GB2435872A

GB2435872A - Auxiliary mastless sailing system

Info

Publication number: GB2435872A
Application number: GB0604857A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Oxlade
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-03-10
Filing date: 2006-03-10
Publication date: 2007-09-12
Anticipated expiration: 2026-03-10
Also published as: GB2435872B; GB0604857D0; IES20070161A2

Abstract

A safety sail which provides emergency auxiliary drive for a water craft, whilst also signalling for assistance. The sail may be designed to attach to the crafts existing mooring cleat. An aerodynamic wing (A),consisting of a frame which may be buoyant in water with a light weight sailing sheet providing lift for a mainsail C supported below the wing which provides a limited amount of tow for the craft. When not in use the sail may be folded or rolled to take up the minimum amount of storage space. Two control lines (15 and 16) and one luff line (14) are the only lines required to control the sail. The sail may be used by power/sports boats, reinforced inflatable boats, fishing boats, small sports cruisers, life rafts and lifeboats.

Description

DESCRIPTiON

Auxiliary Mastless Sailing System (00l)This invention is designed as a secondary means of propulsion for engine driven water craft of the type defined in claim 1.

(002) Currently when a sports boat or motor powered vessel losses its drive an alternative means of power is required. At the moment this means paddles, or a small out board engine (although most small power boats are unable to store this sort of heavy/bulky equipment) with a permanent mounting point on the back of the boat consisting of a largish piece of marine ply and bracket.

(003) In the event of an engine failure the boat is anchored as outboards have to be properly prepared, mounted and started.

(004) A single engine boat with loss of power is the most common reason for the coastguard and lifeboat to be called out. If the outboard fails the crew must attract attention using a VHF marine radio to call the coast guard or other local water users and in extreme conditions flares are used.

(005)The auxiliary sail is easily stored in its own dry bag or case which is purposely made to fit into the long slim lockers found in this sort of craft. It attaches to the existing front mooring cleat of the craft by means of a snap hook before coming out of the bag so it is impossible for it to be lost over board. It does not require any form of purposely made mounting bracket.

(006)lt can be quickly assembled so anchoring is not required to maintain control of the craft. Assembly of the sail requires three bars to be slid into their corresponding sleeves in the sail cloth and fixed to their relevant point in the wing (detailed below) thus creating its shape.

(007)Two members of crew are required to launch the sail, one to hold the sail and the other to hold and control the sail with the control bar. Wind fills the wing section of the sail causing it to create lift; the crew member feeds out the sail as the wing lifts the complete sail airborne. The second crew member positions the sail and the main sail section then tows the craft. Once the sail has been trimmed to the desired angle the control bar could be held by one hand allowing the crew member three points of contact with the craft.

(008) When the craft has to tack the control bar can be released causing the sail to drop in the water where it can be gathered in by its luff line and released on the other side.

Alternatively to sail down wind the sail could be trimmed freely due to the absence of rigging, a mast and spar's.

(009) When the sail has finished towing the craft to its desired location the control bar is released the sail is gathered in by the luff line. The bars are removed and it is returned to its bag or case.

(010) Other aspects and characteristics of this invention are listed in claims two to twelve.

(01 1)The following will be better understood with reference to the attached drawings.

(012) Figure 1 shows a rear projection of the sail in flight from the crafts internal perspective (013) Figure 2 is a side projection of the sail also in flight.

(014) Figure 3 is a more detailed view of the control bar F. (015) Figure 4 is a frontal asymmetric view of the details outlined in FIG l&2.

(016)Detailed in FIG l&4.The wing section A, consists of three bars running front to back 3,4 &7. One is in the middle with the other two at the sides. Connected to the side bars are two arched bars 1&2, connected to the former front and rear bars.

(017)Bars 1&2 may be removable to make the invention ultra slim for storage on very confined craft, e.g. Small inflatable, sportsboats, life rafts & lifeboats.

(01 8)Bars 1, 2&7 are located inside sleeves in the light weight sail cloth which then spans across the wing section A, then down to and including section B finishing at bar 8.

(019)Between and connected to bars 1,2,3,4 & 7, are two removable or foldable bars 5&6, which are slid into or are unfolded in sleeves in the sail cloth and when in place keep the fabric taught and create the wing's shape.

(020)Below this assembly and joined to it is the second section B, consisting of one vertical bar 10, joined to a removable or foldable horizontal bar 8, also inside a sail cloth sleeve. Foldable bars are used on 5, 6&8 if the sail is to have the minimum deployment time.

(021) On each side of the above mentioned sections are two straps 1 7& 18, running diagonally from bar 8, at the bottom of section B to bars 3&4, at the back of section A. (022) Two control lines 1 5& 16, come down from the fore mentioned straps to a control bar F see FIG 2&4.

(023)FIG 3 Details the control bar which consists of a tube section 19, into which control lines 15&16, feed. The lines exit through a central hole 22, to be wrapped around two grips at either end of the bar 21, for storage or to increase or decrease the height at which the sail is flown at. Both lines are fixed to the bar through two holes 23, on grips 21.

(024) Attached to and under section B is the main sail C. (025)The main sail C is tapered starting from the top and includes a bar 9, running horizontally through the middle. This is attached by two straps at either end (not shown) which can be undone for stowage or replacing the sail.

(026)The size of the main sail C will depend on the displacement weight of the craft.

More than one size of sail will be available to suit more than one type of craft.

(027) The top section of the main sail C can be rolled up around the horizontal bar 9, and tied with straps (not shown) to reef the sail.

(028) At the foot or luff of the sail is another horizontal bar 13, with a line running through it 14, (the luff line) which attaches to the front cleat E of the craft D with a snap hook.

(029)The sail uses the minimum amount of lines 14, 15&16, to reduce the possibility of tangling, whilst promoting ease of use. I-)

(030)There are three ways to increase or decrease the amount of tow the sail creates.

Firstly by the height it's flown at by letting out the luff line 14, from the boats mooring cleat E along with control lines 15&16, from the control bar F. Secondly by the angle to the wind to which the sail is positioned /trimmed, thirdly by rolling the sail around the bottom bar 13. The sail can be reefed to reduce the amount of pull created in windy conditions.

(029)Front facing on section B the sail will be printed with a clear emergency message (PAN PAN) asking any vessel in sight for assistance. It could also be covered with a reflective surface visible to search light and radar.

(030)An additional cover will be included to be attached for practice to the out ward facing part of section B, with (TRAiNING) or the reverse to be blank if the skipper believes no assistance is required.

(031)Other items could be fitted to be lifted aloft attached to section B including lights and radio antennas.

(032) Due to the sails limited amount of drive, the attached craft requires no leeboard or keel. It relies on the natural buoyancy of the craft and the position of the crew to counter balance the boat D, against the leeward pull of the sail.

(033)On the sides of section B the edges have been folded and reinforced l1&12, to reduce stretching of the sailcloth when the product is in use. Further patching and folding will be applied to the sail in the traditional sail making manner but not shown to avoid making the diagrams confusing.

(034) Like most wind powered products the sail requires a minimum wind speed of force 2 on the Beaufort scale to create enough lift for the sail to operate.

(035) Water craft propelled by sail power is known per se, used by keeled sailing yachts, catamarans and to steady large displacement motor cruisers (036) Mastless and or Kite sails are also known as the main form of propulsion for sailing yacht's as above. This invention is only intended as a secondary emergency form of signalling and propulsion in small powered craft to replace the outhoard motor.

Claims

L-

CLAIMS

Auxiliary Mastless Sailing System 1 A sail for use as a secondary means of limited propulsion for mastless and leeboard less motor powered water craft (sportsboats, fishing boats, rigid inflatable boats, sports cruisers and lifeboats), by means of a controllable wing creating upward lift which in turn holds an adjustable sail connected to the craft, creating enough pull to tow it.

2 A sail according to claim 1, which is designed to be attached to the front existing mooring cleat of any power driven water craft by its luff line (14).

3 A sail according to claim 1 or 2, in which a clear and highly visible sign on the outward facing side of section (B) plus other attachments including lights and radar reflective patches to alert others of a craft in need of assistance.

4 A sail according to any preceding claim, in which the wing section of the sail is controlled by two lines (15&16) attached to a hand held bar (F) so no mast assembly, spars or rigging, are required.

A sail according to any preceding claim, in which only 3 lines(14,l5&16) are required for ease of use in both set up and flight, as well as reducing the possibility of entanglement in the lines.

6 A sail according to any preceding claim, in which the wing section of the sail has an aerofoil frame consisting of two arched bars connected to a rectangular frame (1-10) and a light weight sailcloth to be buoyant in water.

7 A sail according to any preceding claim, in which the height of the sail can be adjusted by letting out the 3 lines (14,15&16) to increase the tow of the sail.

8 A sail according to any preceding claim, in which the sail area of main sail (C) can be reducedlreefed by rolling the bottom bar (13) to reef the sail by tying attached straps (not shown) for use in high winds.

9 A sail according to any preceding claim, where the wing frame (A&B) can be partly disassembled or folded with removable or foldable bars (1,2,5,6&8), so the sail could be folded or rolled and placed into a compact dry bag or case to take up the minimum amount of stowage.

A sail according to any preceding claim, in which the upper middle wing has a lower strutlbar so that down wind it pushes the wind out either side and does not yoyo due to the air currents moving around it when used down wind.

Ii A sail according to any preceding claim, which has a control bar (F), consisting of a tubular section with two grips at either end that act as a reel to store excess line when not required.

12 A sail according to any preceding claim, where the main sail section (C), can be easily replaced with other sizes of sail to match the displacement weight of the craft it is to be used with.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A sail for use as a secondary means of propulsion for mastless and leeboard less motor powered water craft, which is attached to controllable wing (A) consisting of a aerofoil frame buoyant in water with two arched bars (1&2) connected to a rectangular frame (3,4,5&6) complete with a middle bar(7) which is not arched and light weight sail cloth that runs between bars(l,2&7).

2. A sail according to any preceding claim, where the wing frame (A&B) can be partly disassembled or folded with removable or foldable bars (1,2,5,6&8), so the sail could be folded or rolled and placed into a compact dry bag or case to take up the minimum amount of stowage.

3. A sail according to any preceding claim, in which only three lines (14,1 5& 16) are required for ease of use both in flight, as well as reducing the possibility of entanglement whilst setting up in the confines of a small boat.

4. A sail according to any preceding claim, which has a control bar (F), consisting of a tubular section with two grips at either end that act as a reel to store excess line when not required.

5. A sail according to any preceding claim, in which the control bar (F) can be used with one hand allowing the user to have three points of contact on the vessel.

6. A sail according to any preceding claim, where the wing section (A) of the sail can produce lift when used in three different directions to the wind, front and both sides.

7. A sail according to any preceding claim, where the main sail section (C) can be changed with smaller or larger sails depending on the displacement weight of the craft it is to be used with.

8. A sail according to any preceding claim, in which the height the sail is flown at can be adjusted by letting out lines (l4,l5&16) to increase the tow of the sail.

9. A sail according to any preceding claim, where the sail sections (C&B) join the wing section (A) via bars (11 & 12) of the frame.

10. A sail according to any preceding claim, in which the sail area of the main sail (C) can be reduced/reefed by rolling the bottom bar (13) to reef the sail by tying attached straps not shown for use in high winds.

11. A sail according to any preceding claim, in which the wing section (A) has a middle strut/bar which is lower than the bars either side so the wing when flown withidown wind pushes air out either side and does not yoyo due to air currents moving around it.

12. A sail according to any preceding claim, where no dedicated mounting bracket or fixing is required to attach the sail to the vessel.

13. A sail according to any preceding claim, which will be made from brightly coloured materials making it visible from a distance.

14. A sail according to any preceding claim, which in high wind conditions can be trimmed by angling the sail away for the wind to reduce the amount of tow produced 15. A sail according to any preceding claim, which is designed to be attached to the front mooring cleat of power driven water craft including, but not exclusively of, sports boats, rigid inflatable, power boats & sports cruisers.

16. A sail according to any preceding claim, which can be used to propel life rafts and life boats.