Ships – Sail or control means therefor – Specific sail structure or arrangement
Patent
1996-09-30
1998-03-31
Sotelo, Jesus D.
Ships
Sail or control means therefor
Specific sail structure or arrangement
114 392, B63H 904
Patent
active
057326436
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a sail for wind-powered conveyances, particularly surfboards, formed of at least one fabric or sheet web extended between a leading edge and a trailing edge.
The aerodynamic efficiency of simple sails which only consist of stretched fabric or sheet webs can be improved by a series of measures.
It is known that the aerodynamic profile of a sail and particularly that of a surf sail can be stabilized by battens of which at least some extend from the leading edge to the trailing edge of the sail. Because of the battens, changing wind pressure changes the profile depth of the sail only slightly. Thereby, its pressure center stability is increased.
From OS DE 4229443 A1, a slotted sail is known, which, as to its effect, is comparable to a slotted wing from aircraft construction. The slotted sail consists of a headsail and a mainsail. The headsail is pivotable about the leading edge of the sail in an angular range so that a gap is created between the trailing edge of the headsail and the leading edge of the mainsail. The angular range is predetermined by bracings encompassing the headsail and mounted to the mainsail.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the object of the invention to combine the features of a sail with battens with the features of a slotted sail in a novel sail so that an aerodynamically advantageous sail is created.
This object is solved, according to the invention, by the fact that the novel sail is configured as a slotted sail according to OS DE 4229443 A1, consisting of a headsail and a mainsail, with a headsail assembled of headsail segments, and battens extending to the leading edge of the sail along the separation gap between the segments of the headsail.
Due to the fact that, according to the invention, the headsail is assembled of headsail segments, each headsail segment comprising the substantial features of the headsail of OS DE 4229443 A1, as pivotability about the leading edge of the sail and restriction of the pivot range of the headsail by suitable means, the headsail can pivot past the battens extending to the leading edge of the sail.
In the region of the leading edge of the sail, the headsail segments can be interconnected.
Advantageously, the separation gap between the headsail segments is covered by a bracing band of fabric or sheet material. Near the leading edge of the mainsail, the bracing band is connected to the mainsail, laid about the leading edge of the sail, led back to the mainsail and mounted there again. The width of the bracing band is appropriately chosen so that the bracing band does not impede pivot movements of the headsail elements about the leading edge of the sail.
It is particularly advantageous, because it is aerodynamically favorable, to configure the leading edge of the sail in a rounded shape. As is common with surf sails, the leading edge of the sail may be a mast. In this case, the battens leading to the leading edge of the sail are advantageously supported on the mast.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The surf sail in FIG. 1 consists of a headsail (1) and a mainsail (2). The headsail is composed of 6 headsail segments (3). In one of the headsail elements (3), the opening (4) for the wishbone boom is incorporated. Five bracing bands (5) are laid about the mast (6) and mounted to the mainsail (2). The battens (7) extend from the leading edge to the trailing edge of the surf sail.
In FIG. 2, a part of the leading edge of the surf sail is illustrated. Two headsail segments (3) are partially pictured. The separation gap between the headsail segments (3) is covered by a bracing band (5). The bracing band (5) is laid around the leading edge of the sail, a mast (6) in this case, and mounted to the mainsail (2). Via an adapter (8), the batten (7) is supported on the mast (6). The bracing (9) and the spacer (10) restrict the pivot range of the headsail segment (3).
1. A sail comprising a headsail and a mainsail, said headsail including leading and trailing edge portions, said mainsail including leading an
REFERENCES:
patent: 4437426 (1984-03-01), Latham
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