Sailing training device

A training device for teaching individuals the proper positioning of a sailboat's boom relative to the boat in a given wind. The device has three planar members, a front (base) member indicating wind position and having sailing terms printed therein, a second planar member representing the boat and a third planar member representing the boom of a sailboat. Three axis members interconnect the planar members for proper relative rotation. The first axis member secures the free end of the boom to the base member. The second axis member fixes the second planar (boat) member for rotation about the base member. The third axis member fastens the front end of the third planar (boom) member to the second planar (boat) member and allows some relative rotation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
A. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to a training aid for teaching sailing to 
individuals. 
B. Description of the Prior Art 
The only known prior art are pictures in texts in which a plurality of 
illustrations depict what the present invention shows in one device. 
SUMMARY 
The present invention discloses a novel training aid for teaching certain 
basics of sailing to individuals. The training aid has three planar 
members. A first planar member (base) represents the wind and has various 
pertinent information printed thereon which can be read. A second planar 
member (boat) represents the position of a boat on the base, i.e. the 
position of the boat relative to the wind. A third planar (boom) member 
represents the boom of a sailboat. Three pin or axis members interconnect 
the planar members so that the relative position of the boat in the wind 
will cause the boom to be guided into the correct position for sailing. A 
first pin member interconnects the boom member to the base member. A 
second pin member interconnects the boat member to the base member so that 
the boat can rotate with respect to the base member. A third pin member 
interconnects the front of the boom member to the front end (forward 
portion) of the boat member. A first channel is formed in the boat member 
to allow for the free movement of the "free end" of the boom. This channel 
is formed in a circular shape of less than 360.degree.. A second channel 
is formed in the boat member to function as a window or frame to enable 
the user to read what is printed on the base. A first channel is formed in 
the boom member to allow for passage of the first pin member.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
In FIG. 1 the numeral 10 shows a training device having first 12, second 
14, and third 16 planar members. The first planar member 12 functions as a 
base member and has an arrow 30 to show wind direction and various sailing 
terms 32 such as "Irons", "Close Hauled", "Reach". "Broad Reach", "Run" 
etc. The second planar member 14 represents a sailboat and may be formed 
in that shape or have it printed therein and has a window or frame 26 
formed therein which exposes the correct term as the boat 14 is rotated in 
the wind. Second planar member 14 may be either transparent or opaque. If 
transparent the frame 26 may be printed instead of cut through planar 
member 14. A third planar member 16 represents the boom and may be formed 
in that shape or have it printed therein. In common with most sailboat 
booms, the boom member 16 is fixed for rotation about its "front end" 40 
to the front (if the boat is "cat" or "sloop" rigged, three other types 
fit the front end of the main sail boom elsewhere) portion of the boat 
member 14 by a first axis member 18. FIG. 1 shows the articulation of the 
various planar members clearly. A second axis member 20 permits the boat 
member 14 to rotate about the base member 12. This rotation allows the 
boat 14 to assume different positions with respect to the wind arrow 30 
shown on the base member. 
A nearly circular channel 24 member is formed in the boat member underneath 
the "free end" 42 of the boom to allow the boom 16 free movement. A third 
axis member 22 fastens the "free end" 42 of the boom 16 to the base member 
12 and rides in channel 24 formed in the boat member 14. The channel 24 is 
formed through a nearly 360.degree. arc which can be generated by halving 
the distance between the second and third axis members 20, 22 and drawing 
a nearly 360.degree. arc on that raduis R. The second axis member 20 can 
be placed in that portion of the uncompleted circular channel 24. A first 
channel 48 is formed in the boom member 16 to allow pin 18 to pass 
therethrough and to provide a loss motion slot for the free end of the 
boom. 
In operation when the boat 14 is positioned in particular position with 
respect to the wind arrow 30, the boom 16 will be forced into the correct 
sailing position and the frame 26 will show the correct name for the 
sailing condition. Clearly the training aid accomplishes its objects of 
being a simple, easy to use and understand teaching device. The training 
aid 10 shows the student a picture of correct boom and boat position in a 
given wind condition and correctly labels these positions. 
Those skilled in the art will recognize that modification can be made to 
the present invention without departing from the scope of the present 
invention. For example, it is contemplated that a plastic or similar 
synthetic non-water soluble, non-water absorptive material would be 
utilized for planar members 12, 14, and 16. Similarly axis members 18, 20, 
22 should preferable be formed of non-rusting materials i.e. materials 
without iron such as aluminum or brass. However, other materials can be 
used. The boom member 16 and the sailboat member 14 can be of nearly 
appropriate relative size for a sloop, catboat, or other design.