Improvements in Reefing Appliances for Sails.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Jan., 1896-Accepted, 29th Feb., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Reefing Appliances for Sails.
I, ROGER TURNER of St. Mary's Beccles, Suffolk, Gentleman, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
This invention relates to improvements in the arrangements employed for reefing
the sails of fore and aft rigged sailing vessels, and has for its object to provide an
apparatus by means of which the reefing and unreefing can be done in a simple and
easy manner without danger.
In carrying out. my invention I employ a revolving boom of equal diameter
throughout, to which the sail is laced. This boom can be turned by means of a
simple apparatus and the sail is rolled upon it until reefed to the required
extent.
The apparatus I propose to employ for controlling the boom consists of a ratchet
wheel of suitable dimensions fixed on the end of the boom close to the mast by
means of a tube inserted in the boom with a flange screwed or otherwise fixed.
Through this tube a spindle or rod extends, the end of this rod being pivoted to a
pin fixed in a socket carried by the mast. The outer end of the boom is carried
by a plate held firmly by the topping lift extending from the upper end of the
mast. This plate forms a bearing through which a long pin or spike fixed in the
end of the boom extends. The latter can thus turn freely on the spindle.
In order to revolve the boom and roll up the sail a lever and pawl arrangement
is employed which engages with the ratchet wheel and pulls it to the required
position. A second pawl retains it and prevents the sail unrolling, the latter pawl
being carried by an arm projecting from a flange on the spindle.
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, reference is had to
the accompanying sheet of drawings in which
Fig. 1 is an end view of the apparatus the goose neck of the central spindle being
shown in section, Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same, Fig. 3 is a plan and Fig. 4
is an end view.
The supporting pin A is carried in a socket on the sleeve a which is fixed to the
mast B in the usual manner. The spindle C is pivoted to this supporting pin at a¹
so that it can turn vertically allowing the boom to be adjusted.
This spindle extends into the tube or sheath D which as above described is
inserted in the end of the boom E and fixed by screws passing through the flange
or collar d. The other end of the boom is carried by means of the plate or disc F,
the spike or spindle preferably of square shape in cross section passing through
the plate which forms a bearing.
The sleeve D carries the ratchet wheel by means of which it can be turned.
The forked lever H is carried by the collar d, the rings h encircling the collar on
each side of the wheel G. The lever can thus be turned around the spike into the
required position. The lever carries the pawl adapted to engage with the
ratchet wheel when the lever is pulled up. This pawl is arranged to fall by its own
weight so that when the lever drops down the pawl automatically becomes
disengaged as shown in Fig. 1.
The pawl is prevented from dropping too far by a small thumb piece h³ forming
a stop, which allows it to drop just out of reach of the ratchet wheel. To prevent
the latter turning back the pawl J is employed carried on an arm j extending from
a flange c on the spindle C

page_text: Owing to the pull on the boom always tending to press it towards the mast there
is little danger of its coming out of position, but to obviate any danger of the boom
slipping along the spindle C a stop K is employed fixed to the flange c or to any
other stationary portion of the mechanism. The top consists of a bent plate
extending round 'the edge of the ratchet wheel so as to engage with the latter if
pulled out.
Enough play should be allowed by the stop to allow of free motion to the moveable
parts.
In order that the pawls may be easily released for unreefing purposes I employ
a catch which will retain the ratchet wheel while the pawls are being removed.
To release the pawl J the lever H is employed to pull round the ratchet wheel a
short distance and then it is necessary to release the pawl. For this purpose I
employ the lever catch L fitted to the flange c and pivoted so as to be turned to
the required position. The lower portion of this lever is furnished with an elbow
piece which can engage in the ratchet wheel like a pawl.
When the pawl J is disengaged this catch is brought into action and holds the
wheel until the pawl ' has been raised. Owing to the great leverage obtained
the catch can be at once detached and the boom freed. The lever catch L and
the stop K need only be applied when dealing with vessels of large tonnage.
By use of this apparatus a great saving of power is effected, and the sail can also
be reefed or unreefed in any position as the whole manual labour is applied close
to the mast.
The leverage can be increased to any required extent by lengthening the arm H.
The amount of reefing can be regulated exactly to any required extent.
The operation can be performed by anyone unskilled in reefing sails as all that
is required is to use the lever. Owing to the simplicity of the mechanism the
whole can be contained in a very small space allowing the sail to be brought in
close proximity to the mast.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
(1.) The combination of a ratchet wheel, lever and pawls with a revolving boom
for the purpose of reefing and unreefing sails, substantially as described and for the
purposes specified.
(2.) In an improved apparatus for reefing sails the combination with a revolving
boom, a tube inserted in its end and a ratchet wheel fixed to it, of a spindle passing
from the tube and hinged to a pin carried by the mast, a lever carrying a pawl
adapted to engage with the ratchet wheel and a second pawl fitted to the spindle
holding the boom in position, substantially as described and for the purposes
specified.
(3.). In an improved apparatus for reefing sails, the combination with a revolving
boom, a tube fixed in its end and a ratchet wheel carried by the said tube, of a
pivoted supporting spindle extending into the tube, a lever and pawl engaging with
the ratchet wheel, a stationary pawl holding the wheel and boom in position and a
lever catch also engaging with the ratchet wheel, substantially as described and
for the purposes specified.
(4.) The improved apparatus. for reefing and unreefing sails constructed and
operating substantially as described and shown in the accompanying drawings and
for the purposes specified..
Dated this 23rd day of January 1806
GEO. H. RAYNER;,
37, Chancery Lane, London, Agent for the Applicant.