GB2364521A

GB2364521A - Sail structure formed from strips of sail material

Info

Publication number: GB2364521A
Application number: GB0016933A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Reginald Moxham
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-07-10
Filing date: 2000-07-10
Publication date: 2002-01-30
Also published as: GB0016933D0

Abstract

A sail structure is formed from pairs of vertical strips of sail material 1 supported between a pair of vertically spaced booms 3 and 4 mounted transversely on a vertical mast 5. The pairs of strips are arranged to face each other and to be spaced by means of connecting members 2 joining the edges of the sail strips at regular intervals along their length, each pair of strips being fixed within the sail structure by means of a vertical wire or rope 6 running between the booms and through the connecting members of each pair of sail strips parallel to the strip edges. Consecutive pairs of sail strips within the sail structure are connected together such that each pair may only rotate about its wire by a predetermined distance. The booms may be able to swivel about the mast and may be joined by a vertical support tube 10 which may be connected to a vessel on which the structure is mounted by a rope 13.

Description

1 2364521 BOAT SAIL & MAST ASSEMBLY The invention relates to a new type of

sail for all types of sailing boats.

The invention uses vertically hung strips of sail consisting of two layers of material held apart at an optimum distance, which when filled by the wind, form an aerodynamic shape, to give the boat the maximum possible power available from the wind.

The strips of sail are fastened to top and bottom booms, which are free to rotate around the mast. This allows the sails to be positioned correctly relative to the wind direction, regardless of the direction the boat is sailing in.

FIGURE 1 shows a perspective view of the whole sail and mast. FIGURE 2 shows a segment of the vertical sail.

As shown in Figure 1, vertical strips of sail 1 are formed by two lengths of material, parallel to each other and joined at regular intervals by horizontal connectors 2.

The vertical strips of sail are held in position by means of two booms 3, 4, fastened to the mast 5, on which they are free to rotate.

Vertical guide ropes or wires 6, are passed through the horizontal connectors 2, at the leading edge of the sail and fastened to the top and bottom booms 3.4.

The bottom of the sails is fastened to the bottom boom with rope 7 and the sails are pulled up by a rope fastened to the top of the sails which passes over pulleys 8, on the top boom and down the mast to cleats 9.

The spacing of the guide ropes 6, allows the trailing edge of one sail to pass in front of the leading edge of the next sail as the boat is tacked across the wind direction.

I The rear edge of the two booms 3,4, are joined by a vertical support tube 10. This tube has a swivelling collar 11, with a main sheet attachment fork 12, to allow the main sheets 13, to be connected midway between the two booms. This is to eliminate any twisting between the two booms relative to each other. The booms and support tube are stiffened by bracing wires 14.

Figure 2 shows the front horizontal connectors 1, which have three holes; one for the guide rope or wire 2, and two for the sail strengthener ropes 3.

The rear connectors have two holes for the sail strengtheners and a sliding link 4, to keep the sails apart at the optimum distance. This sliding link 4, fastens to the leading edge guide rope of the next sail, allowing the sail to take up the correct position when sailing on the opposite track. The sails are fitted with stiffening battens 5, between the leading and trailing edge connectors 1.

An alternative is to fasten the sliding link to a separate guide rope or wire, which is fastened between the booms, slightly in front of the leading edge guide rope of the following sail. This allows each vertical sail strip to be raised and lowered independently.

Claims

1. Two vertical strips of sail, joined at the leading and trailing edges, at regular intervals and mounted by means of a wire of rope, running through the leading edge joining pieces. The strips of sail are secured at the trailing edge in a manner which allows the sail to swivel each side of the centre line to a predetermined distance.

2. Two booms with vertical strips of sail mounted between them, as claimed in 1 and 2, are joined at the trailing edge by a vertical support tube, which is connected to the boat by a rope fastened to a point midway between the booms, in order to give equal pull to the top and bottom booms.

i t t I

2. Vertical strips of sail as claimed in 1, which are kept tight by means of two booms. The two booms are mounted on a vertical mast and are allowed to swivel around this mast.

3. Two booms with vertical strips of sail mounted between them, as claimed in I and 2, are joined at the trailing edge by a vertical support tube, which is connected to the boat by a rope fastened to a point midway between the booms, in order to give equal pull to the top and bottom booms.

L+ Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. According to the present invention a sail structure formed from pairs of vertical strips of sail material supported between a pair of vertically spaced booms mounted transversely on a vertical mastand arranged to face each other and to be spaced by means of connecting members joining the edges of the sail strips at regular intervals along their length, each pair of strips being fixed within the sail structure by means of a vertical wire or rope running between the booms and through the connecting members of each pair of sail strips parallel to the strip edges, wherein consecutive pairs of sail strips within the sail structure are connected together such that each pair may only rotate about its wire by a predetermined distance.