Top down furling system and method
US10336423B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 9, 2017 |
| Grant date | Jul 2, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 9, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB63H2009/105
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus for furling and unfurling a sail includes a housing with an upper end adapted for connection with an upper end of a sailboat mast and a lower end including a swivel, rotatable relative to the housing upper end and adapted for connection with an upper corner of a sail. Within the housing there is a motor with a clutch attached to it. When the housing upper and lower ends are connected to the top of a mast and sail, respectively, the motor rotates the swivel in a first direction to furl a sail, and when the clutch is released, the swivel is free to rotate in a second direction opposite the first direction to unfurl the sail. The housing can further include a stop mechanism which prevents the housing upper end from rotating when the swivel is rotated.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.