Patent ID: 7614356

Claim:
A foldable mast assembly for a sailing vessel, comprising: a lower mast section; an intermediate mast section having a lower end foldably coupled to an upper end of the lower mast section; an upper mast section having a lower end foldably coupled to an upper end of the intermediate mast section; a boom coupled to the lower mast section; and a first locking device configured to: inhibit folding of the upper mast section relative to the intermediate mast section in a locked position; and permit folding of the upper mast section relative to the intermediate mast section in an unlocked position; wherein the first locking device includes a first moveable insert internal the upper and intermediate mast sections, whereby the first moveable insert is moveable between the locked and unlocked positions by adjusting an amount of overlap between the moveable insert and at least one of the intermediate and upper mast sections.