Abstract:
The device lubricates a sail edge channel, such as a luff channel in a luff channel extrusion fitted to a forestay of a sloop. The device comprises a slide arranged for insertion into and for sliding along the channel and a reservoir for containing a lubricant. A web connects the slide to the reservoir and extends from the slide out of the sail edge channel so that the slide can slide in the channel with the reservoir outside the sail edge channel. A passageway extends from the reservoir and through the web to at least two outlets from the slide arranged at different angular positions around the slide. The lubricant can be expelled from the reservoir into the passageway so that the lubricant is expelled from the outlets into the sail edge channel.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to the lubrication of sail edge channels. Although the invention was originally conceived in connection with lubrication of a channel in a luff channel extrusion for the luff of a head sail of a sloop, it is also applicable to the lubrication of other sail edge channels, such as a channel in a mast for the luff of a mainsail, a channel in a boom for the foot of a mainsail, or a channel in a reefing roller for the luff of a headsail. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    2. Background Art 
         [0004]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 3  of the accompanying drawings, a sailing vessel in the form of a sloop  10  has a mast  12  stepped on a hull  14  and held by a forestay  16  and shrouds  18 . A mainsail  20  has its luff  22  or luff runners inserted into a luff channel  24  ( FIG. 2 ) in the mast  12 , and its foot edge attached to a boom  26  controlled by a main sheet  28 . A headsail  30 , such as a jib or genoa, has its luff  32  attached to the forestay  16  and is controlled by a sheet  34 . Traditionally, the luff  32  of the headsail  30  would be attached to the forestay  16  by a series of clips. However, for high-performance racing vessels, it is now popular to fit a luff channel extrusion  36  to the forestay  16  to provide undisturbed airflow along the luff  32  of the headsail  30  and to enable fast changing of headsails. An example of such a luff channel extrusion  36  is sold under the name Tuff Luff and is used on America&#39;s Cup and Whitbread vessels. 
         [0005]    Referring in particular to  FIG. 3 , an example of luff channel plastics extrusion  36  has a main channel  38  into which the forestay  16  can be forced through a slit  40 . The sides of the main channel  38  are bounded to either side of the slit  40  by respective luff channels  42 A, 42 B that can receive the luff  32  of the sail  30 . Each luff channel  42 A, 42 B has a respective slit  44 A, 44 B through which the material of the sail  30  exits the channel  42 A, 42 B from the luff  32 . Such a luff channel extrusion therefore enables headsails  30  be quickly hoisted up and dropped down the forestay  16 . The provision of two luff channels  42 A, 42 B enables one sail  30  in one of the luff channels, e.g.  42 A, to be dropped while another sail is hoisted up the other luff channel, e.g.  42 B, to facilitate further the fast changing of headsails. Although not shown in the drawings, the lower end of the luff channel extrusion  36  may be provided with a guide device to facilitate feeding of the luff  32  of a sail  30  into the channels  42 A, 42 B. 
         [0006]    A problem with such luff channels extrusions  36  is that there can be a tendency for the luff  32  to snag in the luff channel  42 . When snagging occurs, it may be possible to free it by pulling hard downwards on the luff  32  or by pulling hard upwards using the headsail halyard  46 . However, in some cases, it may be necessary for a crew member to be hoisted up the mast  22 , to swing over to the forestay  16 , and to manipulate the luff  16  in the luff channel  42  at the point where the snag has occurred. All of this can take valuable time during a race. To reduce the risk of snagging, it is common for the luff-channels  42 A, 42 B to be lubricated before a race. This is done by completely, or almost completely, removing the luff channel extrusion  36  from the forestay  16 , squirting lubricant from an aerosol through the slits  44 A, 44 B into the luff-channels  42 A, 42 B along the length of the luff-channels  42 A, 44 B, and then replacing the luff-channel extrusion  36  on the forestay  16 . Typically, a silicone or PTFE-based grease is used. An example is sold under the name Sailcote. Lubrication of the luff-channels  42 A, 42 B is time consuming. Also, each time the forestay  16  is forced through the slit  40 , there is a risk of damaging the luff-channel extrusion  36  either by breakage or by kinking, which will further exacerbate the snagging problem unless the luff-channel extrusion is then completely replaced. Furthermore, in the case of a long race with many sail changes, snagging of the sail luffs  32  in the luff-channels  42 A, 42 B may still occur, despite lubrication of the luff-channels  42 A, 42 B before the race. 
         [0007]    Patent document U.S. Pat. No. 5,535,695 discloses an apparatus for lubricating a sail edge channel of a spar such as a mast, boom or gaff. The apparatus has a pair of guide members that can be inserted into the sail edge channel and are connected to a plate outside the channel so that the plate can be slid along the spar. An aerosol of lubricant is mounted on the other side of the plate to the guide members and can be operated to squirt a jet of lubricant from its nozzle through a hole in the plate and into the sail edge channel as the apparatus is slid along the spar. A first problem associated with this apparatus is that the aerosol nozzle needs to be accurately lined-up with the sail edge channel, but even if it is, if the wind is blowing, the lubricant jet can be blown off course so that it does not enter the sail edge channel and even does not pass through the hole in the plate. A second problem is that, even if the lubricant does enter the sail edge channel, it is directed against the root of the sail edge channel (the portion furthest from the channel opening), which is where the lubricant is least required. Furthermore, lubricant which is directed at the root of the sail edge channel will tend to be reflected straight back out of the sail edge channel and wasted. 
         [0008]    Patent document DE10107739A1 discloses a somewhat similar apparatus, except that the aerosol nozzle is fitted with a straight spray tube which, in use, conveys the lubricant from the nozzle to the sail edge channel. This apparatus suffers from the same problem as with U.S. Pat. No. 5,535,695 that the lubricant entering the sail edge channel is directed against the root of the sail edge channel, where it is least required, and tends to be reflected straight back out of the channel. Furthermore, spray tubes of the sort shown in DE10107739A1 can typically be easily dislodged from the nozzle. Moreover, spray tubes of the sort shown in DE10107739A1 are typically flexible, so that if the spray tube is knocked, it can be displaced from the sail edge channel so that it no longer directs the lubricant into the channel. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention provides a device for lubricating a sail edge channel. The device comprises a slide arranged for insertion into and for sliding along the channel; a reservoir for containing a lubricant; a passageway extending from the reservoir to at least one outlet; and means operable to cause the lubricant to be expelled from the reservoir into the passageway so that the lubricant is expelled from the outlet(s) into the sail edge channel. 
         [0010]    In accordance with the innovative features of a first aspect of the invention, a web connects the slide to the reservoir and, when the slide is inserted in such a slide edge channel, extends from the slide out of the sail edge channel so that the slide can slide in the sail edge channel with the reservoir outside the sail edge channel, the outlet(s) is/are provided on the slide, and the passageway extends from the reservoir and through the web to the outlet(s) from the slide. By employing a passageway that extends through the connecting web for conveying the lubricant into the sail edge channel, rather than squirting the lubricant through the air or through a flimsy spray tube, a far more reliable method of getting the lubricant into the sail edge channel can be realised. 
         [0011]    In accordance with the innovative features of a second aspect of the invention, the passageway extends from the reservoir to at least two such outlets which, when the slide is inserted in such a slide edge channel, are arranged at different angular positions inside the channel. More effective lubrication of the sail edge channel can therefore be achieved compared with merely directing the lubricant at the root of the sail edge channel. 
         [0012]    It will be appreciated, of course, that the features of both aspects of the invention may be employed together. 
         [0013]    In use, the slide of the device can be inserted into the channel, the lubricant expelling means can be operated, and the device can then be slid along the channel (for example by being hauled by a halyard or by being pushed ahead of the edge of a sail that is being hoisted) so as to lubricate the channel. In the case where the device is used with a luff channel extrusion on a forestay, there is no need to remove the extrusion from the forestay in order to lubricate it. The lubrication device can be used while the vessel is under way, for example during a change of sails during a race. In this case, the delay caused by using the device is, with one method of use, simply the time taken to insert the slide into the channel and to operate the lubricant expelling means, which is likely to be a matter of a few seconds. 
         [0014]    At least some of the outlets are preferably arranged at different longitudinal positions along the slide or sail edge channel. 
         [0015]    In one embodiment, the slide comprises: a central elongate body; and centralising means (such as fins, bristles, or a split sleeve of foam material) arranged around the central body for generally centralising the body in the sail edge channel. In this case, the centralising means is preferably deformable so that the device can be used with a range of cross-sectional sizes of sail edge channel. 
         [0016]    A third aspect of the invention extends to a luff channel extrusion in combination with a device of the first and/or second aspect of the invention, the luff channel extrusion having a sail edge channel for receiving a luff of a sail and for receiving the slide of the device so that the device can slide along the sail edge channel. 
         [0017]    A fourth aspect of the invention extends to a sailing vessel in combination with a device according to the first and/or second aspect of the invention, the sailing vessel having a sail edge channel for receiving an edge of a sail and for receiving the slide of the device so that the device can slide along the sail edge channel. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is side view of a sailing vessel with which the embodiment of the invention may be used; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a sectioned view on a larger scale of a forestay-mounted luff channel extrusion, taken on the section line  2 - 2  in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a sectioned view on a larger scale of a mast having a luff channel, taken on the section line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is an exploded, longitudinally-sectioned view of an embodiment of lubrication device that may be used with the vessel of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is an assembled side view of the lubrication device; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a plan view of the device; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is a sectioned view of the device, taken on the section line  7 - 7  in  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectioned view of the device, taken on the section line  8 - 8  in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0026]      FIGS. 9A-9D  are partial sectioned views taken on the section lines A to D, respectively, in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 10  is similar to  FIG. 7 , but after the device has been triggered; 
           [0028]      FIG. 11  is a plan view of the device inserted into the forestay-mounted luff channel of  FIG. 3 ; and 
           [0029]      FIG. 12  is similar to  FIG. 1 , but showing the lubrication device in use. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0030]    Referring to  FIGS. 4 to 12  of the drawings, the lubrication device  50  of the embodiment of the invention comprises a slide portion  52 , a reservoir portion  54  and a web  56  interconnecting the slide and reservoir portions  52 , 54 . The slide portion  52  comprises a slender elongate cylindrical pig  58  having an external diameter which is about 40% of the internal diameter of the luff channels  42 A,B with which the device  50  is typically intended to be used. The web  56  extends radially from the pig  58  and has a thickness that is less than the width of the slits  44 A,B in the luff channels  42 A,B with which the device  50  is typically intended to be used. The web  56  has holes  59  adjacent its ends. The reservoir portion  54  has an elongate cylindrical housing  60  extending generally parallel to the pig  58 . The pig  58  can therefore be inserted into one end of a luff channel  42 A, 42 B with the web  56  extending outwards through the slit  44 A,B, and the device  50  can be slid along the luff channel  42 A,B with the pig  58  in the channel  42 A, 42 B, the web  56  in the slit  44 A,B and the reservoir housing  60  outside the channel  42 A,B. 
         [0031]    In order generally to centralise the pig  58  in the luff channel  42 A,B as viewed in  FIG. 11 , the pig  58  has three elongate fins  62 A,B,C angularly spaced around the pig  58  by about 60, 180 and 300 degrees, respectively, with respect to the web  56 . The fins  62 A,B,C may be of a resilient material that is bonded to the pig  58  and which can deform when the device  50  is used with a luff channel  42 A,B having a small internal diameter but still allow the device  50  to slide along the channel  42 A,B. 
         [0032]    The reservoir main housing  60  has a closed bottom  64  and contains a mini-aerosol  66  of the sort typically used for inhalers and breath fresheners. The aerosol  66  contains, for example, 15 ml of a marine lubricant such as Sailcote. The upper end of the housing  60  is closed by a cap  68  that is a snap fit with the housing  60 . The cap  68  has a central aperture  70  containing an operating button  72 . The operating button  72  and the cap  68  around the aperture  70  have complementary surface formations  74 , 76  (see  FIG. 4 ) such that, before use of the device  50 , the button  72  is held in the position shown in  FIG. 7  with the upper surfaces of the cap  68  and button  72  level, but, upon manual depression of the button  72  to the position shown in  FIG. 10 , the button  72  remains in that depressed position. 
         [0033]    The reservoir housing  60  also contains a connector element  78  of resilient material. The connector element has: an end portion  80  that sealingly fits over the nozzle  82  of the aerosol  66  and abuts the underside of the button  72 ; an end portion  84  that sealingly fits into a recess  86  in the side wall of the of the reservoir housing  60  aligned with the web  56 ; a flexible connecting portion  88  extending between the end portions  80 , 84 ; and a passageway  90  connecting the nozzle  82  of the aerosol  66  to the recess  86  in the reservoir housing  66 . In the position of the cap  68  shown in  FIG. 7 , the end portion  80  of the connecting element  78  does not apply any significant pressure on the aerosol nozzle  82  and the internal valve of the aerosol  66  remains closed. However, upon depression of the button  72  to the position shown in  FIG. 10 , the end portion  80  of the connecting element  78  forces the aerosol nozzle  82  downwards so that the valve opens and lubricant is forced by the propellant in the aerosol  66  out through the nozzle  82  and the passageway  90  until the aerosol  66  is empty. 
         [0034]    A passageway  92  is formed in the web  56  aligned with the passageway  90  in the connecting element. The passageway  92  connects with a passageway  94  extending longitudinally and centrally along the pig  58  from near its upper end to near its lower end. A series of radial passageways  96 A-D then extend radially from the central passageway  94  to the outer surface of the pig  58 . About one third of the radial passageways  96 A, lying on the section planes A in  FIG. 5  and shown also in  FIG. 9A , exit between the fins  62 A, 62 B. About another third of the radial passageways  96 B, lying on the section planes B in  FIG. 5  and shown also in  FIG. 9B , exit between the fins  62 B, 62 C. About one sixth of the radial passageways  96 C, lying on the section planes C in  FIG. 5  and shown also in  FIG. 9C , exit between the fin  62 A and the web  56 . The remainder of the radial passageways  96 D, lying on the section planes D in  FIG. 5  and shown also in  FIG. 9D , exit between the fin  62 C and the web  56 . Accordingly, when the device  50  is inserted into a luff channel  42 A,B and lubricant is expelled from the aerosol  66  into the passageway  90 , it passes into the passageway  92 , then into the longitudinal passageway  94  in the pig  58  and is then expelled through the multiple radial passageways  96 A-D into contact with the inner surface of the luff channel  42 A,B. If the device  50  is then slid along the luff channel extrusion  36  from one end to the other, substantially the whole of the inner surface of the luff channel  42 A,B in question will become coated with lubricant. The passageways in the device may be formed with a restriction to ensure that the lubricant is not expelled too quickly so that the aerosol  66  lasts at least for the time that it would typically take to slide the device  50  from one end of the luff channel extrusion  36  to the other. 
         [0035]    The pig  58 , web  56 , reservoir main body  60 , cap  68  and operating button  72  may be made of any convenient material using any convenient manufacturing process. For example, they may be injection-moulded in plastics material. The pig  58 , web  56  and reservoir main body  60  may be integrally moulded, in which case end pieces  98  may be bonded to the ends of the pig  58  in order to close the ends of the longitudinal passageway  94 . Alternatively, the pig  58 , web  56  and reservoir main body  60  may be moulded as two symmetrical halves that are bonded together. 
         [0036]    The devices  50  may be used in a number of ways to lubricate the luff channels  42 A,B. 
         [0037]    With a first method, which is particularly suited for lubricating a luff channel  42 A,B before a sail  30  needs to be hoisted, the slide  52  is inserted into the lower end of the luff channel  42 A,B, the headsail halyard  46  is attached to the upper hole  59  in the web  56 , and a spare rope is attached to the web  56  through its lower hole  59 . The button  72  is then pressed to commence discharge of the lubricant, and the device  50  is hauled up the luff channel extrusion  36  by the headsail halyard  46 , lubricating the luff channel as it goes. Once the device  50  has reached the top of the luff channel extrusion  36 , it is hauled down again using the spare rope. 
         [0038]    With a second method which is employed when a headsail  30  is being hoisted, the slide  52  is inserted into the lower end of the luff channel  42 A,B, followed by the head of the luff  32  of headsail  30  with the headsail halyard attached to the head of the headsail  30 . The lanyard shackle is also attached by a short length of rope to the web  56  through the lower hole  59 . The button  72  is then pressed to commence discharge of the lubricant, and the headsail  30  is hoisted by the headsail halyard  46 , with the device being pushed up the luff channel  42 A,B ahead of the luff  32  of the headsail  30  lubricating the luff channel  42 A,B as it goes. When the headsail  30  is subsequently dropped, it draws the device  50  back down the luff channel  42 A,B due to the rope attachment. 
         [0039]    A third method is similar to the second method and may be used when the luff channel  42 A,B has an open top past which the luff  32  of the headsail  30  extends when the headsail  30  is fully hoisted. In this case, the web  56  is not attached to the headsail shackle, and device  50  is ejected from the top of the luff channel  42 A,B, once the headsail  30  is, or is near to being, fully hoisted, and falls to the deck below.  FIG. 12  illustrates this method at the point where the headsail  30  is about two-thirds hoisted. 
         [0040]    It will be appreciated that may modifications and developments may be made to the embodiment of the invention described above. 
         [0041]    For example, in the case where the device  50  is to be used with only one cross-sectional size of luff channel  42 A, 42 B, the fins  62 A-C need not be of resilient material and may be integrally moulded with the pig  58 . The fins  62 A-C may be replaced by some other means to enable the inner surface of the luff channel to be substantially completely coated with lubricant whilst centralising the pig  58  in the luff channel  42 A,B, for example bristles or a split sleeve of open-cell foam material. 
         [0042]    Instead of employing an aerosol  66  containing the lubricant, a spring-loaded bladder or spring-loaded piston-and-cylinder arrangement may be employed. In this case, all or substantially all of the components of the device  50  may be made from biodegradable materials so as to reduce the adverse effects on the environment if the device  50  is dropped in the water. 
         [0043]    Instead of providing holes  59  in the web  56 , the device  50  may be provided with integrally-moulded tethers with loops at their ends by which the device  50  may be directly attached to the shackle of the headsail halyard  46  or to a length of spare rope. 
         [0044]    The top  68  and bottom  64  of the reservoir  54  are shown in the drawings as being generally flat. Alternatively, they may be domed or tapered so that, when two devices  50  are being used in two luff channels  42 A,B and moving in opposite directions, there is less risk that the devices  50  will jam with each other as they pass each other. 
         [0045]    Although the device  50  was originally conceived for lubricating a luff channel  42 A,B in a luff channel extrusion  36  as described in detail with reference to the drawings, it may also be used for lubricating other sail edge channels, as mentioned at the beginning of this specification. 
         [0046]    It should be noted that the embodiment of the invention has been described above purely by way of example and that many other modifications and developments may be made thereto within the scope of the present invention.