Patent US4796554A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4796554A
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Sailboat
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1987-04-15
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Granted: 1989-01-10
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Expires: 2007-04-15
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to a sailboat in which the hull is defined by cross-sections forming equilateral triangles standing on one tip with convex sides and which continuously decrease in size toward the bow and stern so that the keel line and the side edges coincide there and a substantially symmetrical ellipsoid is formed. The ellipsoid includes an extended bow cockpit and downwardly and outwardly slanting adjustable rudder vanes simultaneously forming rest feet. A central seat in the hull receives an adjustable mast of a profiled sail corresponding to a symmetrical airfoil profile having an adjustable airfoil cap at its front end. Several beams at the mast can be pulled up over each other and sail segments mounted in between can be reefed.
Inventors
- 👤 Wilhelm Laib
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 16:59
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B1/00; B63B1/02; B63B1/04; B63H; B63H9/00; B63H9/04; B63H9/06; B63H9/061; B63B41/00; B63C; B63C15/00; B63B35/00; B63B2035/009
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
A sailboat, comprising: (a) a generally closed hull having a deck; (b) a sail including at least one mast adjustably mounted on said hull; (c) said mast forming a central part of said sail and having an edged cross-section; (d) a plurality of generally horizontal said beams cooperating with said mast and being vertically displaceable relative thereto; (e) said sail beams being interconnected by individual sail segments; (f) each said segment being adapted to be reefed in the form of bellows between adjacent sail beams; (g) each said sail segment being displaceable to assume a deployed position; (h) said sail having a symmetrical airfoil contour top and including a laterally adjustable airfoil cap about the front thereof; (i) said mast including a polygonal pipe means; (j) said deck including a seat for rotatably mounting said pipe means therein; and (k) said sail beams being individually connected to the next higher sail beam by at least one cable means and at least one winch motor means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
A sailboat, comprising: (a) a generally closed hull having a deck; (b) a sail including at least one mast adjustably mounted on said hull; (c) said mast forming a central part of said sail and having an edged cross-section; (d) a plurality of generally horizontal said beams cooperating with said mast and being vertically displaceable relative thereto; (e) said sail beams being interconnected by individual sail segments; (f) each said segment being adapted to be reefed in the form of bellows between adjacent sail beams; (g) each said sail segment being displaceable to assume a deployed position; (h) said sail having a symmetrical airfoil contour top and including a laterally adjustable airfoil cap about the front thereof; (i) said mast including a polygonal pipe means; (j) said deck including a seat for rotatably mounting said pipe means therein; and (k) said sail beams being individually connected to the next higher sail beam by at least one cable means and at least one winch motor means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The sailboat of claim 1, wherein: (a) said pipe means is triangular in shape.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
The sailboat of claim 1, wherein: (a) at least one of said sail beams is formed of a metal; and (b) one of said sail beams being displaceable to a topmost position by its respective cable means such that the other of said sail beams individually suspend from a respective upper sail beam by a corresponding sail segment.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The sailboat of claim 1, wherein: (a) each said sail beam together with its respective sail segment forms a symmetrical airfoil profile; (b) each said sail beam including a front portion and a rear portion; and (c) an airfoil cap adjustably mounted adjacent each said front portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The sailboat of claim 4, wherein: (a) each said airfoil cap including a portion pivotable about a central, vertical axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The sailboat of claim 5, wherein: (a) each said sail segment comprises a first sail portion fastened to the rear portion of two adjacent sail beams and a second sail portion enclosing the respective airfoil cap.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The sailboat of claim 1, wherein: (a) one of said sail beams is trough-shaped.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
The sailboat of claim 7, wherein: (a) said trough-shaped sail beam is the lowermost sail beam and has an upperside and an underside; and (b) said underside having a rounded configuration for covering said seat when said mast is positioned on said hull.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The sailboat of claim 1, wherein: (a) said sail segments are hollow; and (b) a plurality of stiffening plates are positioned between individual sail beams within the respective sail segment.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
56 words
The sailboat of claim 9, wherein: (a) said plates are connected to one another by outwardly projecting toggle-joints having knees in a manner such that a portion of said sail segment fastened to the knees of said toggle-joints is displaced outwardly relative to another portion of said sail segment mounted to the edges of said plates.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
58 words
The sailboat of claim 9, wherein: (a) said plates are connected to an adjacent sail beam by outwardly projecting toggle-joints having knees in a manner such that a portion of said sail segment fastened to the knees of said toggle-joints is displaced outwardly relative to another portion of said sail segment mounted to the edges of said plates.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
The sailboat of claim 9, wherein: (a) said plates are organized into a front section and a rear section; and (b) each of said front and rear sections is guided by at least two vertical cables extending through adjacent sail beams.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The sailboat of claim 9, wherein: (a) a plurality of toggle-joints having knees are mounted on the upper and lower sides of at least one of said plates.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The sailboat of claim 13, wherein: (a) said toggle-joints are located inwardly of the peripheral edge of said plate and slant outwardly as far as the toggle-joint knee.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The sailboat of claim 1, further comprising: (a) an elliptical end plate mounted stop one of said sail beams; and (b) said one of said sail beams being the topmost sail beam.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The sailboat of claim 1, wherein: (a) said sail is contoured to taper upwardly.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The sailboat of claim 1, wherein: (a) said hull is generally elliptical in shape.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
39 words
The sailboat of claim 17, wherein: (a) said hull includes a stern and a bow positioned generally opposite to said stern; and (b) said hull is extended at said bow by a cockpit having a generally planar upper side.
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) | 1992-01-10 | 1992-07-11 | 1993-01-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-01-10 | 1996-07-11 | 1997-01-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-01-10 | 2000-07-11 | 2001-01-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |