GB2234729A

GB2234729A - Downhaul System for wind propelled surf board

Info

Publication number: GB2234729A
Application number: GB9002759A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Frederick Wilson; Jamie Wilson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-04-12
Filing date: 1990-02-07
Publication date: 1991-02-13
Also published as: GB8908295D0; GB9002759D0

Abstract

A Downhaul System has a mast lower extension tube into which is inserted a base insert and in which a toothed wheel mechanism is operated by a socket handle thus drawing the rope, tape or foil between 2 surfaces and downhauling the sail. When in reverse for outhaul the sail will be slackened. <IMAGE>

Description

DOWNHAUL SYSTEM This invention relates to a downhaul system.

There are many different makes of downhaul systems all of which comprise of a cup base which you insert into either a mast or a mast extension.

At the base of the cup base or mast extension is a pully set, through which a rope is threaded to give a geared effect.

On the other end of the rope is usually a hook which fits through the sail cringle. The gearing enables you to pull the sail down the mast thus setting the mast to the correct sail shape. Though this is a reliable system and relatively simple, it does rely on brute force and could even cause injury while pulling the base of the mast directly at yourself, foot could slip etc., obviously the lower the gearing, the easier the job becomes but this necessitates a larger pully block and a longer rope.

The invention provides a downhaul system as claimed in claim 1. Further advantageous features are given in the subsidiary claims.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1. Shows the extension tube being fitted into the mast end.

FIGURE 2. Shows the downhaul unit being fitted into the extension tube till poppers click into position thus ensuring the toothed wheel is aligned with the rope/foil entry and exit.

FIGURES. Shows the rope/foil from the sail being fed into the entry hole at the back of the mast foot. The geared socket handle is pushed onto the square end of the spindle, thus enabling the toothed wheel to turn either forward or backward depending on the position the socket is set at, (forward or backward).

FIGURE 4. Shows the socket handle being turned in a clockwise direction pulling the downhaul rope/foil between the toothed wheel and static base bolt, thus jacking the sail down the mast and at the same time giving the correct mast to sail shape characteristics until the sail is winched to the correct amount eliminating creases, and enabling the cambers to operate freely, once the sail is fully downhauled it is then cleated off and the foil tucked away in the slot provided.

SEE FIGURE 1. The Downhaul System of the invention comprises of a lightweight mast extention tube (A) at the base of which are entry and exit holes (B) each with a preferrably lined edge to avoid the tube edge from chaffing the rope or foil.

SEE FIGURE 2. Into the base of the tube is inserted a lightweight base unit (C) which fits tightly into the tube and is kept in postion. In the base is housed a spindle (D) which holds a toothed wheel (E) centrally over a basebolt (F).

SEE FIGURE 3. One end of the spindle is shaped to take a standard socket end (G) which in turn fits onto the socket handle (H). The socket unit could be clipped on and used while sailing in alluminium or stainless steel. The rope/foil (I) at one end is attached onto the sail cringle (J) and passed in through the entry hole (B).

SEE FIGURE 4. The winch handle (H) is operated so as to drag the rope/foil (I) between the toothed wheel (E) and the static basebolt (F), and out through the exit hole (B), as the rope/foil tensions, the sail will then start to downhaul inch by inch until correctly set, when the rope/foil is cleated off (K) at the exit end.

If too much downhaul is given, then you just uncleat the rope /foil and reverse the direction of the winch handle to reverse, and just winch anti-clockwise till the desired shape is reached. With this system the sail is set in smaller amounts causing less stress on the sail and mast and enabling a finer degree of set, with less difficulty and no need for gorrilla tactics.

The winch handle could be a folding type and could stow away neatly in a clip on the extension, or in a pocket in your harness.

The extension and/or winch handle is made of alluminium or hard plastic for lightness.

The system allows a sail to be adjusted while out on the water, say before a race; when the sail gets wet it sometimes developes creases and needs more downhaul to regain its shape.

The rope could be replaced by a hard plastic tape with holes that correspond to the raised shapes on the wheel.

The system could also be used to outhaul a sail using the same winch handle and with this it would be possible to adjust the sail as you were going along.

Claims

1 Apparatus for applying tension to the sail of a windsurfer,comprising a rotatable wheel, means for gripping a rope, tape or foil against the wheel and lever means for rotating the wheel such that, in use, a rope, tape or foil attached to the sail can be gripped against the wheel and tensioned on rotation of the wheel by operation of the lever means, thus tensioning the sail to which the rope, tape or foil is attached.

2 Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the wheel 2. T. rvf) and gripping means are located in the mast of the windsurfert or in a mast extension portion attachable to the mast in axial alignment therewith.

3 Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the lever means are detachable from the wheel.

4 Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the gripping means comprise teeth or ridges located on the rim of the wheel.

5 Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the gripping means comprise a substantially planar surface located adjacent the wheel for preventing movement of the rope, tape or foil away from the wheel.

6 Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein gearing means are provided between the wheel and the lever means in order to allow the amount of rotation of the wheel per turn of the lever means to be adjusted.

7 Apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

8 A method of applying tension to the sail of a windsurfer,1,comprising the steps of fixing a first edge or corner of the sail with respect to the mast or boom and applying tension to a rope, tape or foil attached to an opposed edge or corner of the sail by gripping the said rope, tape or foil against the wheel of apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and operating the lever means so as to rotate the wheel, thereby tensioning the rope, tape or foil.

9 A method as claimed in Claim 8, wherein downhaul is applied to the sail.

10 A method as claimed in Claim 8, wherein outhaul is applied to the sail.

11 A method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(g.T. M) 12 A windsurferthaving apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 7 located in or on the mast thereof.