Structural Support Scheme for the Replacement of Trailing Portions of Sails
OwnerMalcolm L. Gefterinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A sail for a wind-powered craft includes a web which forms a flying shape upon engagement with the wind, flying shape extending from leading to trailing edges. The web includes a combination of wind-impermeable and wind-permeable portions disposed between the leading and trailing edges, with a permeability ratio of wind-permeable area to wind-impermeable area within a range of about 5 to 80 percent.
Claims22
A sail for providing wind-powered motive force for a craft, the sail comprising:
- a web configured for forming a flying shape upon engagement with the wind, the flying shape extending from a leading edge to a trailing edge;
- said web including a combination of one or more substantially wind-impermeable portions, and one or more substantially wind-permeable portions, said wind-permeable portions being disposed between the leading and trailing edges;
- and
- the web having a permeability ratio of wind-permeable area to wind-impermeable area within a range of about 5 to 80 percent.
A sail for providing wind-powered motive force for a craft, the sail comprising:
- a head portion configured for being coupled to an upper end of a mast disposed on the craft;
- a tack portion configured for being coupled to a deck, bowsprit, or spinnaker pole of the craft;
- a clew portion configured for being coupled to one or more control lines for trimming the sail;
- a web supported between said head portion, said tack portion, and said clew portion;
- said web including a combination of one or more substantially wind-impermeable portions in the form of fabric or similar material, and one or more substantially wind-permeable portions in the form of widely spaced strings or lines, the wind-permeable portions extending from the clew portion on a trailing portion of the sail;
- a ratio of the wind-permeable portions to wind-impermeable portions within a range of about 10-40 percent;
- and
- the sail being asymmetrical, or symmetrical wherein wind-permeable portions are disposed symmetrically on opposite sides of the sail with the clew and tack portions being interchangeable depending on the orientation of the craft.
A method for configuring a sail for providing wind-powered motive force to a craft, the method comprising:
- configuring a web for forming a flying shape upon engagement with the wind, the flying shape extending from a leading edge to a trailing edge;
- providing the web with a combination of one or more substantially wind-impermeable portions and one or more substantially wind-permeable portions disposed between the leading and trailing edges;
- and
- providing the web with a permeability ratio of wind-permeable area to wind-impermeable area within a range of about 5 to 80 percent.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.