Ships – Sail or control means therefor – Specific sail structure or arrangement
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-17
2001-10-16
Swinehart, Ed (Department: 3617)
Ships
Sail or control means therefor
Specific sail structure or arrangement
Reexamination Certificate
active
06302045
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
This invention relates to sails for sailing vessels and more particularly to sails which are formed as one piece laminates on a mold.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,097,784 describes an adjustable mold upon which a one piece, laminated, three-dimensional sail may be formed. After adjusting the mold to the desired shape, a layer of film is applied to the mold surface. An overhead gantry then applies adhesively coated yarns to the base film layer in a three-dimensional fashion. A final layer of adhesively coated film is applied, and the assembly is laminated on the mold using heat and pressure.
The preparation of sails on a static mold is a time consuming process, especially since a moving gantry must be devised and used to apply individual yarns in a predefined fashion. In general, it would be desirable to simplify the procedure described in the above patent while still providing a laminated one piece sail in which the three-dimensional shape is molded into the sail.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The molded sail of the present invention comprises three corners and is made from three separate superimposed film layers. Each layer, in turn, comprises a plurality of generally triangular film pieces which radiate out of a respective corner and terminate at an opposite edge of the sail. Thus, the three layers are triangular in shape, with the three triangles having an apex at the respective three corners of the sail.
The triangular sections making up each of the layers include parallel yarns or a scrim on one side, which side is coated with adhesive. The first triangular layer is applied to the mold with the yarns and adhesive facing outwardly. The second layer is applied over the first with the adhesive coated side facing in either direction, and the third layer is applied with the adhesive and yarns facing inwardly. Heat and pressure are then applied to the assembly on the mold to obtain a three-dimensional laminate.
In the final laminate, the pieces making up each layer intersect with pieces in successive layers at three angles to provide a seamless, one-piece sail of good integrity and durability. At the same time, the need for using a gantry for separately applying yarns to a sail is avoided.
REFERENCES:
patent: 94400 (1869-08-01), Crandall
patent: 3680519 (1972-08-01), Jalbert
patent: 5172647 (1992-12-01), Towne
North Marine Group
Pyle & Piontek
Swinehart Ed
LandOfFree
Three layer molded sail construction does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Three layer molded sail construction, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Three layer molded sail construction will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2613709