MAST FOR SAILING VESSELS

Abstract

A mast for sailing vessels and method for assembling a mast for sailing vessels. The mast has multiple mast sections connectable to one another. At least two mast sections are embodied or formed as base sections which have identical outer contours and are assemblable in a non-rotatable manner. The mast is suitable for sailing ships with a length of at least 9 m and which can be produced in a cost-effective manner.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of European Patent Application No. 14 150 229.4, filed Jan. 6, 2014, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a mast for sailing vessels with multiple mast sections that are connected to one another.

2. Discussion of Background Information

A mast of this type is known from German Application No. DE 195 35 000 A1. The individual mast sections are therein connected to one another by joints so that the mast can be folded together and further transported. However, there are significant concerns as to whether the mast can withstand the necessary stresses, in particular in the case of larger sailing vessels such as sailing ships in the class of 9 m to 15 m.

Another two-part mast for sailboats is known from German Gebrauchsmuster DE 1 996 852 U1. One mast part therein has a cone, and the other mast part has a mating cone. The two mast parts are connected in that the cone is inserted into the mating cone. The mast can thus be overall conically designed.

SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a mast suitable for sailing ships with a length of at least 9 m and which can be produced in a cost-effective manner.

Accordingly, a mast of the type named at the outset includes at least two mast sections embodied or formed as base sections which comprise identical outer contours and are assembled in a non-rotatable manner.

The mast is thus formed using multiple identically-constructed mast sections. Preferably, all mast sections, possibly with the exception of one section at the upper end of the mast, are even provided with the same outer contour. A cost-effective production can thus be achieved, since relatively short mast sections, the length of which is a few meters, can be produced in an identical manner. These mast sections can be formed using carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP). In this case, correspondingly short tools are required. Nevertheless, larger masts with a length of, e.g., 12 m or more, can also be achieved. Since the base sections not only comprise the same outer contour, but are also assembled in a non-rotatable manner, the outer contour can be specified in a predetermined manner. The base sections, which can also be referred to as “panels,” can preferably be assembled only in a predetermined angular alignment with one another so that there are no breaks in the outer contour of the mast. In this manner, a standardized modular rig system can be obtained.

Preferably, adjacent base sections are connected to one another by one insertion sleeve each. This further keeps the production costs for the mast low. The base sections and the insertion sleeve used to connect two base sections can be manufactured separately from one another. The sleeve can also be referred to as an “adapter.”

Here, it is preferred that the insertion sleeve is captively retained in a base section. The insertion sleeve can be, e.g., bonded into place in the base section.

Preferably, the base section comprises an insertion region in which a sleeve receptacle is arranged. The sleeve receptacle, which can also be referred to as an “insert,” then accommodates the insertion sleeve of an adjacent base section when the two base sections are assembled. The sleeve receptacle can also be produced independently of the base section, which further keeps the production costs low. The sleeve receptacle can, for example, be bonded into place in the base section or be attached in a different manner. The sleeve receptacle can be embodied or formed with an inner contour which corresponds to the outer contour of the insertion sleeve so that two adjacent base sections are connected to one another virtually without play.

Preferably, each base section has openings at predetermined, identical positions. These openings can also be directly provided in the production of the base sections so that the production costs can further be kept low. Should additional openings subsequently be necessary for a particular base section, these can, of course, be produced. Apart from this, however, it is harmless if a base section is arranged in a position of the mast where an opening would not actually be necessary.

Here, it is preferred that at least one first opening is arranged on a front side and/or a rear side of the base section and at least one second opening is arranged on a lateral flank of the base section. The directional indications refer to the eventual purpose of use when the mast is installed on a ship. The second opening or the second openings can then be used as shroud outlets through which the shrouds can be guided in order to laterally stabilize the mast. The first openings on the front side or the rear side can be used to feed through halyards or stays, for example, for sails.

Preferably, the base section in the region of the openings comprises a reinforced wall thickness. First, a weakening of the wall basically results from an opening. This weakness can be compensated again by a reinforcement of the wall thickness.

Preferably, the base section has an inner profile with two walls which, at least in sub-regions, run parallel to one another. An embodiment of this type allows rotation prevention between adjacent base sections to be achieved with sufficient stability in a simple manner. The insertion sleeve can then have, at least approximately, a rectangular cross section, the parallel sides of which can be supported on the sub-regions. The base section or the panel can therefore be embodied or formed such that the largest portions are concentrated (in the installed state) in the corners, which can be referred to as the “backbones,” in the front and/or in the rear for the geometric moment of inertia in the direction of travel and transverse to the direction of travel. On the one hand, this has the advantage that holes can be provided in front and laterally without exceedingly weakening the panels. On the other hand, there results the advantage that the inner contour can be embodied or formed such that a non-rotatable arrangement of insertion sleeves and sleeve receptacle can be introduced in the interior. The front backbones in particular are therefore advantageously provided to form a basis for the sub-regions.

Preferably, each wall has two sub-regions which are arranged in the region of the front side thereof and in the region of the rear side thereof. A very effective support against a rotation of the base sections in relation to one another thus results.

Preferably, an outward curvature is provided between at least two of the sub-regions of a wall. This allows the mast to be given an aerodynamically advantageous profile. This curvature can be designed such that the mast has a cross section in the form of an ellipse.

Preferably, the base section comprises a wall reinforcement of at least one sub-region of at least one wall. This wall reinforcement is then located in the position where the insertion sleeve acts on the base section. There, increased mechanical stability is advantageous. The reinforcement can be formed by a laminate designed to handle the expected loads with the fiber alignments suitable therefor.

Here, it is preferred that the wall reinforcement comprises two material layers which form between them an intermediate space. This intermediate space can be filled with a filler material. However, this intermediate space can also be used to form a channel here which, for example, can be used for a cable.

Preferably, at least one material layer comprises a fiber-reinforced plastic, the reinforcing fibers of which run parallel to the longitudinal extension of the base section. Here, particularly a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic can be used, the reinforcing fibers of which form a 0° layer. By means of this 0° layer (relative to the longitudinal extension of the base section), the rigidity and the geometric moment of inertia of the base section can be adjusted for large ships.

Preferably, one spreader bolt each is inserted through every base section. Spreaders can later be mounted on the spreader bolt. The spreader bolt can advantageously be arranged in the region of an insertion sleeve, which results in increased stability.

It is also advantageous that the base section of the spreader bolt has a reinforcement. This reinforcement can, for example, be formed by the insertion sleeve. The spreader bolts and the reinforcements thus form a type of “node,” by which the mast is divided into short effective column lengths. Furthermore, the stability failure around the transversal axis is additionally stiffened, whereby the sizing of the profile of the base section can be lighter than would be the case with a continuous, uniformly embodied profile. The inclusion of the reinforcements from the insertion connections in the rigidity consideration and/or the design of the mast against stability failure thus constitutes another feature of the modular rig concept.

Preferably, the spreader bolt forms an attachment section in the interior of the base section, around which attachment section an element of the rigging is guided. For example, elements of the rigging, such as shrouds or stays and also blocks for halyards, can be provided with loops through which the spreader bolt is inserted. Rivet-fastened fittings, with which the problem of corrosion often occurs, thus become unnecessary.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a mast for sailing vessels. The mast includes multiple mast sections connectable to one another. At least two mast sections are formed as base sections having identical outer contours and are assemblable in a non-rotatable manner.

According to embodiments, adjacent base sections can be connectable to one another by one insertion sleeve. The insertion sleeve may be captively retained in a base section. The base section can include an insertion region in which a sleeve receptacle is arranged.

In accordance with embodiments of the invention, each base section may include openings at predetermined, identical positions. The openings can include at least one first opening arranged on at least one of a front side and a rear side of the base section; and at least one second opening arranged on at least one side wall of the base section. The base section may include a reinforced wall thickness in the region of the openings.

According to embodiments, the base section can have an inner profile with two walls which, at least in sub-regions, run parallel to one another. Each wall may include two sub-regions which are arranged in a region of a front side of the base section and in a region of a rear side of the base section. An outward curvature can be provided between at least two of the sub-regions of a wall. The base section may include a wall reinforcement on at least one sub-region of at least one wall. The wall reinforcement can have two material layers which form between them an intermediate space. At least one material layer can include a fiber-reinforced plastic, the reinforcing fibers of which may run parallel to the longitudinal extension of the base section.

In other embodiments, one spreader bolt can be inserted through each base section. The spreader bolt can form an attachment section in an interior of the base section, around which an element of the rigging is guidable. The base section can include a reinforcement in a region of the spreader bolt.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a method of assembling a mast for sailing vessels. The method includes non-rotatably connecting a plurality of mast sections to one another. At least two of the plurality of mast sections are formed as base sections having identical outer contours.

In accordance with still yet other embodiments of the present invention, the base sections may include sleeve receptacles and the method can further include inserting an insertion sleeve into the sleeve receptacles of adjacent base sections. One end of the insertion sleeve can be captively retained in the sleeve receptacle of one of the adjacent base sections.

Other exemplary embodiments and advantages of the present invention may be ascertained by reviewing the present disclosure and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is further described in the detailed description which follows, in reference to the noted plurality of drawings by way of non-limiting examples of exemplary embodiments of the present invention, in which like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings, and wherein:

FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C show different embodiments of masts with mast sections according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic sectional view for the purpose of illustrating a mast profile;

FIG. 3 shows two base sections during assembly; and

FIG. 4 shows a portion from a mast in a region of a transition between two base sections.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The particulars shown herein are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the present invention only and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the present invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the present invention in more detail than is necessary for the fundamental understanding of the present invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the present invention may be embodied in practice.

FIG. 1A shows a mast 1 for a sailing ship with a length of at least 9 m. The illustrated mast includes four base sections 2-5. Each base section 2-5 is formed from carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) and has a length of approximately 3 m. There thus results a total height of the mast of approximately 12 m.

FIG. 1B shows a mast 1′ which is formed from three base sections 2-4 and an additional section 6, which replaces base section 5 of the mast from FIG. 1A. Section 6 can taper towards the tip and can be approximately 1 m to 1.4 m longer than base section 5.

FIG. 1C shows another mast 1″ which is also formed from four base sections 2-5 and a top part 7, which can also taper towards the top and can have a length of up to 3 m. This top part 7 can be mounted atop uppermost base section 5.

All base sections 2-5 have a same outer contour, e.g., as depicted in FIG. 2, which can be a cross-section through a base part 3.

The base sections 2-5 are assembled in a non-rotatable manner. For this purpose, the base sections 2-4 each have an insertion sleeve 8 which is bonded in place at the upper end in the respectively lower base section or is connected to the base section in another manner. The insertion sleeve 8 is inserted far enough into the base section. In many cases, it has proven sufficient to insert the insertion sleeve 8 into the base section to a length of approximately 300 mm. The insertion sleeve can have a length of 800 mm, for example, so that approximately 500 mm is available for insertion into the adjacent base section.

The connection between insertion sleeve 8 and base section 2 can also be accomplished in that an insert is first attached in the base section, for example by being bonded or molded in place or by similar measures, and in that insertion sleeve 8 is then connected to the insert.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic section through base section 3 with the inserted insertion sleeve 8 of the base section 2.

Base section 3 comprises a sleeve receptacle 9 which is embodied or formed as an insert and is attached in base section 3. Sleeve receptacle 9 is, for example, bonded to base section 3 or connected in another manner.

Insertion sleeve 8 and sleeve receptacle 9 are coordinated with one another such that they interact with virtually no play. In other words, insertion sleeve 8 is embodied or formed in an “externally fit” manner and sleeve receptacle 9 is embodied or formed in an “internally fit” manner.

Base section 3 has an egg shape or elliptical shape in cross section, however, this description of the shape is not to be understood in the mathematically precise sense. With this cross-section, there results an aerodynamically advantageous profile.

Base section 3 has a front side 10 and a rear side 11. The front side 10 is curved in an arch-like manner. In the rear side 11, a groove 12 is provided into which the luff of a sail can be inserted.

Between front side 10 and rear side 11, two side walls 13, 14 are provided which have an arch-shaped form. Only in the region of the rear side 11 do side walls 13, 14 externally transition into sections 15, 16 that are parallel to one another.

Base section 3 comprises an inner contour which deviates from the outer contour described above.

For example, each side wall 13, 14 has two sub-regions 17, 18 and 19, 20, respectively, wherein sub-regions 17, 19 extend parallel to one another and sub-regions 18, 20 extend parallel to one another. Sub-regions 17, 19 are arranged in the region of front side 10, and sub-regions 18, 20 are arranged in the region of rear side 11. Sub-regions 17, 18 preferably lie on one plane and sub-regions 19, 20 also preferably lie on one plane.

Thus, there results an excellent rotation prevention for sleeve receptacle 9 in section 3. The intermediate space between sleeve receptacle 9 and sub-regions 17-20, which is illustrated here for the sake of clarity, is in actuality not present or at least filled by an adhesive or the like.

Left side wall 13 comprises an outward curvature 21 between the sub-regions 17, 18. This curvature 21 can be provided internally with a reinforcement 22. Right side wall 14 also has a curvature 23 between the sub-regions 19, 20, which curvature can be provided with a reinforcement 24.

At sub-region 17, left side wall 13 has a wall reinforcement that is formed in that two material layers 25, 26 are provided which form between them an intermediate space 27. In a similar manner, sub-region 19 has a wall reinforcement with two material layers 28, 29 which between them form an intermediate space 30. Intermediate spaces 27, 30 can form a channel, for example for accommodating electric cables. However, they can also be filed with a filler or laminate. The filler can, for example, be used to adjust the moment of inertia in the direction of travel and transverse to the direction of travel.

At sub-regions 18, 20, side walls 13, 14 are simply provided with a greater wall thickness.

The profile of base section 3 described in this case is formed from carbon fiber-reinforced plastic. For production, it is possible to proceed by placing the CFRP pre-pregs into a mold, closing the mold and applying pressure to the interior 31 of base section 3. This application of pressure can be performed by a pressure fluid, that is, a liquid or a gas. Further, a tube, which then adheres to the interior of the base section 3, can also be used to apply pressure.

The individual reinforcements then result from a number, chosen to be appropriately large, of layers of CFRP pre-pregs. It is also possible to specifically affect the rigidity of the base sections, and therefore, of the mast using the orientation of the reinforcing fibers of the CFRP pre-pregs.

By using CFRP (carbon fiber-reinforced plastic), the mast can be embodied or formed with a relatively low mass.

As can be seen in FIG. 4, base section 2 comprises a first opening 31 on its front side 10. Analogous openings can also be provided on the rear side (not visible in FIG. 4), which openings are then located, however, outside of groove 12. Opening 31 is present in the same position on all base sections 2-5.

An additional opening can be present if, for example, a forestay is to be attached. In this case, an additional forestay bolt, around which a runner to the forestay is guided, can be set in addition to the spreader bolt.

Furthermore, base section 2 has a second opening 32 on its side wall 13. Right side wall 14 has an analogous opening. Second opening 32 is also present on all base sections 2.

In a manner not illustrated in greater detail, reinforcements can be provided around openings 31, 32, for example by additional layers of CFRP pre-pregs. Openings 31, 32 can already be provided in production in that corresponding regions in the mold are left free of CFRP pre-pregs. Of course, in place of carbon fibers as reinforcing fibers, other fibers can also be used as reinforcing fibers, for example, glass fibers or plastic fibers.

Above first opening 31, a spreader bolt 33 is guided through base section 2. Base section 2 has a reinforcement in the region of spreader bolt 33. This reinforcement can also be formed by insertion sleeve 8 bonded in place in base section 2.

A halyard 34 is illustrated schematically which is guided through first opening 31 and attached to spreader bolt 33 by a moveable pulley in base section 2.

In a similar manner, a shroud 35 is guided through second opening 32 and is likewise attached to spreader bolt 33.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, a spreader 36 is mounted on spreader bolt 33 and attached there. Spreader 36 can be embodied or formed with different sweep angles.

In an alternative embodiment, the spreader 36 can be pivotably embodied or formed on either side of spreader bolt 33.

A mast which has been assembled with the aid of the described base sections 2 has a number of advantages: On the one hand, it is embodied or formed as a modular rigging system in which individual parts can be exchanged without difficulty. This keeps the production costs and the inventory-stocking costs low. Since each base section 2 only has a limited length, the tool costs can be kept low. As a result of the bolts, for example, spreader bolts 33, inserted into base section 2 and onto which loops can be hung, a reliable attachment option is attained for the elements of the rigging, without corrosion-susceptible fittings being necessary. At the same time, the bolts can be used to attach the base sections to one another and thus satisfy a dual use. In addition, the local reinforcements which are, for example, formed from a bonded sleeve receptacle or insert and an insertion sleeve or adapter form, with a filled region, nodes similar to “nodes” in the bamboo plant. The mast is divided into short effective column lengths by these nodes. The stability failure around the transversal axis is also additionally reinforced. The sizing of the profile can thus be lighter. The inclusion of the reinforcements from the insertion connections in the rigidity consideration and/or the design of the mast against stability failure constitutes another feature of the modular rig concept.

The standardized modular construction also offers the advantage that the base sections can be adapted to different requirements without modification of the outer geometry. Normally, different geometric moments of inertia are also required for different ship sizes. As a result of the design of a base section 2 as a hollow profile, an adaptation of this type can be easily achieved by an adaptation of the wall thickness, that is, expressed in simple terms, by the selection of the number of layers of pre-pregs in combination with the design of the “backbones” 27, 30 as hollow chambers or as solid chambers filled with 0° layers. There thus results an extremely high level of design freedom for the embodiment of individual base sections 2 or panels, or for the combination of individual panels.

It is noted that the foregoing examples have been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the present invention. While the present invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it is understood that the words which have been used herein are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Changes may be made, within the purview of the appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention in its aspects. Although the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the present invention extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A mast for sailing vessels comprising:

multiple mast sections connectable to one another,

wherein at least two mast sections are formed as base sections having identical outer contours and assemblable in a non-rotatable manner.

2. The mast according to claim 1, wherein adjacent base sections are connectable to one another by one insertion sleeve.

3. The mast according to claim 2, wherein the insertion sleeve is captively retained in a base section.

4. The mast according to claim 3, wherein the base section comprises an insertion region in which a sleeve receptacle is arranged.

5. The mast according to claim 1, wherein each base section comprises openings at predetermined, identical positions.

6. The mast according to claim 5, wherein the openings comprise:

at least one first opening arranged on at least one of a front side and a rear side of the base section; and

at least one second opening arranged on at least one side wall of the base section.

7. The mast according to claim 5, wherein the base section comprises a reinforced wall thickness in the region of the openings.

8. The mast according to claim 1, wherein the base section has an inner profile with two walls which, at least in sub-regions, run parallel to one another.

9. The mast according to claim 8, wherein each wall comprises two sub-regions which are arranged in a region of a front side of the base section and in a region of a rear side of the base section.

10. The mast according to claim 8, wherein an outward curvature is provided between at least two of the sub-regions of a wall.

11. The mast according to claim 8, wherein the base section comprises a wall reinforcement on at least one sub-region of at least one wall.

12. The mast according to claim 11, wherein the wall reinforcement has two material layers which form between them an intermediate space.

13. The mast according to claim 12, wherein at least one material layer comprises a fiber-reinforced plastic, the reinforcing fibers of which run parallel to the longitudinal extension of the base section.

14. The mast according to claim 1, wherein one spreader bolt is inserted through each base section.

15. The mast according to claim 14, wherein the spreader bolt forms an attachment section in an interior of the base section, around which an element of the rigging is guidable.

16. The mast according to claim 14, wherein the base section comprises a reinforcement in a region of the spreader bolt.

17. A method of assembling a mast for sailing vessels, the method comprising:

non-rotatably connecting a plurality of mast sections to one another,

wherein at least two of the plurality of mast sections are formed as base sections having identical outer contours.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the base sections comprise sleeve receptacles and the method further includes inserting an insertion sleeve into the sleeve receptacles of adjacent base sections.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein one end of the insertion sleeve is captively retained in the sleeve receptacle of one of the adjacent base sections.