Collapsible sail system

Abstract

The invention relates to a collapsible sail system comprising a sail (2) that can move between a use position and a collapsed position; a base (1) that supports the sail (2), the base (1) being able to rotate between the use position and the collapsed position; a support (3) that hingedly supports the base (1); and a rack (4) joined to the base (1), which engages with a pinion (5), the pinion (5) moving the base (1) from the use position to the collapsed position or vice versa. The invention provides a collapsible sail system that can be placed in a use position and in a collapsed position and which allows the sail position to be changed easily and safely.

Description

[0001] FOLDING SAIL SYSTEM

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] Object of the invention

[0004] The present invention relates to a folding sail system, preferably to a folding suction sail system for bows, which can be placed in a use position and in an attached position.

[0005] Background of the invention

[0006] On bows, sails are used to propel the bow using the forces generated by the wind.

[0007] Traditional sails are made of a flexible material and are attached to a tall mast, to have the maximum dimensions possible to take advantage of the wind's thrust on the sails.

[0008] There are also suction candles that are rigid, which are also very tall and, when not in use, can be placed in an upright position.

[0009] For example, it is necessary to place these suction sails to comply with height restrictions in ports attached to bridges and similar elements and other elements.

[0010] Without this possibility of attachment it would not be possible for a bow to have these suction sails.

[0011] In addition, it is also necessary to prevent the loading and unloading system of the bow in a port from hitting the suction sails if they are not secured.

[0012] Consequently, it is necessary for the suction sails to be able to be positioned in an upward position to avoid these problems. However, suction sail lowering systems are often complex and expensive.

[0013] Description of the invention

[0014] Therefore, an objective of the present invention is to provide a lowered sail system, which can be placed in a use position and in a lowered position, which allows the position of the sail to be varied in a simple and safe manner.

[0015] With the inventive lowering sail system, the aforementioned drawbacks are resolved, presenting other advantages that will be described below.

[0016] The lowering sail system according to the present invention is described in claim 1, and the dependent claims include additional features that are optional.

[0017] In particular, the abatement sail system comprises:

[0018] - a base supporting a candle, said base being rotatable between the use position and the folded position;

[0019] - a support, which supports said base in an articulated manner; and

[0020] - a rack attached to the base, which meshes with a pinion, the pinion driving the movement of said base from the position of use to the folded position, or vice versa.

[0021] Preferably, the folding sail system also comprises a plurality of locking elements that lock the base in the use position.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment, each locking element comprises a locking shaft that is movable between a locking position, in which the locking shaft is located inside a hole in the base, and a release position in which the locking shaft is located outside the hole in the base.

[0023] Preferably, the lowering sail system according to the present invention also comprises a pivoting element located between the base and the sail. In particular, the lowering sail system according to the present invention provides, among others, the following advantages:

[0024] - The time required to lower the sail is short enough not to affect the operation of the ship and / or the port;

[0025] - Ensures perfect fixation of the sail in working position to avoid losing performance;

[0026] - Ensures that the sail never gets stuck in an intermediate position, considering completely vertical and completely horizontal positions as correct;

[0027] - Access to the sail is from inside the lowering system;

[0028] - In the event of a power failure, the sail remains stopped in that position and slowly lowers to a horizontal position;

[0029] - The system operates in calm waters, and withstands inclement weather in either vertical or horizontal positions;

[0030] - In the event of a controlled failure, it allows the movement to end, both up and down, of the sail, in maintenance mode;

[0031] - Allows the lowering system to operate in calm waters, and / or docked in a port;

[0032] - Ensures the sail is attached to the boat, without losing the sail's contribution to the boat.

[0033] Brief description of the drawings

[0034] For a better understanding of what has been explained, some drawings are attached which, schematically and solely as a non-limiting example, represent a practical case of implementation.

[0035] Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the lower part of the folding sail system according to the present invention, in its use position;

[0036] Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the lower portion of the retractable sail system according to the present invention, in its collapsed position; and

[0037] Figure 3 is a sectional view of a locking element that locks the sail in its use position.

[0038] Description of a preferred embodiment

[0039] Figures 1 and 2 show the lowered sail system according to the present invention, comprising a sail (2) that can be placed in a use position, shown in Figure 1, or in a folded position, shown in Figure 2.

[0040] In the operating position, the sail (2) is in a vertical position, relative to the deck of the boat, and in the lowered position, the sail (2) is in a horizontal position, relative to the deck of the boat.

[0041] To allow this movement from the position of use to the folded position, the folding sail system according to the present invention comprises a base (1), on which the sail (2) is supported.

[0042] Preferably, a rotating element (11), for example a bearing, is located between the base (1) and the sail (2).

[0043] It should be noted that in the description and claims, the term "sail" refers to any type of sail or similar, such as a Flettner rotor, a suction sail, a rigid sail, etc.

[0044] This base (1) is supported in an articulated manner at one end by means of a support (3) and is also movable between the position of use and the folded position, that is, it rotates 90°, as can be seen in figures 1 and 2, by means of the use of a rack (4), attached to the base (1), which meshes with a pinion (5).

[0045] The drive of the pinion (5) can be carried out in any suitable way, for example by means of a motor or the like.

[0046] In this way, to change the position of the sail (2), the rotation of the pinion (5) is activated in one direction or another, turning the base (1) through the rack (4), as can be seen in figures 2 and 3. The folding sail system according to the present invention also comprises locking elements (7), for example, pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders, which lock the base (1) in its position of use.

[0047] As can be seen in Figure 3, each locking element (7) comprises a locking shaft (8), which is movable between a locking position and a release position.

[0048] In the locked position, the locking shaft (8) is housed inside a hole (9) of the base (1), shown in figure 3, while in the released position, the locking shaft (8) is located outside said hole (9) of the base (1), allowing rotation of the same for its placement in the folded position.

[0049] In this way, a simple and easy-to-operate suction sail lowering system is achieved, simply by means of the rack (4) and pinion (5), also using the locking elements (7) as a safety system to prevent accidental movement of the sail (2) from the position of use to the lowered position.

[0050] Although reference has been made to a specific embodiment of the invention, it is evident to a person skilled in the art that the described lowering sail system is susceptible to numerous variations and modifications, and that all the details mentioned may be replaced by other technically equivalent ones, without departing from the scope of protection defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Folding sail system, comprising a sail (2) that is movable between a use position and a folded position, characterized in that it comprises: - a base (1) supporting the candle (2), said base (1) being rotatable between the use position and the folded position; - a support (3), which supports said base (1) in an articulated manner; and - a rack (4) attached to the base (1), which meshes with a pinion (5), the pinion (5) actuating the movement of said base (1) from the position of use to the folded position, or vice versa.

2. A folding sail system according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of locking elements (7) that lock the base (1) in the use position.

3. A folding sail system according to claim 2, wherein each locking element (7) comprises a locking shaft (8) which is movable between a locking position, in which the locking shaft (8) is located inside a hole (9) of the base (1) and a release position in which the locking shaft (8) is located outside the hole (9) of the base (1).

4. A scupper sail system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sail (2) is a Flettner rotor, a suction sail or a rigid sail.

5. A lowering sail system according to any one of the preceding claims, which also comprises a turning element (11) located between the base (1) and the sail (2).

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