The present invention relates to an arrangement (100) for a sailing boat furling system, and for reception of or comprising an outgoing shaft (11) exposed to external torque loads. It comprises a furling drive unit (20) with a gear mechanism (22) and a motor unit (23) connected to an ingoing, motor, shaft (21) and a ratchet mechanism (10) comprising a locking functionality. The ratchet mechanism comprises a housing (17A,17B) and takes up the outgoing shaft (11). The furling drive unit (20) is connectable to ratchet mechanism (10) and is so arranged that the motor unit (23) will be located distant from the outgoing shaft (11), and it further comprises a control unit (30) arranged to control the motor unit (23) driving the ingoing shaft (21). The outgoing shaft can be switched between an engaged mode, in which the outgoing shaft (11), when exposed to external torque loads in a first direction, is allowed to rotate in an opposite, second, direction but prevented from rotating in a said first direction, hence protecting the motor unit and the gear mechanism (22) from external torque loads on the outgoing shaft (11) which are transferred to or taken up by the ratchet mechanism (10), and a disengaged mode in which the outgoing shaft (11) and the ingoing shaft (21) are allowed to rotate in both directions, by controlling, by means of the control unit (30), the movement of the ingoing shaft (21), and thereby, via the ratchet mechanism (10), the outgoing shaft (11) between being in the engaged mode and in the disengaged mode.

The present invention relates to an arrangement (100) for a sailing boat furling system, and for reception of or comprising an outgoing shaft (11) exposed to external torque loads. It comprises a furling drive unit (20) with a gear mechanism (22) and a motor unit (23) connected to an ingoing, motor, shaft (21) and a ratchet mechanism (10) comprising a locking functionality. The ratchet mechanism comprises a housing (17A,17B) and takes up the outgoing shaft (11). The furling drive unit (20) is connectable to ratchet mechanism (10) and is so arranged that the motor unit (23) will be located distant from the outgoing shaft (11), and it further comprises a control unit (30) arranged to control the motor unit (23) driving the ingoing shaft (21). The outgoing shaft can be switched between an engaged mode, in which the outgoing shaft (11), when exposed to external torque loads in a first direction, is allowed to rotate in an opposite, second, direction but prevented from rotating in a said first direction, hence protecting the motor unit and the gear mechanism (22) from external torque loads on the outgoing shaft (11) which are transferred to or taken up by the ratchet mechanism (10), and a disengaged mode in which the outgoing shaft (11) and the ingoing shaft (21) are allowed to rotate in both directions, by controlling, by means of the control unit (30), the movement of the ingoing shaft (21), and thereby, via the ratchet mechanism (10), the outgoing shaft (11) between being in the engaged mode and in the disengaged mode.

An apparatus for furling and unfurling a sail includes a housing with an upper end adapted for connection with an upper end of a sailboat mast and a lower end including a swivel, rotatable relative to the housing upper end and adapted for connection with an upper corner of a sail. Within the housing there is a motor with a clutch attached to it. When the housing upper and lower ends are connected to the top of a mast and sail, respectively, the motor rotates the swivel in a first direction to furl a sail, and when the clutch is released, the swivel is free to rotate in a second direction opposite the first direction to unfurl the sail. The housing can further include a stop mechanism which prevents the housing upper end from rotating when the swivel is rotated.

The present invention relates to a movable stay connected between a boom and the mast, capable of furling a sail, such as a headsail or jib. The furling and deployment movements should be proportional so the sail angle remains constant throughout use. By furling sails toward the mast and deck, the center of gravity for the sailboat is lowered. During a capsize or just harsh weather conditions, lower center of gravity helps in righting a ship or preventing it from capsizing in the first place. Other embodiments will allow for automatic detection of an anticipated capsize and an immediate automated furling of sails.

An apparatus for furling and unfurling a sail includes a housing with an upper end adapted for connection with an upper end of a sailboat mast and a lower end including a swivel, rotatable relative to the housing upper end and adapted for connection with an upper corner of a sail. Within the housing there is a motor with a clutch attached to it. When the housing upper and lower ends are connected to the top of a mast and sail, respectively, the motor rotates the swivel in a first direction to furl a sail, and when the clutch is released, the swivel is free to rotate in a second direction opposite the first direction to unfurl the sail. The housing can further include a stop mechanism which prevents the housing upper end from rotating when the swivel is rotated.

A jib furler halyard top fitting has a body for coupling to a top end of an extruded member that longitudinally receives a stay and a main portion of a halyard of a marine vessel such that the extruded member is rotatable about the stay. The body of the fitting has a passage to receive the stay. A first sheave supported on the body has a perimeter edge aligned with the main portion of the halyard extending through the extruded member. A second sheave supported on the body has a perimeter edge aligned with an end section of the halyard coupled to the top of the jib. A third sheave supported on the body has a perimeter edge including portions aligned with the first and second sheaves respectively such that the halyard remains tangential with adjacent sheaves along a length of the halyard received through the fitting.

An improved top down furling system includes one or more improved components. A lower rotary drive unit with a rotary tack swivel rotates against a fixed portion of the furler, or is configured to permit routing of the tack line below the unit. The system may include an anti-torsion cable constructed in a manner so as to be able to transmit torque without excessive tension applied to the cable. The system also may include an end terminal of the anti-torsion cable having a quick side mount or bayonet type connection to the rotary drive unit.

The invention provides a fitting for securing anti-torsion rope without requiring the wrapping of the rope around the fitting or the assembly of separate components, such as clamps and line terminators. The invention provides a customizable, readily available system for securing anti-torsion rope and avoids the need for purchasing anti-torsion ropes with pre-manufactured connections.