Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement (100) for a sailing boat furling system, and for reception of or comprising an outgoing shaft (11) exposed to external torque loads. It comprises a furling drive unit (20) with a gear mechanism (22) and a motor unit (23) connected to an ingoing, motor, shaft (21) and a ratchet mechanism (10) comprising a locking functionality. The ratchet mechanism comprises a housing (17A,17B) and takes up the outgoing shaft (11). The furling drive unit (20) is connectable to ratchet mechanism (10) and is so arranged that the motor unit (23) will be located distant from the outgoing shaft (11), and it further comprises a control unit (30) arranged to control the motor unit (23) driving the ingoing shaft (21).

Abstract: A furling and adjustment assembly for boat sails, includes a hooking device, configured to be mated to a coupling for the sail and to a tack sheet. The assembly also includes an actuation pulley assembly, configured to be actuated by an actuation rope and functionally associated with the hooking device in order to transmit, by way of the latter, a furling/unfurling movement to the sail. The hooking device and the actuation pulley assembly can be mutually moved between a condition of mutual engagement and a condition of mutual disengagement, so as to allow the adjustment of the tack point of the sail while a fixed spatial position of the actuation pulley assembly remains constant.

Abstract: One embodiment of a mast-head standing rigging connection device, allowing for sail module rotation about a mast axis, is disclosed. The embodiment allows for connection of shrouds and conventional single mast forestay and backstay rigging systems. Additional embodiments, utilizing modifications of the first embodiment, for multi-mast and triangular fore-aft sail mast roller reef-furl systems, are described.

Abstract: A sail furler for a sail boat and method for furling a sail for reefing or storage and for unfurling a sail for use. Furling and unfurling of the sail may be accomplished from the cockpit of the sailboat. A mandrel is mounted to the mast extending generally parallel to the boom and attached to the aft end of boom by an aft plate. The mandrel is mounted in bearings and provided with a removable crank for rotation. The mandrel is connected to the mast by a universal joint and bearing structure over which is provided an outer cylinder. A cylinder and resilient sleeve may be provided on the mandrel. A reef brake extends from the mandrel into contact with the boom to prevent rotation for reefing the sail. A slide guard may be mounted at the mast end of the mandrel.

Abstract: An improved top down furling system includes one or more improved components. A lower rotary drive unit with a rotary tack swivel rotates against a fixed portion of the furler, or is configured to permit routing of the tack line below the unit. The system may include an anti-torsion cable constructed in a manner so as to be able to transmit torque without excessive tension applied to the cable. The system also may include an end terminal of the anti-torsion cable having a quick side mount or bayonet type connection to the rotary drive unit.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and method for rowing by generating stored energy in stretchable, retracting members and using that stored energy to pull oars back to a neutral position.

Abstract: A cable adapted to transmit torque in rigging or furling a sail of a boat includes a core having at least one termination end and a bight, and at least one layer of fiber wound around the core, wherein a fiber in a portion of the fiber layer disposed over a center portion of the bight has a first pitch angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the core and wherein a fiber in a portion of the fiber layer disposed over the at least one termination end has a second pitch angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the core. The fiber layer includes a transition zone disposed between the at least one termination end and the center portion, wherein a fiber in the transition zone has an orientation that transitions from the first pitch angle to the second pitch angle.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of a venting assembly for conventional sails, comprising one or more aperture substantially perpendicular with the sail surface separating a fore and aft element of the sail. The aperture channels high energy air flow from the windward side of the sail through to the leeward side of the sail parallel to the sail surface, energizing the surface boundary layer and maintaining laminar air flow along the aft element of the sail.

Abstract: A roller furler assembly for furling a sail where the luff is vertically or diagonally supported by a stay cable. The assembly includes a hollow drive shaft longitudinally aligned around the stay cable adjacent to the luff. A drive mechanism is coupled to the lower end of the drive shaft. Integrally formed or connected to the drive shaft is a torque input device that connects to a portion of a hollow, flexible sail edge device fitted over the middle and upper sections of the drive shaft. The sail edge device includes a longitudinally aligned slot or track that directly connects to a beaded edge attached to the luff. The torque input device is approximately 5%-25% of the stay cable so when the drive shaft is rotated, torque or rotational force is applied directly to the section of the luff located perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the torque input device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for automatically coupling and decoupling the luff of a battened mainsail and stackable luff holders as the connecting link between the sail luff and mast guiding slides, thereby allowing the now free sail luff to be reefed up by means of an in-boom furling boom and allowing the battened mainsail to be hoisted and reefed by means of mast guiding slides.

Abstract: A device (1) for actuating sheets of sailing boats comprises a pulling element (2) for a sheet (200) and an actuator (3) connected to the pulling element (2) for causing the motion thereof. The actuator (3) comprises a screw (4) and a nut (7) engaged with each other, wherein one from the screw (4) and the nut (7) is rotated and the other translates linearly. A boom (300) of a sailing boat (100) provided with the device (1) for actuating sheets of the invention is also described.

Abstract: A sail furling/unfurling device comprises at least an outer foil wound about and made rigid with an inner foil or stay designed for transmitting the furling torque required for furling a sail being wound on a sheath profiled element, thereby the device allows to furl and unfurl large downwind foresails, i.e. asymmetrical spinnakers or the like, such as gennakers or MPS and can be easily used to hoist and lower the sails, in a simplified manner for a cruiser sailing with a short-hand crew.

Abstract: A headsail for a sailing boat includes a luff rope having a core of parallel filaments of high-tenacity polyester and a tightly braided polyester cover, affixed in proximity to the headsail's luff. An upper marine eye is affixed to an upper end of the luff rope, while a lower marine eye affixed to a lower end of the luff rope. A length of shrink-wrap tubing is disposed about a shank of each marine eye, and is firmly shrunk about both the shank of the corresponding marine eye, and about the luff rope in proximity to the shank. A drum affixed to the lower marine eye includes a bearing assembly having an upper race, and is disposed within the drum body which contains a lower race, the bearing assembly suspended between a plurality of lower balls disposed between the upper race and the lower race, and a single upper ball. Means for restricting an excursion of the upper race relative to the lower race prevents the lower balls from distortion beyond their breaking point.

Abstract: The disclosed device is directed toward a furling swivel mechanism comprising a liner defining a vertical centerline. An inner sleeve is disposed on the liner and the inner sleeve defines an inner sleeve recess. An outer sleeve is rotatably coupled to the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve defines an outer sleeve recess. A headsail yoke is coupled to the inner sleeve recess. A halyard yoke is coupled to the outer sleeve recess. The inner sleeve recess and the outer sleeve recess are configured to form a zero moment along the vertical centerline.

Abstract: A releasable pre-feeder guides a luft rope of a main sail into a groove in a mast.

Abstract: A device for winding sails comprises at least an outer contoured element wound on and made rigid with an inner contoured element for transmitting a torque required for winding a sail being wound on the outer contoured element. The device allows to wind and unwind large size sails, for bearing arrangements, such as asymmetrical spinnakers, or sails of a same type, such as gennakers or MPS's.

Abstract: The invention is a rigid supporting member that changes position within a pocket of sheet material to accommodate a deployed position and a stowed position, as may be used, for example, with battens in roller furling sails. The member is placed within the pocket formed within sheets of a pliable material, or attached to the pliable material, and the member is movably secured within the pocket, such as with a pivoting fixture. The member may be rotated into a first position that supports a shape of the pliable material when the pliable material is deployed, and a second position that accommodates stowage of the pliable material through folding, rolling, or the like. A variety of control systems may be used to control rotation or other movement of the member, and to control deployment and stowage of the pliable material.

Abstract: A furling sail system for rotatably dispensing and retrieving a furling sail has a rotating swivel and drum for attachment to the sail. Each of the drum and swivel have a body with a perimeter, with cordage attachment means on the body for attaching the furling sail with a length of cordage. The cordage attachment means have a pair of cooperating passages for guiding a length of cordage about at least 40% of the respective body perimeter.

Abstract: A furling boom comprising: a drive housing adapted for mounting on a mast, the housing comprising a drive take off and a boom support. A boom of substantially c-shaped cross section is pivotally connected to said boom support by a universal joint and having its opening facing upwardly. An elongated mandrel extends within the boom and is connected at one end by a universal joint to the drive take off and at its other end by a rotating floating axle pivotally connected to the free end of the boom, whereby the foot of a said is connected to the mandrel and furled thereabout upon rotation of said mandrel. A drive unit mounted on said drive housing. The floating axle prevents binding and friction during furling and unfurling when the mandrel is bent upwardly. The drive housing reinforces the mast at the connection of the boom.

Abstract: A plastic roller furling apparatus includes an elongated member or furling element and one or more longitudinally extending wires encased therein. The wire or wires of twisted stainless steel are extruded or molded into the member. The member also defines a central opening or passageway which is dimensioned to fit loosely around a stay on which the apparatus is installed. The furling element also includes one or two grooved luff foils which are formed in and extended along the length of the plastic member. Bearing means are also provided at or near the base of the plastic member and a furling drum or jib sail spool is used to rotate the plastic member about a stay to furl the sail. The plastic member may also include longitudinally extending segments which divide the plastic member into two pieces. The segments each include fastening means for fastening the two segments together along their length.

Abstract: A rolling reef system for the main sail (4) of a sailing vessel, the said main sail having an after leech (5), an under leech (7) secured to the boom (3) and a fore leech (6) connected to the mast (2), wherein said boom can be mounted on the mast in such a manner that it is both rotatable along its longitudinal axis and can be swivelled about the mast. The main sail is provided with one or more battens (11, 12) extending practically parallel to the under leech (7) from the after leech up to the fore leech (6). At the end of the boom (3) that is adjacent to the mast, the boom is provided with a disc (9) extending coaxially to the boom and having a significant larger diameter than the boom itself. The fore leech of the main sail comprises a rope (13) having a relatively small guiding profile, said rope is slidably accommodated by and retained in a guiding profile (14) secured to the mast, the said profile extending over practically the entire height of the main sail.

Abstract: A roller furling element for installation on a head stay of a sail boat, the element including two longitudinally extending hollow outer extrusions in an end-to-end abutting relationship. A two piece splice assembly joins the extrusions together and provides the torsional strength needed for a furling element. The two piece splice assembly includes a central axis and a longitudinally extending forward or nose portion having a curved outer surface and rearwardly extending projections each including a longitudinally extending groove. A tail piece includes a pair of longitudinally extending outwardly extending projections which are adapted to fit into the parallel notches in the forward portion. A transverse passageway extends into the nose and tail portions when the two portions are aligned so that a rod or button can be inserted.

Abstract: A plastic roller furling apparatus includes an elongated member or furling element and a pair of longitudinally extending parallel wires encased therein. The wires of twisted stainless steel are extruded or molded into the member. The member also defines a central opening or passageway which extends therethrough. This passageway is dimensioned or sized to fit loosely around a stay in which the apparatus is installed. The furling element also includes one and preferably two grooved luff foils which are formed in and extended along the length of the plastic member. Split bearing means are also provided at or near the base of the plastic member and a furling drum or jib sail spool is provided for rotating the plastic member about a stay to furl the sail. The plastic member also includes first and second longitudinally extending segments which extend along the length of and divide the plastic member into two pieces.

Abstract: An arrangement for a sailing boat which exhibits a jib furling system (2) comprising a sail furling part (5) extending between the hull and mast of the boat, which sail furling part is rotatably driven by means of a manually actuated operating line (6) which drives a drive part (7) that is connected to the aforementioned sail furling part (5) to achieve furling of the foresail around the aforementioned rotatable sail furling part (5), and so that unfurling of the sail from the aforementioned sail furling part (5) is possible. A gear (9) is arranged between the aforementioned drive part (7) and the rotatable sail furling part (5). The gear (9) is provided with devices to enable gearing to be obtained between the aforementioned drive part (7) and the rotatable sail furling part (5).

Abstract: A plastic roller furling apparatus includes an elongated member or furling element and a pair of longitudinally extending parallel wires encased therein. The member also defines a central opening or passageway which extends therethrough. This passageway is dimensioned or sized to fit loosely around a stay in which the apparatus is installed. The furling element also includes one and preferably two grooved luff foils which are formed in and extend along the length of the plastic member. Split bearing elements are provided at or near the base of the plastic member and a furling drum or jib sail spool is provided for rotating the plastic member about a stay to furl the sail. The plastic member also includes first and second longitudinally extending segments which extend along the length of and divide the plastic member into two pieces. The segments each include integral fasteners for fastening the two segments together along their length.

Abstract: A reefed sail including an inflatable luff chamber which forms an integral part of the sail and defines a reefing axis.

Abstract: A sail fastening apparatus (18) for a yacht. The apparatus (18) comprises a first track (21) extending along a sail clew (12) in a direction generally normal to a preferred vertical sheeting angle of the sail, a first carriage (22) slidably mounted for movement along the first track (21), and a sheet (16) extending between the first carriage and a sheeting point (27) on the yacht aft of the clew. The first carriage tends automatically to adopt a stable equilibrium position on the track such that the preferred vertical sheeting angle (B) for the sail is maintained.

Abstract: The mainsail reefing system embodying the invention comprises a winding tube mounted rotatably parallel to the boom, and a device for rotatably driving the winding tube, mounted coaxially at the end of the latter situated on the side of the boom end secured to the mast, the mainsail being slidably mounted onto the mast by a bolt rope, integral with the sail, sliding in a recess extending over the entire length of the mast, the recess being made in a profiled member fixed parallel to and at a distance from the mast so as to form a slot between the profiled member and the mast, and so that the recess is situated vertically above the area for winding the bolt rope around the winding tube.

Abstract: The invention relates to a boom for a sailing boat including: an elongate structure which bounds a cavity extending in longitudinal direction; a slotted hole extending on the top side thereof in longitudinal direction; and a pulling member drivable by a first drive means and extending in a longitudinal direction for pulling through the slotted hole into the cavity and storing therein a part of the sail to be rendered inoperative. The invention provides a boom of the type stated in the background which has the feature that the slotted hole is bounded by two mutually parallel prismatic edges with which a carriage movable therealong co-acts such that the carriage prevents a relative displacement of these edges away from each other, which carriage is movable at least partly by second drive means.

Abstract: A canopy assembly (10) comprising a canopy fabric (20) and furling means (40) extending between a pair of supports (30). The furling means (40) runs through the canopy fabric such that the canopy may be unfurled from both sides of the furling means simultaneously. Both free corners (22, 24) of the unfurled canopy are tethered to the ground or posts (50) to provide a taut smooth canopy. The tension in the furling means (40) is adjustable such that it remains substantially straight and taut in a furling condition, and in an erected condition may be relaxed to conform to the curved shape of the canopy.

Abstract: A maritime sail furling mechanism furls a sail around a rotating luff extrusion from an open to a furled position in a natural fashion while functioning under load. A novel bearing assembly, including upper and lower bearing portions, accommodates static and horizontal loads, and rotates with both the luff extrusion and the sail cable wire. The sail boat mainsail furling and unfurling device includes a rotatable cable with the luff extrusion, around which extrusion the mainsail is wound while the sailboat is under motor power. Each upper and lower bearing portion includes several cylindrical hollow members, one middle member of these members freely rotates as a collar about a circular array of tapered roller bearings placed with their tip ends at a center of a sunburst pattern cage. The tapered roller bearings rotate axially, but their spherical heads, located away from the center of the array, rotate about the circumferential collar.

Abstract: A sailboat with roller furling has a first foresail rolled about a forestay by suitable rotatable gearing. A second foresail includes a flap secured along one side of the second foresail adjacent its luff and which flap extends about the furled first foresail for releasable securement to a strip sewn along the opposite side of the second foresail. In this manner, a second foresail can be deployed while the first foresail remains roller furled.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement for a driving device for sails on a boat and comprises a worm gear acting between the driving device and a sail furling stay and/or sail furling shaft on the mast. In order, amongst other things, to obtain a compact driving unit, and thus to reduce the space requirements on board the boat in question, the driving device is accommodated internally within a space in the worm gear, inside its worm gear screw, with the driving device arranged coaxially with the screw.

Abstract: A furling line tensioning device is provided to control the line coiling action of a roller-reefing drum, comprising a cam-type cleat having a sailboat mounting base, first and second cam members on the base and having opposed cam walls receiving a furling line therebetween, at least one cam member being movable and spring-biased toward a closed position to maintain a tensioning force on a furling line during its movement in one direction.

Abstract: The device for adjustable height fastening of the tack point of a sail on the sail reefer according to the invention uses a sail tack point fastening ring, mounted slidably on the reefer tube, and a screw enabling this ring to be immobilized on the tube at the required height. The invention enables sail tension to be adjusted without recourse to a pulley block.

Abstract: A luff roller reefing and roller furling sail is provided with a luff pad (6) made up of a laminate of a sail fabric (1) adhesively bonded to a polyurethane elastomeric foam (3). The pad is then adhesively bonded and/or stitched to the length of the luff of a sail (5), tapered from mid-luff to the tack and head. A luff tape is preferably adhesively bonded and stitched over each face of the laminate. When the sail is furled, the tapered luff pad provides bulk to cause more fabric to be drawn from the central portion of the sail, reducing draft and controlling position of the draft in partially furled conditions, and maintaining aerodynamically sound shape in the sail for windward performance.

Abstract: A system for automatically causing a flexible sail to be brought to its optimum position with respect to the wind direction includes a sail holding member installed on the front of the hull and rope winders installed at rear portions of the hull, a flexible sail having its front end attached to the sail holding member and its rear end tied to the ropes wound on the winders, a wind direction detector for detecting wind direction, and a control unit which determines rope winding amounts on the basis of an output from the wind direction detector, and which actuates the rope winders on the basis of the determined values.

Abstract: A boom for a sailing vessel has a forked forward portion hinged to the mast at spaced locations to permit rotation or swinging of the boom only in a horizontal plane.

Abstract: The invetnion proves for flattening a cambered flexible sheet, usually a marine sail, by rolling a supporting edge of the sheet, typically the luff of a sail, on a rotatable support member. Applied to a sail, the invention provides a bolt rope and tape which effectively attaches only an intermediate portion of the luff to a rotatable stay member. A flexible material is also provided and this surrounds the stay member and extends over at least those portions of the luff which are not effectively attached to the stay member by the bolt rope and tape. When the sail is being reefed, that portion of the sail, which the bolt rope is attached to, is first wrapped around the stay member to reef the sail progressively in a flattening fashion.

Abstract: A sail winder, more particularly a mainsail winder tube, made of a tube or similar profile rotating about its axis under the action of a control system, to which the sail is rigidly connected and about which it winds, and wherein a control system, made of a toothed pulley, is accommodated inside the mast foot or beneath the mast foot.The winder includes, for hauling the sail, a halyard passing in a higher portion of the winder tube over a pulley rigidly connected to the tube and rotating therewith, with the halyard passing inside the tube and exiting from the winder tube via another pulley rigidly connectd to a fixed portion of the winder.

Abstract: A sailing boat with an A-shaped mast pivotally connected to the topside of the cabin and sloping forwardly from the connection points. A backstay holds the mast in its inclined operating position. The jib and the mainsail are furling sails and are attached to forestays connected between the forward portion of the vessel and the mast.

Abstract: A sail reducing winder is provided comprising a rotary tube parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mast as well as a device for holding this tube in position, which has at least two curved wings joined together by one of their ends by a connecting element able to be mounted on the mast, these two wings partially surrounding the tube and having, opposite the connecting element, two respective end edges extending parallel to the tube and defining an axial passage zone for the sail, the wings being offset axially so that their end edges are axially spaced apart from each other by a given distance.

Abstract: In a sailboat having a sail such as a Genoa jib with roller reefing for spirally winding the sail on a fairing around a stay, a winch mechanism for turning the fairing about the stay and spirally winding the sail to and from the fairing is disclosed. The winch includes a high mechanical advantage clutch, preferably a cone clutch, normally engaged by load between the sail and sheet exerting an unwinding force upon the fairing through the normally engaged clutch to a normally stationary clutch driving shaft. The clutch driving shaft has a first clutch member ratchetted from the vessel to permit turning of the entire clutch for taking in of the sail. The clutch includes a second clutch member attached for rotation with the fairing relative to the vessel and driven for both sail take-up and let out by the normally stationary clutch driving shaft. The normally stationary clutch driving shaft is in turn driven usually by a hydraulic motor or upon motor failure by a ratchetted winch handle.

Abstract: A rigging and sail system for a sailboat including a rotatable mast having mounted thereon for rotation therewith, a pair of upper and lower booms extending transversely of the mast. The booms are connected to the mast through upper and lower tension members extending between the mast and the outer ends of the booms respectively and vertical fore and aft tension members extending between outer end portions of the booms on opposite sides of the mast. A pair of sails such as a main and jib are sheeted to and between the booms on opposite sides of the mast to be movable with the booms relative to the hull, and with the jib being movable relative to the booms to allow self-tacking during use merely upon steering the sailboat across the wind.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for rotatably driving a winding-up/unwinding support, particularly a winding-up/unwinding tube for a sail. This apparatus comprises a transmission shaft (7) having an upper extremity provided with means for fixation (8) to a support, a manual control member (9, 10, 11) able to be actuated manually, a hydraulic motor (13) comprising a motor shaft (15) having one upper extremity of a form able to lodge the lower extremity of the transmission shaft (7), a clutch apparatus controlled by means of a fluid under pressure and having a clutch member (27) movable along the transmission shaft (7) and adapted to solidly connect said transmission shaft and the motor shaft (15) when the clutch apparatus is subjected to the pressure of the fluid, and the transmission shaft (7) and the manual control member (9, 10, 11) in the absence of fluid, and feed means adapted to simultaneously deliver a fluid to the hydraulic motor (13) and the clutch apparatus.

Abstract: An airfoil device includes an inflatable structure for attachment to an existing sail to form a sail assembly. The inflatable structure is dimensioned and arranged to extend over a substantial portion of the existing sail and a valve arrangement is included for enabling a user to inflate and deflate the inflatable structure while it is so attached to thereby vary the sail assembly shape. The inflatable structure includes inner and outer layers that define an enclosed interior suitable to contain a pressurized gas for inflation purposes, and they are dimensioned and arranged to provide an airfoil shape to the sail assembly when the inflatable structure is inflated. The inflatable structure may be arranged to be either removably or fixedly attached, and various configurations are disclosed to enable use with various types of sails for all points of sailing under various wind conditions.

Abstract: A device which allows hanking characterized by improved apparatus in a boat with a conventional mast, a plurality of lines and accessories, roller furling jib headsail, comprising a large diameter ring disposed about the furling jib system and furled said headsail wiht rollers that allow said ring to move vertically along said furling jib system and headsail without damage to said headsail for most efficiently controlling a cruising spinnaker sail in a vertical plane. Also disclosed are details of the rings and rollers thereon.

Abstract: A rig for a sail-carrying boat comprises a mast having an axially-extending luff track, a sail having a bead-shaped luff formed by a longitudinally folded flat ribbon sewn to the front edge of the sail cloth, the bead-shaped luff being inserted in the luff track, and a boom secured to the mast by a pivotable joint, the boom including a tubular body and a rod rotatably mounted in the tubular body and to which the bottom edge of the sail is secured, such that rotation of the rod during reefing causes the sail to be wrapped therearound.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improvement in boat sails, which consists in providing one of the faces of the sail, and over at least part of the length of its leech, with a flat reinforcement which is thick with respect to the sail, and which is made from an elastically deformable material, the reinforcement being substantially constant and extending from the leech and in parallel thereto. The invention finds an application with sails mounted on a winding boom.

Abstract: A bearing which is to be acted upon by an axial load applied at a point radially displaced outside the bearing and which provides even load distribution. A number of bearing supports are distributed around the circumference of the bearing and are so arranged that the load is transferred to the bearing at a point displaced radially inwards toward the center of the bearing.