CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the use of an attachable sail rig with an optional integrated water foil and a rudder for conversion of a conventional boat such as a row boat, kayak, canoe, and power boat into a sailboat or to modify an existing sailboat. The state of the art designs for attachable sailing rig systems limits their use to only specific types of boats and have relatively little sail area for the recommend size of boat, thus lacking in performance and the power required for a planing hull to plane. Generally, the sail area limitation is due to the absence of strong attachment points or mast rig for properly supporting a larger sail rig, especially on inflatable boats. Existing designs also use outboard water foil(s) or lee boards with elaborate attachments to the mast structure which increase the complexity and reduce the versatility and strength, and are unable to cant.
An example of an attachable sail rig which is no longer on the market, has the least amount of complexity using a single forward or bow water foil can be found in SAIL magazine article in June 2005, on page 59. This rig has a C-shaped mast step by Scully Fin which holds the water foil in the front end and mast in the back end, which is also stayed with small lines near the base of the mast. This indirect attachment reduces the rigidity between the mast and water foil, and places the relative center of sail area further aft of the water foil. With the sail area further aft and a fully shaped water foil which is not easily stalled at low speeds, the rig is prone to lock in irons when pointed too far into the wind, especially with a standard rudder. The C-shaped mast step attachment does not utilize the existing bow towing ring/safety line and oar locks for the distribution of the mast loads onto the hull. This rig design, as well as others with more complexity such as those by Sailboats To Go with lee boards (found in SAIL magazine article in June 2005, on page 58 and 59), also limit the strength and rigidity needed to carry additional sail area in strong winds.
Another sail rig which is not detachable and permanently installed on large sailboats is the Swing Rig by Van De Stadt found in SAIL magazine article in December 2008, on page 49. Although, this sail rig can be jibed around the front of the sailboat as a single unit, un-stayed and unsupported above deck. The dissimilarities of this sail rig will be described in this invention, which include a fixed mast rig with support struts and canting ability. Another similar sail rig used in windsurfing is also tacked or jibed around the front of the mast as a single unit and only supported by the sailor, although, unlike most sail rigs the mast and sail can be canted or tilted independently of the hull with the sail's foot optimally close to the water. In strong winds the windsurfing sail rig is canted windward and aft ward, adding to the sail's drag, but the added lift reduces the net weight and water drag on the hull which increases the overall performance. It is one of the most efficient sail rigs because of it's versatility, but unlike other sail rigs the complexity in sail control for water starts, steering, tacking and proper weight distribution requires good physical agility and takes time to master.
Another similar but unrelated sailing configuration can be found in the use of a conventional asymmetrical spinnaker, which can also be setup to tack around the front of a boat's standing rigging or forestay. Although, the sail has a free floating luff and is not tacked around the mast as will be described in this invention.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the object of this invention to disclose the drawbacks of existing prior art and to provided a complete universal sail rig which can be removably attached to any type of boat for sailing, and have the fewest components, thus reducing the complexity and cost for manufacturing.
It is a further object to the present invention to provide a sail rig with a novel method for tacking a sail which eliminates the existing restrictions on mast support structures. The mast support structure is comprised of two support struts which are geometrically positioned without restriction for maximum height and stance on each side of the mast, forming a tripod with the mast for maximum strength and simplicity. This support structure geometry is also adjustable in size to utilize a boat's inherently strong attachment points such as oar locks and bow for maximum support strength without restricting the functionality of the sail rig, and have the ability to carry a large sail area in brisk wind conditions. Additionally, the support structure provides a method for canting of the sail to windward and create lift which reduces the net weight of the boat and increases it's overall performance.
It is a further object to the present invention to provided a sail rig with support structure geometry which includes one integral water foil for lateral resistance to the sail and is attached to the base of the mast for simplicity and efficiency, and also provide a method for the attachment of a rudder for steering control on any type of boat. All components of the sail rig disassemble and reduce in size for easy transport by a car or as commercial airline luggage.
These and other features and objects of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken with the accompanying drawings and claims, of which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a boat and the attachable sail rig embodying the invention;
FIG. 2A through 2E is a sequence of elevational sketched sectional views of the sail rig;
FIG. 3A through 3E is a different sequence of elevational sketched sectional views thereof;
FIG. 4A through 4E is a different sequence of elevational sketched sectional views including a battened sail or boom;
FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 5-5 in FIG. 1 including the strut attachment, mast and sail;
FIG. 6 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 5 including a strut attachment clamp;
FIG. 7 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 5 including a battened sail and mast groove;
FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of an oar lock and strut attachment means on an inflatable boat;
FIG. 9 is an assembled perspective view thereof;
FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective of an oar lock and strut attachment means on a row boat;
FIG. 11 is an assembled perspective view thereof;
FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a strut attachment means on a boat;
FIG. 13 is an assembled perspective view thereof;
FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the mast attachment means;
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the mast attachment means attached to the bow of an inflatable boat;
FIG. 16 is a partial sectional side view taken substantially along line 16-16 in FIG. 14 of the mast attachment means;
FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the mast attachment means attached to the bow of a boat;
FIG. 18 is a sectional view of rigid strut tubes in longest length adjustment;
FIG. 19 is a sectional view of rigid strut tubes in medium length adjustment;
FIG. 20 is a sectional view of rigid strut tubes in shortest length adjustment;
FIG. 21 is a sectional view of rigid strut tubes with locking release mechanism in longest length setting;
FIG. 22 is a sectional view of rigid strut tubes with locking release mechanism in medium length setting;
FIG. 23 is a sectional view of rigid strut tubes with locking release mechanism in shortest length setting;
FIG. 24 is a rear view of rigid strut tubes with the mast in the vertical position;
FIG. 25 is a rear view of rigid strut tubes with mast canting;
FIG. 26 is a rear view of rigid strut tubes locking with mast canted;
FIG. 27 is a rear view of rigid strut tubes locked with mast canted;
FIG. 28 is a rear view of rigid strut tubes with mast canting;
FIG. 29 is a rear view of rigid strut tubes locked with mast canted in reverse direction;
FIG. 30 is a sectional view of rigid strut tubes with hydraulic cylinder in longest length setting;
FIG. 31 is a sectional view of rigid strut tubes with hydraulic cylinder in medium length setting;
FIG. 32 is a sectional view of rigid strut tubes with hydraulic cylinder in shortest length setting;
FIG. 33 is a perspective view of each rigid strut and mast attached to a boat;
FIG. 34 is a perspective view of each rigid strut and mast being erected;
FIG. 35 is a perspective view of each rigid strut and mast fully erected;
FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the sail rig with a deployable mast head sock;
FIG. 37 is a perspective view of the sail rig reefed using a deployable mast head sock;
FIG. 38 is a perspective view of the sail rig fully doused with a deployable mast head sock;
FIG. 39 is a front view of a T-shape foil canted;
FIG. 40 is a front view of a T-shape foil in a vertical position;
FIG. 41 is a front view of a T-shape foil canted in the opposite direction;
FIG. 42 is a front view of a V-shape foil canted;
FIG. 43 is a front view of a V-shape foil in a vertical position;
FIG. 44 is a front view of a V-shape foil canted in the opposite direction;
FIG. 45 is a front view of a single water foil on one tack;
FIG. 46 is a front view of a bi-foil water foil on one tack;
FIG. 47 is a front view of a bi-foil water foil when coming about;
FIG. 48 is a front view of a bi-foil water foil on opposite tack;
FIG. 49 is a sectional view taken along line 49-49 in FIG. 46 of the bi-foil water foil;
FIG. 50 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 45 with a change in bi-foil water foil angle;
FIG. 51 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 45 with a completely stalled bi-foil water foil;
FIG. 52 is a side view of the bi-foil water foil and foil rotational positions;
FIG. 53 is an expanded view of the bi-foil base mount in FIG. 48;
FIG. 54 is a perspective view of transom including a rudder means;
FIG. 55 is a perspective view of an oar lock strap;
FIG. 56 is a perspective view of a transom including a rudder means with an oar lock strap;
FIG. 57 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 55 of a flattened down oar lock strap;
FIG. 58 is a perspective view of a gudgeon plate;
FIG. 59 is a exploded perspective view of a bi-foil rudder;
FIG. 60 is a side view of a bi-foil rudder and foil rotational positions;
FIG. 61 is a perspective view of a boat including sail rig, canopy and anti-capsize ball;
Corresponding reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, a sail rig 70 provided for a boat 80 with a bow 81 and having a transom 84 and a starboard side 71 and a port side 72. The sail rig 70 utilizes the strong attachment points inherently available on most conventional boats and soft inflatable boats for attachment. The sail rig 70 is comprised of a mast 30 with an optional water foil means 10 and is supported by a rigid strut 50 attached to each side of the mast 30 with a mast strut attachment means 52 forming a tripod with the lower section of the mast 30 and having a sail 20. The base of the starboard rigid strut 50 is attached to the starboard side 71 of the boat 80 aft of the mast 30 and the base of the port rigid strut 50 is symmetrically attached to the port side 72 of the boat 80, both with a strut attachment means 40. The base of the mast 30 attaches to the bow 81 of the boat 80 with a mast attachment means 31 using a bow attachment line 32 through the bow towing ring 85. On conventional sail rigs the main sail 20 is tacked aft of the mast 30 and the location of each rigid strut 50 would interfere with the sail 20 on a reach or down wind when the sail 20 is let out against each rigid strut 50. If the sail 20 is placed outside or forward of each rigid strut 50 the sail 20 cannot be conventionally tacked aft through each rigid strut 50. However, as the basis of this invention, the sail 20 can be tacked unconventionally around the front of the mast 30 which is clear of any obstructions when tacking upwind as shown from above in FIGS. 2A through 2E, as a sequence of angle changes in the longitudinal axis 83 of a boat 80 with the wind direction indicated by arrows at the top of the page. Tacking or jibing the sail 20 down wind is shown as a sequence in FIGS. 3A through 3E, and as a sequence with a sail 20 having battens or a boom in FIGS. 4A through 4E. Also, if a conventional hiking trapeze wire 51 as shown in FIG. 1 is used for a sailing trapeze, only a single trapeze wire 51 is required and detachment is unnecessary when tacking. Basically, the sail 20 is free of any interference and each rigid strut 50 on all points of sailing. Even when closed hauled, the base of each rigid strut 50 is cleared by the outward curvature or draft of the sail 20 as shown, and allows for the maximum stance and height placement on the mast 30 of each rigid strut 50 on any boat 80. Although, because the sail 20 goes around the front of the mast 30 a main sheet 21 is required for each side of the boat 80 to bring the sail 20 around from port side 72 to starboard side 71 when tacking similar to a conventional jib, as shown. A pulley 73 is attached to each side of the boat 80 near the transom 84 to handle the main sheet 21 as shown in FIG. 1. The sail 20 for this invention can be attached to the mast 30 as shown in FIG. 1 by using several conventional methods as shown in a cross sectional view just above the mast strut attachment means 52 as shown in FIG. 5 and similarly in FIGS. 6 and 7 which also show the strut attachment bolt 42. FIG. 5 shows the attachment of the sail 20 to the front side of the mast 30 using a luff pocket 23 which encloses the mast 30, and is open where each rigid strut 50 attaches to mast 30 allowing the luff pocket 23 and sail 20 to rotate around the front of the mast 30. The sail 20 can also have full length battens 24 and cams (not shown in drawings) to induce camber in the sail 20. A conventional windsurfing sail 20 without modification can be used with a strut attachment clamp 41 as shown from the cross sectional view in FIG. 6. A conventional wishbone windsurfing boom can also be used and attached to the mast 30 above the mast strut attachment means 52 and rotates around the mast 30 when tacking (not shown in drawings). Another method of attachment for a conventional sail 20 having a luff tape 25 which slides up and down the mast groove 27 is shown in cross sectional view FIG. 7 and the sail 20 can be raised and lowered. The forward attachment point also creates a bend and a preferable camber at the front of the sail 20. If a luff pocket 23 is used, the head of the sail 20 contains a slippery polyethylene plastic cup insert which allows the sail 20 to rotate freely when tacking (not shown in drawings). The tack of each sail 20 is attached with a line leading to the front of the mast 30 base which reduces the tension on the luff when tacking and helps the head of the sail 30 turn more freely (not shown in drawings).
One of the most critical components of the sail rig 70 is in the proper attachment of the sail rig 70 to a conventional row boat 80 or power boat 80 or modification of an existing sail boat 80. In order to support a larger sail 20 area the inherently strongest attachment points need to be utilized for each type of boat 80 without restricting the functionality of the sail rig 70. The mast attachment means 31 and strut attachment means 40 are designed to be adaptable for any type of boat 80 including an inflatable boat 80 as shown in FIG. 1 and to be quickly attachable and detachable. Now referring to FIGS. 8 through 13, the strut attachment means 40 at the base of each rigid strut 50 is comprised of a strut end plate 61 made of semi-flexible plastic which is permanently attached to the bottom end of each rigid strut 50 by several strut end plate bolts 62. The strut end plate 61 also has a strut attachment hole 63 on the end which is used to attach to the boat 80 pivotally along the longitudinal axis 83 of the boat 80 which allows the rigid strut 50 to rotate fore and aft and can flex from side to side along the lateral axis as indicated by arrows in FIGS. 8 and 9. For boats with existing oar locks, the strut is attached to the oar lock 86. On an inflatable boat 80 each rigid strut 50 is attached using the existing oar lock pin 87 and oar lock pin nut 88 as shown in FIG. 9. For a conventional row boat 80 without an existing oar lock pin 87 an L-bolt 43 and L-bolt nuts 44 are used to bolt into the oar lock hole 76 of the oar lock 86 and through the strut attachment hole 63 as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 when assembled. For boats without any oar lock 86 a shear attachment plate 45 is provided with several holes for permanent attachment to the shear of the boat 80 with shear attachment plate bolts 46 as shown in FIG. 12. The strut end plate 61 is then attached to the shear attachment plate 45 using a shear strut attachment plate bolt 48 which goes through the shear strut attachment plate hole 47 and the strut attachment hole 63 which is secured by a shear strut attachment plate nut 49 and allows the strut to rotate as shown in FIG. 13. Now referring to FIGS. 14 through 17 for the attachment of the mast 10 to a boat 80. The mast attachment means 31 consists of a detachable mast plate 34 made of a semi-flexible plastic and is pivotally attached to the mast 30 with a mast plate bolt 37 and mast plate nut 38. A bow attachment line 32 is used to attach the mast 30 to the bow 81 of the boat 80 or bow towing ring 85 as shown in FIG. 14 and 15. On an inflatable boat 80 the mast plate 34 is rotated to the up position which helps hold the water foil means 10 in line and pad the mast 30 against the bow 81 of the inflatable boat 80 as shown in FIG. 15. For conventional or non-inflatable boats, the detachable mast plate 34 is rotated down and permanently attached to the bow 81 of a boat 80 through the mast plate holes 35 using mast plate screws 36. The mast 30 is then attached to the detachable mast plate 34 when in use as shown in FIG. 17. The mast attachment line 32 has one end permanently attached inside the base of the mast 30 with a mast attachment line knot 69 as shown in the partial cross sectional view of the mast 30 in FIG. 16. The other end of the bow attachment line 32 is fed through the bow tow ring 85 and back through the bow attachment hole 33 in the mast 30, then up to a mast cleat 39 on the mast 30. The mast 30 is pulled into the bow 81 by tightly pulling the mast attachment line 32 and cleating it off. The combined opposing forces of the water foil means 10 and the sail 20 pressure on the mast 30 helps reduce the lateral stress on the mast attachment means 31. Although, large inflatable boats and kayaks can require additional bow attachment lines attached to the life lines or other attachment points for additional strength (not shown in drawings). The pivotal and flexible attachments means will not compromise the integrity of the boat 80 if dismasted by a rigid strut 50 or mast 30 failure, especially on inflatable boats. If there are no standard or conventional attachment points available on a boat 80, custom attachment means may be required for the attachment of the sail rig 70 (not shown in drawings).
Because the location of the strong attachment point on each boat 80 varies in location and scale, the sail rig 70 geometry is adaptable by changing the length of each rigid strut 50 as shown in FIGS. 18 through 20. Where each rigid strut 50 is comprised of two tubes, a lower strut tube 53 having a larger tube diameter which is attached to the boat 80 and an upper strut tube 54 with a smaller tube diameter attached to the mast 30 and telescopes inside or into the larger lower strut tube 53. The telescoping action of the upper strut tube 54 shortens or lengthens each rigid strut 50 by manually selecting a different strut locking hole 59 for the strut adjustment bolt 68 as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20. The length of each rigid strut 50 can also be separately adjusted to different lengths, and the mast 30 and sail 20 can be angled or canted to port and starboard or fore and aft from the vertical axis 136 of the boat 80, with similar positioning as that of a windsurfing sail for efficiency as shown in FIG. 1. Although, in order to accomplish this action quickly while under sail a different design or embodiment is required having a locking release mechanism 55 on the lower strut tube 53 instead of a bolt, as shown in FIGS. 21 through 23. The locking release mechanism 55 is comprised of a flexible release bar 56 attached to the lower tube strut 53 and extended with a lock pin 58 on the end which is lifted out of the strut locking hole 59 by pulling on the release line 57 allows the upper tube strut 53 to telescope up or down as shown in FIG. 22. Full extension of the rigid strut 50 is stopped by the full extension a strut stop line 64 which is attached to the lower strut tube 53 with a lower strut knot 65 having a knot cap 75 and to the upper strut tube 54 with an upper strut knot 66. With the release line 57 released, the lock pin 58 locks into the strut locking hole 59, locking the rigid strut 50 in the extended position as shown in FIG. 21. Full compression of the rigid strut 50 is stopped by a strut stop ring 67 attached to the upper strut tube 54 which stops against the lower strut tube 53 and with the release line 57 released, the lock pin 58 locks into the strut locking hole 59, locking the rigid strut 50 in the compressed position as shown in FIG. 23. The length of the rigid strut 50 can be controlled by the different location for each strut locking hole 59, as shown in FIGS. 24 through 29, starting with the mast 30 in a vertical position as shown in FIG. 24 with each rigid strut 50 set to an equal length, then canting the mast 30 to one side by pulling on a release line 57 which releases each rigid strut 50 during a tack as shown in FIG. 25, then releasing the release line 57 to lock each rigid strut 50 in place as shown in FIG. 26. The boat is then tacked and the mast 30 is now locked and canted to the windward side as shown in FIG. 27. To tack again the process is repeated, the release line 57 is pulled releasing each rigid strut 50 and the mast 30 to the opposite side during a tack as shown in FIG. 28, and then locked when the tack is completed as show in FIG. 29. On extremely large boats the telescoping action of each rigid strut 50 is controlled using a hydraulic cylinder 130 installed in each lower strut tube 53 as shown if FIGS. 30. The hydraulic cylinder 130 is attached and held in place with a hydraulic cylinder attachment bolt 133 and hydraulic cylinder spacer ring 135 and the hydraulic cylinder rod 131 is attached to the upper strut tube 54 with a hydraulic cylinder rod pin 132. The hydraulic cylinder rod 131 moves when hydraulic fluid pressure changes in the hydraulic cylinder 130 which is fed by each hydraulic cylinder hose 134 and varies the length for each rigid strut 50 as shown in FIGS. 30 through 32. Each hydraulic cylinder hose 134 on the port side is cross connected to each hydraulic cylinder hose 134 on the starboard side of the boat 80 and move in opposing directions when tacking (not shown in drawings).
Similar to each rigid strut 50 which can be dissembled or shortened, the longer mast 30 is assembled from several smaller interlocking sections which fit inside each other at the ends. This allows the entire sail rig 70 to fit inside a carry bag or a survival kit (not shown in drawings) which can be transported in a car or as luggage on a commercial airlines. The sail rig 70 can be quickly erected on the water from inside the boat 80 or out of the water as shown in FIGS. 33 through 35. First the mast 30 is assembled from the several interlocking sections (not shown in drawings) and the top of each rigid strut 50 is attached to the mast 30 and then the bottom of each rigid strut 50 is attached to the boat 80 with strut attachment means 40 as shown in FIG. 33. The mast 30 and each strut 50 rotates at each attachment point when lifted up as shown in FIG. 34, until the base of the mast 30 can be attached to the bow 81 of the boat 80 with a bow attachment means 31 as shown in FIG. 35 and fully erected. The mast 30 and each rigid strut 50 is lowered using the same procedure in reverse for disassembly.
Sails without battens can be doused or stowed next to the mast 30 by rolling the sail 20 up starting from the clew of the sail 20 up to the tack and strapping the rolled up sail 20 to the mast 30 (not shown in drawings). An optional deployable mast head sock 28 is used for sailing in stronger winds as shown in FIGS. 36 through 38. The sail 20 is reefed into a deployable mast head sock 28 similar in design to those currently used on spinnakers, although, from the top of the mast 30 as shown in FIG. 36 and also encloses the mast 30 when pulled down by the mast head sock line 29 and tied off as shown in FIG. 37. The sail 20 is partially reefed for sailing, the mast head sock 28 holds the top of the sail 20 and a corresponding sail tack 26 is secured to the mast 30 to hold the bottom of the sail 20 which keeps the luff tight. To completely reef or douse the sail 20, the mast head sock 28 is pulled down to the strut attachments on the mast 30 and the clue of the sail 20 is secured to the mast 30 using the main sheet 21 as shown in FIG. 38.
As stated earlier, the sail rig 70 has a water foil means 10 for vessels not having a dagger board or a keel as shown in FIG. 1. The water foil means 10 is attached to the base of the mast 30 and is able to rotate fore and aft along the longitudinal axis 83 of the boat 80 when not in use. For a boat 80 which can reach planing speeds a lifing type hydrofoil foil is used to help performance, especially on inflatable boats having a planing hull with an inflatable keel which performs better with the bow 81 lifted from the water. One water foil means 10 option is a standard T-shape foil 16, known in the hydrofoil industry which provides lift and lateral resistance (indicated by arrows) and becomes more efficient when canted with the mast 30 which utilizes the bottom lifting foil section for both lift and lateral resistance, as shown in FIGS. 39 and 41. When level, the vertical support foil is used for lateral resistance as shown in FIG. 40. As the water foil means 10 lifts the boat 80 the water surface 18 goes down relative to the water foil means 10 as represented by the dotted line. Another hydrofoil known to the industry is the V-shape foil 17 which is used in the same manor as the T-shape foil 16 as shown in FIGS. 42 through 44 and has the advantage of self regulating it's lift at high speeds. A very different option and a novel part of this invention is a flexible water foil means 10 which flexes to create a portion of water foil angled from the vertical axis of the mast 30 when under lateral load and generates a lifting component from a single water foil 13 which are indicated with arrows as shown in FIG. 45. But, even a more effective water foil means 10 is a bi-foil water foil 12 consisting of a pair of single water foil 13 separately attached at the top end to a water foil base mount 11 using a base mount bolt 19 with washers and joined at the bottom end to each other as shown in FIG. 46 through 48. The arrows indicate the force vectors on one tack as shown in FIG. 46, when coming about as shown in FIG. 47 and on the opposite tack as shown in FIG. 48. The junction of a pair of single water foil 13 to form the bi-foil water foil 12 adds to the lateral strength as a unit requiring less thickness of each water foil for strength which is more hydrodynamically efficient at high speeds, as shown in the cross section of the bi-foil water foil 12 in FIGS. 49 and 50, where the large arrows again indicate the lift vectors and the small arrows indicate the water flow 74. The two narrow width high profile foils combine to have nearly the same area and lift of a conventional single foil of twice the width. In turn, the draft or thickness of each foil can be less than half of a single foil because of it's narrow width and high profile. Additionally, at high speeds the interaction of the windward bi-foil water foil 12 helps prevent the detachment of water flow 74 at the aft end of the leeward bi-foil water foil 12 which will maintain lift at a higher angle of attack as shown on the bottom bi-foil water foil 12 in FIG. 50. Also, each thin bi-foil water foil 12 bends under lateral load and curves to form a more efficient foil shape that acts as a lifting hydrofoil along the top section and cups at the bottom section to provide better hold when the foil is partially removed from the water surface 18 (dotted line), especially when reaching as shown in FIGS. 46 and 48. At low speeds the bi-foil water foil 12 will stall sooner and have less resistance then a single foil counterpart because of it's high profile and the leeward water foil blankets the windward foil, which will have less drag when completely stalled as shown in FIG. 51. This reduces the likelihood of getting locked in irons when sailing with a forward water foil means 10. When not in use or stowed, the bi-foil water foil 12 is rotated up against the mast 30 as shown in FIG. 52 and in expanded view FIG. 53. For deployment into the water the bi-foil water foil 12 is manually rotated down and automatically locks in place nearly in-line with the axis of the mast 30 as shown in FIG. 52 and in expanded view as shown in FIG. 53. The water foil locking mechanism consists of screws on each side of the bi-foil base mount 11 with protruding lock screw heads 14 and matching lock screw holes 15 on each side of the bi-foil water foil 12. The flexible bi-foil water foil 12 slides on top of the lock screw heads 14 when rotated, except when the lock screw heads 14 and the lock screw holes 15 line up, the lock screw heads 14 go into the lock screw holes 15 which partially locks the bi-foil water foil 12 in place at the proper angle for sailing in the down position as shown in FIG. 53. If an underwater obstruction or beach is encountered while sailing, the rotational force of the bi-foil water foil 12 disengages the locking force and the bi-foil water foil 12 rotates freely to clear the obstruction as indicated with dotted lines. The bi-foil water foil 12 can also be manually rotated forward and up against the mast 30 and out of the water for beaching as shown in FIG. 52.
Referring now to FIGS. 54 through 60, an independent component of the sail rig 70 which is used to control the direction of the boat 80 is the rudder means 90. An existing oar 89 which is normally used for rowing can be used for a rudder means 90 on a small boat with minimal sail 20 area, especially on a small inflatable boat not having a solid transom 84, the oar 89 is attached centrally to the transom 84 using a rudder attachment means 99 which consists of two rudder loop lines 82 attached to the life lines of the boat as shown in FIG. 54. For a boat 80 having a solid transom 84, the rudder attachment means 99 consists of an oar lock strap 91 attached to the transom 84 with two strap screws 92 having large washers which holds the oar 89 in place, much like a complete oar lock as shown in FIGS. 55 and 56. The oar lock strap 91 is made of a flexible strapping material with a loop which flattens down when an outboard motor (not shown in drawings) is mounted on top as shown in FIG. 57. For larger boats having a transom 84 and large sail 20 area, a conventional rudder means 90 is necessary for added control of the large sail rig 70. A rudder attachment means 99 is used which consists of a solid top gudgeon plate 93 and standard bottom gudgeon 97. The top gudgeon plate 93 has a gudgeon hole 94 and two gudgeon screw holes 95 for attachment with gudgeon screws 96 as shown in FIGS. 58 and 60. The gudgeon plate 93 is permanently screwed onto the top of the transom 84, and the transom 84 is drilled to continue the gudgeon hole 94 into the transom 84 (shown as a dotted line) for a removable rudder pintle to be inserted. The top gudgeon plate 93 will not interfere with the placement of an outboard motor. The bottom gudgeon 97 is a standard generic gudgeon that is permanently bolted onto the transom 84 used for the removable rudder attachment of the lower rudder pintle. The rudder means 90 can use a standard convention single foil rudder attached to the boat 80 using standard pintles (not shown in drawings). Another option and a novel part of this invention is the use of a bi-foil rudder 98 which has the same type of foil design as the bi-foil water foil 12 attached to the mast 30, although wider and larger as shown in FIG. 59. The bi-foil rudder 98 consists of a rudder body 101 which is manufactured from a cut rectangular extrusion with a bent flange at the bottom having a pintle hole 102 which holds the lower pintle rod 103 and pintle nut 104 assembly for the lower pintle. The rudder tiller 105 is removable and fits into the tiller hole 106 of the rudder body 101 and is secured in place with a tiller bolt 107 and tiller nut 108. The rudder tiller 105 has a pintle hole 102 to hold the top pintle rod 103 and pintle nut 104 assembly as shown in FIG. 59. The bi-foil water foil 12 is attached to the rudder body 101 pivotally through the bi-foil hole 112 in the same manner as the forward bi-foil water foil 12 using a bi-foil bolt 109, bi-foil washer 110 and bi-foil nut 111, and having the same water foil locking mechanism with the lock screw heads 14 and lock screw holes 15. The bi-foil rudder 98 is attached to the transom 84 using the top gudgeon plate 93 and lower gudgeon 97 as shown in FIG. 60. One other option for a rudder means 90 uses a hydrofoil water foil which is identical to the ones shown in FIGS. 39 through 44 for the forward water foil means 10, which would provide even lift fore and aft (not shown in drawings). The rudder means 90 is also locked down to prevent removal from each gudgeon (not shown in drawings).
The sail rig 70 can also support an optional protective fabric canopy 120 to protect the bow 81 of an open boat 80 from waves and spray, and not interfere with it's sailing ability as shown in FIG. 61. The canopy 120 is attached along the bow 81 of the boat 80 and each rigid strut 50 for vertical support using canopy tie-downs 121 and has a canopy window 122 on the port and starboard side. An optional cover is supplied for the aft end of the boat 80 for sleeping or for survival and is made using a distress-orange fabric for easier rescue (not shown in drawings). Another optional device for the sail rig 70 is an inflatable anti-capsize ball 123 attached to the top of each rigid strut 50 and mast 30 with ball tie-downs 124 as shown in FIG. 61. The buoyancy of the anti-capsize ball 123 prevents the boat 80 from completely capsizing in strong winds and large waves which makes righting the boat 80 faster and easier, as well as preventing it's contents from becoming immersed in water.
The present invention has been fully described by way of example with the accompanying drawings. Various alternations and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as set forth in the appending claims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents.
Patent Application
20100154695
