US3858542A - Directing sail - Google Patents

Directing sail Download PDF

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Publication number
US3858542A
US3858542A US334436A US33443673A US3858542A US 3858542 A US3858542 A US 3858542A US 334436 A US334436 A US 334436A US 33443673 A US33443673 A US 33443673A US 3858542 A US3858542 A US 3858542A
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United States
Prior art keywords
sail
assembly
transverse spar
center
sheets
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
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US334436A
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English (en)
Inventor
Jean-Paul Lenoble
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Individual
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Individual
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
    • B63H8/00—Sail or rigging arrangements specially adapted for water sports boards, e.g. for windsurfing or kitesurfing
    • B63H8/10—Kite-sails; Kite-wings; Control thereof; Safety means therefor
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
    • B63H9/00—Marine propulsion provided directly by wind power
    • B63H9/04—Marine propulsion provided directly by wind power using sails or like wind-catching surfaces
    • B63H9/06—Types of sail; Constructional features of sails; Arrangements thereof on vessels
    • B63H9/068—Sails pivotally mounted at mast tip
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B15/00—Superstructures, deckhouses, wheelhouses or the like; Arrangements or adaptations of masts or spars, e.g. bowsprits
    • B63B2015/0016—Masts characterized by mast configuration or construction
    • B63B2015/0033—Multipodded masts, e.g. tripod-type
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B15/00—Superstructures, deckhouses, wheelhouses or the like; Arrangements or adaptations of masts or spars, e.g. bowsprits
    • B63B2015/0016—Masts characterized by mast configuration or construction
    • B63B2015/005—Masts characterized by mast configuration or construction with means for varying mast position or orientation with respect to the hull
    • B63B2015/0075—Masts characterized by mast configuration or construction with means for varying mast position or orientation with respect to the hull with mast foot adapted for being moved, e.g. athwartship

Definitions

  • the coxswain can take due account of all the reactions produced by the sail on the vessel and control the head, the list, the nose-diving, or bow drop, and the speed of the vessel with a high degree of precision and without resorting to a rudder.
  • the present invention relates in general to sails and has specific reference to a directing sail adapted to propel a vehicle by utilizing the natural energy of wind. It is applicable in general to all vehicles, but more particularly to those travelling on water, especially sailboats and water-skiing gears.
  • This invention is directed to provide a novel type of sail which is more efficient, in that it improves the speed, stability and manoeuvrability of sail boats.
  • the coxswain since the sailboat is constantly in a state of equilibrium with respect to the wind force, the coxswain must constantly limit the list of the vessel by reducing the sail angle in relation to the wind direction;
  • this invention is directed to provide a novel sail arrangement comprising a main sail not secured to a central mast, and provided with means permitting the setting of this main sail in three directions, i.e., longitudinally, laterally, and angularly in a horizontal plane.
  • the coxswain can take due account of all the reactions produced by the sail on the vessel and control the head, the list, the nose-diving or bow drop, and the speed of the vessel with a high degree of precision and without resorting to a rudder.
  • this sail is characterized in that it is stretched by means of at least two spars kept in proper space relationship by a cross spar so positioned that the center of gravity of the assembly comprising the sail and said spars lies centrally of said cross spar, and the thrust center of the sail is merged into, or located behind, this center of gravity, and that it comprises sheets of adjustable length, each leading to one of the apices of the sail by converging to a point held in one of the skiers hands, the other hand of the skier holding the sail by the middle point of the aforesaid spar.
  • the user can keep the sail at the proper and desired angle for heading to the selected point of his travel.
  • FIGS. 1 to 4 inclusive are diagrams illustrating the basic principle of operation of the sail according to this invention.
  • FIGS. 5 to 7 inclusive illustrate a typical application of the sail system of this invention to a water ski or skid.
  • FIGS. 1 to 4 in order to clearly illustrate the mode of operation of the device of this invention.
  • the sail system described hereinafter is based entirely on the control of angular relationships or simply angles. In a later part of this specification, the possibility of adopting a sail control system based on cartesian coordinates will be explained.
  • the straight line A0 designates the fictitious mast
  • XX is the longitudinal axis of the vessel, the latter travelling in the direction of the arrow F.
  • the sail is shown in the form of a triangle ABB, of which the median line AM gives the wind thrust center CP.
  • the fictitious mast A0 is aligned with the drift center CD and the center of gravity G of the vessel, and therefore constitutes the vertical axis of the boat.
  • the plane AOM is a vertical plane containing both the thrust center CP and the fictitious mast A0 about which it can rotate when the sail is moved.
  • the force FH is the horizontal resultant of the force F exerted normally to the sail at the thrust center CP (see FIG. 3).
  • the highest thrust force FF is obtained when a M2 while disregarding the secondary forces exerted by the wind on the hull and the rigging, i.e., the top-hamper.
  • the force FF is the drag of the sail proper.
  • the angle B which is the vertical angle formed between the sail and the fictitious mast A0 in the plane AOM. It is the proper adjustment of this angle that stabilizes the vessel by reducing or zeroing the list and the dwnward movement of the bow. Theoretically, and as illustrated in FIG. 3, to reduce these two values completely, the extension of the resulting wind force F must necessarily pass through the center of gravity G. Under these conditions, the angle 5 would be fixed, since the function of the ships structure (cos B ACP/AG is independent of the wind force. However, the efficiency would remain rather low, for an abnormally large fraction of the wind force would be utilized for lifting the vessel instead of propelling same forwards.
  • the angle [3 will be adjusted as a function of the wind force. With weak wind, it may be zero. Increasing wind forces will lead to a maximum value of B beyond which it will be advisable to shorten the sail.
  • the force FF is the sail drag or its hamper in a vertical plane.
  • the force F is the normal to the sail, and force FS is a lifting force which, by lightening the vessel will permit of obtaining a hovering effect much more rapidly than with conventional boats.
  • the force FH is the horizontal resultant really usable for propelling the vessel, as shown in FIG. 2;
  • an angle 'y In case of prolonged tacking of the vessel, for example along a half-circular path, an angle 'y must be selected which will determine somewhat the radius of rotation and the angle a will be varied constantly and continuously in order to obtain the optimum values of forces FF and FD.
  • the sail system of which the basic principle has been explained in the foregoing, may for instance be applied to the propelling of a water skier, as illustrated in FIGS. to 7.
  • An assembly consisting of a pair of water-skis is somewhat similar to a small catamaran of which the two hulls would consist of this pair of skis, the skiers feet and legs providing the hull assembling structure and the skiers body acting as the sail support which, in this case, is controlled completely by hand.
  • the sail consists of transparent fabric or plastic material, to preserve the skiers visibility ahead.
  • This sail has the shape of a triangle or an isosceles trapezoid, with the two non parallel sides mounted in lightweight spars AB, AC, preferably of aluminium.
  • a cross spar MM holds in proper space relationship the aforesaid spars AB and AC and stretches the sail. It is so disposed that the sail is balanced at its middle point D, the thrust center CP lying somewhat at the rear, in the surface BMM'C.
  • This spar MM may consist of a rigid spar but consists preferably of a pair of elements pivotably interconnected at D by means of a hinge or like device, so that it can be folded only in the plane of the sail and towards the trailing edge BC, so as to close the sail in the fashion of compasses. Means are provided for locking the sail in its open and stretched position during the actual use of the sail.
  • These sheets when stretched, form a triangular pyramid having a height ED.
  • the length of these sheets is adjustable for regulating the distance ED according to the skiers stature and enabling him to select for his arms a relative spacing consistent with the exertion of the maximum physical strength without impairing his movements.
  • the sail of this invention by a water-skier, the latter must hold the sail with one hand at the central area D of the cross spar, and, with the other hand, at the common junction point E of the sheets, thus affording a convenient control of the sail position for sailing in the desired direction.
  • a rigid boom R may be used to space the point of convergence of the sheets from the central point of the transverse spar.
  • the sail may be shifted in any desired direction, with respect to the vertical.
  • This adjustment of the angle [3 enables the water-skier, by changing the angle formed between his body (the vertical) and the sail, to dose his efforts as a function of the wind force. Moreover, this enables the skier to hover. more or less, as a consequence of the lift produced by properly holding the sail.
  • the sail may also be shifted in order to change the course followed by the'skier, so as to alter the position of the thrust center in relation to the center of gravity. It is only necessary, therefore, to shift the sail forwards or backwards, or laterally to the right or to the left, or angularly. With these various orientations, a resultant of forces is obtained which directs the skier in the selected direction, as a function of the wind direction to the center of rotation of the skis.
  • orientation of the sails may be modified for tacking with headwind. To do this, the skier must rotate the sail towards the wind and, at the same time, shift the sail from one to the other board. To perform these operations, the skier moves the sail above his head in the feathered position in the winds eye.
  • V the sail of this invention Veering with leading wind is particularly easy with V the sail of this invention.
  • the skier has just to shift the sail forwards and to lean his body backwards, so that he will be brought to a leading-wind position.
  • the front angle A of the sail has moved downwards while rotating, and the free edge BC of the sail is directed upwards, until it lies horizontally above the skiers head.
  • the skier must move his body towards the front end of his skis and the sail backwards, so that he can catch the wind from the other side.
  • the sail has a half-elliptic configuration.
  • This sail is stretched on a pair of fiberglass rods having a gradually increasing flexibility, as in the case of angling rods.
  • These rods are secured together, at their upper ends A, by means of a flexible or hinged joint device, and kept at the proper relative spacing by the cross spar MM.
  • the sail of transparent plastic material is secured to the rods at points B and C, and can slide along these rods.
  • the upper end of the sail is secured to a pair of plastic slides G and G interconnected by a cable I-I.
  • This assembly provides a flat sail, when the latter is stretched on curved rods.
  • When closing the sail by partially folding the cross spar MM, as shown in FIG. 7, the rods are allowed to straighten themselves so that the point A moves to A, and the sail, which cannot be elongated, will slide along these rods with the slides GG.
  • the sail is easily wound on the rods.
  • the front sheet is not secured directly to the point A, but passes over a pulley L for engaging the hinge D of the cross spar.
  • the opposite movements of points D and A causes the three sheets to be stretched and become aligned with the rods, so that they can easily be wrapped in the sail.
  • the traction exerted by the wind on the front sheet will keep the sail open to complete the locking effect produced by the misalignment of the hinge pins MD and DM' and also by the sail tension.
  • Sail assembly comprising a sail having three apices, two lateral spars inclined to one another and intersecting at one of said apices, to which spars the sail is attached, and a transverse spar spacing said lateral spars, said transverse spar being so positioned relative to said lateral spars that the center of gravity of the assembly lies centrally of said transverse spar and the center of thrust of said assembly coincides with or lies behind the center of gravity, and a plurality of sheets of adjustable length, a sheet being attached to said sail at each of said apices and said sheets being joined at a central point, but being otherwise unconstrained.
  • Sail assembly comprising a semi-elliptical sail, two lateral spars comprising fiberglass rods having upper and lower ends, slides slidably mounted at the upper ends of said lateral spars, said sail being secured to said slides and to the lower ends of said lateral spars, a transverse spar spacing said lateral spars, said transverse spar being so positioned relative to said lateral spars that the center of gravity of the assembly lies centrally of said transverse spar and the center of thrust of said assembly coincides with or lies behind the center of gravity, means connecting said slides with one another, a pulley mounted between the upper endsof said rods, hinge means centrally positioned on the transverse spar, two sheets attached to the lower ends of said lateral spars and a third sheet connected to said hinge means and threaded through said pulley, said sheets being joined at a central point.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Toys (AREA)
US334436A 1972-02-22 1973-02-21 Directing sail Expired - Lifetime US3858542A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR7205912A FR2173389A5 (hu) 1972-02-22 1972-02-22

Publications (1)

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US3858542A true US3858542A (en) 1975-01-07

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US334436A Expired - Lifetime US3858542A (en) 1972-02-22 1973-02-21 Directing sail

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US (1) US3858542A (hu)
JP (1) JPS558398B2 (hu)
BR (1) BR7301311D0 (hu)
ES (1) ES411797A1 (hu)
FR (1) FR2173389A5 (hu)
IT (1) IT984387B (hu)

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3982766A (en) * 1975-09-29 1976-09-28 Budge James D Wind-propelled skateboard
US4186680A (en) * 1978-01-24 1980-02-05 Harpole George B Sail assembly
DE3140685A1 (de) * 1981-10-13 1983-04-28 James R. 90402 Santa Monica Calif. Drake "handsegel"
US4558655A (en) * 1982-05-25 1985-12-17 Philippe Debarge Sail unit for the purpose of sport and composite device related to said unit
US4788924A (en) * 1986-10-13 1988-12-06 Renald Hamel Sailing system
US5076185A (en) * 1989-12-18 1991-12-31 Tarng Min M Tangs cycleboard
US5170734A (en) * 1990-09-17 1992-12-15 Maguerez Georges Y Wind propelled craft with multi-function rudder control arm
US5372081A (en) * 1994-05-12 1994-12-13 Mayer; Michael B. Hand-held sail device
US5492074A (en) * 1993-11-29 1996-02-20 Windsaucer Corporation Sailing arrangement
US20130340661A1 (en) * 2012-04-23 2013-12-26 Curt Siverts Sail paddle for stand up paddle boards
US20180022430A1 (en) * 2016-07-19 2018-01-25 Mx Production Command and control device for sails of sailboats or kite sails

Families Citing this family (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0015875A1 (de) * 1979-03-08 1980-09-17 Johannes Heman Segelanordnung für Segelschiffe
DE2923707A1 (de) * 1979-06-12 1980-12-18 Jochen Valett Land- oder wasserfahrzeug mit nichtkraengender segeleinrichtung
FR2464881A1 (fr) * 1979-09-12 1981-03-20 Saez Jean Voilure articulee et triangulee pour la propulsion des bateaux
FR2480702A1 (fr) * 1980-04-18 1981-10-23 Guigan Franck Greement orientable pour bateau a voile a voilure " portante "
FR2489242A1 (fr) * 1980-08-26 1982-03-05 Guigan Franck Greement orientable pour bateau a voile
FR2501618B1 (fr) * 1981-03-11 1985-10-04 Le Bail Roland Voile a effet propulseur et de sustentation variable
US4541355A (en) * 1983-01-14 1985-09-17 Denton James B Sail rigging
FR2545781B1 (fr) * 1983-05-09 1985-08-30 Berge Jacques Navire a au moins deux coques jumelees
JPS60111925U (ja) * 1983-12-27 1985-07-29 シバタ工業株式会社 揺動物体の連結具
US4584957A (en) * 1984-01-16 1986-04-29 Belvedere Mark S Multi-hull sailing vessel with variable lift
WO1991018788A1 (en) * 1990-06-07 1991-12-12 Thompson, Jacqueline, Ashton Lifting rigs
FR2801559B1 (fr) * 1999-11-29 2002-02-01 S C E R 3W Design Vehicule propulse a l'aide d'un greement a voilure equilibree

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US302517A (en) * 1884-07-22 Skating-sail
US1859178A (en) * 1931-06-02 1932-05-17 Stanley A Sprinkle Folding skate sail
US2577917A (en) * 1948-08-13 1951-12-11 Homer L Root Aquatic device
US2793870A (en) * 1954-10-25 1957-05-28 Ruby R Bowman Sail for skater
US3455261A (en) * 1968-05-15 1969-07-15 Hugh Perrin Kite board

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE429359C (de) * 1926-05-28 Fried Krupp Germaniawerft Akt Anordnung von Segeln fuer Jachten und andere Segelfahrzeuge
US1348912A (en) * 1919-12-05 1920-08-10 Willis C Ward Boat-sail
US1670936A (en) * 1923-11-24 1928-05-22 Mcintyre Malcolm Sailing craft
US2329220A (en) * 1939-07-12 1943-09-14 Burke Rummler Sailing and sailing gear
GB680553A (en) * 1949-10-11 1952-10-08 Thomas Garner James Improvements in or relating to sails for ship propulsion
FR1127903A (fr) * 1954-05-03 1956-12-27 Procédé et dispositif d'assemblage et de gréage pour navires à plusieurs coques

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US302517A (en) * 1884-07-22 Skating-sail
US1859178A (en) * 1931-06-02 1932-05-17 Stanley A Sprinkle Folding skate sail
US2577917A (en) * 1948-08-13 1951-12-11 Homer L Root Aquatic device
US2793870A (en) * 1954-10-25 1957-05-28 Ruby R Bowman Sail for skater
US3455261A (en) * 1968-05-15 1969-07-15 Hugh Perrin Kite board

Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3982766A (en) * 1975-09-29 1976-09-28 Budge James D Wind-propelled skateboard
US4186680A (en) * 1978-01-24 1980-02-05 Harpole George B Sail assembly
DE3140685A1 (de) * 1981-10-13 1983-04-28 James R. 90402 Santa Monica Calif. Drake "handsegel"
US4651665A (en) * 1981-10-13 1987-03-24 James R. Drake Hand sail
US4558655A (en) * 1982-05-25 1985-12-17 Philippe Debarge Sail unit for the purpose of sport and composite device related to said unit
US4788924A (en) * 1986-10-13 1988-12-06 Renald Hamel Sailing system
US5076185A (en) * 1989-12-18 1991-12-31 Tarng Min M Tangs cycleboard
US5170734A (en) * 1990-09-17 1992-12-15 Maguerez Georges Y Wind propelled craft with multi-function rudder control arm
US5492074A (en) * 1993-11-29 1996-02-20 Windsaucer Corporation Sailing arrangement
US5372081A (en) * 1994-05-12 1994-12-13 Mayer; Michael B. Hand-held sail device
US20130340661A1 (en) * 2012-04-23 2013-12-26 Curt Siverts Sail paddle for stand up paddle boards
US9033753B2 (en) * 2012-04-23 2015-05-19 Curt Siverts Sail-equipped paddle for stand-up paddle boards
JP2015515416A (ja) * 2012-04-23 2015-05-28 シバーツ、カートSIVERTS, Curt スタンドアップパドルボード用の帆パドル
US20180022430A1 (en) * 2016-07-19 2018-01-25 Mx Production Command and control device for sails of sailboats or kite sails
US10689075B2 (en) * 2016-07-19 2020-06-23 Mx Production Command and control device for kites

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
IT984387B (it) 1974-11-20
FR2173389A5 (hu) 1973-10-05
ES411797A1 (es) 1976-01-01
BR7301311D0 (pt) 1974-02-19
JPS558398B2 (hu) 1980-03-04
JPS4897286A (hu) 1973-12-11
AU5245373A (en) 1974-08-22

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