SkySails - Wind-Powered Watercraft - US20070272141

This patent application of 2007 will expire at around 2027 if accepted. Stephan Wrage now of SkySails GmbH & Co. describes it as

a positioning device for a free-flying kite-type wind-attacked element that comprises a profiled wing, is used as the exclusive, an auxiliary, or an emergency drive unit, and is connected to a watercraft via a traction rope. Said positioning device is provided with a winch that encompasses means which cause the traction rope to be taken in when a given first tractive force is not attained and/or when the flow is about to stop or has stopped abruptly and/or cause the traction rope to be veered when given a second tractive force and/or a given inflow velocity are/is exceeded.

Stephan Wrage is the chairman of the executive board and is in charge of sales, public relations, investment relations and business development of SkySails.

SkySails is another Kite 2.0 company. Today it made international news when it announced that "The 132 meter (433 ft) long MV "Beluga SkySails" will make its maiden voyage in January across the Atlantic to Venezuela, up to Boston and back to Europe. It will be pulled by a giant computer-guided 500,000-euro ($725,000) kite tethered to a 15-metre high mast."

Here a short video describing the Beluga SkySails project:


Full Patent Application. This patent is also published as WO2005100147.

KiteShip - Wind Power for Ships - US7093803

David A. Culp was granted this patent in 2006. It will expire in 2026. The patent describes an

"aerodynamic wing to propel a broad range of transport means, principally sail craft. The wing provides a single layer kite structure capable of flying without surface discontinuity, bridles, or rigid or semi-rigid structure. All stresses within the wing are converted into pure tension and transferred through the wing surface outward to attachment lines. The wing shape defines a large diameter self-supporting rolled over leading edge of an airfoil and the wing profile approaching the trailing edge exhibits increasing convexity. The wing is useful to propel, or supplement propulsion to, transportation means."

Dave Culp is the President of KiteShip, "the leader in spinnaker replacement and kite-assisted ocean vessel technology".

KiteShip is another of the new brand of Kite 2.0 companies.

Here is a video of this kite in action:


Note: This patent has not expired yet, it will expire at around the year 2026. Full Patent.

Magenn Air Rotor System - US20060251505

This patent application was submitted in 2005. If accepted it will expire by 2025.
The patent application by Fred Ferguson of Magenn Power Inc. describes this invention as a "tethered wind turbine".

"In some embodiments, a system may comprise an airborne body extending horizontally along an axis between a first point and a second point, wherein the body is at least partially filled with a gas. The system may further comprise, for example, two or more vanes coupled to the body such that the vanes, when acted upon by a wind force perpendicular to the axis are operable to cause the body to rotate about the axis to generate a Magnus effect lifting force. According to some embodiments, the system may comprise one or more tethers coupled to anchor the body to a third point."

Magenn Power Inc. is one of a new breed of Kite 2.0 companies with kite-based technology.

Here's a video of this kite in action:

You can see some more videos of this kite here and here.

Note: This patent has not expired yet, in fact, it is just a patent application at the moment. If accepted it will expire at around the year 2025. Full Patent Application.


I'll be posting some more Kite 2.0 patents and patent applications to accompany this new trend in the world of kites.

Kite 2.0 is Here!

A new breed of companies with kite-based technology are suddenly popping up around the world. The drive for green renewable energy, has prompted the creation of several companies for kite-based wind power generation and for hauling heavy sea vessels to reduce fuel consuption.

I guess you could call it the Kite 2.0 revolution.

Many of these companies have patented technologies, or applied for patents.
Most of these patents and applications have not expired so the patents are still valid.

I will be posting some Kite 2.0 patents and patent applications to accompany this new trend in the world of kites.

If you want to see any specific patents (new or otherwise) please write them in the comments.

Kite Parachute - US3109257

William Babcock Curtis patented this "Kite Parachute" in 1961. It is probably the simplest possible kite line climber. "... the hook means being in angular relation to said member so as to be directed laterally of the kite string and disengaged therefrom when a wave motion is imparted to the string." Essentially, send it up, shake the line to create a wave, the hook will come off and the chute will drop down. Full Patent.

Kite Attachment - US876690

Charles B. Carroll, patented this simple but clever line climbing device in 1908. "The wind pressure against the bird will carry the roller up the string 2 and on to the plate 3. When the roller 6 is passed off the string 2 and off the end of the V-shaped plate 3, it will become dislocated and fall, and the roller 6 and the arm 8 pivotally secured thereto being heavier than the artificial bird will cause the device to assume a reversed position, in which the artificial bird will sail through the air and eventually fall to the ground." Full Patent.

Automatically Releasing Apparatus for Kites - GB190219137

Cubitt Archibald Stannard patented this line climber in 1903. "A device is arranged to release automatically a parachute &c. at a predetermined point on a cord or wire attached to a kite or captive balloon and to operate automatically the shutter of a photographic camera attached to the device at the time of releasing. After the parachute has been released, the camera returns to the lower end of the cord or wire ready for further use." Full Patent.

Schubert's Music Kite - DE40579

In 1887, Hugo Woldemar Schubert patented what is apparently the first German kite patent. It shows a kite with some kind of whistle or music device. Full Patent.

The First Kite Surfing Patent - NL7603691

In 1977 Gijsbertus Adrianus Panhuise patented, what is probably the first kite surfing patent.
The Kitesurfing section of the Virtual Library of Sport adds: "In October 1977 Gijsbertus Adrianus Panhuise (Netherlands) gets the first patent for [KiteSurfing]. The patent covers, specifically, a water sport using a floating board of a surf board type where a pilot standing up on it is pulled by a wind catching device of a parachute type tied to his harness on a trapeze type belt. Although this patent did not result in any commercial interest, Gijsbertus Adrianus Panhuise could be considered as the originator of KiteSurfing." Full Patent.

Thompson's Kite - US225306

John Thompson patented this kite in 1880. It describes "a reversible kite is produced, and one that can be folded for carrying in the pocket, or more conveniently in the hand." Full Patent.

Whitcomb's Folding Arch Kite - US176721

Aaron J. Whitcomb patented this arch kite in 1876. It describes "a folding kite which can be readily put together and taken apart, and which can be folded in small compass for convenience in transport." Full Patent.

Hardekopf's Arch Kite - US135987

Christian J. Hardekopf patented this arch kite in 1873. It describes "a kite of such formation as can be taken apart in six pieces and rolled up in a small bundle, carried from place to place by any one, and put together in a few moments. The kite is water and weather proof. The kite is firm and compact, and cannot be injured as the common kite can be." Full Patent.

Cabrera's Hexagon - US1781662

Alfred B. Cabrera patented this kite in 1930. It describes "a kite of an especially light yet strong structure, and of a construction particularly adapted in manufacture to lend itself to a variety of different configurations." Full Patent.

Pantcheff's Kite Assembly Technique - US156461

Sophocles Xenophon Pantsos a.k.a. Sophocles Xenophon Pantcheff, patented his "Assembling Frame for Covered Structures" in 1925. "The invention relates to frames for covered structures of the typecomprising compression members and flexible tension members [...]and has for its object a new, very simple way for securing together the compression and tension members and the covering of said structures, in such a manner as to provide an efficient fastening of the said elements, of a rapid and easy erection and dismantling, with a view particularly to combined strength and lightness." Full Patent.
We have seen Pantcheff before, where he patented in the Hexagon kite.

Massa's Stick Pockets - US1480889

Edward Massa patented this kite making technique in 1924. It promises "to provide a kite wherein the marginal edges of the body of the kite will be reinforced and so formed as to provide pockets to receive the ends of the sticks that hold the fabric or covering." Full Patent.

Sellers' Knock-Down Hexagon - US1453287

Harvey A. Sellers patented this kite in 1923. It describes "a frame comprising a plurality of sticks adapted to have a radiating crossing relation, a six sided foldable covering for said frame cut away V shape at the corners and having a single cord binder exposed at the cut away corners, said sticks being of such a length relative to the distance between the corners of the kite as to require the buckling of said sticks to engage said cord binder and each end of the sticks having a slit to receive said binder cord, and a non-removable elastic and flexible binder to hold the sticks when knocked down and at their crossing point when the kite is assembled." Full Patent.

Roa's Hexagon Fighter Kite - 1214592

Armando Roa patented this kite in 1917. It describes "a kite of rigid construction and of such form that by repeated pulling of the string thereof to one side or the other the kite may be directed laterally while in the air." Full Patent.

Exline's Hexagon Kite - US1166750

Marcus P. Exline patented this kite in 1916. It describes "a light metal frame structure whose members may be adjusted with relation to each other and in some cases detachable so that the entire frame is of the knock-down type, to produce a kite whose upper and lower portions are hingedly connected so that the face of the kite may be stretched in a single plane as usual or dished or humped if desired, and to provide a peripheral element which may posses design features or outlined panels that could be covered or faced in different colors." Full Patent.

Stein's Hexagon Metal Kite Frame - US724402

John H. Stein was granted this patent for his Metal Kite Frame in 1903. It describes "a kite-frame of metal which shall be light and at the same time possessed of sufficient strength to withstand the pressure of the air thereon, the arrangement being such as to enable the ribs of the kite to lie together in the same horizontal plane when not in use, so as to render it compact for shipment." Full Patent.

Shepard's Hexagon "Saddle Piece" - US71232

Josiah Shepard was granted this patent in 1867. Its object is to "provide a light and strong frame adapted to being taken apart and put in a small compass for transportation." Full Patent.

Madeleine-Josephine's Fishing Kite - FR1262033

Buland Madeleine-Josephine patented this Fishing Kite and reel in 1961. Full Patent.

Holgerson's Water Kite - US2744352

Arvid R. Holgerson patented his Water Kite in 1956. "This invention relates to fishing tackle, and more specifically to devices commonly known as fishing kites used by fishermen to cause the fishing line and baited hook to be floated out into the stream, eliminating the necessity of repeatedly casting in order to properly locate the baited hook connected therewith, for fishing. An important object of the invention is to construct the fishing kite which is preferably constructed of plastic material and so designed that the float and sinker which are carried by the kite, may be readily and easily reversed, adapting the kite for use in fishing from either bank of a stream. Another object of the invention is to provide a kite wherein the bridle may be readily and easily fastened on the body of the kite, the kite being so constructed that the bridle may be adjusted to change the angle to which the kite may be carried into the stream." Full Patent.

Terilli's Aerial Fishing System - US3462870

Emil B. Terilli patented his Aerial Fishing System in 1969. "Kite fishing apparatus for use with a boat having a reel assembly. A buoy line is attached to the reel assembly and independent fishing lines are releasably attached to the buoy line. A buoy is connected to the buoy line and a kite line with a kiteis attached to the buoy. Means is provided for releasing the fishing lines from the buoy line." Full Patent.

Lee's Fishing Kite - US4469296

Richard P. Lee patented his Fishing Kite in 1982. It a sled like soft kite: "This invention relates generally to foldable kites and in particular to an improved foldable kite adapted for use in fishing, including the clips and release pins used in a kite fishing system." Full Patent.

Waldman's Fishing Kite - US3358399

In 1967, Fred A. Waldman patented his "Kite with Rod and Tackle Combination". "Kite fishing apparatus having a handle with forward and rearward reels serving to reel in and pay out independent lines, namely a fishing line and a glider-type kite line." Full Patent.

Fishing Kite - US3314630

Edgar R. Lewis, Sr. was granted this patent for a fishing kite in 1967. It describes "a fishing kite whereby to float over the water and support a bait at the surface of the water and with the kite being held above the water by normal air currents." Full Patent.

Thayer's Aerial Apparatus - US417755

David Thayer was granted this beautiful patent in 1889. It describes "an Improved Aerial Apparatus for Navigating the Air and for Towing Vessels and Vehicles over Water and Land.
[the invention] relates to an aerial apparatus of novel construction, by means of which a car or carriage, together with its appurtenances, passenger, instruments, and applicances, mat be sustained at any convenient elevation in the air and moved onward through the same from place to place, as desired, said apparatus being also adapted for towing or moving vessels and vehicles over water, land, and ice." Kite sailing 19th century style! Full Patent.
This patent is also available as German patent DE51499.

Incidentally, 117 year later, The First Kite Sailing Symposium took place at the end of Sept. Scott Skinner has the story here.

Ryner's Kite Barrage System - GB532369

Arthur Ryner patented this barrage kite system in 1941. "The invention concerns dirigible weather resisting barrage kites, particularly kites intended for protection against air attacks in place of, or in conjunction with barrage balloons... As shown in Fig. 3, a barrage comprises eight kites 19 connected in pairs to four kites 20 in turn connected to kites 21 and a kite 22 carrying the anchoring rope 23 from a drum 27. Cords 24 attached to the kites are provided on which explosive discs, bombs, lights, leaflets &c. are carried by the wind to engage trigger-releasing devices 25." Full Patent.

Mahony's Life Saving Apparatus - US800927

Peter Mahoney was granted this patent in 1904. It describes "a life-saving apparatus [...] intended for use on board of ships and vessels wrecked on a lee shore, whereby the crew is enabled ti establish communication with the shore in a quick, effective, and reliable manner." Full Patent.

Niehoff's Signaling Kite - US1103817

Ernst Niehoff was granted this patent in 1914. "This invention relates to kites especially designed for use in signaling. The device may be used for signaling from a ship-board and land, from one ship to another, or under any similar circumstances." Full Patent.