On this final day of 2023, we are excited to share a groundbreaking solution tailor-made for hang gliders – the "Strung Nestable Standoffs" or SNS. This innovative concept, freshly conceived this morning, holds the promise of revolutionizing the way hang gliders are packed and transported.
The SNS is a crucial component of a specialized spar, seamlessly integrating with other elements such as the compression beam, tension webbing, and a compressible foam filler leading edge (LE). Its nomenclature is derived from the rigid standoffs designed with a generally wing-like cross-section, ensuring structural integrity.
What sets the SNS apart is its ingenious "strung" feature, where a low-mass fabric is employed for tensioning in the expansion spanwise. Two runs of this fabric extend spanwise, allowing for a compact yet resilient packing solution. When collapsed for transport, the SNS neatly condenses into a stack of standoffs, while the stringing fabric accordion-stacks, maintaining its integration with the wing-like standoffs.
Importantly, the SNS is entirely independent during tote, separate from both the tension webbing and compression member. The compressible foam for the leading edge is also designed as a distinct component, potentially arriving in a compressed form to self-expand during wing assembly.
The unique configuration of the SNS, with its wing-shaped standoffs sandwiched between spanwise tension webbing and a compression beam, presents a complex yet efficient spar. This complexity opens the door to remarkably compact packing solutions, exemplifying the tiny happy packings sought by hang gliding enthusiasts. While challenges, particularly in torsion, lie ahead, the SNS marks a significant step toward overcoming them.
As we bid farewell to 2023, we extend our warmest wishes for a Happy New Year. May the SNS be a beacon of innovation, offering hang gliding enthusiasts around the world new and exciting solutions. We proudly present the SNS to the community with the hope that it will contribute to the spirit of exploration and improvement, as celebrated on the US Hawks Forum.