WO1997022515A1

WO1997022515A1 - Improvements in and relating to sail reefing apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO1997022515A1
Application number: PCT/NZ1996/000144
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert Geoffrey Graham
Original assignee: Robert Geoffrey Graham
Priority date: 1995-12-18
Filing date: 1996-12-17
Publication date: 1997-06-26
Also published as: AU1043597A; AU714331B2

Abstract

A yacht sail (1) is characterised by a plurality of slides (2) provided at spaced-apart intervals along a luff edge thereof. Each slide (2) extends from the surface of the sail on both sides of the sail to stand substantially proud of the sail surface (1). A track (3) for the slides (2) is articulately mounted to an associated mast (4), the articulation enabling the track to swivel thereabout in substantial conformity with movements of a sail (1) mounted therein. Boom (15) mounted sail furling apparatus (14) furls the sail (1) or allows the sail (1) to be raised with the slides (2) moving in track (3).

Description

TITLE

Improvements in and relating to sail reefing apparatus.

This invention relates to yacht sail reefing apparatus and in particular to a boom - mounted reefing apparatus and a mainsail particularly useful for operation therewith.

BACKGROUND

Sail reefing apparatus both mast and boom associated have been the subject of particular development interest over approximately the last twenty years. A variety of apparatus and approaches have been proposed and/or utilised. The magazine "Yachting World" issue of March 1995 contains an article commencing on P78 which summarises this development.

OBJECTS

Despite this development there remains considerable limitations in the apparatus and systems involved and the intention of this invention is to provide a reefing apparatus and a sail particularly suitable for use therewith which will overcome at least some of the drawbacks with known apparatus.

A further intention of this invention is to provide a simplified approach to meeting the requirements of a sail reefing apparatus. Further it is envisaged that certain elements of the invention, possibly with some relatively simple modification, may be suitable for use with known reefing apparatus.

To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the description herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of this invention there is provided a yacht sail characterised in that a plurality of slides are provided at spaced apart intervals along a luff edge thereof, each slide extending from the surface of the sail on both sides of the sail to stand substantially proud of the associated sail surface.

According to a second aspect of this invention there is provided a sail as defined in the preceding paragraph wherein the sail is adapted to receive battens and the slides are of a width to stand substantially proud of the surface of the sail where the sail extends about the battens.

According to a third aspect of this invention there is provided a sail as defined in the preceding paragraph wherein the battens extend past the slides to the adjacent sail edge.

According to a fourth aspect of this invention there is provided a sail as defined in the preceding three paragraphs wherein the battens and slides are off-set.

According to a fifth aspect of this invention there is provided a sail furling apparatus characterised in that the sail furling apparatus is adapted to operate a sail as defined in any one of the four preceding paragraphs.

According to a sixth aspect of this invention there is provided a sail furling apparatus as defined in the preceding paragraph wherein a track for the slides is articulately mounted to an associated mast, the articulation enabling the track to swivel thereabout in substantial conformity with movements of a sail mounted therein.

According to a seventh aspect of this invention there is provided a sail furling apparatus as defined in the preceding paragraph wherein a lower section of the track adjacent the boom angles away from the mast to substantially align with an inner end of an associated boom. According to an eighth aspect of this invention there is provided a furling apparatus wherein a sail storage mandrel is rotatably mounted to the boom via a fixed axial member extending longitudinally of the boom.

According to a ninth aspect of this invention there is provided a furling apparatus as defined in the preceding paragraph wherein a prime mover for the mandrel is mounted on a forward end of the boom adjacently beneath that end, drive transmission means connecting the mandrel to the prime mover.

According to a tenth aspect of this invention there is provided a furling apparatus as defined in either of the two preceding paragraphs adapted to operate a sail as defined in any one of the first three aspects of this invention.

According to an eleventh aspect of this invention there is provided a furling apparatus incorporating a sail track as defined in either the sixth or seventh aspects of this invention.

BRIEF DESECRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In further describing the invention reference is made to a preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings, in which;

Figure 1 is a partly schematic horizontal section view, partly in cross-section depicting a sail and a sail track in accordance with this invention,

Figure 2 is diagrammatic side elevation of furling apparatus according to a preferred form of the invention,

Figure 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an alternative slide for use in the invention, and Figure 4 shows the slide of figure 3 in use.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the figures, a mainsail 1 is provided at spaced apart intervals along a luff edge thereof with slides 2. The slides 2 are adapted to be captured in and run in a track 3 mounted to extend up a mast 4 as more particularly described hereinafter. Each slide 2 extends from the surfacae of the sail 1 on both sides of the sail 1 to stand proud of the sail surfaces la and lb. It is envisaged that one of the advantages of this invention is that a sail 1 having full length battens 5 fitted therein for example, in known manner may be reefed and furled by this invention. To that end, as depicted in Fig 1, the slides 2 are sized to stand proud at the surface of the sail sections lc, Id extending about the battens 5. The slides 2 are preferably fixed through a luff edge section of a mainsail 1. However, they could be mounted on forwardly projecting webs.

Preferably the slide 2 is formed of two parts, being a headed pin 2a, the shank 2b of which extends through the sail 1 and a ring member 2c which fits over the shank. The shank 2b is compressed in the nature of a rivet to clamp the sail 1 between the head and the ring 2c. Preferably the head and ring 2c are of a round configuration but the configuration is not critical providing the slide will run and remain captured in the track. Preferably the adjacent faces 6 of the slide parts are formed with an annular groove and rib (not depicted) respectively adapted to entrap sail cloth therebetween with the clamping of the slide 2 thereto. Other surface shaping to achieve this end could be used.

Preferably the spacing of the slides 2 along the luff edge of a mainsail 1 is such as to be off-set to the battens 5 thereof that is to say a slide 2 is not positioned at the position of a batten 5. The forward end of a batten 5 terminates in alignment with or marginally forward of a slide 2 (as can be seen in Figure 1) thus in mounting a sail 1 in the mast track 3 the forward end of a batten 5 will be disposed within the track 3 and can impinge onto the base 3a of the track 3. The interior cross-section of the track 3 is such as to allow this to happen as can be seen in Figure 1.

Preferably the track 3 is in the nature of a box-section except that a longitudinally extending slot 7 is formed through one wall. The width of slot 7 is less than the width of the interior of track 3 so that slides 2 cannot pass outwardly through slot 7. The slides 2 can enter the track 3 through an open end 8 of the track 3 with the sail 1 extending through the slot 7, the wall returns 3b defining the slot 7 captivating the slides 2 within the track 3. Preferably the track 3 is articulately mounted to a mast 4. This may be achieved in a variety of ways with, for example, a stem 9 being formed along the base of the track 3 (as shown in Figure 1).

Apertures are provided at spaced apart intervals along the stem 8 through which shackles 1 1 or similar linkage means can be mounted to attach the track 3 to appropriately appertured brackets 10 fixed at corresponding intervals along a mast. Alternatively hinges 12 can be provided between track 3 and mast 4 as shown in Figure 2.

Preferably a lower section 13 of the track 3 is angled away from the mast 4 aftwards to align with an inner end of a sail furling mandrel mounted or mountable in a boom 15 associated with the mast 4. Preferably the boom (as at 16) and the track are pivoted on a substantially common line of articulation. The hinges 12 or other articulated connections are provided on part of the track 3 above the angled part 13. Preferably the mandrel 14 is rotatably mounted on a fixed axial member 17 extending longitudinally within a generally U-shaped boom 15 with the axial member 17 being high tensile to resist bending of the mandrel 14. A prime mover such as a suitable electric motor 18 is preferably mounted to an inner end of the boom on a lower side thereof with drive transmission means 19 such as suitable sprockets joined by continuous chain provided to rotate the mandrel. The motor 18 can be replaced with manual systems such as pull rope 20 for example. The lower most end of track 3 terminates in a widened portion 21 and may be provided with side flanges 22 which extend downwardly outwardly so as to provide a wider entry for slides 2 into the track 3.

In the slide 2 of figure 3, a slide 2 comprises a post 30 having a circumferential rib 31. The rib 31 preferably has a radial face 32 facing a circumferential slot 33 into which can be fitted an O ring 34 or other fixing device. The length of post 30 is a little less (for example about 1mm) than the internal width of track but is of course longer than the width of mouth 7. The slide can be fitted to sail 1 by passing the post through a sail eyelet 35 so that face 32 abuts the sail 1. The O ring 34 or other fastener is then placed into slot 33 to retain the slide 2 on the sail 1.

Thus, a sail 1 can be unfurled from the mandrel 14 causing slides 2 to run in and captured in the track 3. The forward end of the battens 5 will thus also be within the track 3 and with the track 3 articulating with the boom and sail 1 it is envisaged that minimal wear will occur.

Thus it can be seen that at least in a preferred form of the invention sail reefing apparatus is provided which is simple to construct and operate. Also by providing suitable attachments to the mast the invention can be provided in conjunction with known reefing apparatus.

Claims

I. A yacht sail characterised in that a plurality of slides are provided at spaced apart intervals along a luff edge thereof, each slide extending from the surface of the sail on both sides of the sail to stand substantially proud of the sail surface.

2. A sail as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the sail is adapted to receive battens and the slides are of a width to stand substantially proud of the surface of the sail where the sail extends about the battens.

3. A sail as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the battens extend past the slides to the adjacent sail edge.

4. A sail as claimed in either claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the battens and slides are off-set.

5. A sail furling apparatus characterised in that the sail furling apparatus is adapted to operate a sail as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

6. A sail furling apparatus as claimed in Claim 5 wherein a track for the slides is articulately mounted to an associated mast, the articulation enabling the track to swivel thereabout in substantial conformity with movements of a sail mounted therein.

7. A furling apparatus as claimed in Claim 6 wherein a lower section of the track adjacent the boom angles away from the mast to substantially align with an inner end of an associated boom.

8. A furling apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7 wherein a sail storage mandrel is rotatably mounted to the boom via a fixed axial member extending longitudinally of the boom.

9. A furling apparatus as claimed in Claim 8 wherein a prime mover for the mandrel is mounted on a forward end of the boom adjacently beneath that end, drive transmission means connecting the mandrel to the prime mover.

10. A furling apparatus as claimed in either any of Claims 8 and 9 adapted to operate a sail as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 4.

I I. A furling apparatus incorporating a sail track as claimed in either one of claims 6 and 7.