SAIL BATTEN

Abstract: A sail batten for use in stiffening a sail comprises an elongate rectangular member 10 provided in its mid region with a channel section portion 11 which rises from one surface 12 of the batten, the channel section gradually decreasing in height from one end of the batten to the other so that the stiffness of the batten varies along its length.

Description: This invention relates to a sail batten for use in stiffening a sail of a sailing vessel, such as a yacht, or a vessel provided with auxiliary sail propulsion. It is known to stiffen a sail by inserting battens into pockets provided on the sail. Such battens are usually elongate members rectangular in cross-section along the whole of their length. FR-A-2167335 shows a sail-batten with rectangular cross-section varying in height along the length of the batten. According to the present invention there is provided a sail batten for use in stiffening a sail, comprising an elongate rectangular section member provided in its mid region with a channel section portion which rises from one surface of the batten, said channel section gradually decreasing in height from one end of the batten to the other end so that the stiffness of the batten varies along its length. The channel section may also gradually decrease in width from one end to the other. Preferably the channel section has outwardly inclined side walls. An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a batten according to the present invention, Figure 2 is a transverse section on an enlarged scale taken along the line II-II of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a transverse section on an enlarged scale taken along the line III-III of Figure 1, Figure 4 is a transverse section on an enlarged scale taken along the line IV-IV of Figure 1, Figure 5 is a transverse section on an enlarged scale taken along the line V-V of Figure 1, and Figure 6 is a transverse section on an enlarged scale taken along the line VI-VI of Figure 1. The batten is indicated generally at 10 and comprises an elongate member of generally rectangular cross-section provided in its mid width region with a channel section portion 11 which rises from one surface 12 of the batten 10. The channel section portion 11 has outwardly inclined side walls 13 and it gradually decreases in height from one end to the other so that the stiffness of the batten 10 varies along its length. The batten 10 is preferably formed of fibre reinforced plastics material or metal. The reinforcing fibres may be glass, carbon or aramid fibres such as Kevlar (Registered Trade Mark). Thus, a batten 10 is produced which is light in weight with the required stiffness variation. The stiffness of the batten 10 can be adjusted according to the chosen geometry of the channel section portion 11. The channel section portion 11 may have any other desired cross-section. For example it can be arcuate.

Claims: A sail batten (10) for use in stiffening a sail, comprising an elongate rectangular cross-section member provided in its mid region with a channel section portion (11) which rises from one surface (12) of the batten, said channel section gradually decreasing in height from one end of the batten to the other end so that the stiffness of the batten varies along its length. A sail batten as claimed in Claim 1, in which the channel section (11) gradually decreases in width from one end to the other. A sail batten as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the channel section (11) has outwardly inclined side walls (13). A sail batten as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the channel section (11) portion is arcuate in cross-section. A sail batten as claimed in any preceding claim, formed of fibre reinforced plastics material. A sail batten as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4, formed of metal.

Inventors: HOWLETT, IAN CHARLES
Applicants: HOWLETT, IAN CHARLES
Application year: 1990
Main classification: B63H9
IPC codes: B63H9