Jib-furling stay

Claim 2

Jib-furling stay apparatus for use between the bow and mast of a sailboat, said apparatus comprising: a stay having at least a portion thereof of generally C-shaped cross section, the interior of the C-shaped cross section being adapted to retain a bead on the luff of a jib sail with the sail extending through the mouth of the C; first swivel means for attaching the upper end of said stay to said mast; second swivel means for attaching the lower end of said stay to said bow, said stay being thereby adapteD to provide support to said mast; means for selectively rotating said stay thereby to furl a jib held thereby around the stay; and third swivel means for coupling a halyard to the head of a jib to permit raising of jib having a bead passing within said stay while permitting said stay to rotate without twisting said halyard around said stay.

Claim 3

Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said second swivel means includes a spherical bearing which permits said stay to bow.

Claim 4

Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for rotating said stay includes a drum mounted on the lower end of said stay.

Claim 5

Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said second swivel means includes a thrust bearing facilitating free rotation of said stay while under substantial tension.

Claim 6

Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said third swivel means includes first and second members both of which surround said stay, a thrust bearing interposed between said members for permitting free relative rotation while said members are under axial load along said stay, means for attaching a halyard to one of said members outside of said stay, and means for attaching the bead of a jib sail to the other of said members.

Claim 7

Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the walls of said C are relatively thin with respect to the width of the C.

Claim 8

Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said stay comprises a strip of metal rolled to provide said C-shaped cross section.

Claim 9

Apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said stay includes a major portion which is of C-shaped cross section and a minor portion at the lower end thereof which is of U-shaped cross section.

Claim 10

Jib-furling stay apparatus for use between the bow and mast of a sailboat, said apparatus comprising: a stay comprising a strip of metal rolled to provide a major portion of generally C-shaped cross section and a minor portion at the lower end thereof which is of U-shaped cross section, the interior of the C-shaped cross section being adapted to retain a bead on the luff of a jib sail with the sail extending through the mouth of the C; first swivel means for attaching the upper end of said stay to said mast; second swivel means for attaching the lower end of said stay to said bow and permitting both rotation and bowing of said stay, said stay being thereby adapted to provide support to said mast; means for selectively rotating said stay thereby to furl a jib held thereby around the stay; and third swivel means for coupling a halyard to the head of a jib to permit raising of jib having a bead passing within said stay while permitting said stay to rotate without twisting said halyard around said stay.

Claim 11

Jib-furling stay apparatus for use between the bow and mast of a sailboat, said apparatus comprising: a stay comprising a strip of metal rolled to provide a major portion of generally C-shaped cross section and a minor portion at the lower end thereof which is of U-shaped cross section, the interior of the C-shaped cross section being adapted to retain a bead on the luff of a jib sail with the sail extending through the mouth of the C; first swivel means for attaching the upper end of said stay to said mast; second swivel means for attaching the lower end of said stay to said bow and permitting both rotation and bowing of said stay, said stay being thereby adapted to provide support to said mast; means for selectively rotating said stay thereby to furl a jib held thereby around the stay; and third swivel means for coupling a halyard to the head of a jib to permit raising of jib having a bead passing within said stay while permitting said stay to rotate without twisting said halyard around said stay.

Claim 12

Apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein the walls of said C and U are relatively thin with respect to their widths.