Abstract:
An emergency sail system for disabled watercraft comprises a mast receptacle for interfacing with the watercraft structure and a multi-segmented main mast supported by the mast receptacle in a substantially vertical orientation and removable therefrom. A sail assembly is affixed to the main mast with a rotational joint wherein the sail assembly is rotatable about a vertical axis of the main mast in a first direction and is also rotatable about a horizontal axis substantially at right angles with respect to the main mast in a second direction.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to sails for watercraft and more particularly to a temporary emergency sail for powered watercraft. 
   2. Discussion of the Related Art 
   In today&#39;s economy, powered watercraft have become more and more affordable as people have increasingly more disposable income for recreation. Consequently, powered watercraft have increased greatly in numbers and most especially in areas having large expanses of open water such as coastal areas. As with any mechanical apparatus, powered watercraft will fail at one time or another whether an engine failure or even merely running out of fuel. When such a failure occurs, the operator is often left with no means of returning to shore. 
   In a cases of emergency when the operator is unable to use the primary power system to return to shore, the operator must resort to other means. Some powered watercraft will have an auxiliary power source such as an outboard motor, but the vast majority of powered craft do not carry such auxiliary power. Others will have a two-way radio enabling them to call for assistance. But radios require electrical power, and if the primary power system is disabled, the available electrical power is limited to the existing battery which has a useful life limited to the current charge. 
   However, if such a watercraft is not so equipped, the operator must rely on another civilian craft or an official government vessel passing within close range to hear verbal pleas for assistance and then respond to the plea. Reliance on chance discovery of a watercraft in distress in such circumstances is dangerous at best and catastrophic at worst. Such reliance on chance discovery is increasingly dangerous as the size of the body of water increases. In the instance where the disabled craft is on the coastal regions of the ocean, albeit close to shore, even tidal forces and ocean currents can carry the disabled craft long distances in a short time. 
   Thus, what is desired is an alternate method of powering a disabled watercraft in an emergency wherein the alternate method is readily storable in the craft and easy to use. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   One aspect of the present invention is an emergency sail system for disabled watercraft. The emergency sail system comprises a mast receptacle for interfacing with the watercraft structure and a multi-segmented main mast supported by the mast receptacle in a substantially vertical orientation and removable therefrom. A sail assembly is affixed to the main mast with a rotational joint wherein the sail assembly is rotatable about a vertical axis of the main mast in a first direction and is also rotatable about a horizontal axis substantially at right angles with respect to the main mast in a second direction. 
   Another aspect of the present invention is an emergency sail system for disabled watercraft comprising a mast receptacle for interfacing with the watercraft structure and a multi-segmented main mast having a plurality of like main mast elements wherein each main mast element has a coupler at one end thereof and receives an opposite end of a like main mast element. The main mast is coupled to and supported in a substantially vertical orientation by the mast receptacle and is removable therefrom. A sail assembly has a secondary mast and a horizontal boom that from a sail frame with a sail affixed to the sail frame. A bottom of the sail frame is interconnected to the main mast with rotational joint wherein the sail assembly is rotatable about a vertical axis of the main mast in a first direction and is also rotatable in a second direction about a horizontal axis substantially at right angles with the main mast. A top of the sail frame is affixed to the main mast with a resilient tension strap. 
   Yet another aspect of the present invention is an emergency sail system for disabled watercraft comprising a mast receptacle for interfacing with the watercraft structure and a multi-segmented main mast having a plurality of like main mast elements. Each main mast element has a coupler at one end thereof and receives an opposite end of a like main mast element. The main mast is coupled to and supported in a substantially vertical orientation by the mast receptacle and is removable therefrom. A sail assembly is interconnected to the main mast to be rotatable about a vertical axis of the main mast in a first direction and rotatable in a second direction about a horizontal axis substantially at right angles with said main mast. The sail assembly includes a sail frame having a secondary mast, a horizontal boom wherein said secondary mast and said horizontal boom are affixed one to the other at a pivot joint such that said secondary mast and said horizontal boom are pivotal from a position substantially parallel one to the other to a position wherein said secondary mast and said horizontal boom are at least at substantially right angles one with the other. A triangular sail is affixed to the sail frame wherein one corner of the sail is proximally affixed to the pivotal joint, one of the remaining sail corners is proximally affixed to an end of the secondary mast opposite from the pivotal joint and a last of the remaining sail corners is proximally affixed to an end of the horizontal boom opposite from the pivotal joint. 
   These and other advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims and appended drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of a powered watercraft employing an emergency said system embodying the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a partially exploded said elevational view of the emergency sail system. 
       FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the stay element of the main mast sown in  FIG. 2  illustrating the attachment of the stays and taken along the line  3 — 3 ,  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 4  is an enlarged view taken at  4  of  FIG. 2  of the sail assembly swivel attachment to the main mast. 
       FIG. 5  is an enlarged view taken at  5  of  FIG. 2  of the braced boom and secondary mast. 
       FIG. 6  is a cross section of the sail assembly brace shown in  FIG. 5  and taken along the line  6 — 6 ,  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 7  is a partial elevational cross section of the braced boom and secondary mast assemblage in  FIG. 5  and taken along the line  7 — 7 ,  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 8  is an enlarged view taken at  8  of  FIG. 2  of the resilient tension strap securing the upper portion of the sail assembly to the main mast. 
       FIG. 9  is a rear elevational view of a powered watercraft employing the emergency sail system encountering a cross wind and illustrating the rotation of the sail assembly with respect to the main mast. 
   

   Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in  FIG. 2 . However, one will understand that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. While the present has been shown and described in accordance with preferred and practical embodiments thereof, it is recognized that departures from the instant disclosure are fully contemplated within the spirit and scope of the invention. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
   Turning to the drawings,  FIG. 1  shows a watercraft  18  employing an emergency sail system  20  which is one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention and illustrates its various components. Emergency sail system  20  is storable in watercraft  18  in a disassembled state and readily assembled in the event of an emergency such as when motorized watercraft  18  loses power and requires an alternate mode of propulsion to reach shore. When assembled, emergency sail system  20  has a mina mast  30  which is supported in a vertical position by stays  44  having ends  47  secured to watercraft  18 . A sail assembly  80  is attached to main mast  30  with a rotatable joint  60  and a resilient tension strap  70 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 2 , main mast  30  has a plurality of individual main mast elements  34  which are telescopically stackable in an end-to-end configuration. Each main mast element  34  is generally of a tubular configuration with a coupler  36  affixed to one end thereof. Coupler  36  is sized to receive an opposite end  38  of a like main mast element  34  in a telescoping manner to form a rigid main mast  30 . Main mast elements  34  are fabricated from a lightweight material which exhibits high strength such as aluminum, formable composites, or an extruded resinous material. Coupler  36  can also be integrally formed with the body of main mast element  34  or be provided as a separate part affixable to the body of main mast element  34 . 
   Main mast  30  is supported on the watercraft  18  structure along a vertical axis  32  by mast receptacle  24  which telescopically receives an end  38  of a lowermost main mast element  34 . A bottom  26  of mast receptacle  24  is affixed to a surface of the watercraft  18  structure with a high shear strength adhesive or double sided tape, or alternatively can be permanently mounted to the watercraft  18  structure with screws or bolts. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a stay element  42  is received in a coupler  36  at mast top  54 . A plurality of stays  44  are affixed about a perimeter of stay element  42 . In the preferred embodiment and as illustrated most clearly in  FIG. 3 , four eyebolts  50  are equally positioned about stay element  42  at ninety degree intervals such that opposite ones of eyebolts  50  are aligned one with the other and are threaded into opposite ends of a barrel nut  52 . An end  46  of each stay  44  is affixed to a respective eyebolt  50 . When ends  47  of stays  44  ( FIG. 1 ) are affixed to watercraft  18  and tensioned to maintain main mast  30  in a vertical orientation, the tensioning stress of opposite stays  44  are transferred along opposing eyebolts  50  and do not add any appreciable stress to the walls of stay element  42 . Stay element  42  is typically constructed of the same material as main mast elements  34 . 
   A coupler  48  is positioned at a top of stay element  42  and receives therein in a telescoping manner a strobe mount  56 . Strobe mount  56  has mounted thereon a strobe light  58  for emitting a flashing light signal to draw attention to the distressed watercraft  18 . Strobe mount  56  is readily removable from coupler  48  to permit the changing of batteries in the strobe light during extended periods of operation. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 2 , and  5 – 7 , a sail assembly  80  has a sail frame  82  formed from a secondary mast  84  and a horizontal boom  96 . Secondary mast  86  is comprised of a plurality of secondary mast segments  86  arranged in an end-to-end configuration and adjoined together by couplers  88 . In the preferred embodiment, coupler  88  is integrally formed at an one end of secondary mast segment  86  so as to receive an opposite end of a like secondary mast segment in a telescoping manner. However, coupler  88  can be affixed to an end of secondary mast segment  86  or can be provided as an independent item. In like manner, horizontal boom  96  is comprised of a plurality of horizontal boom segments  98  of like construction interconnected in an end-to-end fashion by couplers  100 . 
   As illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 7 , a first secondary mast segment  90  and a first horizontal boom segment  102  are pivotally affixed one to another with eyebolt  114  to form pivot joint  108 . Pivot joint  108  permits secondary mast  84  and horizontal boom  96  to be pivoted to a mutually parallel relationship for storage. Also, in light of the segments nature of secondary mast  84  and horizontal boom  96 , the individual segments can be disassembled such that only secondary mast first segment  90  and horizontal boom first segment  102  remain affixed one to the other and pivoted to a mutually parallel relationship. Horizontal boom first segment  102  includes an eyelet at an end proximate to the pivot joint and opposite from an end to which a coupler  100  is affixed. 
   To maintain secondary mast  84  at a substantially right angle to horizontal boom  96 , a brace  110  is affixed thereto proximate to pivot joint  108 . A first bolt  112  or other similar fastener is used to secure one end of brace  110  to horizontal boom  96  and a second bolt  112  to secure an opposite end of brace  110  to secondary mast  84  thus forming a rigid triangular bracing configuration and maintaining secondary mast  84  and horizontal boom  96  at the perpendicular relationship. As shown in  FIG. 6 , brace  110  can be include stiffening flanges  111  to prevent brace  110  from buckling under the stresses induced by the sail assembly  80  in use. As shown in  FIG. 7 , a washer  116  is placed between horizontal boom first segment  102  and secondary mast first segment  90  at pivoting joint  108  to facilitate a smooth pivoting of joint  108 . Washer  116  further acts a as a spacer approximately of equal thickness to brace  110  thereby facilitating correct alignment of brace  110  between secondary mast first segment  90  and horizontal boom first segment  102 . 
   Referring again to  FIGS. 2 and 5 , a last secondary mast segment  92  includes an eyelet  94 , and a last horizontal boom segment includes an eyelet  106 . Eyelets  94  and  106  are located most distally form pivot joint  108 . A triangular sail  120  is affixed to sail frame  82  by lines  122  securing a sail corner to eyelet  94  at a topmost end of secondary mast  84 , to eyelet  106  at an end of horizontal boom  98  distal from pivot joint  108 , and to eyelet  114  at pivot joint  108 . Two edges of sail  120  have a plurality of eyelets  124  at regularly spaced intervals intermediate to the corners of sail  120 . Each eyelets has a shackle  126  therethrough which in turn is affixed to a ring  128  encompassing either secondary mast  84  or horizontal boom  96  thereby securing sail  120  to secondary mast  84  and horizontal boom  96  at points intermediate to the corners of sail  120 . Sail  120  is fabricated from suitable lightweight sail material and can be of a color such as bright orange which is associated with a vessel in distress. Additionally, sail  120  can also include a distress code  130  printed thereon to further visually convey a distress message to other craft in the vicinity. Alternately, a plain white sail  120  may also be used when the watercraft  18  is not in distress. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a rotatable joint  60  connects a bottom of sail assembly  80  to main mast  30 . Rotatable joint  60  includes a ring  62  which encompasses main mast  30  preferably just above the lowermost main mast coupler  36 . Ring  62  is free to rotate about main mast  30  and vertical axis  32 . Alternatively, ring  62  can be loosely fitting sleeve rotatable about main mast  30 . A swivel joint shackle  64 , interconnects ring  62  to eyelet  103  at the end of horizontal boom first segment  102 . Swivel joint shackle  62  includes opposing segments pivotable one with respect to the other such that horizontal boom  96  is free to pivot about horizontal axis  66 . Thus, rotational joint  60  permits sail assembly  80  to rotate in two directions with respect to main mast  30 . 
   Looking now at  FIG. 8 , a last or uppermost segment  92  of secondary mast  84  is secured to an upper main mast element  34  of main mast  30  with resilient tension strap  70 . Resilient tension strap  70  has a first end  72  affixed to the top of main mast  30  and its body  74  extends around topmost secondary mast segment  92 . Main mast  30  includes a plurality of eyelets  40  in a vertically spaced arrangement. Second end  76  of resilient tension strap  70  is selectively connected to one of the eyelets  40 . Resilient tension strap  70 , in addition to being resilient to bending forces is also resilient along its longitudinal axis and is thereby longitudinally stretchable. AS resilient tensioning strap  70  is stretched to a greater degree, the longitudinal tension is increased thus requiring increased tension to stretch strap  70  further. Connection of second end  76  to an uppermost one of eyelets  40  results in the least pretension force in strap  70  while connection to a lowermost one of eyelets  40  results in the most pretension force in strap  70 . 
   In use, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 9 , a motorized watercraft is in distress. The main mast elements  34 , stay element  42 , and if desired strobe mount  56  are assembled to form main mast  30  and erected to a vertical position on the watercraft  18  structure. The bottom of main mast  30  is received in mast receptacle  24  previously secured to the watercraft  18  structure. Ends  47  of stays  44  are secured and tensioned to remote corners of the watercraft thereby securing the top of main mast  30 . During assembly of main mast  30 , ring  62  of rotatable joint  60  was telescoped over the appropriate one of main mast elements  34 . Secondary mast segments  86 ,  90 , and  92  are telescopingly received through rings  128  for attachment of sail  120  and interconnected with couplers  88  to form secondary mast  84 . Horizontal boom segments  98 ,  102 , and  104  are similarly interconnected with couplers  100  receiving thereover rings  128  to form horizontal boom  96 . Horizontal boom  96  and secondary mast  84  are pivoted about pivot joint  108  to a perpendicular relationship whereupon brace  110  is affixed therebetween with bolts  112  to maintain the desired perpendicular relationship. Sail  120  is secured to rings  128  with shackles  126  and at each corner thereof lines  122  further secure sail  120  to eyelets  94 ,  106 , and  114 . Resilient tensioning strap  70  is extended about the upper segment  92  of secondary mast  84  and end  76  thereof is connected to a desired one of eyelets  40  on main mast  30 . 
   Upon final assembly of emergency sail system  20 , disabled watercraft  18  can be directed to shore by the propulsive force of sail  120 . Watercraft  18  is steered by utilizing the existing steering mechanism of watercraft  18  such as by a rudder (not shown) or an outdrive (not shown) of the disabled motorized propulsion system. Since users of motorized watercraft are not typically experienced in the use of a sail, encountering a cross wind  140  as shown in  FIG. 9  can potentially create a hazardous situation. However, the rotational joint  60  securing the bottom of sail assembly  80  to main mast  30  in cooperation with the resilient tensioning strap  70  securing the top of sail assembly to main mast  30  permit sail assembly  80  to rotate about a horizontal axis  66  ( FIG. 4 ) and allow the cross wind to spill out of sail assembly  80  prior to capsizing watercraft  18  or subjecting emergency sail system to overstressing forces. The degree of desired wind spillage is controlled by the selected eyelet  40  on main mast  30  to which end  76  of tensioning strap  70  is connected. 
   In the foregoing description those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the concepts disclosed herein. Such modifications are to be considered as included in the following claims, unless these claims expressly state otherwise.