Headsail roller-furling boom
OwnerGuy Charltoninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a movable stay connected between a boom and the mast, capable of furling a sail, such as a headsail or jib. The furling and deployment movements should be proportional so the sail angle remains constant throughout use. By furling sails toward the mast and deck, the center of gravity for the sailboat is lowered. During a capsize or just harsh weather conditions, lower center of gravity helps in righting a ship or preventing it from capsizing in the first place. Other embodiments will allow for automatic detection of an anticipated capsize and an immediate automated furling of sails.
Claims20
A sailboat comprising:
- a mast;
- a boom;
- a stay connected to said mast at a mast point;
- said stay in contact with said boom at a contact point;
- a sail;
- said sail connected to said stay;
- said stay adapted to move the mast point vertically up and down the mast;
- and
- said stay adapted to move the contact point horizontally along the boom.
A sailboat with a bow and a stern comprising:
- a mast;
- a boom;
- said boom comprising:
- a collar;
- and
- a mandrel;
- a movable stay;
- a sail;
- and
- said sail connected to said movable stay.
A method of sailing a sailboat having a mast, a boom, and a sail comprising:
- connecting a stay to said mast at a mast point;
- contacting said stay with said boom at a contact point;
- connecting said sail to said stay;
- moving the mast point vertically upward to increase sail surface area;
- and
- moving the mast point vertically downward to decrease sail surface area and lower sailboat center of gravity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.