FR2641516A2 - IMPROVEMENTS TO CATAMARAN FREE SAILBOARD FLOATS - Google Patents

Abstract

The float comprises two parallel hulls (115, 116) which are symmetrical with respect to an axis YY', integral with a raised deck (117), the middle of the rail for fixing the mast foot is arranged at 2/3 front of the length of the float, completly at the front of the deck which is drawn back to the maximum and comprises toe-clips fixed at either side and at the rear of large edges (127, 128) overhanging above the flotation line on the outside of the hulls, the underside of the hulls presenting a hollow curve in cross-section throughout the length.

Description

Improvements to the catamaran free windsurfing float. The

  this addition to the main patent relates to improvements to the catamaran free windsurfing float. Free sail, PAVL, with a float derived from that of the catamaran, present difficulties for tacking much greater than with a traditional PAVL float. The catamaran produces a rail effect that must be overcome to turn. This is the reason why the main patent proposes rudders controlled by a maneuvered bar with

the feet.

  The purpose of this addition is to increase handling at all speeds and ease of driving

  especially for transfers without using rudders.

  According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the position of the bridge has been moved back as far as possible to allow the user to perform all his maneuvers from the rear, without passing in front of the mast as is the case on traditional PAVLs. , The deck is raised, the volume of the normally submerged floats is reduced, the two hulls are narrower and their outer edge has a section in overhang above the waterline adding a buoyancy reserve, we also installed toe clips ; The underside of the two hulls rises gradually in a slight curve towards the front until their end which is situated above the waterline, moreover the underside of the two hulls has, in section, a hollow shape at large radius and this over their entire

length.

  The advantages presented by the float according to the invention are the following: - Improvement of the maneuverability at all gears and in particular when cornering; - Reduction of learning time thanks to the exceptional stability excluding falls; - Possibility of accompanying by an instructor for beginners, and a passenger for experienced windsurfers; - the very high stability gives great security, the sail collapsed, the float constitutes a real unsinkable canoe on which you can tie down in heavy weather; - possibility of long hikes due to the safety of use, - reduction of fatigue due to the reduction of the maneuvering efforts of the sail thanks to a larger lever arm; - Opening of the use of these PAVL to non-athletes of all ages, without particular physical skills; - Possibilities of use during less favorable climatic periods and in more geographical areas

  extended due to its great stability.

  The invention is described in detail in the following text with reference to the accompanying drawings given by way of nonlimiting examples, in which: FIGS. 1 and 2 show an example of a float seen from above and seen in elevation;

  - Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view.

  Figs. 1 and 2 show an exemplary embodiment of

  float according to the invention seen from above and seen in elevation.

  It comprises the shells 1 and 2 secured by a bridge 3 forming a one-piece assembly. The position of the mast 4 is advanced forwards and the deck is extended towards the rear so as to allow all the stunts from the rear, the tacking being effected by passing under the sail and no longer bypassing the mast from the front as on traditional PAVLs. 5.6 toe clips were placed on each side of and behind the bridge. The floats 1 and 2 are symmetrical with respect to an axis YY 'and arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis XX' of the float. A central fin 7 is fixed under each of the shells 1,2 on rails 8,9 secured to the underside of the hulls. Two other rails 10, 11 also arranged at the rear on the axis

  YY ', each receive a fin 12.

  The hulls are narrow and each have, on their outer side, a border 13,14 arranged above the water line 15 (fig.3), constituting a flotation reserve. The underside 16 of the hulls 1,2 rises progressively from the rear, their lowest point, comprising a step 17 for reducing drag, to their front end which is situated above the waterline 18. The underside 19, 20 of the edges 13, 14 rises in a straight line from the rear 21, situated at the level of the waterline 18, towards the front 22 clearly above this line. The underside 23 of deck 3 is parallel to the water line up to the vertical line 24 where it rises

slightly forward.

  The cross section 3 shows the section of the shells 1,2; the underside 25 of these is of slightly hollow shape with a large radius; their internal flanks 26 and external 27 are slightly tapered down. We see that the edges 13,14 correspond to a buoyancy reserve increasing the bearing surface of the float when it comes into contact with water. The side blanks 28, 29 are substantially vertical. The top 30.31 of the hulls is slightly rounded on the rear and on the front to facilitate flow. The top 32 of the bridge 3 is curved transversely to a very large radius and is connected to the blanks by two small spokes 33. The bottom 34 of the bridge is limited by a radius parallel to the radius 32. symmetrically to the axis XX 'we have inserted , on the front of the bridge, a wooden reinforcement plate 35 in which is formed a groove receiving the rail 36 for fixing the mast root. The middle of this rail is located in the vicinity of 2/3 before the length of the float. The entire volume of the deck is filled with

  foam with a density of the order of 50kg / m3.

  The connection of the deck to the hulls, in polyester version, is carried out by means of a substantially vertical joint plane extending the outer skin 37 and inner 38 parallel to that of the upper part of the blanks 26 and 28, 29 of the hulls, this part of the sidewall is set back inward so as not to have projections on which the user could be injured. The bridge / hull connection lines are also covered with a sturdy adhesive strip 40. The same is true for the above / below connections of the upper part and of the part

  bottom of the shells made with the same joint plane.

  The internal skin 34 has connecting radii 41

towards the internal flank of the hulls.

  The rear end 42 (fig. 2) of the hulls has an overhanging curve on the water ending, in the lower part, with a

  step 17 to reduce the rear drag.

  On the hollow bottom wall of the shells, the location of the rails 8,9 for fixing the fins has been shown in dotted lines. It is the choice of these operational forms of under-hull 25, the edges 13, 14 and their location relative to the waterline as well as the arrangement of the deck and the rear shape of the hulls, which gives the PAVL according to the invention, its performance on water, at sea,

on lakes or rivers.

  Of course, this PAVL can be made of any compatible material and by any automated manufacturing process.

including injection molding.

  As on the version presented on the main patent, all types are used with the float according to the invention

of current PAVL rigs.

2 6 4 1516

Claims (4)

CLAIMS:   1 - Improvements to light floats of catamaran type suitable for their use in PAVL, according to claim 1 of the main patent, in which the float comprises two parallel hulls integral with a bridge receiving a central rail for fixing a mast foot free sail rigging, the two hulls are provided with rails to each receive a fin and a fin, characterized in that the shape of the hulls (1,2) of the float is symmetrical with respect to their longitudinal axis YY 'up to the level an outer edge (13,14) disposed at the level of the waterline at the rear (21) and   rising straight ahead (22) clearly above   above this line (18), and in that the underside (16) of the hulls rises in a very slight curve from the rear, their lowest point, to the front above the line of waterline (18), and in that the bridge (3) is very raised above the waterline (18) and is moved backwards, the middle of the rail (36) for fixing the mast foot being arranged in the vicinity of 2/3 before the length of the float, the end of the rail being very close to the front of the bridge, and in that toe clips (5,6) are disposed of each   side of the bridge and completely aft of it.   2 - Improvements according to claim 1, characterized in that the underside of the two shells (1,2) has over its entire length, transversely, an operational shape hollow (25) with large radius.   3 - Improvements according to claims 1 and 2,   characterized in that the float is made entirely of polyester, and in that only the entire volume of the deck is   filled with foam with a density of the order of 50 kg / m3.   4 - Improvements according to claims 1,2 and 3,   characterized in that the bridge / hull connection is made by means of a substantially vertical joint plane and having no projection relative to the sides of the hulls, and in that the above / below hull connections are made with the same joint plane, and in that said joint planes are covered with a robust adhesive tape 5 Improvements according to claim 1, characterized in that the rear end (42) of the hulls has an overhanging curve ending in a step (17) in the lower part. 6 - Improvements according to claim 1, characterized 0 in that the rail (36) for fixing the mast foot is made integral with a housing formed in a plate   reinforcement (35) embedded in the bridge.