AUTOMATIC SAIL ATTACHMENT SYSTEM AT THE TOP OF A MAST

Abstract

The invention proposes an automatic attachment system (10) for a sail to the top of a mast, comprising two complementary coaxial elements (12, 14) of which a first element (14) comprising a locking head (18) and a second element (12) comprising at least one locking member (100) in the assembled position of the two elements (12, 14) which can occupy a retracted position and then a locked position in which it cooperates with the locking head (18), system (10) in which the second element (12) is a device comprising a body (24) carrying a guide finger (52-54) and a slide (60) mounted to slide and rotate inside the body (24) and comprising a series (64) of successive grooves cooperating with the guide finger (52-54) to guide the slide axially and in rotation relative to the body (24),wherein said at least one locking member is a jaw (100) axially fixed to the slide (60), one end (104) of which is formed into a hook, and each guide finger (52-54) is mounted to slide radially. Figure from the abstract: Fig. 1C,

Description

Title of the invention: AUTOMATIC SAIL ATTACHMENT SYSTEM AT THE TOP OF A MAST Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to an automatic hooking system.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to a system for attaching and detaching, remotely and by a simple pull, a releasable structure, such as a sail, from a support structure, such as the top of a sailboat mast. Technical background of the invention

[0003] Generally and in a known manner, and as can be seen in the attached [Fig. 10], such an attachment system comprises a "fixed" part 14 and a "mobile" part 12. The fixed part 14 is intended to be permanently attached at the top of a mast 3, at the final attachment point of a sail 5.

[0004] The movable part 12 is intended to be attached to the upper end 4 of the sail 5 to be rigged. This movable part 12 is made movable by means of a halyard 6 of small diameter.

[0005] When the sail 5 is not yet rigged, the movable part 12 is lowered to the bottom of the mast 3, to be handled by a crew member 7.

[0006] When the sail 5 is being rigged, the movable part 12 is hoisted (with the sail 5 attached to it) towards the fixed part 14.

[0007] The movable part 12 then hooks and locks onto the fixed part 14, this locking being adapted to support the tension of the sail 5, which allows the halyard to be released.

[0008] When the sail 5 is no longer to be used, a slight pull exerted on the halyard 6 is then sufficient to unlock the movable part 12.

[0009] It is then sufficient to let out the halyard 6 to lower the sail 5.

[0010] For the implementation of this design principle, we know, for example, of the document FR2057079A1 an automatic hooking device allowing to hook and unhook remotely, by a simple pull, an object in a hard-to-reach place, such as the end of a sailboat mast.

[0011] The automatic latching device described and illustrated herein comprises a cylindrical slide that slides and rotates within a cylindrical housing having at least one stop or guide on its inner wall. This slide has a succession of ramps or grooves that cooperate with the stop and are oriented alternately in one direction and then the other, such that during a first movement of the slide, it latches onto the stop and disengages during a second movement. consecutive placement.

[0012] According to such a design, each stop thus performs a dual function: on the one hand, it acts as a control / indexing device, and on the other hand, it acts as a stop itself, having to absorb the forces associated, in particular, with the tension of the sail. Consequently, it is impossible to reliably guarantee the locked or unlocked states, nor to prevent significant wear and / or fatigue and / or jamming of the device.

[0013] The invention aims to propose a design that overcomes these drawbacks. Summary of the invention

[0014] The invention proposes an automatic attachment system for attaching and detaching, remotely and by a simple pull, a releasable structure, such as a sail, from a support structure, such as the masthead of a sailboat, the attachment system comprising two complementary coaxial elements, which are mounted axially movable relative to each other along an axis to occupy an assembled or disassembled position, and among which: - a first element comprising a locking head; - and a second element comprising at least one locking device in the assembled position of the two elements which can successively occupy: — a retractable position allowing the assembly and disassembly of the two elements; — then a locked position in which the locking member cooperates with the locking head to lock the assembly of the two elements in the assembled position, hanging system in which: * the assembly and automatic locking of the two elements in the assembled position is achieved by a relative axial displacement in a first direction of the two elements according to a locking stroke; * then the unlocking for the purpose of disassembling the two elements is carried out by another relative axial displacement, in the same first direction, of the two elements according to an unlocking stroke, and in which the second element is a device comprising: ** a tubular body carrying an internal radial guide finger; ** and a coaxial cylindrical slide mounted to slide and rotate inside the body and comprising a series of successive grooves cooperating with said guide finger to guide the slide axially and in rotation relative to the body and which are oriented such that: *** during a first axial stroke of the slide relative to the body in said first direction, the slide locks axially relative to the body to cause the assembly and automatic locking of the two elements in the assembled position then; *** During a second axial stroke of the slide relative to the body in the same first direction, the slide unlocks axially relative to the body to allow unlocking and disassembly of the two elements, and in which the series of grooves traversed by the associated guide finger successively comprises a first axially oriented groove allowing a relative axial displacement of the slide relative to the body which is traversed during the locking stroke, then a first inclined groove causing a relative rotation of the slide relative to the body, then a second axially oriented groove allowing a relative axial displacement of the slide relative to the body which is traversed during the unlocking stroke, then a second inclined groove causing a relative rotation of the slide relative to the body and which is connected to the first axial groove.

[0015] According to another characteristic of the fastening system: - the first axial groove has a non-return wall which directs the guide finger towards the first inclined groove; - the first inclined groove has a non-return wall arranged at its end connected to the second axial groove; - the second axial groove has a non-return wall which directs the guide finger towards the second inclined groove; - the second inclined groove has a non-return wall arranged at its end connected to the first axial groove.

[0016] According to yet other characteristics of the fastening system: - each guide finger is mounted to slide in a radial direction orthogonal to said axis, and is permanently elastically returned towards this axis in the direction of the bottom of the groove which it travels; - said at least one locking member is a jaw which is axially fixed to the slide, one free end of which is shaped into a hook and the other end of which is mounted pivotally relative to the slide between: i) a retracted angular position; ii) and an angular locking position in which the hook-shaped end cooperates with a complementary part of the locking head to lock the assembly of the two elements in the assembled position; - the second element comprises a series of locking devices in the assembled position of the two identical elements, which are angularly distributed around the axis of the second element and of which each can successively occupy: — a retracted position allowing the assembly and disassembly of the two elements; — then a locked position in which it cooperates with the locking head to lock the assembly of the two elements in the assembled position; - to lock the assembly of the two elements in the assembled position, each hook-shaped end has a truncated cone arc surface which cooperates with a complementary part of the locking head; - to cause an axial stroke of the slide relative to the body in said first direction, the locking head has a free end surface which cooperates with a complementary surface which is axially fixed to the slide; - the fastening system includes an elastic element which is interposed between the slide and the body and which axially stresses the slide in a second direction opposite to the first direction; - said other end of each jaw is mounted pivotally relative to the slide around a horizontal pivoting rod which is axially fixed to the slide; - said other end of each jaw has a convex pivoting guide surface which cooperates with a complementary concave surface which is axially fixed to the slide, thereby allowing this other end to pivot relative to the slide about a horizontal pivot axis (Al). Brief description of the figures

[0017] [Fig.1A] - [Fig.1A] is a cross-sectional view through an axial plane of a first example of an embodiment of a hooking assembly according to the invention which is shown in the position before hooking or locking of the two elements;

[0018] [Fig.1B] - [Fig.1B] is a view similar to that of [Fig.1A] which partially represents the entire attachment assembly in a maximum high position of the lower element, before the two elements are attached;

[0019] [Fig.lC] - Figure [Fig.lB] is a view analogous to that of [Fig.lA] which represents the entire hooking assembly in a hooked position of the two elements;

[0020] [Fig.1D] - [Fig.1D] is a view similar to that of [Fig.1C] which represents the entire attachment assembly in a maximum high position of the lower element before unhooking or unlocking of the two elements;

[0021] [Fig.1E] - [Fig.1E] is a view similar to that of [Fig.1D] which represents the entire attachment assembly in a detached position of the two elements;

[0022] [Fig.2] - [Fig.2] is an exploded perspective view of the main components of the hanging system shown in figures IA to 1E;

[0023] [Fig.3] - [Fig.3] is an exploded perspective view and a cross-sectional view through an axial plane which represents the slide and the jaws of the fastening system shown in [Fig.1E];

[0024] [Fig.4] - [Fig.4] is a perspective view illustrating the slider and the fingers guiding the attachment system shown in [Fig.lC];

[0025] [Fig.5] - [Fig.5] is a partial detail view, in perspective and axial section, of the attachment system shown in [Fig.1C];

[0026] [Fig.6] - [Fig.6] is a larger scale view of detail D6 of [Fig.1C];

[0027] [Fig.7] - the [Fig.7] is a schematic view developed from the grooves of the slider;

[0028] [Fig.8A] - [Fig.8A] is a cross-sectional view through an axial plane of a second example of the realization of a hooking assembly according to the invention in a maximum high position of the lower element before hooking the two elements;

[0029] [Fig.8B] - [Fig.8B] is a view analogous to that of [Fig.8A] which represents the hooking assembly which is shown in a hooked position of the two elements;

[0030] [Fig.8C] - [Fig.8C] is a view similar to that of [Fig.8B] which represents the entire attachment assembly in a maximum high position of the lower element before detachment of the two elements;

[0031] [Fig.8D] - [Fig.8D] is a view analogous to that of [Fig.8C] which represents the entire attachment assembly in a detached position of the two elements;

[0032] [Fig.9] - [Fig.9] is a partially exploded perspective view that illustrates the slide and jaws of the fastening system shown in figures 8A to 8D;

[0033] [Fig. 10] - [Fig. 10] is a schematic view that illustrates the implementation of a fastening system according to the invention. Detailed description of the figures

[0034] In the description that follows, identical, similar or analogous elements will be designated by the same reference numerals.

[0035] First example of implementation By convention, figures 1 to 7 show a principal axis V with a vertical orientation from bottom to top, which corresponds to the principal axis of the second element 12 according to the invention, which, by way of non-limitation, is disposed in the lower part and is suitable for being connected to a releasable structure such as a sail, while the first element 14, disposed in the upper part, is suitable for being fixed to a support structure such as the head of a sailboat mast.

[0036] The two lower elements 12 and upper elements 14 constitute the automatic hooking system 10 according to the invention and they are mounted axially movable, along the vertical axis V, relative to each other to occupy different functional relative axial positions which will be described in more detail later.

[0037] By convention and without limitation, the second element 12 is here axially mobile upwards relative to the first element 14 in a first SI direction indicated in the figures.

[0038] The first element 14 is in the form of a tubular tenon 16 also called "bullet" whose lower end is formed into a locking head 18 and which, at its upper end in the form of a clevis 15, has an axis 20 allowing its attachment and has another axis 22 for the passage and guidance of a halyard 8 which passes axially through the tenon 16 and then the second element 12.

[0039] The locking head 18 has a rounded convex truncated sphere profile 17 and is axially delimited upwards by a truncated conical shoulder 19.

[0040] The tenon 16 is shown in the figure and is substantially coaxial, along the vertical axis V, with the axis of the second element 12 which is of cylindrical design and general shape.

[0041] The second element 12 comprises a tubular main body 24 and a coaxial slide 60. At its upper end 26, the body 24 delimits an opening or mouth 28 allowing the axial insertion and extraction of at least the locking head 18 into and out of the upper part near the opening 28 of the internal housing 30 delimited by the body 24.

[0042] At its opposite lower end 32, the body 24 has an external radial collar 34 whose upper annular face 36 is shaped into a ball bearing track (See figures IB).

[0043] The lower end 32 and the collar 34 are surrounded by an annular cup 38 which has an inner radial collar 40 whose lower annular face 42 is shaped into a ball bearing track.

[0044] A set of balls 44 and interposed between the tracks 36 and 42 thanks to which the cup 38 is mounted freely in rotation around the vertical axis V relative to the body 24.

[0045] The cup 38 extends axially downwards by means of a clevis 46 having an axis 48 allowing for example the fixing of the upper end point of a sail.

[0046] The cup 38 thus constitutes a swivel mounted freely in rotation relative to the lower element 14.

[0047] Above the cup 38, the body 24 is surrounded by a tubular support 50 which is axially and rotationally fixed to the body 24.

[0048] The support 50 has the function of supporting and guiding a series, here numbering 3, of guide fingers 52.

[0049] Each finger 52 is a cylindrical finger which is mounted to slide in a horizontal plane along a radial direction R orthogonal to the vertical axis V.

[0050] Each finger 52 has a radially internal free end section 54 which extends through an associated hole 55, integral with the support 50, formed in the body 24 and inside the internal housing 30.

[0051] The radially external section 55 of each finger 52 is guided in sliding within a ferrule 56 with interposition of a return spring (not shown in the figures) which acts on a shoulder 58 to permanently elastically stress each finger 52 radially inwards.

[0052] The slide 60 is axially delimited downwards by an annular shoulder 61.

[0053] The fingers 52 have the function of cooperating with grooves 64 belonging to a slide 60 which is a part of general cylindrical tubular shape which is guided inside the body 24 so as to be able to move axially and rotationally in the housing 30.

[0054] The radially outer side wall 62 of the slide 60 has a series 64 of grooves which will be described in detail later and which are suitable for receiving and being traversed by the free end sections 54 of the fingers 52.

[0055] The body 24 attached to the tubular support 50, the slide 60, and the guide fingers 52 allow a third dimension to be introduced into the principle of indexing the "Hookage" and "Unhookage" positions, i.e. the radial movement of the guide fingers of the slide cooperating with the ramps 64 of the latter.

[0056] The slide 60 has an internal radial shoulder 66 which defines an internal bore 68 in which a tubular-shaped bushing 70 is mounted.

[0057] At its lower axial end, the sleeve 70 is equipped with a ring 72 which is fixed to it by screws 74 and which has a radially external flange 76 which, with the shoulder 66, delimits a housing in which an O-ring 78 made of elastically deformable material is mounted in compression.

[0058] The lower face of the collar 76 defines an annular support surface for a main spring 80 which is interposed axially between the collar 76 which is integral with the slide 60 and an annular housing 81 formed at the base of the body 24, in a lower plate with a central hole 82 so as to permanently elastically stress the slide 60 axially upwards relative to the body 24.

[0059] By way of non-limiting example, the spring 80 is here a helical compression spring.

[0060] At its upper end, the sleeve 70 has a radially external flange 84 which is shaped to bear axially downwards on a complementary shoulder 86 of the slide 60 (See [Fig. 1D]). The flange 84 is elastically stressed against the shoulder 86 by the O-ring 78 which acts as an elastic return element.

[0061] The upper face 85 of the collar 84 is shaped with a concave profile complementary to the convex profile 17 of the locking head 18.

[0062] As can be seen in particular in [Fig. 3], above its lower part cy The indric comprising the grooves 64, the slide 60 extends axially upwards by a series of axial teeth 90, here six in number, which are distributed angularly in a regular manner.

[0063] Each tooth 90 is delimited radially towards the axis V by an axial surface 92 concave in the form of a truncated cylinder which opens axially upwards and which, axially downwards, extends into an angular section of the upper face 85 of the collar 84 is formed with a concave profile.

[0064] In pairs, the teeth 90 delimit between themselves a series of six housings 94 which are open axially upwards.

[0065] By way of non-limitation, each dwelling 94 is here open radially to the outside.

[0066] Each housing 94 is axially delimited downwards by a bottom 96 which is an angular section of a concave surface in the shape of a torus whose function is in particular to guide in pivoting a hooking jaw 100.

[0067] Each section 96 is vertically offset upwards relative to the angular sections of the concave upper face 85 of the collar 84.

[0068] Each gripping jaw 100 is axially fixed to the slide 60 with which it moves, and it is mounted pivoting relative to the slide around a horizontal pivot axis Al.

[0069] For this purpose each hooking jaw 100 is dimensioned to be received in an associated housing 94. It comprises a straight body 102 with axial orientation which, at its free upper end, extends into an upper arm 104 oriented radially inwards in the direction of the axis V which is formed into a hook.

[0070] Axially downwards, each upper arm 104 is delimited by a frustoconical bearing 106 which is oriented axially downwards and whose profile is complementary to the frustoconical shoulder 19 of the locking head 18.

[0071] At its lower free end, the body 102 extends into a lower arm 108 oriented radially inwards in the direction of the axis V which is formed into an articulation arm.

[0072] Axially downwards, the lower end of the body 102 extended by a lower arm 108 is shaped with a convex external surface 110 in an angular section of a torus which is complementary to the concave surface in a section of a torus 96.

[0073] Each lower articulation arm 108 is dimensioned and internally delimited by a portion of concave surface 112 in such a way that it circumferentially extends the angular sections of the concave upper face 85 of the collar 84 which are adjacent to it.

[0074] As can be seen for example in [Fig. IB], each lower articulation arm is received and held in position between the housing bottom 96 and a portion opposite the lower face 83 of the collar 84 of the sleeve 70.

[0075] The free end of the hook-forming arm 104 has a ramp-forming facet 105 to cooperate with the profile 17 of the locking head 18 so that, when it enters the opening 28, it causes, if necessary, the pivoting and retraction of the jaw 100 into its housing 94.

[0076] Each jaw 100 is capable of pivoting about its axis Al: - between a locking position as illustrated in [Fig.1B] in which the straight body 102 extends substantially parallel to the axis V, and in which the frustoconical bearing 106 of its upper hook arm 104 is in contact with the frustoconical shoulder 19 of the locking head 18; - and an unlocking position illustrated in [Fig.1E] in which the upper arm 104 is moved radially outwards to allow passage of the locking head 18.

[0077] Each jaw 100 is elastically returned to its locking position by the axial positioning of the lower articulation arm 108 between the shoulder 66 of the slide 60 and the collar of the sleeve 70.

[0078] The elastic return is ensured by the O-ring 78 which, when the lower arm 108 pivots in the "unlocking" direction, is elastically compressed due to the relative displacement of the sleeve 70 with respect to the slide 60-66. After the locking head 18 passes through the end of the upper arm 104, in one direction or the other, the elastically compressed O-ring elastically returns the sleeve 70 in axial translation (downwards, with respect to the slide 60-66) and causes the jaw 100 to return to its rest position ([Fig.1A]) or to its locking position ([Fig.1E]).

[0079] For the locking and unlocking control, the slide 60 moves in rotation and axial sliding relative to the body 24, while the fingers 52-54, while, according to a third dimension or orientation, the guide fingers move radially relative to the body 24, the slide 60 and the axis V

[0080] Starting from the position illustrated in [Fig. 1 A], the lower element 12 - on which a tensile force is applied by means of the rope 6 - moves axially upwards - in the first direction SI - relative to the locking head 18 which enters through the opening 28 into the upper part of the housing 30 and then radially spreads outwards the six upper arms 104 until they come into axial contact - by its profile 17 - against the upper face 85 of the collar 84.

[0081] The continuation of the axial locking stroke causes the relative axial displacement of the slide 60 with respect to the body 24 and the guide fingers 52-54 which simultaneously travel along the ramps 64, until reaching the maximum high position of the lower element 12, and of the slide 60 with respect to the tenon 16.

[0082] When the tensile force is released, and under the action of the return spring 80 prea When compressed, the lower element 12 with the slide 60 moves axially downwards - in the second direction S2 - relative to the tenon 16 until it reaches the locked position illustrated in [Fig.1C] in which each upper arm 104 is wedged axially between the inner face 27 of the upper part 26 of the body 24 and the truncated conical shoulder 19 of the locking head 18.

[0083] Starting from the locked position illustrated in [Fig.1C], to unlock the system 10, a traction force is again applied to the halyard 6 to cause an axial upward displacement in the first direction S1 to reach the maximum high position illustrated in [Fig.1D], then the traction force applied to the halyard 6 is released.

[0084] Under the action of the return spring 80, the slide moves axially upwards relative to the body 24 and the locking head 18 "comes out" axially from the upper part of the slide 60 by radially spreading outwards the upper arms forming hook 104 to the position illustrated in [Fig.1E] in which the locking head 18 is free to come out of the housing 30 and out of the body 24 through the opening 28.

[0085] With reference in particular to [Fig.7], we will now describe the path of a free end section 54 of a guide finger 52, in the series of grooves 64, corresponding to the successive passage through the different functional positions illustrated in figures IA to 1E during the relative axial displacements of the body 24 with respect to the slide 60 and the tenon 16 which have just been explained.

[0086] The PO position of the free end 54 corresponds to the locked position of [Fig.lC] (Also called the hooked position or the "Hooked" position).

[0087] In order to unlock or unhook (“Unhooking”), by pulling the body 26 axially upwards in the first direction SI against the force exerted by the spring 80, a locking stroke is induced, vertically upwards, of the free end 54 in the vertical axial section TOI (belonging to a first axial groove GAI) to an intermediate position PI in which the free end 54 abuts against an inclined wall M1 which forces the free end 54 to enter the inclined section T12 (belonging to a first inclined groove GI1) which it travels until it crosses a vertical wall M2 to enter the upper part T231 of a vertical axial section (belonging to a second axial groove GA2) in the position P2 which corresponds to the maximum upper position of the body 26 and the free end 54 of the [Fig. 1D] before unlocking or unhooking (“ Unhooking").

[0088] By then releasing the tensile force applied to the body 26, and under the action of the spring 80, the free end 54 moves, according to an unlocking stroke, downwards in the upper part T231 (belonging to a second axial groove GA2) until it crosses an inclined wall M3, then continues its course in the lower part T232 of the same vertical axial section to reach the lower position P3 in which the free end 54 is abutted against the lower end of the lower part T232. This position P3 corresponds to the unhooked or unlocked position ("Unhooked") of [Fig. 1E]. This position is maintained by the action of spring 80.

[0089] Starting from position P3 to proceed with a locking or hooking, by pulling again on the body 26 axially upwards in the first direction SI against the force exerted by the spring 80, a locking stroke is caused, vertically upwards, of the free end 54 in the lower part T232 of the vertical axial section until an intermediate position in which the free end 54 comes to rest against the inclined wall M3 which forces the free end 54 to continue its stroke by entering the inclined section T34 (belonging to a second inclined groove G2I) which it travels entirely upwards until it crosses a vertical wall M4 to enter the upper part T41 of a vertical axial section in the position P4 which corresponds to the maximum high position of the body 26 and the free end 54 of the [Fig.1B] before locking or hooking (“Hookage”).

[0090] By then releasing the tensile force applied to the body 26, and under the action of the spring 80, the free end 54 moves downwards in the upper part T41 according to the locking stroke until it passes through the inclined wall Ml, then continues its downward stroke in the lower part TOI of the same vertical axial section to reach again a position PO which corresponds to the locked position of [Fig.lC] (Also called the hooked position or the “Hooked” position).

[0091] Each “wall” M1, M2, M3, M4 is made by a conformation of each section or group of sections which includes, upstream of the wall to be crossed, a portion of a “great” deep groove, then a portion of a ramp-forming groove whose depth gradually decreases to a point corresponding to the wall itself beyond which the next portion is again of “great” depth.

[0092] This is illustrated in detail in [Fig.6] with regard to the wall Ml arranged between the T41 section comprising the portion forming ramp and the TOI section.

[0093] The ascent on the ramp section and the crossing of a wall Mi is made possible by the ability of the guide finger 52-54 to move radially inside the associated sleeve 56, while being permanently elastically stressed with its free end 54 in contact with the bottom of the groove.

[0094] Each wall acts as a “non-return” wall and ensures that, once crossed, there can be no accidental return.

[0095] Thanks to the invention, complete functional decoupling, or independence, is achieved. between the control and indexing functions provided by the assembly 24-60 and the guide fingers 52-54, and the mechanical locking function which is provided by the hooking jaws 100.

[0096] Thus, the guide fingers for the control do not bear the actual locking forces.

[0097] Second example of implementation By convention, figures 8A to ? have indicated a principal axis V with a vertical orientation, from bottom to top, which corresponds to the principal axis of the second element 12 according to the invention, which is here arranged in the upper part and is suitable for being connected to a support structure such as the head of a sailboat mast, while the first element 14, arranged in the lower part, is suitable for being attached to a releasable structure such as a sail.

[0098] Thus, in the design and arrangement of the system and in relation to the first embodiment example, the positions and role of the two elements are reversed.

[0099] But, with regard to their relative axial displacements in the two directions SI and S2 and the resulting changes of state and position for the different elements and components during its operation, they are identical to what has been described previously with reference to figures IA to 7.

[0100] We will therefore essentially describe the main structural differences by comparison with the first embodiment example.

[0101] For its attachment to a fixed structure, and for example its attachment to a masthead, the body 24 is extended by a cup 38 which is screwed to it and which is associated with two loops 115 which perform the same role as the clevis 15 with its axis 20.

[0102] The general design of the slide 60 with its grooves 64 and of the body 24 with in particular its guide fingers 52-54 is overall identical to that which has been described in detail with reference to the first embodiment.

[0103] The main difference concerns the design of the jaws 100 and more particularly the design of the articulation of each jaw 100 in relation to the slide 60 allowing it to pivot around its pivot axis Al.

[0104] As can be seen in the figures, and in particular in [Fig.9], the axial end 108 of the straight body 102 which is opposite to that which extends by the radial arm forming hook 104 is formed into an articulated end which has a hole 114 which, in the assembled position, is crossed with play by a pivot rod 116 whose opposite ends are received in two bores 118 formed in the opposite vertical walls 93 of the corresponding housing 94.

[0105] Thus, the end 108 of each jaw 100 is mounted pivotally relative to the slide 60 around a horizontal pivot rod 1116 which is axially fixed to the slide 60.

[0106] Each housing 94 is delimited radially towards the inside by a convex cylindrical wall 95 against which the associated jaw 100 is supported when its body 102 is parallel to the axis V.

[0107] Near its opening 28, in its internal concave cylindrical wall 25, the body 104 has a series of six recesses 23, each of which is dimensioned to allow a jaw 100, positioned angularly and axially opposite, to pivot around its axis Al and to partially retract inside the recess 23 in particular to allow the unhooking and removal of the locking head 18 as illustrated in [Fig.8D].

[0108] Relative to the body 24, the slide 60, and therefore each jaw 100, can occupy either an angular position (Figures 8C, 8D) in which it is axially aligned with a recess 23, or another angular position (Figures 8A, 8B) in which it is angularly offset relative to a recess 23.

[0109] The free end of the hook-forming arm 104 has a ramp-forming facet 105 to cooperate with the profile 17 of the locking head 18 so that, when it enters the opening 28, it causes the jaw 100 to pivot and retract into its housing 94.

Claims

Demands

1. An automatic attachment system (10) for attaching and detaching, remotely and by a simple pull, a releasable structure, such as a sail (5), from a support structure, such as the masthead (3) of a sailboat, the attachment system (10) comprising two complementary coaxial elements (12, 14) which are mounted axially movable relative to each other along an axis (V) to occupy an assembled or disassembled position, and among which: - a first element (14) comprising a locking head (18); - and a second element (12) comprising at least one locking member (100) in the assembled position of the two elements (12, 14) which can successively occupy: — a retracted position allowing the assembly and disassembly of the two elements (12, 14); — then a locked position in which the locking member cooperates with the locking head (18) to lock the assembly of the two elements (12, 14) in the assembled position, latching system (10) in which: * the assembly and automatic locking of the two elements (12, 14) in the assembled position is carried out by a relative axial displacement in a first direction (SI) of the two elements (12, 14) according to a locking stroke; * then the unlocking for the purpose of disassembling the two elements (12, 14) is carried out by another relative axial displacement, in the same first direction (SI), of the two elements (12, 14) according to an unlocking stroke, and in which the second element (12) is a device comprising: ** a tubular body (24) carrying an internal radial guide finger (52-54); ** and a coaxial cylindrical slide (60) mounted to slide and rotate inside the body (24) and comprising a series (64) of successive grooves (GAI, GI1, GA2, GI2) cooperating with said guide finger (52-54) to guide the slide axially and in rotation relative to the body (24) and which are oriented such that: *** during a first axial stroke of the slider (60) relative to the body (24) in said first direction (SI), the slide (60) locks axially relative to the body (24) to cause the assembly and automatic locking of the two elements (12, 14) in the assembled position then; *** during a second axial stroke of the slide (60) relative to the body (24) in the same first direction (SI), the slide (60) unlocks axially relative to the body (24) to allow unlocking and disassembly of the two elements (12, 14), and wherein the series (64) of grooves traversed by the associated guide finger (52-54) successively comprises a first axially oriented groove (GA1-T41-T01) allowing a relative axial displacement of the slide (60) relative to the body (24) which is traversed during the locking stroke, then a first inclined groove (GA1-T12) causing a relative rotation of the slide (60) relative to the body (24), then a second axially oriented groove (GA2-T231-T232) allowing a relative axial displacement of the slide (60) relative to the body (24) which is traversed during the unlocking stroke, then a second inclined groove (GI2,T34) causing a relative rotation of the slide (60) with respect to the body (24) and which is connected to the first axial groove (GAI).

2. Attachment system (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that: - the first axial groove (GA1-T41-T01) has a non-return wall (Ml) which directs the guide finger (52-54) towards the first inclined groove (T 12); - the first inclined groove (GI1-T12) has a non-return wall (M2) arranged at its end connected to the second axial groove (GA2-T231-T232); - the second axial groove (GA2-T231-T232) has a non-return wall (M3) which directs the guide finger (52-54) towards the second inclined groove (GI2-T34); - the second inclined groove (GI2-T34) has a non-return wall (M4) arranged at its end connected to the first axial groove (GA1-T41-T01).

3. A latching system (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each guide finger (52-54) is mounted to slide in a radial direction (R) orthogonal to said axis (V), and is permanently elastically returned towards this axis (V) in the direction of the bottom of the throat it travels through.

4. A latching system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one locking member is a jaw (100) which is axially fixed to the slide (60), of which a free end (104) is formed into a hook and of which the other end (108) is pivotally mounted relative to the slide (60) between: i) a retracted angular position; ii) and a locking angular position in which the hook-shaped end (108) cooperates with a complementary part (106) of the locking head (18) to lock the assembly of the two elements (12, 14) in the assembled position.

5. A fastening system (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that the second element (12) comprises a series of locking members (100) for the assembled position of the two elements (12, 14) which are identical, which are distributed angularly around the axis (V) of the second element (12) and each of which (100) can successively occupy: — a retracted position allowing the assembly and disassembly of the two elements (12, 14); — then a locked position in which it cooperates with the locking head (18) to lock the assembly of the two elements in the assembled position.

6. A latching system (10) according to any one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that, to lock the assembly of the two elements (12, 14) in the assembled position, each hook-shaped end (104) has a truncated cone arc surface which cooperates with a complementary part (17) of the locking head (18).

7. A latching system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, to cause an axial stroke of the slide (60) relative to the body (24) in said first direction (SI), the locking head (18) has a free end surface (17) which cooperates with a complementary surface (85) which is axially fixed to the slide (60).

8. A fastening system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an elastic element (80) which is interposed between the slide (60) and the body (24) and which axially stresses the slide (60) in a second direction (S2) opposite to said first direction (SI).

9. A fastening system (10) according to any one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that said other end (108) of each jaw (100) is pivotally mounted relative to the slide (60) around a horizontal pivoting rod (116) which is axially fixed to the slide (60).

10. A hooking system (10) according to any one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that said other end of each jaw (100) has a convex pivoting guide surface (110) which cooperates with a complementary concave surface (96) which is axially fixed to the slide (60) by means of which this other end (108) is pivotally mounted relative to the slide (60) about a horizontal pivoting axis (Al).

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