TRANSMISSION SYSTEM FOR MANEUVERING SAIL ROPES ON SAILING BOATS

Description

Transmission system for the maneuvering of the sail lines in sailing boats DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to a transmission system for maneuvering 5 of the sail tops in sailing vessels. The transmission system of the present invention finds application preferred, though not exclusive, in racing sailing vessels of this size medium-large. As is known, the motion transmission systems for the maneuvering of the sail lines 10 in the medium to large sized vessels referred to include typically a plurality of winches, a plurality of actuation columns winches and means of kinematic connection between the columns and the winches. Winches (also commonly called winches) are used in boats under sail to facilitate the maneuvering and adjustment of the sails under stress, 15 such as their positioning operations. These operations are performed by maneuvering suitable ropes (commonly also indicated with the term of sheets or halyards), appropriately connected to the sails; the ropes, in in particular, they are pulled by winding them on the winches, which are appropriately positioned on the deck of the boat. 20 The columns (also known by the English terminology of coffee grinder) are generally positioned on the deck of the vessel in a remote position compared to winches and are equipped with cranks operated in rotation by the sailors of the vessel's crew. The motion imparted by the sailors on the columns is transferred to the winches along a 25 kinematic path of motion transmission defined by connection means kinematics between the columns and the winches. The deck layout of these boats is designed in such a way that the winches intended to work with particularly high loads, such as primary winches in strong wind conditions, can be operated simultaneously by multiple 5 crew members. In this case, these winches are operated via multiple columns operation, typically two or three columns but theoretically also in number major, connected to each other kinematically so as to synchronize the motions imparted by each of them. Typically, kinematic connection means comprise, in particular, a 10 drive shaft positioned under the deck of the boat in exit from the column and a 90° transfer box positioned at a certain distance below the winch and capable of transmitting the rotary motion imparted to the winch by the sailors on the cranks of the column and transmitted through the mast. A transmission system with these characteristics is described for example in 15 EP1650124B1. A major drawback of this technology is that the postponement 90° angle imposes a fixed geometry on the kinematic transmission path of the rotary motion that is difficult to adapt to the specific layout of each boat. 20 The 90° angle transmission therefore tends to lengthen the kinematic path of transmission of rotary motion with a significant increase in power dissipated. Note that, to overcome the misalignment between the output axis of the transmission 90° angle and the winch input axis, the transmission output must be 25 90° angle is connected to the winch input via a cardan shaft whose Universal joints inevitably absorb some of the transmitted power. A further drawback of the aforementioned prior art lies in the fact that the referral 90° corner takes up most of the usable height of the rooms below deck of the vessel. 5 The technical problem underlying the present invention is to provide a motion transmission system for maneuvering the sail tops in sailing vessels structurally and functionally designed to at least overcome partly due to the drawbacks mentioned with reference to the cited prior art. In the context of this problem it is an object of the invention to develop a 10 motion transmission system for maneuvering the sail lines particularly suitable for use in regattas. Another object of the invention is to provide a system of transmission of motion for the maneuvering of the sail tops which allows for to create new motion transmission configurations on board vessels. 15 This problem is solved and these goals are achieved at least in part by a motion transmission system for maneuvering the sail tops in sailing vessels made in accordance with at least some of the characteristics subject of the attached claims. The motion transmission system for maneuvering the sail lines in 20 sailing vessels preferably includes at least one winch, preferably at least one means of operating the winch and preferably means of connection kinematics between said at least one actuating means and said at least one winch. Preferably the kinematic connection means comprise at least one transmission angular. Preferably the angular gearbox includes a gear train that 25 mesh together to transmit rotary motion from the medium to winch drive. Preferably the gear train comprises a first gear rotatably mounted around a first axis and a second gear mounted rotatably around a second axis. The angular transmission preferably comprises a first and a second support 5 hinged together around a hinge axis and preferably means of adjustment of the relative angular position between said supports around the axis of hinge. Preferably the first and second gears are mounted on the first and second support in such a way as to allow the adjustment of the 10 relative angular position between the first and second axes around the axis of hinge via the adjustment means. In this way the kinematic path of motion transmission can be adapted depending on the specific layout of each vessel so as to increase the transmission efficiency and reduce the system footprint in the rooms below 15 of the boat's deck. The present invention may also feature one or more of the following: favorite features in addition to those previously mentioned. In embodiments the first and second gears (preferably bevel gears) are kinematically connected via an intermediate gear (also 20 preferably conical) which is rotatably mounted on the first and / or second support around the hinge axis. Thanks to this feature, the angular transmission It can have three axes for the transmission of motion: the first axis, the second axis and the hinge axis. Preferably the first gear meshes with the intermediate gear which in turn 25 times it meshes with the second gear. In other words, the three gears mesh. cascading in the order mentioned. This way a compact angular transmission is obtained which It helps to shorten the kinematic path of motion transmission. In embodiments the intermediate gear may have a number of teeth less than, equal to or greater than the number of teeth of the first and / or second 5 gear. Preferably at least the first and second gears have the same number of teeth. In this way a constant transmission ratio equal to 1 is obtained between the first and second gear, while the transmission ratio to the axle of the intermediate gear can be modified by intervening on the number of teeth 10 of the intermediate gear without affecting the transmission ratio between the first and the second gear. In embodiments the intermediate gear has a smaller number of teeth, equal to or greater than the number of teeth in the first and second gears. In particular, if the intermediate gear has a number of teeth equal to the number 15 teeth of the first and second gear, the gear pairs provide all the same transmission ratio equal to 1 and advantageously the angle between the first and second axis can be adjusted in a range between -75° and +75°. Conversely, if the intermediate gear has a smaller or larger number of teeth 20 compared to the number of teeth of the first and second gear, you can get a reduction or multiplication ratio at the intermediate gear axis. Also, if the intermediate gear has a greater number of teeth than the number of teeth of the first and second gear, the angle between the first and the second axis can be adjusted in a wider range, 25 advantageously between -90° and +90°. Preferably the hinge axis is perpendicular to the first and second axes. It will be appreciated that the presence of a third axis perpendicular to the first two allows for create new motion transmission configurations. Preferably the kinematic connection means comprise at least one shaft 5 Cardan shaft. Preferably the cardan shaft is connected to the first axle of the gearbox. angular. Preferably the second axis of the angular transmission is connected to a winch rotating drum. This allows you to secure the angle gear. directly at the winch entrance so as to minimize the system's footprint in the rooms below the deck of the vessel. 10 Preferably the cardan shaft forms an angle less than 90° with respect to the axis of rotation of the winch drum (more specifically, the angle is less than 90° with respect to to the extension of the winch drum rotation axis below the deck of the boat). Thanks to this inclination the cardan shaft can directly connect a bevel gearbox located at the winch input with a 15 means of operation (e.g. a column or other transmission) located at the base of the cockpit of the boat. Preferably the second support is fixed to a base portion of the winch from opposite side to the winch's rotating drum. This way you get a system compact and resistant. 20 Preferably the adjustment means comprise releasable fastening means configured to define the angular position of one support relative to the other around to the hinge axis. This way it is possible to block the inclination of the first axis relative to the second axis at the desired angular position around the axis of hinge. 25 Preferably the fastening means comprise a plurality of openings made in corresponding positions in the first and second supports to accommodate a respective fastening element. The openings may include holes and / or slots for discrete or continuous adjustment. This results in a variety of positions. freely selectable angles according to application requirements. Furthermore, the 5 adjustment of the angular position is facilitated by the angular references offered by the plurality of openings. Preferably the supports include respective forks. Preferably each fork has a pair of side cheeks hinged to the side cheeks of the other fork around the hinge axis. Preferably the means of adjustment 10 include at least one side cheek of the first fork and one corresponding lateral cheek of the second fork. In this way it is possible use the corresponding side cheeks to adjust the angular position of a fork compared to the other. Preferably at least a first and a second ring of holes are made in 15 corresponding positions through one of the lateral cheeks of the first support and the corresponding side cheek of the second support for accommodate a respective fixing element of the angular position of a fork with respect to the other around the hinge axis. These characteristics contribute to obtaining precise and reliable angular adjustment. 20 It should be noted that, in this context, the term “axis” may be used to refer to to the corresponding geometric entity or physical entity (the rotating organ) to the geometric entity. Preferably, the at least one winch actuating means comprises a means manual operation. Manual operation can be either by hand or by 25 pedals. Preferably, the at least one actuating means comprises a column. However, the use of a non-powered means of operation is also contemplated manual, especially an electric or hydraulic motor. The features and advantages of the invention will be better understood from the description. detailed description of one of his favorite but not exclusive examples of his realization 5 illustrated, for indicative but not limiting purposes, with reference to the attached drawings in which: - figures 1 and 2 are cross-sectional and longitudinal views respectively of a portion of a sailboat deck equipped with a system of transmission in accordance with the present invention; 10 - Figure 3 is a top view of the transmission system shown in the figures previous; - Figure 4 is an enlarged view of a detail of Figure 3; - figure 5 is a perspective view of a detail of the transmission system in agreement with the present invention; 15 - Figures 6 and 7 are side views of the detail of Figure 5 in two different operational configurations; - figure 8 is a section view along the section line VIII-VIII of the detail of figure 7. In the figures, a form of embodiment is indicated as 1. 20 preferred embodiment of the transmission system according to the present invention. Such system transmission comprises a winch 2, a winch operating means 3 which in particular a column 30 and kinematic connection means 4 between the column and the winch for the transmission of a rotary motion from the column to the long winch a kinematic path for transmitting motion. 25 In embodiments the kinematic connection means 4 comprise a shaft 8, preferably cardan, for transmitting the motion coming out of the column 30 and an angular transmission 5 positioned below the winch 2 and suitable for to transmit to the winch the rotary motion imparted by the sailors on the cranks of the column 30 and transmitted via shaft 8. This angular transmission is positioned 5 preferably at the entrance of winch 2, in particular between the winch and the mast 8. As shown in the example of figures 5-8, the bevel gear 5 includes a train of 6 gears, preferably bevel gears, meshing together for transmission of the rotary motion from the column to the winch. The gear train 6 preferably comprises a first gear 11 and a 10 second gear 12, preferably conical, between which is interposed a intermediate gear 13, also preferably conical. Preferably the first gear 11 meshes with intermediate gear 13 which in turn mesh in cascade with the second gear 12. In the example of figures 5-8 the gears 11, 12, 13 all have the same number of teeth; however it is contemplated 15 also that the intermediate gear 13 can have a smaller number of teeth, equal to or greater than the number of teeth of the first and / or second gear 11, 12. Preferably the angular transmission 5 comprises a first and a second support 21, 22 to support the gear train 6. Preferably the first gear 20 11 and the intermediate gear 13 are mounted on the first support 21 in a manner rotating around a first axis X1 and a hinge axis X3 respectively their perpendiculars. Preferably the second gear 12 is mounted on the second support 22 in a rotatable manner around a second axis X2, preferably perpendicular to the hinge axis X3. 25 In embodiments the first gear 11 is keyed onto a first shaft 11a which is mounted on the first support 21 so that it can rotate around the first axis X1 preferably via a first bearing 11b. In embodiments the second gear 12 is keyed onto a second shaft 12a which is mounted on the second support 22 in a rotatable manner around the second axis X2 preferably 5 through a second bearing 12b. In embodiments the gear intermediate 13 is keyed onto an intermediate shaft 13a which is mounted on both the supports 21, 22 in a rotatable manner around the hinge axis X3 preferably via respective bearings 13b. The second support 22 is hinged to the first support 21 around the axis of 10 hinge X3 so as to allow the adjustment of the angle A between the first and second axes X1, X2. In embodiments the intermediate shaft 13a acts as a hinge between the two supports 21, 22. As shown in the example of figure 6, the angle A between the first and second axis X1, X2 is preferably adjustable in a range of at least -75° to +75° and in 15 embodiments between -90° and +90°. In embodiments the first and second axes X1, X2 are incident on each other and preferably they are also incident with respect to the hinge axis X3. Preferably, the first axis X1 acts as the motion input axis in the gearbox angular and the second axis X2 acts as the output axis of the angular transmission, 20 or vice versa. The hinge axis X3 instead preferably acts as a hinge axis transmission of motion between the first and second axis X1, X2. However, it is contemplated also that the hinge axis X3 can act as the motion input axis in the gearbox angular, while the first and / or second axis act as output axes of motion from the angular transmission. 25 In embodiments the winch 2 comprises a rotating drum 9 for the sail tops handling and preferably a 10 base portion for anchoring the winch to the deck 18 of the vessel. Preferably the second support 22 of the angular transmission is fixed to the base portion 10 of the winch by opposite to the rotating drum 9. In embodiments, the first gear 11 of the 5 angular transmission is associated with the drive shaft 8 and the second gear 12 is associated with the winch drum 9. In other words the drive shaft 8 is connected to the first shaft 11a, while the second shaft 12a is connected at the winch input. Preferably the drive shaft 8 is rotatable around the first axis X1 of the angular transmission and preferably the drum 9 of the winch is 10 rotating around the second axis X2. Preferably the first axis X1 acts as the axis of rotation of the drive shaft 8 and input axis of motion in the gearbox angular, while the second axis X2 acts as the output axis of the motion from the gearbox angular and input axis of motion in the winch. Preferably the shaft of transmission 8 is connected to the angular transmission 5 in such a way as to form an angle 15 A less than 90° to the axis of rotation of the winch drum 9. Preferably, the angle A is at least between -75° and +75° and in forms of realization between -90° and +90°. Preferably the angular transmission 5 comprises adjustment means 7 of the relative angular position A between the two supports 21, 22 around the hinge axis X3 20 to allow adjustment of the relative angular position A between the first and the second axis X1, X2. The adjustment means 7 preferably comprise means releasable fixing 14 configured to define the angular position A of a support with respect to the other around the hinge axis X3. In embodiments the fastening means 14 comprise a plurality of 25 openings 15 obtained in corresponding positions in the first and second supports 21, 22 to accommodate a respective fastening element 20 for example a screw or bolt. In a preferred example the first and second supports 21, 22 comprise respectively a first and a second fork 31, 32. As shown 5 in the example of figure 5, the forks are preferably made of material fiber-reinforced composite. Each fork preferably comprises a central portion 34 from which a pair of lateral cheeks 33 extend. Preferably the first and second gears 11, 12 are mounted on the central portion 34 of the respective forks. In other words the first and second 10 shaft 11a, 12a are preferably mounted on the central portion 34 of the respective forks. Preferably the side cheeks 33 of a fork are hinged to the cheeks lateral sides of the other fork around the hinge axis X3. In other words the shaft intermediate 13a preferably acts as a hinge between the lateral cheeks of a 15 fork and the side cheeks of the other fork. Preferably at least one side cheek of the first fork 31 is coupled or can be coupled to a corresponding side cheek of the second fork 32 for define the angular position A of one fork with respect to the other. In forms of at least a first and a second ring of holes 16, 17 are obtained 20 in corresponding positions through one of the lateral cheeks of the first fork 31 and the corresponding side cheek of the second fork 32 for accommodate a respective fixing element of the angular position A of a fork with respect to the other around the hinge axis X3. Holes 16, 17 are preferably through holes and are preferably distributed in 25 uniformly around the hinge axis X3. In a preferred example the two supports are fixed to each other by means of connections screw or bolt passing through holes made on the side cheeks of the first fork 31 and in corresponding holes drilled in a similar position on the lateral cheeks of the second fork 32. 5 Figures 1-4 show a preferred embodiment of a layout of a vessel having the transmission system 1 according to the present invention, comprising a plurality of winches 2, operated by a plurality of columns 30. In such exemplary figures are also visible a plurality of drive shafts 8 of the motion from the columns to the winches and a plurality of angular transmissions 5 equipped with the 10 means of adjusting 7 of the angular position A. It is preferred that each angle gear 5 is positioned at the entrance of a respective winch 2. However, it is also contemplated that an angular gearbox 5 can be positioned at the intersection of two or more drive shafts 8, for example at the base of the vessel's cockpit 19, as shown in the embodiment 15 of figure 4. In this case the hinge axis X3 acts as the motion input axis in the angular transmission 5 while the other two axes X1, X2 act as output axes of motion from the angular transmission. This embodiment allows to synchronize the motions imparted by multiple columns and regulate the angle between the two output axes to transmit motion to multiple winches. 20 The invention thus solves the proposed problem, achieving numerous advantages, among which which offers greater efficiency in power transmission and greater flexibility in the creation of new motion transmission layouts.

Claims

1. Motion transmission system (1) for manoeuvring the sail tops in sailing vessels, comprising at least one winch (2), at least one means of actuation (3) of the winch and means of kinematic connection (4) between said at least one means of actuation and said at least one winch, wherein said means of kinematic connection comprise at least one angular transmission (5) including a gear train (6) which mesh together for the transmission of a rotary motion from said actuation means to said winch, said gear train comprising a first gear (11) rotatably mounted around a first axis (X1) and a second gear (12) rotatably mounted around a second axis (X2), characterised in that said angular transmission comprises a first and a second support (21, 22) hinged together around a hinge axis (X3) and means for adjusting (7) the relative angular position (A) between said supports (21, 22).22) around said hinge axis, said first and second gears (11, 12) being mounted respectively on said first and second supports (21, 22) in such a way as to allow adjustment of the relative angular position (A) between said first and second axes (X1, X2) around said hinge axis (X3) by means of said adjustment means., 2. Transmission system (1) according to claim 1, wherein said first and second gears (11, 12) are kinematically connected via an intermediate gear (13) which is rotatably mounted on at least one of said supports (21, 22) around said hinge axis (X3).

3. Transmission system (1) according to claim 2, wherein said first gear (11) meshes with said intermediate gear (13) which in turn meshes with said second gear (12).

4. Transmission system (1) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein at least said first and second gears (11, 12) have the same number of teeth, said intermediate gear (13) having a number of teeth smaller than, equal to or larger than the number of teeth of said first and second gears (11, 12).

5. Transmission system (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said hinge axis (X3) is perpendicular to said first and second axes (X1, X2).

6. Transmission system (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said kinematic connection means (4) comprise at least one cardan shaft (8) connected to said first axis (X1), said second axis (X2) being connected to a rotating drum (9) of the winch.

7. Transmission system (1) according to the previous claim, wherein said cardan shaft (8) forms an angle (A) less than 90° with respect to the axis of rotation of the winch drum (9).

8. Transmission system (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the second support (22) is fixed to a base portion (10) of the winch on the side opposite the rotating drum (9) of the winch.

9. Transmission system (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said adjustment means (7) comprise releasable fastening means (14) configured to define the angular position (A) of one support with respect to the other around said hinge axis (X3).

10. Transmission system (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said fastening means (14) comprise a plurality of openings (15) obtained at corresponding positions in said first and said second support (21, 22) to accommodate a respective fastening element. ll.: Transmission system (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said first and said second support (21, 22) respectively comprise a first and a second fork (31, 32), each fork having a pair of lateral cheeks (33) hinged to the lateral cheeks of the other fork around said hinge axis (X3), wherein said adjustment means (7) comprise at least one lateral cheek of the first fork (31) and a corresponding lateral cheek of the second fork (32).

12. Transmission system (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein at least a first and a second ring of holes (16, 17) are obtained in corresponding positions through respectively one of the lateral cheeks of the first fork (31) and the corresponding lateral cheek of the second fork (32) to accommodate a respective fixing element of the angular position (A) of one fork with respect to the other around said hinge axis (X3).

13. Transmission system (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one actuation means (3) comprises a column (30).