(19)
(11) EP 1 988 011 A2

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(43) Date of publication:
05.11.2008 Bulletin 2008/45

(21) Application number: 08153698.9

(22) Date of filing: 31.03.2008
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
B63B 15/02(2006.01)
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MT NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK TR
Designated Extension States:
AL BA MK RS

(30) Priority: 13.04.2007 SE 0700921

(71) Applicant: SELDEN MAST AB
421 21 Västra Frölunda (SE)

(72) Inventor:
  • Lindström, Mathias
    SE-426 56, VÄSTRA FRÖLUNDA (SE)

(74) Representative: Bergentall, Annika Maria 
Cegumark AB, P.O. Box 53047
400 14 Göteborg
400 14 Göteborg (SE)

   


(54) Device at a spreader end


(57) The invention relates to a device (1) at a spreader end (2) for a standing rigging, such as, for instance, shrouds (3, 4, 6), and comprises an end housing (5) to which mutually counter-directed parts of a standing rigging, such as, e.g., wires, rod or a combination thereof, are detachably connectable as well as that additional parts of a standing rigging, such as, e.g., wire (6) or rod (4), are connectable therewith.
According to the invention, the end housing (5) is formed of a number of holder parts (7, 8) that are displaceable in relation to each other and have a slot-shaped and/or hole-shaped reception opening for a wire end and/or a rod end or another shroud terminal.




Description


[0001] The present invention relates to a device at a spreader end for standing rigging and comprising an end housing to which mutually counter-directed parts of a standing rigging, such as, e.g., wires, rod or a combination thereof, are detachably connectable as well as that additional parts of a standing rigging, such as, for instance, wire or rod, are connectable therewith, the end housing being formed of a number of holder parts that are displaceable in relation to each other and have a slot-shaped and/or hole-shaped reception opening for a shroud terminal, such as, e.g., a wire end and/or a rod end.

[0002] Known solutions to detachably attach shrouds to spreaders by means of a spreader end are shown by, for instance, US 5,458,076 A as well as by numerous other publications. Said known mentioned device comprises two parts screwable in relation to each other, each of which secures pair-wise shrouds and one shroud, respectively. Only the threads between the parts keep the parts together and the ends of the respective shroud have to be threaded in the longitudinal direction thereof through mating holes in said pair-wise parts.

[0003] A similar solution is found where a through threaded drill hole is intended for the receipt of threaded inserts. Also this device requires longitudinal introduction of the shrouds in mating holes in the inserts and in a main end part, respectively. If it is desired to introduce larger loops or other attachment parts into the openings of said spreader end, this cannot be done so easily since the diameter of the holes limits the size of the passage.

[0004] By FR 2636301 A1, a device according to the above-mentioned type is previously known. However, it is required that the parts for the reception of the shrouds are introduced from behind through circular holes, which also in this case involves the above-mentioned disadvantages.

[0005] Therefore, the main object of the present invention is primarily to solve, among other things, the problems said above by simple and efficiently working means, as well as also further facilitate rigging down of the sailing boat before the winter, as well as also make it as simple to use rod as wire or another solution intended for standing rigging, as well as easily be able to replace spare-parts if required. In addition, a solution is desired where shrouds do not need to be pressed with the end in a partly mounted state and where the parts easily can be kept together.

[0006] Said object is attained by means of a device according to the present invention that essentially is characterized in that a primary holder part has an upper slot-shaped reception opening extending laterally and a lower reception opening, each of which having an internally situated holding seat for at least one partly spherical and/or cylindrical connection end for a shroud terminal, and that a secondary holder part has a hole-shaped reception opening having a holding seat for an at least partly spherical and/or cylindrical connection end for a shroud terminal, such as, e.g., a rod or a wire.

[0007] The invention is described below in the form of a preferred embodiment example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which

Fig. 1 shows a picture of a mounted spreader device on a spreader having a standing rigging,

Fig. 2 shows an exploded view of the spreader device,

Fig. 3 shows a cross-section view of a mounted spreader device,

Fig. 4 shows different views of a primary holder part,

Fig. 5 shows different views of a secondary holder part,

Figs. 6-9 show different mounting stages of the spreader device, and

Fig. 10 shows obliquely from above an assembled spreader device having a standing rigging secured therein.



[0008] A device 1 at a spreader end 2 for standing rigging, such as, e.g., wire 3 and/or rod 4 of metal materials, polymer materials, natural materials or a combination of different materials, and that comprises an end housing 5 to which mutually counter-directed wires, rod, etc., or a combination thereof of standing rigging is detachably connectable, as well as that an additional wire 6 or rod 6 is connectable therewith, is shown in the drawings in Fig. 1 as an example. According to the present invention, the end housing 5 is formed of at least pair-wise holder parts 7, 8 that are displaceable in relation to each other and have a mating slot-shaped and/or hole-shaped reception opening 9, 10, 11, 12 adapted to terminal ends 13, 14, 15 of the standing rigging. At least some of the openings 9-11 in a primary holder part 7 are slot-shaped by said primary holder part 7 having at least an upper 16 but preferably also a lower 17 situated, laterally 18 extending slot-shaped reception opening, each of which having an internally situated holding seat 19, 20 adapted in shape for an at least partly spherical, cylindrical or another suitable shaped connection end 13, 14 of a standing rigging terminal, such as, e.g., a wire 3 or a rod 4.

[0009] Furthermore, there is a secondary holder part 8 that has a hole-shaped reception opening 12 having a shape-adapted holding seat 21 for an at least partly spherical connection end 15 for a rod 6 or a wire, etc.

[0010] In order to provide efficient connection of said holder parts 7, 8 to each other, mutually meeting, pair-wise side edges of the slot-shaped reception opening 24 of the primary holder part 7 and the sides of the secondary holder part 8, respectively, may have couplings 22, 23 of the drawer-guide type and that are formed of laterally projecting protuberances 22 receivable in slot-shaped recesses 23 and positioned on each of side of the parts 7, 8. In order to provide efficient securing of the parts 7, 8 laterally 25 transverse to the normal displacement direction 18 thereof, there may be means that keep together the divided portions 26, 27 of the primary holder part 7. For instance, there may be lock means between said portions 26, 27 and the displaceable secondary part 8 in the form of, e.g., protuberances and grooves or transverse fixing screws, which run through the two parts 7, 8, on each side of said slot-shaped reception opening 24. Said slot-shaped reception opening 24 suitably widens internally for the formation of circular holding seats 9, 11. In order to prevent that the parts 7, 8 are pulled apart unintentionally, there are through openings 28, 29 intended for the receipt of a locking pin 30 arranged in the respective holder part 7, 8, and in order to keep the device 1 attached to a spreader 31, there is a threaded vertical screw hole 32 in the telescopic part 8 so as to be able to fasten the spreader 31 to said part 8 by means of a screw 33.

[0011] Said holder parts 7, 8 are manufactured by, for instance, casting or consist of stainless material, and said primary holder part 7 has pair-wise fastening bars 34, 35 having laterally projecting protuberances 36, 37. Said fastening bars 34, 35 are arranged to be received in a shape-adapted recess each in the outer end 31A of a connectable spreader 31.

[0012] The nature of the invention should have been understood and the function of the same will now be briefly explained below:
  • First, the part 13 is introduced through the slot 24, 38 from the side 18 into the seat 9.
  • Next, the part 14 is introduced through the opening 10 from above 39 if the opening 10 is just a drill hole.
  • Next, the part 15 is put into the hole 10 in the part 7.
  • The part 8 is then pushed into the part 7 from the side 18.
  • Next, the bolt 30 is introduced into the holes 28, 29 and the nut 40 is tightened.
  • Next, the mounted spreader end 2 and the termination 41 thereof are introduced into the outer cavity 42 of the spreader 31.
  • Next, all is secured together by means of screw 33 from the upperside 31B of the spreader.


[0013] The result becomes a stable unit without rattle and that allows, among other things, to solve the problems and desires said above. Disassembly of the device is carried out in the reversed order.

[0014] Naturally, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the accompanying drawings. Modifications are feasible, particularly as for the nature of the different parts, or by using an equivalent technique, without departing from the protection area of the invention, such as it is defined in the claims. Examples of standing rigging are, such as has been indicated above, wire of metal, polymer materials, natural materials or a combination of said materials and rod of metal or polymer materials, respectively, or other appropriate solutions that manage to stay the mast on the boat in question.


Claims

1. Device (1) at spreader end (2) for standing rigging (3, 4, 6) and comprising an end housing (5) to which mutually counter-directed parts of a standing rigging, such as, e.g., wires, rod or a combination thereof, are detachably connectable as well as that additional parts of a standing rigging, such as, for instance wire (6) or rod (4), are connectable therewith, the end housing (5) being formed of a number of holder parts (7, 8) that are displaceable in relation to each other and have a slot-shaped and/or hole-shaped reception opening (9-12, 24) for a shroud terminal, such as, e.g., a wire end and/or a rod end (13-15), characterized in that a primary holder part (7) has an upper (16) slot-shaped reception opening (24) extending laterally (18) and a lower reception opening (24), each of which having an internally situated holding seat (19, 20) for at least one partly spherical and/or cylindrical connection end (13, 14) for a shroud terminal, and that a secondary holder part (8) has a hole-shaped reception opening (12) having a holding seat (21) for an at least partly spherical and/or cylindrical connection end (15) for a shroud terminal, such as, e.g., a rod (6) or a wire.
 
2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that mutually meeting side edges of the slot-shaped reception opening (24) of the primary holder part (7) and the sides of the secondary holder part (8), respectively, have couplings (22, 23), which are formed of laterally projecting protuberances (22) receivable in slot-shaped recesses (23).
 
3. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said slot-shaped reception openings (24) widen to circular holding seats (9, 11).
 
4. Device according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that through openings (28, 29) for the receipt of a locking screw/locking pin (30) are present in the respective holder part (7, 8).
 
5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that a number of openings (32) having threads mating a locking screw (33) are present in the secondary holder part (8).
 
6. Device according to any one of claims 4-5, characterized in that said openings (28, 29, 32) in said holder part (7, 8) are through.
 
7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pair-wise holder parts (7, 8) are manufactured by casting, and that the primary holder part (7) has pair-wise fastening bars (34, 35) having laterally projecting protuberances (36, 37), and that said fastening bars (34, 35) are arranged to be received in a shape-adapted recess in the outer end (31A) of a connectable spreader (31).
 
8. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that also the lower reception opening (24) is slot-shaped and extends laterally (18).
 




Drawing



































Cited references

REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

Patent documents cited in the description