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

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a sliding block to be used in multiples to associate the mainsail with the mast of a watercraft.
• sliding blocks are usually provided with external sliding rollers and with an internal sliding shoe, constituted by an extension which has for example a T- shaped cross-section and is meant to be inserted in a comple entarily shaped channel formed along the entire extension of the mast.
• the channel acts as a guide for the sliding of the sliding block along the mast.
• the sliding blocks usually have a supporting structure made of metallic material and their sliding rollers and the sliding shoe are made of plastics.
• plastics can be of the self-lubricating type.
• This configuration makes the sliding block substantially equal to a slider which can slide along the mainsail mast by means of the sliding rollers which run along the outer surface to the sides of the channel and is guided in its motion by the T-shaped shoe that slides inside the channel.
• these jammings occur between the T- shaped shoe and the edges of the opening of the guiding channel.
• the aim of the present invention is to provide a sliding block for mainsails which solves all the above- mentioned drawbacks of conventional sliding blocks.
• a particular object of the present invention is to provide a sliding block for mainsails which is not affected by the action of flexural and/or torsional stresses and ensures a motion along the mast which is substantially free from sliding friction.
• An important object of the present invention is to provide a mainsail sliding block having a simple and sturdy structure.
• Another object of the present invention is to provide a mainsail sliding block which can be obtained with a practical and simple assembly.
• Another object of the present invention is to provide a mainsail sliding block which can be compatible with masts on which guiding channels of different sizes and shapes are formed.
• a sliding block to which a mainsail of a watercraft is connected comprising a base provided with first rollers for sliding on an outer part of a mast proximate to an opening of a channel formed in said mast, with a median ridge which is inserted in the opening of said channel and with which a plate is associated, said plate being inserted in said channel and having transverse dimensions which are larger than the opening of said channel, characterized in that said ridge comprises at least one second guiding roller arranged along an axis which is perpendicular to said mast and to said first rollers and slides between the edges of the opening of said channel.
• Figure 1 is a perspective view of a mainsail sliding block according to the invention in an active configuration and with a coupling for a batten;
• Figure 2 is a top view of the mainsail sliding block according to the invention in an operating configuration;
• Figure 3 is a perspective view of the mainsail sliding block according to the invention, seen from a different angle with respect to Figure 1;
• Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the mainsail sliding block according to the invention;
• Figure 5 is a top view of the mainsail sliding block according to the invention in a second embodiment. Ways of carrying out the Invention
• a mainsail sliding block according to the invention can slide along a mast 11.
• the sliding block 10 comprises a substantially flat base 12 from which two tubular elements 13 protrude monolithically and are arranged along axes that run parallel to the mast 11; each tubular element forms a seat
• the seat 14 can be accessed from outside through a first opening 15 and has a second opening 16 directed towards the central part of the sliding block 10.
• Each one of the two seats 14 is preset to accommodate a metal rod 17 which has a smaller end portion 18 and a threaded hole 19 in a median position.
• Each one of the two metal rods 17 enters, through the first opening 15, the corresponding seat 14 with its portion 18, so as to fully enter the tubular element 13 until the portion 18 protrudes from the second opening 16.
• the two metal rods 17, engaged in the respective tubular elements 13, are mutually associated by an articulated joint 20 which is anchored to the smaller portions 18.
• a coupling for fixing to the mainsail, of a per se known kind, or a coupling 21 for a batten (not shown in the above figures) is associated with the sliding block 10 by means of the articulated joint 20.
• the batten arranged in a substantially perpendicular position with respect to the mast 11, constitutes a supporting element for the mainsail to ensure its unfurling.
• the base 12 forms, at the part directed towards the mast 11, seats 22 which are preset to accommodate first sliding rollers 23.
• the first rollers 23 are axially engaged in pairs by pivots 24 which are fixed to the base 12 and are arranged so as to run longitudinally along the outer part of the mast 11.
• the sliding block 10 in particular, is guided so as to slide along a rail formed along the mast 11 and formed by a channel 25 which in this case has a substantially rectangular cross-section.
• the base 12 is provided with a first longitudinal ridge 26 in a central position on the face directed towards the mast 11 and with second ridges 27 at each one of its two ends .
• a cavity 28 for the insertion of screws 29 is formed on the base 12 between each one of the second ridges 27 and the first longitudinal ridge 26.
• Each screw 29 constitutes, together with a stem 30, a rotation axis for a second roller 31.
• a plate 33 rests on the second ridges 27 and on the first longitudinal ridge 26; the plate is substantially rectangular, is provided with through holes 34 and is associated with the base 12 by means of the screws 29.
• Each one of the two screws 29 fits, by means of its stem 30, in a through hole 34 of the plate 33, axially in one of said second rollers 31, in the cavity 28 formed in the base 12, and is finally screwed into the complementarily threaded hole 19 of the rod 17.
• the transverse dimensions of the plate 33 are larger than the opening of the channel 25 of the mast 11, so that the plate ensures resistance to the traction applied by the mainsail when it is filled by the wind.
• the second guiding rollers 31 slide between the edges of the opening 35 of said channel 25.
• the second guiding rollers 31 convert the sliding friction of the jammings produced by flexural and/or torsional stresses into rolling friction.
• the second rollers 31 can be arranged in a certain range of different diameters, so that they can conveniently adapt to the various possible sizes of the channels 25 of different masts 11.
• the mainsail sliding block 10 preferably has a base 12, first sliding rollers 23, second guiding rollers 31, a plate 33 and ridges 26 and 27 which are all made of plastics, while the screws 29 and the pins
• the plate 33 too, can have different dimensions, according to the configuration of the channel 25, and is easily interchangeable by means of the screws 32.
• a mast 111 has a channel 125 with a substantially circular cross-section and the corresponding mainsail sliding block, generally designated by the reference numeral 110, is obtained by fixing, by means of screws, a cylindrical guide 133 so that it rests on ridges 126 and by tightening said screws, for axial engagement with second guiding rollers 131, in complementarily threaded holes of two metal rods 117.
• the diameter of the cylindrical guide 133 is larger than the opening 135 of the channel 125, so that once it has been inserted in the channel 125 it cannot escape.
• the cylindrical guide 133 ensures the appropriate resistance to the traction of the mainsail by moving inside the channel 125, while the second rollers 131 eliminate substantially all jammings of the sliding block 110 at the edges of the opening 135 of the channel 125 caused by torsions or flexings.
• a mainsail sliding block has been provided which has a simple structure.
• a mainsail sliding block has been provided which can be obtained without needing particular machining operations and without having to resort to special machines or technologies.
• the materials employed, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements.

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)
• Springs (AREA)
• Arc-Extinguishing Devices That Are Switches (AREA)
• Processing And Handling Of Plastics And Other Materials For Molding In General (AREA)
• Crystals, And After-Treatments Of Crystals (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

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Family Applications (1)

Country Status (2)

Cited By (3)

Citations (5)

• 1997
  • 1997-03-19 IT IT97PD000057A patent/IT1291438B1/it active IP Right Grant
• 1998
  • 1998-03-16 WO PCT/EP1998/001514 patent/WO1998041446A1/en active Application Filing

Patent Citations (5)

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