EP4669573A1

EP4669573A1 - ROLLING DEVICE FOR A SAILBOAT

Info

Publication number: EP4669573A1
Application number: EP23813901.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mathias LINDSTRÖM; Nils JANHÄLL
Original assignee: Selden Mast AB
Current assignee: Selden Mast AB
Priority date: 2023-02-23
Filing date: 2023-11-08
Publication date: 2025-12-31
Also published as: SE2350207A1; SE546351C2; WO2024177542A1

Abstract

A furling arrangement (10) for furling/unfurling a sail (104), comprising a two-way ratchet mechanism with rotatably stored, spring loaded ratchet pawls and a control means (20) for application of torque to a driveable sheaving unit. A pre-loaded centering spring (35) keeps a sail end terminal (30) and the sheaving unit, comprising movement restraining elements for cooperation with sail end terminal blocking elements, in a neutral state in preventing the sail end terminal (30) from changing rotation direction. In the neutral state the ratchet pawls block rotation in a first direction. Through application of a torque to the sheaving unit in said first direction, it will rotate slightly with respect to the sail end terminal (30) against action of the pre-loaded centering spring, making temporary receiving slots available, and until movement restraining elements and the sail end terminal blocking elements engage. Through application of further torque, the sail end terminal (30) will rotate with the sheaving unit allowing the ratchet pawls to flip over in the temporary slots, enabling rotation in said first direction instead.

Description

Title:

A FURLING ARRANGEMENT FOR A SAILING BOAT

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a furling arrangement for furling/unfurling sails having the features of the first part of claim 1.

BACKGROUND

Different sails may be used on a sailing boat, e.g. a mainsail, spinnaker, a jib, a headsail, a genoa etc. The sails may be for different purposes and/or of different types for a similar purpose. The sails are supported by one or more masts, a vertical pole or spar that extends upwardly from the boat deck. The mainsail is also supported by a boom attached to the mast to support the bottom part of the mainsail. The sails are attached to lines, also called ropes, or wires holding them in place and applying tension to the sails and e.g. also supporting the mast. The lines, ropes or wires are denoted differently depending on location and function or attachment such as headstay, backstay, shrouds, sheets, halyards, etc.

Also many different furling arrangements for furling/unfurling of sails are known. Some known furling arrangements are based on using a rope that is fixed to a drum. When the sail is unfurled, the rope will wind up on the drum, and by pulling the rope the sail will furl back up around the luff of the sail, such as e.g. the manual Furlex™ system by Selden Mast AB.

In other known furling arrangements, e.g. CX and GX furlers by Selden Mast AB, a continuous (endless) furling line, also called control line, running over a toothed drum is used. By pulling the furling line the drum will turn and furl the sail around its luff. To unfurl the sail, the sheet is pulled while at the same time the furling line is left un-tensioned. The sail will stay furled as long as there is enough tension maintained in the furling line, control line, preventing the toothed drum from turning. In recent years such furling arrangements have become increasingly popular for furling downwind sails such as asymmetrical spinnakers (aka gennakers) and Code 0 sails. These sails are typically hoisted “free-flying”, i.e. they are not supported by a fixed forestay in contrast to jibs and genoas. Depending on the shape of the sail, e.g. if the sail is deeper or flatter, there are two types of free-flying furling arrangements, so called bottom-up furling arrangements and so called top- down furling arrangements.

A bottom-up furling system works in a similar way as a jib furling system (such as the Furlex™ by Selden Mast AB referred to above) but instead of the sail being furled onto a stiff aluminium profile arranged around the forestay, the sail has a torsionally stiff rope sewn into its luff. By pulling the rope, the drum will start turning. Since the sail and the rope are attached directly to the drum, the sail and the rope will turn with the drum starting at the bottom. The top of the sail is connected to the mast via a swivel. Because of the limited torsional rigidity of the sewn in rope, the top of the sail will not begin to furl until the rope has twisted around itself enough to transfer enough torque in the top. Bottom up furling works for sails that are relatively flat, such as Code 0 sails but it is not suitable for sails with a fuller or deeper shape such as gennakers and asymmetrical spinnakers since there is too much sail cloth to be furled in in the centre regions of the sail. For such types of sails, generally top-down furling is used.

A top-down furling system comprises a stand-alone, torsionally stiff, rope that extends from a drum unit up to the mast where it is attached via a swivel part. The top of the sail is attached to a torsionally stiff rope (here also denoted torsion rope) which is connected to the swivel part and the bottom of the sail is attached to the drum via a second swivel, i.e. not directly to the drum. When the drum is turned to furl the sail, the torsion rope will start to turn without bringing the foot of the sail with it. The torsion rope will continue to turn with the drum, making the rope twist to a point where enough torque is transferred to the top part of the torsion rope to bring the top of the sail with it and the top of the sail will start to wind up around the torsion rope. As the drum is turned further, more and more of the sail will wind up around the torsion rope until the entire sail has been furled. Since the furling starts from the top, the leech of the sail will wind up around the sail, effectively making sure that no part of the sail is left fluttering. Other types of connections are also known, this merely being one example. Examples of top-down furling systems are disclosed in US7263941B2 and US9694890. One common problem with top-down furling, however, is that if the operating, furling, line slips on the drum since a lot of energy has been built up as a twist in the torsion rope, the twist will cause the drum to spin back very rapidly. During this spin-back the sail can accidently catch the spinning lower part of the torsion rope and wind up around it. If the top of the sail has already started to furl in such a situation, the sail will be furled in one direction in the top region and in the opposite direction in the bottom region resulting in a sail that can neither be furled, nor be unfurled. The sail will then have to be dropped down and the entangled cloth usually has to be untangled on the dock.

Another problem with top-down furling systems is that the drum must be turned a very large number of times until enough twist/torsion has been built up in the torsion rope to make the top of the sail start furling. Applying a large number of turns on the drum can be exhausting for the crew and any pausing or slack in the operating, furling, line may result in a spin-back situation.

One way to solve the above mentioned problems has been to build in a ratcheting mechanism in the furling system.

Profurl for example discloses a ratchet system that operates both ways by pulling the operating line. A drawback is that the sail itself may accidently disengage the ratchet function, causing spin- back and accidental un-furling. Ubi-Mayor discloses a one-way ratchet system that is operated by a second set of ropes, wherein one rope must be pulled to engage the ratchet, and another rope is used to disengage the ratchet. Adding more ropes to operate considerably enhances complexity of the furling system and when operating the second set of ropes remotely from a cockpit it is easy to mix up the ropes and accidently pull the wrong rope.

Facnor and Karver disclose two-way ratchet systems that are operated by pulling an operating rope. These systems are designed to work according to an “automatic ball pen principle” and they can be very confusing to operate from cockpit since it is difficult to know if the ratchet has been engaged or disengaged resulting in a high risk for spin-back situations and accidental unfurling.

Thus, all so far known furling arrangements suffer from considerable drawbacks. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a solution to one or more of the above mentioned problems. It is a particular object to provide a furling arrangement which is easy to operate. Another object is to provide a furling arrangement which is safe and reliable in operation and through which accidental spin-back and unfurling can be avoided. A particular object is to provide a furling arrangement which is easy to control, particularly also remotely, e.g. from a cockpit. Still another particular object is to provide a furling arrangement which is simple, robust and has a long lifetime. Yet another particular object is to provide a furling arrangement which can be used for different types of sails, and, in addition, for more or less flat sails, e.g. such as Code 0 sails, as well as for deep sails with much sail cloth, e.g. such as gennakers and asymmetric spinnakers.

It is also a particular object to provide a furling arrangement through which slipping of operating rope can be reduced or avoided, as well as tangling is avoided. Another particular object is to provide a furling arrangement which is easy and cheap to fabricate.

Another particular object is to provide a flexible concept and to suggest an arrangement that can be used for different types of sails and for different purposes regarding furling in/out sails of different types.

Therefore a furling arrangement as initially referred to is provided which comprises the characteristic features of the characterizing part of claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments are given by the appended dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will in the following be further described, in a non-limiting manner, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a furling arrangement, according to one embodiment of the invention, arranged on a deck of a sailing boat with an asymmetrical spinnaker,

Fig. 1A is an enlarged view of section C in Fig.l illustrating the furling arrangement and a continuous control, or furling, line,

Fig. 2 is a schematic view of a furling arrangement according to the invention arranged on a deck of a sailing boat with a Code 0 sail,

Fig. 2A is an enlarged view of section C’ in Fig.2 illustrating the furling arrangement and a continuous control, or furling, line,

Fig. 3 is a schematic view in perspective of a furling arrangement with covering element and with a line guarding assembly according to one embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 4 is a side view of a furling arrangement according to the invention,

Fig.4A is a side view of the furling arrangement in Fig.4 without line guard assembly and covering element,

Fig. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken vertically through a furling arrangement as shown in Fig.4A,

Fig, 6A is an exploded view of the furling arrangement shown in Fig. 4A,

Fig. 6B is an exploded view as in Fig. 6A with an assembled pawl holding arrangement,

Fig. 6C is an exploded view as in Fig. 6B with an assembled swivel arrangement,

Fig. 6D is an exploded view as in Fig. 6C wherein the pawl holding arrangement is arranged within a sheaving unit,

Fig. 6E is a view in perspective of the furling arrangement in an assembled state,

Fig. 7A is a schematic top view of the furling arrangement shown in Fig 6E (a section along line Bl -Bl in Fig.4A) in a first state in which a sail is partly, or entirely, furled in, and blocked from unfurling, the sail end terminal being prevented from moving with respect to a boat end terminal,

Fig. 7B is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the section B2-B2 in Fig. 4A of the furling arrangement in the first state illustrating two ratchet pawls of a ratchet arrangement being in a rotation blocking position preventing the sail from unfurling,

Fig. 8 A is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the section Bl -Bl in Fig. 4 A of the furling arrangement in a second state upon initiation of application of a rotational force in a first direction, here anti-clockwise, to the sheaving arrangement as indicated through arrow XI in Fig.8B to furl out the sail, the sail end terminal being prevented from moving with respect to a boat end terminal,

Fig. 8B is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the section B2-B2 in Fig. 4A in the second state illustrating two ratchet pawl receiving openings being partly uncovered enabling reception of ratchet pawl arms in receiving slots or seats in the receiving openings,

Fig. 9 A is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the section Bl -Bl in Fig. 4 A in a third state of the furling arrangement upon continued application of a rotational force in the same, first, direction XI, e.g. through a continuous control line being pulled further in the XI -direction, and in which the sheaving unit has also slightly turned the sail end terminal,

Fig. 9B is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the section B2-B2 in Fig. 4A in the third state in which the ratchet pawls have been brought to rotate around pawl shafts and ratchet pawl arms are received in the receiving openings,

Fig. 10A is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the section Bl -Bl in Fig. 4 A in a fourth state in which the sail can unfurl, if needed, through continued application of rotational force in the first direction XI, the sail end terminal moving with the sheaving unit,

Fig. 1 OB is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the section B2-B2 in Fig. 4A in the fourth state showing the ratchet pawls having flipped over allowing unfurling of the sail as long as the sail unfurls by itself or a rotational force is applied,

Fig. 11 A is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the section Bl -Bl in Fig. 4 A in a fifth state in which the application of the rotational force in the first direction XI has been interrupted upon which a centering spring arranged around the sail end terminal has returned to a preloaded state as in Fig.lA and urged the sail end terminal in an opposite direction with respect to the sheaving unit such that the receiving slots in the sheaving unit are closed,

Fig. 1 IB is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the section B2-B2 in Fig. 4A in the fifth state showing the receiving openings in the sheaving unit being covered by the annular plate of the sail end terminal. Fig. 12A is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the section Bl -Bl in Fig. 4 A in a sixth state in which the sail e.g. is completely unfurled, and furling the sail requires application of a rotational force in an opposite, here clockwise, direction to uncover the receiving openings as described with reference to Figs.7A-10B but in the opposite direction; the sail being prevented from unfurling by itself,

Fig. l2B is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the section B2-B2 in Fig. 4A in the sixth state showing the ratchet pawls blocking turning of the sail end terminal in the opposite, here clockwise, direction, and

Fig.13 is a schematic view in perspective of a ratchet disabling element receivable in a movement restraining opening in a sail end terminal to prevent the ability of forming of a receiving slot.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Fig. 1 is a very schematic view of one implementation of a furling arrangement assembly or furling system 100 according to the present invention comprising a furling arrangement 10 with a covering element and a line guard assembly arranged on a sailing boat 151 with an asymmetrical spinnaker sail 104. The head of the sail is directly connected to an anti-torsion line 107 which is connected to a freely rotating halyard swivel 108 connected at the top of mast 103.

Anti-torsion line 107 connects the halyard swivel 108 to a furling arrangement 10 arranged on the deck 152 of the sailing boat. (The halyard swivel can be connected to the mast in different ways which will not be further described herein.) A sheet 105 is connected to a winch 106 in a known manner.

The tack 111 of the sail is via tack ropes 112 connected to a sail end terminal 30 of the furling system 100 via a swiveling ring 61 as shown in Fig.lA illustrating the section C indicated in Fig.l. For furling and unfurling the asymmetrical spinnaker sail 104 a control means, here comprising a continuous, endless, control line 20, also denoted furling line, is used. The furling system 100 comprises a two-way ratcheting mechanism which can be engaged/disengaged from a distance, e.g. from a cockpit, using the continuous control line 20 as will be further described below with reference to Figs.3-12B. To furl the sail 104, the furling line 20 is pulled in one direction, optionally through one or more guiding blocks (not shown) engaging the ratchet mechanism preventing the furling drum comprising a sheaving unit 110 (see Figs. 3-12) from spinning back, and pulling the control line 20 until the sail 104 has been entirely furled. A guiding block is not necessary for the functioning of the invention. To unfurl the sail 104, the control line 20 is pulled in the opposite direction to a ratcheting state in which the two-way ratcheting mechanism is unblocked (see Figs. 6A-6E) and when the wind fills the sail, the sail end terminal 30 and the sheaving unit 110 (see Figs.3-12), or furling drum, will keep spinning until the sail is fully unfurled. If the sail 104 does not fill by itself, the control line 20 is simply pulled further to assist in unfurling the sail.

Fig. 2 is a very schematic exemplary view of one implementation of a furling arrangement 10’ according to the present invention arranged on a sailing boat 151’ with a so called Code 0 sail 104’ which has a torsionally stiff rope, an anti-torsion line, 107’ sewn into its luff. The sail 104’ is via the anti-torsion line 107’ connected to freely rotating halyard swivel 108’ connected at the top of the mast 103’ and the anti-torsion line 107’ is in the other end connected to furling system 100’ arranged on the deck 152’ of the sailing boat 151’. A sheet 105’ is connected to a winch 106’ in any manner which does not form part of the present invention. The anti-torsion line 107’ end terminal is here directly connected to sail end terminal 30’ of the furling arrangement as shown in Fig.2A illustrating the section C’ indicated in Fig.2. For furling and unfurling a continuous, endless, control, or furling, line 20’ is used as discussed with reference to Figs. 1,1 A above.

Fig. 3 is a schematic view in perspective of a furling arrangement assembly or system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. It comprises a furling arrangement 10 comprising a sheaving unit 110 with a covering element 111, a sail end terminal 30 and a boat end terminal 40. The sheaving unit 110 is arranged within a line guarding assembly 50 with a fairing 51 and a line stripper 52 in a manner known per se, the invention not being limited to any particular line guarding assembly. The sail end terminal 30 forms a swivel assembly 300 (see Fig. 6C) and comprises a cylindrical portion 31 with a U-shaped recess and with a connector pin 32 for connection of a sail and/or a torsion line and for rotatably taking up a center shaft 101 (see e.g. Figs.6A-6E) within the cylindrical portion 31. The boat end terminal 40 (see e.g. Figs. 4, 4 A, 6) comprises a pawl holding arrangement 120 through which the center shaft 101 protrudes, and which is secured thereto, a lower end of the center shaft, on the boat end terminal 40 side, comprising a connection means 140 allowing connection to a sailing boat, e.g. via a shackle 45 (see Figs.4, 5). The assembly and the functioning of the furling arrangement 10 will be further described below.

Fig.4 is a side view of a furling arrangement assembly or furling system 100 as in Fig.3 comprising a furling arrangement 10 (cf. Fig.4A) with the sheaving unit 110 arranged within line guarding assembly 50 with a fairing 51 and a line stripper 52, a sail end terminal 30 for connection to a sail and/or an anti-torsion element and a boat end terminal 40 for connection to a boat deck. Features and reference numerals having already been referred to with reference to Fig. 3 will not be further discussed here but will be further explained below.

Fig.4A shows a furling arrangement 10 comprising a sheaving unit 110, a sail end terminal 30 and a boat end terminal 40, i.e. a furling system as in Fig.4 but without any line guarding assembly 50, fairing 51, and without any boat connection element 45. The sail end terminal 30 comprises an annular plate 34 to which a cylindrical portion or swivel unit 31 with a U-shaped recess is fixedly connected and which is adapted to rotatably hold center shaft 101, also denoted swivel shaft, within it as will be further described with reference to Figs.6A-6E, forming a swivel assembly 300. At opposed upper ends of the U-legs of the U-shaped recess, facing away from the annular plate 34, a connection, or locking, pin 32 is releasably taken up in one another facing holes in the U-legs allowing connection/disconnection of anti-torsion line 107; 107’ (see Figs.lA,2A), e.g. by means of pushing a spring-loaded locking element of a locking assembly 33 downwards towards the annular plate 34 allowing withdrawal/insertion of locking pin 32. The locking assembly 33 will not be further illustrated or described in detail since it can be provided for in many different ways and the invention is not limited to any particular locking assembly 33 for locking/unlocking connection pin 32.

The boat end terminal 40 is here defined as comprising a pawl holding arrangement or hub unit 120 as also will be further explained with reference to Figs.6A-6E below allowing a ratcheting functionality in cooperation with the sheaving unit 110 and center shaft 101 received within, and fixed to, the pawl holding arrangement or hub unit 120, and which center shaft 101 on an upper side is rotatably received within a cylindrical portion or swivel unit 31 of the sail end terminal 30 as described below with reference to Figs. 6A-6B below. The center shaft 101 on the sail side thus is rotatably taken up within the cylindrical portion 31 and on the boat side is fixedly secured within the pawl holding arrangement 120 and allowing connection to a boat deck by means of e.g. a shackle 45.

Fig.5 is a transversal cross-sectional view through the furling arrangement 10 shown in Fig.4A. The furling arrangement 10 comprises a wheel or a sheaving unit 110 which can be driven when a rotational load or torque is applied to it, the control means e.g. comprising a continuous control line 20 (see Figs.lA,2A) partly wound around the sheaving unit 110 which can be pulled in either direction thus applying a torque, the functioning and assembly of which will be further explained with reference to Figs. 6A-6B below wherein the functionality will be explained.

Pawl holding arrangement 120 in an assembled state of the furling arrangement 10 is mounted within the sheaving unit 110, the sail end terminal 30 (forming a swivel assembly 300 with the center shaft 101; cf. Fig. 6C below) and center shaft 101, here comprising a connection means comprising a hole 140 through the shaft, perpendicularly to the longitudinal extension of the shaft, through which it is engageable e.g. with a boat connection element, e.g. shackle 45 or similar. The shaft 101 is taken up within, and locked by a locking ring 117 to, a lower portion of boat end terminal 40 fixedly connected to, or integral with, pawl holding arrangement 120 (cf. Fig.6A) and is sealed by means of a radial seal 116. The sail end terminal 30 thus is arranged to rotatably take up an upper part of the center shaft 101 which in the opposite end is fixedly secured within pawl holding arrangement 120 of the boat end terminal 40. The center shaft 101 upper part is taken up within a recess in the sail end terminal 30 and blocked axially by means of an axial stop 104 via a swivel plug 105, and supported by means of a thrust bearing 225 and a sleeve bearing 226 within the sheaving unit 110 and lower end of boat end terminal 40. The sail end terminal 30 connection pin 32 as referred to above is lockable by means of locking pin 331 forming part of the locking assembly 33.

Fig, 6A is an exploded view of the furling arrangement 10 shown in Fig. 4 A in an unassembled state showing sail end terminal 30 comprising a swivel formed by annular plate 34 (cf. fig.6A) to which cylindrical portion 31 is secured, protruding perpendicularly and centrally with respect thereto and being of a smaller diameter. The cylindrical portion 31 comprises a U-shaped recess formed by parallel legs protruding upwardly from an upper part of the bottom portion of the U connecting the U-legs in a lower portion of the cylindrical portion 31.

As also described with reference to Fig. 4A, a connection pin 32 is disposed between the upper ends of the U-legs in a lockable manner. The cylindrical portion 31 is fixedly connected to, or integral with, annular plate 34 and, here, has an upwardly, facing away from the annular plate 34, somewhat tapering cross-sectional shape except for an, adjacent to the annular plate 34, provided circumferential recess adapted for reception of a centering spring 35, e.g. a torsion spring, comprising a substantially semi-oval center portion with two free leg portions 35A,35A pointing out, away, from the semi-oval center portion at an angle of more than 90° therewith, each leg portion 35A,35A comprising an outer end, hooking, portion 35B,35B forming an angle of substantially 90° with the respective leg portion 35A,35A The hooking portions 35B,35B are directed in opposite directions, rearwardly, outwardly from the legs portions 35A,35A in rearward directions allowing engagement with centering first spring blocking elements or end stops 37,37 provided on the annular plate 34. The annular plate 34 first spring blocking elements or end stops 37,37 comprise screws, pins, hooks or bosses with upper head or protruding portions serving the purpose of preventing the centering spring 35 from being disengaged from the annular plate 34. When the centering spring 35 is in a pre-loaded state, when no force is applied on the sheaving unit 110 by, here, the continuous control line 20 as will be further explained below, the first spring blocking elements or end stops 37,37 are in engagement with the free leg 35A,35A portions of the centering spring 35. The free leg portions 35A,35A, on outer sides of the centering spring 35, facing away from the cylindrical portion 31, at a distance from the cylindrical portion 31 also are in engagement with second spring blocking elements or end stops 137,137 provided in a same plane, at a larger radial distance from the center shaft 101 than the first spring blocking elements or end stops 37,37, on the wheel, drum, or sheaving unit 110 as will be further described below.

The annular plate 34, here, comprises four elongate movement restraining openings 36 symmetrically disposed adjacent, but at a distance from, the outer periphery of the annular plate 34 and at a distance from the outer, lower portion of the cylindrical portion 31. The respective movement restraining openings 36 each have opposed restraining opening end walls 36’, 36”, or blocking means for restraining the movement of the sheaving unit 110 when turned through a force being applied in a continuous control line 20 (cf. Fig.lA,2A) partly wound around the sheaving unit 110 through the movement restraining opening end walls 36’, 36” coming in engagement with respective four (here) movement restraining elements, e.g. bosses, 138 provided on an annular bottom plate 134 of the sheaving unit 110. The movement restraining elements 138 and the movement restraining openings 36 are so and dimensioned and located with respect to one another, that, in an assembled state of the furling arrangement (see Fig. 6E), when an end wall 36’, 36” of a movement restraining opening 36 comes in engagement with a sheaving unit 110 movement restraining element 138, a receiving slot or seat 139A allowing reception of a ratchet pawl 122 arm will made available at the other end of the movement restraining opening 36, the edges of which receiving slot 139 A being formed by an outer cylindrical wall of the movement restraining opening 36, the end wall at said end and an edge of a receiving opening 139 in an annular plate 134 of the sheaving arrangement 110.

Upper portion of center shaft 101 is rotatably within the lower portion of the cylindrical portion 31 of the sail end terminal 30 as more thoroughly described with reference to Fig. 5. Center shaft 101 is provided with a rotation stop protrusion 102 for rotationally securing it to pawl holding arrangement 120.

The sheaving unit 110 comprises a number of external sheave teeth 112 equidistantly and radially disposed on an interconnecting cylindrical wall interconnecting an upper and a lower ring, e.g. being made in one piece therewith, and having a smaller diameter than upper and lower rings, an inner upright circular wall 136 protruding a distance in a vertical direction from an annular bottom plate 134. The upright circular wall 136 has an upper edge located at a radial distance from an upper surface of the upper ring. The annular bottom plate 134 comprises four (here) receiving openings 139 arranged between annular bottom plate surface sections in the center of each of which a said movement restraining element, e.g. a boss, 138 is provided and are arranged to admit reception of respective ratchet pawl 122 arms of the pawl holding arrangement 120 when the receiving openings 139 are partially misaligned with elongate movement restraining openings 36 of the annular plate 34 of sail end terminal 30 such that respective receiving slots or seats 139 A are provided in a respective end of the receiving opening 139 as referred to above. The sheaving arrangement 110 is adapted to allow reception of the pawl holding arrangement 120 within the sheaving arrangement 110 such that a lower pawl holding plate 121 of the pawl holding arrangement 120 will be disposed, in rotatable contact with, and on the surface of the annular bottom plate 134 of the sheaving unit 110.

On an intermediate plate disposed in a plane above the annular bottom plate 134, in a direction towards the sail end terminal 30 in an assembled and mounted state of the furling arrangement 10, and in parallel with the annular bottom plate 134, between upright inner wall 136 and the upper ring of the sheaving unit 110 centering spring 35, said second, outer, blocking elements or end stops 137,137, e.g. comprising hooks, screws, pins or bosses, which are provided with upper head or protruding portions (to prevent the spring 35 from being disconnected), are disposed.

In an unloaded state of the sheaving unit 110, e.g. when no force is applied by means of the continuous control line 20, or by an unfurling sail, the first and second blocking elements or end stops 37,37,137,137 on the annular plate 34 of the sail end terminal unit 30 and on the upper side of the sheaving unit 110 respectively, will be arranged radially pairwise in contact with the leg portions 35A,35A of the centering spring 35. The purpose of the centering spring 135 is to align the sail end terminal 30 and the sheaving arrangement 110 such that no receiving slots or spaces 139A will be available allowing the ratchet pawls 122 to flip direction, as soon as there is no torque applied to the sheaving unit 110, and hence to return the annular plate 34 to a position with respect to the sheaving unit 110 such that the movement restraining elements 138 will be located at a same distance from the opposite end wall walls 36’, 36” of the movement restraining openings 36 in the annular plate 34 of the sail end terminal 30.

The pawl holding arrangement 120 comprises a lower annular pawl holding plate 121 and an upper annular pawl holding plate 127 of a smaller diameter than the lower annular pawl holding plate 121. The lower and upper pawl holding plates 121,127 are arranged axially at a distance from one another and are connected to an intermediate cylindrical portion 128 adapted for taking up the center shaft 101. The center shaft 101 protrudes upwards where is rotatably taken up within the cylindrical portion 31 of the sail end terminal 30, in an assembled state of the furling arrangement 10, and, on a lower side, is secured in place by means of locking ring 117 to a lower portion of the pawl holding unit 120 secured to the sheaving unit 110 (see Fig.5). Between the upper and the lower annular pawl holding plates 127,121 two ratchet pawls 122 are disposed.

In Fig.6A one of the ratchet pawls 122 is mounted between the upper and lower annular pawl holding plates 127,121, whereas the other ratchet pawl 122 is shown as a demounted unit in order to explain how the ratchet pawls are mounted in the pawl holding arrangement 120.

Each ratchet pawl 122 comprises two in opposite directions protruding portions or branches joined by means of a pawl shaft 123 receiving portion comprising a central opening for receiving the pawl shaft 123. An upper portion of respective pawl shaft 123 is taken up in a receiving opening disposed adjacent the periphery in the upper annular pawl holding plate 127 and a lower portion of the pawl shaft 123 is taken up in a receiving opening in the lower annular pawl holding plate 121. Two pawl springs 124,124 are connected to pawl holding arrangement or hub 120 by means of pawl spring locking pins 126,126. Each pawl spring 124 here comprises a blade spring formed by an arc shaped blade and two semi-arc shaped blades arranged in parallel therewith such that an opening is provided between one another facing outer ends of the semi-arcs, through holes being provided in the junctions between the arc-shaped blade and the semi-arc shaped blades for taking up the pawl spring locking pins 126,126. Each pawl spring 124,124 is arranged to interact with a respective ratchet pawl 122,122. Pawl spring restraining pins 125,125 taken up between the upper and lower plates 127,121 are arranged to ensure that the arms two semi-arc shaped blades of the pawl springs 124,124 are kept slightly open, i.e.at a slight distance from the arc-shaped blade and such that there is a distance between opposed outer ends of the semi-arc shaped blades to admit reception of an end of a ratchet pawl 122.

Although the pawl springs 124,124 in the shown embodiment comprise blade springs, the inventive concept is not limited thereto but in alternative embodiments may comprise torsions springs or compression springs or other types of spring elements. In still other embodiments (not shown) repelling magnets are used.

Fig. 6B is a partially exploded view as in Fig. 6A showing the pawl holding arrangement 120 in an assembled state, with the two ratchet pawls 122,122 and the two pawl springs 124,124 taken up between the upper and lower annular pawl holding plates 127,121 and shows a respective end of each ratchet pawl 122 arm protruding between the semi-arc shaped blades of a respective pawl spring 124, urged outwardly by a semi-arc-shaped blade of pawl spring 124. In other respects Fig. 6B corresponds to Fig.6A and will therefore not be further explained.

Fig. 6C is a figure similar to Fig. 6B with the difference that the center shaft 101 has been taken up within the sail end terminal 30 wherein it is axially and radially mounted and in combination with which it forms a swivel assembly 300, the sail end terminal 30 forming a swivel freely rotatable around the center shaft 101. In other respects Fig. 6C corresponds to Fig. 6B and will therefore not be further explained.

Fig. 6D is a figure similar to Fig. 6C with the difference that the pawl holding arrangement 120 is arranged within the sheaving unit 110, the lower pawl holding plate 121 being disposed on the annular bottom plate 134 of the sheaving unit 110, at a distance from the cylindrical upright inner wall 136 of the sheaving unit 110 such that the movement restraining elements 138 protrude upwardly. In other respects Fig. 6D corresponds to Fig. 6C and will therefore not be further explained.

Fig. 6E is a view in perspective of the furling arrangement 10 in an assembled state, i.e. the swivel assembly 300 and the sheaving unit 110 with the pawl holding unit 120 as shown in Fig. 6D have been assembled, the centering spring 35 mounted on the annular plate 34 of the sail end terminal 30, the leg portions 35A,35A of the centering spring 35 being in contact with the inner spring blocking elements or end stops 37 on the annular plate 34 of the sail end terminal 30 and with the outer spring blocking elements or end stops 137 on the sheaving unit 110 via their hooking portions 35B,35B securely held in place, and the locking ring 117 securing the center shaft 101 to the pawl holding arrangement 120 as also described with reference to Fig. 5.

With reference to Figs.7A-12B the functioning of a furling arrangement for one implementation according to one embodiment of the present invention will be illustrated. The control means in this embodiment comprises a continuous control line 20 (not shown; cf. Figs. 1A,2A) partly wound around the sheaving unit 110.

Fig. 7A is a schematic top view of the furling arrangement 10 e.g. as shown in Fig 6E (along section Bl -Bl in Fig.4A) in a first state in which the sail has been entirely or partly furled in (in a clockwise direction) and the intention is to allow the sail to unfurl itself. In this first state the two ratchet pawls 122 are in a blocked position, one ratchet pawl arm of each ratchet pawl 122 being in contact with, urged outwardly by a respective pawl spring 124, and blocked by a respective first end wall 36’ of a respective sail end terminal annular plate 34 elongate restraining opening 36 preventing the sail end terminal 30 from rotating, or turning in an anti-clockwise direction, thereby preventing the furled sail from being unfurled under the influence of the wind filling a partly furled in sail or under the influence of a force in a sheet 105; 105’ pulling in the sail clew 109; 109’ (cf. Figs. 1,2).

The leg portions 35A,35A of the centering spring 35 mounted on the annular plate 34 of the sail end terminal 30 are in contact with the inner 37 and outer 137 blocking elements and the movement restraining elements, e.g. bosses, 138 provided on annular bottom plate 134 of the sheaving unit 110 are located in an intermediate, central, position in a respective movement elongate restraining opening 36 in the annular plate 34 of the sail end terminal 30.

To allow the sail to furl out, the ratchet pawls 122,122 need to be unblocked and the control means partly wound around the sheaving unit 110 needs to be pulled in a first direction (here anticlockwise) as indicated through arrow XI to allow the sail to unfurl in an anti-clockwise direction, i.e. a rotational force, a torque, needs to be applied to the sheaving unit 110 in the anticlockwise direction. Then, first the torque exerted by the centering spring 35, serving the purpose of aligning the sail end terminal 30 with respect to the sheaving unit 110 such that there are no receiving slots or seats 139A available for access by ratchet pawl arms as also discussed earlier in the application, needs to be overcome.

The two ratchet pawls 122,122 mounted on pawl shafts 123,123 (cf. Fig.6A) are located such that for each of them a respective arm is in abutment with a respective first end wall 36’ of a respective sail end terminal annular plate 34 elongate restraining opening 36 as more clearly shown in Fig.7B which is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the section B2-B2 in Fig. 4 A in the first state. The two ratchet pawls 122,122 are thus in a rotation blocking position such that the sail end terminal 30 is prevented from turning. The two pawl springs 124,124 are in neutral, ratcheting enabling, positions.

Fig. 8 A is a schematic cross-sectional view of the furling arrangement 10 taken along the section Bl -Bl in Fig. 4 A in a second state in which the continuous control line 20 has been pulled slightly in the first direction XI after an initial activation, here pulling, operation. In this second state the sheaving unit 110 has turned slightly with respect to the boat end terminal 40. One leg of the centering spring 35 mounted on the annular plate 34 of the sail end terminal 30 is now only in contact with the respective outer blocking element 137 provided on the sheaving unit 110, the other leg 35A of the centering spring 35 is only in contact with the respective inner blocking element 37, thus loading the spring 35. The movement restraining elements, e.g. bosses, 138 provided on annular bottom plate 134 of the sheaving unit 110 have moved towards respective positions in which they come in contact with a respective second end wall 36” of the respective movement elongate restraining opening 36 in the annular plate 34 of the sail end terminal 30. Through the movement, ratchet pawl 122 receiving openings or recesses 139 provided in the annular bottom plate 134 of the sheaving unit 110, disposed between the movement restraining elements 138, will be partly uncovered, i.e. the sheaving unit 110 has moved such that the receiving opening 139 in the sheaving unit 110 has moved to a position located ahead, in the turning direction, of the first end wall 36’ of a respective sail end terminal annular plate 34 opening 36, leaving a receiving slot or seat 139A available for reception of a ratchet pawl 122 arm. The sail end terminal 30 has not yet turned since it is still blocked as also shown in Fig.8B, which is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the section B2-B2 in Fig. 4A of the furling arrangement 10 in the second state. Fig. 8B illustrates more clearly how a respective receiving slot or space 139A is provided, between first end wall 36’ (here, considering a force applied by the control line 20 in the anti-clockwise direction, a rear end wall) of the annular plate 34 of the sail end terminal 30 and, here, a front end wall of receiving opening 139 in the sheaving unit 110, thus admitting reception of a ratchet pawl arm 122. The (here) four movement restraining elements, e.g. bosses, 138 have come in contact with respective opposite second (here front) walls 36” of sail end terminal annular plate 34 opening 36, and the sail end terminal 30 will be able to start to turn in the same direction as the sheaving unit 110 upon application of further force in the same, here anti-clockwise) direction XI, and the torque produced by centering spring 35 has been overcome (see Figs, 9A,9B below).

The two ratchet pawls 122,122 are thus located such that for each ratchet pawl 122 a respective arm has entered a respective receiving opening 139 in annular bottom plate 134 of sheaving unit 110 and is in abutment with a respective first, here rear, end wall 36’ of the terminal annular plate 34 elongate movement restraining opening 36. In Fig. 8B is more clearly illustrated the two ratchet pawls 122,122 being in a position in which a respective arm have entered a respective receiving slot 139A in annular bottom plate 134 of sheaving unit 110.

Fig.9A is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the section Bl -Bl in Fig. 4A in a third state of the furling arrangement 10 in which the continuous control line 20 has been further pulled in the first, here anti-clock-wise, direction XI, the sheaving unit 110 now also having turned the sail end terminal or swivel 30 slightly in the same direction. During the slight continued rotation, the respective ratchet pawl 122 arms have been substantially aligned with a respective first end wall 36’ of a respective sail end terminal annular plate 34 opening 36 as shown in Fig. 9B below. Thus, ratchet pawl 122 arms are received in the respective receiving slots 139A, and, during further rotation in the same, here anti-clockwise, direction exerting an increasing compressive force on the respective internal pawl springs (e.g. blade springs) 124,124 until the ratchet pawls 122,122 flip over as illustrated in Figs. lOA, 10B below.

In the third state, as the sheaving unit 110 is turning, the sail end terminal 30 has started turning with it due to the contact between the movement restraining elements 138 and the respective second (here front) end walls 36” of the respective elongate movement restraining openings 36 of the sail end terminal annular plate 34. One of the leg portions 35 A, here the first leg portion in the rotation or moving direction, of the centering spring 35 mounted on the annular plate 34 of the sail end terminal 30 is still only in engagement with an outer blocking element 137, whereas the other leg portions 35 A only is in engagement with an inner blocking element 37.

Fig. 10A is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the section Bl -Bl in Fig. 4 A of the furling arrangement in a fourth state in which the sail can start unfurl by itself by a sheeting or a wind load until it is entirely unfurled. The ratchet pawls 122,122 will pass the respective subsequent receiving openings 139 as long as there is applied a torque in the same, unfurling, direction by the sail. The first leg portion 35 A, in the rotation or moving direction, of the centering spring 35 mounted on the annular plate 34 is still only in engagement with an outer blocking element 137, whereas the other leg portions 35A still only is in engagement with an inner blocking element 37.

If the sail does not unfurl by itself, e.g. through there being not sufficient wind, the continuous control line 20 can be pulled further in the same, first direction XI to assist in unfurling.

Fig. 10B is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the section B2-B2 in Fig. 4A in the fourth, ratcheting, state showing the ratchet pawls 122,122 having flipped over allowing the sail to unfurl by itself since it is able to turn the sail terminal end 30 and the sheaving unit 110 in the anti-clockwise direction (if needed through application of an additional force by the control means 20 as referred to above).

Fig. 11A is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the section Bl -Bl in Fig. 4A in a fifth state in which the sail is unfurling by itself or just has stopped unfurling, or any application of a pulling force in the continuous control line 20 in the first direction XI just has ceased. It should be clear that the fifth state as illustrated in Fig. 5 is a momentary view of, here, an unfurling state, and the sail end terminal 30 and the sheaving unit 110 both rotate substantially as one unit. The fifth state is similar to the fourth state with the difference that the centering spring 35 arranged around the sail end terminal or swivel 30 has returned to its normal preloaded position in which the leg portions 35A,35A of the centering spring 35 are in contact both with the inner 37 and the outer 137 blocking elements, having turned the sail end terminal 30 slightly with respect to the sheaving unit 110 such that the temporary receiving slots 139A are covered. The sail end terminal 30 and the sheaving unit 110 are thus aligned such that the ratchet pawl 122 receiving slots 139A provided in the annular bottom plate 134 will be closed, i.e. inaccessible for the ratchet pawl 122 arms, and covered by respective sail end terminal annular plate 34, the openings 36 thereof being aligned with the receiving openings 139 in the sheaving unit 110 as also shown in Fig.1 IB which is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the section B2-B2 in Fig. 4A in the fifth state. As can be seen in Fig. 1 IB there are no receiving slots 139A accessible for the ratchet pawl 122 arms and respective ratchet pawl arms are instead in contact with upright cylindrical inner wall 136 of the sheaving unit 110, and an edge of the first, here rear, end wall 36’ of the respective elongate restraining openings 36 of the sail end terminal annular plate 34.

If the sail would need further assistance to unfurl, for example if there is not enough wind, the continuous control line 20 can be pulled in the same direction, here anti-clockwise, the sail end terminal 30 would be slightly rotated such that movement restraining openings 36 thereof would again be partly misaligned with the receiving openings 139 of the sheaving unit 110, and the furling arrangement be back in the fourth state (Figs. l0A,10B), but due to the rotation direction of the respective ratchet pawl arms, the respective ratchet pawl arms would not be able to enter the receiving slots and flip over, and as soon as the pulling force ceases, centering spring 35 would rotate the sail end terminal 30 with respect to sheaving unit 110 such that the receiving slots 139A are closed.

Fig. 12A is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the section Bl -Bl in Fig. 4A showing the furling arrangement 10 in a sixth state in which the sail, here, is supposed to be completely unfurled. If the sail is to be furled in, application of a rotational force, torque, in an opposite, here clockwise, direction to uncover the receiving openings to provide available receiving slots is required. The sail end terminal 30 and the sheaving unit 110 can however only rotate a few degrees until, the ratchet pawls 122 would engage with the cylindrical inner wall 136 of the sheaving unit 110 and prevent furling in of the sail. To furl in, the ratchet pawls 122 need to flip over and a ratcheting state be achieved. According to the invention the control means 20 (here the continuous control line) is pulled in the, here, clockwise direction, to go through the steps described with reference to Figs.7A-10B but in the opposite, reversed, direction; the sail being prevented from unfurling by itself. When in a fourth state as described with reference to Figs.l0A,10B, pulling of the control line is continued and the sail is furled in a clockwise direction.

If furling in this state is interrupted, due to a pause or line sliding, the sail is prevented from furling out anti-clockwise, and furling can be resumed after the pause.

In this sixth state the two ratchet pawls 122,122 mounted on pawl shafts 123,123 (cf. Fig. 6A) are located such that each a respective arm thereof is in abutment with a respective second end wall 36” of respective sail end terminal annular plate 34 opening 36 as also shown in Fig.l2B which is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the section B2-B2 in Fig. 4A in the sixth state.

In Fig. l2B is more clearly illustrated the two ratchet pawls 122,122 being in a rotation blocking position, such that the sail end terminal 30 or swivel is prevented from turning in, here, a clockwise direction.

Thus, the sail cannot be furled in the clockwise direction. In order to be able to furl the sail in the clockwise direction, the continuous control line 20 must be pulled in the clockwise direction as described above.

In alternative embodiments, the furling arrangement comprises a motor, e.g. an electric motor or a hydraulic arrangement, thus forming a control means allowing driven operation instead of manual operation by means of e.g. a continuous control line.

In alternative embodiments (not shown) the ratcheting pawls, or elements, are directed inwardly, arranged in an inverted manner, e.g. on sheaving unit instead and the furling arrangement is operated manually or comprises an electric motor or a hydraulic arrangement. A ratchet disabling element 360 adapted to be receivable in a sail end terminal 30 movement restraining opening 36 can be used-to completely close the movement restraining opening 36 between the end walls 36’, 36” to prevent any ratchet pawl arm from being able be received in any receiving slot and reach a ratcheting state. In order to achieve a ratchet disabled state in the embodiment shown in Figs 7-12, one ratchet disabling element 360 would have to be introduced in each of the four movement restraining openings 36. In the shown embodiment the ratchet disabling element 360 comprises a receiving recess 361 for taking up a protruding movement restraining element 138 of the sheaving unit 110, which however is not necessary for the functioning of the disabling functionality.

It should be clear that the inventive concept also is applicable furling in/furling out in directions reversed to those described with reference to Figs.7A-12B.

It is an advantage that through the invention a furling arrangement is provided which is safe, easy to use, robust and which requires but one control means, e.g. one continuous control line, or a motor, and through which spin-back situations and accidental unfurling are prevented and through which furling/unfurling of a sail is facilitated and rendered safe.

It should be clear that the invention is not limited to the explicitly described embodiments but that it can be varied in a number of ways within the scope of the appended claims. The arrangement is particularly intended for use on a boat, particularly a leisure or a racing sailing boat, such as a furling system for a mainsail, a furling system for a headsail (Jib, Genoa), as a Code 0 or gennaker furling system, particularly asymmetric spinnaker (aka), but also for other systems where similar problems may arise, also in other applications.

It should also be clear that the features of described embodiments freely can be varied and combined within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A furling arrangement (10) for furling and unfurling a sail (104;104’), said furling arrangement (10) comprising a sail end terminal (30) for connection to a lower end of an anti-torsion element (107; 107’) associated with, or connected to, a lower corner of the sail (104; 104’) and at an upper end connecting to a swivel (8,8A) at the top of a mast (103; 103’), a boat end terminal (40) for connection to a boat, e.g. a boat deck, wherein the sail end terminal (30) is rotatable with respect to the boat end terminal (40), the sail end terminal (30) and the boat end terminal (40) being arranged to form a two-way ratchet mechanism comprising a driveable wheel or sheaving unit (110) rotatable with the sail end terminal (30), and allowing the sail to furl in and furl out respectively, the ratchet mechanism comprising a number of rotatably stored ratchet pawls (122,122) spring loaded by means of pawl springs (124,124), and a control means (20) for application of torque to the driveable wheel or sheaving unit (110), c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that it further comprises a pre-loaded centering spring (35) arranged to keep the sail end terminal (30) and the sheaving unit (110) in a first, neutral state, in which the sail end terminal (30) is prevented from changing rotation direction, that the sheaving unit (110) comprises a number of movement restraining or blocking elements (138) arranged to allow cooperation with blocking means (36’;36”) of the sail end terminal (30), and in that for unfurling/furling a sail, in a state in which the rotatably stored ratchet pawls (122,122) block rotation in a first, furling/unfurling, direction and allowing the sail end terminal (30) to rotate in an opposite, second, unfurling/furling, direction, by means of application of a torque by the control means (20) to the sheaving unit (110) in said first direction, the sheaving unit (110) is arranged to be rotated slightly with respect to the sail end terminal (30), against the action of the pre-loaded centering spring (35), to make a number of temporary receiving slots (139A) available for reception of protruding arms of the ratchet pawls (122,122), and in that upon the receiving slots (139A) becoming available due to the slight rotation of the sheaving unit (110) with respect to the sail end terminal (30), the movement restraining or blocking elements (138) of the sheaving unit (110) and the blocking means (36’;36”) of the sail end terminal (30) will come in engagement and, under application of the torque by the control element (20), allow engaged, simultaneous rotation of the sail end terminal (30) with the sheaving unit (110), such that the rotatably stored ratchet pawls (122,122) are allowed to rotate and flip over through the protruding arms being received in the temporary slots (139A) to allow rotation in said first direction while preventing rotation in the second direction, the centering spring (35) being arranged to urge the sail end terminal (30) and the sheaving unit (110) to the first, neutral state in which the temporary receiving slots (139A) are closed as soon as no torque is applied to the sheaving unit (110).

2. A furling arrangement (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the sail end terminal (30) cylindrical portion (31) comprises a connection element (32) allowing releasable connection to an end termination of an anti-torsion element or an anti-torsion line, e.g. of a code 0 sail (104’), or for releasable connection to a swivel (61) for an asymmetric spinnaker.

3. A furling arrangement (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that furling arrangement further comprises a sheaving unit (110) covering element arranged on an upper, top, side of the sheaving unit (110).

4. A furling arrangement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is remotely controllable by the control means (20), e.g. from a cockpit.

5. A furling arrangement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control means comprises a continuous control line (20) partly wound around the sheaving unit (110).

6. A furling arrangement (10) according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that the control means comprise a motor, e.g. arranged on the wheel or sheaving unit (110) or on the center shaft (101), the motor e.g. being remotely controllable.

7. A furling arrangement (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that the motor comprises an electric motor or a hydraulic motor.

8. A furling arrangement (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises a control unit comprising or being connected to activation means for activating and controlling the wheel or sheaving unit (110).

9. A furling arrangement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the driveable wheel or sheaving unit (110) comprises an annular bottom plate (134) with a number of receiving openings (139) and in that said movement restraining elements (138) and said receiving openings (139) are disposed in an alternating manner, said movement restraining elements (138) protruding upwards, axially, from the annular bottom plate (134), that the boat end terminal (40) comprises a center shaft (101) and a pawl holding arrangement or hub (120) holding said ratchet pawls (122,122) spring loaded by means of said pawl springs (124,124), the pawl holding arrangement or hub (120) being rotatably taken up within the sheaving unit forming a ratchet mechanism housing (110), the center shaft (101) being fixedly secured to, and passes through, the pawl holding arrangement or hub (120) and comprises an upper portion rotatably taken up within an upper cylindrical portion (31) of the sail end terminal (30), and in that the sail end terminal (30) comprises an annular bottom element (34), e.g. an annular plate, comprising a number of movement restraining openings (36), said annular bottom element (34) being arranged within the wheel or sheaving unit (110) on the annular bottom plate (134), the blocking means (36’; 36”) of the sail end terminal (30) being formed by opposite end walls of said movement restraining openings (36).

10. A furling arrangement (10) according to claim 9, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that in said neutral state, when no torque is applied to the sheaving unit (110), the sail end terminal (30) is aligned with the sheaving unit (110) such that movement restraining openings (36) are misaligned with the receiving openings (139) in the sheaving unit (110), the protruding movement restraining elements (138) of the sheaving unit being located in the respective center of the movement restraining opening (36), and the ratchet pawls (122) being urged by the respective pawl springs (124) against a cylindrical edge of the annular bottom plate (134) and a movement restraining opening end wall (36’; 36”) edge, and thus blocking the sail end terminal (30) from rotating in the first direction.

11. A furling arrangement (10) according to claim 10, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that upon application of a torque to the sheaving unit (110) in said first direction by means of the control means (20), the receiving openings (139) and the movement restraining openings (36) will be partly aligned to provide the receiving slots (139A) accessible for a said respective spring loaded ratchet pawl (122) arm such that the ratchet pawls (122) flip over, allowing ratcheting in said first direction as soon as the respective movement restraining elements (138) have come into engagement with a movement restraining opening end wall (36’ ;36” ) in the first rotation direction and urged the sail end terminal (30) to rotate, against the action of the pre-loaded centering spring (35), in said first rotation direction.

12. A furling arrangement (10) according to any one of claim 9-11, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the cylindrical portion (31) of the sail end terminal (30) is fixedly connected to, or made in one piece, integral with, an upper side of the annular plate (34) and, at its lower end portion, adjacent the annular plate (34), is provided with a circumferential recess adapted for reception of the centering spring (35), e.g. a torsion spring, first centering spring blocking elements or end stops (37,37) being provided on the annular plate (34) and second centering spring blocking elements or end stops (137,137) being provided on the sheaving unit (110), the first and second centering spring blocking elements or end stops (37; 137) being arranged pairwise such that each pair comprising a first and a second centering spring blocking element is arranged to engage with a free leg portion (35 A) of the centering spring (35) to prevent that a respective receiving slot (139A) is accessible for a ratchet pawl (122) in the absence of a torque applied to the wheel or sheaving unit (110).

13. A furling arrangement (10) according to any one of claims 9-12, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that each ratchet pawl (122) is pivotally mounted on a pawl shaft (123) arranged between an upper pawl holding plate (127) and a lower pawl holding plate (121) and comprises two oppositely directed pawl arms, that each pawl spring (124) comprises a blade spring arranged between the upper pawl holding plate (127) and the lower pawl holding plate (121) and comprising an arc shaped inner blade outer ends of which being bent to form two outer semi-arc shaped blades substantially in parallel therewith and by means of pawl spring restraining pins (125,125) taken up between the upper and lower plates (127,121) arranged to ensure that the two semi-arc shaped blades of the pawl spring (124) are kept at a slight distance from the arc-shaped blade and such that there is a distance between opposed outer ends of the semi-arc shaped blades to admit reception of an end of a said ratchet pawl (122), that the pawl spring (124) is arranged to urge an arm of a pivotally mounted pawl (122) outwardly such that when a respective pawl receiving opening (139) becomes accessible to the ratchet pawl (122) by force of the blade spring (124), the ratchet pawl (122) arm is urged outwardly to be taken up in an available receiving slot (139 A) until, during further rotation of the sail end terminal (30), the ratchet pawl (122) arm will be engaged by an end wall (36;36’) of the receiving opening and flip over.

14. A furling arrangement (10) according to any one of claims 2-6, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the pawl holding arrangement (120) is arranged within the sheaving unit (110), a lower pawl holding plate (121) being disposed on the annular bottom plate (134) of the sheaving unit (110), at a distance from a cylindrical upright inner wall (136) of the sheaving unit (110) such that the movement retaining bosses (138) protrude upwardly.

15. A furling arrangement (10) according to any one of 9-14, characterized in that the sheaving unit (110) comprises a number of external sheave teeth (112) equidistantly and radially disposed on, and between, an upper and a lower ring and an interconnecting cylindrical wall interconnecting, e.g. being made in one piece therewith, the upper and lower rings and of a smaller diameter, an inner upright circular wall (136) disposed at a distance in a vertical direction from the annular bottom plate (134) and the upper edge of which upright circular wall (136) being located at a radial distance from an upper surface of the upper ring.

16. A furling system (100) comprising a furling arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a line guarding assembly (50) with a fairing (51) and a line stripper (52), and in that the sheaving unit (110) is arranged within the line guarding assembly (50).

17. Use of a furling arrangement according to any one of claims 1-15 for a mainsail, for a headsail e.g. a jib or a genoa, or for a gennaker, particularly for an asymmetrical spinnaker, an aka gennaker, or a Code 0 furling system.