Windsurfer mast deflector
OwnerRoger Jurriens, John M. Partoninventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This invention relates to an apparatus for protecting the bow of a sailboard from damage caused by a falling mast and boom assembly, and includes at least one deflecting surface and structure for supporting the deflecting surface forward of the mast and above the board surface. The apparatus is preferably aligned substantially with a longitudinal axis of the board. The deflecting surface will deflect the mast to either lateral side of the sailboard whenever the mast and boom assembly moves forward toward the bow, preventing direct impact and damage to the bow. A sailboard and a method for preventing damage to the sailboard are also disclosed.
Claims16
An apparatus for preventing damage to the bow of a sailboard by a mast of the sailboard, said sailboard having an upper surface, the apparatus comprising:
- a deflecting surface for deflecting said mast to one side or the other of said deflecting surface, and for permitting movement of said mast to a position which is substantially parallel and adjacent to said upper surface of the sailboard at either side of said deflecting surface;
- a base;
- and,
- support structure for supporting the deflecting surface over the base and said upper surface of the sailboard.
A method for preventing damage to the bow of a sailboard, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a sailboard having a bow, a mast, and an upper surface with a longitudinal axis;
- (b) providing apparatus having at least one deflecting surface for deflecting said mast to one side or the other of said deflecting surface;
- and,
- (c) positioning and fixing said apparatus to said sailboard forward of said mast and substantially along said longitudinal axis of said sailboard, with said deflecting surface positioned above said upper surface of the sailboard, said deflecting surface permitting movement of said mast to a position substantially parallel and adjacent to said upper surface of the sailboard at either side of said deflecting surface, whereby said mast, when falling forward toward said bow, will strike said deflecting surface and will be directed to either lateral side of said sailboard and away from said bow.
A sailboard, comprising:
- a board having an upper board surface, a bow, and a longitudinal axis;
- a mast and boom assembly;
- and
- at least one deflecting surface, said deflecting surface being positioned forward of said mast, above said upper board surface, and substantially along said longitudinal axis of said board, said deflecting surface deflecting said mast to one side or the other of said deflecting surface, and permitting movement of said mast to a position which is substantially parallel and adjacent to said upper board surface at either side of said deflecting surface, whereby said mast and boom assembly, when falling forward toward said bow, will strike said deflecting surface and will be directed to either lateral side of said sailboard and away from said bow.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.