US3875889A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sailboat traveler apparatus
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-04-11
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Granted: 1975-04-08
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Expires: 1994-04-11
Abstract
Abstract A traveler assembly used to position a boat sail includes a slider supported in a track mounted on a rigid frame of the boat. The slider consists of a base mounted in the channel-shaped track and hingedly supporting a fairlead assembly including a block, a pair of fairlead sheaves, and an eye-strap for attaching the main sail block. A pivoted cleating assembly is supported on the fairlead block for releasably cleating the single control line.
Inventors
- 👤 Samuel Robbins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 12:41
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63H; B63H9/00; B63H9/04; B63H9/08; B63H9/10; B63H2009/088
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
183 words
A traveler assembly for positioning and controlling a sail on a sailboat and adapted to be slidably mounted on an elongated generally rectangular open-topped track having a pair of inwardly directed flanges formed one along each top edge thereof with the flanges being spaced from one another to define an open slot extending the length of the track, said traveler comprising, in combination, an elongated slider block having a generally rectangular base portion adapted to be slidably received in the hollow interior of said track and extending laterally beneath said flanges and an upwardly projecting portion adapted to extend through the open slot between said flanges, a fairlead assembly including a frame, hinge means pivotally supporting said frame on said upwardly projecting portion of said slider block for limited pivotal movement about an axis parallel to and spaced closely adjacent the track, a pair of fairlead sheaves mounted on said frame for rotation about generally parallel upwardly extending axes, guide means for retaining a control line between said fairlead sheaves, and line cleating means pivotally mounted on said frame and projecting forwardly therefrom.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
183 words
A traveler assembly for positioning and controlling a sail on a sailboat and adapted to be slidably mounted on an elongated generally rectangular open-topped track having a pair of inwardly directed flanges formed one along each top edge thereof with the flanges being spaced from one another to define an open slot extending the length of the track, said traveler comprising, in combination, an elongated slider block having a generally rectangular base portion adapted to be slidably received in the hollow interior of said track and extending laterally beneath said flanges and an upwardly projecting portion adapted to extend through the open slot between said flanges, a fairlead assembly including a frame, hinge means pivotally supporting said frame on said upwardly projecting portion of said slider block for limited pivotal movement about an axis parallel to and spaced closely adjacent the track, a pair of fairlead sheaves mounted on said frame for rotation about generally parallel upwardly extending axes, guide means for retaining a control line between said fairlead sheaves, and line cleating means pivotally mounted on said frame and projecting forwardly therefrom.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The traveler assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said slider block has a pair of grooves formed therein one on each of its opposed side walls in position to receive said inwardly directed flanges on said track in sliding tongue-and-groove relation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The traveler assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein said slider block is integrally molded from a single homogeneous mass of self-lubricating polymeric material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
The traveler assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said line cleating means comprises an elongated arm having one end pivotally mounted on said frame at a point in line with said fairlead sheaves, said arm extending forwardly from said frame, and a set of cam cleats mounted on and extending downwardly from the distal end of said arm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The traveler assembly as defined in claim 4 wherein said arm is adapted to support said cam cleats in line with said fairlead sheaves throughout the full pivotal movement of said arm during normal use of said traveler assembly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
111 words
The traveler assembly as defined in claim 4 wherein said cleating means further comprises a pair of shafts extending through and supporting said cam cleats for rotation about spaced parallel axes, said arm including means extending between and closely adjacent to the top of said cam cleats in position to engage and prevent a line extending through the nip of said cleats from being pulled upwardly therefrom, and guide means mounted on and extending between said shafts below said cam cleats a distance sufficient to permit a control line to be passed therethrough without passing into the nip of said cleats while retaining the line in close proximity to said nip.
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) | 1978-04-07 | 1978-10-07 | 1979-04-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-07 | 1982-10-07 | 1983-04-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-07 | 1986-10-07 | 1987-04-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |