Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
A composite sail having a head, a tack and a clew, said sail being comprised of a plurality of panels each of which is joined to an adjacent panel, each of said panels being comprised of a laminate of (i) a first outer layer of material; (ii) a second outer layer which is comprised of a plurality of individual segments joined together along abutting edges, each of said segments formed of reinforced material comprising at least one layer of a film of dimensionally stable resin, and at least one layer of strands of a stretch resistant polymer disposed substantially along the principal stress lines for said segment in said sail; and (iii) an inner layer comprised of a weft-free warp of strands of a stretch resistant polymer; said layers (i), (ii) and (iii) bonded together at their interfaces by a synthetic adhesive resin.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
A composite sail having a head, a tack and a clew, said sail being comprised of a plurality of panels each of which is joined to an adjacent panel, each of said panels being comprised of a laminate of (i) a first outer layer of material; (ii) a second outer layer which is comprised of a plurality of individual segments joined together along abutting edges, each of said segments formed of reinforced material comprising at least one layer of a film of dimensionally stable resin, and at least one layer of strands of a stretch resistant polymer disposed substantially along the principal stress lines for said segment in said sail; and (iii) an inner layer comprised of a weft-free warp of strands of a stretch resistant polymer; said layers (i), (ii) and (iii) bonded together at their interfaces by a synthetic adhesive resin.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
A composite sail according to claim 1 wherein the denier density of strands of stretch resistant polymer in layer (ii) varies between the segments in each panel, the high density being located in the segments nearest the leech of said sail and the lower density being located in the segments nearest the luff of said sail.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A composite sail according to claim 1 wherein said strands employed in layers (ii) and (iii) are fabricated from an aramid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A composite sail according to claim 1 wherein said first outer layer (i) is a film of dimensionally stable synthetic polyester resin.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A composite sail according to claim 1 wherein said weft-free warp of strands employed in layer (iii) are generally aligned in a direction toward the foot of the composite sail.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A composite sail according to claim 1 wherein said weft-free warp of strands employed in layer (iii) are generally aligned in a direction along the foot of the composite sail.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A composite sail according to claim 1 wherein said second outer layer (ii) employs two layers of film.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
A composite sail according to claim 1 wherein the sail is a jib sail.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
A composite sail according to claim 1 wherein the sail is a mainsail.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
A composite sail according to claim 1 wherein the sail is a spinnaker sail.