초록 ▼

A pole support is adapted for use in a mast assembly of a sail craft to selectively adjust tension of a sail. The mast assembly comprises an elongated and rigid tubular member having a central longitudinal axis and a surrounding sidewall defining an interior therefor. The tubular member has a base p

A pole support is adapted for use in a mast assembly of a sail craft to selectively adjust tension of a sail. The mast assembly comprises an elongated and rigid tubular member having a central longitudinal axis and a surrounding sidewall defining an interior therefor. The tubular member has a base portion adapted to engage a mast foot and an upper portion sized to slidably engage a mast pole. A selectively actual drive mechanism includes a lift structure which is operative to support the mast pole and upon actuation of the drive mechanism to adjustably vary the effective length of the mast assembly by moving the mast pole further from and closer to the base portion, thereby to respectively increase and decrease tension of the sail when the tack is secured to the mast foot. The lift structure may also include a collar slidably disposed thereon, which collar has a neck to provide a first protective spacer between the mast pole and the tubular member.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [25.] A sail craft adapted to propel through water, comprising:(a) a contoured hull member adapted to float on a surface of the water, said hull member having a lower surface for contacting the water and an opposite upper surface;(b) an upstanding mast assembly having an effective length

[ I claim:] [25.] A sail craft adapted to propel through water, comprising:(a) a contoured hull member adapted to float on a surface of the water, said hull member having a lower surface for contacting the water and an opposite upper surface;(b) an upstanding mast assembly having an effective length and secured to said upper surface, said mast assembly including a mast foot mounted to the upper surface, a mast pole, and an elongated pole support having a base portion mountable to said mast foot and an upper portion adapted to slidably engage said mast pole whereby said pole support is situated therebetween, said pole support constructed as a rigid tubular member having a central longitudinal axis and including a surrounding sidewall forming an interior therefor;(c) a sail fabricated from a selected material and releasably attachable to said mast assembly whereby a head of said sail is connected to said mast pole and a tack of said sail is connected to said mast foot so that said sail is in tension therebetween; and(d) a selectively actuable drive mechanism associated with said pole support, said drive mechanism including a lift structure which is operative to support the mast pole and upon actuation of said drive mechanism to adjustably vary the effective length of said mast assembly by moving the mast pole further from and closer to said base portion thereby to respectively increase and decrease tension of the sail when the tack is secured to the mast foot, said lift structure including a collar slidably disposed around said tubular member, said collar sized and adapted to support the mast pole so that said lift structure is operative to impart movement to the mast pole during actuation of said drive mechanism, said collar including a neck projecting upwardly therefrom and having a reduced dimension with respect to the mast pole to provide a first protective spacer between the mast pole and said tubular member.