US3875889A - Sailboat traveler apparatus - Google Patents

Sailboat traveler apparatus Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3875889A
US3875889A US460267A US46026774A US3875889A US 3875889 A US3875889 A US 3875889A US 460267 A US460267 A US 460267A US 46026774 A US46026774 A US 46026774A US 3875889 A US3875889 A US 3875889A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
extending
line
track
traveler
fairlead
Prior art date
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
Application number
US460267A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Samuel Robbins
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US460267A priority Critical patent/US3875889A/en
Priority to US05/563,290 priority patent/US3985092A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3875889A publication Critical patent/US3875889A/en
Priority to FR7511439A priority patent/FR2267238B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • 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
    • B63H9/08—Connections of sails to masts, spars, or the like
    • B63H9/10—Running rigging, e.g. reefing equipment
    • 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
    • B63H9/08—Connections of sails to masts, spars, or the like
    • B63H2009/088—Means for tensioning sheets, or other running rigging, adapted for being guided on rails, or the like mounted on deck, e.g. travellers or carriages with pulleys

Definitions

  • Coast Catamaran Corporation which manufactures the fourteen foot and sixteen foot Hobie catamarans, specifically excludes use of roller type traveler cars on their craft, and the Hobie Cat class association specifically prohibits from any local or nationally sponsored Hobie catamaran races the use of any type of bearing or roller-type traveler, which in any way, modifies the standard Hobie traveler track, or which places roller hearings or wheels in surface-to-surface contact with the standard Hobie traveler track.
  • the standard Hobie traveler track consists of an open-topped channel which is generally in the form of a rectangular tubular member with an elongated slot extending through the top surface ofthe channel to receive a slider member.
  • the standard slider is in the form of an inverted T-shaped extrusion, with the leg of the T projecting upwardly through the slot in the chan nel and with the laterally extending arms of the T sliding in the generally rectangular open center of the track in underlying relation with the top wall of the track adjacent the open slot.
  • the track is mounted on the aft transverse beam of the trampoline frame and extends between the two laterally spaced hulls of the boat, Thus, to swing the main sheet about the mainmast.
  • the primary object of the present invention is to provide a sliding traveler assembly, particularly useful on Hobie Catamaran type boats, which avoids the defects of the prior art sliders by providing maximum ease of operation and positive control of the main sheet,
  • Another object of the invention is to provide such a traveler which is both simple and inexpensive to manu facture and easy to maintain in service.
  • an important feature of the invention resides in providing a slider block molded from a self-lubricating polymeric material and adapted to fit within and slide longitudinally along the standard Hobie anodized aluminum track.
  • the slider body has cut-out portions formed along its length, and a pivot pin extends longitudinally therethrough for pivotally supporting a fairlead and locking assembly including a pair of fairlead sheaves supported for rotation about parallel, generally vertical axis, an eyestructure for connecting to the main fiddle block and a cleating device for automatically cleating the. slider control line.
  • a connecting plate joining the tops of the fairlead sheaves cooperates to retain the control line between the sheaves and provides a mounting support for a pivoted arm which extends toward the trampoline and provides support for a set of cam cleats.
  • An eye strap fairlead extends in an arc downwardly below and between the cam cleats to contain the control line thereby permitting it to be quickly released when desired, with the position of the cam cleats being such that the control line is automatically drawn therebetween when a force is applied thereto by the boats skipper, thereby eliminating any maneuvering on the part ofthe sailor to cleat the control line when the main sail is positioned.
  • FIG. I is a fragmentary perspective view of a Hobie catamaran-type boat of the type with which the present invention is intended to be used;
  • FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the traveler assembly according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is an elevation view of the structure shown in FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 3'.
  • FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the structure shown in FIG. 2.
  • a multihull sailboat such as the well-known Hobie catamaran is indicated generally by the reference numeral and in cludes port and starboard hulls l2, 14, respectively, rig idly joined by a rectangular trampoline frame including longitudinally extending port and starboard beams l6, l8 and transversely extending forward and aft beams 20, 22.
  • the trampoline frame is supported on the hulls 12, I4 by upwardly extending rigid stanchion members 24.
  • Two sheets of canvas 26, 28 are lashed together and to the trampoline frame under substantial tensile load to define the deck ofthe boat.
  • the boats mainmast 30 is supported by a suitable flange structure 32 on the forward beam along the longitudinal centerline of the boat.
  • the boom 34 for the main sail 36 is pivotally supported on the mast at a point spaced above the bot tom thereof in the conventional manner, with the boom 34 extending generally aft and free to swing over the trampoline surface except as restrained by the mainsheet 38 and blocks 40 joining the aft end of the boom 34 to the traveler assembly indicated generally by the reference numberal 42.
  • This portion of the boat 10 is conventional of all Hobie catamarans, reference to which may be had for further structural details.
  • the traveler assembly 42 is supported on the aft beam 22 by an elongated, generally rectangular, hollow channel track 44 mounted directly onto the top surface of the beam 22.
  • the track 44 has a top wall in the form of two opposed, inwardly directed flanges 46, 48 adapted to be received in complimentary longitudinal slots 50, 52 in a slider block member 54, with the flanges and slots cooperating to provide a tongue-and-groove interlock preventing the slider 54 from being withdrawn while permitting free longitudinal sliding movement of the body along the track 44.
  • the slider block 54 is integrally molded from a single homogeneous mass of a dimensionally stable, rigid, self-lubricating polymeric material to provide minimum sliding friction with the smooth surface of the anodized aluminum track 44.
  • the slider block 54 has three relatively long notches or recesses formed therein, dividing the top portion into four similar segments indicated generally by the reference numeral 56.
  • a bore extends longitudinally through the respective portions 56 and a stainless steel hinge pin 58 is mounted for pivotally supporting a hinged fairlead assembly 60.
  • the fairlead assembly 60 comprises a pair of support members 64 formed from a length of flat stainless steel bar stock and shaped into the configuration of an inverted U.
  • the downwardly depending legs 66 of the members 64 are provided with apertures which are received on and pivotally supported by the stainless steel pin 58.
  • a beam member 68 extends between and is clamped to the support member 64 by screw shafts and a pair of fairlead sheaves 70, 72 are rotatably mounted, as by said screw shafts 74, 76 passed through the beam 68 and bolted to the underside of the underlying support members 64.
  • a plate member 78 and a connecting eye strap 80 are mounted on the upper ends of the screw shafts 74, 76 and overlie the upper ends of the sheaves 70, 72 with the plate 78 and beam 68 cooperating with the opposed arcuate surfaces of the sheaves 70, 72 to define a closed eyelet through which the control line 82 passes so that there is no danger of the line jumping out of one ofthe fairlead sheaves and causing loss of control of the sail,
  • An elongated arm 84 is pivotally supported, as by a rivet 86 and washer 88, on the top surface of the plate 78 and extends generally forward in cantilevered relation therefrom.
  • the arm 84 has rigidly mounted. as by spot welding, on the undersurface of its distal end, a cleat mounting plate 90.
  • the plate 90 extends laterally from each side of the arm 84, and a set of cam cleats 92, 94 are mounted on each end of the plate 90 as by mounting bolts 96 and nuts 98.
  • An eye strap fairlead I00 is supported on the lower end of the bolts 96 and extends in a downwardly curved path between the two cum cleats to permit the control line 82 to be pulled downwardly out of the nip of the cam cleats for movement back through the apparatus in the direction of arrow 102.
  • the strap 100 and the cleats 92, 94 form, in effect, an eyelet which retains the line in position to be drawn bank into the nip of the cleats by slight upward movement ofthe line by the boat skipper, while the plate 90 prevents the control line from being pulled upwardly out of the nip of the cleats.
  • the cam cleats 92, 94 are level with the fairlead sheaves throughout the full range of hinge or pivotal movement ofthe fairlead assembly 60 during operation of the boat so that the cleats are substantially in the direct line of pull when control line 82 is being heaved upon to move the main sail in the direction of the boats centerline, or the close hauled position.
  • the skipper merely relaxes the pull on the control line 82 permitting it to move slightly in the direction of arrow I04 in FIG. 2. and the cleats automatically releasably secure the line in their nip without the necessity of the skipper moving the line out of its normal line of pull to engage the cleats.
  • FIG. 3 it is seen that the lowermost block 40 of the usual pair of blocks employed to secure the boom 34 to the traveler is secured to the strap 80 by a swivel shackle assembly 108.
  • This arrangement permits the skipper to readily manipulate lines 82 and H4 simulta neously, one with each hand, whenever necessary and with a minimum of effort.
  • a traveler assembly for positioning and controlling a sail on a sailboat and adapted to be slidably mounted on an elongated generally rectangular open-topped track having a pair of inwardly directed flanges formed one along each top edge thereof with the flanges being spaced from one another to define an open slot extending the length of the track.
  • said traveler comprising, in combination. an elongated slider block having a generally rectangular base portion adapted to be slidably received in the hollow interior of said track and extending laterally beneath said flanges and an upwardly projecting portion adapted to extend through the open slot between said flanges.
  • a fairlead assembly including a frame.
  • hinge means pivotally supporting said frame on said upwardly projecting portion ofsaid slider block for limited pivotal movement about an axis parallel to and spaced closely adjacent the track.
  • a pair of fairlead sheaves mounted on said frame for rotation about generally parallel upwardly extending axes, guide means for retaining a control line between said fairlead sheaves. and line cleating means pivotally mounted on said frame and projecting forwardly therefrom.
  • said line cleating means comprises an elongated arm having one end pivotally mounted on said frame at a point in line with said fairlead sheaves, said arm extending forwardly from said frame. and a set of cam cleats mounted on and extending downwardly from the distal end of said arm.
  • said cleating means further comprises a pair of shafts extending through and supporting said cam cleats for rotation about spaced parallel axes.
  • said arm including means extending between and closely adjacent to the top of said cam cleats in position to engage and prevent a line extending through the nip of said cleats from being pulled upwardly therefrom, and guide means mounted on and extending between said shafts below said cam cleats a distance sufficient to permit a control line to be passed therethrough without passing into the nip of said cleats while retaining the line in close proximity to said nip.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Escalators And Moving Walkways (AREA)
US460267A 1974-04-11 1974-04-11 Sailboat traveler apparatus Expired - Lifetime US3875889A (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US460267A US3875889A (en) 1974-04-11 1974-04-11 Sailboat traveler apparatus
US05/563,290 US3985092A (en) 1974-04-11 1975-03-28 Sailboat traveler apparatus
FR7511439A FR2267238B1 ( ) 1974-04-11 1975-04-11

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US460267A US3875889A (en) 1974-04-11 1974-04-11 Sailboat traveler apparatus

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US05/563,290 Continuation US3985092A (en) 1974-04-11 1975-03-28 Sailboat traveler apparatus

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3875889A true US3875889A (en) 1975-04-08

Family

ID=23828015

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US460267A Expired - Lifetime US3875889A (en) 1974-04-11 1974-04-11 Sailboat traveler apparatus

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US3875889A ( )
FR (1) FR2267238B1 ( )

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3985092A (en) * 1974-04-11 1976-10-12 Mark L. Robbins Sailboat traveler apparatus
US4080919A (en) * 1976-07-26 1978-03-28 Coast Catamaran Corporation Sailboat traveler apparatus
US4159007A (en) * 1976-12-10 1979-06-26 Coast Catamaran France S.A. Traveller device, particularly a sheet rail traveller
US4651668A (en) * 1985-09-30 1987-03-24 Melrose Robert G Traveller control for sailcraft
DE19800903A1 (de) * 1998-01-13 1999-07-15 Mueller Wolfgang Umlenkrollenblock mit Seilklemmeinrichtung
US20150226354A1 (en) * 2012-10-18 2015-08-13 Tyco Electronics Uk Ltd Cable Tie and Retention System

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3623445A (en) * 1970-04-06 1971-11-30 Tracy S Holmes Sailboat traveler apparatus
US3678876A (en) * 1971-02-16 1972-07-25 Coast Catamaran Corp Jib sheet apparatus for sailboats
US3770244A (en) * 1972-01-18 1973-11-06 Cloud R Mc Winch mechanism

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3623445A (en) * 1970-04-06 1971-11-30 Tracy S Holmes Sailboat traveler apparatus
US3678876A (en) * 1971-02-16 1972-07-25 Coast Catamaran Corp Jib sheet apparatus for sailboats
US3770244A (en) * 1972-01-18 1973-11-06 Cloud R Mc Winch mechanism

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3985092A (en) * 1974-04-11 1976-10-12 Mark L. Robbins Sailboat traveler apparatus
US4080919A (en) * 1976-07-26 1978-03-28 Coast Catamaran Corporation Sailboat traveler apparatus
US4159007A (en) * 1976-12-10 1979-06-26 Coast Catamaran France S.A. Traveller device, particularly a sheet rail traveller
US4651668A (en) * 1985-09-30 1987-03-24 Melrose Robert G Traveller control for sailcraft
DE19800903A1 (de) * 1998-01-13 1999-07-15 Mueller Wolfgang Umlenkrollenblock mit Seilklemmeinrichtung
US20150226354A1 (en) * 2012-10-18 2015-08-13 Tyco Electronics Uk Ltd Cable Tie and Retention System
US9951889B2 (en) * 2012-10-18 2018-04-24 Tyco Electronics Uk Ltd Cable tie and retention system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2267238B1 ( ) 1977-11-10
FR2267238A1 ( ) 1975-11-07

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4685410A (en) Wing sail
US3678876A (en) Jib sheet apparatus for sailboats
US5829376A (en) Outrigger watercraft
US4172426A (en) Folding outrigger releasable brace for trimaran
US3875889A (en) Sailboat traveler apparatus
US4603648A (en) Watercraft with at least two twin hulls
US3985092A (en) Sailboat traveler apparatus
US3623445A (en) Sailboat traveler apparatus
US4013031A (en) Apparatus to control jib
US3693571A (en) Sail rig
US3749042A (en) Furling and unfurling of sails
US2893339A (en) Rigging system for sailing craft
WO1999043544A1 (en) Sailboats and methods
US4080919A (en) Sailboat traveler apparatus
US3371636A (en) Waterborne vessels
US4651668A (en) Traveller control for sailcraft
US3417720A (en) Balancing apparatus
US6386130B1 (en) Control systems for sailing vessels
US4986202A (en) Light dropkeel boat with sliding means to control the transverse balance thereof
US3370560A (en) Sailing vessels
US3788257A (en) Fin-keel catamaran
US20020178985A1 (en) Sail rig
US5988086A (en) Sailboat and methods
US5392726A (en) Sailboat
EP0695684A1 (en) Rig arrangement for a sailboat