Abstract: A traveler control for a boat includes a car that traverses a track. A first sheave is positioned on a first end of the car and a second sheave is positioned on an opposite end of the car. A line is fixed at a first end and is routed through the first sheave. The line is routed through a plurality of turning blocks. An opposite end of the line is fixed after routing the line through the second sheave. The traveler control provides a mechanical advantage for convenient and precise positioning of a mainsail of a sailboat.

Abstract: A simplified sailing rig is disclosed that is easier to operate and maintain than the conventional Bermuda rig. The entire rig can be rotated under manual or electric control to achieve the optimum angle of attack into the wind.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a safety arrangement for a portable power driven system, such as an ascender/descender arrangement, specifically in relation to safety means for minimizing risks with items rotating during the operation of the power driven system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sectionalized mast track that solves problems associated with furling and reefing sails on yachts, particularly large yachts. The inventive mast track includes mast track sections that are secured to a mast with hinges. Securing pins connect the sections to each other such that all the sections pivot together along the centerline defined by hinges. The securing mechanisms also make it possible to remove a single mast track section at a time. Embodiments of the inventive mast track have a cross section that absorbs wind-generated compressive forces exerted by battens, reducing chafing, and eliminates the need for sail slides, which would otherwise lock the sail in place during furling and reefing. The inventive mast track may also be configured to couple to an articulating sail feeder that bends and rotates freely, but limits the axial twist of the sail as during furling and reefing.

Abstract: Disclosed are luff extrusions that solve problems of batten chafing and friction locking. The inventive luff extrusions provide batten end receptacles with channels for headboard cars. The luff extrusions absorb the wind-generated compressive forces exerted by the battens on the batten pockets and eliminate the need for sail slides.

Abstract: The invention relates to method and apparatus for compactly stacking a sail having a tack, clew and head, the sail being mounted to batten or sail cars above a boom when the sail is stowed, furled or fully lowered. More specifically, most of the cars are compacted or stacked by diverting cars onto several lower tracks, such that the height of the stacked cars is approximately halved. Cars adjacent the boom and tack of the sail may be slidably mounted on at least two of the lower tracks, and carrying the sail between the at least two of the lower tracks. If more than two lower storage tracks are used, the height reduction of the stacked cars can be greater.

Abstract: The invention provides various improved sailboats and methods for their use. In one exemplary embodiment, a sailboat comprises a hull and a deck that is operably attached to the hull. The deck has a longitudinal axis extending along its center. A mast is generally aligned with the longitudinal axis, and a luff cable is coupled to the mast and the deck. The luff cable is movable relative to the longitudinal axis. Further, a foresail is coupled to the luff cable such that at least a portion of the foresail is movable relative to the longitudinal axis upon movement of the luff cable.

Abstract: A traveler comprises a car slideably held on a track, and is useful for applications including trimming a sailboat mast or sail. The car has two side portions each with a race with an open portion. Ball bearings are contained in each race that are rotatably engaged between the race open portions and the grooves on the sidewalls of the track. The car further has retaining means for holding the ball bearings in place along the open portion of the race when the car is removed from the track. The retaining means are movably received by the track groove, and otherwise allow for free rotational engagement of the groove by the bearings.

Abstract: The invention provides various improved sailboats and methods for their use. In one exemplary embodiment, a sailboat comprises a hull and a deck that is operably attached to the hull. The deck has a longitudinal axis extending along its center. A mast is generally aligned with the longitudinal axis, and a luff cable is coupled to the mast and the deck. The luff cable is movable relative to the longitudinal axis. Further, a foresail is coupled to the luff cable such that at least a portion of the foresail is movable relative to the longitudinal axis upon movement of the luff cable.

Abstract: A track system for fastening at the groove (2) of a mast (1) includes a profiled track (4) and a plurality of slide members (5). The track (4) is formed to receive cars (12) in an axially slidable manner and is provided with transverse openings (17) for receiving the screws (38). The slide members (5) are adapted to be slidably arranged, however, the sliders are prevented from rotating in the groove (2) via a base (28) being engaged in the interior of the groove in the mounted state of the slide members (5) and a shaft extending through the slot (3) of the groove. The slide members include a threaded hole (36) adapted to coact with the thread (37) of a screw (38) when the thread has been inserted through the corresponding transverse opening (17) in the track (4) for fastening the track (4) to the mast (1). On the surface (34) adapted to face the groove (2) the track is provided with recesses (22) coaxially arranged with the transverse openings (17).

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 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 track and slide assembly for a sailboat having a mast and a boom, the track being attached to the mast and the slides which ride along the track being each coupled to the luff of a sail. Hence, when the sail is raised on the mast, the slides ride up the track, and when lowered, the slides then ride down the track. Formed in the track along its full length is a slot which extends below the outer face of the track and has a cruciform cross section defining a major channel and a minor channel that intersects the major channel at a point below the face of the track and is at right angles to the major channel.

Abstract: A system of interdependent stoppers for the two tackles which control the position of a mainsail traveler car moving along a trackway, mounted transversally across a sailboat. It comprises two pivoting block cleats, one at each end of the two tackles controlling the car, mechanically interconnected in order to establish an angular one to one correspondence between them. The system is usable either for stoppers mounted on the traveler car or at trackway ends and is responsive to the angular position of the fall to which the power is applied. The two stoppers are always in the same state: either cleated or in free running position.

Abstract: A transporter unit is used for abutting against a genoa car or lead block on a track on the starboard or port side of a deck of a sailboat to lock or move the lead block to adjust the jib sheet angle while sailing. The unit is slidably engageable on a modified track having a series of gear grooves to mate with a worm gear mounted on the unit. The unit is moved on the track by turning a shaft with an attached worm gear mounted in the unit. The worm gear cooperates with the track. The unit has a slidable carriage. The bottom of the carriage has a channel which mates with the modified track. The top of the carriage has a rectangular cavity onto which is mounted a rectangular housing. The cavity on the top of the carriage has a rectangular opening to provide access to the track for the worm gear. The carriage has a pair of inboard and a pair of outboard knuckle projections. There is a common bore through the inboard knuckles and the housing into which a quick release pivot pin is secured.

Abstract: A track-to-track adaptor system is mounted to an elongated first track fixedly mounted to and extending longitudinally or transversely along a sailing yacht. The adaptor system includes a lead car system having a relatively short length second track with a car slidably mounted thereon for moving longitudinally of the second track. A control system includes at least a portion mounted to the second track for adjusting the longitudinal position of the car on the second track. A sheave block is mounted on the car for movement therewith and receives a line connected to a movable portion of the yacht sail. A plurality of slides or adaptors including at least one locking slide are fixedly mounted to the bottom of the second track and in longitudinal alignment and at spaced longitudinal positions along the second track. The slides are engaged to the first track.

Abstract: The traveler has a car movable on an athwartship track. The mainsheet is connected to the car. Two oppositely facing hooks are pivotally mounted on the car for similar, simultaneous movement between a latching position and an inoperative position. A spring biases the hooks to latching position. Control lines are connected to each end of a bar which has sliding engagement with the hooks. When a control line is tensioned, the bar moves towards the line and actuates the hooks to inoperative position. When both lines are slack, the hooks are in operative position to engage stop pins positioned on either side of the center of the track.

Abstract: An adjustable system is described for control of a genoa sheet on a sailboat. The sheet is passed through a pulley or lead block carried by a car which is slidably mounted on a track. The block and car have complementary interfitting parts to enable the block to be removed from one car and secured to another car on a second track.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of automatically controlling a sailboat having at least two soft sails, including the steps of sensing the wind direction to determine an angle of sail in each of the sails, sensing tensions and/or vibrations in each of the sails to adjust the curvature of that sail, and sensing the wind velocity to take in the sails. The present invention also provides an apparatus of automatically controlling a sailboat having at least two soft sails, including a wind direction sensor, a sail angle adjusting device connected with each of the sails and responsive to the output of the wind direction sensor to adjust an angle of sail in the sail, a sail angle sensor for identifying the adjusted angle of sail, a tension and vibration sensor connected with a sheet of each of the sails, and a curvature adjusting device responsive to the output of the tension and vibration sensor to adjust the curvature of the sail.

Abstract: A traveller assembly for use on sailcraft, said traveller assembly comprising a track way, a traveller car adapted to move to and fro along said track way, the traveller car provided with an engaging element; and a stop member secured to said track way, the stop member provided with an element for receiving and locking said engaging element thereby providing a convenient arrangement for remotely controlling the positioning of the traveller car and concomitantly an efficient system for tacking a sailcraft.

Abstract: A mast step is mounted on a traveler having two parallel linear bearings which ride in lateral grooves on a central track. The central track has downward enlarged vertical holes on 2-inch centers which hold detent balls. The detent balls are locked in their upper active position with a contact and lock the traveler in a preselected position. Depressing an operator pedal moves a slider bar within the track to align detent receivers with the openings in the track. As the detent balls drop into the receivers in the slider bar, the platform is released to move toward a new location. When the pedal is released, a spring tends to return the slider bar to misalign the receivers with the track openings. The detent balls are ramped upward out of the receivers into their upper operative position in contact with the downward opening locking recesses in the traveler.

Abstract: A mast step is mounted on a traveler having two parallel linear bearings which ride in lateral grooves on a central track. The central track has downward enlarged vertical holes on 2-inch centers which hold detent balls. The detent balls are locked in their upper active position with a contact and lock the traveler in a preselected position. Depressing an operator pedal moves a slider bar within the track to align detent receivers with the openings in the track. As the detent balls drop into the receivers in the slider bar, the platform is released to move toward a new location. When the pedal is released, a spring tends to return the slider bar to misalign the receivers with the track openings. The detent balls are ramped upward out of the receivers into their upper operative position in contact with the downward opening locking recesses in the traveler.

Abstract: A traveler assembly for a boat includes a rigid track defining a pair of spaced-apart channels on opposite sides of the track. A car with side wheels rides on the track with its wheels engaging in the channels. The car wheels have rounded peripheral cross sections which ride on conforming upper and lower rails formed by the channels to provide maximum surface engagement and minimum parts wear as the car rolls back and forth along the track. Resultantly, the car travels readily and quietly even when subjected to high vertical and lateral loads.

Abstract: A spinnaker boom hingedly attached to the mast of a sailing boat by a traveller. The traveller is movable along the boom so that the boom can be moved relative to the mast substantially transversely to the longitudinal direction of the boat.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a sailing vehicle with a collapsible frame comprising two longitudinal supports, a plurality of identically constructed transverse struts detachably connected to the longitudinal supports, at least one sail mast, at least one seat, two rear moving elements, and one forward moving element, the latter being steerable via a steering suspension, and a cross arm which is detachably connected to the rear end of the longitudinal supports. The mast, the seat, the forward moving element, and the steering suspension are supported by separate ones of the transverse struts and at least the transverse strut supporting the seat is connected to the longitudinal supports for adjustment lengthwise thereof.

Abstract: A novel snatch block particularly suitable for marine use and for movement on a boat deck mounted track, comprising a track slide portion and an upper sheave assembly. The sheave assembly comprises a pair of normally spaced-apart side cheeks; a sheave pin extending between said cheeks; and a sheave rotatably mounted on said sheave pin. Structure is provided for holding the sheave pin at one end to one of the side cheeks, and releasably engaging the sheave pin at the opposite end with the other of the side cheeks to hold the sheave assembly in a normally closed position. Both the side cheeks are pivotally mounted on the slide portion so that with release of one of the side cheeks by the sheave pin, the sheave assembly is capable of expanding to a wider opening than available with conventional snatch blocks.

Abstract: A traveler assembly for a sailboat or other sailcraft comprises a car slotted to ride in the traveler track and having a pair of transverse major holes in the middle thereof and a transverse minor hole on each end. A sheet for a sail of the sailcraft is bent to one of the major holes and reeved via the sail through the other major hole. Lines bent to the minor holes permit positioning of the car along the track to be instantly controlled from a position on the sailcraft remote from the traveler, e.g., if the sail is a jib sheeted down on the leeward side, the traveler position may be controlled from the windward side of the sailcraft.

Abstract: A device comprising, on the one hand, a slide closed at its ends and, on the other hand, a traveller able to slide in the slide, this traveller not being able to be pulled out of the slide in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction. The traveller comprises at least two separate elements 12a, 12b meant to be placed back to back and able to slide in relation to each other; removable lockings V are provided for maintaining the two elements 12a, 12b in position; when the two elements are assembled, it is not possible to disengage the traveller in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction. Application is to sheet rail travellers for controlling a sail of a sailing boat.

Abstract: A traveler for a sailboat having a track way and a traveler car moving to and fro along the track way and attachments on the traveler for attaching control ropes on either side thereof for controlling the position thereof from either side of the sailboat, and cleats on either side of the traveler for fastening the control ropes on either side thereof, and cleat releasers on the traveler car, being movable relative to the cleats, and being operable in response to movement of the traveler car to release the cleats on one side of the traveler, while leaving the cleats on the other side of the traveler undisturbed. Also disclosed is a cam cleat having a cam cleat releaser movable relative thereto for opening of the cam cleat from a remote location.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved deck cleat of the type that is mounted on a slide for repositioning along a slide track and wherein the improved construction is characterized by (1) a positioning lock such as a set screw, being placed between the legs of the cleat and (2) by the use of rigid threaded sleeves welded to the slide and serving to receive fasteners, such as screws, which fix the main structure of the deck cleat to the slide. This construction avoids stress being placed upon the fasteners during use of the cleat when stress is applied at the union of the cleat and its slide mechanism.

Abstract: A traveler assembly adapted to hold a line under tension while being movable on a track as on a sailing craft. The assembly comprises a main car section having parallel, spaced apart side portions and a connecting portion with apparatus to retain the line under tension. Fixed to the inner surface of each side portion is a generally oval shaped race filled with ball bearings specifically sized and positioned to be located close to but having some clearance with the surfaces of the track. At any lead angle of tension force applied to the main car section at least some of the ball bearings of either one or both races will contact and transmit the main tension forces to the track so that the traveler assembly can move along the track with a minimum of friction.

Abstract: A sailboat traveler apparatus with bearings having a circular cross section at their pivots which are received in a track with a circular cross section with the traveler carriage being pivotal about the centerline of the track so that pivoting forces on the carriage remain transferred to the bearing surfaces of the bearings and track without binding. The bearings may be spherical or cylindrical depending upon the desired friction between bearing and track.

Abstract: A jib sheet apparatus for sailboats which will permit a jib sheet, and thus a head sail of any size, to be trimmed from one side of a sailboat to the other, as in tacking or jibbing, by use of a continuous, closed traveller-track and fairlead apparatus system which requires simply a single, unskilled crewperson of but average strength and manual dexterity to operate, and which can be operated from a single position in the cockpit with minimum effort, or in an alternative mode, by electricity.

Abstract: A traveler assembly used to position a boat sail includes a slider supported in a track mounted on a rigid frame of the boat. The slider consists of a base mounted in the channel-shaped track and hingedly supporting a fairlead assembly including a block, a pair of fairlead sheaves, and an eye-strap for attaching the main sail block. A pivoted cleating assembly is supported on the fairlead block for releasably cleating the single control line.

Abstract: A traveller device for positioning a sail and having a carrier that is moveable on rollers along a guide track. The rollers project on opposite sides of the carrier and are arranged in spaced-apart relation along the length thereof to engage with rolling contact, longitudinally extending surfaces of the guide track.