Invented by John W. Loy     ( U.S. Patent  4,243,191)    issued  January 1981.
The design of a hood is to minimize and  to prevent the collapse of a soft leading
edge, customary to flexible Sled type kites without departing from some of it's
features. When the hood has air between it and the canopy it resists collapsing
even if there is a short period of wind loss.
When the hooded kite is flying the canopy takes on a concave curvature.
The hood at it's trailing edge is shorter than the width of the canopy, it forms a
conical shape, of greater radius than the canopy, extending beyond the canopy surface.
The trailing edge of the canopy at the battens are tied with a tension cord which is shorter than the trailing edge when laid flat. This serves to form a central canopy curve and assist the kite to catch the wind when the velocity is low.
The patent lists two hooded kites, one with a tapered canopy and the other with parallel
sides.

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