AU2012100925A4

AU2012100925A4 - Sailboat mast raising and lowering device

Info

Publication number: AU2012100925A4
Application number: AU2012100925A
Authority: AU
Inventors: David Jenkins
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-06-20
Filing date: 2012-06-20
Publication date: 2012-07-19
Anticipated expiration: 2020-06-20

Abstract

The disclosed mast raising and lowering device is comprised of a number of components being made from stainless steel, aluminium, polyurethane and other plastics. The system requires that the supported wheels are attached to the mast either by a slug in the sail track or a cord with parrell beads attached to it that encompasses the diameter of the mast and holds the wheels loosely to the mast. A block and tackle of a 4:1 minimum configuration can then be attached to the mast base and the other end to the trolley car and when the tail out of the block and tackle is pulled the wheels descend along the mast and the fact that the pivot bar pivots towards the mast in so doing, the mast is raised, eventually to about 45 degrees at this point air is pumped into the base of the unit to push the mast to the upright position, the fact that the device moves through the companionway opening is critical to the invention. Also the use of baby stays is critical as they keep the mast on the theoretical centreline of the boat. The device can also have an additional arm that supports the whole device and mast whilst stepping the mast prior to the raising procedure, this support arm pivots out of the way when raising the mast and can be positioned to support the mast whilst unstepping and subsequent trailering. Baby stays (Figure 4) should be used to restrain the mast from moving off the centre-line of the boat due to the trailer being a non-level surface. Drawings 2/4 Figure 2

Description

EDITORIAL NOTE 2012100925 There are 5 Pages of Description Australian Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT SAILBOAT MAST RAISING AND LOWERING DEVICE The following statement is a full description of the invention including the best method of using it known to me: 1 Sailboat Mast Raising and Lowering Device. [0001]To raise and lower a sailboat mast safely and quickly by one or more people has inherent problems. This invention allows a person, on their own, to raise a sailboat mast easily safely and quickly. [0002] The device is comprised of a number of parts constructed from aluminium, various plastics, rubber, polyurethane and steel. The basic unit is used as a stern crutch (Fig 2B) that allows the mast, once stepped, to be elevated to a greater height by means of pumping air through the base (Fig 2C), thus making it easier to raise the mast to the upright either by one's own strength or by means of an ancillary system. [0003]The additional use of the device is comprised of a number of parts namely a pair of wheels (Fig 2) that travel along the mast and are attached to the mast by using different types of attachment dependent upon the type of mast. A mast with a sail track could use a sail slug (Fig 1) for attachment or other masts could use parrel beads on a line that goes around the mast and is attached to the support of the wheels. (Fig 1A) The wheels are mounted upon the device that can be extended by means of applying air at the base by means of a foot pump or compressed air via a Schrader valve (Fig 2. T9). The base of this tube has U brackets (Fig 2. Tl) and allows the pivot tube to rotate on a horizontal tube (Fig 2. T5) that is attached to the boat with bolted on plates (Fig 3). [0004]The device can have another tube attached to it so that this tube can provide a support for the whole device and will allow the mast to be supported when the boat is being trailered and when stepping the mast and when raising and or lowering the mast. This support tube will not hinder the raising or lowering of the mast. [0005]At the front of the wheels is a stainless steel shackle (Fig 1. Ti) to which a block and tackle is attached and the other end of the block and tackle is attached to the base of the mast or mast step, when the block and tackle is activated by pulling on the tail out this then pull the wheels down towards the mast base and in so doing the mast 2 starts to move to the upright, this continues until the device is at about 45 degrees to the horizontal, at this point the air is pumped into the device at the base (Fig 2C) and the internal tube (Fig 2A. T7) is pushed out by the ensuing air pressure until the mast attains the upright position, the mast can be made secure and the device removed. To lower the mast the procedure is reversed by air being vented to the atmosphere by means of a ball valve (Fig 2. T8) and then easing the block and tackle until the mast is supported at about 15 degrees. In both cases the mast can be raised or lowered using ones own strength or by using a deck winch or trailer winch, using a trailer winch requires an extension that goes around the mast instead of using the shackle which is under the mast. [0006]Use of baby stays is required to ensure that the mast does not deviate from the centre line of the boat during this procedure (Fig 4). Figure 4.1 shows the minimum distance from the mast centre-line to a turning block, Figure 4.2 shows the, spinnaker pole ring. Figure 4.3 shows the mast in the upright position. Figure 4.4 shows a front on view of the "baby stays" with the mast in an upright position. Figure 4.5 Shows position of "Baby stays" relative to the mast, they should be slightly forward of the mast when the mast is upright. Figure 4.6 shows the height from spinnaker pole ring above the stepping point of the mast being no less than 1.2 metres. Figure 4.7 shows an example of a cleating position for the "baby stays".

8 Index to drawings Figure 1. T1. Slug fits in sail track T2. Shackle T3. Bearinged wheels T4. Pivot arm Figure 1A. TIA. Rope with Parrell beads TIB. Mast Figure 2. T4. Pivot arm round tubular T5. Round pivot tube horizontal across companionway. T8. Air release ball valve. T9. Schrader air valve. T11. U bolt retention for T5 Figure 2A. T4. Pivot arm round tubular T5. Round pivot tube horizontal across companionway. T7. Interior telescoping round tube. T8. Air release ball valve. T9. Schrader air valve. T11. U bolt retention for T5 Figure 2B T7. Interior telescoping round tube. T8. Air release ball valve. T9. Schrader air valve. T16. Transom bracket.

9 Figure 3 T5. Round pivot tube horizontal across companionway. T6. Pivot bar assembly comprising eyebolts and load spreading plates. T13. Pivot bar end clamp. CW1. Companion way bulkhead. Figure 4 1. This shows the minimum distance from the centreline of mast to turning block that is 0.5 metres. 2. Spinnaker pole ring. 3. Mast. 4. Shows position of "Baby stays" relative to hull and deck. 5. Shows position of "Baby stays" relative to mast they should be slightly forward of the mast when the mast is vertical. 6. Height from spinnaker pole ring above the stepping point of the mast being no less than 1.2 metres. 7. An example of a cleating position for the " Baby stays".

Claims

1. A device to assist in the raising and lowering of the mast of a sailboat by a single person. One person of average build can raise the mast to the vertical, efficiently and safely. Either using it as a pneumatic telescoping stern crutch or, with modifications, as a pivoting pneumatic mast raising device, or by using the device without pneumatic capability.

2. The device also allows for the lowering of the mast to be accomplished in a far safer and more efficient way by a single person than would otherwise be possible.

3. The device is made up of parts which provide the basis of the invention.

4. The device claimed in clauses 1, 2 and 3 is comprised of a stainless steel, aluminium, rubber, polyurethane and other plastics.

5. The device claimed in clauses 1, 2, 3, and 4, in line with normal practice is employed for use when the mast is at 15 degrees to or greater to the horizontal prior to initiating the raising procedure.

6. The device claimed in clauses 1, 2, 3, and 4 requires that the rope via a block and tackle be the means of applying the force to the device.

7. The device claimed in clauses 1, 2, 3, and 4 can be a permanent fixture of the sailboat and the temporary version can be removed and re-used quickly and efficiently.

8. The device claimed in clauses 1, 2, 3, and 4 can assist the lifting of trailerable yacht masts by a lone operator by taking the place of one other assistants.