WO2001092098A1

WO2001092098A1 - Sailcraft

Info

Publication number: WO2001092098A1
Application number: PCT/NZ2001/000104
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Alexander
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-05-30
Filing date: 2001-05-30
Publication date: 2001-12-06
Anticipated expiration: 2002-11-30
Also published as: AU2001267941A1

Abstract

A sailcraft includes a mast, a boom (9), a sail (20) and connection means engaging the boom (9) to the mast in a manner such that the boom (9) is substantially horizontal in normal use and such that the boom (9) is capable of rotation around or about the longitudinal axis thereof. Manually operable control means (30) are provided to, in use, rotate the boom (9) to a desired position, the construction and arrangement of the control means (30) are such that in normal use the user's back faces the sail (20).

Description

SAILCRAFT

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a sailcraft and has been devised particularly though not necessarily solely for use as a sailcraft of the type often known as a board sailer or windsurfer.

BACKGROUND ART

There remains a need for sailcraft, particularly of the sailboard or windsurfer type, which will enable a user to control the craft in a readily practicable manner but will provide substantial enjoyment whether of a competitive or recreational manner.

OBJECT

It is an object of the present invention to provide a sailcraft which will go at least some way towards meeting the foregoing needs or which will at least provide the public with a useful choice.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly the invention consists in a sailcraft including a mast, and a boom, connection means engaging the boom to the mast in a manner such that the boom is substantially horizontal in normal use and such that the boom is capable of rotation around or about the longitudinal axis thereof, and manually operable control means to, in use, rotate the boom to a desired position, a sail being engageable on the boom in use, the construction and arrangement of the control means being such that in normal use the user's back faces the sail. Preferably the control means comprises one or more handles extending outwardly from the boom a distance such that the user can grip the handle or handles whilst facing away from the sail.

Preferably two spaced apart handles are provided so that in normal use a user stands between the handles.

Preferably each handle is in the form of a loop.

Preferably the sailcraft comprises a sailboard.

Preferably the boom is able to rotate about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis thereof and substantially vertical in normal use.

Preferably the mast is substantially in the shape of a "T" or inverted "L" .

Preferably the boom is attached to the top of the "T" shape or inverted "L".

To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the description herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS One preferred form of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which,

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a sailcraft according to one preferred form of the invention,

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view from the other side of the sailcraft, Figure 3 is a diagrammatic representation of a sail for use with the invention,

Figure 4 shows an alternative form of mast and boom arrangement of the invention,

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic perspective representation of the mast and boom arrangement shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 6 is a detailed view of the handles for control of the boom and sail,

Figure 7 shows a further alternative construction of the invention,

Figures 8 and Figure 9 shows views from starboard and port tacks of an alternative embodiment of a sailcraft, according to the invention,

Figure 10 is a view as in Figure 5 of an alternative mast and boom arrangement,

Figure 11 is a simplified plan view of a sailcraft according to the invention showing a moveable mast,

Figure 12 is a rear elevation of the sailcraft of Figure 11,

Figures 13 is a diagrammatic rear elevation of a joint between a mast and board in one form of the invention, and

Figure 14 is a side elevation of the sailcraft of Figure 11.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring to Figures 1 to 7, in one preferred form of the invention a sailcraft is provided which is in the form of a windsurfer or sailboard 1. A mast is provided and a boom is engaged with the mast through connection means. The connection means are such that the boom is substantially horizontal in normal use as can be seen from Figures 1 and 2 and is also arranged so that the boom is capable of rotation around or about the longitudinal axis of the boom. In the preferred form of the invention the mast 2 is in the form of an inverted "L" shape, h an alternative construction a "T" shape could be used. The bottom part of the inverted "L" is engaged with the board 3, for example, through a fixing plate 4. The toe 8 of the inverted "L" may be positioned at, for example, substantially the shoulder height of an average person or perhaps a little therebelow. The arrangement is such that the boom 9 is substantially horizontal in normal use, as above described. The boom is able to rotate around or about its axis. Thus, for example, in the embodiments of Figures 1, 2, 4 and 5 the boom rotates around its longitudinal axis. This may be achieved by providing a sleeve 10 through which the boom 9 passes so that it is able to rotate. In the construction of Figure 7, the boom 9 is able to rotate about its axis in the sense that the longitudinal axis of the boom is able to rotate around a point set by the position of the sleeve 10 which is displaced outwardly, for example, by being held on a bracket having a base 11 which passes through the sleeve 10 and a pair of arms 12 engaged with the boom 9 for example, by providing a further sleeve 13 between the arms so that the boom 9 passes therethrough.

The boom is also able to rotate about a substantially vertical axis, that is to say, transverse to the longitudinal axis of the boom and this may be achieved for example, by mounting the sleeve 10 on a pivot pin 15, which passes through the inverted foot or toe 8 of the mast. Such a construction is shown, for example, in Figures 2 and 5. The pivot pin 15 is rotatable in a suitable aperture in the toe or leg 8 and held against removal in any known manner, for example, by pins passing through an aperture or the like.

i Figures 4 and 10 the pivot pin 15 passes downwardly into an alternative mast 16 which does not have the toe or foot 8, but simply an aperture at the top.

A sail 20 is mounted on the boom. The sail is symmetrical about an axis which is substantially horizontal in use. For example, the sail 20 may be a substantially triangular sail supported by bracing struts 21 at the base of the triangle, and being engaged into a suitable securing device on the boom 9 at the leading point 22. Generally the boom 9 will lie on the axis of symmetry of the sail 20.

So as to control the position of the sail, manually operable control means are provided and in the preferred form of the invention this takes the form of a pair of handles 30 which are engaged on the boom 9 in spaced apart fashion. In embodiments shown, the handles are in the foπn of loops, having a substantially rectangular shape, but other arrangements could be used. As can be seen from Figures 1 and 2 the handles are constructed so as to extend past a user 31 in normal use. Thus the user 31 has his back to the sail in normal use, and stands between the two handles 30.

The handles 30 are spaced apart a sufficient distance that they will clear the mast when rotated downwardly from the position shown, for example, in Figure 1.

Thus in use, a user stands on the board and grips the handle, for example, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The craft is moved by the wind and by suitable rotation of the sail by rotating the boom 9 in both the horizontal and vertical planes, the most desired force to move the sailboard is achieved. If it is desired to change direction, for example, by tacking, the user can move the handles downwardly whilst repositioning himself on the other side of the board so that as the handles swing upwardly the sail is reversed, for example, from the port side of the craft to the starboard side of the craft. The craft can then again be controlled in the manner above described. Alternatively direction control could be supplemented by a rudder with suitable hand or foot controls.

In the embodiments of Figures 8 to 14, the sail 20 is again symmetrical about boom 9. The sail is somewhat more rounded at its leading edge 32 and is contained within a perimeter frame 33 except at its tracking edge 34. Transverse braces 35 as provided across the sail and parallel braces 36 are provided between the transverse braces 35, one each side of the boom 9. The handles 30 in this embodiment extend between the braces 36. Again the handles extend beyond a user 31 so that the user has his back to the sail 20 in use. Foot straps 38 may be provided on the board. The wind direction is shown by arrow 39.

The mast 2 which carries the boom 9 is positioned on the centre line of the board, either fore or aft of the user 31, extending to approximately shoulder height of the user 31. The mast top 33 supports the central boom 9 allowing the boom 9 to rotate about its longitudinal axis. Thus the boom 9 may be mounted in a collar or sleeve 10. Handles 34 or similar, project from the sail frame 35 and 36, or boom 9, and allow the inclination of the sail 20 to be adjusted to wind strength, and to be rolled from the left to the right side on starboard (Figure 8) and Port (Figure 9) tacks respectively. The sail or sail frame may be released out from the boom to depower the sail, or tightened in. This may be achieved by attaching the sail 20 to the frame through extendable sheets.

The mast foot 36 is attached by a joint 37 to the board. To allow freedom of movement this fitting enables the mast to pivot laterally from one side to the other, transverse to the longitudinal axis of the board (Figure 11). A clamp 38 may be provided to enable the sail frame to be locked in position at any angle to the mast (Figure 12). Hence the sail frame may be rotated to a desired inclination and locked by a releasable mechanism to the mast. Any suitable clamp may be used.

The mast foot also allows tilting in a fore/aft direction (Figure 14), altering the turning moment of the sail and affording directional control. Rotation of the mast 2 may be restricted as shown in the drawings where rotation of the mast 2 around its longitudinal axis is prevented and the sail 20 released in response to different points of sailing. If desired rotation of the mast may be provided by a suitable connection between joint 37 and the board. Such a connection could be, for example, a turntable.

Thus it can be seen that at least in a preferred form of the invention a sailcraft is provided which has the advantage that it provides a novel construction with substantial opportunity for recreational and sporting use.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A sailcraft including a mast, and a boom, connection means engaging the boom to the mast in a manner such that the boom is substantially horizontal in normal use and such that the boom is capable of rotation around or about the longitudinal axis thereof, and manually operable control means to, in use, rotate the boom to a desired position, a sail being engageable on the boom in use, the construction and arrangement of the control means being such that in normal use the user's back faces the sail.

2. A sailcraft as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control means comprises one or more handles extending outwardly from the boom a distance such that the user can grip the handle or handles whilst facing away from the sail.

3. A sailcraft as claimed in claim 2, wherein two spaced apart handles are provided so that in normal use a user stands between the handles.

4. A sailcraft as claimed in claim 3, wherein each handle is in the form of a loop.

5. A sailcraft as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sailcraft comprises a sailboard.

6. A sailcraft as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the boom is able to rotate about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis thereof and substantially vertical in normal use.

7. A sailcraft as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mast is substantially in the shape of a "T" or inverted "L".

8. A sailcraft substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.