WO2013190245A1

WO2013190245A1 - Pleasure sail boat

Info

Publication number: WO2013190245A1
Application number: PCT/FR2013/051444
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vincent Lavabre; Lionel DEMARTY
Original assignee: Excent France
Priority date: 2012-06-21
Filing date: 2013-06-20
Publication date: 2013-12-27
Also published as: EP2864189A1; FR2992285A1; FR2992285B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a pleasure sail boat including a hull (for example consisting of two floats (1, 2)), a stationary seat (4) intended for receiving a helmsman, a rigging preferably reduced to a single mast (7) and a single sail, at least one rudder blade (10, 11) and a means (such as a bar 12, 13) for controlling same. The sail boat is characterised in that the mast (7) is located behind the stationary seat (4).

Description

The invention relates to a small leisure sailboat, preferably a catamaran, preferably removable and easily transportable.

In general, a pleasure boat comprises a hull, a rig that currently includes a mast, a mainsail and a jib, and a helm station located at the rear of the mast.

A pleasure catamaran usually comprises two substantially parallel floats that form the hull of the sailboat, a bridge connecting the two floats, which is most often a trampoline consisting of two connecting rails extending transversely between the floats and a net carried by the two ties, a rigging (mast, mainsail and jib).

For example, the catamaran marketed under the name

HOBBIECAT® which includes two rigid floats with a V-shaped cross section.

The catamaran marketed under the name MINICAT® by the companies Adventure Adventure and Moravian Export in particular is also known, and which comprises two inflatable floats each equipped with a longitudinal drift, a trampoline consisting of a tubular structure made of light alloy and a fabric made of plastic material, seats that attach themselves by straps on the floats. This catamaran has the advantage of being easy and quick to assemble, lightweight and therefore transportable by a single person once mounted.

However, these two known catamarans have the disadvantage of not being suitable for neophytes navigators and children. Like any catamaran and any sailboat, their mast and sail (s) are placed at the front of the seats on which the helmsman can sit alternatively. When turning, it must move the opposite of the sail on the trampoline passing under the mainsail because it takes the initial place of the helmsman, while maintaining the bar and handling the mainsheet plays. This operation requires initial learning and is difficult to execute without experience. In addition, as in any catamaran and more generally in any sailboat (including monohull), the arrangement of the mast and the sail often hinders the visibility at the front of the boat.

Moreover, the MINICAT® has the additional disadvantage of imposing, for its assembly, the use of an inflation device (preferably a compressor) for inflating its floats.

No. 6,386,130 discloses a sailboat comprising in particular two floats, a mast, a sail, rudders, and a seat slidably mounted on an arm, which arm is pivotally mounted around the mast. It is envisaged to rotate the seat between two extreme positions: a position in which it is located at the rear of the mast in line with the axis of the boat and a position in which the arm supporting the seat is perpendicular to the seat. axis of the boat. ND8104869 also offers a sailboat with a swivel seat around the mast.

FR-2 480 702 discloses a sailboat comprising two floats and a fixed bridge conventionally located at the rear of the mast.

Sailboats of US-6,386,130, ND-8,104,869 and FR-2,480,702 have the same disadvantages as the two catamarans described above.

WO-83/02927 discloses a small sailboat without seat, which is upright like a windsurfing. The invention aims to overcome these disadvantages, by proposing a small sailing yacht whose piloting is intuitive, safe, directly accessible, with minimal prior learning, to a child and generally to a neophyte person in sailing. Another object of the invention is to provide a sailboat both very stable and able to be launched in shallow waters (from a sandy beach for example).

In a preferred version, the invention aims to provide a sailboat which in addition is removable, lightweight, capable of being housed and transported on a small trailer. It will also be easy to assemble, without tools (the use of a simple key is not excluded).

The invention also aims to achieve these objectives by proposing a low cost sailboat.

To this end, the invention provides a pleasure boat comprising: a hull; at least one fixed seat intended to receive a helmsman; a mast carrying a sail; at least one saffron and means for controlling the latter. The sailboat according to the invention is characterized in that the mast is located at the rear of the fixed seat.

Thus positioned at the rear of the fixed seat, the mast and the sail do not interfere no visibility at the front of the boat. When it turns, the helmsman of a pleasure boat according to the invention does not have to move; he remains seated on the fixed seat. The entire rig being located behind him, the helmsman is not likely to be hit for example by the boom of the mainsail during a change of edge. The piloting of such a sailboat is extremely simple and intuitive. It requires only minimal prior learning that can be delivered orally (without demonstration) in minutes. It is within the reach of a child, as well as a person with reduced mobility (since the helmsman does not have to move on the boat).

Advantageously and according to the invention, the fixed seat is substantially centered laterally in the sailboat

Advantageously, the sailboat according to the invention comprises a single mast and a single sail. The invention is not limited to this embodiment. Thus, a rig comprising two masts or a single mast with two sails may, alternatively, be provided.

In a possible embodiment of the invention, the boat is a catamaran, its hull then comprises two floats.

Advantageously and according to the invention, a center of the fixed seat, and preferably the center of gravity of the sailboat with helmsman, is substantially located on a median axis of the hull, the terms "central axis of the hull" designating a cutting axis the shell in two parts of lengths (dimension in the longitudinal direction) equal.

In a preferred version of the invention, the boat is removable. In the case of a catamaran, it then comprises a bridge in which the fixed seat is formed, and assembly means for assembling the bridge to the two floats, the bridge extending between the two substantially parallel floats.

Advantageously, the hull (that is to say the two floats in the case of a catamaran) of a sailboat according to the invention has little penetration into the water so as to offer a low resistance to drift, unlike the floats of the famous HOBBIECAT® which have a V-shaped cross-section and unlike the inflatable floats of MINICAT® described in the introduction. In particular, this hull is preferably devoid of drift, unlike floats MINICAT®.

Therefore, the yacht of the invention can dock on a sandy beach without any manipulation is necessary at the level of the hull (removal of a removable drift for example). As explained in more detail below, the absence of drift (or more generally the use of a low-penetrating hull) also makes it possible and above all to compensate at least partially for an imbalance due to the position shifted towards the rear of the mast. by limiting the counter-drift surface offered by the hull.

For example, the floats of a catamaran according to the invention are advantageously floats flat (and devoid of drift), and each float is inclined so that its upper face is oriented towards the other float, that is to say say towards the fixed seat. This inclination, as well as the use of flat floats, makes it possible to increase the propensity of the floats to drift by decreasing the counter-drift surface that they offer and also to avoid the well-known reversal phenomenon on float catamarans. in V (such as HOBBICAT®). The use of flat floats and their inclination, or more generally the use of a hull with little penetration into the water, thus at least partially compensates for an imbalance due to the staggered position towards the rear of the mast which has the consequence that the sail is not centered with respect to the immersed volume. If the catamaran is removable, the assembly means are adapted to obtain this inclination when the boat is assembled.

Preferably, the assembly means are adapted so that, when the sailboat is assembled, each float has an individual inclined flotation plane forming, with the sailplane's flotation plane, an angle of between 10 ° and 10 °, preferably order of 4 °.

The term "individual flotation plane of a float", the floating plane of the float considered individually, that is to say, separated from any other device. In the usual way, the terms "floating plane of an object (float, sailboat or other)" designate the plane separating the immersed part of the object from its emerged part, when said object is placed on calm water.

In a preferred version, the bridge is completely rigid, as opposed to a trampoline. Preferably, in the case of a removable catamaran, the bridge comprises on the one hand a removable tubular structure and on the other hand a rigid shell, fitted on the tubular structure and in which the fixed seat is formed. Said shell can be manufactured by thermoforming, for example.

In the case of a catamaran, the sailboat according to the invention comprises preferably two bars each controlling a saffron, arranged on either side of the fixed seat. In a possible version of the invention, the two bars are independent (so the rudders are also independent), unlike known catamarans. In a variant, the rudders are coupled by a deformable parallelogram actuated by a single bar.

Preferably, each saffron has dimensions and a position adapted to compensate for an imbalance due to the position shifted towards the rear of the mast. In the known yachts of the state of the art, a balanced sailboat at the helm (or neutral) is a sailboat for which the center of buoyancy and the hull center are located in the same transverse plane. If the center of sailing force is too far back from the center of the hull, the boat is ardent: it only begs to luff. To compensate for the imbalance generated by the position shifted towards the rear of the rigging and for the sailboat according to the invention to be balanced, which constitutes a preferred version of the invention, the following equation must be verified:

where Si = total area of the two rudders,

di = distance (lever arm) between the barycenter of a saffron and the vertical passing through the CPV center of thrust,

S ₂ = surface of the projection on a longitudinal vertical plane of the hull.

d ₂ = distance (lever arm) between the center of gravity of S ₂ and the vertical passing through the CPV center of velocity.

In a preferred version, the rudders are positioned at the end of the sail, which means that their barycentre is located in a transverse plane which passes through a free end of the boom (end opposite the mast) when the boom is in a longitudinal plane.

Preferably, each rudder is controlled by a bar and is articulated around a horizontal pivot, so as to be displaced, by axial translation of the corresponding bar, between a raised position in which said rudder is out of the water and a navigation position in which said saffron is immersed. Thus, when docking on a sandy beach, the helmsman has only to push the two bars axially forward to raise the rudders. Each saffron is of course also articulated around a vertical pivot for steering the sailing ship.

In a preferred version of the invention, the sailboat comprises a single fixed seat. Alternatively, it can include two fixed seats, or more.

The invention also extends to a small pleasure boat characterized in combination by all or some of the features mentioned above and below.

Other details and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the following description, which refers to the attached schematic drawings and relates to a preferred embodiment, provided by way of non-limiting example. On these drawings:

- Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view (from a starboard angle before) of an embodiment of the sailboat according to the invention, observed assembled (this embodiment being removable);

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective exploded view (from a starboard bow angle) of the embodiment of FIG. 1, in which the latter is observed disassembled;

Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view (from a port port angle) of the embodiment illustrated in the preceding figures, in which the seat shell has been removed;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic front view of the embodiment illustrated in the preceding figures;

- Figure 5 is a schematic side view (starboard) of the same embodiment;

- Figure 6 is a schematic top view of the same embodiment.

- Figure 7 is a perspective view (from a front port angle) of a rear portion of the embodiment illustrated in the preceding figures, and wherein the fixed seat shell has been removed.

- Figure 8 is a perspective view (from a starboard angle before) of a central portion of the embodiment illustrated in the preceding figures, and wherein the fixed seat shell has been removed.

For the sake of clarity and simplicity, when it is removable, the sailboat according to the invention is described as it can be seen when assembled, but the appended claims are intended to protect both the assembled sailboat and all the elements that constitute it (kit) when it is disassembled.

The removable sailing yacht illustrated in the accompanying figures, comprises in particular two floats 1 and 2, a bridge 3, and a rig comprising a mast 7 and a sail 8. Each float 1, 2, is a flat windsurf board, on the upper surface of which have been formed a longitudinal groove 101 and joining hollow studs 102, 103. The bridge 3 comprises on the one hand a tubular structure 5 and on the other hand a rigid shell 6 acting as helmsman , in which is formed a fixed seat 4 for receiving a helmsman.

The tubular structure 5 comprises a frame consisting of a front transverse tube 51, a rear transverse tube 55, and two lateral longitudinal tubes 52, 53; this frame defines a plane said main plane of the bridge, which is parallel to the waterplane 50 of the sailboat (see Figure 4). The tubular structure 5 further comprises a longitudinal central beam 54 which extends under the fixed seat 4, and a transverse central beam 56. These beams 54, 56 define an anchoring point 9 for the mast 7. They are fixed to the frame formed by the tubes 51, 52, 53 and 55 by any appropriate means. In Figure 3, the tubular structure 5 is visible assembled; it will be easily understood that once dismantled, it occupies a very small footprint.

The lateral tube 52 fits into the groove 101 of the float 2, while the lateral tube 53 is inserted into the groove 101 of the float 1. Furthermore, the front transverse tube 51 comprises two tenons (not visible in the figures) which fit into the hollow studs 102 -formant mortises- floats 1, 2 respectively. Similarly, the rear transverse tube 55 comprises two pins (not visible in the figures) which fit into the hollow studs 103 of the floats. Preferably, the interlocking of the tenons in the mortises is accompanied by a slight elastic deformation of the tenons and / or mortises providing a reversible locking ("clipping") of the assembly. Thus assembled to the tubular structure 5, the floats 1, 2 are slightly inclined towards the interior of the sailboat (in the example, about 4 ° separate the waterplane 50 from the sailboat of the individual plane 104, 105 of flotation of each float 1, 2); this inclination (which can be seen in Figure 4) allows to reduce the submerged side surface of the floats (especially when the sailboat leans slightly) and thus reduce their counter-drift effect. It can be expected to allow the possibility of adjusting the inclination of the floats using compasses (not shown). The shell 6 and the tubular structure 5 are assembled together by interlocking the shell 6 on said structure, the shell having for this purpose lower grooves (not visible in the figures) in which are housed the transverse tube 51 and the tubes longitudinals 52, 53. Again, an interlocking with elastic deformation is preferable to ensure good maintenance of the shell on the tubular structure. The longitudinal tubes 52, 53 of the tubular structure 5, the grooves 101, the pads 102, 103 of the floats and the corresponding tenons, are means for assembling the bridge 3 to the floats 1 and 2. These means are described as examples; other means of assembly can be envisaged.

In the non-limiting example illustrated, the rig includes a single mast 7 which carries a single sail 8 (this is a mast and a windsurf sail). This mast 7 is fixed on the tubular structure 5 at the anchoring point 9. Once the shell 6, the tubular structure 5 and the mast 7 assembled, the fixed seat 4 is fixed relative to the mast 7, in front of this one.

The boat is piloted using two bars 12, 13 controlling rudders 10, 1 1 respectively. Each bar 12, 13 is provided at its free end with a handle. Each saffron 10.1 1 realizes a plan of counter-drift. The surface of each rudder is therefore chosen to be relatively large (within the limit of what can be accepted in terms of drag, since the drag increases with the surface of the rudders), and the rudders are retracted towards the rear (within the limit of which can be accepted in terms of minimum turn radius, because the more the rudders are retracted, the smaller the minimum turn radius) so as to compensate for the backward shift of the mast 7 to obtain a balanced sailboat at the bar. For example, the surface Si and the lever arm di of each saffron are chosen so as to verify the following equation: If x di = S ₂ xd ₂ (see above and figure 5 for the definition of the various terms of the equation).

In the usual way, each saffron 10, 1 1 is arranged in the extension of a float 1, 2.

However, in an original way, each saffron 10, 1 1 is controlled by a bar 12, 13 independently. Each bar 12, 13 is constrained in a slide 130, 131 formed in the shell 6 so that the bar can be moved in translation in its axial direction (axial translation).

In addition, each rudder is articulated around two pivots: a pivot vertical 120 to allow steering the boat, and a transverse horizontal pivot 121 to raise the saffron out of the water. Saffron 11 can be observed in the position raised in FIGS. 1 to 7.

A slight axial translation of one of the bars 12, 13 rearwardly towards the front entails an opening-respectively a closing-of the saffron 10, 11 corresponding. The axial translation of each bar is regulated by a strip 132 fixed below the bar and by a ring 133 fixed on the shell (see Figure 8) at the bottom of the slide in which is housed said bar. A large axial translation of one of the bars forwards causes the rudder to pivot about the horizontal pivot 121 between its navigation position and its raised position. When the rear end 135 of the ruler

132 is in abutment against the ring 133, the bar is locked in the position corresponding to the rudder in the raised position, which allows for example to dock easily on a beach. When the ring 133 is engaged in the notch 134 of the ruler, the rudder is in a neutral navigation position that is to say aligned with the floats in a longitudinal plane. When the ring

133 abuts against or is beyond the front end 136 of the strip (bar in a very remote position), the rudder is in a position (navigation) maximum turn. This position must be maintained by hand; the bar is not blocked by the ring 133 in this position: if the helmsman releases the bar, the pressure exerted by the water on the rudder automatically pushes the bar forward until the rudder is in neutral position and the ring 133 engages in the notch 134.

A listening 81 (shown in Figure 1) for the control of the mainsail 8 is connected to the boom 80 via pulleys 83. Once the right setting found for the mainsail, listening 81 is locked in position by the helmsman by means of locking pedals 82.

The sailboat helms as follows: to turn to starboard the helmsman must pull the handle of the bar 13 (bar on the right) towards him, that is to say axially slide said bar 13 to the rear; he does not have to use the bar 12 on his left. Of course, in doing so, the helmsman releases the pedals 82 and manipulates the listening 81 to let the sail take the wind; he again presses the locking pedals 82 when he judges that the sail is in an optimal position. Conversely, to turn to port, the helmsman takes the bar 12 located to port and brings it back to him, thus sliding said bar backwards in its axial direction. The decoupled operation of the two rudders makes it possible, during a turn, to limit the braking action of the rudder outside the turn. When pulling an edge and gaining speed, in order to further increase the performance of the sailboat, the helmsman can raise the rudder opposite to the carrier wind (eg rudder 10 if the wind comes from starboard) by pushing on the handle of the corresponding bar (bar 12 in the previous example) so as to slide the latter forward until the strip 132 of said bar out of the ring 133.

The invention may be subject to numerous variations with respect to the illustrated embodiment, provided that these variants fall within the scope delimited by the claims.

Claims

1 /. Pleasure sailboat comprising a hull; at least one fixed seat (4) intended to receive a helmsman; a mast (7); a sail (8); at least one saffron (10) and control means thereof, characterized in that the mast (7) is located at the rear of the fixed seat (4).

21. Sailboat according to claim 1, characterized in that its hull comprises two floats (1, 2), and in that the fixed seat (4) is substantially centered between the two floats.

3 /. Sailboat according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a single mast (7) and a single sail (8).

Sailboat according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is removable.

5 /. Sailboat according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that its hull (1, 2) has little penetration into the water so as to offer a low resistance to drift.

6 /. Sailboat according to claims 5 and 2, characterized in that its floats (1, 2) are flat floats devoid of drift and in that each float is inclined so that its upper face is oriented towards the other float.

11. Sailboat according to claim 6, characterized in that each float (1, 2) has an individual inclined plane of flotation (104, 105) forming, with the boat's flotation plane (50), an angle of between 10 and 10 mm. °,

8 /. Sailboat according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises two bars (12, 13) independent each controlling a saffron (10, 1 1), arranged on either side of the fixed seat (4).

9 /. Sailboat according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each rudder (10, 1 1) has dimensions and a position adapted to compensate for an imbalance due to the position shifted towards the rear of the rigging (7).

10 /. Sailboat according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each rudder (10, 1 1) is controlled by a bar (12, 13) and is articulated around a horizontal pivot (121) so as to be displaceable, by axial translation of the corresponding bar (12, 13) between a position raised in said saffron is out of the water and a navigation position in which said saffron is immersed.