Mast-head Rigging Connection Device

Abstract

One embodiment of a mast-head standing rigging connection device, allowing for sail module rotation about a mast axis, is disclosed. The embodiment allows for connection of shrouds and conventional single mast forestay and backstay rigging systems. Additional embodiments, utilizing modifications of the first embodiment, for multi-mast and triangular fore-aft sail mast roller reef-furl systems, are described.

Claims

1. A mast-head standing rigging connection device, allowing for sail module or triangular sail mast roller reef-furl system rotation about a mast axis, comprising: a. a non-rotating assembly, firmly connected to top of said mast, comprising: 1. a mast connection flange (24), 2. a central barrel (25), 3. a top cover (26), 4. a bottom cover (27), 5. a bearing support cylinder (23), 6. a forestay connection beam (18), 7. a backstay connection beam (19), 8. a plurality of shroud attachment lugs (12), 9. a forestay attachment lug (13), 10. a backstay attachment lug (14); b. an assembly, rotatable about said mast axis, comprising: 1. a rotatable sail module connection flange (15), 2. a first bearing (21), 3. a second bearing (22), 4. a third bearing (22); whereby, upon connection of said standing rigging to one or more of said attachment lugs (12)(13)(14), and connection of said sail module or conventional sail mast roller reef-furl system to said rotatable sail module connection flange (15), rotation, about said mast axis, of said sail module or conventional sail mast roller reef-furl system is available whilst said standing rigging support of said mast is enabled.

2. The mast-head standing rigging connection device of claim 1, wherein said first bearing is a ball bearing.

3. The mast-head standing rigging connection device of claim 1, wherein said second bearing and said third bearing are tapered roller bearings.

4. The mast-head standing rigging connection device of claim 1, wherein, for a backstay oriented either horizontally or angled upward from said mast-head, said backstay connection beam may be eliminated and said backstay attachment lug is connected directly to said central barrel.

5. The mast-head standing rigging connection device of claim 4, wherein, for rigging geometries where a forestay does not interfere with said sail module or fore-aft triangular sail, said forestay connection beam may be eliminated and said forestay attachment lug is connected directly to said central barrel.

6. The mast-head standing rigging connection device of claim 1, wherein, for a forestay oriented either horizontally or angled upward from said mast-head, said forestay connection beam may be eliminated and said forestay attachment lug is connected directly to said central barrel.

Description

DRAWINGSFIGURES

[0018] In the drawings, closely related figures have the same number but differing alphabetical suffixes.

[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates the first embodiment exterior overall views.

[0020] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate the first embodiment cross-section details.

[0021] FIG. 3 illustrates use of the first embodiment in a conceptual high performance yacht utilizing a double sail module assembly.

[0022] FIG. 4 shows the second embodiment exterior overall views.

[0023] FIG. 5 illustrates use of both first and second embodiments in a conceptual purpose-built sailing craft.

[0024] FIG. 6 shows the third embodiment exterior overall views.

[0025] FIG. 7 illustrates use of the third embodiment in a conceptual yacht utilizing a mast roller reef-furl triangular fore-aft mainsail.

[0026]

TABLE-US-00002 Drawings - Reference Numerals 11 mast 12 shroud attachment lug 13 forestay attachment lug 14 backstay attachment lug 15 rotatable sail module 16 forestay connection beam connection flange 17 backstay connection beam 18 forestay - sail clearance dimension 19 backstay - sail clearance 21 ball bearing dimension 22 tapered roller bearing 23 bearing support cylinder 24 mast connection flange 25 central barrel 26 top cover 27 bottom cover 31 first embodiment assembly 32 double sail module assembly 33 forestay 34 backstay 35 typical shroud 51 typical first embodiment device 52 typical second 53 typical third embodiment device embodiment device

EMBODIMENT DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS

First EmbodimentFIGS. 1 Through 3

[0027] The purpose of the embodiment is to provide support of the mast-head by means of conventional standing rigging while allowing rotation, about the mast axis, of a sail module, as described in the cross-reference. FIGS. 1 through 2B contain depictions of a mast 11. The mast is not a part of the embodiment, but is included in the figures to illustrate interaction of the embodiment with the mast.

[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates three exterior orthographic views of the first embodiment. The forestay and backstay connection beams 16 and 17, respectively, have box cross-sections and transmit forestay and backstay rigging forces to the central part of the embodiment: central barrel 25, bearing support cylinder 23 and mast connection flange 24, as detailed in FIGS. 2A and 2B. Forestay and backstay connection lugs 13 and 14 are welded to the ends of the beams. Lengths of the beams, 18, 19, are determined from actual sail module dimensions so as to provide clearance between fore- and back-stays and the sail module. Also shown in FIG. 1 are shroud connection lugs 12 welded to the central barrel.

[0029] Also shown in FIGS. 1 through 2B is the rotatable assembly connection flange 15. It is free to rotate about the mast 11 axis and interacts with the remainder of the first embodiment through two tapered roller bearings 22 and bearing support cylinder 23. Stability of the embodiment is enhanced through use of the ball bearing 21 located between flange 15 and mast 11.

[0030] As illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the first embodiment is secured to the mast by the mast connection flange 24. This ensures that the embodiment remains aligned with the watercraft or land vehicle during sail module rotation about the mast axis.

First EmbodimentConstruction and Operation

[0031] Construction of this embodiment is straightforward, with no requirements for specialized equipment, and could be accomplished in a well-equipped machine shop. Due to its strength, weldability and corrosion resistance, high strength aluminum alloy is an ideal material for the majority of the embodiment. However, for the highly stressed regions: bearings 21 and 22, rotatable assembly connection flange 15 and bearing support cylinder 23 adjacent to bearings 21 and 22, use of high strength carbon steel is suitable.

[0032] FIG. 3 illustrates use of the first embodiment 31 for a hypothetical high performance yacht where a double sail module assembly 32 is utilized on a single mast. Shown are the following standing rigging components: forestay 33, backstay 34 and shrouds 35.

Additional EmbodimentsFIGS. 4 Through 7

[0033] Two additional embodiments, based on modifications of the first embodiment are described herein.

Second Embodiment, Multi-mast ApplicationFIGS. 4 and 5

[0034] For multi-mast sail rigs, for a given mast, a mast-head backstay may be oriented either horizontally or angled upward from horizontal. Thus, the backstay connection beam 17 may be removed for these applications. FIG. 4 shows exterior views of the second embodiment which contains no backstay connection beam. In this case the backstay attachment lug 14 is welded directly to the central barrel 25 portion of the embodiment. All other parts of the second embodiment are identical to those of the first embodiment. It is noted that bending moments imparted to the mast, induced by backstay forces, are reduced for the second embodiment.

[0035] FIG. 5 illustrates a conceptual five-mast sailing vessel, utilizing multi-module sails, where both first embodiment 51 and second embodiment 52 mast-head standing rigging connection devices are utilized.

Third Embodiment, Triangular Fore-Aft Sail ApplicationFIGS. 5 Through 7

[0036] An additional third embodiment follows from a further modification of the first embodiment for applications where both forestay and backstay do not interfere with sail module rotation where both forestay and backstay connection beams are removed as a third embodiment 53. Exterior views of the third embodiment, FIG. 6. Here, all stay connection lugs, 12, 13 and 14, are welded directly to the central barrel portion of the embodiment. Interior details of the third embodiment central section are identical to those shown in FIG. 2. Use of this embodiment is shown in FIG. 5, in addition to first and second embodiments.

[0037] This embodiment may also be utilized for conventional triangular fore-aft sails. FIG. 7 illustrates use of the third embodiment 53 for a conceptual single-mast vessel with triangular fore-aft sail. Here, use of the third embodiment would be utilized if a mainsail mast roller reef-furl system is utilized.

EmbodimentsAdvantages

[0038] Advantages evident in the embodiments described above are:

[0039] (a) The embodiments apply to a large range of standing rigging configurations.

[0040] (b) Use of roller and ball bearings in the embodiments' designs allow for very low friction operation of attached rotating sail systems.

[0041] (c) Embodiments may be utilized for both modular rectangular fore-aft sail systems and conventional triangular fore-aft sail rotational reef-furl designs.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS AND SCOPE

[0042] A mast-head standing rigging connection device design has been disclosed. This design is simple in concept and construction, with the following capabilities: [0043] it provides a simple method for stabilization of masts supporting rotatable sail modules or conventional sail roller mast reef-furl systems; [0044] it accommodates a wide variety of standing rigging configurations; [0045] rotatable sail modules and roller mast reef-furl systems are both supported.