Patent US4061790A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3765362A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dynamic balance sail control
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-05-04
•
Granted: 1973-10-16
•
Expires: 1992-05-04
Abstract
Abstract A dynamic balance sail control apparatus for sailboats or the like which controls the position of a mainsail about a vertical axis. Control of the mainsail may be effected on board the craft or from a remote position with the aid of radio transmitter and receiver means. One end of a sheet or rope means is attached to the boom of the mainsail and the other end is wrapped around a reel means from which the sheet means is payed in and out. A reversible motor means is used to rotate the reel means in opposite directions. The apparent wind against the mainsail creates a tension on the sheet means which is absorbed by a preadjusted tension on a rubber band torque motor whereby the sheet means may be payed in or out to adjust the position thereof. By utilizing multichannel radio transmitter and receiver means it is also possible to effect a steering control by controlling a rudder for the sailboat. By utilizing more than one sheet means, other sails, such as a jib sail, may also be controlled.
Inventors
- 👤 J Gitchel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 19:05
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63H; A63H30/00; A63H30/02; A63H30/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A dynamic balance sail control apparatus for sailboats or the like having at least a mainsail thereon comprising: a. sheet means for controlling the position of said mainsail about a vertical axis, b. reel means for receiving and paying out said sheet means, c. reversible motor means for rotating said reel means in opposite directions, d. shroud means which substantially completely envelop said reel means, e. and means for varying the torque required to rotate said reel means, 1. said torque varying means including flexible rubber band means attached at one end to said reel means and at the other end to said shroud means and further including means to twist said flexible rubber band means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
A dynamic balance sail control apparatus for sailboats or the like having at least a mainsail thereon comprising: a. sheet means for controlling the position of said mainsail about a vertical axis, b. reel means for receiving and paying out said sheet means, c. reversible motor means for rotating said reel means in opposite directions, d. shroud means which substantially completely envelop said reel means, e. and means for varying the torque required to rotate said reel means, 1. said torque varying means including flexible rubber band means attached at one end to said reel means and at the other end to said shroud means and further including means to twist said flexible rubber band means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A dynamic balance sail control apparatus as defined in claim 1 including means for effecting remote control of said reversible motor means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
A dynamic balance sail control apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said means for effecting remote control of said reversible motor means consists of a radio transmitter remotely positioned with respect to said sailboat and radio receiver means positioned on board said sailboat.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
A dynamic balance sail control apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said radio transmitter and said radio receiver means contain multi-channels with one of said channels being used to control the position of said mainsail about a vertical axis and another of said channels being used to effect steering control by controlling a rudder for said sailboat.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A dynamic balance sail control apparatus as defined in claim 1 including speed reduction means between said reversible motor means and said reel means to reduce the speed of said motor means at said reel means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
A dynamic balance sail control apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said sailboat is provided with a jib sail in addition to said mainsail and said apparatus includes sheet means for controlling said jib sail about a vertical axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
A dynamic balance sail control apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said sheet means for both said jib sail and said mainsail are received on the same reel means and said jib sail follows the control of said mainsail.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A dynamic balance sail control apparatus as defined in claim 1 including polarity reversing rheostat means connected in series with said reversible motor means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-15 | 1977-04-16 | 1977-10-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-15 | 1981-04-16 | 1981-10-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-15 | 1985-04-16 | 1985-10-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |