US4022144A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sailing craft
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-04-15
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Granted: 1977-05-10
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Expires: 1996-04-15
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for launching and retracting one or more sails of a sailing craft includes a reversible drive for rotating a drum. A rope or other elongated flexible element connects with movable parts of the one or more retractable sails and extends in a substantially continuous loop with a reach of the loop drivingly engaging the peripheral surface of the drum. Guides tension the loop and support the sail connection portions of the flexible element for movement between locations where the movable sail parts are launched and retracted. In preferred practice, the drive includes a radio signal responsive remote control system, and the apparatus operates to selectively launch and retract spinnaker and jib sails.
Inventors
- 👤 James Wallace Gitchel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 09:04
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63H; B63H9/00; B63H9/04; B63H9/08; B63H9/10; B63H9/1092
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A sail launching and retraction control apparatus for a sailing craft having a first sail with at least a part of the first sail being movable between positions where the first sail is launched and retracted, comprising: a. rotatably mounted drum means having a peripheral surface; b. elongated flexible means having a portion connected to the movable sail part and extending from such sail connection portion in a substantially continuous loop with a reach of the loop drivingly engaging the peripheral surface; c. guide means for tensioning the loop and supporting the sail connection portion for movement between locations where the movable sail part is in the launched and retracted positions; and, d. reversible motor means for selectively rotating the drum means in opposite directions to move the loop and thereby launch and retract the first sail.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
A sail launching and retraction control apparatus for a sailing craft having a first sail with at least a part of the first sail being movable between positions where the first sail is launched and retracted, comprising: a. rotatably mounted drum means having a peripheral surface; b. elongated flexible means having a portion connected to the movable sail part and extending from such sail connection portion in a substantially continuous loop with a reach of the loop drivingly engaging the peripheral surface; c. guide means for tensioning the loop and supporting the sail connection portion for movement between locations where the movable sail part is in the launched and retracted positions; and, d. reversible motor means for selectively rotating the drum means in opposite directions to move the loop and thereby launch and retract the first sail.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including means for effecting remote control of said reversible motor means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first sail is a spinnaker sail.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first sail is a jib sail.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the craft has a deck and the retracted position of the first sail is above deck.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the craft has a deck and the retracted position of the first sail is below deck.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
71 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: a. the craft is provided with a second sail, at least a section of which is movable between positions where the second sail is furled and unfurled; b. the elongated flexible means includes another portion which connects with the movable sail section; and c. the motor means is operative when rotating the drum means selectively in opposite directions to furl and unfurl the second sail.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the motor means is operative, when rotating the drum means in one direction, to launch the first sail and to furl the second sail; and when rotating the drum means in the opposite direction, to retract the first sail and unfurl the second sail.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein: a. the craft has a deck; b. the retracted position of the first sail is below deck; and c. the furled position of the second sail is above deck.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the first sail is a spinnaker sail and the second sail is a jib sail.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
112 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: a. the craft has a deck and a mast which extends upwardly from the deck; b. the guide means includes a pulley carried on the mast; c. the launched position of the first sail is located below the pulley alongside the mast; d. the retracted position of the first sail is in a region below deck; e. the drum means and the motor means are housed below deck; f. an opening is formed through the deck; and g. the loop extends from the drum means through a portion of the below deck region which defines the retracted position, through the opening, and upwardly to the pulley.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the guide means additionally includes spaced members carried below deck to guide portions of the loop and the first sail into the region which defines the retracted position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the guide means includes auxiliary drum means rotatably carried near the drum means for engaging the loop and preventing the loop reach from threading off the drum means during rotation of the drum means by the motor means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the auxiliary drum means includes first and second auxiliary drums having diameters less than that of the drum means and being positioned on opposite sides of the drum means to engage portions of the loop near the loop reach and prevent the loop reach from threading off the drum means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the guide means includes first and second tensioning means each of which engages and tensions a separate one of two loop portions which extend between the drum means and the sail connection.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
129 words
An apparatus for selectively launching and retracting one of two retractable sails on a sailing craft, comprising: a. rotatably mounted drum means having a peripheral surface; b. elongated flexible means having portions connected to both sails and extending from such portions in a substantially continuous loop with a reach of the loop drivingly engaging the peripheral surface; c. guide means for tensioning the loop and supporting the loop for movement between a first position where the sail connected portions launch one sail and retract the other sail, and a second position where the sail connected portions launch the other sail and retract the one sail; and d. reversible drive means for selectively rotating the drum means in opposite directions to move the loop between the first and second positions.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
129 words
An apparatus for selectively launching and retracting one of two retractable sails on a sailing craft, comprising: a. rotatably mounted drum means having a peripheral surface; b. elongated flexible means having portions connected to both sails and extending from such portions in a substantially continuous loop with a reach of the loop drivingly engaging the peripheral surface; c. guide means for tensioning the loop and supporting the loop for movement between a first position where the sail connected portions launch one sail and retract the other sail, and a second position where the sail connected portions launch the other sail and retract the one sail; and d. reversible drive means for selectively rotating the drum means in opposite directions to move the loop between the first and second positions.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 16 including means for effecting remote control of said reversible drive means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein one of the sails is a jib sail.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein one of the sails is a spinnaker sail.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the craft has a deck and the retracted position of one of the sails is above deck.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the craft has a deck and the retracted position of one of the sails is below deck.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
112 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein : a. the craft has a deck and a mast which extends upwardly from the deck; b. the guide means includes a first pulley carried on the mast; c. the launched position of one of the sails is located below the first pulley; d. the retracted position of the one sail is in a region below deck; e. the drum means and drive means are housed below deck; f. an opening is formed through the deck; and; g. the loop extends from the drum through a portion of the below deck region which defines the retracted position through the opening, and upwardly to the first pulley.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus of claim 22 wherein: ;p1 a. the guide means includes a second pulley carried on the mast; b. the launched position of the other of the sails is below the second pulley; c. the retracted position of the other sail is above deck; and d. the flexible means portion which connects with the other sail is reeved around the second pulley.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein an extensible bungee cord connects with one of the sails and helps to assure retraction of such one sail without ensnarlment.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein separate extensible bungee cords connect with each of the sails and help assure retraction of the sails without ensnarlment.
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) | 1980-05-09 | 1980-11-08 | 1981-05-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-05-09 | 1984-11-08 | 1985-05-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-05-09 | 1988-11-08 | 1989-05-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |