| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 114102100 | SAIL OR CONTROL MEANS THEREFOR | 74 |
| 20080245284 | Three Degree-of-Freedom Pivot Assembly, Sail-Mounted Ballast, and Sail Control System for High Speed Sailboats - A sailboat is disclosed wherein the sailboat includes a three degree-of-freedom pivot assembly, sail-mounted ballast, and sail control system. These three features increase sailing efficiency and reduce both hydrodynamic and aerodynamic drag on the sailboat. This sailboat incorporates a rigid sail with sail-mounted ballast to balance the rolling moment and pitching moment produced on the sail by the wind. The rigid self-supported sail increases sailing efficiency by eliminating the need for supporting wires and structures and by taking advantage of the superior aerodynamic characteristics of rigid sails over flexible sails. Finally, the sail control system controls the sail's orientation by rotating the components of the three degree-of-freedom pivot assembly to maximize the sail's aerodynamic efficiency. | 10-09-2008 |
| 20080257244 | Sailboat substantially free of heeling moments - A sailboat includes a sail assembly with opposing upper and lower ends, a leading edge and a trailing edge. The sail assembly is normally offset from the hull and oriented for generation of a propelling force substantially free of heeling moments. A support structure supports the sail assembly for rotation about an axis inclined relative to vertical and substantially parallel to the leading edge. The support structure includes an upper rotary joint mounting the upper end of the sail assembly to the support structure and a lower rotary joint mounting the lower end of the sail assembly to the support structure. The rotary joints are positioned to allow unobstructed rotation of the sail assembly fully through 360 degrees about the inclined axis. At least part of the support structure is mounted for rotation together with the sail assembly and the inclined axis relative to the hull, largely eliminating weather helm. Controls are provided to permit adjustment of the angular orientation of the sail assembly about the inclined axis thereby adjusting propelling force. | 10-23-2008 |
| 20080302289 | LINE HANDLING WINCH FOR SAILING YACHTS - A power or manually operated winch mechanism for handling the running rigging lines of a sailing yacht. The winch includes a winding drum, operating in conjunction with a level wind mechanism, which winds and stores the line during line retrieving operations and controllably releases the line when desired. Novel level wind features enable the lines to be appropriately tensioned during retrieval, to assure proper windup of the line in organized coils on the drum. During line release, the line is placed under tension by the level wind mechanism and thus positively drawn from the unwinding winch drum even when the line is not under load from the sail to which it is attached. The arrangement enables lines to be automatically released from one winch and retrieved on a second which, under a common control, as when tacking or resetting the sails of a yacht, all without the necessity of any physical line handling by crew members, resulting in a significant improvement in the safety and convenience of the crew. The new winch mechanism preferably includes a novel alternate arrangement for manual operation of the system in the event of a failure of the power system. | 12-11-2008 |
| 20100282153 | Steering Unit for Free Flying, Confined Wing Element - The invention relates to a steering unit for a wind propulsion system, the steering unit comprising a first fixed attachment means for securing a first end of a tractive cable the second end of which is secured to a device or a vehicle to which a tractive force shall be transferred, a second attachment means for attaching a number of tractive lines, the second end of which being secured to an aerodynamic wing element, a mechanical support frame connecting the first attachment means to the second attachment means for transferring a tractive force. The invention aims at providing such a steering unit with improved design for better maneuverability and stability. According to the invention the second attachment means of the improved steering unit comprise at least one upper fixed attachment point, a left moveable attachment point, a right moveable attachment point, and steering actuator means for varying the distance between the upper fixed attachment point and the left moveable attachment point and for varying the distance between the upper fixed attachment point and the right moveable attachment point. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20120031319 | Sailing Vessel Control Device and System - The present disclosure relates to a sailing vessel control device comprising: a cleat means, a resistance means, a line having a first end located through the cleat means and a second end attached to the resistance means, and a sensor adapted to detect the extent to which the line is pulled through the cleat means and to output a line signal corresponding to the position of the line for use in controlling the sailing vessel. The line signal which can be used to control the sail(s) of the vessel can be generated in a traditional, manual manner (i.e. by pulling on the line). This allows emulation of traditional sailing rigging to control a sailing vessel electronically and thus technological innovation can be incorporated into the sailing experience without detracting from the sailor's enjoyment. The present disclosure further relates to a sailing vessel control system comprising: one or more of the sailing vessel control devices, one or more sail actuators, and a control unit adapted to receive and then process the one or more line signals and to send one or more actuator signals to the respective one or more sail actuators to cause the one or more sail actuators to move one or more corresponding sails. The system advantageously allows a sailing vessel to be controlled electronically but in conjunction with a traditional user interface (i.e. one or more lines), and the force required to trim the sail is independent of the sail size. | 02-09-2012 |
| 114102110 | Sail assembly freely held by rider | 2 |
| 20090173265 | Hand held auxiliary sail - A hand held, light weight, multi-purpose, extendable and collapsible omni-wind sail assembly for providing wind propulsion for vehicles such as kayaks, surfboards, small boats, iceboats, land vehicles, and the like. The assembly includes a flexible wind responsive sail surface having a transparent portion for user viewing therethrough, the sail surface attached at each side to masts having an attachable handle for manual maneuverability of the sail. The assembly may be stretched tautly, collapsed, tipped vertically, rotated horizontally, or all in combination simultaneously as the wind conditions may warrant, the masts having length extension means for varying the height of the sail. | 07-09-2009 |
| 20180022430 | COMMAND AND CONTROL DEVICE FOR SAILS OF SAILBOATS OR KITE SAILS | 01-25-2018 |
| 114102120 | Having means to tension or stretch sail | 7 |
| 20090139438 | Collapsible perimeter supported wind propulsion device - A sail device or assembly that contains a single supporting perimeter member or batten that supports an internal 3-dimensional sail area used for down or off the wind sailing. The perimeter batten is stiff enough to hold and support the sail material yet elastic enough that it can be folded and coiled into three contiguous coils. This folded and coiled orientation is approximately 20% smaller and has a spring-like energy used to essentially self-launch and instantly deploy the sail. The deployed sail can be fastened to the deck of a small watercraft, hand-held or fastened to the blade end of a paddle or oar for capturing the energy in the wind to propel a small watercraft. | 06-04-2009 |
| 20090205552 | INFLATABLE WHISKER POLE - A whisker pole for a sailboat is provided. The whisker pole includes an inflatable portion that can be pressurized to maintain the position of a headsail. The whisker pole can be deflated for stowage. The length of the whisker pole can be adjusted for different boats and rigging requirements. | 08-20-2009 |
| 20090266283 | Placement system for a flying kite-type wind-attacked element in a wind-powered watercraft - Disclosed is a placement system for a free-flying kite-type wind-attacked element in a watercraft in which the kite-type wind-attacked element comprising a profiled wing is connected to the vessel body via a traction rope. Said wind-attacked element can be guided from a neutral position on board the watercraft into a raised position that is free from obstacles located at the same or a higher level. An azimuthally pivotable fixture is provided by means of which the wind-attacked element can be brought into a position in which the same is exposed to a sufficient wind effect. Furthermore, a docking receiving device is provided which is to be removably connected to the docking adapter of the wind-attacked element on the side facing away from the wind while also allowing the wind-attacked element to be furled with the aid of automatically engaging holding means. | 10-29-2009 |
| 20110168072 | SAIL SHAPE CONTROL DEVICE - A sail control device for flattening the after portion of a triangular sail. The sail control device includes at least one tensioning member which extends from a front portion of the sail across the sail to the after portion of the sail. The tensioning member may be attached to a Cunningham line for tensioning. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110303140 | MECHANISED DEVICE FOR RIGGING A SAIL - There is provided a mechanized device for rigging a sail of a ship that includes: a mast, a boom and a gaff secured to the mast by the respective front ends thereof, a guiding element linking the two rear ends of the boom and the gaff, and delimiting a frame together with the mast, a rectangular sail, secured to the boom by the edge thereof, and equipped on the hoist and leech thereof with a means for guiding respectively along the mast and along the guiding element, a mechanized means for hoisting and lowering the sail in the frame, while keeping the hoist and the leech thereof respectively guided along the mast and along the guiding element. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20130186319 | WIND GUST DAMPENING SYSTEM FOR SAILING VESSEL - A wind gust dampening system for a sailing vessel for absorbing the forces generated by a wind gust upon a sail is disclosed. The wind gust dampening system may be adjustable such that the system may be used on a variety of different size and types of sailing vessels to absorb forces from wind gusts to prevent sailing vessels from capsizing or from damage occurring to equipment, or both. The configuration of the wind gust dampening system provides for a plurality of adjustments enabling the system to be uniquely adapted to each sailing vessel for increased efficiency. The wind gust dampening system may include one or more shock cords for absorbing the forces generated by wind gusts and may extend between a deck of a vessel and a sail. | 07-25-2013 |
| 20150007761 | WING PROFILE SAIL - A wing profile sail for sailboats and sailboards, formed by a flexible sheet having a leading edge configured to be coupled to a mast, includes inflatable bladder means extending along the direction of the leading edge, rearward thereto, to provide a wind profile to the sail. The inflatable bladder means includes multiple pockets fixed to the opposite surfaces of the flexible sheet and localized behind its leading edge. | 01-08-2015 |
| 114102130 | Having airflow control device for sail | 3 |
| 20120285354 | ADJUSTING RIGID FOIL SPAR SYSTEM - A rigid foil sail having a full length vertical leading edge whose trim angle/angle of attack is controlled by the main sheet and at least two trailing edge flaps attached rearwardly of the leading edge, each of which can be independently trimmed from a convenient deck level control tray to achieve easily adjustable camber. The design of the rigid foil sail allows depowering of the sail without altering mainsheet trim by decreasing the camber of the upper trailing flap thus also decreasing the heeling force created by the power of the upper trailing flap. Such an arrangement allows the boat to be driven without the loss of upwind pointing performance and without the loss of power caused by luffing of the sail. Similarly, the boat can be better balanced by allowing the boat to be driven to windward more efficiently with a minimum heel angle. | 11-15-2012 |
| 20130014683 | ADJUSTING RIGID FOIL SPAR SYSTEM - A rigid foil sail having a full length vertical leading edge whose trim angle/angle of attack is controlled by the main sheet and trailing edge flaps attached rearwardly of the leading edge, each of which can be independently trimmed from a convenient deck level control tray to achieve easily adjustable camber. The design of the rigid foil sail allows depowering of the sail without altering mainsheet trim by decreasing the camber of the upper trailing flap thus also decreasing the heeling force created by the power of the upper trailing flap. Further, a void within the foil is filled with a lighter than air gas to assist in countering heeling moment to allow the boat to be driven without the loss of upwind pointing performance and without the loss of power and also allowing the boat to be driven to windward more efficiently with a minimum heel angle. | 01-17-2013 |
| 20130247809 | LAMINAR AIR FLOW SLOT VENTING FOR CONVENTIONAL SAILS. - This invention relates to the use of a venting assembly for sails, comprising one or more aperture substantially perpendicular with the sail surface separating a fore and aft element of the sail. The aperture channels high energy air flow from the windward side of the sail through to the leeward side of the sail parallel to the sail surface, energizing the surface boundary layer and maintaining laminar air flow along the aft element of the sail. | 09-26-2013 |
| 114102150 | Having means to stow, load, or unload sail | 5 |
| 20080289554 | Watercraft for Transportation and Exercise - A watercraft for transportation and exercise including a boat for floating on water and having a portion thereof above a waterline and a portion thereof below the waterline The boat has an opening therein for permitting a person to be partially below the waterline and partially above the waterline. A sub-frame is operatively attached to the boat, the sub-frame having a lower position at least partially in the water and an upper position at least mostly out of the water. A propulsion device is operatively attached to the sub-frame for propelling the watercraft forwardly in response to movement of the person's feet, the propulsion device having a foot contact portion. The foot contact portion of the propulsion device being disposed a predetermined distance from the waterline in a transportation mode so that that a person can be at least partially above the waterline when using the propulsion device in the transportation mode, said foot contact portion of the propulsion device being disposed in the water and a substantial distance below said predetermined distance when the propulsion device is being used in an exercise mode wherein at such time the person's legs are at least partially disposed below the waterline. | 11-27-2008 |
| 20110308440 | Gateway plate device for a slotted mast or spar having a channel. - An improved system for rigging a sail to a spar consists of a slot and a gateway plate. The slot is disposed on the spar to selectively enable the sail slugs to engage an internal channel. The gateway plate is adapted to selectively cover the slot and can be removed so the slugs can be inserted to or removed from the channel. The gateway plate consists of a plate body having a first and second oppositely disposed plate-hole, the plate holes having a predetermined alignment with receiving-holes on the spar, the gateway plate further includes a channel-engaging edge, an oppositely disposed handle end, and a predetermined length of elastic cord, which couples to the spar and provides positive engagement of the gateway plate against the spar when in the closed position. The gateway plate can be mounted internally or externally relative to the spar channel. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20120132117 | SET OF STOWABLE RIGID SAILS - A set of rigid sails that have an aerodynamic profile and that may be secured to a boat. | 05-31-2012 |
| 20130186320 | SAIL APPARATUS AND EXTENDIBLE MEMBER SUITABLE FOR USE IN THE SAIL APPARATUS - There is discussed a sail apparatus having a sail with one or more battens. A furling system varies the area of deployed sail between a furled state and an unfurled state by rotating the sail about the leading edge. At least one batten comprises a single extendible sheet member operable to switch between a rigid three-dimensional longitudinal state and a coiled planar state, such that a deployed portion of said at least one batten is in said rigid, three-dimensional longitudinal state and a furled portion of said at least one batten is in a coiled planar state. The batten is resiliently baised towards the leading edge of the sail, while allowing movement of the batten towards the trailing edge of the sail during furling. | 07-25-2013 |
| 20140144362 | POWER MODULE FOR USE IN MARINE VESSEL, AND WIND-PROPELLED VESSEL PROVIDED WITH SAID POWER MODULE - Provided is a power module for use in a marine vessel and a wind-propelled vessel provided with such a power module. The power module includes: a sail storage housing which has at least a portion thereof arranged below a deck of a marine vessel and having an opening on an upper end thereof; a sail which is movable between a storage position located inside the sail storage housing and a use position at which the sail projects from the deck in the vertical direction; and a sail movement unit which is configured to move the sail between the storage position and the use position. | 05-29-2014 |
| 114102160 | Including means to orient sail | 6 |
| 20100192825 | Watercraft having a kite-like element - The invention relates to a water craft comprising a kite-type element, which is connected to said water craft by means of a traction cable. Said water craft is characterized in that the kite-type element is equipped with adjusting devices, which are supplied with energy from the water craft, said energy being transmitted in the traction cable or by an element on the latter. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20160159448 | A STEERING ARRANGEMENT - According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a steering arrangement for steering a kite driven watercraft ( | 06-09-2016 |
| 20160176489 | High-Tailed Wing Sail | 06-23-2016 |
| 20160252074 | VANE ASSEMBLY FOR A FLUID DYNAMIC MACHINE AND PROPULSION DEVICE | 09-01-2016 |
| 114102170 | Having gearing | 1 |
| 20090114134 | PEDESTAL FOR A SAILING BOAT - A pedestal ( | 05-07-2009 |
| 114102180 | Having rope or line (e.g., sheet, etc.) | 1 |
| 20090071388 | Watercraft having a kite-like element - The invention relates to a water craft comprising a kite element, which is connected to the water craft by a traction cable. The water craft is characterized in that the kite element is equipped with adjusting devices and an energy generation unit, which delivers energy when the tractive force that is exerted on the traction cable is modified. | 03-19-2009 |
| 114102220 | Having means to vary shape of sail (e.g., camber, etc.) | 7 |
| 20130233229 | REVERSIBLE CAMBER SOFT WING SAIL - A reversible wing sail for use with a wind-powered vehicle is provided herein that comprises a rotatable mast, a multi-surface sail cover, and a spring-assisted camber inducer. The rotatable mast generally has a longitudinally extending mast axis and the multi-surface sail cover runs along at least a portion of the mast, extending transversely in relation to the mast from a leading edge to a trailing edge. The sail cover has a first surface and a second surface that form a cavity therebetween. The spring-assisted camber inducer is arranged in the cavity between the first and second surfaces of the sail cover and configured to induce an asymmetric camber profile between the first and second surfaces to form the wing sail into an airfoil shape. | 09-12-2013 |
| 20150367923 | BOAT SAIL COMPRISING SHAPE MEMORY MATERIAL ELEMENTS, APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ITS OPERATION - A sail for sailboats is described. The sail having portions wherein shape memory elements in the form of filiform members made of a shape memory alloy are incorporated, the surface area resulting from the sum of the surface areas of the portions incorporating shape memory alloy elements being between 0.01% and 50% of the surface area of the whole sail. A control apparatus is also disclosed for controlling the operation of the sail. A method is further disclosed for controlling operation of a sailboat sail. | 12-24-2015 |
| 20160083063 | WINGSAIL WITH ADAPTABLE FLEXIBLE FLAP - Wingsail. The wingsail includes a substantially rigid airfoil section having a leading and a trailing edge and a flap is attached to the trailing edge through a torsion fitting having a torsional stiffness along the span of the rigid airfoil section selected to control flap deflection with respect to the rigid airfoil section under aerodynamic loading to control rolling moment of the wingsail. | 03-24-2016 |
| 114102230 | Inflatable type | 1 |
| 20160167757 | PROPULSION SAIL HAVING AN AIRCRAFT WING PROFILE | 06-16-2016 |
| 114102240 | Batten | 3 |
| 20140014014 | SAIL FURLING STICKS - 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. | 01-16-2014 |
| 114102250 | Having separate adjustment means for batten | 2 |
| 20090165691 | Method for Controlling the Deformation of a Surface of a Sail of a Sailing Boat During a Direction Change Manoeuvre - A method for controlling the deformation of a surface of a sail of a sailing boat during a direction change manoeuvre, includes arranging at least one inflatable batten into a respective seat formed on a side surface of the sail, the at least one batten being inflated at a predetermined working pressure as to impart to said at least one inflatable batten a bending stiffness having, with no bending load, a predetermined value, carrying out a manoeuvre, for changing the direction of the sailing boat, wherein in a first part of manoeuvre the at least one batten is subjected to the action of an increasing bending load, and in a second part of the manoeuvre, the bending load ends its action on the at least one batten, during the manoeuvre the mechanical properties of the at least one batten being changed so that as the bending load increases in the first part of the manoeuvre, the value of the bending stiffness of the at least one batten decreases considerably, and as the action of the bending load ends in the second part of the manoeuvre, the bending stiffness of the at least one batten returns to the predetermined value. | 07-02-2009 |
| 20110114003 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE DEFORMATION OF A SURFACE OF A SAIL OF A SAILING BOAT DURING A DIRECTION CHANGE MANOEUVRE - There is described a method for controlling the deformation of a surface of a sail ( | 05-19-2011 |
| 114102290 | Specific sail structure or arrangement | 22 |
| 20090320733 | Sail membrane - Sail membrane preferably made of a woven fabric of synthetic fibers, with said membrane having a microroughness in the form of parallelly extending grooves arranged so as to achieve a density of 5 to 25 grooves/mm deposited on or integrated into said membrane surface. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20100000456 | Sail membrane - Sail membrane made of a woven fabric of synthetic fibers, with said fabric having a microroughness in the form of groove families crossing one another arranged so as to achieve a density of 5 to 25 grooves/mm deposited on or integrated into said fabric structure. | 01-07-2010 |
| 20100043689 | Apparatus And Method Of Producing Reinforced Laminated Panels As A Continuous Batch - An apparatus and method for producing multiple panels of a reinforced laminated membrane are provided. The apparatus and method utilize an accommodator between a yarn-laying station and a plotting and cutting station to allow these stations to operate simultaneously and without interruption on more than one part of a sheet of material. Reinforcing yarns are deposited on the sheet of material at the yarn-laying station in one or more patterns. Panels are cut at the cutting station after lamination. The accommodator accommodates material between these stations. | 02-25-2010 |
| 20100139540 | Sailcloth with High 1% Warp and High Warp Efficiency and Method of Making Same - A woven sailcloth comprising warp yarns and fill yarns and having one or more of (i) a 1% warp of at least about 125 and/or a warp efficiency of at least about 17, (ii) a plain weave in which the ratio of fill yarn count to warp yarn count is about 1.1:1 to about 1.8:1 and the ratio of warp yarn density to fill yarn density is about 1.2:1 to about 1.9:1, and (iii) a weight of at least about 7 and at least one of a 1% warp to 1% fill ratio of at least about 4:1, a 1% fill to 1% bias ratio of less than about 1:1, a 1% warp:1% fill to 1% fill:1% bias ratio of at least about 1:1, a 10 lb. warp to 10 lb. fill ratio of less than about 0.5:1, a 10 lb. fill to 10 lb. bias ratio of at least about 1:1, and a 10 lb. warp:10 lb. fill to 10 lb. fill:10 lb. bias ratio of less than about 0.5:1; a sail comprising panels of sailcloth at least one panel of which is woven sailcloth as described; a method of making such a woven sailcloth comprising weaving warp yarns and fill yarns, which can comprise a reinforcing yarn and can be weaved in a ripstop pattern, in a plain weave in which the ratio of fill yarn count to warp yarn count is about 1.1:1 to about 1.8:1 and the ratio of warp yarn density to fill yarn density is about 1.2:1 to about 1.9:1; and a method of making a sail comprising assembling panels of sailcloth, at least one panel of which is woven sailcloth as described and wherein said at least one panel of woven sailcloth is assembled into the sail with load paths oriented along its warp yarns. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100199905 | SAILING SHIP EQUIPPED WITH A HARD SAIL - 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 means 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 second means 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. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20110139053 | AERODYNAMIC WING WITH IMPROVED LINE ATTACHMENT - The invention relates to an aerodynamic wing, comprising an upper deck, wherein a plurality of ribs are connected to the upper deck, said ribs lying in a plane parallel to the direction of the vertical lifting force and the direction of the wind flow; the aerodynamic wing being coupled to a base platform arranged below the wing in service via a plurality of fastening lines, whereby the fastening lines are secured to the ribs of the wing, at least two fastening lines are secured to one rib at two line attachment points arranged at a distance from each other in the longitudinal direction; wherein the at least two line attachment points are connected to each other by a reinforcing load transfer line extending from the line attachment point of the first one of the two fastening lines to the line attachment point of the second one of the two fastening lines; whereby the reinforcing load transfer line is attached to the respective rib along substantially the whole length of the load transfer line and follows a curved path along the rib. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110174205 | SAIL AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE THEREOF - A sail includes at least two layers of durable sailcloth material, a scrim of load bearing yarns arranged in predetermined load path orientations, and at least one heat-activated adhesive layer securing the layers of material to the scrim, such that the scrim is positioned between the layers of material. An opaque layer may be included between the two outer layers of material to prevent the passage of light through the sail. Alternatively, the adhesive layer or layers may be dyed or otherwise colored to effectuate an opaque layer. The sail is preferably manufactured using a high temperature, vacuum lamination process to mitigate the quantity of voids between the layers of material and to transfer visible content from one or more image transfer mediums to the outside surface(s) of the layer(s) of material using dye sublimation to provide durable imaging. After lamination, the image transfer medium or media may be discarded. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110290169 | SAIL | 12-01-2011 |
| 20120000410 | SAIL SYSTEM - The invention concerns a sail system comprising a substantially isosceles-triangle-shaped sail ( | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120174848 | Sailcloth with High 1% Warp and High Warp Efficiency and Method of Making Same - There is provided herein a woven sailcloth having a weight of at least about 6 and comprising warp yarns and fill yarns and having a 1% warp of at least about 80 and/or a warp efficiency of at least about 13, wherein the fill yarns are pre-crimped, and wherein the warp yarns and the fill yarns are weaved in a plain weave in which the ratio of fill yarn count to warp yarn count is about 1.1:1 to about 1.8:1 and the ratio of warp yarn density to fill yarn density is about 1.2:1 to about 1.9:1. There is also provided herein sails made from the sailcloth and a method for making the sail. | 07-12-2012 |
| 20140102346 | Structural Support Scheme for the Replacement of Trailing Portions of Sails - A sail for a wind-powered craft includes a web which forms a flying shape upon engagement with the wind, flying shape extending from leading to trailing edges. The web includes a combination of wind-impermeable and wind-permeable portions disposed between the leading and trailing edges, with a permeability ratio of wind-permeable area to wind-impermeable area within a range of about 5 to 80 percent. | 04-17-2014 |
| 114102300 | Spinnaker | 3 |
| 20100319599 | SPINNAKER SAIL AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE THEREOF - A spinnaker sailboat sail is fabricated, according to one embodiment, from at least one transfer medium and at least one sheet of durable spinnaker sailcloth material. The transfer medium includes dyes forming backwards-imaged, visible content. The sheet of sailcloth material includes tightly woven fibers and has two sides. The transfer medium is positioned upon a first side of the sailcloth material at a location at which the visible content is desired to be affixed. Heat and pressure are applied to the transfer medium and the sailcloth material sufficient to force the dyes from the transfer medium completely through the sailcloth material by transferring the dyes from a solid state directly to a gas state to flow past the tightly woven fibers of the sailcloth material. The heat and pressure are then removed to enable the dyes from the transfer medium to become permanently affixed to the sheet of sailcloth material. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20120160144 | METHOD OF MAKING A WOVEN SAILCLOTH, A WOVEN SAILCLOTH, A SAIL MADE FROM A WOVEN SAILCLOTH AND A LAMINATED SAILCLOTH MADE FROM WOVEN SAILCLOTH - A method of making a woven sailcloth comprising the steps of: selecting a first set of yarns comprising at least partially a first type of yarn; selecting a second set of yarns comprising at least partially a second type of yarn; weaving the first set of yarns and the second set of yarns such that the first set of yarns are arranged along a first direction and the second set of yarns are arranged along a second direction which is different from the first direction, choosing a chemical solution which has the property of shrinking the first type of yarn in its longitudinal direction more than the second type of yarn when the first type of yarn and the second type of yarn are exposed to said chemical solution, and exposing the woven sailcloth to said chemical solution. A sailcloth is also disclosed based on said method. A sail made from woven sail cloth is also disclosed. A laminated sailcloth comprising a layer of woven sailcloth is also disclosed. | 06-28-2012 |
| 20130220195 | HIGH STRENGTH THERMOPLASTIC POLYMER FILMS FOR STRENGTH AND DURABILITY AND RELATED METHODS - A high strength filament reinforced thermoplastic polymer film is provided for use in various applications with properties that are stronger than rip-stop nylon or polyester woven fabric. As disclosed, a sailboat spinnaker is provided made from high strength filament reinforced thermoplastic polymer film. The sailboat spinnaker may he bonded or thermo welded together along seams to form a finished spinnaker. The seams, being welded or bonded, can have enhanced performance over conventional rip-stop nylon or polyester fabric spinnakers that are sewn together. The spinnaker clews (attach) points can also be reinforced with one or more thermoplastic polymer film layers and/or adhesive backed woven fabric reinforcements with loops in lieu of conventional metal rings and webbing sewn in place. | 08-29-2013 |
| 114102310 | Of laminate or composite construction | 7 |
| 20080302290 | Membrane Body and Relative Production Method - Membrane body ( | 12-11-2008 |
| 20090114135 | Asymmetrical Sail Fabric - A sailcloth in roll good form permits efficient and cost effective construction of cross cut and vertical cut, laminate sails based on “off-angle,” (assymetrical) load bearing fibers. The sailcloth also may include a conventional warp and fill thread or fiber layout. Such sailcloth illustratively is significantly less susceptible to load force stretch, creep elongation, and airfoil shape deformation because, among other things, it is not dependent on the load bearing limitations of symmetrical, woven or knitted roll good sailcloth. | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090173266 | METHOD OF PRODUCING REINFORCED, FORMED FABRICS - The invention relates to a method of producing reinforced, formed fabrics, consisting in producing a continuous fabric alternated with a membrane ( | 07-09-2009 |
| 20090173267 | METHOD OF PRODUCING REINFORCED, FORMED FABRICS - The invention relates to a method of producing reinforced, formed fabrics, consisting in producing a continuous fabric alternated with a membrane ( | 07-09-2009 |
| 20100275828 | CROSS CUT - Sailcloth of longitudinal direction (machine direction) including a carrier layer, an intermediate layer with several plies of laid yarn as well as a finishing layer, with the yarns being bonded under pretension with the carrier layer and the layers joined with each other, the intermediate layer includes at least three yarn layers the yarns of which being laid at an angle ranging between 55 and 125° relative to the longitudinal direction so that at angles of 60° to 120° and 240° to 300° in relation to the longitudinal direction the cloth has a stretching resistance at 1% of expansion of at least 150 Ibf (667 N). | 11-04-2010 |
| 20110214595 | SAIL AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE THEREOF - A sail includes at least two layers of durable sailcloth material (e.g., Mylar), a scrim of load bearing yarns arranged in predetermined load path orientations, and at least one heat-activated adhesive layer securing the layers of material to the scrim, such that the scrim is positioned between the layers of material. At least one of the layers of material includes visible content on an outside surface thereof. The visible content is preferably applied to the outside surface(s) of the layer(s) of material using dye sublimation to provide durable imaging. An opaque layer may be optionally included between the two outer layers of material to prevent the passage of light through the sail. Alternatively, the adhesive layer(s) may be dyed or otherwise colored to effectuate an opaque layer. The sail is preferably manufactured using a high temperature, vacuum lamination process to mitigate the quantity of voids between the layers of material. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20140060409 | REINFORCING TEXTILE THREAD FOR AN INFLATABLE SAIL, AND RIGGING SAIL COMPRISING SUCH REINFORCING TEXTILE THREADS - The invention relates to a reinforcing textile thread ( | 03-06-2014 |
| 114102330 | Constructed from a plurality of edge connected panels | 1 |
| 20120145063 | RADIAL SAIL WITH REINFORCED LUFF TUBE - A generally triangular-shaped, radial-cut sail intended for use with a small sailing craft such as a Laser™ Class sailboat. A mast sleeve or “luff tube” is arranged or formed adjacent the luff area of the sail, extending from the head to the foot, and sized to accommodate a flexible mast formed of two or more mast sections. A luff tube patch is placed on the leading edge of the mast sleeve adjacent a point where the mast sections meet when the sailing rig is assembled. | 06-14-2012 |
| 114104000 | Reefing and furling | 12 |
| 20120024212 | GUIDE FOR A SAIL SLEEVE, SAIL COLLAPSING ARRANGEMENT AND METHODS THEREFOR - 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. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20140238288 | GUIDE FOR A SAIL SLEEVE, SAIL COLLAPSING ARRANGEMENT AND METHODS THEREFOR - 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. | 08-28-2014 |
| 20140352593 | SAIL ASSEMBLY USING SLUGS AND FLAKERS - 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. | 12-04-2014 |
| 20140352594 | APPARATUS FOR DOUSING A SAIL - 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. | 12-04-2014 |
| 114105000 | Fore-and-aft sails | 3 |
| 20090084298 | MAINSAIL REEFING SYSTEM - 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. During the reefing process a cockpit line is pulled off the third drum and then transitions to the larger diameter threaded disc, providing extra leverage during the outhaul tensioning of the mainsail. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20110232556 | SAIL HANDLING MECHANISM THAT SECURES A HEADBOARD TO A HEADCAR - A mechanism to raise and lower the sail of a boat includes a headcar movably secured to a mast of the boat and a headboard affixed to the sail. A pulling force applied to a halyard raises the sail and causes the headboard to engage the headcar. When the sail is lowered, the headboard disengages from the headcar so that the sail furls flat on the boom. | 09-29-2011 |
| 114106000 | Rolling | 1 |
| 20090013915 | DEVICE FOR ACTUATING SHEETS OF SAILING BOATS | 01-15-2009 |
| 114107000 | Rolling | 5 |
| 20100012008 | FURLING GROUP - A furling group ( | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100288175 | CONFORMAL ROLLER FURLER ASSEMBLY AND METHOD - A roller furler assembly for furling a sail where the luff is vertically or diagonally supported by a stay cable. The assembly includes a hollow drive shaft longitudinally aligned around the stay cable adjacent to the luff. A drive mechanism is coupled to the lower end of the drive shaft. Integrally formed or connected to the drive shaft is a torque input device that connects to and re-enforces a portion of a hollow, flexible sail edge device fitted over the middle and upper sections of the drive shaft. The sail edge device includes a longitudinally aligned slot or track that directly connects to a beaded edge attached to the luff. The length of the torque input device is approximately 5%-25% of the stay cable and sufficient so that when the drive shaft is rotated, torque or rotational force is applied directly to the section of the luff located perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the torque input device and near the sail's geometric center. The sail's geometric center is normally within the area of the sail where the sail's surface area and camber is greatest. When the drive shaft is rotated, the upper and lower sections of the sail edge device not directly engaged by the torque input device are able to axially twist thereby keeping the sail taut and aerodynamic. | 11-18-2010 |
| 20110168073 | ROLLER REEFING BOOM FOR SAILING SHIPS - The invention relates to a roller reefing boom ( | 07-14-2011 |
| 20140060410 | SAIL BEARING - 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. | 03-06-2014 |
| 20150128839 | SAIL BEARING - 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. | 05-14-2015 |
| 114108000 | Fastening device for sail | 3 |
| 20090078184 | MAST TRACK EXTENSION AND PRE-FEEDER FOR MAINSAIL FURLING - A flexible mast track extension for use on sail boat mast permitting the luff of a sail bent to the mast to deflect from the line of the mast and facilitate the extension or retraction of a sail from a furling apparatus. | 03-26-2009 |
| 20100319600 | COUPLING AND DECOUPLING METHOD AND DEVICE FOR IN-BOOM FURLING BOOM SAILS - The invention relates to a method for automatically coupling and decoupling the luff of a battened mainsail and stackable luff holders as the connecting link between the sail luff and mast guiding slides, thereby allowing the now free sail luff to be reefed up by means of an in-boom furling boom and allowing the battened mainsail to be hoisted and reefed by means of mast guiding slides. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20110067614 | SEMI-CONTINUOUS COMPOSITE RIGGING SYSTEM - A semi-continuous composite rigging system is provided including at least one discontinuous shroud and one continuous shroud. The discontinuous shroud and the continuous shroud are coupled at their end portions to attachment points on a sailboat or other structure by terminal coupling devices. The continuous shroud is further coupled to the sailboat at one or more intermediate locations between its first end portion and its second end portion. These intermediate locations are coupled to the boat by non-terminal coupling devices. A hybrid coupling device may be used in place of a terminal and a non-terminal coupling device at one or more attachment points on the sailboat. The semi-continuous rigging system provides for achieving a desired balance of certain performance characteristics of a sailboat by utilizing a combination of discontinuous shrouds, continuous shrouds, terminal coupling devices, and non-terminal coupling devices. | 03-24-2011 |
| 114111000 | Running rigging | 1 |
| 20140165895 | Halyard Retrieval Device Apparatus and Method - The apparatus and method of the present invention provide a crewmember with the ability to retrieve the halyard and shackle at the head of a mast of a contemporary sailing vessel from the deck. A clamshell device containing a magnetized component is pre-installed on the halyard shackle and a related magnetically active cylinder is attached to a companion non-loaded halyard running just beside the loaded halyard. The clamshell is attached at the top of the shackle just below the halyard that is attached to the shackle. | 06-19-2014 |
| 114112000 | Mast travelers | 1 |
| 20100282154 | SECTIONALIZED MAST TRACK - 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. | 11-11-2010 |
