EP0071253B1 - Rigging and sail for a wind-surf board - Google Patents

Abstract

1. Rig and sail for a windsurfing board having a mast and having a wishbone-boom consisting of two booms connected at their ends, wherein the sail is held in a spreaded manner between the mast and the wishbone-boom, the front leech of the sail being fastened at the mast, wherein the rig being unstayed with respect to the windsurfing board and being by means of a joint fastened to the windsurfing board turnable and shiftable in all directions and being held by the user at one of the booms respectively and by means of said booms is adjusted relatively to the wind and to the windsurfing board, wherein the clew of the sail is connected to the boom head of the wishbone-boom by means of a trimming sheet being affixable in cleats on the booms the lower leech of the sail extending angularly from the clew downwardly to the mast and the wishbone boom being positioned above the tack of the sail, characterised in that in a wishbone boom which is in the bottom section of the mast in a way known by itself having a down haul said down haul (14) is connected to the clew (12) via the boom head (10) of the wishbone-boom by means of a continuous sheet (11) which at least with respect to the boom head (10) is shiftable and simultaneously is forming the trimming sheet (11).

Description

The invention relates to a rig and sail for a windsurfing board with a spreading gaff or boom, consisting of a mast and one consisting of two large trees connected at the ends, upright and stretched sail, the luff of which is connected to the mast, the opposite of the windsurfing board Unstucked rigging, which can be freely rotated and swiveled on all sides on the windsurfing board by means of a joint, is held by the user on one of the large trees and thus adjusted relative to the wind and windsurfing board, the clew of the sail with the boom being fixed via a slip clamp on the large trees Trim sheet is connected to the nock, the lower leg of the sail runs obliquely downwards from the nock to the mast and the boom is arranged above the sail neck.

Such rigs are generally known and correspond to the spreading gaff rigging, which has been used in many embodiments for both unstained and aged rigs (cf. Herrishoff Manufacturing Company, advertising document, New York Public Library 1940, DE-B-1914604). The advantages of real spreading gaff rigging are undisputed among experts (Grohmann, Hans, “Das Segel”, F. Bruckmann AG, Munich 1937; pp. 37-42). From DE-A-2712018 it is also known to provide a downhaul connecting the boom to the foot region of the mast.

With all sailing vehicles, however, there is always the problem that the optimal sail trim and in particular the control of the leech of the sail is problematic by climbing the large boom. In conventional sailing vehicles in which the sail is operated by means of a mainsheet, an attempt is made to solve this problem by appropriately guiding the mainsheet carriage on a traveler rail. In particular, downhauls are also generally used, which pull the large boom downwards in the direction of the mast foot.

This problem is particularly severe with rigs for windsurf boards, since here the rising of the tree is not counteracted by a main sheet. All forces must therefore be absorbed by the leech and the leech of the sail. In regattas, attempts have therefore also been made with windsurf boards to pretension the boom, which takes over the function of the large boom, by means of a downhaul in the direction of the mast foot. It is also known for windsurf boards to connect the clew of the sail to the nock of the boom via a trim sheet, by means of which the distance between the nock and clew and thus the tension in the leech and leech can be adjusted according to the prevailing wind conditions. However, due to the flexibility of the entire system in rigs of the type described above, these attempts have not led to optimal results.

The invention is therefore based on the object of allowing complete control of the leech and leech in a rig of the type specified above.

According to the invention, this object is essentially achieved in that, in the case of a boom which is provided with a downhaul in the foot region of the mast in a manner known per se, the downhaul is connected to the clew of the sail via the cam of the boom by means of a continuous sheet, which is at least displaceable in relation to the nock and at the same time forms the trim sheet of the rig.

The invention ensures that the tendency of the boom to rise automatically through the connection between the downhaul and clew is counteracted by the fact that, apart from the already existing downhaul effect, the tension in the leech and leech is simultaneously increased. The sail of the rig according to the invention therefore always remains in the selected trim.

In a preferred embodiment according to the invention, a block with a roller for guiding and deflecting the trim sheet is provided on the cam.

In particularly preferred embodiments according to the invention, one or more pulleys or tackle are provided between the downhaul and clew, which are also passed through the continuous trim sheet. This has the particular advantage that the desired division of the tension between the leech and the leech can be determined by choosing the appropriate gear ratios. For example, the user with a sail with a relatively loosely cut leech will transfer 60% of the tension applied via the downhaul to the leech and only 40% to the leech.

• Fig. 1 eine Seitenansicht des Riggs nach der Erfindung;
• Fig. 2 die Einzelheit A von Fig. 1 in vergrössertem Massstab;
• Fig. 3 eine Draufsicht auf Fig. 2;
• Fig.4 eine Schemaansicht der Führung der Trimmschot; und
• Fig. 5 eine seitliche Schnittansicht eines Beschlages, welcher nachträglich auf handelsübliche Gabelbäume aufsetzbar ist.

Further advantageous details and developments according to the invention are characterized in the subclaims or result from the following description in which the invention is explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment illustrated by way of example in the drawings. It shows:

• Figure 1 is a side view of the rig according to the invention.
• Fig. 2 shows detail A of Fig. 1 on an enlarged scale;
• Fig. 3 is a plan view of Fig. 2;
• 4 shows a schematic view of the management of the trim sheet; and
• Fig. 5 is a side sectional view of a fitting which can be retrofitted to commercially available booms.

In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, a symmetrical design was chosen so that the trim sheet of can be operated from both sides. It is expressly pointed out that an asymmetrical arrangement can of course also be selected without departing from the basic idea of the invention. In such embodiments, individual blocks are used instead of the blocks provided in pairs, which blocks are then assigned to one side.

In Fig. 1, a rig 1 according to the invention is generally illustrated, which is connected to a windsurf board 3 via a universal joint 2. The rig 1 with the associated sail 4 consists of a mast 5 and a boom 6. The boom 6 consists of two outwardly curved large booms 7 and 8, which are connected to one another at their front end 9 and the cam 10. The front end 9 of the boom 6 is attached to the mast 5 in a known manner. The luff 13 of the sail 4 is attached to the mast 5. The clew 12 of the sail is connected to the cam 10 via a trim sheet 13. Furthermore, the cam 10 is prestressed in the direction of the mast foot 15 via a downhaul 14. In Fig. 1, 16 is the leech and 17 the lower leech of the sail 4.

The special features of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. As can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3, the downhaul 14 is connected to the clew 12 of the sail 4 via a deflection on the cam 10 of the boom 6 by a continuous sheet, which is formed by the trim sheet 11.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the drawings, this connection takes place via a number of blocks which, in the manner of a pulley block, permit a favorable power transmission. In addition, as shown, the arrangement is symmetrical so that the trim of the sail can be changed from both sides while surfing.

For this purpose, the trim sheet 11 is occupied at one end in a slip clamp 18 on the boom 7 and at the other end in a slip clamp 29 on the boom 8. Starting from the document clamp 18, the path of the trim sheet 11 is described below.

From the first slip clamp 18, the trim sheet is first guided to the rear of the cam 10 by a roller mounted on a fitting 19, which connects the two large trees 7 and 8, which is provided in a first deflection block 20. From there, the trim sheet 11 runs to a first trim block 21 which is connected to the clew 12. From the trimming block 21, the outhaul runs obliquely downwards to a first connecting block 22 _b, which in turn is connected to the Nock 10 and the fitting 19th Deflected around the connecting block, the trim sheet 11 runs in the direction of the mast foot 15 to a first downhaul deflection block 23, which is connected to the downhaul 14. In the case of an asymmetrical arrangement, the trim sheet 11 can also be connected directly to the downhaul 14 at this point. In the preferred embodiment, however, the trim sheet 11 runs back in the direction of the nock 10 to a hold-down block 24 connected to the fitting 19 and deflected around it in turn in the direction of the mast foot 15 to a second hold-down deflection block 25 Direction of the cam 10 around a second connecting block 26, which is connected to the fitting 19, then around a second trimming block 27, which is connected to the clew 12. Deflected around the trim block 27, the trim sheet 11 runs back to the cam 10 to a second deflection block 28 which is mounted on the fitting 19 and finally to the front towards the slip clamp 29.

At this point, it is pointed out that the representations according to FIGS. 2 and 3 are to be understood as schematic and that the various blocks have been represented as individual blocks for the sake of clarity. It is obvious to the person skilled in the art that double and triple blocks can be used instead of the blocks shown individually. In order to give all deflection points the greatest possible play in the required directions, which result from the movements of the rig and the sail, these are movably supported in all directions in the manner illustrated.

The blocks 22 and 26 are pivotally mounted on a horizontal axis 30, which in turn is fastened in an articulated bracket 31 which is connected to the fitting 19.

The downholder deflection block 24 is movably mounted on a bracket 32 which is connected to the axis 33 of the blocks 22 and 26. The connection between the clew 12 and the blocks 21 and 27 is preferably also via a bracket 34 with an axis 35. The brackets 31, 32 and 34 illustrated in the drawings can also be conventional legs.

The blocks 23 and 25, which are preferably combined to form a double block, are connected to the downhaul 14 via a swivel fitting 36. Likewise, the mounting of the blocks 20 and 28 at the rear end of the fitting 19 is such that these blocks can also be pivoted.

In Fig. 4, the path of the trim sheet 11 around the rollers of the various blocks is shown again in a schematic, exploded illustration, the attachment points, i. the cam 10, the clew 12 and the downhaul 14 are illustrated as dashed fields.

It is evident from the description of the exemplary embodiment that as soon as the boom 6 shows the tendency to rise, the tensile stress generated thereby in the downhaul 14 is applied directly to the sheet via the pulley systems formed by the various blocks horn- 12 are transmitted and consequently the tension in the leech and leech is increased. The ratio in which this tension is distributed from the downhaul 14 to leech or leech can be determined by optionally interposing a translation by further blocks between the downhaul and the cam 10 or between the cam 10 and clew 12.

At the same time, the described rig can be trimmed from both sides of the sail 4 via the trim sheet 11.

According to a further, particularly preferred feature of the invention, the entire system can also be designed as a kit, by means of which existing booms can be converted. An exemplary embodiment of a molded part required for this purpose, which can be connected to the fitting 19 of an existing boom, is shown in FIG. 5 in a schematic sectional view, the associated connecting block for the clew 12 or the fitting serving for connection to the hold-down device 14 being omitted , since this can correspond to the embodiment according to FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 5 in a side sectional view, the molded part 40, which preferably consists of plastic, but can also be made of metal, is designed in such a way that it can be positively applied over the fitting 19 of an existing boom 6. For this purpose, the molded part 40 is divided into two foldable halves 41, 42, which are connected at the rear end 43, which forms the cam 10, either by a hinge (not shown) or, preferably, by the fact that, in the case of plastic as the material, none Separation occurs. The molded part 40 has, in addition to the half-shells 44, 45 which overlap the cross-section of the fork hem 6 or fitting 19, also has two opposing mating surfaces 46, 47 which accommodate the material strips 48 present at this point in commercially available booms, which are normally drilled holes 49 (see FIG. 3) for the passage of the trim sheet. In order to achieve a better fit of the molded part 40, a pin 50 can also be provided at this point, which engages in these openings 49.

The two hinged halves 41, 42 of the molded part 40 are preferably held together by the fitting 19, including the latter, in that the mounting of the bracket 31 simultaneously connects the halves 41, 42 to one another. Additional connecting elements can of course also be provided, although this is not necessary since the main forces occur in the direction of arrow 51 in FIG. 5 and are therefore in the plane of the half-shells 44, 45.

A preferred embodiment according to the invention has been described above and it is obvious that various changes and modifications are obvious to the person skilled in the art without departing from the basic idea of the invention, which is seen in that the forces generated on the downhaul are transmitted to the clew by deflection.

Claims (10)

1. Rig and sail for a windsurfing board having a mast and having a wishbone-boom consisting of two booms connected at their ends, wherein the sail is held in a spreaded manner between the mast and the wishbone-boom, the front leech of the sail being fastened at the mast, wherein the rig being unstayed with respect to the windsurfing board and being by means of a joint fastened to the windsurfing board turnable and shiftable in all directions and being held by the user at one of the booms respectively and by means of said booms is adjusted relatively to the wind and to the windsurfing board, wherein the clew of the sail is connected to the boom head of the wishbone-boom by means of a trimming sheet being affixable in cleats on the booms the lower leech of the sail extending angularly from the clew downwardly to the mast and the wishbone boom being positioned above the tack of the sail, characterised in that in a wishbone boom which is in the bottom section of the mast in a way known by itself having a downhaul said downhaul (14) is connected to the clew (12) via the boom head (10) of the wishbone-boom by means of a continuous sheet (11) which at least with respect to the boom head (10) is shiftable and simultaneously is forming the trimming sheet (11).

2. Rig according to claim 1, characterised in that at the boom head (10) a block (20, 22, 24, 26, 28) with sheaves for guiding and reversing the trimming sheet (11) is provided.

3. Rig according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that one end of the trimming sheet (11) is connected with clew (12), in that the trimming sheet (11) starting from the clew (12) via a block (20) at the boom head (10) is reversed to a block (23) at the downhaul (14) and is belayed in a cleat (18, 29), in that the cleat (18, 29) is positioned in a forward section of the wishbone-boom and in that a further block (20, 28) is provided generally at the boom head (10) around which the trimming sheet (11) is reversed and forwardly is led to the cleat (18,29).

4. Rig according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that there are provided pulley systems or tackles between the clew (12) and the boom head (10) and the downhaul (14) through which the trimming sheet (11) is guided.

5. Rig according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that on both booms (7, 8) of the wishbone-boom (6) there are provided cleats (18, 29), in that the blocks (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28) are provided in a mirror-inverted symmetrical manner, in that the trimming sheet (11) starting from the first cleat (18) is led to a first reversing block (20) at the boom head (10), then to a first trimming block (21) at the clew (12), then to a first connecting block (22) at the boom head (10), thereafter to a first downhaul-reversing block (23), thereafter to a downhaul-block (24) and then in a mirror-inverted fashion via a second reversing block (25), a second connecting block (26), a second trimming block (27), a second reversing block (28) at the boom head and finally to the second cleat (29).

6. Rig according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the ratio of tension forces acting on the rear leech (16) and the bottom leech (17) of the sail (4) can be varied by varying the transmission ratio.

7. Rig according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that that blocks (20 to 28) provided in pairs and in a mirror-inverted manner are combined to double and triple blocks and in that correspondingly the trimming sheet (11) is guided for forming tackles.

8. Rig according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the blocks (20, 22, 24, 26 and 28) are carried on a form member (40) connectable to the boom head (10).

9. Rig according to claim 8, characterised in that the form member (40) is consisting of plastic material or metal.

10. Rig according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the blocks (20 to 28) are carried in a universal joint-type manner.

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