Synergetic zero-wind kites
Horvath-kites are the first ones constructed using the proprietary synergetic X-Y-Z-configuration with the 3d-spreader.
They introduced the new genre of free windless floating and are often spotted in urban environments.
Some say that these aren't actually kites, but just kinetic flying devices for every season.
are…
- the first kites in the X-Y-Z-Line configuration with the variable 3d-Spreader
- synergetic structures with precisely adjustable flight characteristics
- based on complex technology, while appearing simple and minimal
- floating and gliding kites, loving indoor, zero or light wind conditions
- stearable, active ultralight single line zero wind kites with a high aspect ratio
- hybrid glider designs with flexible wings
- the slow single line freestyle kites among the light wind kites
- nurflugel membranes tethered on a single line
- stunt kites in some aspects, but are flying liberated in the entire sky
- strongly inspired by the flight and the aerodynamics of birds
- related to indian fighter kites in some aspects like the line handling
- designed to be dynamically stable as a glider and as a kite
- tensegrity kite constructions (see Buckminster Fuller) thus highly sturdy
- due to low mass from 11 to 114 g and high quality materials ecologically efficient
- swiss made in our atelier in Zurich, handmade in Switzerland
- protected inventions and developments of the kite-lab™ horvath.ch
- the original and best. since 2000
are not…
- classic western light wind single line kites, but can fly statically in normal winds
- delta kites, link: Dan Leigh, www.deltakites.com
- Rogallo-wings or Rogallo-kites, but share some the characteristics
- asian fighter kites or north american fighter kites
- stunt kites on two or four lines, but called stearable single-line kites sometimes
- soft kites, though flexible in construction and in flight
- made of ripstop nylon and wooden spars, but Icarex, Dyneema laminates and carbon
- produced in far east, but handmade in Switzerland
- indestructible, but very durable and long lasting classics
- cheap, but you will enjoy them for a long time
Synergy
The interaction or cooperation of two or more organizations, substances or other contributors, which produces a combined effect that is more effective than the sum of the separate individual effects. From the Greek sunergos 'working together'.
In our atelier, the various principles contained in synergetic concepts strongly influence our work and the development of kites.
At the "center for synergetic structures" at Empa, the materials science and technology institute in Zurich, Dr. Rolf Luchsinger and his team are investigating contemporary synergetic concepts such as "tensairity", with modern materials. There are several attempts with kites, some for energy production.
Kites in the seasons
In Switzerland, people like to associate autumn with kites. Autumn winds represent the kite season. Newspapers and magazines like to report about kites during the fall season, even ours, which actually float most beautiful without or in just a breath of wind.
For zero wind kites the whole year is season, at different places and often with spontaneous, uncomplicated flights. The Tubes™ are robust and some of them extremely compact, so that Horvath kites can always be with you:
In winter in deep fresh snow high up in the mountains or indoor, in spring in the first warm rays of sunshine at some freestyle floating in front of the house or in the park, in summer maybe in an agreable cooling breeze in the city or by the sea, and in autumn then anyway, often together with other people.
For static flights in classic continental or alpine autumn winds you may spontaneously insert the Stabilizer™, so some of your kites can fly very high and still relaxed.
In North America and many other regions, the kite season starts in spring and then continues until the cold days are coming with the end of fall.
The german word "Drachen"
A brief statement about the use of the term "kite" in the german language: In german the english word "kite" is used increasingly for "Drachen". In general we would say that the more sporty - particularly in the context of trend sports - the use of a kite is, the more the english word "kite" is used in german speech: "Power-Kiting, Snow-Kiten, Kitesurfen, Depower-Kite" etc. (kiten = kiting).
The more contemplative, playful and creative the activity with kites is, the more - or exclusively - the german word "Drachen" is appropriate, that's especially true for our floating synergetic kites. Drachen is also used for dragon.