A personal wind power device is disclosed that includes at least one sail
frame assembly firmly, yet removably, coupled to a shaft. The sail frame
assembly includes a base that is coupled to the shaft and that has first
and second boom arms pivotally attached to it. A sail is affixed between
the first and second boom arms and the boom arms may be in a first stored
position, in which the sail is not deployed, or in a second deployed
position, in which the sail is firmly held in a deployed position and is
able to catch the wind. A latch that is normally closed is pivotally
attached to the base and a locking mechanism coupled to the latch. When in
the normally closed position, the latch urges the locking mechanism into a
stopped orientation, in which movement of the boom arms and sail is
prevented. When the latch is moved into the open position, the locking
mechanism is released and the boom arms and the sail are able to move into
the deployed position, or are able to be retracted into the closed
position.
