GB1600184A - Sail mast structures for wind propelled vehicles - Google Patents

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO SAIL MAST STRUCTURE FOR WIND PROPELLED VEHICLES (71) I, COLIN ALBERT CHARLES WHY- MAN, a British Subject, of 4 Villa koad, Higham, Rochester, Kent, do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to the sail rigging of wind propelled vehicles and includes mast structures together with ancillary supports more familiarly known as standing and running rigging.

An object of the invention is to provide a mast structure in which certain loads and stresses previously imposed on the centre line of a vehicle are transferred to areas more suitably receptive to such loads.

A further object is to include a simple and efficient method of sail handling particularly with respect to furling or reducing sail area.

In conventional rigging and particularly with respect to Bermudan rigging, a mast mounted for example on the centreline of a sailing vessel's hull is supported laterally and longitudinally by 'standing' rigging. The mast may be a single member or it may be reinforced by rigid lateral cross-pieces and flexible members under tension to give the effect of a beam. Thus the mast construction together with its supports constitute a somewhat complicated structure with its attendant problems of adjustment, cost and maintenance. Aerodynamically, such an arrangement is unsatisfactory due to the drag and turbulence generated. A further object of the present invention is to obviate this mass of supporting and reinforcing members.

According to the present invention, a mast structure for a wind propelled vehicle comprises a closed frame extending in use in a generally vertical plane transversely of the vehicle and having a lower cross-frame member connecting with upwardly extending frame members at or adjacent their lower ends and sail mounting attachment means whereby an edge of a sail is able to be arranged to extend from the lower crossframes member to the top of the frame, said frame being adapted to be mounted to the hull or decking of the vehicle at the lower ends of the upwardly extending frame members.

The sail can be attached by said attachment means directly to the frame or to a sail mounting member consisting of a tube, rod or wire located between the apex or top of the frame and the lower cross-frame member. The tube rod or wire may be rotatable so that when not in use the sail can be wound around this member or partially so when wind strengths dictate. The sail may be controlled by a simple rope or main sheet or fitted to a boom. In the case of a vessel carrying more than one mast structure e.g.

schooner rigged, the furling mechanisms of the sails could be synchronised or linked in such a way that they could be reefed or furled in concert. Thus when sailing under reduced sail area, a multi-masted vessel could maintain sail balance and control by operating one sheet or winch.

Other advantages of mast structure in accordance with the invention become apparent when considering the loads imparted to a hull structure. It is common practice in large traditionally rigged vessels for the mast to run through the deck and be supported on the keel via a suitable mast step. In smaller vessels the mast is supported on the deck which is reinforced either by an internal bulkhead or suitable structure. Such reinforcements can interfere with an ideal layout for a cabin interior.

The mast structure of the present invention would transfer sailing stresses into the sides of a hull whose inherent designed strength would need little if any reinforcing.

The frame can be made from wood, metal, fibreglass, or other suitable material but more conveniently from metal tubing.

The frame in it simplest form takes the shape of the letter 'A'. The two legs of the frame are mounted on the vessel. Said attachment means are located at or near the apex of the 'A' and on the crossbar of the 'A' respectively. A suitable attachment for a boom can also be located at the crossbar.

Supporting members or rigging can run fore and aft of the vessel and be attached to the apex of the 'A' to hold it in its desired rigged position. Furthermore, the disposition of the legs of the 'A' make them eminently suitable for the attachment of safety lines or side rails.

The frame can, of course, accommodate a conventional mast and boom more familiarly known as Bermudan rig, or the mast can be replaced by a wire thus reducing turbulence over the luff of the sail.

The present invention however, contemplates the combination of a frame with a method of sail mounting and handling known as roller reefing.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a diagramatic view of a peripheral frame in its simplest form.

Fig. 2 is a further diagramatic view showing details of improved sail mountings.

Fig. 3 is a further diagramatic view of a peripheral frame in association with a hull outline.

Referring to Fig. 1, a basically triangular frame is shown generally at 1 and has a lower crossbar 2. Mounted between the crossbar and at or near the apex of the frame is a sail mounting member 3. The member 3 may be fixed and take the form of a tube, rod or wire.

In the case of the last mentioned, the member would probably have tensioning means. In this embodiment, the upwardly extending side members of the frame extend below the lower crossbar to form an 'A' frame.

In the adaptation shown in Fig. 2, which again shows a basically triangular frame a more desirable feature is incorporated whereby the sail mounting member 3 is allowed to swivel and rotate at 4 about its longitudinal axis on feet 8. Attached to member 3 is a drum 5 carrying the coils of an operating line 9. The drum can be rotated by pulling on the line 9 and if a sail is fitted to member 3, the sail will be rolled or furled onto member 3. Such devices per se are known particularly with respect to foresails.

The frame is supported in its erected position by a forestay and a backstay 6 and 7 respectively. The feet 8 of the frame, can be hingedly connected to the deck by trunnions or the like so that the frame may be easily lowered or raised.

Thus there is provided a device for mounting a sail whereby air flow over the sail is improved, and the stresses generated by that sail are contained within a peripheral frame.

Furthermore, in a multi-masted boat the furling means could be interconnected and operated in concert by one man. Such a mast structure obviates the need for the traditional standing rigging known as shrouds as these are replaced by the legs of the peripheral frame.

WHAT I CLAIM IS:- 1. A mast structure for a wind propelled vehicle comprising a closed frame extending in use in a generally vertical plane transversely of the vehicle and having a lower cross-frame member connecting with upwardly extending frame members at or adjacent their lower ends and sail mounting attachment means whereby an edge of a sail is able to be arranged to extend from the lower cross member to the top of the frame, said frame being adapted to be mounted to the hull or decking of the vehicle at the lower ends of the upwardly extending frame members.

2. A structure according to Claim 1, wherein said attachment means are provided on a sail mounting member which extends from the lower cross-frame member to the top of the frame.

3. A structure according to Claim 2 wherein the sail mounting member is rotatable about its longitudinal axis to enable furling or unfurling of a sail mounted on it.

4. A structure according to any preceding claim wherein said frame contains fittings for the attachment of a boom.

5. A structure according to any preceding claim wherein said frame is adapted to be hingedly connected to a hull or decking at its mounting points.

6. A structure according to any preceding claim wherein said frame is basically of triangular configuration with the base of the triangle constituting said lower cross-frame member.

7. A structure substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (7)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. and aft of the vessel and be attached to the apex of the 'A' to hold it in its desired rigged position. Furthermore, the disposition of the legs of the 'A' make them eminently suitable for the attachment of safety lines or side rails. The frame can, of course, accommodate a conventional mast and boom more familiarly known as Bermudan rig, or the mast can be replaced by a wire thus reducing turbulence over the luff of the sail. The present invention however, contemplates the combination of a frame with a method of sail mounting and handling known as roller reefing. In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a diagramatic view of a peripheral frame in its simplest form. Fig. 2 is a further diagramatic view showing details of improved sail mountings. Fig. 3 is a further diagramatic view of a peripheral frame in association with a hull outline. Referring to Fig. 1, a basically triangular frame is shown generally at 1 and has a lower crossbar 2. Mounted between the crossbar and at or near the apex of the frame is a sail mounting member 3. The member 3 may be fixed and take the form of a tube, rod or wire. In the case of the last mentioned, the member would probably have tensioning means. In this embodiment, the upwardly extending side members of the frame extend below the lower crossbar to form an 'A' frame. In the adaptation shown in Fig. 2, which again shows a basically triangular frame a more desirable feature is incorporated whereby the sail mounting member 3 is allowed to swivel and rotate at 4 about its longitudinal axis on feet 8. Attached to member 3 is a drum 5 carrying the coils of an operating line 9. The drum can be rotated by pulling on the line 9 and if a sail is fitted to member 3, the sail will be rolled or furled onto member 3. Such devices per se are known particularly with respect to foresails. The frame is supported in its erected position by a forestay and a backstay 6 and 7 respectively. The feet 8 of the frame, can be hingedly connected to the deck by trunnions or the like so that the frame may be easily lowered or raised. Thus there is provided a device for mounting a sail whereby air flow over the sail is improved, and the stresses generated by that sail are contained within a peripheral frame. Furthermore, in a multi-masted boat the furling means could be interconnected and operated in concert by one man. Such a mast structure obviates the need for the traditional standing rigging known as shrouds as these are replaced by the legs of the peripheral frame. WHAT I CLAIM IS:-

1. A mast structure for a wind propelled vehicle comprising a closed frame extending in use in a generally vertical plane transversely of the vehicle and having a lower cross-frame member connecting with upwardly extending frame members at or adjacent their lower ends and sail mounting attachment means whereby an edge of a sail is able to be arranged to extend from the lower cross member to the top of the frame, said frame being adapted to be mounted to the hull or decking of the vehicle at the lower ends of the upwardly extending frame members.

2. A structure according to Claim 1, wherein said attachment means are provided on a sail mounting member which extends from the lower cross-frame member to the top of the frame.

3. A structure according to Claim 2 wherein the sail mounting member is rotatable about its longitudinal axis to enable furling or unfurling of a sail mounted on it.

4. A structure according to any preceding claim wherein said frame contains fittings for the attachment of a boom.

5. A structure according to any preceding claim wherein said frame is adapted to be hingedly connected to a hull or decking at its mounting points.

6. A structure according to any preceding claim wherein said frame is basically of triangular configuration with the base of the triangle constituting said lower cross-frame member.

7. A structure substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings.