Ships – Sail or control means therefor – Reefing and furling
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-19
2001-01-16
Morano, S. Joseph (Department: 3617)
Ships
Sail or control means therefor
Reefing and furling
Reexamination Certificate
active
06173668
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a roller furling apparatus for installation on a stay of a sailboat and more particularly to a roller furling drum having a fixed line guard and a split furling drum.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Roller furling systems, such as disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. of Crall (3,789,790) have been in use for many years. Such systems typically include a sleeve or torsion element which surrounds a forward stay on a sailboat. The systems also typically include means such as a jib sail spool which sits on and rotates about a bearing for winding and unwinding i.e., furling or unfurling a sail. Means are also provided for rotating the jib sail spool, such as a drum or spool about which a furling line is coiled.
More recent developments such as those disclosed by Hood (U.S. Pat. No. 4,248,281) and Dahmen (U.S. Pat. No. 4,821,664) have facilitated sail changes and led to an increased demand for roller furling devices.
Nevertheless, there are a number of shortcomings associated with the prior art roller furlers and it is believed that there may be a large commercial demand for a roller furler which overcomes those shortcomings. For example, roller furlers are typically installed over an existing headstay and require some disassembly of the standing rigging. For this reason, a number of sailors may be intimidated by the installation and then turn to a professional which adds to the cost of the roller furler. Some sailors may also be intimidated by the cost of a typical roller furler and would be attracted to a less expensive device.
It has now been found that a roller furling apparatus in accordance with the present invention overcomes the aforementioned shortcomings and offers a number of advantages over prior art furlers. For example, roller furlers in accordance with the present invention are designed for installation over an existing headstay with a headstay intact and in place. Accordingly, the roller furler can be sold in kit form and be readily installed by relatively unskilled individuals using only readily available tools. In addition, the roller furlers in accordance with the present invention are relatively light in weight and flexible lengthwise so that they can be coiled for packaging and shipment, while, at the same time, providing torsional rigidity after installation. The roller furling apparatus in accordance with the present invention is also durable, inexpensive to manufacturer and presents a pleasing appearance without outward projections which might damage a sail.
A further feature of the present invention resides in a split drum or jib-sail spool and a fixed line guard which can be installed over an existing headstay with the headstay intact and in place. The split drum and fixed line guard may also be applicable to more conventional furling apparatus which is installed after release of the headstay from the sailboat.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A roller furling apparatus is disclosed for use on a sailboat having a stay, the roller furling apparatus having a bearing device configured to be rotatably fixed relative to the stay, a furler housing having an opening into which the stay extends, the furler housing having an end portion rotatably mounted on the bearing device such that the furler housing is rotatable with respect to the bearing device and the stay. The furling device further has a drive portion about which a line is coiled so as to rotate the furler housing. Generally circular drum flanges are mounted on the furler housing so as to rotate with the housing, the flanges being spaced apart and located at opposite ends of the drive portion of the furler housing. A line guard is slidably mounted on, and extends between the spaced apart drum flanges, the line guard extending around a major portion of the peripheries of the drum flanges. At least one support member is connected to the line guard and to the bearing device so as to hold the line guard in a stationary position as the furler housing and drum flanges rotate.
The invention also encompasses a roller furling apparatus having a bearing device rotatably fixed relative to the stay, a furler housing having an opening into which the stay extends and an end portion rotatably mounted on the bearing device such that the furler housing is rotatable with respect to the bearing device and the stay, the furler housing further having a drive portion. Drum flanges are mounted on the furler housing so as to rotate with the furler housing and are located at opposite ends of the drive portion of the furler housing. At least one of the drum flanges is split and has first and second drum flange portions releasably attached together by a releasable attachment device. The releasable attachment device consists of an engagement recess formed in one of the drum flange portions and a resiliently movable arm on the other of the drum flange portions, the movable arm having a protrusion releasably engaging the engagement recess.
The bearing device may be attached to the stay, or may be attached to a stem head mounted on the sailboat. The bearing device is configured to be attachable to various types of stem heads.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3958523 (1976-05-01), Holmes et al.
patent: 3980036 (1976-09-01), Crall
patent: 4080917 (1978-03-01), Alter et al.
patent: 4248281 (1981-02-01), Hood
patent: 4480570 (1984-11-01), Rosenfield et al.
patent: 4723499 (1988-02-01), Furgang
patent: 4821664 (1989-04-01), Dahmen
patent: 5619946 (1997-04-01), Wallasch
patent: 5878683 (1999-03-01), Kyle
patent: 5890447 (1999-04-01), Bernson
patent: 2815719 (1979-10-01), None
patent: 2601324 (1988-01-01), None
patent: 1407662 (1975-09-01), None
patent: 2060090 (1981-04-01), None
Dougherty & Troxell
Morano S. Joseph
Pompanette, Inc.
Vasudeva Ajay
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