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Inflatable whisker pole

Inactive Publication Date: 2009-08-20
URBANEK PAUL
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

When held in position only by the left or right jib sheet, it can be difficult to keep the headsail taught and full.
It tends to flap back and forth providing for a noisy, inefficient, and potentially dangerous cruise.

Method used

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  • Inflatable whisker pole
  • Inflatable whisker pole
  • Inflatable whisker pole

Examples

Experimental program
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Embodiment Construction

[0017]Conventional whisker poles are typically made of aluminum, fiberglass, carbon, or other unbendable material and need to be stored in places that can accept a large pole. Some whisker poles are collapsible but are still 8 or 10 feet long even when fully collapsed. Often these conventional poles are stored on deck where they need to be secured, and they can become a hindrance to those moving about the deck. If one end of the pole should become unattached during use it can be flung violently around the deck posing a hazard to those nearby. These conventional whisker poles are dense enough that if lost overboard they sink or at least are very difficult to recover.

[0018]In one aspect, a whisker pole is provided wherein at least a portion of the whisker pole can be inflated. When not in use, the whisker pole can be deflated for compact storage or shipping. Although one might believe that an inflatable pole could not provide adequate rigidity to maintain the position of a headsail, i...

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PUM

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Abstract

A whisker pole for a sailboat is provided. The whisker pole includes an inflatable portion that can be pressurized to maintain the position of a headsail. The whisker pole can be deflated for stowage. The length of the whisker pole can be adjusted for different boats and rigging requirements.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]1. Field of Invention[0002]The invention relates to sailboat accessories and, in particular, to a whisker pole for a sailboat.[0003]2. Discussion of Related Art[0004]Sailing often requires the placement of one or more sails in a particular formation in order to obtain maximum power from the sail. When a boat is running with the wind it is often desirable to fully extend a headsail to one side of the boat or the other so that the sail surface is normal to the wind direction. On this heading, the sail functions less as an airfoil and more as a parachute, simple catching the wind and transferring its force to the boat. When held in position only by the left or right jib sheet, it can be difficult to keep the headsail taught and full. It tends to flap back and forth providing for a noisy, inefficient, and potentially dangerous cruise.[0005]A whisker pole can be used to keep the tailing corner of the headsail (clew) as far from the midline of the hull as is practical. Whi...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): B63H9/04
CPCB63H9/1071
Inventor URBANEK, PAUL
Owner URBANEK PAUL