An inflatable mast couplable to an underwater vehicle includes a flexible material defining an interior volume, a head structure, and a spring coupled to at least one of the flexible material and the head structure. The flexible material is designed to be filled with air to form an inflated mast structure that extends away from the underwater vehicle. The head structure is disposed at a distal end of the inflated mast structure and in some cases has a rigid shape that forms a panel having an outer surface that is flush with an outer surface of the underwater vehicle, when the mast structure is deflated and stowed. The spring is designed to provide a tensile force on at least one of the flexible material and the head structure when the flexible material is inflated to form the mast structure. A system includes the inflatable mast and a pump.

An inflatable mast couplable to an underwater vehicle includes a flexible material defining an interior volume, a head structure, and a spring coupled to at least one of the flexible material and the head structure. The flexible material is designed to be filled with air to form an inflated mast structure that extends away from the underwater vehicle. The head structure is disposed at a distal end of the inflated mast structure and in some cases has a rigid shape that forms a panel having an outer surface that is flush with an outer surface of the underwater vehicle, when the mast structure is deflated and stowed. The spring is designed to provide a tensile force on at least one of the flexible material and the head structure when the flexible material is inflated to form the mast structure. A system includes the inflatable mast and a pump.

A rigging system (1) for a sailboat comprising: a mast (3) that extends substantially vertical from a hull; a boom (5) that extends substantially horizontal from the mast (3); a yang tube (7) extending between the mast and the boom to resist relative force and/or moment of the boom (5) towards the mast (3), wherein the yang tube (7) is substantially arcuate and a convex side of the actuate yang tube (7) faces an intersection (9) of the boom (5) and the mast (3) and wherein the yang tube (7) is located above the boom (5). A connection (301) for transferring a first force from a spar (307) to a mast (3) of a sailboat, the connection comprising: a connection base (303) having a key portion (305) to be received in a keyway (306), wherein the keyway (306) is part of a sail track (107) of the mast (3); a mount (309) to receive the spar (307), wherein the first force (35) from the spar (307) is transmitted through the mount (309) to the connection base (303); and a restraint (311) to resist a first component force (37) acting on the connection base (303), wherein the first component force (37) is a component of the first force (35) transmitted from the spar (307) that is in a direction parallel to the keyway (306).

The device disclosed herein is for a folding mast device for use on watercraft. In the preferred embodiment, the mast is used on a bridge erection boat; however, additional watercraft may also incorporate this device. The mast includes clamps and other components in order to allow the mast to be assembled and disassembled without tools, which also makes the assembly and disassembly quick. The mast is also quickly removable and replaceable. The mast also can incorporate safety features, such as lighting and other devices needed for safe navigation, and is capable of adjusting to accommodate fabrication differences.

The present invention relates to a rig (2) for a nautical means comprising: —a reference plane intended to coincide with a symmetry plane extending in longitudinal and vertical direction of the hull of the nautical means; —at least one wing; —at least one rigid support capable of supporting said wing and transmitting a propulsive thrust to the hull of the nautical means given by the aerodynamic lift generated by the wing when it takes wind; —the wing comprising a first and a second main face opposite to each other, —the rigid support being capable of supporting the wing at least in a first operating configuration in which at least a main portion of the first or second face is facing a first side of the reference plane and in a second operating configuration in which said main portion is facing the opposite side of the reference plane; —the rigid support comprising a wing sliding path for switching from the first to the second operating position and vice versa.

The present invention relates to a rig (2) for a nautical means comprising: —a reference plane intended to coincide with a symmetry plane extending in longitudinal and vertical direction of the hull of the nautical means; —at least one wing; —at least one rigid support capable of supporting said wing and transmitting a propulsive thrust to the hull of the nautical means given by the aerodynamic lift generated by the wing when it takes wind; —the wing comprising a first and a second main face opposite to each other, —the rigid support being capable of supporting the wing at least in a first operating configuration in which at least a main portion of the first or second face is facing a first side of the reference plane and in a second operating configuration in which said main portion is facing the opposite side of the reference plane; —the rigid support comprising a wing sliding path for switching from the first to the second operating position and vice versa.

A collapsible mast of or for a yacht includes a base, a top section, and a rotation mechanism arranged between the base and the top section configured to rotate the top section relative to the base between an upright extended state, in which the top section extends in line with the base, and a collapsed state, in which the top section is rotated downward to reduce a height of the mast. The rotation mechanism comprises an axis oriented transverse through the base. Further, the rotation mechanism comprises a rotation arm, which is rotatably connected to the base via the axis.

A collapsible mast of or for a yacht includes a base, a top section, and a rotation mechanism arranged between the base and the top section configured to rotate the top section relative to the base between an upright extended state, in which the top section extends in line with the base, and a collapsed state, in which the top section is rotated downward to reduce a height of the mast. The rotation mechanism comprises an axis oriented transverse through the base. Further, the rotation mechanism comprises a rotation arm, which is rotatably connected to the base via the axis.

A catamaran having two parallel symmetrical hulls of equal size spaced apart with a superstructure lower deck extending from an outer edge of the first hull to an outer edge of the second hull. The lower deck is positioned above the static waterline and provides a single, constant, flush elevation height across the entire length and breadth of the vessel, with the placement of control and propulsion machinery in the hulls. The improved catamaran has an increased freeboard, increased gross tonnage, and decreased design pressures on the superstructure scantlings of the catamaran deck as compared to a conventional catamaran having a lower deck mounted beneath the static waterline, or accommodations added to the hulls.

A catamaran having two parallel symmetrical hulls of equal size spaced apart with a superstructure lower deck extending from an outer edge of the first hull to an outer edge of the second hull. The lower deck is positioned above the static waterline and provides a single, constant, flush elevation height across the entire length and breadth of the vessel, with the placement of control and propulsion machinery in the hulls. The improved catamaran has an increased freeboard, increased gross tonnage, and decreased design pressures on the superstructure scantlings of the catamaran deck as compared to a conventional catamaran having a lower deck mounted beneath the static waterline, or accommodations added to the hulls.