Global Patent Index - EP 0198577 A1

EP 0198577 A1 19861022 - Sail assist unit.

Title (en)

Sail assist unit.

Title (de)

Segelhilfsgerät.

Title (fr)

Dispositif de manoeuvre de voile.

Publication

EP 0198577 A1 19861022 (EN)

Application

EP 86301017 A 19860214

Priority

CA 474677 A 19850219

Abstract (en)

This invention provides new and useful means for raising, lowering and furling and setting sails on vessels, from the smallest sail-boats to vessels of any suitable length. The invention consists of the combination of a rotatable mast (5) on which are provided by means two slidable collars (3) connected to a hydraulic cylinder. The ends of two conventional struts (4) are attached by means to the sides of each collar, the other ends of the two sets of struts (4) are attached by means to the appropriate sides of the arms of two yardarms (1), the two yardarms being hingedly attached by means (2) at the centers thereof. A sail is conventionally disposed and adapted to fit on the top and bottom hinged yardarms. As the collars around the mast are actuated by the hydraulic cylinder to move toward each other on the mast, the struts attached to the collars move inward toward the mast, thus drawing the hinged yardarms in towards the mast and folding or furling the sail, attached to the said yardarm in, towards and against the mast. A sleeve, disposed and adapted to be pulled up by conventional means from the bottom of the mast toward the top of the mast is provided. This sleeve is disposed and adapted to be pulled up and fit over the folded yardarms, struts and the furled sail, thus forming a compact protected unit around the mast when the sail is furled. The sail may be quickly unfurled and set by removing the sleeve and actuating the collars by the hydraulic cylinder to move apart from each other. It may be seen that the operation of this invention could be automated by micro-processor means or, in case of mechanical or electrical failure and in emergency, the collars could be actuated by conventional rope and pulley manual means, in order to furl and unfurl the sail.

IPC 1-7

B63B 15/00; B63H 9/10

IPC 8 full level

B63H 9/06 (2006.01); B63B 15/00 (2006.01); B63B 15/02 (2006.01); B63H 9/10 (2006.01)

CPC (source: EP)

B63B 15/0083 (2013.01); B63H 9/10 (2013.01); B63B 2015/0033 (2013.01)

Citation (search report)

Designated contracting state (EPC)

DE FR GB IT NL SE

DOCDB simple family (publication)

EP 0198577 A1 19861022; AU 5341886 A 19860828; CA 1240563 A 19880816; DK 75686 A 19860820; DK 75686 D0 19860218; JP S61191497 A 19860826; NO 860574 L 19860820

DOCDB simple family (application)

EP 86301017 A 19860214; AU 5341886 A 19860212; CA 474677 A 19850219; DK 75686 A 19860218; JP 3494486 A 19860219; NO 860574 A 19860217