EP0300714A1 - A sail batten - Google Patents
A sail batten Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0300714A1 EP0300714A1 EP88306550A EP88306550A EP0300714A1 EP 0300714 A1 EP0300714 A1 EP 0300714A1 EP 88306550 A EP88306550 A EP 88306550A EP 88306550 A EP88306550 A EP 88306550A EP 0300714 A1 EP0300714 A1 EP 0300714A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- batten
- sail
- sail batten
- elongate element
- cross
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
- B63H8/00—Sail or rigging arrangements specially adapted for water sports boards, e.g. for windsurfing or kitesurfing
- B63H8/40—Arrangements for improving or maintaining the aerodynamic profile of sails, e.g. cambers, battens or foil profiles
Definitions
- THIS INVENTION relates to a sail batten. More particularly, the invention relates to a batten for a sailboard sail.
- Sailboards are watercrafts meant for sailboarding or wind surfing, which essentially include a streamlined base on which is mounted a mast to which a sail is attached, a boom being provided for manipulating the mast and the sail and thus for navigating the sailboard. Since the early eighties, the sails of sailboards are increasingly being provided with battens for stiffening, supporting or reinforcing the sails and ensuring that the sails are in a desired manouvreable position in relation to wind direction in order that the sailboard is navigable at optimum speeds with optimum efficiency.
- Sail battens of the prior art generally apply to yachts, and the like, but when applied to sailboards generally comprise flat strips of uniform or tapering width and of uniform or tapering thickness made of wood, or plastics. Whilst these sail battens claim to be extremely successful, their construction is labour intensive and involves a considerable wastage of material. These battens are also relatively heavy.
- a sail batten which includes a formed, hollow, non cylindrical elongate element defining a varying cross-sectional profile along its length.
- the elongate element may typically taper from one end of the element to the other.
- the elongate, hollow element may have a constant thickness wall along the length thereof.
- the wall thickness of the elongate element may vary between opposite ends of the element.
- the wall thickness of the elongate element may taper in the same direction as does the cross-sectional profile of the element.
- a second aspect of the invention accordingly provides for a sail batten which includes an elongate hollow non-cylindrical element defining a varying cross-sectional profile and having a tapered bore.
- the wall thickness of the element may be substantially constant but, alternatively, the wall thickness of the elongate element may taper from one end of the element to the other end.
- the varying cross-sectional profile of the element may taper from one end of the elongate element to the other and, typically, may taper in the same direction as does the wall thickness of the element.
- the degree of taper of the wall thickness and/or the cross-sectional profile of the elongate element, forming a batten in accordance with both aspects of the invention may determine the required bending or flexing properties of the batten and also its compression pressure and draught percentage, it being well known that different battens require different properties and that sail board battens do not define a regular arcuate profile when bent into its normal operational mode.
- the degree of taper can therefore be variable and may particularly be determined by specific batten requirements.
- the degree of taper of the cross-sectional profile of the element may generally determine the bending properties of a batten whereas wall thickness tapering can provide for exact properties.
- the profile of a batten in accordance with the invention, may be variable, the typical ratio of major axis length to minor axis length of the cross-section being between 4:1 and 2,5:1.
- the inner and outer cross-sectional profile of battens in accordance with both aspects of the invention may be elliptical, polygonal, substantially rectangular with round ends, or the like.
- battens in accordance with both aspects of the invention, may be of fibreglass being a composition including glass fibres and a thermosetting resin.
- the glass fibers may be provided in sheet form, so that they can be wound onto a mandril for forming a batten.
- the glass fibre content may comprise unidirectional glass fibre sheeting of approximately 0,25mm thickness.
- the thermosetting resin may be an isothalic resin such as a polyester resin, or the like.
- the typical ratio of glass fibre to resin may be in the region of 60:40.
- Battens in accordance with both aspects of the invention, may further include a filler material, inserted into the hollow element.
- the filler material may be specifically adapted to prevent wall collapse of the elongate element when bent and, as such, may comprise glass microspheres, a suitable foam material, or the like.
- a batten in accordance with the invention, may include end caps for closing-off opposite ends of the hollow element forming the batten.
- a batten for a sailboard sail in accordance with the invention, is generally indicated by the reference numeral 10.
- the batten 10 comprises an elongate, hollow element 12 defining a non cylindrical cross-sectional profile that varies from one end of the element to the other.
- the particular element 12 as shown tapers from one end to the other and has a constant wall thickness.
- the wall thickness of the element 12 may also taper, from one end of the element to the other (not shown), the direction of taper of the wall thickness in such a case conveniently being the same as the direction of taper of the overall cross-sectional profile of the element.
- the exact profile of the element 12 may be variable for different battens and it is particularly anticipated that the element will define a flat rectangular shaped profile having curved ends and having a major axis to minor axis ratio of between 4:1 and 2,5:1.
- the said profile may also be elliptical, oval, polygonal, or the like.
- the batten can have a tapering outer profile as well as a tapering inner bore as seen in Figure 4a or a constant inner bore with a tapering outer profile as seen in Figure 4b or a constant outer profile with a tapering inner bore as seen in Figure 4c. In this way battens can be provided that have substantially the exact bending properties as may be required for specific sailboard sail applications.
- the sail batten 10 can be manufactured of fibre glass being a composition including glass fibres and a thermosetting resin and, as such, the batten 10 can typically be manufactured of uni-directional glass fibre sheeting having a 0,25mm thickness, which can be wound onto a mandril for forming the batten, and which sheeting can be bound together by means of a polyester resin, or the like.
- the ratio of glass fibres to polyester resin may typically be 60:40. Different methods of manufacture are also envisaged.
- the batten 10 may optionally have a filler material 14 inserted into the elongate element 12 along the length thereof, the filler material typically being glass microspheres or a suitable foam material that can prevent collapsing of the tubular element 12 as a result of bending or twisting forces acting on the batten.
- opposite ends of the batten 10 may be provided with end caps 16 (only one shown in Figure 3), the end caps 16 being adapted to fit into opposite ends of the elongate element 12 as is clearly illustrated in Figure 3.
- battens in accordance with the invention, will be significantly cheaper than existing known battens while also being significantly lighter, and as these battens can be provided with specific bending or flexing properties it is believed that these battens will prove to be a significant development in the sailboard industry and, in particular, in respect of sailboard sails.
- the mode of use of battens of the above kind is well known and is therefore not described in any further detail in this specification.
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- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
- Moulding By Coating Moulds (AREA)
- Reinforced Plastic Materials (AREA)
Abstract
The invention relates to a hollow non cylindrical batten (10) for a sailboard formed from plastics material with a body (12) having a cross-sectional profile that varies along its length.
Description
- THIS INVENTION relates to a sail batten. More particularly, the invention relates to a batten for a sailboard sail.
- Sailboards are watercrafts meant for sailboarding or wind surfing, which essentially include a streamlined base on which is mounted a mast to which a sail is attached, a boom being provided for manipulating the mast and the sail and thus for navigating the sailboard. Since the early eighties, the sails of sailboards are increasingly being provided with battens for stiffening, supporting or reinforcing the sails and ensuring that the sails are in a desired manouvreable position in relation to wind direction in order that the sailboard is navigable at optimum speeds with optimum efficiency.
- In designing such battens for crafts such as sailboards, some factors are important, i.e. the compression pressure of the batten, its draught which is the percentage distribution of a minor axis in its curved state to its major axis, its weight and its inherent resistance to breaking apart as well as the actual cost of the battens.
- Sail battens of the prior art generally apply to yachts, and the like, but when applied to sailboards generally comprise flat strips of uniform or tapering width and of uniform or tapering thickness made of wood, or plastics. Whilst these sail battens claim to be extremely successful, their construction is labour intensive and involves a considerable wastage of material. These battens are also relatively heavy.
- It is an object of this invention to provide a sail batten that is lighter in weight and cheaper to produce than known battens.
- According to the invention there is provided a sail batten which includes a formed, hollow, non cylindrical elongate element defining a varying cross-sectional profile along its length.
- The elongate element may typically taper from one end of the element to the other.
- According to one embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the elongate, hollow element may have a constant thickness wall along the length thereof. Alternatively, the wall thickness of the elongate element may vary between opposite ends of the element.
- As such, the wall thickness of the elongate element may taper in the same direction as does the cross-sectional profile of the element.
- A second aspect of the invention accordingly provides for a sail batten which includes an elongate hollow non-cylindrical element defining a varying cross-sectional profile and having a tapered bore.
- Once again, the wall thickness of the element may be substantially constant but, alternatively, the wall thickness of the elongate element may taper from one end of the element to the other end. In addition, the varying cross-sectional profile of the element may taper from one end of the elongate element to the other and, typically, may taper in the same direction as does the wall thickness of the element.
- In general, the degree of taper of the wall thickness and/or the cross-sectional profile of the elongate element, forming a batten in accordance with both aspects of the invention, may determine the required bending or flexing properties of the batten and also its compression pressure and draught percentage, it being well known that different battens require different properties and that sail board battens do not define a regular arcuate profile when bent into its normal operational mode.
- The degree of taper can therefore be variable and may particularly be determined by specific batten requirements. The degree of taper of the cross-sectional profile of the element may generally determine the bending properties of a batten whereas wall thickness tapering can provide for exact properties.
- The profile of a batten, in accordance with the invention, may be variable, the typical ratio of major axis length to minor axis length of the cross-section being between 4:1 and 2,5:1.
- As such, the inner and outer cross-sectional profile of battens in accordance with both aspects of the invention may be elliptical, polygonal, substantially rectangular with round ends, or the like.
- Furthermore, battens, in accordance with both aspects of the invention, may be of fibreglass being a composition including glass fibres and a thermosetting resin. The glass fibers may be provided in sheet form, so that they can be wound onto a mandril for forming a batten. As such, the glass fibre content may comprise unidirectional glass fibre sheeting of approximately 0,25mm thickness.
- The thermosetting resin may be an isothalic resin such as a polyester resin, or the like. The typical ratio of glass fibre to resin may be in the region of 60:40.
- Battens, in accordance with both aspects of the invention, may further include a filler material, inserted into the hollow element. The filler material may be specifically adapted to prevent wall collapse of the elongate element when bent and, as such, may comprise glass microspheres, a suitable foam material, or the like.
- Still further, a batten, in accordance with the invention, may include end caps for closing-off opposite ends of the hollow element forming the batten.
- The invention is now described, by way of an example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:
- Figure 1 shows a side view of a batten for a sailboard sail, in accordance with the invention;
- Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional end view of the batten of Figure 1;
- Figure 3 shows a partially sectioned end view of one end portion of the batten of Figure 1, on an enlarged scale; and
- Figures 4 a, b and c show possible configurations of portions of battens, according to this invention, on an enlarged scale.
- Referring to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings, a batten for a sailboard sail, in accordance with the invention, is generally indicated by the
reference numeral 10. Thebatten 10 comprises an elongate,hollow element 12 defining a non cylindrical cross-sectional profile that varies from one end of the element to the other. - The
particular element 12 as shown tapers from one end to the other and has a constant wall thickness. However, the wall thickness of theelement 12 may also taper, from one end of the element to the other (not shown), the direction of taper of the wall thickness in such a case conveniently being the same as the direction of taper of the overall cross-sectional profile of the element. - The exact profile of the
element 12 may be variable for different battens and it is particularly anticipated that the element will define a flat rectangular shaped profile having curved ends and having a major axis to minor axis ratio of between 4:1 and 2,5:1. The said profile may also be elliptical, oval, polygonal, or the like. - It will be appreciated, as seen in Figures 4 a, b, c, that different wall configurations can be provided. It will also be appreciated that the degree of taper of the cross-sectional profile of the
element 12 and/or of the wall thickness of theelement 12 will determine the bending or flexing properties of the batten, it being anticipated that the degree of taper of the cross-sectional profile generally determining the bending properties of a batten whereas tapering of the wall thickness can provide for more specific bending properties. Thus the batten can have a tapering outer profile as well as a tapering inner bore as seen in Figure 4a or a constant inner bore with a tapering outer profile as seen in Figure 4b or a constant outer profile with a tapering inner bore as seen in Figure 4c. In this way battens can be provided that have substantially the exact bending properties as may be required for specific sailboard sail applications. - It is well known that the bending properties of sail battens vary for different requirements and the Applicant believes that all these requirements can now be accurately complied with.
- The
sail batten 10 can be manufactured of fibre glass being a composition including glass fibres and a thermosetting resin and, as such, thebatten 10 can typically be manufactured of uni-directional glass fibre sheeting having a 0,25mm thickness, which can be wound onto a mandril for forming the batten, and which sheeting can be bound together by means of a polyester resin, or the like. The ratio of glass fibres to polyester resin may typically be 60:40. Different methods of manufacture are also envisaged. - The
batten 10 may optionally have afiller material 14 inserted into theelongate element 12 along the length thereof, the filler material typically being glass microspheres or a suitable foam material that can prevent collapsing of thetubular element 12 as a result of bending or twisting forces acting on the batten. - As such, opposite ends of the
batten 10 may be provided with end caps 16 (only one shown in Figure 3), theend caps 16 being adapted to fit into opposite ends of theelongate element 12 as is clearly illustrated in Figure 3. - The Applicant believes that battens, in accordance with the invention, will be significantly cheaper than existing known battens while also being significantly lighter, and as these battens can be provided with specific bending or flexing properties it is believed that these battens will prove to be a significant development in the sailboard industry and, in particular, in respect of sailboard sails. The mode of use of battens of the above kind is well known and is therefore not described in any further detail in this specification.
Claims (13)
1. A sail batten which includes a formed, hollow, non-cylindrical elongate element defining a varying cross-sectional profile along its length.
2. A sail batten as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the elongate element is self reinforced.
3. A sail batten as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the sail batten is formed from a thermosetting material such as fibre glass.
4. A sail batten as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the elongate element has a shaped geometrically defined outer profile and inner bore.
5. A sail batten as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the elongate element has a tapering bore and a constant wall thickness.
6. A sail batten as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the elongate element has an elliptical inner and outer outer cross-sectional profile.
7. A sail batten as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the elongate element has a polygonal inner and outer cross-sectional profile.
8. A sail batten as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the elongate element has a cross-sectional inner and outer profile defined by two parallel spaced apart straight lines defining the width of the batten, joined by curved end lines defining the thickness of the batten.
9. A sail batten as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the thickness of the wall of the element is uniform through its length.
10. A sail batten as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the thickness of the wall of the element is non uniform, the said wall thickness of the batten tapering from one end to the other.
11. A sail batten as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the elongate element has a profiled outer cross-sectional profile and an annular inner cross-sectional profile.
12. A sail batten as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the bore of the said element is filled with a filler material.
13. A sail batten as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the said element is provided with end caps for closing off the opposite ends of the element.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
ZA875272 | 1987-07-17 | ||
ZA875272 | 1987-07-17 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0300714A1 true EP0300714A1 (en) | 1989-01-25 |
Family
ID=25578925
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP88306550A Withdrawn EP0300714A1 (en) | 1987-07-17 | 1988-07-18 | A sail batten |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0300714A1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU1915188A (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2370025A (en) * | 2000-12-14 | 2002-06-19 | John Robert Panton | Inflatable tapered sail batten |
WO2012045893A1 (en) * | 2010-10-05 | 2012-04-12 | Fundacion Fatronik | Sail battens with improved stability |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2608172A (en) * | 1946-10-11 | 1952-08-26 | Biuw Carl Oscar Eric | Sail batten |
US3168068A (en) * | 1964-03-09 | 1965-02-02 | George A Lasko | Batten for sails |
US3581698A (en) * | 1968-06-05 | 1971-06-01 | John U Bete | Sail batten |
US3905321A (en) * | 1974-03-22 | 1975-09-16 | Jr Joseph A Blythe | Sail batten |
EP0233129A1 (en) * | 1986-01-16 | 1987-08-19 | Cegedur Societe De Transformation De L'aluminium Pechiney | Composite metal-plastic sail batten |
-
1988
- 1988-07-18 EP EP88306550A patent/EP0300714A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1988-07-18 AU AU19151/88A patent/AU1915188A/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2608172A (en) * | 1946-10-11 | 1952-08-26 | Biuw Carl Oscar Eric | Sail batten |
US3168068A (en) * | 1964-03-09 | 1965-02-02 | George A Lasko | Batten for sails |
US3581698A (en) * | 1968-06-05 | 1971-06-01 | John U Bete | Sail batten |
US3905321A (en) * | 1974-03-22 | 1975-09-16 | Jr Joseph A Blythe | Sail batten |
EP0233129A1 (en) * | 1986-01-16 | 1987-08-19 | Cegedur Societe De Transformation De L'aluminium Pechiney | Composite metal-plastic sail batten |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2370025A (en) * | 2000-12-14 | 2002-06-19 | John Robert Panton | Inflatable tapered sail batten |
WO2012045893A1 (en) * | 2010-10-05 | 2012-04-12 | Fundacion Fatronik | Sail battens with improved stability |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AU1915188A (en) | 1989-01-19 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE ES FR GB GR IT LI LU NL SE |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 19890724 |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 19900905 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN |
|
18D | Application deemed to be withdrawn |
Effective date: 19910116 |