprising a housing of substantially U-shaped.

cross-section, a latch slidably mounted between the walls of said housing, a plurality of lugs formed integral with said latch for detachably supporting a plurality of objects, control elements formed integral with said latch for sliding the latch from the closed to the open position, an auxiliary retainer, said retainer comprising an anchor member, pivotally attached to the clip housing, a plurality of coils formed at the opposite end of said anchor member being slida bly mounted on the kite string, an attachment support section for slidably supporting a plurality of objects pivotally attached to said coils, a bracket pivotally attached to said housing, the free end of said bracket having a loop formed therein, said loop releasably supporting the open end of the support section on one of the latch lugs, a disc assembly slidably mounted on the kite string, said disc assembly comprising a dischaving an opening formed therein, a plate attached to one face of said disc, a bracket attached tothe opposite face of said disc, said plate and bracket each having an opening formed therein, substantially in alignment with the opening in the plate, the diameter of said openings being larger than the kite string to enable said disc assembly to readily pass knots in the kite string, said disc assembly being elevated along the kite string under momentum of the wind velocity, when the disc assembly is released by the operator, the plate engaging the control elements of the latch to move the latch from the closed to the open position, thereby releasing the support section of the auxiliary retainer, the object gravitating' toward the ground when released.

JOSEPH WOLF.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

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