Patent ID: 7114456

Claim:
A wing sail for use with a wind-powered vehicle, said sail comprising: (a) a rotable mast, said mast having a longitudinally extending mast axis, (b) a plurality of ribs each pivotally couplable with said mast for pivotal movement about an associated rib axis extending transversly in relation to said mast axis, and each slidably movable along said mast when so coupled, each of said rib comprising a first side and a second side, wherein: i. said sides are adjoined at an angle along an interrupted common inner edge extending longitudinally from a leading edge of the rib to a trailing edge of the rib, said common edge being interrupted by an aperture extending through said common edge and said sides, said aperture being sized to enable coupling of the rib with said mast for pivotal movement of the rib about a rib axis extending transverse to said mast axis and for sliding movement of the rib along said mast; and, ii. each of said sides has a cambered outer edge, said outer edge extending longitudinally from said leading edge to said trailing edge; (c) a trimming means for engaging said ribs and operative when said ribs are mounted to said mast for pivotally moving said ribs about their associated rib axis between neutral and asymmetrical pivot positions; (d) lifting means for engaging said ribs and operative when said ribs are mounted to said mast for slidably lifting said ribs along said mast from respective lowermost positions to respective upper positions; and, (e) a flexible cover for extending over ribs to provide a sail surface conforming to and supported by said ribs.