With Rig Means Providing Vertical Lift Patents (Class 114/39.13)
  • Patent number: 6779473
    Abstract: A sailing craft that can transform from wind propulsion mode to flying mode, comprises a body and two sails or wings each pivotally connected to a common boom which is supported by a spar pivotally connected to the body. The dihedral angle between the wings can be varied by a system of adjustable stays between the masts and the upper and lower ends of the spar. In sailing mode, either wing can be tilted essentially upright and swung relative to the axis of the body to derive propulsion from the apparent wind whilst the other is essentially horizontal to develop counter balancing moments. In flying mode, both sails can be tilted essentially horizontal to derive lift from the apparent wind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Inventor: Douglas James Maconochie
  • Patent number: 6662738
    Abstract: A lifting-sail rig and method comprising airfoils, or efficient aerodynamically shaped leading edge soft sails, supported by an improved non-interfering fixed mast rig positioned away from the lifting-sail for increased aerodynamic efficiency and ease of sail or airfoil control. Stable sailboat performance is achieved at a higher speed for multihulls and widened beam monohulls for supporting the lifting-sail rig. The improved lifting-sail rig balances the large wind driven forces that have resulted in the capsizing of conventional monohull sailboats, and the pitch poling of multihulls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Inventor: David Allen Estabrooks
  • Publication number: 20030116071
    Abstract: A control device for a kite comprises an elongate rigid control bar extending either side of a central region to provide separated hand-grippable regions for a kite user and anchor points for first and second control lines of a kite. A third control line for the kite is attached to a harness loop at one end and extends from the harness loop towards the kite. A stopper is rigidly fixed to the third control line adjacent the harness loop. The stopper is wedge shaped in a predetermined plane. A body is attached to the central region of the control bar. The body has a cavity for releasably receiving the stopper and an opening in a wall of the cavity. The cavity is wedge shape towards the opening for rotating the stopper to the predetermined plane when it engages against the inner walls of the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventor: David Starbuck
  • Patent number: 6513759
    Abstract: A control device for a surfer's sports kite has a hand-holdable elongate control bar for steering the kite. A central control line is used for changing the effective curvature of the kite and therefore the power generated by the kite. The control device includes an open-top body mounted at the center of the control bar and attached to a harness loop. The harness loop is arranged to be attached to a harness hook of the surfer in use. A stopper fixed on the control line fits in the body. On the one hand, the stopper is shaped to maintain the line (and hence the harness loop) in particular orientations for ease of fitting the loop to the hook. On the other hand, when the ball is moved to the right in the Figure, the ball is free to rotate to allow the surfer to untwist the control lines, when required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Neil Pryde Limited
    Inventor: David Starbuck
  • Patent number: 6435118
    Abstract: A sailboat with a planning hull and a mast stepped aft of amidship. The mail sail and foresails are loose footed and attached to a midstay and forestay respectively. The mast is angled towards the rear of the boat and the resultant configuration eliminates the downward force conventional sail configuration imparts on the sailboat. The sailboat has a keel however does not use ballast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Inventor: William Douglas Pawley, Jr.