US3858542A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Directing sail
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-02-21
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Granted: 1975-01-07
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Expires: 1993-02-21
Abstract
Abstract This invention is directed to provide a novel sail arrangement comprising a main sail not secured to a central mast, and provided with means permitting the setting of this main sail in three directions, i.e., longitudinally, laterally and angularly in a horizontal plane. With these three specific adjustments, the coxswain can take due account of all the reactions produced by the sail on the vessel and control the head, the list, the nosediving, or bow drop, and the speed of the vessel with a high degree of precision and without resorting to a rudder.
Inventors
- 👤 Jean-Paul Lenoble
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 17:41
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63H; B63H8/00; B63H8/10; B63H9/00; B63H9/04; B63H9/06; B63H9/068; B63B; B63B15/00; B63B2015/0016; B63B2015/0033; B63B2015/005; B63B2015/0075
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
Sail assembly comprising a sail having three apices, two lateral spars inclined to one another and intersecting at one of said apices, to which spars the sail is attached, and a transverse spar spacing said lateral spars, said transverse spar being so positioned relative to said lateral spars that the center of gravity of the assembly lies centrally of said transverse spar and the center of thrust of said assembly coincides with or lies behind the center of gravity, and a plurality of sheets of adjustable length, a sheet being attached to said sail at each of said apices and said sheets being joined at a central point, but being otherwise unconstrained.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
Sail assembly comprising a sail having three apices, two lateral spars inclined to one another and intersecting at one of said apices, to which spars the sail is attached, and a transverse spar spacing said lateral spars, said transverse spar being so positioned relative to said lateral spars that the center of gravity of the assembly lies centrally of said transverse spar and the center of thrust of said assembly coincides with or lies behind the center of gravity, and a plurality of sheets of adjustable length, a sheet being attached to said sail at each of said apices and said sheets being joined at a central point, but being otherwise unconstrained.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The sail assembly claimed in claim 1 wherein the sail is symmetrical about a line perpendicular to the transverse spar and passing through its center.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The said assembly claimed in claim 1 wherein the lateral spars are aluminum or other light alloy tubes and are maintained in curved configuration by the transverse spar and the sail.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The sail assembly claimed in claim 1 wherein said transverse spar is rigid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The said assembly claimed in claim 1 and comprising a rigid boom between the central point of the transverse spar and the junction of said sheets.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The sail assembly claimed in claim 1 and comprising float means supporting said assembly and means connecting said transverse spar to said float means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
151 words
Sail assembly comprising a semi-elliptical sail, two lateral spars comprising fiberglass rods having upper and lower ends, slides slidably mounted at the upper ends of said lateral spars, said sail being secured to said slides and to the lower ends of said lateral spars, a transverse spar spacing said lateral spars, said transverse spar being so positioned relative to said lateral spars that the center of gravity of the assembly lies centrally of said transverse spar and the center of thrust of said assembly coincides with or lies behind the center of gravity, means connecting said slides with one another, a pulley mounted between the upper ends of said rods, hinge means centrally positioned on the transverse spar, two sheets attached to the lower ends of said lateral spars and a third sheet connected to said hinge means and threaded through said pulley, said sheets being joined at a central point.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
151 words
Sail assembly comprising a semi-elliptical sail, two lateral spars comprising fiberglass rods having upper and lower ends, slides slidably mounted at the upper ends of said lateral spars, said sail being secured to said slides and to the lower ends of said lateral spars, a transverse spar spacing said lateral spars, said transverse spar being so positioned relative to said lateral spars that the center of gravity of the assembly lies centrally of said transverse spar and the center of thrust of said assembly coincides with or lies behind the center of gravity, means connecting said slides with one another, a pulley mounted between the upper ends of said rods, hinge means centrally positioned on the transverse spar, two sheets attached to the lower ends of said lateral spars and a third sheet connected to said hinge means and threaded through said pulley, said sheets being joined at a central point.
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) | 1978-01-06 | 1978-07-08 | 1979-01-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-06 | 1982-07-08 | 1983-01-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-06 | 1986-07-08 | 1987-01-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |