Abstract: A bearing block has a head containing a totatably mounted post to enable attachment of the block on a support. A manually operated latch mechanism is mounted in the head, and the latch may be moved into engagement with one or more recesses in the post to lock the post in a given position.

Abstract: The features of a known auto shifting three speed winch having a drive shaft and rotatable drum are used to provide first, third and fourth gears upon reversal of rotation of the drive shaft. The third and fourth gears use common gearing and the final gear meshed with the drum. A separate drive train is provided for second gear and includes planetary gears having carriers secured to the drum and operating between a sun gear on the shaft and an outer ring gear. Second gear is selected by means of pawls brought into engagement with a ratchet track on the ring gear, with the pawls being connected to torsion springs controlled manually by a lever arrangement. When second gear is engaged, the winch can shift between only second and third, with fourth being overridden.

Abstract: A sailboat winch used for trimming lines of alternate sails, such as a jib and a spinnaker, has a drum with upper and lower drum portions of different diameters separated by a continuous radially projecting lip. The upper drum portion has a first diameter and is used for trimming the jib at maximum power. The lower drum portion has a diameter greater than the first diameter and is used for trimming the spinnaker lines. The radial extent of the lip is sufficient to prevent a line, when wrapped on the lower drum, from slipping upwardly and becoming disengaged from the lower drum.

Abstract: A slider assembly useful as a working part on a sailing vessel includes a track and a slider mounted on the track. The slider includes a pair of U-shaped end pieces held in a spaced relationship by side pins and a central pin. Tubular bushings are mounted on the side pins and in sliding engagement with the grooves of the track.

Abstract: A bearing block has a sheave rotatably mounted between a pair of side plates. A plurality of exposed ball bearings are mounted in the side plates for bearing engagement with the sides of the sheave. The ball bearings can circulate and are either provided in a circular groove or in arcs having a ball return channel connected between the ends of each arc. Location of thrust bearings in the side plates allows for reduction in mass of the sheave and increased space for main bearing capacity.

Abstract: A resilient stand up device for a pulley or block includes a hollow rigid fitting between the block and a support. The fitting has open jaws at each end, with one set of jaws disposed at right angles to the other, with attachment pins extending between the jaws. A compressible elastomer member is disposed in the fitting under compression. The fitting enables the block to be tilted in two directions, with the elastomer member providing a restoring force.

Abstract: A furling foil rotatably mounted on a stay of a sailing vessel carries the forward edge of the sail, and the foil is rotated to furl the sail. The foil is of composite construction and has an inner reinforcing braided layer of high tensile filaments extending helically in both directions to substantially increase the torsion resistance of the foil while allowing the foil to be bent or coiled along its length for easy transportation and storage.

Abstract: A bearing block has a central hub with a pair of circular grooves near the sides of the hub. The grooves define an inner ball race and also define an outer ball bearing retaining lip. A ring-shaped sheave is disposed around the hub and has a pair of recesses in the sides, which define an outer bearing race and a thrust bearing race. Ball bearings are snap fitted into the races over the lips, such as that the bearings are self-contained in the assembly.

Abstract: The outer race of a roller bearing sheave is omitted so that the bearings are in direct engagement with a line. A retainer for the ends of the bearings is provided to allow the bearings to rotate and recirculate around an inner race. The rollers deflect portions of the line equally to equalize the load and to prevent high stresses on individual rollers.

Abstract: A backwind feature is provided on a line-receiving winch and is particularly suitable for use on high capacity sailboat winches. The winch includes a main drive train to drive the drum of the winch in a winding direction and to prevent rotation in the opposite direction. A planetary gear assembly is provided on the output shaft of the winch, which permits independent rotation of the drum by a separate worm drive, without the need to disconnect any portion of the main drive.

Abstract: A manually operated winch crank is characterized by a crank arm having a shaft extending at right angles to the arm, a tubular handle rotatably mounted on the shaft, and a reduced height knob rotatably mounted above the tubular handle. The tubular handle is manually operated with the palm parallel to the axis of rotation, and the knob is operated with the palm perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A snatch block which may be opened to receive a line has a sheave assembly and a pair of sideplates on the sides of the sheave assembly, as well as a head connecting the sideplates. One of the sideplates and sheave is hinged from the head and can pivot toward and away from the other sideplate. A spring loaded plunger is carried by the sheave and engages an aperture in the other sideplate to lock the assembly. The plunger is pushed by a lever in the other direction to open the block.

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: A bearing block having an inner and outer race is provided with an enlarged axial opening through the unloaded portion of the inner race and is selectively reinforced in the region carrying the load, in order to provide an improved strength to weight ratio.

Abstract: A low profile fairlead has a plurality of blocks support in a spaced relation along the arc of a circle to simulate a single bearing block of larger diameter.

Abstract: A traveler track is provided for supporting the sail of a sailboat, and is itself supported by a plurality of lugs which are received in a rearwardly facing groove in the mast, which would normally receive the boltrope of the sail. The lugs are slidable in the groove during installation, and are loosely secured by threaded fasteners at spaced locations to the track sections. Successive sections are installed by pushing up previous sections loosely installed in the groove. After all sections have been installed, the threaded fasteners are tightened to place tension between the track and the portion of the lug engaged in the groove.