Patents by Inventor Charles Kenneth Ford

Charles Kenneth Ford has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Storable, sickle-shaped sailboat mast
    Patent number: 8739720
    Abstract: A sailboat mast including a straight lower portion and a curved upper portion. The curved upper portion has an aerodynamically efficient cross section designed to reduce drag. The mast assembly is free to rotate with respect to the boat's hull in order to position the mast in line with the airflow for windward sailing, perpendicular to the airflow for downwind sailing, and at other appropriate angles for other conditions. The curved upper portion of the mast facilitates storage of the mast along a curved gunwale. The mast preferably incorporates a curved mast extension allowing an increase in the sail area beyond what is possible for a one-piece mast that is storable within the length of a boat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: The Florida State Univerity Technology Transfer Office
    Inventor: Charles Kenneth Ford
  • Storable, sickle-shaped sailboat mast
    Publication number: 20090173264
    Abstract: A sailboat mast including a straight lower portion and a curved upper portion. The curved upper portion has an aerodynamically efficient cross section designed to reduce drag. The mast assembly is free to rotate with respect to the boat's hull in order to position the mast in line with the airflow for windward sailing, perpendicular to the airflow for downwind sailing, and at other appropriate angles for other conditions. The curved upper portion of the mast facilitates storage of the mast along a curved gunwale. The mast preferably incorporates a curved mast extension allowing an increase in the sail area beyond what is possible for a one-piece mast that is storable within the length of a boat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventor: Charles Kenneth Ford
  • Storable, sickle-shaped sailboat mast utilizing constant curvature and a curved mast extension
    Publication number: 20080092793
    Abstract: A sailboat mast including a straight lower portion and an arcuate upper portion. The arcuate upper portion has an aerodynamically efficient cross section designed to reduce drag. At least the arcuate upper portion is free to rotate with respect to the boat's hull in order to position the mast in line with the airflow for windward sailing, perpendicular to the airflow for downwind sailing, and at other appropriate angles for other conditions. The arcuate upper portion of the mast facilitates storage of the mast along a curved gunwale. The mast preferably incorporates a curved mast extension allowing an increase in the sail area beyond what is possible for a one-piece mast that is storable within the length of a boat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Inventor: Charles Kenneth Ford