A common maneuver for attaching a boom to a sailboat mast.

Abstract

A common maneuver (1) for connecting a boom (B) to a mast (A) of a sailboat; the maneuver comprising a first elongated portion (10) and a second elongated portion (20) coupled telescopically; the first portion (10) being delimited longitudinally by a first eyelet (12) and the second portion (20) being delimited by a second eyelet (22); a safety device (30) being provided to indicate when, during use, the first eyelet (12) and the second eyelet (22) are positioned at a first predetermined distance and when they are positioned at a second predetermined distance. (Figure 1)

Description

Title of the invention: Common maneuver for connecting a boom to a mast of a sailboat Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a maneuver for a sailboat. In particular, the present invention relates to a common maneuver for connecting a boom to a mast of a sailboat. In more detail, the present invention relates to a common maneuver for connecting a boom to a mast of a sailboat in a telescopic manner. State of the art

[0002] In sailboats equipped with a mainsail, it is known to connect the boom to the mast foot by means of a common maneuver called "lower hurdle" (yang), the function of which consists of adjusting the working angle of the boom / sail system relative to the mast in the different points of sail by means of a variation in the distance between the respective points of application: the mast foot and a groove carried by a lower part of the boom.

[0003] Each vang is constructed to satisfy different specific operating conditions: in smaller boats, where the loads on the mainsail have a reduced intensity, the vang is tubular and comprises a first body and a second body of different diameter and coupled longitudinally in a telescopic manner to delimit an internal chamber containing a spring and a manually operated tackle. The spring has the tendency to elongate the vang and allows to support the boom, if it is shaped in a suitable way, while the tackle allows to precisely adjust the extension of the vang to optimize the trimming of the mainsail in the different points of sail.In order to facilitate the precise adjustment of the distance between the eyelets carried by the first body and by the second body in respective end positions, the minor diameter body has on the respective outer sides graduated scales allowing an operator positioned in the cockpit next to the vang to maintain the relative position of the first body with respect to the second body under control.

[0004] In larger vessels, the boom adjustment is carried out by means of a hydraulically powered boom vang and therefore structured as a linear actuator provided with an armature which is provided with one end provided with an eyelet and delimits an internal cylindrical space divided into two chambers for oil by a piston, to which a rod also ending in an eyelet is applied and is moved by the movement of the piston caused by the pressure difference in the two chambers. In such cases, the oil is pressurized by an installation hydraulic system comprising a reservoir containing the oil, a pump (usually electric and powered by battery or by an internal combustion generator), a conductor through which the oil is supplied to the two chambers of the vang and to a plurality of users by a circuit comprising a plurality of pipes selectively supplied through the interposition of electrically switchable valves.

[0005] The use of hydraulically driven vangs is necessary when the weights and forces acting on the vang / boom / sail are particularly high, especially on sailing boats over 15-18m.

[0006] On the other hand, it must be taken into account that hydraulic systems can operate through a polluting technical fluid that is difficult to confine within the respective circuit, thus causing losses that are difficult to control unless there is continuous maintenance. Furthermore, hydraulic systems are particularly bulky, heavy, energy-intensive and noisy. Therefore, whenever it is decided to choose a hydraulic vang, it must be taken into consideration that, on board, a significant reduction in the spaces on board, a significant increase in the size of the boat and a worsening of the energy balance of the vessel must be accepted.In order to overcome the above disadvantages, and in particular the reduction in the overall energy performance of the mechanical device for the needs of supplying energy in the form of mechanical energy, it was decided to use an electric drive, as described in the patent in principle for utility model DE 20216347U. In light of the above, it is easily understood that the accuracy of the manual adjustment of the extension of the vang with tackle and spring or according to patent DE '347U depends on the sensitivity of the operator.On the other hand, both in the case of the tubular vang with tackle, and in the case of a vang constructed according to the teachings of patent DE '347, the fact of equipping the external faces of the body of minor diameter with graduated scales imposes a permanent control of the conditions of use for the operator who must remain constantly on the main deck next to the vang, especially in the case of particularly extreme weather conditions, compromising the safety of the operator, where it is extremely important to minimize the reaction times of the operator to avoid, by way of example but not limitation, excessive maximum loads, which could determine the collapse of the vang, or excessive traction on the throat of the bollard which could determine the dislocation due to excessive bending stress.Of course, in these cases, constantly ensuring that they maintain a distance from extreme operating and safety conditions constitutes a stress factor for the operators in charge of the vang, which can become a significant risk factor in the case of a reduced crew. On the other hand, in such conditions it may be necessary to support other crew members in carrying out their own duties and, for this purpose, abandon their own position and thus temporarily interrupt control of the operating condition of the vang.

[0007] In light of the above, the problem of providing a vang, which is easy to use, compact and does not require an installation to be interposed for the transformation of electrical energy into hydraulic energy, can still be easily controlled even under extreme operating conditions to prevent conditions of collapse of the vang or dislocation of the terminal without significant efforts of a muscular or mental type, and, ultimately, which does not endanger the operators, is not currently solved and represents an interesting challenge for the Applicant.

[0008] It may be useful that the present invention can be applied to a plurality of applications in which it is necessary to modify the distance between 2 points of articulated or linearly coupled elements, by way of example, but not limitation, whenever it is necessary to move doors on motor yachts, boats or in other contexts and where control and safety of operations constitute fundamental factors. In view of the situation described above, it would be desirable to provide a vang which, in addition to limiting and possibly overcoming the disadvantages of the previously illustrated known state of the art, sets a new standard for such types of common maneuver for sailboats. Statement of the invention

[0009] The present invention relates to a maneuver for a sailboat. In particular, the present invention relates to a common maneuver for connecting a bollard to a mast of a sailboat. In more detail, the present invention relates to a common maneuver for connecting a bollard to a mast of a sailboat in a telescopic manner.

[0010] According to certain embodiments of the present invention, a common maneuver for connecting a terminal to a mast of a sailboat, respectively, in a groove of said terminal and in a foot of said mast is put in place; said maneuver comprising a first elongated portion and a second elongated portion coupled telescopically; said first portion being delimited longitudinally by a first eyelet and said second portion being delimited by a second eyelet; safety means being predisposed to indicate when, during use, said first eyelet and second eyelet are placed at a first determined distance and when they are arranged at a second determined distance.

[0011] According to an embodiment as described above, the maneuver comprises movement means for varying at will a relative axial position of said first portion and second portion and adjust at will a distance between said first eyelet and second eyelet; measuring means being provided for continuously monitoring relative positions of said first portion and second portion.

[0012] According to an embodiment as described above, the maneuver comprises programmable control means electronically connected to said safety means, to said movement means, to said measuring means to continuously carry out determined operating modes.

[0013] According to an embodiment as described above, said second portion is coupled to said first portion in an axially free and angularly fixed manner; said first distance and second distance being minimum and maximum operating limit distances between said first eyelet and second eyelet.

[0014] According to an embodiment as described above, said first eyelet is equipped with a dynamometric pin to be coupled to said groove; said dynamometric pin being of electronic type and electronically connected to said control means to continuously monitor an operating condition of said terminal.

[0015] According to an embodiment as described above, said movement means are of the type having an electric or hybrid electro-mechanical drive.

[0016] According to an embodiment as described above, said movement means comprise an electric rotary actuator carried by said first portion and a drive device provided with a screw connected to said actuator and to said second portion via a helical coupling to move it longitudinally relative to said first portion; a transmission element being arranged between said actuator and said screw to connect them mechanically in a rigid manner via the interposition of a rotary joint; manual emergency means being associated with said actuator.

[0017] According to an embodiment as described above, said second portion comprises a rod provided with a longitudinal housing for said screw and an internal thread carried on the opposite side relative to said second eyelet to be coupled helically to said screw.

[0018] According to an embodiment as described above, said safety means comprise a first maximum extension sensor and a second minimum extension sensor arranged respectively at a free end of said first portion and between said seal and said internal thread.

[0019] According to an embodiment as described above, said control means comprise a respective drive device and a remote control predisposed to control said drive device via a cable or wirelessly via a respective antenna. Brief description of the figures

[0020] Other characteristics and advantages of the maneuver according to the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description, given with reference to the appended figures which illustrate at least one non-limiting example of embodiment, in which identical or corresponding elements of the maneuver are designated by the same reference numbers. In particular:

[0021] - [Fig.l] is a schematic perspective view of a maneuver according to the present invention under two conditions of use;

[0022] - [Fig.2] is a schematic perspective view of the maneuver of [Fig.l] at the enlarged scale in a first position;

[0023] - [Fig.3] is a schematic perspective view of [Fig.2] in a position inverted;

[0024] - [Fig.4] is a side elevational view on an enlarged scale of a first end portion of [Fig.2];

[0025] - [Fig.5] is a side elevational view on an enlarged scale of a second end portion of [Fig.2];

[0026] - [Fig.6] is a sectional view along the plane indicated by line VI-VI of [Fig.8]

[0027] - [Fig.7] is a side view of [Fig.2];

[0028] - [Fig.8] is a sectional view of [Fig.7] along the plane indicated by line VIII- VIII of [Fig.7], Detailed description

[0029] Before describing in detail the preferred embodiments of the present invention or particulars thereof, it is deemed useful to clarify that the relative scope of protection is not limited to the particular embodiments described below. The disclosure and description herein are provided for the purpose of illustrating and explaining one or more currently preferred embodiments and variations thereof, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the design, organization, order of operation, means of operation, structures of the apparatus and their position, methodology and use of mechanical equivalents without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0030] Further, it should be understood that the accompanying figures and drawings are intended to illustrate and make clear to one skilled in the art presently preferred embodiments, but are not drawings illustrating how such embodiments should actually be made or actual representations of final products; rather, such figures may include views simplified conceptual drawings to facilitate understanding or to enable an easier and faster explanation to be provided. In addition, the dimensions and relative arrangement of components may differ from those shown and still operate within the spirit of the invention.

[0031] On the other hand, it will be understood that the various directions, namely "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "front", "rear" etc., are considered only in relation to the explanation in conjunction with the drawings and that the components may be oriented in different ways, for example during transport and production, as well as during operation. Since several different and distinct embodiments may be made within the scope of the concepts taught herein, and since multiple modifications may be made to the embodiments described herein, it is to be understood that the details provided below are to be construed as illustrative and not limiting of the spirit of the invention.

[0032] In [Fig. 1], a common maneuver 1 whose function is to connect a terminal B to a mast A of a sailboat, is indicated by 1 as a whole. According to the nautical lexicon, maneuvers of this type are called "downhaul" (vang), so for practical reasons the term "maneuver" and the term "downhaul" will be used as synonyms in the following pages and will be indicated by the same reference number. The downhaul 1 comprises a first elongated part 10 and a second elongated part 20 coupled reciprocally telescopically in an axially free and angularly fixed manner. The first portion 10 is delimited longitudinally by a first eyelet 12 and the second portion 20 is delimited by a second eyelet 22.The first eyelet 12 is used to connect the downhaul 1 to a groove C carried by a lower part of the bollard B at a minor distance from the screw-bolt T of the mast in a general but not limited manner, depending on the design of the structure of the bollard (B). The second eyelet 22 is used to connect the downhaul to a foot P of the mast A.

[0033] According to [Fig.8], the first portion 10 is internally hollow and the second portion 20 comprises a rod 24 provided with a longitudinal housing and carries an internal thread 200 on the opposite side relative to the second eyelet 22, where the internal thread 200 is coupled to the first portion 10 in an axially free and angularly fixed manner by means of the radially extending ribs 100 of an internal sheath of the first portion 10. For the purpose of simplification, only one rib 100 is shown in [Fig.8].

[0034] The first portion 10 houses within it a movement device 40 predisposed to vary at will a relative axial position of the first portion 10 and the second portion 20 and adjust as desired a distance between the first eyelet 12 and the second eyelet 22.

[0035] The movement device 40 comprises an electric rotary actuator 42 carried inside the first portion 10 and is provided with a screw 460 rotatably coupled to the second portion 20 and connected to a motor shaft 420 of the actuator 42 in an axially rigid and angularly fixed manner via the interposition of a transmission element, in particular an epicyclic reducer 46, without however limiting the scope of application of the present invention.

[0036] With particular reference to Figures 6 and 8, the actuator 42 is further provided with an emergency device 400 carried by the first portion 10, coupled to the screw 460 via a screw-internal thread connection and provided with a rotary mechanical interface 402, in turn provided with a hexagonal interface to be driven by a manually or electrically driven rotary element, in the first case, by way of example but not limitation, a Hall key or a crank provided with an end shaped in the same way as a hexagonal prism, in the second case a screwdriver provided with a tool ending with the relative hexagonal insert.

[0037] Still according to [Fig.8], a rotary joint 48 is arranged between the actuator 42 and the screw 460 to connect them mechanically in a rigid manner and the internal thread 200 is coupled helically to the screw 460 to define a drive device 46, which makes the second portion 20 movable longitudinally relative to the first portion 10.

[0038] Still with reference to [Fig.8], the hedge-stocking 1 comprises safety elements 30 predisposed to indicate when, during use, the first eyelet 12 and the second eyelet 22 are placed at a first determined distance and when they are arranged at a second determined distance which are, respectively, a minimum operating limit distance and a maximum operating limit distance between the first eyelet 12 and the second eyelet 22, to which "end of travel" conditions correspond.

[0039] In particular, the safety elements 30 comprise a first sensor 32 of maximum extension of the downhaul 1, therefore predisposed to indicate a maximum operating limit distance between the first eyelet 12 and the second eyelet 22, and a second sensor 34 of minimum extension of the downhaul 1, therefore predisposed to indicate the minimum operating limit distance between the first eyelet 12 and the second eyelet 22. In particular, the first sensor 32 is arranged at a free end 11 of the first portion 10 and inside it and the second sensor 34 is arranged between the seal 48 and the internal thread 200, still inside the first portion 10, against the seal 48.

[0040] Still with reference to [Fig.8], the downhaul 1 comprises a measuring device 50 predisposed to continuously monitor relative positions of the first portion 10 and the second portion 20. Such a measuring device comprises a flexible metal element 52 carried inside a spring reel 54 arranged at the rear of the actuator 42, without however limiting the scope of the present invention. The metal element 52 is connected to the internal thread 200 so that its own relative position with respect to the first portion 10 is constantly monitored as well as, consequently, the distance between the first eyelet 12 and the second eyelet, therefore the current extension of the downhaul 1 and, obviously, the angle of inclination of the terminal B with respect to the mast A.

[0041] According to figures 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7, the first eyelet 12 is equipped with a dynamometric pin 120 to be coupled to the groove C; the dynamometric pin 120 is of electronic type and is predisposed to be electronically connected to a control device to continuously monitor an operating condition of the terminal B, therefore respective axial compression loads exceeding the maximum permissible loads provided for when developing the project or excessive localized load conditions on the terminal around the groove C, which could lead to the dislocation of the terminal B itself.

[0042] Of course, choosing to couple the torque pin 120 to the groove C is functionally equivalent to the solution consisting of coupling the torque pin 120 to the second eyelet 22 at the interface with the mast foot P, and falls within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0043] For the sake of clarity, it is specified that, for the purposes of simplification, it has been decided not to represent the electrical connections between the aforementioned electrical and electronic components and those which will be described below.

[0044] According to [Fig.l], the downhaul 1 comprises a programmable control unit 60 electronically connected to the safety elements 30, to the movement elements 40, to the measuring device 50 and to the dynamometric spindle 120 to continuously carry out determined operating modes of the downhaul 1, by way of example but not limitation, to emit light and / or sound signals when the first eyelet 12 and the second eyelet 22 are at the minimum or maximum distance or in the immediate vicinity of such a distance having the tendency to be at such distances, when the load on the terminal B is excessive or the downhaul 1 risks collapsing due to an excessive maximum load, or to command a reverse movement relative to the actuator 42 (by increasing or reducing the longitudinal extension) in order to bring the downhaul back into safe conditions.

[0045] The control unit 60 further comprises a drive device 62 and a remote control 64 predisposed to operationally manage the device. drive 62 via a cable 66 or wirelessly via a respective antenna 68.

[0046] In [Fig. 1], the control unit 60 has been shown on a main deck of the sailboat but, it must be taken into account that it can be carried rigidly by the sailboat in any position considered useful to meet the needs of construction or management without however influencing the scope of the present invention.

[0047] The use of the downhaul 1 is easily understandable in light of the above and does not require further explanation.

[0048] Finally, it is clear that modifications and variants can be made to the downhaul 1 described in the present document without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0049] Based on the above, it is easily understandable that the vang 1 is easy to use, can easily be controlled under extreme operating conditions to prevent conditions of collapse of the vang 1 or dislocation of the bollard without significant muscular or mental efforts, being furthermore predisposed to continuously carry out determined operating modes of the vang 1 and, thus, ensure the safety of the operators.

[0050] In the claims, any reference sign placed in parentheses should not be interpreted as a limitation of the claim. The word "which comprises" does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps in addition to those appearing in a claim. Furthermore, introductory phrases such as "at least one" and "one or more" in the claims should not be interpreted as meaning that the introduction of another claim element identified by using the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim in which such a claim element appears individually, even when the claim itself includes introductory phrases, namely "one or more" or "at least one", and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an". The same applies to the use of definite articles.Unless otherwise provided, terms such as "first" and "second" are used to arbitrarily distinguish the elements described by those terms. Therefore, these terms are not necessarily intended to indicate temporal priority or any other kind of such elements. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different claims does not indicate that a combination of those measures cannot be advantageous.

Claims

Claims

1. A common maneuver (1) for connecting a boom (B) to a mast (A) of a sailboat, in a groove (C) of said boom (B) and in a foot (P) of said mast (A), respectively; said maneuver comprising a first elongated portion (10) and a second elongated portion (20) coupled telescopically; said first portion (10) being delimited longitudinally by a first eyelet (12) and said second portion (20) being delimited by a second eyelet (22); movement means (40) being provided for varying at will a relative axial position of said first portion (10) and second portion (20) and adjusting at will a distance between said first eyelet (12) and second eyelet (22);characterized in that said movement means (40) comprise an electric rotary actuator (42) carried by said first portion (10) and a drive device (46) provided with a screw (460) connected to said actuator (42) and to said second portion (20) by means of a helical coupling to move it longitudinally relative to said first portion (10); said actuator (42) being provided with emergency means (400) carried by said first portion (10), coupled to said screw (460) by means of a screw-internal thread connection and provided with a rotary mechanical interface (402) provided in turn with a hexagonal interface to be driven by a rotary element manually or electrically.;

2. The maneuver according to claim 1, characterized in that said first eyelet (12) is equipped with a dynamometric pin (120) to be coupled to said groove (C); said dynamometric pin (120) being of electronic type and programmable control means (60) being electrically connected to said dynamometric pin (120) to continuously monitor an operating condition of said boom (B).

3. The maneuver according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises measuring means (50) for continuously monitoring relative positions of said first portion (10) and second portion (20); safety means (30) predisposed to indicate when, during use, said first eyelet (12) and second eyelet (22) are placed at a first determined distance and when they are arranged at a second determined distance; said means control means (60) being electronically connected to said safety means (30), to said movement means (40), to said measuring means (50) to continuously carry out determined operating modes of said second portion (20) relative to said first portion (10) and vice versa.

4. The maneuver according to claim 3, characterized in that said second portion is coupled to said first portion (10) in an axially free and angularly fixed manner; said first distance and second distance being minimum and maximum operating limit distances between said first eyelet (12) and second eyelet (22).

5. The maneuver according to claim 4, characterized in that said second portion (20) comprises a rod (24) provided with a longitudinal housing for said screw (460) and an internal thread (200) carried on the opposite side relative to said second eyelet (22) to be coupled helically to said screw (460).

6. The maneuver according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that said safety means (30) comprise a first maximum extension sensor (32) and a second minimum extension sensor (34) arranged respectively at a free end (11) of said first portion (10) and between a seal (48) and said internal thread (200).

7. The maneuver according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that said control means (60) comprise a respective drive device (62) and a remote control (64) predisposed to operationally manage said drive device (62) via a cable (66) or wirelessly via a respective antenna (68).