Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to sailboats and, in particular, to a rigging system containing shock absorbed rigging lines to facilitate boat control during gusty conditions. 
     Sailboats, catamarans and other leisure sailing craft (including land based craft) support numerous sails to harness wind power to propel the craft. Rope rigging is arrayed about each craft and secured to the sails and/or support booms to control the orientation of the sails relative to wind conditions. The ropes or lines particularly anchor the masts, booms and sails. One end of each rope is typically secured to the booms and/or grommets at the sails and the other end is fastened to cleats and anchoring points at the craft. Pulleys, hand cranks and a variety of accessories facilitate the manipulation of the ropes and the sails while under load in the wind. The sails are thus free to move until the anchored lines restrict further movement. 
     The fastening locations and/or the length of the deployed line restricts the relative angle of the sail to the mast(s) and/or other sails. The rigging is adjusted in relation to the wind to provide force vectors that direct boat movement to desired courses. The rigging must be frequently trimmed or manually attended to optimize movement and accommodate changes in the wind. 
     Under gusty wind and rough water conditions, a fixed, non-resilient mounting of the rigging can cause the boat to heel erratically to compensate for wind gusts. That is, even though the sails and lines stretch and relax to a limited extent with the additional forces produced with each gust, the forces eventually are transferred to the boat. These conditions can be unnerving to the inexperienced or casual sailor. 
     The present invention or shock absorber was developed to compensate for rough water and gusty wind conditions. The shock absorber can be incorporated into the rigging of any boat to improve handling. By incorporating one or more shock absorbers into the rigging, the rigging is able to compensate and provide a degree of relaxation in the rigging lines to compensate for sudden gusts and/or swells beyond the normal resilience of the lines and/or sails. 
     A spring-biased shock absorption assembly is particularly provided that can be secured in series with selected rigging lines. The assembly can also be incorporated into available booms or the hems or pockets sewn into the sails. Resiliently biased reciprocating members in the assemblies extend and retract to compensate for variable wind and water conditions that exceed a defined force and provide a buffer range of additional rigging line movement before the forces are transferred to the hull. 
     A mast mounting is also disclosed where a cable is suspended from an above-deck, “A”-shaped framework. A shock absorber assembly is fitted between the cable and the hull. A boom and sail are separately deployed along the cable in conventional fashion. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is a primary object of the invention to provide a resilient assembly that can be fitted to the rigging lines of a sail powered craft to provide a range of resilient rigging line movement before the variable forces of the winds and water on the sails are transferred to the hull. 
     It is further object of the invention to provide a resilient rigging assembly that mounts within a boom or hem or pocket at a sail. 
     It is further object of the invention to provide an assembly having first and second members that are resiliently biased with springs to accommodate reciprocating motion and supporting couplers that facilitate attachment to available rigging lines. 
     It is further object of the invention to provide a resilient rigging assembly that includes a resiliently biased cable. 
     It is further object of the invention to provide a resilient rigging assembly that includes an elastomer material or a hydraulic or pneumatic chamber to resiliently bias a reciprocating piston or cable. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a resilient, mast-replacement assembly wherein a framework supports a cable that is resiliently biased relative to the hull. 
     The foregoing objects, advantages and distinctions of the invention are obtained in several presently preferred shock absorber assemblies that mount between available rigging lines and a boat hull. In a first assembly, a tubular housing having a line or boom coupler at one end contains a piston. The piston is resiliently biased relative to the housing to permit reciprocating piston movement. A coupler at distal end of the piston attaches to a line or anchor cleat at the boat. 
     In another construction, a housing of an assembly is secured in stationary relation within a sail boom. A cable extends from the housing and over appropriate pulleys to a rigging line coupler. 
     In still another construction, an “A-shape”, mast replacement framework is secured to pivot from a boat&#39;s super structure. A cable, which essentially acts as a mast, is suspended from the apex of the framework and is secured to a resilient shock absorber mounted below deck to the cable and boat hull. A boom and sail mount to the cable with appropriate fasteners. One or more separate shock absorbers can be coupled to the boom. The mast cable and rigging lines are thus made resilient. 
    
    
     Still other objects, advantages, distinctions and constructions of the invention will become more apparent from the following description with respect to the appended drawings. Similar components and assemblies are referred to in the various drawings with similar alphanumeric reference characters. The description therefore should not be literally construed in limitation of the invention. Rather, the invention should be interpreted within the broad scope of the further appended claims. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing wherein a sailboat is shown in dashed line and wherein the control lines to the main, jib and/or genoa sails are outfitted with several shock absorbers that are located at exposed fastenings and/or within the boom. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective drawing shown in exploded assembly to a two-section shock absorber assembly. 
     FIG. 3 is a partial section view to a boom mounted assembly. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective drawing shown in section view to a mast replacement assembly. 
     FIG. 5 is a cross section view to an elastomer biased mast replacement assembly. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIG. 1, a view is shown in partial section to a sailboat  2  (shown in dashed line). Mounted about the sailboat  2  and shown in solid line are several resilient, shock absorber assemblies  4 ,  6  and  8 . The assemblies  4 ,  6  and  8  are generally similar in that each provides a controlled, resilient resistance to reciprocating movement of a piston that responds to forces in excess of a threshold force and over a flexion range of a contained resilient member and/or material. The assembly  4  includes a spring that biases movement of the piston and is shown in greater detail in the exploded assembly drawing of FIG.  2 . The assemblies  6  include a compressible elastomer, although the assemblies  6  can be replaced with the assembly  4 . Either of the assemblies  4  or  6  may also be constructed with a closed hydraulic or pneumatic chamber that provides a resilient reciprocating motion to a contained piston. The boom-mounted assembly  8 , in turn, is shown in greater detail at FIG.  3 . 
     The absorber assemblies  4 ,  6  and  8  are secured to various of the rigging lines  10  and  12  that control the main sail  13  and jib or Genoa sail  14 . As depicted, the main sail  13  is controlled with a single assembly  4 . A coupler  16  secures a housing end of the absorber assembly  4  to the end of the main boom  18  and a resiliently biased piston  20  is secured at another coupler  22  or clevis  56  or coupler  22  to the lines  10 . The main sail lines  10  are anchored to the aft end of the sailboat  2 . Depending upon the size of the main sail  13 , the lines  10  can be controlled with one or more pulleys  24  in a block and tackle arrangement to obtain a desired mechanical advantage. The length of the lines  10  are varied to control the orientation of the main boom  18  and main sail  13  relative to the main mast  26 . 
     The jib or Genoa sail  14  is depicted as being controlled with two resilient, shock absorption assemblies  6 , which again can be replaced with the assembly  4 . The two assemblies  6  used to control the jib/Genoa sail  14  can be arranged in alternative mountings. The two mountings are shown in FIG. 1 with respect to the different mounting positions of the assemblies  6 , it being appreciated that either of these mounting positions can be replicated on the other side of the sail. 
     In the one instance, as shown with respect to the background assembly  6 , both assemblies  6  can be mounted in close association to the jib/Genoa  14  with the trailing lines  12  being secured to the port and starboard gunwales in conventional fashion. In the other instance, as shown with respect to the foreground assembly  6 , both assemblies  6  can be mounted closer to and/or be directly anchored to the port and starboard gunwales. Difficulties can arise, however, in routing the rigging lines  12  between the assemblies  6  and the sail  14 , which makes this mounting less desirable. 
     Like the main sail  13 , the jib/Genoa sail  14  can also be controlled with a single assembly  6 . That is, the assembly  6  can be directly attached to the jib/Genoa sail  14  and the rigging lines  12  can be secured to the opposite end of the assembly  6  and be routed to the port and starboard gunwales. 
     The main sail  13  can similarly be controlled with multiple assemblies  6  or  4  in the fashion of the jib/Genoa sail  14 . Alternatively, the assembly  8 , as discussed below with respect to FIG. 3, can be mounted within the main sail boom  18 . In this rigging arrangement, the boom  18  supports a housing  17  that contains a resiliently mounted cable member  19  that is coupled to the control lines  10  via a pulley  21 . In certain circumstances, the boom  18  can be used in lieu of the housing  17  and with only an end stop  82  secured to the in the boom to limit motion of the associated resilient member. 
     It is also possible to sew either of the assemblies  4  or  6  into a pocket or hem of a sail, such as shown at the jib/Genoa sail  14  of FIG.  1 . 
     In each of the foregoing mountings of the assemblies  4  and  6 , appropriate couplers secure the assemblies  4  and  6  to the rigging lines  10  and  12 , sails  13  or  14 , boom  18 , and/or to the gunwales. The attachments allow resiliently mounted pistons within the assemblies to extend and retract with swells, troughs and errant gusts of wind to counterbalance the billowing of the sails  13  and  14  and/or heeling of the boat  2 . 
     With attention to FIG. 2, a detailed view is shown to the assembly  4 . The piston  20  is mounted within a tubular housing  32  and is adapted for reciprocating movement relative to a spring  34 . The force exerted by the spring  34  and defined by the spring force constant and range of movement (i.e. compression and expansion) of the spring  34  can be designed as desired to provide a preferred degree of resilience. Presently, it is preferred that the main sail assembly  4  or  8  exhibit an offsetting force in excess of an initial force in the range of 75 to 95 pounds and a travel range of 6 to 10-inches. The jib/Genoa sail assembly  6  desirably exhibits an offsetting force in excess of an initial force in the range of 65 to 85 pounds and a similar travel range of 6 to 10-inches. 
     The piston  20  is comprised of an eyebolt  36  having threads  38  at one end and an aperture  40  or other suitable coupler connection  22  at the opposite end. The shaft of the eyebolt  36  is supported in concentric relation along the longitudinal center axis of the spring  34 . The threaded end  38  mounts through an end cap  42 , elastomer bushing  44 , washer  46 , the spring  34 , a second washer  46  and attaches to a nut or threaded fastener  48 . As desired, another bushing  44  (shown in dashed line) can be mounted ahead of the nut  46 . Upon tightening the nut  48  a degree of pre-loading is established in the spring  34  and bushing(s)  44 . Subsequent, forces exerted by a rigging line attached the coupler  22 , induces the piston  20  to compress the spring  34  and bushing(s)  44 . 
     The degree of preloading or initial compression of the spring  34  might be varied, once the assembly  4  is fitted to a boat  2 , via a slot  49  that allows the nut  48  to be captured with a pin inserted into a hole  51  in the side of the nut  48 . Rotation of the eyebolt  36  then determines the preloading. 
     The opposite end of the housing  32  is fitted with an end cap  50  that is fitted with a second eyebolt  52  and nut  48 . A bushing  44  is also positioned in the housing  32  between the nuts  48  to cushion sound that might otherwise emanate from the assembly  4  as the nuts  48  contact each other. A bushing  44  (shown in dashed line) might also be secured to the eyebolt  52  to provide additional resilience to the assembly  4 . 
     Also shown in FIG. 2 are an alternative end cap  54 , clevis coupler  56  and fastener  58  that can be secured to the end of the housing  32 . It is to be appreciated that a variety of couplers can be secured to the housing  32  and/or piston  20  to facilitate attachment of the assembly  4  the rigging lines of a sailboat  2 . 
     The housing  32  can be constructed of metal or plastic. The end caps  42  and  50  are typically constructed of a similar material and are secured to the housing  32  with threads, welding, adhesive or other suitable fasteners compatible with the housing material and spring force requirements. 
     The piston  20  is thus free to extend and retract relative to the housing  32 . The reciprocating movement is countered via the compression of the spring  34  and/or bushings  44  or any other suitable resiliently compressible material, media or member mounted in the housing  32  to resist movement of the piston  20  relative to the end cap  42 . For the assembly  4 , the resilience is determined by the collective resilience of the spring  34  and bushings  44 . 
     Appreciating the spring  34  can be replaced with a variety of resilient members or subassemblies, the assembly  6  includes an elastomer core  60  (shown in partial cutaway at FIG. 1) that resists movement of the piston  36 . The core  60  can be constructed of a variety of materials including rubber, nylon and plastics that might also be impregnated with additional materials to demonstrate desirable resilient properties. 
     Alternatively, the piston  20  can be mounted in a housing  32  of an assembly  4  or  6  outfitted with a suitable hydraulic or pneumatic chamber  28  (shown in partial cutaway at FIG.  1 ). Such a housing  32  would provide a closed chamber, porting, valves and flow paths to a contained gas or liquid to define the travel range and resilient resistance to movement of the piston  20 . 
     Directing attention to FIG. 3, a partial section view is shown to the boom assembly  8  as it appears when mounted in a typical main sail boom  18 . The housing  17  is particularly mounted in a boom  18  of circular or elliptical shape and secured with one or more pin fasteners that extend through the walls of the boom  18  and apertures  72  in an end cap  74 . A length of cable  19  extends through a series of washers  76 , resilient bushings  78 , a spring  80  and through an end cap  82 . The spring  80  and bushings  78  define the resilience of the assembly  8  and dampen any operating noise. The cable  19  is routed over a separately mounted pulley  21  that is secured to rotate within the boom  18 . An eyelet  84  fitted to the cable  19  couples to the rigging lines  10 . 
     FIGS. 4 and 5 disclose another construction of the invention and wherein a resilient mast assembly  90  is shown. The assembly  90  provides an “A frame”  92  having upright frame members  94  and  96  that are coupled together at an apex cap  98  and a cross member  100 . The lower ends of the members  94  and  96  are mounted to pivot at couplers  102  secured to the deck of the boat  2 . The members  94  and  96  are held upright in conventional fashion with suitable guy lines (not shown). 
     Depending from the cap  98  is a mast cable  102  that is secured to a ring or “eye” fitting  104 . Separately extending from the ring fitting  104  is a compression cable  106  that is resiliently biased at a mast post assembly  108 . The assembly  108  is secured at end plates  110  to the hull  112  and cabin roof  114 . The cable  106  is secured within a tubular housing  116  that is fitted to the plates  110  and through a series of resilient bushings  118 , washers  120  and a spring  122 . The assembly  108  provides a resilience on the order of 100 to 200 pounds and a range of motion of 5 to 8 inches. 
     The boom  18  is separately secured to the ring fitting  104  with an appropriate coupler. An additional resilient assembly  4  can be secured to the opposite end to the boom  18  as desired. As necessary additional frame members of guy lines can restrict the movement of the mast and compression cables  102  and  106  relative to the framework  92 . The boom  8  however is resiliently restrained to the boat  2  in a fashion that provides two degrees of resilient motion to compensate for boat and sail movements. Wind gusts are particularly countered by the ability of the assemblies  4  and  90  to flex and compensate for extraneous pressures on the main sail  13 . 
     FIG. 5 depicts an alternative mast post  130  wherein the spring  122  is replaced with a resilient elastomer core  132 . The core  132  also desirably deadens possible sounds that might emanate as the compression cable  106  extends and retracts from and into the assembly  130 . 
     While the invention has been described with respect to a number of preferred assemblies and considered improvements or alternatives thereto, still other assemblies and rigging arrangements may be suggested to those skilled in the art. It is also to be appreciated that selected ones of the foregoing assemblies and features can be used singularly or can be arranged in different combinations to provide a variety of improved rigging assemblies for sailing craft. The foregoing description should therefore be construed to include all those embodiments within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

Technology Category: 7