Abstract: A method of transferring a patient from a first resting surface to a second resting surface includes inserting a corrugated sheet into a channel formed between the patient and the first resting surface, extending a portion of the sheet between the patient and the first resting surface to under the patient's feet, extending a portion of the sheet between the patient and the first resting surface to under the patient's head, and pulling laterally on the sheet to slide the sheet from the first resting surface to the second resting surface thereby transferring the patient.

Abstract: A bearing for a sail furling apparatus includes a spherical body having a longitudinal axis and containing a cylindrical longitudinal through-opening for receiving a cable of the furling apparatus. The body is freely rotatable on the cable and protects the furled sail from abrasive contact with the cable. The body contains a plurality of spaced longitudinal channels in the outer surface to define a plurality of spaced flutes to further space the furled sail from the cable and to facilitate smooth furling and unfurling of the sail.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for stowing a sail of a sail boat. The system may include a furling stick, and ribs extending therefrom, for gathering the sail upon lowering of the sail. The system may further include leech sticks mounted on the sail for defining segments at which the sail folds upon stowing of the sail against the furling stick.

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 sail assembly using slugs and flakers is presented. The sail slug has a plurality of rollers positioned along an inner edge that are received within a groove of a mast. The outer edge of the sail slug has a swivel platform that attaches to straps positioned on a sail. The flaker has a pair of leaves having a first end, a longitudinal section, and a second end with a bracket. The brackets of the leaves have openings that align to receive a torsion spring and an axle to hingedly connect the pair of leaves.

Abstract: An apparatus for dousing a spinnaker sail on a sailboat. The apparatus can include a remote releasable line lock device attached to a lower portion of the spinnaker. A retrieval line for dousing the spinnaker can pass through the remote releasable line lock device and can be attached to an upper portion of the spinnaker. The remote releasable line lock device can include a housing having two cams with at least one cam being movable and biased toward the second cam and positioned to grip the retrieval line. The movable cam can have a cam actuator extending through the sidewall of the housing and can move the movable cam away from the second cam to release the retrieval line. A remote release device can be provided to operate the cam actuator and release the retrieval line when the remote releasable line lock device is positioned in the remote release device.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an inflatable sail guide arrangement for use in a sail collapsing arrangement. The sail collapsing arrangement is used for collapsing (also called “dousing” or “snuffing”) a sail such as a spinnaker. The sail guide arrangement can be deflated for convenient storage and handling.

Abstract: A sailing ship comprises a hard sail assembly. The hard sail assembly comprises a plurality of hard sails of wing-shaped hollow cross section. The hard sails are vertically stacked so that each except the lowermost is received in the one immediately below. The sailing ship further comprises an apparatus for driving the hard sails to move each except the lowermost toward and away from the one immediately below, a post extending vertically to support the lowermost hard sail, and a second apparatus for rotating the post around its longitudinal axis. Overlapping lengths between vertically adjacent hard sails are variably controlled to make the hard sail assembly expand and contract vertically.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an inflatable sail guide arrangement for use in a sail collapsing arrangement. The sail collapsing arrangement is used for collapsing (also called “dousing” or “snuffing”) a sail such as a spinnaker. The sail guide arrangement can be deflated for convenient storage and handling.

Abstract: A mainsail reefing system comprises: a drum assembly including first and second coaxial drums for collecting luff-end and leech-end reefing lines, respectively; a drive mechanism for rotating the drum assembly; and a levelwind mechanism including a cam shaft configured to convert rotational motion to reciprocating motion, and first and second line guides mechanically coupled to the cam shaft, where the line guides are configured to move in a reciprocating motion across the width of the first and second drums, respectively, for guiding the reefing lines onto their respective drums. The levelwind mechanism is mechanically coupled to the reefing mechanism for coordination of movement of the line guides with rotation of the drum assembly. A preferred drive assembly comprises a third drum attached coaxially to the first and second drums, and a larger diameter threaded disc coaxially attached to an end of the third drum.

Abstract: A sail furler with a recirculating halyard includes a foil having a longitudinal halyard channel and a longitudinal recirculating halyard channel formed within; and a halyard, having a first and second end, the halyard affixed at its first end to a slider, the slider affixed to head of the sail, the halyard rising to an upper end of the foil, leading through a top cap, and then descending downwards through the halyard channel to an exit of the halyard channel in proximity to a lower end of the foil, then ascending through the recirculating halyard channel, and terminating at its second end to the slider, so that the distance between the second halyard end and the head of the sail remains constant whether the sail is raised or lowered.

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

Abstract: A spar for controlling downwind headsails is pivoted to headsail instrumentalities for stowage in an aerodynamic sleeve with the headsail. The spar and the headsail has preconnected lines for controlling the spar and headsail all stored within the sleeve.

Abstract: A roller furling apparatus is disclosed having a bearing device configured to be rotatably fixed relative to a stay, a furler housing having an opening into which the stay extends and an end portion rotatably mounted on the bearing device such that the furler housing is rotatable with respect to the bearing device and the stay. The furling device further has a drive portion about which a line is coiled so as to rotate the furler housing and drum flanges mounted on the furler housing so as to rotate with the housing, the flanges being spaced apart and located at opposite ends of the drive portion. A line guard is slidably mounted on, and extends between the spaced apart drum flanges, the line guard extending around a major portion of the peripheries of the drum flanges. At least one support member is connected to the line guard and to the bearing device to hold the line guard in a stationary position as the furler housing and drum flanges rotate.

Abstract: A sail banding device for preventing a furled sail, in particular a spinnaker, from filling until the sail is fully hoisted. The sail banding device includes a pair of flexible elongate anchor straps coupled together. The anchor straps each have a plurality of flexible binding straps coupled thereto. Each of the binding straps is looped around the associated anchor strap in a generally U-shaped configuration such that the ends of each binding strap outwardly extends in a generally common direction from the associated anchor strap. The ends of each binding strap is detachably attached together.

Abstract: A spinnaker raising and lowering system is provided for a sailboat. The system includes a first pulley mounted in a movable mounting. A second pulley contained in a mounting which is fixed to the deck of the sailboat. A third pulley contained in a mounting that is disposed in a fixed relation to the mast of the sailboat, and is fixed above the deck, and a fourth pulley contained in a mounting that is disposed in fixed relation to the first pulley. A first rope attached to the top of the spinnaker extends around the third pulley, first pulley, second pulley and then is attached to the mounting of the first pulley. A second rope attached to the bottom of the spinnaker extends forwardly around the fourth pulley and then to the mounting of the first pulley. A third rope attached to the leading edge of the spinnaker intermediate the attachment points of the first and second ropes extends aft through a spinnaker sleeve.

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

Abstract: A track slide intended to be moved along a track, particularly a mast or boom, having a groove with an enlarged inner portion and a narrow slot defined by two opposite walls of the track. The slide comprises a central profiled member having an enlarged inner portion for being received in the enlarged inner portion of the groove and a shaft portion for extending through the slot. Furthermore the slide comprises a roller member for coacting with the outer face of the opposite side walls on each side of the groove. The roller member is formed of a plurality of roller bodies arranged to rotate freely in a circumferential continuous path with an outwardly open, longitudinal slot and a return passage on each side of the central profiled member. The use of freely rotating roller bodies ensures a relatively small rolling resistance in all situations, even if the slide should tilt in a relation to the track.

Abstract: A system for gathering cloth, intended for but not limited to sails. A web of vein lines (11) are connected a piece of flexible material in strategic positions depending on the size and cut of the cloth. These vein lines (11) are then lead through the belly button device (18) and joined to the stem line (12). The stem line can be lead to a position where a person will pull it in whenever they want the cloth to be gathered. To gather the cloth the person will pull on the stem line (12) which will pull the vein lines (11) through the belly button device (18) which in turn will pull the cloth connected to the ends of the vein lines (11) towards the belly button device (18). This collects the cloth into a smaller, central location and assists the individual in gathering the material.

Abstract: A roller reefing boom system includes a mast track arrangement, a sail and a rig which permit the transfer of extremely high mainsheet tensions via the leech to the mast even with a minimum luff diameter without the luff unintentionally being pulled out of the mast slot. The system guarantees troublefree furling of the mainsail with a minimum of space.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for a boom on a sailing boat which carries a sail capable of being wound onto a mast. Actuation of the sail is with a force F from a drive motor. In conjunction with this a rotatably driven screw accommodated within the boom is capable of attachment on one side of the aforementioned drive motor and is connected on the other side to the sail via a movement transmission.

Abstract: An unstayed sail for a water craft, such as a spinnaker, is provided with tapes along its luff and leech, which can be brought into contact with each other, for releasable engagement, solely by finger pressure. This permits the spinnaker to be prepared for easy hoisting in a short time, even under difficult conditions of rough seas and little or no light. On hoisting the spinnaker, the sheet and guy are pulled apart in order to separate the tapes and permit the spinnaker to fill with wind in a controlled manner, from foot to head.

Abstract: A surfing sail includes a basic sail, whose luff is attached to a mast associated in the usual way with a boom to the aft end of which is attached the clew of the basic sail and an auxiliary sail which serves reefing purposes. The auxiliary sail is triangular, narrow and long and its headboard is attached pivotally to the basic sail adjacent its top and in the proximity of the leech. At its foot region and at a level corresponding to the boom, the auxiliary sail is fitted with a guide batten, which is curved and arranged such that during pivotal movement of the auxiliary sail it is displaced along a circular path. The radius of the circular path corresponds to the distance of the guide batten from the pivot on which the auxiliary sail is fixed to the basic sail. The guide batten is guided longitudinally. The auxiliary sail can be reefed or taken out during surfing in a simple and easy manner, such that a windsurfer can reef or take out the surfing sail during surfing without any attendant problems.

Abstract: A plan for a sail of a sailing craft such as a sailboat, an iceboat and a land yacht having a hull. At least one mast is mounted on an end of the hull and the mast angles upwardly over the hull. A boom is pivotably mounted approximately amidships of the hull. The boom is rotatable through 360.degree. about the mounting point, and the ends of the boom avoid contact with the at least one mast. A triangular sail has a lower edge connected to the boom and an upper corner releasably connected to the top of the at least one mast. The boom, preferably, has an upper member and a lower member. The upper member is rotatable, and the sail may be roller reefed about the upper member. A steering system for the vehicle is provided which is collocated with the controls for the sail whereby the vehicle may be controlled by one individual at a single location.

Abstract: A system for dousing and flaking a sail is disclosed as including a plurality of sail-flaking devices and a douser line. The flaking devices are disposed at points spaced along the luff and the leech of the sail; and the douser line is affixed to one lower corner of the sail, passed through a block mounted to the head of the sail and returned to the other lower corner of the sail, the douser line passing slidably through passageways in the flaking devices disposed along the leech. The flaking devices spaced along the luff are self-actuating when the sail is being lowered; and the flaking devices spaced along the leech are controlled by the douser line. Adjacent flaking devices respectively rotate in one direction and then the other to flake the sail alternately from side to side as it descends and becomes flaccid.

Abstract: A spinnaker of the type collapsed edgewise both laterally and vertically to furl the sail in which the furling line is attached to the top of the sail and the connections of the guy lines to the boat are released to allow the sail to blow freely from the top of the mast as it is collapsed to furl the sail. This isolates the forces of the wind on the sail from the furling line.

Abstract: A device for gathering in and folding the mainsail on the boom of a sailboat. Four battens are inserted into the slots of the batten holders, which are secured to the boom with fasteners, forming a cradle projecting out at 45.degree. from vertical on both sides of the boom, that holds the mainsail in place when raising or lowering.

Abstract: The specification discloses a sail handling system having a series of lines interwoven through a sail, and lines passing through grommets on the sail to prevent the sail from falling freely down the mast and to stack the sail. The sail handling system has particular application for the safe hauling down and stacking of a main sail above the boom, or in the case of a jib sail, upon the deck of a sailboat. Application of tension down one or more hauldown stacking lines interwoven through a series of grommets installed in the body of the sail enables the sail to be hauled down and stacked safely.

Abstract: A self-flaking sail system is disclosed, including generally U-shaped shackles, each of which has a pair of legs joined by a bight portion, and having on their opposite ends, transversely aligned retainer receiving apertures, with a retainer pin extending through and locked therein for securing the shackles to the marginal luff edge of a sail. The aperture is situated in a plane which intersects the bight portion at an angle, and such angle causes the sail to flake either one way or the other, depending upon whether a right or left handed shackle is provided.

Abstract: A zip-fastener on each side of a working sail, for example a mainsail, makes it possible to remove from the effective area of the sail an elongated triangular area with its apex at the top and one side of it disposed close to the luff. In one embodiment the zip-fastener on one side has one tape close to and parallel to the luff and another tape extending from the head of the sail to a point on the foot spaced from the luff by up to about 40% of the length of the foot of the sail, while on the other side of the zip-fastener, which likewise extends downward from the head of the sail, has a forward tape that runs down to a location at the foot of the sail about mid-way between the fastener tapes at the first mentioned side of the sail and an aft tape which extends to near the foot of the sail at a location spaced aft of the aft tape of the first mentioned fastener, so that the aft tape of the first mentioned fastener is about mid-way between the fastener tapes of the aft fastener.

Abstract: An improved mainsail construction having a barrier extending laterally outward from the mainsail and the mainsail boom to prevent flow of air from the high pressure side to the low pressure side of the sail and thus improve efficiency thereof. The barrier is detachably securable with respect to the mainsail and the mainsail boom such as being capable of being removed and oriented to act as a sail cover or weather protection device.

Abstract: A mainsail furling device for a sailboat having a boom comprising a plurality of pairs of mounting brackets attached to the boom, each of the mounting brackets having a substantially L-shaped cross section and two connected approximately rectangular bracket panels, a substantially flat mainsail retaining arm pivotally attached to each mounting bracket pivotable between a position folded against the boom and a deployed position substantially perpendicular to the boom, a device for pivotally mounting each mainsail retaining arm on its mounting bracket comprising a threaded bolt and nut and a device for securing each of the mainsail retaining arms in its deployed position substantially perpendicular to the boom.

Abstract: Marine sail systems for controlling the folding or flaking of the sail during furling or reefing. The system includes a support line, a brailing line, a first mechanism connecting the brailing line to the sail in locations spaced generally along the leech of the sail, and a second mechanism connecting the brailing line to the support line to allow the brailing line to move upwardly and downwardly along the support line as the sail is raised and lowered, respectively.

Abstract: A device for furling a sail comprising; a support structure, means for mounting the support structure to a boom of a sailboat; a retaining structure fixed to the support structure; and an elongated sail furling guide structure removably secured in the retaining structure and positioned for guiding a sail to a furled condition on the boom when the support structure is fixed to the boom and the sail furling guide structure is inserted in the retaining structure.

Abstract: A spinnaker sail is furled by bunching the edges of the sail together edgewise and holding the edges in a compact bunch by a furling line. The spinnaker is unfurled by hoisting the spinnaker to the top of the mast, releasing the furling line, and pulling the lower corners of the spinnaker downward. The furling line extends through circumferentially spaced guides extending around the periphery of the sail. In a preferred form, one end of the furling line is fastened to a first guide at the bottom of the sail and extends from the first guide sequentially through the other guides spaced around the periphery of the sail and back through said first guide to receive a tension force areally compressing the sail edgewise into a compact bunch which is held in place by the furling line.

Abstract: Sailing craft having a mast supporting a large sail; the mast is curved towards the prow of the craft, the large sail being attached to the mast on the same side as the convexity of the curve; the rigging comprises a jib, the hoist of which is connected at its ends to the base and the top of the mast respectively, while the free top of the jib opposite the hoist is equipped with a sheet making it possible to adjust the unfurling of the jib.

Abstract: A sail maneuverable through the rotation of a rolling and unrolling structure to which the sail is anchored along an anchorage edge. A sheath surrounds the rolling structure and engages the sail at opposite sides along a coupling line spaced from the anchorage edge. The sheath and that intermediate portion of the sail between the coupling line and the anchorage edge being shaped so that when the sail is unrolled the sheath stretches out, retaining the intermediate portion within the end zones unstretched, causing the sail to take a bellying or fat-sail arrangement. At the beginning of rolling, the sail is pulled back into the intermediate portion and progressively also into the end zones, thereby assuming a flat-sail arrangement.

Abstract: This device for furling a sail of a ship on a boom (1) connected to a mast (2) by means of articulation means (3) and mounted so that it can rotate about itself, comprising means for driving the boom (1) in rotation (7) in order to furl the sail on the latter, is characterized in that the said means for driving in rotation (7) are arranged on the end of the boom (1) away from the articulation means (3). These driving means comprise a drum (8) integrally fastened to the boom (1), around which is arranged a line for driving (10) the said drum, this line being connected, for example, to the steering station of the ship by return means (11, 12).

Abstract: A roller reefing system for use on the existing forestay of a sailboat such that it surrounds the forestay when installed and in use. The system includes a furling member which is composed of a plurality of indentical cross section members, each of which has a longitudinal opening to receive the forestay, and a connecting sleeve for connecting adjacent members together and for locating a bearing element within the longitudinal opening. The roller reefing system may be easily installed on the existing forestay of a sailboat without modification to the forestay.

Abstract: A sail device characterized in that a sail frame is formed of upper and lower horizontal beam members fixed horizontally to a mast and linealy bent at bending points, holding pillars that are rotatably supported at the above mentioned bending points by these horizontal beam members and that hold a part of a developed sail, and supporting pillars arranged and fixed at both right and left ends of the above mentioned horizontal beam members and assembled rotatably with respect to the horizontal beam members and rotation stoppably by stopper means,at least, between the above mentioned upper and lower horizontal beam members, the lower horizontal beam member is formed to be of a horizontally expanding shape,a sail formed of a flexible material is reinforced by fitting a plurality of self-standing rods in the vertical direction of the sail and the above mentioned self-standing rods can be supported at the lower ends on the above mentioned lower horizontal beam member.

Abstract: System for controlling a boat sail as it is dropped, the sail being made of flexible material and being folded to lie when it is a mainsail, for example, on top of the boom of the boat. One or more control lines run parallel to the mast from the boom to a topping lift. The control lines run through grommets in the sail, the grommets being disposed in horizontal alignment with respective sliding fastening means by which the sail is attached to the mast. Equidistant between each pair of successive horizontal rows of grommets and the respective sail fastening means aligned therewith there is a batten which extends from the leading edge to the trailing edge of the sail. The control lines run through successive vertically aligned grommets so as to lie alternately on one side and then the other side of the sail.

Abstract: A method and device for gathering a mainsail in a cavity within the boom as the sail is being lowered. The boom has a plurality of engaged rollers which draw in or let out the sail by tractive forces.

Abstract: Apparatus for reefing sails on a boat and specially-designed boom including such an apparatus. The hollow boom extrusion houses at least one traveler block with two pulley wheels, over which pass the reefing leech line and the reefing luff line. The apparatus makes it possible to take one or more reefs in the sail simply by pulling on the free end of the reefing luff line which leads to the cockpit of the boat.

Abstract: A sailing ship (1) has at least one mast (2,3,4) rigidly attached thereto, to which the yards (5 to 9) are rotatably attached. By an actuating shaft (21), the sail (22, 22a, 22b) can be reefed and, with the aid of a corresponding rope (24), it can be erected or stretched. The sail (22, 22a, 22b) is narrower in the middle than at the edges and has upper and lower boltropes (48, 49) that are guided in grooves (27) to the yards (5-9). Erecting and reefing of the sail (22, 22a, 22b) and bracing can be accomplished by remote control. Because of the high speed that can be attained, energy recovery is possible with a propeller.

Abstract: A sailboat comprising at least one mast, first and second pairs of primary half yards pivotally mounted on and vertically spaced apart along the mast for pivoting about the mast between first and second positions wherein the members of each pair extend from the same axial location along the mast to define 180.degree. and 0.degree. angles therebetween, respectively, and means for mounting a sail between the vertically spaced apart members of each pair of primary half yards, whereby the sailboat is convertible between square-rigged when the primary half yards are in the first position and fore-and-aft rigged when the primary half yards are in the second position.

Abstract: A device for rolling and storing a sail associated with a rolling boom, including a sheath of deformable material encircling the boom and provided with rigid edges defining a slit for passing the sail therethrough, wherein the sheath is carried by the boom for free pivotal movement and includes a transverse cross-sectional area at least equal to that of the boom and the sail completely rolled thereon.

Abstract: A sail is reefed by a single continuous reefing line which passes from the boom through a leech cringle then down parallel to the boom and then upwardly through a block affixed to a luff cringle. The reefing line then leads through a turning block near the gooseneck of the boom so that when a downward pull is placed on the line and the halyard is simultaneously released, the luff will first be moved downwardly to the foot of the sail and then the leech will be moved downwardly creating a reef.

Abstract: A mainsail furling mast assembly utilizes a mast having a cross section providing a C-shaped outer wall and a transverse wall defining a rearwardly opening compartment in which is disposed a furling element about which the mainsail may be furled. The opening in the mast has a width equal to at least 50 percent of the maximum width of the mast to provide facile access to the compartment. The mast has a boom mounting bracket including a reinforcement portion with a section which extends within the compartment and flange sections which extend forwardly about the outer wall.

Abstract: A sail with a tubular portion is pulled over a mast and/or a stay of a sailing vessel. The tubular portion is inflatable through a sail mouth opening at the fore leech thus forming an air envelope of the sail due to the relative wind effects. A plurality of telescoping contour sleeves formed of a lightweight, floating, elastic material are arranged in the tubular portion and sheath the mast and/or stay as well as selected portions of the rigging. The formation of an air envelope from a part of the sail and the use of rotatable streamlined contour sleeves inhibit complete heeling over of the sailing vessel and simplify the erecting of surfboards and sailboats. The telescoping arrangement of the contour sleeves permits an alteration of the sail surface and the sheathing of the rigging further decreases the wind resistance leading to an increased speed capability without need for greater inclination of the vessel. Thus the sails are better able to utilize the wind energy.

Abstract: Working sails are simultaneously furled and bagged by providing at the head of the sail a collapsed bag which is open at its foot end and has two forward edges each slidably attached to, e.g., a bolt rope on a different side of the luff, and by remote operations pulling the bag downwardly to furl the sail from leech to luff and to enclose the furled sail.