U.S. patent application number 11/498518 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-07 for sail flaking system.
Invention is credited to Michael Lawrence Serpa.
Application Number | 20080029009 11/498518 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39027905 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080029009 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Serpa; Michael Lawrence |
February 7, 2008 |
Sail flaking system
Abstract
A sail flaking system, comprising attachment points for
receiving resilient band or elastic cord material. The attachment
points are to be affixed in sets to a boat sail, the sets
alternating from side to side on the sail. Each set of attachment
points can then be joined by elastic cord/resilient band material,
the elastic cord/resilient band material preferably sized to be
under tension when the sail is raised. As the sail is lowered, the
action of the resilient band/elastic cord material will pull on
each set of attachment points creating a fold in the sail on the
opposite side. The side-to-side alternation of these folds result
in a flaked sail when the sail is fully doused.
Inventors: |
Serpa; Michael Lawrence;
(Oakland, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MICHAEL L. SERPA
P. O. BOX 478
SAN FRANCISCO
CA
94104
US
|
Family ID: |
39027905 |
Appl. No.: |
11/498518 |
Filed: |
August 3, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
114/105 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B63H 9/1021
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
114/105 |
International
Class: |
B63H 9/04 20060101
B63H009/04 |
Claims
1) A sail flaking system comprising attachment points for receiving
segments of elastic cord material; the attachment points for
receiving elastic cord material to be affixed to a boat sail.
2) The sail flaking system of claim 1, wherein the attachment
points for receiving elastic cord material are in sets; each set
being joined by a segment of elastic cord material.
3) The sail flaking system of claim 1, wherein the attachment
points for receiving elastic cord material are in sets, each set
being joined by a segment of elastic cord material; the attachment
points for receiving elastic cord material further being affixed to
a boat sail.
4) The sail flaking system of claim 1, wherein the attachment
points for receiving elastic cord material are in sets; each set
comprised of at least two attachment points for receiving elastic
cord material.
5) The sail flaking system of claim 1, wherein the attachment
points for receiving elastic cord material are affixed to a boat
sail; the attachment points for receiving elastic cord material
further being in sets; the sets alternating from side-to-side on
the boat sail.
6) The sail flaking system of claim 1, wherein the attachment
points for receiving elastic cord material are arrayed in sets
along more or less a single column situated at or near the luff of
a boat sail.
7) The sail flaking system of claim 1, wherein the attachment
points for receiving elastic cord material are arrayed in sets
along more or less a single column situated at or near the luff of
a boat sail; the sets of attachment points further being in a
side-to-side alternating configuration.
8) A system for producing a self-flaking boat sail, comprising
attachment points capable of being affixed to a sail; the
attachment points further being capable of receiving resilient band
material.
9) The system for producing a self-flaking boat sail of claim 8,
wherein the attachment points are in sets of at least two
attachment points.
10) The system for producing a self-flaking boat sail of claim 8,
wherein the attachment points are in sets of at least two
attachment points; the sets of at least two attachment points being
fastened to a boat sail.
11) The system for producing a self-flaking boat sail of claim 8,
wherein the attachment points are in sets of at least two
attachment points; the sets of at least two attachment points being
fastened to a boat sail; the sets of at least two attachment points
further being joined by one or more segments of resilient band
material.
12) The system for producing a self-flaking boat sail of claim 8,
wherein the attachment points are in sets of at least two
attachment points; the sets of at least two attachment points being
fastened to a boat sail; the sets of at least two attachment points
further being joined by one or more segments of resilient band
material; the sets of at least two attachment points alternating
from side-to-side on the boat sail.
13) The system for producing a self-flaking boat sail of claim 8,
wherein the attachment points are in sets of at least two
attachment points; the sets of at least two attachment points being
fastened to a boat sail, the boat sail having a luff; the sets of
at least two attachment points further being joined by one or more
segments of resilient band material; the sets of at least two
attachment points alternating from side-to-side on the boat sail;
the sets of at least two attachment points also being situated at
or near the luff.
14) The system for producing a self-flaking boat sail of claim 8,
wherein the attachment points are in sets of at least two
attachment points; the sets of at least two attachment points being
fastened to a boat sail; the sets of at least two attachment points
being situated at locations on the boat sail where a fold is
desirable.
15) A sail flaking system comprising attachment points for
receiving elastic cord material; the attachment points for
receiving elastic cord material being affixed to a sail in sets;
the sail having a luff and a leech; the sets forming rows extending
generally from the luff to the leech.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a system for producing a
self-flaking boat sail.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] Sails are properly folded in alternating accordion-like
layers. This is true both for when the sail is left attached to the
boat as well as when the sail is to be rolled up and stored in a
sail bag or other protective covering. The term "flaking" is
commonly used to describe this layering technique.
[0003] If it is attached to a boom (a horizontal spar controlling
the foot of a sail), the sail, when not needed, can be flaked on
the boom. On many boats the mainsail is handled in this way. A sail
attached to a stay, such as a jib, can also be flaked. This is the
preferred method of folding a headsail for storage. And if the jib
is "hanked on" (as opposed to being attached to the stay with a
slide track), the flaking can be done as the sail is lowered while
still attached to the stay.
[0004] Two popular prior art devices for quickly and easily flaking
a sail are the Dutchman and lazyjacks. These devices are both
practical and useful. They make sail handling easier and enhance
safety--especially in situations when a sail must be brought down
quickly. Lazyjacks and the Dutchman control the sail and stow it in
an orderly fashion. This eliminates the need for the crew to leave
the safety of the cockpit and expose themselves to potentially
hazardous conditions. Yet there remains room for improvement. The
Dutchman and lazyjacks are not suitable for use with stay-supported
sails, and the Dutchman can only be installed on a sailboat having
a boom topping lift (which is replaced on many modern sailboats by
rigid boom vangs). Furthermore, lazyjacks entail extra lines that
could become fouled or otherwise affect a boat's performance.
[0005] A simple and reliable arrangement that results in a
self-flaking sail would therefore be of value. The present
invention provides such a solution. It results in a novel sail
handling aid suitable for use with all types of
sailboats--including racing or high-performance craft--while also
being adaptable for both mast-supported and stay-supported sails.
The preferred embodiments do not require a boom topping lift as
does the Dutchman, nor do they necessitate joining lines to the
mast like lazyjacks.
[0006] Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be
apparent from the following description and drawings of the
preferred embodiments.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0007] The present invention consists of attachment points for
receiving elastic cord or resilient band material. The attachment
points are to be affixed to a boat sail. In a first embodiment, the
attachment points are arrayed in sets along a single column
situated at or near the luff (or leading edge) of a sail. At least
two such attachment points occur between the slugs or batten cars
of a mast-attached sail, or between the hanks of a hanked-on sail,
more or less aligned parallel with the luff. Sets of attachment
points should alternate from side-to-side on the sail. For example,
two attachment points can be located on the starboard (i.e. right)
side of the sail between the tack of the sail and the first hank,
and the next two attachment points can be located on the port
(i.e., left) side of the sail between the first hank and the second
hank, and so on, for the full length of the luff--or for lust the
portion or portions of the luff that is/are intended to be
self-flaking. In short, a set of attachment points is preferably
situated at every spot where a fold is desirable; the fold will
occur on the side of the sail opposite the set of attachment
points.
[0008] Each set of attachment points can then be joined by a length
of elastic cord or resilient band material, such as that used for
bungee cords. Because the sets of attachment points are arranged
parallel to the luff, the elastic cord material will also be
parallel to the luff if the sail is up. The lengths of elastic cord
material are preferably sized so that each is stretched--and
therefore under tension--when the sail is raised and the sail's
halyard is cleated. As the sail is lowered, the tension of the
elastic cord segments--due to the port/starboard alternating
configuration of the sets of attachment points--will create
alternating folds in the sail and thereby cause the luff to flake
properly (provided the sail is luffing at the time).
[0009] At small amount of straightening, usually amounting to some
tugging at the leech of the sail, is all that is then required for
a perfectly flaked sail.
[0010] When the sail is all the way down, and flaked, the lengths
of elastic cord material will be in a relaxed, non-tensioned,
state.
[0011] As an additional benefit, the tension provided by the
resilient band or elastic cord material will assist in the dowsing
of the sail by providing a downward force in precisely the
direction needed to pull the sail down. This downward force will to
an extent counteract excessive halyard friction and/or friction
between slugs (or batten cars) and the mast track. Neither the
Dutchman nor lazyjacks can do this.
[0012] Furthermore, servicing and maintenance is easier than with
prior art methods because the attachment points and resilient band
material can be accessed while the sail is lowered, whereas the
Dutchman and lazyjacks can only be serviced by going aloft.
[0013] An alternative embodiment may include sets of attachment
points arrayed in side-to-side alternating rows extending along the
sail from the luff to the leach for providing a more thorough
self-flaking effect, as will be described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a side view of a sailboat's mainsail employing a
preferred embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a side view of a preferred embodiment in operation
on a partially lowered mainsail.
[0016] FIG. 3. is a side view of a stay-supported sail employing a
preferred embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a front view of a preferred embodiment in
operation on a partially lowered stay-supported sail.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a front view of a flaked stay-supported sail.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a side view of an additional preferred
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] In FIG. 1 is shown the port side of a mainsail 20 for a
sailboat. The mainsail 20 has a head 21, being the top, a tack 22,
being the leading edge bottom corner, and a clew 23, being the
trailing edge bottom corner. The mainsail 20 further has a luff 24,
being the leading edge, a leech 25, being the trailing edge, and a
foot 26, being the bottom. A boom (not shown) typically supports
the foot 26 of this type of sail.
[0021] More or less evenly-spaced along the luff 24 are slugs 27
which engage a track (not shown) in a mast (not shown). On larger
sailboats, batten cars are sometimes used in place of slugs 27 to
reduce friction in the mast track. Between the tack 22 and the
lowermost (i.e., the one nearest the foot 26) of the slugs 27 are
attachment points 28. For this embodiment the attachments points 28
are in sets of two forming a single column at or near the luff 24
and substantially parallel with the luff 24. For other embodiments,
the sets might be comprised of more than two attachment points
28.
[0022] Each set of attachment points 28 is joined by a segment of
elastic cord material 29 of suitable length and strength. Sets of
attachment points 28 can be joined by more than one segment of
elastic cord material 28 if beneficial for a given application.
[0023] In a simple embodiment of the present invention, the
attachment points 28 can be just cringles (reinforced holes) or
thimbles in the sail through which the segment of elastic cord
material 29 is reeved. (A knot in the end of the segment of elastic
cord material 29 on the other side of the mainsail 20 will keep the
segment of elastic cord material 29 in place.) Alternatively, a
loop of rope sewn to the mainsail 20 would also work; the segment
of elastic cord material 29 could then be tied to the loop. More
sophisticated embodiments can employ attachment points 28
constructed in one or more pieces from metal or a high-strength
plastic. These could then be sewn or glued to the sail. Any
suitable material is acceptable for the attachment points 28, as is
any suitable means or method for fastening the attachment points 28
to a boat sail.
[0024] Similarly, each segment of elastic cord material 29 can be
tied, clipped, or otherwise attached to its set of attachment
points 28 by any acceptable means or method. The primary
consideration is that the attachment points 28 are both: (i)
capable of being affixed to a sail; and (ii) capable of receiving
resilient band/elastic cord material.
[0025] The size and shape of a particular sail, or the conditions
in which the sail is to be put to use, might dictate the
configuration and/or construction of the attachment points 28, as
well as the means or method of attaching each segment of elastic
cord material 29 to its attachment points 28.
[0026] Returning to FIG. 1, while there are attachment points 28
situated on the mainsail 20 between the tack 22 and the lowermost
of the slugs 27, there are no attachment points on the port side
between the lowermost of the slugs 27 and the second lowermost of
the slugs 27. The reason for this is that the attachment points 28
between the lowermost of the slugs 27 and the second lowermost of
the slugs 27 are located on the opposite (i.e., starboard) side of
the sail 20, in this particular embodiment. On the mainsail 20 of
FIG. 1, the next attachment points 28 on the port side occur
between the second and third lowermost slugs 27. It is this
side-to-side alternation of the sets of attachment points 28 that
produces the flaking effect when the sail 20 is lowered.
[0027] As the halyard (not shown) for the mainsail 20 is eased, the
luff 24 will begin to slacken and each segment of elastic cord
material 29 will begin to pull its set of attachment points 28
towards one another. This is illustrated in FIG. 2. The action of
each segment of elastic cord material 29 creates a bulge--the
beginning of a fold--in the mainsail 20 on the side of the mainsail
20 opposite the attachment points 28. Due to the alternating
configuration of the attachment points 28, these folds alternate
from side-to-side. The leech 25 begins to collapse. When the
mainsail 20 is fully lowered onto the boom (not shown), the luff 24
will be flaked. If needed, pulling on the leech 25 at the areas
corresponding to the folds will result in a completely flaked
sail.
[0028] The flaked mainsail 20 can then be tied to the boom with
sail ties or gaskets.
[0029] FIG. 3 shows a preferred embodiment adapted for use with a
stay-supported sail. A sail 30 is attached by hanks 31 to a stay
32. (Though not illustrated here, the two ends of the stay 32 are
secured to a boat.) The sail 30 has a head 33, a tack 34, and a
clew 35. The sail 30 also has a luff 36, being the leading edge, a
leech 37, being the trailing edge, and a foot 38 being the bottom.
Similar to the mainsail 20 of FIG. 1, affixed to the sail 30 are
attachment points 39 in sets of two arrayed in a single column at
or near the luff 36 and more or less parallel with it.
[0030] The sets of attachment points 39 are situated between the
hanks 31 and alternate from side-to-side on the sail 30. (There is
also a set of attachment points 39 between the tack 34 and the
lowermost of the hanks 31 and between the uppermost of the hanks 31
and the head 33.) Generally, a set of attachment points 39 is
placed at each location where a fold in the sail 30 is desirable
when the sail 30 is flaked. Each set of attachment points 39 is
joined by resilient band material 40. (More than one segment of
resilient band material 40 can join a set of attachment points 39
if deemed appropriate for a given application.)
[0031] FIG. 4 shows the operation of this embodiment in a view from
in front of the stay 32. This perspective shows the effect on both
sides of the sail 30. Because of the side-to-side alternation of
the attachment points 39, a side-to-side folding (i.e., flaking) of
the sail 30 begins to emerge as the sail 30 is lowered. The tension
of each segment of resilient band material 40 acts to create a
bulge in the sail 30. These bulges become folds as the sail 30 is
lowered further.
[0032] When the sail 30 is all the way down as illustrated in FIG.
5, the luff 36 flaked, and the resilient band material 40 is slack.
At this point straightening tugs can be applied, if needed. The
sail 30 can then be unhanked from the stay 32 and rolled up.
[0033] In FIG. 6 is drawn another embodiment wherein a sail 50
includes attachment points 51 arrayed in sets. The sail 50 has a
luff 52, being the leading edge, and a leech 53, being the trailing
edge. The sets of attachment points 51 form rows extending
generally from the luff 52 to the leech 53. The rows alternate from
side-to-side on the sail 50 (i.e., from port to starboard). Each
set of attachment points 51 is then joined by one or more segments
of resilient band material 54. Having multiple sets of attachment
points 51 in rows as depicted in FIG. 6 will provide a more
complete self-flaking action when the sail 50 is lowered.
[0034] The preferred embodiments are also compatible with
stay-mounted sails having a boltrope along the luff that is fed
into a luff foil, as opposed to hanks. As a sail of this type of
sail is lowered the portion of the sail below the bottom end of the
luff foil will flake on the sailboat's deck by action of the
resilient band/elastic cord material. As long as the sail is
luffing, the crew lowering the sail need only pull the sail down
from the luff foil; the preferred embodiments will flake the
sail.
[0035] Other modifications to the present invention are possible.
For example, the lengths of resilient band or elastic cord can also
be enveloped within panels of a flexible membrane affixed to the
sail to minimize the possibility of the resilient band/elastic cord
material snagging, or becoming otherwise fouled, on an extraneous
obstruction.
[0036] Although the description above contains several
specificities, these should not be construed as limits on the scope
of the present invention. The details given are intended merely to
provide illustrations of some of the presently preferred
embodiments. It is to be therefore understood that many changes and
modifications by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to
be within the scope of the invention. Thus, the full scope should
be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents,
rather than by examples given.
* * * * *