Abstract:
A sailboat halyard lock includes a latch that interacts with a stop to maintain tension on a halyard, and a spring-loaded trigger that contacts the latch. The stop can be a ball that moves along a path through the halyard lock, or alternatively, a wall of a sail track. The latch rotates to engage the stop in the locked position, and is released to return to a neutral position. A spring-loaded trigger contacts the latch so as to position the latch to receive the ball or wall in the locked position. In this way, the halyard can be maintained under tension in the halyard lock, and the tension is adjustable over time.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of copending application U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/115,445 filed on Nov. 17, 2008, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    The subject invention relates to a halyard lock for use on a sailboat. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Sailboat sails are hoisted by ropes called halyards. Conventionally, halyards were made of steel cable, for example, stainless steel, galvanized plow steel, or the like. These steel halyards generally were strong and had little or no stretch/strain over time. With the advent of high strength synthetic polymer fibers, such as Dyneema/Spectra, Vectran, or PBO (poly-p-phenylenebenzobisoxazole), halyards weighing about 25% of the weight of steel halyards with equal strength and stretch of steel halyards were developed. Today, these lightweight high strength ropes make up almost all of sailboat halyards. 
         [0004]    Synthetic-based halyards, however, typically suffer from a disadvantage of “creep,” which is not found in steel halyards. Creep is the property of a material whereby it gradually strains and elongates under constant load. When a halyard slowly strains, the tension in the halyard decreases and sail trim is affected, such that the halyard must be regularly readjusted to maintain optimal sail trim. Especially on racing boats, consistent and accurate halyard tension is an important property. For non-racing boats, the slowly straining halyards can cause the sail to slowly develop wrinkles as tension eases, making for an unsightly sail, which can compromise the perceived beauty of a sailing pleasure yacht. 
         [0005]    To combat this problem, halyard locks are regularly installed at the top of masts, so that creep can be avoided. Traditionally a halyard lock includes a hook that latches to a ball-like fitting on the halyard. This latch generally latches like a door latch. To unlock the lock, the sail is tensioned to relieve the load on the lock. Then, at deck level, a small diameter rope or “tripline” that runs either inside the mast or outside along the sail and attached to the latch is tensioned, releasing the sail. Since the masthead is typically too tall to be visible from the deck level, it is sometimes difficult to determine if the lock is locked, partially locked, or not locked at all. Often a crew member is sent aloft to confirm that the halyard is locked. Also, the use of multiple triplines can be problematic, for example, they can jam inside the mast, break, or make lock servicing difficult, and may require an additional crew member to operate. 
         [0006]    It would therefore be desirable to provide a halyard lock that does not require a tripline. It would also be desirable to provide a halyard lock that allows a single crew member to raise and lock a halyard hoisting a sail and to unlock and lower the same. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    Sailboat halyard locks, and methods of tensioning a halyard are provided. Sailboat halyard locks according to the subject invention preferably operate without an attendant tripline. Halyard locks according to the subject invention can eliminate the need for manual inspection to determine if the lock is locked. To lock a halyard, the halyard preferably is hoisted against an end stop, thereby enabling the halyard to engage the lock. To release the halyard from a locked condition, the halyard is again hoisted against its stop to release tension. According to this mechanism, the sailboat halyard lock of the subject invention is configured to automatically unlock. 
         [0008]    A sailboat halyard lock according to the subject invention preferably includes a latch that interacts with a stop to maintain tension on the halyard, and a spring-loaded trigger that contacts the latch. In a first embodiment, the stop is a ball that moves along a path through the halyard lock. According to a second embodiment, the stop is a wall or a portion of the wall along a sail track. The latch rotates to engage the stop in the locked position, and is released by opposite-acting rotational springs. A spring-loaded trigger engages a cam of the latch so as to “cock” the latch and position the latch to receive the ball and/or the wall. In this way, the halyard can be maintained under tension in the halyard lock, and the tension is adjustable over time. 
         [0009]    A halyard lock for maintaining tension on a halyard, can include: the halyard lock configured to receive a ball that moves along a path through the halyard lock, the ball being operably connected to the halyard; a latch rotatably disposed in the halyard lock, the latch configured to rotate between at least an engaged position in which the latch allows movement of the ball, and a locked position in which at least a surface of the latch receives the ball and impedes the ball from further movement, such that the halyard is tensioned in the locked position; and a spring-loaded trigger configured to contact the latch and position the latch for receiving the ball in the locked position. 
         [0010]    Preferably the latch includes a cam for engaging the trigger, where the trigger engages the cam and rotates the latch so as to receive the ball in the locked position. Further, upon releasing the latch from the locked position, the latch rotates to a neutral position by virtue of its opposite-acting rotational springs. 
         [0011]    Alternatively, a halyard lock is provided for maintaining tension on a halyard, the halyard lock being provided in a track car arranged with respect to a sail track, including: the track car being displaceable along the sail track; a latch configured to rotate between at least an engaged position in which the track car moves with respect to the sail track, and a locked position in which at least a surface of the latch engages a wall of the sail track and impedes the track car from further movement, such that the halyard is tensioned in the locked position; and a spring-loaded trigger configured to rotate with respect to the latch and position the latch for receiving the ball in the locked position. 
         [0012]    A method for maintaining tension on a halyard can includes steps of: providing a halyard lock including at least a latch rotatably disposed in the halyard lock, and a spring-loaded trigger configured to contact the latch; moving a ball along a path through the halyard lock, the ball being operably connected to the halyard; receiving the ball in the latch, the ball being impeded from further movement, such that the halyard is tensioned in a locked position; and releasing the latch from the locked position. 
         [0013]    Alternatively, a method for maintaining tension on a halyard, can include steps of: providing a halyard lock in a track car displaceable along a sail track; disposing the latch in an engaged position in which the track car moves with respect to the sail track, and moving the track car into a locked position in which at least a surface of the latch engages a wall of the sail track and impedes the track car from further movement, such that the halyard is tensioned in the locked position; and releasing the latch from the locked position. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    For a fuller understanding of the nature and desired objects of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures wherein like reference character denote corresponding parts throughout the several views and wherein: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of a halyard lock in a “neutral” position according to a first embodiment of the subject invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the halyard lock of  FIG. 1  in an “engaged” position; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the halyard lock of  FIG. 1  in a “cocked” position; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the halyard lock of  FIG. 1  in a “locked” position; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the halyard lock of  FIG. 1  in a “release” position; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the halyard lock of  FIG. 1  in an “unlocked” position; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of a halyard lock in an “engaged” position according to a second embodiment of the subject invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the halyard lock of  FIG. 7  in a “cocked” position; 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the halyard lock of  FIG. 7  in a “locked” position; 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the halyard lock of  FIG. 7  in a “release” position; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the halyard lock of  FIG. 7  in an “unlocked” position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0026]    Sailboat halyard locks and methods of tensioning a halyard are provided. In particular, sailboat halyard locks according to the subject invention preferably operate without an attendant tripline. The halyard locks can eliminate the need for manual inspection to determine if the lock is locked. To lock a halyard, the halyard preferably is hoisted against an end stop, thereby enabling the halyard to engage the lock. To release the halyard from a locked condition, the halyard is again hoisted against its stop to release tension. According to this mechanism, the sailboat halyard lock of the subject invention is configured to automatically unlock. 
         [0027]      FIGS. 1-6  depict a halyard lock according to a first embodiment of the subject invention, where the halyard lock can maintain tension on a halyard hoisting a headsail, for example, a jib or spinnaker. 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  depicts a cross-sectional view of a halyard lock  10  in a “neutral” position according to a first embodiment. The halyard lock  10  preferably is formed with an internal space  11  that includes a first opening  11   a  for allowing a ball  20  to enter the internal space  11  along a path  12 . The ball  20  moves along the path  12  in a first direction (from left to right in  FIG. 1 ) when the halyard is tensioned to raise a sail. The ball  20  is removably attached to a halyard hoisting a sail (not shown) at a predetermined location along the halyard. Inside the internal space  11 , the halyard lock further includes a latch  13  that is rotatably disposed to protrude into the path  12  by virtue of a spring mechanism, preferably two opposite-acting rotational springs. The latch  13  preferably is supported by a first surface  14   a  of a trigger  14  in a “neutral” position such that an axis  13   a  of the latch  13  is substantially perpendicular to the path  12 . The trigger  14  preferably is spring-loaded and biased toward the latch  13 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 2  depicts a cross-sectional view of the halyard lock  10  in an “engaged” position according to the first embodiment. When the ball  20  enters the internal space  11  along the path  12 , it engages the latch  13  along a surface  13   b  of the latch  13  such that the axis  13   a  of the latch  13  is rotated and a cam  13   c  of the latch  13  is engaged with the trigger  14  on a second surface  14   b.    
         [0030]      FIG. 3  depicts a cross-sectional view of the halyard lock in a “cocked” position according to the first embodiment. As the ball  20  moves pass the latch  13  along the path  12 , the trigger  14  prevents the latch  13  from rotating back to its neutral position by impeding the cam  13   c  of the latch  13  with the second surface  14   b.  Also, the spring-loaded trigger  14  tends to push the latch  13  to rotate in a counterclockwise direction so as to protrude into the path  12 . In other words, the latch  13  is “cocked” to receive and to subsequently impede the ball  20  from moving back along the path  12  (from right to left in  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0031]      FIG. 4  depicts a cross-sectional view of the halyard lock in a “locked” position according to the first embodiment. As the ball  20  moves in a second direction along the path  12  (from right to left in  FIG. 4 ), surfaces  13   d  and  13   e  of the latch  13  preferably engage with the ball  20  and combine with a surface above the ball  20  to impede the ball  20  from moving further in the second direction along the path  12 . Preferably, the surfaces  13   d  and  13   e  are shaped in a complimentary manner with respect to corresponding surfaces of the ball  20 , such that the ball  20  can be substantially held by the latch  13  in the locked position depicted in  FIG. 4 . At the same time, the cam  13   c  of the latch  13  moves from being engaged with the trigger  14  on the surface  14   b  to being engaged with the trigger  14  on the surface  14   a.  The load of the sail tensions the halyard and the ball to move in the second direction (from right to left) on the path  12 . The ball  20  is impeded from moving further on the path  12  because the ball  20  exerts a force on a surface  13   e  of the latch  13 . This force tends to rotate the latch  13  back to its neutral position in  FIG. 1 . At the same time, rotation of the latch  13  translates the force the ball  20  exerts on the surface  13   e  into a force exerted by a surface  13   f  of the latch on the ball  20  and in a direction perpendicular to the path  12 . The compressive force against the ball  20  resists the tension load on the halyard, and the ball  20  “seats” into the latch  13 . The normal downward tension of the halyard “uncocks” the latch  13  to allow the latch  13  to lock the halyard. Since the ball  20  is removably attached to the halyard, the tension on the halyard can be adjusted over time as the halyard strains. 
         [0032]      FIG. 5  depicts a cross-sectional view of the halyard lock in a “release” position according to the first embodiment. To release the ball  20  and the halyard, the halyard is tensioned to pull the ball  20  to move in a first direction along the path  12  (from left to right) so as to disengage with the latch  13 . In this position, the dual rotational spring-loaded latch  13  is no longer impeded by the trigger, and the latch  13  is moved to its neutral position by the opposite-acting rotational springs. In other words, the rotational springs of the latch  13  force the latch  13  back to the neutral position. After the latch  13  has been “released,” the cam  13   c  of the latch  13  is supported by the surface  14   b  of the trigger  14 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 6  depicts a cross-sectional view of the halyard lock in a “unlocked” position according to the first embodiment. In this view, the tension on the halyard to move ball  20  in  FIG. 5  to release the trigger  13  has been eased and the tension load of the sail on the halyard tensions the halyard to move the ball in the second direction (from right to left) along the path  12 . Since the latch  13  is no longer impeded by trigger  14 , the latch  13  rotates clockwise from the neutral position to allow the ball  20  to exit the interior space  11  via the opening  11   a.    
         [0034]    It should be appreciated that a second latch and trigger set may be disposed opposite the first latch  13  and trigger  14  set to provide a complementary locking mechanism along the path  12 . 
         [0035]      FIGS. 7-11  depict a halyard lock  50  according to a second embodiment that may be adapted for maintaining tension or trim on a halyard hoisting a sail on a sail track, for example, in the case of a track mounted mainsail. The halyard lock  50  can lock and unlock a tracked car that holds a mainsail to the back side of the mast. 
         [0036]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of a halyard lock  50  in an “engaged” position according to a second embodiment. In this view a sail track  70  allows a track car  80  to move in first and second directions denoted by reference numbers  72   a  and  72   b,  respectively. The track car  80  preferably includes a panel  51  that is attached to a main sail headboard. The track car  80  further includes a latch  83  and a trigger  84  disposed inside the track car and over the track  70 . The track  70  preferably one or more cavities  70   b  disposed in between solid sections  70   a.  As shown in  FIG. 7 , the latch  83  is supported on a solid section  70   a  of the track  70 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the halyard lock  50  in a “cocked” position according to the second embodiment. The track car  80  is pulled by a halyard to move in the second direction  72   b  upwards a mast such that the latch  83  has moved past the solid sections  70   a  of the track  70 . As the latch  83  moves over the cavity  70   b  of the track  70 , the latch  73  is rotated to rotate to protrude into the cavity. A cam  83   a  of the latch  83  engages the trigger  84  such that the latch  83  is impeded to rotate further. In this configuration, the latch  83  is said to be “cocked.” 
         [0038]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the halyard lock in a “locked” position according to the second embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the cavity  70   b  has a wall  70   c  that is perpendicular to the track  70 . As the tension on the halyard that pulled the track car  80  in the second direction is eased, the track car  80  is moved in the first direction  72   a.  As the track car moves in the first direction  72   a,  a dovetail portion  83   b  of the latch  83  engages the wall  70   c  in the cavity  70   b  of the track  70 . The cam  83   a  of the latch  83  pushes the trigger  84  to rotate away from the latch  83  such that the latch  83  is no longer impeded by the trigger  84 . As the dovetail portion  83   b  engages the wall  70   c  of the cavity  70   b,  the load on the halyard tends to rotate the latch  83  counterclockwise. Since the dovetail portion  83   b  has a first surface that engages the cavity wall  70   c  and a second surface engages the track surface  70   d  over the solid portion of the track  70   a,  the force of the load is translated into a force on the second surface of the dovetail portion in a direction perpendicular to the track  70 . Consequently, the track car is locked in position. 
         [0039]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the halyard lock in a “release” position according to the second embodiment. To release the track car from being locked in position, a tension is applied to the halyard connected to the track car  80  that pulls the track car in a second direction  72   b.  The latch  83  rotates to a “neutral” orientation and protrudes into the cavity  70   b.    
         [0040]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the halyard lock in a “unlocked” position according to the second embodiment. Finally, the tension that was applied to pull the track car in the second direction  72   b  is eased. Since the latch  83  is unimpeded from rotating further in a counterclockwise direction, the portion of the latch  83  that protruded into the cavity  70   b  simply rotates out of the cavity, thereby allowing the track car to move freely in the first direction  72   a  down the mast. 
         [0041]    Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims. 
       INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
       [0042]    The entire contents of all patents, published patent applications and other references cited herein are hereby expressly incorporated herein in their entireties by reference.