Sail airfoil device

An airfoil device, comprising:

• an inflatable structure for attachment to an existing sail to form a sail assembly, the inflatable structure being dimensioned and arranged to extend over a substantial portion of the existing sail;
• and
• valve means for enabling a user to inflate and deflate the inflatable structure while the inflatable structure is so attached to thereby vary the shape of the sail assembly;
• the inflatable structure including inner and outer layers that define an enclosed interior suitable for containing a pressurized gas for inflation purposes;
• which inner and outer layers are dimensioned and arranged to provide an airfoil shape to the sail assembly when the inflatable structure is inflated;
• wherein the device includes means for attaching the inflatable structure to the existing sail, the means for attaching includes means for attaching the inflatable structure to the existing sail removably, and the inflatable structure includes first and second portions dimensioned and arranged to extend over a substantial portion of respective ones of first and second portions of an existing sail, and means for enabling a user to separately inflate and deflate each of the first and second portions;
• whereby a user can add sail area below a boom and yet deflate and reef the first portion.

An airfoil device comprising:

• an inflatable structure for attachment to an existing sail to form a sail assembly, the inflatable structure being dimensioned and arranged to extend over a substantial portion of the existing sail;
• and
• valve means for enabling a user to inflate and deflate the inflatable structure while the inflatable structure is so attached to thereby vary the shape of the sail assembly;
• the inflatable structure including inner and outer layers that define an enclosed interior suitable for containing a pressurized gas for inflation purposes;
• which inner and outer layers are dimensioned and arranged to provide an airfoil shape to the sail assembly when the inflatable structure is inflated;
• wherein the device includes means for attaching the inflatable structure to the existing sail;
• wherein the means for attaching includes means for attaching the inflatable structure to the existing sail removably;
• wherein the inflatable structure is dimensioned and arranged to fold over a roller spool of the type used in conjunction with a roller furling jib sail arrangement;
• and
• wherein the device includes a roller spool and a jib, and a plurality of hook-and-loop type fastener strips attached to the jib sail at spaced apart locations;
• whereby with the roller spool and jib sail supported in an operational position, a user can adjust the location at which the inflatable structure is attached to the jib sail according to a desired roller spool position.

An airfoil device, comprising:

• an inflatable structure for attachment to an existing sail to form a sail assembly, the inflatable structure being dimensioned and arranged to extend over a substantial portion of the existing sail;
• and
• valve means for enabling a user to inflate and deflate the inflatable structure while the inflatable structure is so attached to thereby vary the shape of the sail assembly;
• the inflatable structure including inner and outer layers that define an enclosed interior suitable for containing a pressurized gas for inflation purposes;
• which inner and outer layers are dimensioned and arranged to provide an airfoil shape to the sail assembly when the inflatable structure is inflated;
• wherein the device includes means for attaching the inflatable structure to the existing sail, wherein the means for attaching includes means for attaching the inflatable structure to the existing sail removably, and the inflatable structure includes separately inflatable and deflatable upper and lower portions to enable a user to separately deflate and reef the lower portion.

An airfoil device, comprising:

• an inflatable structure for attachment to an existing sail to form a sail assembly, the inflatable structure being dimensioned and arranged to extend over a substantial portion of the existing sail;
• and
• valve means for enabling a user to inflate and deflate the inflatable structure while the inflatable structure is so attached to thereby vary the shape of the sail assembly;
• the inflatable structure including inner and outer layers that define an enclosed interior suitable for containing a pressurized gas for inflation purposes;
• which inner and outer layers are dimensioned and arranged to provide an airfoil shape to the sail assembly when the inflatable structure is inflated;
• wherein the device includes means for attaching the inflatable structure to the existing sail, and the means for attaching includes means for attaching the inflatable structure to the existing sail removably;
• wherein the inflatable structure is dimensioned and arranged to extend over a substantial portion of one side of an existing jib sail with a forward portion of the inflatable structure alongside a luff portion of the existing jib sail, and the device includes a flap that is dimensioned and arranged to overlap the forward portion of the inflatable structure and the luff portion of the existing jib sail for purposes of enhancing airflow past the forward portion and the luff portion;
• and
• wherein the inflatable structure includes a plurality of reinforced luff loops dimensioned and arranged to receive the jib hanks of an existing sail, and the flap is attached to the forward portion of the inflatable structure and includes a plurality of holes dimensioned and arranged to receive the jib hanks of an existing sail.

An airfoil device, comprising:

• an inflatable structure for attachment to an existing sail to form a sail assembly, the inflatable structures being dimensioned and arranged to extend over a substantial portion of the existing sail;
• and
• valve means for enabling a user to inflate and deflate the inflatable structure while the inflatable structure is so attached to thereby vary the shape of the sail assembly;
• the inflatable structure including inner and outer layers that define an enclosed interior suitable for containing a pressurized gas for inflation purposes;
• which inner and outer layers are dimensioned and arranged to provide an airfoil shape to the sail assembly when the inflatable structure is inflated;
• wherein the inflatable structure includes means for restraining the inner and outer layers in the airfoil shape when the inflatable structure is inflated, and the means for restraining includes at least one gusset attached to the inner and outer layers in a position between the inner and outer layers.

A sail, comprising:

• an inflatable structure dimensioned and arranged for use as a sail on a sailing vessel;
• and
• valve means for enabling a user to inflate and deflate the inflatable structure while the inflatable structure is so used to thereby vary the shape of the sail;
• the inflatable structure including first and second layers that are attached together to define an enclosed interior suitable for containing a pressurized gas for inflation purposes, which first and second layers are dimensioned and arranged to provide an airfoil shape to the sail when the inflatable structure is inflated;
• and
• the inflatable structure also including means for restraining the inner and outer layers in the airfoil shape when the inflatable structure is inflated;
• wherein the means for restraining includes at least one gusset attached to the inner and outer layers in a position between the inner and outer layers.