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US 6,634,311 B2Granted
Apparatus and method for guiding and hoisting a sail
OwnerG. Benjamin Cudd, III, Sonia Galindoinventors
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OwnerG. Benjamin Cudd, III, Sonia Galindoinventors
Estimating the term…
An apparatus and method for guiding a sail while it is being hoisted on a sail-powered marine vessel are disclosed. The apparatus is a pre-feeder or feeder for use on a forestay, mast or foremast; the apparatus having two oppositely-facing members that are movable in relationship to each other thereby forming an adjustable opening for receiving and partially encircling the luff portion of a sail. The two members are movable about a hinge and a locking mechanism prevents the members from separating inadvertently. For use with a forestay, the pre-feeder is attached near the bow of the boat or directly to the forestay below the grooved track on the forestay and helps guide a the luff portion of a jib sail into the grooved track. The method of using the pre-feeder includes gripping the two members and pulling them apart, inserting the luff, closing the two members, and pulling on a halyard attached to the sail. The apparatus and method of the present invention can reduce the time required to hoist a sail and may be performed by a single crew member.
A pre-feeder apparatus for use in guiding and hoisting a sail on a stay of a sailboat, the sail having a luff, comprising first and second jaw members for receiving the luff of the sail, the jaw members being connected in opposing relationship and being articulatable relative to each other between open and closed positions of the jaw members, the first and second jaw members forming an opening between them for slidably engaging the luff in the closed position of the jaw members.
A pre-feeder apparatus for use in guiding and hoisting a sail on a forestay of a sailboat, the sail having a luff, comprising first and second jaw members for receiving the luff of the sail, a pivot member pivotally connecting the jaw members in opposing relationship, the jaw members being pivotable relative to each other between open and closed positions, the first and second jaw members forming an opening and a gap between them for slidably engaging the luff in the closed position of the jaw members, and means for locking the jaw members in the closed position.
A method for raising a sail on a stay of a sailboat, the sail having a luff, comprising the steps of:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.