AU613055B2

AU613055B2 - System for altering the position of sailboat masts

Info

Publication number: AU613055B2
Application number: AU18694/88A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Erich Haigis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-07-14
Filing date: 1988-07-05
Publication date: 1991-07-25
Anticipated expiration: 2008-07-05
Also published as: AU1869488A; EP0299356A1; EP0299356B1; NZ225282A; DE3873199D1; ES2034042T3; ATE78768T1

Abstract

Construction system with which the mast of sailing vessels can be changed in its position relative to the hull in accordance with the wind strength. The foot of the mast rests in a joint which permits the inclination of the mast both to either side and towards the stem and stern. The position of the mast is influenced via a weight displaceable laterally and forwards and backwards in the hull. The advantage of the present invention lies in the fact that the torques acting on the mast are compensated for by pendulum weights and are not transmitted to the hull. Due to the pendulum weight, the mast can be set in any position in which the wind force can be utilised to the maximum. <IMAGE>

Description

Si nature of appicant or Australian attorney (Signature) (Erich HAIGIS) THE COMMISSIONER OF PATENTS This form must he accompanied by either a provisional specification (Form 9 and true copy) oi by a complete specification (Form 10 and true copy).

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Form PATENTS ACT 19152 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

FOR OrFICE USE Short Title: Int. Cl: Ajplication Number: Lodged: Cbmplete Specification-Lodged: Accepted: Lapsed: Pu~lished: ,Priority: Related Art: Name of Appw -at: Address of Applicant: Actual inventor: TO BZ COMPLETED BY APPLICANT HAIGIS Erich Neutaiweg CH-4203 Grellingen (Switzerl and) H "I1G IS E r ich Address for Service., '&141. 4,~N Pc~ Complete Specification for the invention entitled:.

System 1~or altering the position of sailboat masts.

The following statement Is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing It .known to me.- Note: The description Is to be typed in doub!* spacing, pica typo f~ce, In an area not \ixceeding 250 mm In depth and 160 mm In width, on tough white paper of goad quality' and it 14 to be lnsentW inside this form.

14699/78-L, Printed by C. J.THomPsoN, Commonwtaith G,)vz~nrmctit Printer, Canberra -1 System for a tering the position of sai boat masts Description Field to which the invention relates The present invention relates to a structural system with which the position of a sailboat's mast may be altered in relat~-n to the hull to suit the wind velocity. The foot of the maz, is supported in a joint permitting inclination of the mast to either side and toward the bow or stern. The position of the mast is influenced by a weight in the hull that can be shifted sideways or fore and aft.

On conventional sailboats, the mast or masts in the case of boats with more than one mast is (are) joined to the hull at a fixed angle when readied for sailing. Shrouds and stays are used to keep the mast always in the same vertical position in relation to the boat's hull. Whenever the miast is inclined by the pressure of the wind, the boat heels to the same extent.

As a result of this rigid connection between mast and hull, the forces acting on the mast via the sails, and therefore.

their resultant force M, are transmitted to the boat's hull.

The resultant force M, which acts on the mast at about one-third to cne-half of its height, can be divided into three components: a component A directed forward, parallel to the hull's fore-aft axis; a horizontal, lateral component B, and a vertical component C (see Fig. 1).

The forward-directed component A results in, firstly, the forward movement of the boat and, secondly, a torque that places a load on the bow and removes a load from the stern.

The lateral component B, which becomes significant when tho boat is b6- 1 '-t i -2sailed at right angles to the wind, causes the boat to drift off course and produces a torque around the hull's i tilting axis (or axes). The boat heels as a result of this torque.

When the hull heels, i.e. with the mast inclined sideways, component A produces a torque around the vertical central axis of the hull. This torque turns the boat "into the wind".

.jk When the mast is inclined to Jr.award, the vertical component C points downward. It place-s a load on the hull and also creates a torque that adds to the torque produced by component B and causes the boat to heel even more.

I The present invention prevents the torques produced by the forces A, B and C from being transmitted to the hull by decoupling the rigid connection between mast and hull. Accord- 15 -ng to the present invention, this decoupling is effected on j the one hand by supporting the mast foot F in a movable joint a 1(ball-a id-socket joint, universal joint) and on the other by counteracting the described torques with opposing torques produced by one or more sufficiently heavy weights positioned suitably in the hull, in such a way that the torque around the mast foot joint becomes zero. The weights located in the bull nmust be joined to the mast foot in such a way that, as far as possible, they influence only the torques acting on the mast and do not transmit any adverse torques to the hull.

Such a weight can be prevented from applying a torque to the hull only by fastening it exclusively to the mast or the mast foot F (pivot) (Fig. To this end, the weight can be suspended from the mast with ropes or with tackle of adjustable length. Such a weight can also be suspended from the mast or mast foot by means of a sturdy pendulum rod capable of bearing tensile and compressive loads (Fig. Such a A

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-3weight can also be fastened to a ring system that rotates freely around the pivot D (Fig. Either a single counterweight or an entire system comprising a number of counterweights in suitable positions can be used to compensate the torques produced by the forces A, B and C (Fig. The sum of all weights and their lever arms with reference to the mast foot pivot F must result in the torques around this pivot F being cancelled out, In the simplified case, the compensation of the torques can 1. cz restricted to the torque produced by forces B and C, in other words to comoensation of the rotation around the boat's fore-to-aft axis.

Essentially, the weight or weights can be hoisted to different heights and swung out laterally to different distances in zelar.ion to the pivot F or D. The lever arm or arms, which serve on the one hand to support the weights but whose primary function consists in swinging out the weight and, maintaining its distance from the pivot F, can be constructed so as to be adjustable in the length. In other words, this adjustable length of the lever arm can guide the weight along a path that does not represent a circular path with F as its centre.

The advantage .f the pres,'nt invention consists in counteracting the torques acting on the mast. This makes it possible to place the mast in that position at which the force of the wind can be utilized to the maximum. Depending on the wind velocity, the mast can be positioned vertically or be inclined to windward and/or toward the stern. If the mast is inclined to windward, the vertical force C is no longer directed downward as shown in Fig. 1, but upward, which reduces the load bearing on the sailboat.

The described system of a mast that does not transmit any torques to the hull is also applicable to boats with more than one mast. In this case, the position of each mast can r .r _EC4~~LI -4be altered individually, or the different masts can be set in concert in order to achieve optimal mutual positioning.

The identification and establishment of the optimal mast position for maximum utilization of the wind forc~e can be accomplished on the basis of human judgement Qr with the aid oE technical devices. Measuring instruments and sensors for measuring the wind force and the force M acting on the mast, and angle measuring instruments, can also be used to collect data that can b fed to an electronic data processing system for control of the counterweight (or the various counterweicthts) and therefore for establishment of the mast position.

The position of the counterweight can be altered with tackle systems and winches by means of human muscle power or with the aid of motors. But it is also possible to employ hydraulic systems to position the counterweight and adjust the length of the lever arm.

Previous state of the art U.S. Patent 3,985,106 describes a stabilization system for sailboats characterized in that the mast is supported to rotate sideways and carries a counterweight. Furthermore, the mast is fastened to weights that can be hoisted in the sides of the hull. In this system, the mast's pivot is a simp.,e joint permitting rotation to either side but no inclination of the mast fore or aft. In this system, thz mast is caizied past the pivot point downward into the hull in the form of a continuous, straight bar; the pivot is not the end of the mast. The tackle used to connect the counterweight on the mast with the hoisting weights in the hull prevent the mast from rotatinc,, freely, thus transmitting torques to the hall.

Abe W CH Patent Application No. 1148/87-3 describes a structural system for inclining the mast of a sailboat windward. An essential characteristic of this patent is a pendulum weight (dolphin) that is located outside the hull either under the boat or next to it in the water and serves to hold the mast in position.

Descr tion of the new knowledge In contrast to U.S. Patent No. 3,985,106, the mast in the present invention is not carried downward past the pivot point in order to support a counterweight joined immediately to it in the hull. Except for the mast foot pivot (point F or D), the present invention avoids any rigid connection of the mast to the hull. Similarly, in the system described herein the counterweight or counterweights are not brought into contact with the hull, with the consequence that no torques are transmitted to the hull. The mast and the counterweight (or counterweights) constitute a unit that transmits all forces acting on the mast to the pivot F o, D without any torque whatever.

In contrast to CH Patent Application No. 1148/87-3, the counterweight (or counterweights) employed in the present system for positioning the mast is (or are) located inside the hull. This system has the advantage of eliminating the resistance to motion created by a counterweight in the water (dolphin). Another advantage is that the counterweight in the hull weighs more than the same weight outside the boat under water by the amount of the buoyant force.

I -Y L. .4 -6- Ways of executing the invention ExamDle 1 Figure 2 shows a cross-section through the hull of a sailboat. The mast is free to lean in any direction around the mast foot The mast foot F is constructed as ball-and- -socket joint or universal joint. The mast foot F is the bottom end of the mast.

Fastened in point F is a pendulum rod, which is likewise supported to swing freely in any direction. Fastened to the lower end of this pendulum rod is a weight G. Consequently, the weight G is able to swing freely in any direction, in other words to either side and fore and aft. Along its path of movement the weight G does not contact the hull.

Instead of a single weight free to swing in any direction, it is also possible, for instance, to fasten two pendulum */eic 1i at point F, one of which is free to deflect only to che sides and the other only in the fore-aft direction.

Fastened to the pendulum weight G are the two ends of a wire rope,, which passes over a number of rollers to connect G rigidly with the mast. The distance from G past L to F can be shortened or lengthened. When this happens, the distance from G past R to F is correspondingly lengthened or shortened.

The total length of the polygon figure remains constant.

The deflection from G to G' is accomplished with a winch located at point F.

The force M acting on the mast must be compensated by suitable selection of the weight G and by suitable deflection of the weight (force Only the forces acting on point F are transmitted to the hull. The hull is stabilized by the keel K.

In the case of boats with more than one mast, the described system can be applied either individually for each mast or for all of the masts in concert.

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-7- Fiqure 3 shows a cross-section through a boat's hull. In order to create a free space within the hull that is not swept by the mast or the pendulum rod, the pivot point D in this design is constructed as the centre of a double ring system. The pivot point D acts as the pivot for both the mast and the pendulum weight G.

This illustration shows only the lateral rotation of mast and pendulum weight, but the principle can also be applied three-dimensionally; in other words with mast and pendulum weight free to swing in any direction (partial spherical surface instead of the ring system, or a number of double ring systems).

The double ring system consists of two rings, both of which are supported so as to be able to rotate freely in relation to the hull and also freely and concentrically in relation to each other. The mast is fastened to one of the rings, the penduluia weight to the other. The rings can be turned in relation to each other in order to alter and fix the position of the weight G in rela-oun to the mast as required. The hull is stabilized by the keel K.

I9 1 I 9 System for p o s i t i o n o f altering the sailboat masts.

Summary Structural system with which the position of a sailboat mast can be altered in relation to the hull as the wind force changes. The mast foot is supported in a joint allowing the mast to be inclined to either side as well as fore and aft.

The position of the mast is influenced by a weight located in the hull that can be shifted sideways and fore and aft.

The advantage of the present invention consists in the fact that the torques acting on the mast are compensated by pendulum weights and are not transmitted to the hull. With the pendulum weight, the mast can be set in that position at which the wind force is utilized to the maximum.

Fig. 2 is proposed as illustration.

Claims

1. A construction system for sailboats consisting of a mast foot that joins the mast to the boat's hull, said foot being o. constructed in the form of a universal joinL (cardan joint or ball- So and socket joint) that allows the mast to be directed to any direc- tion and inclined to any inclination in relation to the hull, S a mast that can be altered in its location in relation to the hull, a counterweight that is arranged inside said hull and acts to provide full compensation of the torque acting on the mast foot, s a mast guUance onstruction that joins said weight to said mast and serves to control and hold the mast, and a weight suspension system that joins said counterweight to said hull and serves to shift the counterweight both laterally to either side and fore and aft and fix it in position, 0. and with which the mast of a sailboat can be inclined rapidly in any direction to any inclination and fixed in the desired position and location while the boat is moving, without the torques of the mast or of the construction system being transmitted to the boat's hull, and with which6 in particular, the mast can be inclined windwvard and abaft in order to utilize the force of the wind optimally by ex- ploiting the lift applied by the wing action of the sail in this position. 4 it ,4

2. Construction system according to Claim 1, in which said counter- weight is suspended from the universal joint of the mast foot by means of a pendulum arm of adjustable length in such a way that the pendulum plane can be adjusted as desired in relation to the hull and fixed in position.

3. Construction system according to Claim 1, in which said counter- weight is joined to the mast by a system of ropes in such a way that the mast can be shifted to the 4esired direction and incli- nation by lengthening or shortening the lengths of the two lateral shrouds and of the fore'stay and backstay and fixed in the selected position. Construction system according to Claim 1, in Which said counter-. weiglit consists of c number of weight segments, with which the sum of all torques occurring around the mast foot and the roll axes of the boat's hull is compensated. Con,,truction system according to Claim 1, in which said mast is Joined to the counterweight by telescoping arms in such a way that the mast can be shifted in the desired direction and to the desired incl 1 -tion by lengthening or shortening the teescoping arms and fixed in the selected position,

6. Construction system according to Claim l in which said mast foot consists of an ordinary hinge Joint allowing the mast to be in- clined fore and aft, and in which the mast'foot is fastened to a rotation ring, which is integrated in the hull and through which he mpst foot can be shifted to, either side by rotating the ringo thus inclining the mast to the desired inclination on the desired side, I

7. Construction system~ According to Claim 6 in which said counter- we% t is fastened to a rotation ring, which is ir !-!ated in the hull and through which the counterweight can be shifted along the ring either by rotation of the ring or by displacement of the weight fastening device on rollers and brought into the desired position in relation to the mast foot and fixed there, and in which, followib~g fixation, the mnast foot and counterweight are free to oscillate together along the ring track without trans- mitting any Iateral torques to the hullI. 8, Construjction syg:teni according to Claim 1, in which the shifting of the countelveight and the alteration of the mast pozition are iccomplished by motorized rope systc'ms, gearing systems, or hydrau- lic systems, apd whereWi thf., control of counterweight positioning and mast po~itioning is ef!fecte$ by electrjically processed mneasured data.

9. Construction .,ystom according, to Claim 1, in which said sailboat I' as more than one most and consequently the constr~tiction system is implemented on several masts, DATED this 10th. day of MAY 1991. DR. ERICH HAIGIS By His Patent Attorney PAUL F. KILO~EA.