EP3209551B1 - Rigging to simplify jibing/tacking manoeuvres - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to a rig according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a floating or rolling apparatus according to the preamble of claim 12.

In particular, the invention relates to a floating machine of the windsurfing type or to a rolling machine of the windsurfing type with wheels, designated "speed sail" or "windskate" in English.

Technological background

A windsurf board consists of a float and a rig mounted on the float and to ensure the propulsion of windsurfing by the force of the wind.

The rigging of the prior art comprise a mast articulated on the float, a triangular sail mounted on the mast and a double boom, commonly called "boom", to maintain and orient the rigging. The wishbone consists of two curved tubes arranged on both sides of the sail and joining at their ends, on the one hand to the mast, and on the other hand to the point of flow of the sail in order to stretch it.

This configuration of the rig requires a particular type of navigation, requiring particularly delicate maneuvers. During a tack, that is to say a change of tack against the wind, or during a jibe, that is to say a change of tack in the wind, the windsurfer must rotate the rigging and seize the opposite part of the boom, that is to say the part of the boom arranged on the other side of the sail, so as to pass the trailing edge of the sail from one edge to the other. the other of the board.

To do this, at each tack, the windsurfer must tilt the rigging to the rear, release a portion of the boom, and change tack in passing the rigging, in order to grasp the other part of the boom and rotate the boom. sail. As for the jibe, the hands of the windsurfer pass from one part to the other of the boom in order to be able to rotate the sail by 180 °.

However, such maneuvers lead to a series of imbalances that often leads to a fall of the windsurfer, even seasoned.

A first example of rigging and / or floating gear is known from the document DE 30 17 362 A1 .

Another example is known from the document WO 85/00336 which is considered the closest prior art and which describes all the features of the preamble of claim 1 and the preamble of claim 12.

Object of the invention

• un boîtier de pied destiné à être monté articulé sur ledit engin;
• deux mâts comportant chacun une extrémité inférieure solidarisée audit boîtier de pied ;
• une voile, s'étendant entre lesdits deux mâts et présentant un sommet ;
• au moins une bôme reliant transversalement lesdits deux mâts le plan théorique de ladite bôme divisant ladite voile en deux parties: une surface de ladite voile partant dudit plan et s'étendant vers ledit boîtier du pied et une surface de ladite voile partant dudit plan et s'étendant vers le sommet, ladite bôme permettant de maintenir et/ou d'orienter ledit gréement.

The invention aims to remedy the problems mentioned above by proposing, in at least one embodiment, a rig for a floating or rolling vehicle comprising:

• a foot box for hinged mounting on said machine;
• two masts each having a lower end secured to said foot housing;
• a sail extending between said two masts and having a top;
• at least one boom connecting said two masts transversely to the theoretical plane of said boom dividing said sail into two parts: a surface of said sail starting from said plane and extending towards said foot box and a surface of said sail starting from said plane and extending to the top, said boom for maintaining and / or orienting said rig.

• ladite voile est semi-rigide et prend au repos au moins deux formes stables,
• lesdits deux mâts sont symétriques par rapport à un axe longitudinal (X) dudit gréement, s'étendant entre ledit sommet de ladite voile et ledit boîtier de pied, de telle sorte que chaque mât est apte à servir alternativement de bord d'attaque et de bord de fuite,
• le gréement comprend une deuxième bôme, ladite bôme et ladite deuxième bôme étant disposées dans le plan, de part et d'autre de ladite voile,
• lesdites deux formes stables de ladite voile présentent chacune au repos une cambrure dont la concavité est dirigée soit vers ladite bôme, soit vers ladite deuxième bôme, chacun des deux creux maximum étant localisé au niveau de la surface de ladite voile partant dudit plan et s'étendant vers ledit boîtier du pied,
• une desdites bômes comprend une came formant pivot autour de ladite bôme et est adaptée pour venir au contact de ladite voile.

Such rigging is characterized in that:

• said sail is semi-rigid and resting at least two stable forms,
• said two masts are symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal axis (X) of said rig, extending between said top of said sail and said foot box, so that each mast is able to serve alternately as leading edge and trailing edge,
• the rig includes a second boom, said boom and said second boom being arranged in the plane, on either side of said sail,
• said two stable forms of said sail each have at rest a camber whose concavity is directed either towards said boom or towards said second boom, each of the two maximum hollows being located at the surface of said sail starting from said plane and extending to said foot housing,
• one of said booms comprises a pivot cam about said boom and is adapted to come into contact with said sail.

In the present description, the term "semi-rigid" qualifies an at least partially rigid surface having a predetermined shape and being provided with a shape memory by which this surface tends, following a mechanical deformation, to resume its original form. At rest, a sail made up of such a surface therefore has at least one stable camber, the hollow value of which is measured locally along the normal to the rope plane of the sail, defined by the two masts alternately serving as the edge of the sail. attack and trailing edge. Under the action of the wind, the force or thrust is substantially perpendicular to this plane of rope and is concentrated at the maximum hollow of the sail. The term "boom" refers to a horizontal bar connecting the two masts and extending transversely to the rigging on one side or the other of the chord plane. Such a boom is also called a simple boom, as opposed to a double boom resulting from the assembly of two simple booms extending on either side of the chord plane. The "theoretical plane of the boom" designates the plane defined by the boom which is substantially perpendicular to the plane of rope. The sail is then divided into two parts or portions, the first, located above the boom, extending between the intersection of the sail with the boom plane and the top, the second, located below the boom, extending between the intersection of the sail with the boom plane and the foot box. Note that this division of the sail by the boom plane is only for illustrative purposes, the sail forming a united surface joining the localized portions above and below the boom.

The invention is thus based on the novel and inventive concept of providing a rig whose handling is substantially improved, and which allows to go upwind.

Thus, such a rig allows the windsurfer to navigate in all directions without having to return the rigging as in the rigs of the prior art, and therefore, without the need to release the rigging hands. Indeed, each of the two masts being able to serve alternately leading edge and trailing edge, it is no longer necessary to return the sail when changing tack.

Such rigging also allows the windsurfer to go upwind. Indeed, the arched shape of the sail, whose hollow is advantageously low, allows the windsurfer to work in finesse, that is to say by orienting the sail so that the rope forms a low angle of incidence with the direction of the wind. The flow of the wind on the intrados and the extrados of the sail is then laminar, and allows to create a significant lift while limiting the generation of turbulence, so as to allow upwind. The semi-rigid nature of the sail allows it to maintain a predefined profile, allowing to optimize the ability of the sail to go upwind, while fixing the position of its maximum hollow. Positioning the maximum hollow of the sail below the at least one boom improves its maneuverability. Indeed, the vee force force being exerted between the at least one boom and the foot case, the efforts to be provided by the windsurfer to maneuver the rig are less leverage effect than in the case where the maximum trough would be located above the boom. This gain in maneuverability related to the positioning of the maximum hollow below the boom is thus added to the maneuverability gain associated with the implementation of symmetrical masts.

According to a particular embodiment, the passage of the sail from one arched shape to another or in other words, the passage of the hollow of the sail from one side to the other of the rope plane, can be realized following the implementation on the upper surface of the sail of a pushing thrust force exceeding a predefined threshold.

According to a particular embodiment, said surface of said sail extending towards said foot box is larger than said surface of said sail extending towards said crown.

By leverage, the efforts to be provided by the windsurfer to maneuver the rig are reduced.

According to a particular embodiment, the average value of the hollow of said sail is between 2.5% and 7.5% of the average value of the rope of said sail.

The average values of trough and chord are measured at the level of the plane of boom. Maintaining an average trough value in such an interval improves the fineness of the sail, and therefore its ability to go upwind. For a value less than this interval, there is a drop in lift. For a higher value, the sail enters turbulent regime unacceptable to go upwind.

According to a particular embodiment, the ratio of the longitudinal length of said sail to the maximum rope of said sail is greater than 1.5.

Such a characteristic thus makes it possible to improve the fineness of the sail.

According to a particular embodiment, the two masts have in the vicinity of said boom an arcuate shape whose convexity is oriented towards the outside of the rigging.

The implementation of such a shape makes it possible to concentrate the wind taking of the sail at the level of the boom, resulting in improved fineness and maneuverability.

According to a particular embodiment, the two masts have near said vertex and / or near said foot box an arcuate shape whose convexity is oriented towards the inside of said rig.

The implementation of such a shape reduces the wind resistance at the upper and / or lower ends of the sail, resulting in improved fineness and maneuverability.

According to a particular embodiment, the masts are profiled tubular elements having an ovoid section whose largest dimension is oriented in the transverse direction.

According to a particular embodiment, the sail comprises at least one stiffening element.

According to a particular embodiment, the section of the sail makes it possible to preform a hollow.

According to a particular embodiment, said stiffening element is a transverse lath inserted into a gusset carried by said sail.

According to a particular embodiment, said masts and / or said stiffening element and / or said sail are inflatable.

According to a particular embodiment, said boom has an adjustable length to allow a voltage adjustment of said sail.

According to the invention, at least one of said booms comprises a cam pivoting around said boom and being adapted to come into contact with said sail.

It is thus possible for a windsurfer to change the shape of the sail, including moving its maximum hollow, by rotating the cam which then mechanically deform the profile of the sail. The implementation of such a cam thus makes it possible to optimize the profile and therefore the fineness of the sail, according to the orientation of the wind.

• un boîtier de pied destiné à être monté articulé sur ledit engin;
• deux mâts comportant chacun une extrémité inférieure solidarisée audit boîtier de pied ;
• une voile, s'étendant entre lesdits deux mâts et présentant un sommet ;
• au moins une bôme reliant transversalement lesdits deux mâts le plan théorique de ladite bôme divisant ladite voile en deux parties: une surface de ladite voile partant dudit plan et s'étendant vers ledit boîtier du pied et une surface de ladite voile partant dudit plan et s'étendant vers le sommet, ladite bôme permettant de maintenir et/ou d'orienter ledit gréement, et caractérisé en ce que:
  • ladite voile est semi-rigide et prend au repos au moins deux formes stables,
  • lesdits deux mâts sont symétriques par rapport à un axe longitudinal (X) dudit gréement, s'étendant entre ledit sommet de ladite voile et ledit boîtier de pied, de telle sorte que chaque mât est apte à servir alternativement de bord d'attaque et de bord de fuite,
  • il comprend une deuxième bôme, ladite bôme et ladite deuxième bôme étant disposées dans le plan, de part et d'autre de ladite voile,
  • lesdites deux formes stables de ladite voile présentent chacune au repos une cambrure dont la concavité est dirigée soit vers ladite bôme, soit vers ladite deuxième bôme, chacun des deux creux maximum étant localisé au niveau de la surface de ladite voile partant dudit plan et s'étendant vers ledit boîtier du pied;
  • une desdites bômes comprend une came formant pivot autour de ladite bôme et est adaptée pour venir au contact de ladite voile.

The invention also relates to a floating or rolling apparatus comprising a rig comprising:

• a foot box for hinged mounting on said machine;
• two masts each having a lower end secured to said foot housing;
• a sail extending between said two masts and having a top;
• at least one boom connecting said two masts transversely to the theoretical plane of said boom dividing said sail into two parts: a surface of said sail starting from said plane and extending towards said foot box and a surface of said sail starting from said plane and extending to the top, said boom for maintaining and / or orienting said rig, and characterized in that:
  • said sail is semi-rigid and resting at least two stable forms,
  • said two masts are symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal axis (X) of said rig, extending between said top of said sail and said foot box, so that each mast is able to serve alternately as leading edge and trailing edge,
  • it comprises a second boom, said boom and said second boom being arranged in the plane, on either side of said sail,
  • said two stable forms of said sail each have at rest a camber whose concavity is directed either towards said boom or towards said second boom, each of the two maximum hollows being located at the surface of said sail starting from said plane and extending to said foot housing;
  • one of said booms comprises a pivot cam about said boom and is adapted to come into contact with said sail.

Of course, all the technical improvements that can be applied to the rigging described above may also apply mutatis mutandis to a floating or rolling device implementing such a rig.

Brief description of the figures

• La figure 1 illustre une planche à voile équipée d'un gréement selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention.
• La figure 2 illustre les mâts, la bôme double et les boîtiers de pied et de tête du gréement de la figure 1.

Other features and advantages will appear on reading the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention, given by way of a simple illustrative and nonlimiting example, and the appended drawings, among which: figure 1 illustrates a windsurfing equipped with a rigging according to the invention.

• The figure 1 illustrates a windsurfing equipped with a rigging according to one embodiment of the invention.
• The figure 2 illustrates the masts, the double boom and the foot and head housings of the rigging of the figure 1 .

Detailed description of an embodiment of the invention

A sailboard 1 equipped with a rigging 2 according to the invention is represented on the figure 1 .

The windsurfing board 1 comprises a float 3 and a rigging 2 mounted articulated on the float 3. The float 3 comprises a thin rigid hull and a steering fin 4, disposed in the rear portion of the float 3, to stabilize the trajectory 1. The float 3 may also include a fin, disposed in the central portion, and to prevent the board from deviating from its path under the action of the wind.

The rigging 2 comprises two masts (6, 7), a double boom 8 connecting the two masts (6, 7) and a sail 9 stretched between the two masts (6, 7) to ensure the propulsion of the windsurf board by the force of the wind.

The double boom 8 results from the assembly of two simple booms (8a, 8b) extending on either side of the chord plane. The double boom 8 defines a plane P substantially perpendicular to the chord plane. The sail 9 is then divided into two parts or portions (9a, 9b), the first portion 9b, located above the double boom 8, extending between the intersection of the sail 9 with the boom plane P and the top 18, the second portion 9a, located below the double boom 8, extending between the intersection of the sail 9 with the boom plane P and the foot case 5.

The two masts (6, 7), represented on the figure 2 , have an arcuate shape whose convexity is directed towards the outside of the rigging 2. Thus, the two masts (6, 7) approach each other at their ends and move away at their level. middle part. The lower ends of the poles (6, 7) are fixed on a foot box 5. The upper ends of the poles (6, 7) are fixed on a head housing 11.

The foot box 5 is mounted on a mast base 10 having a hinge 13, not shown in detail, for orienting the rigging 2 in all directions. The foot casing 5 is advantageously adapted to be mounted on a standard mast base. The mast foot 10 is adapted to be removably attached to the float 4. The hinge 13 can be made by any suitable means, such as a cardan type connection or a diabolo type connection, for example.

The masts (6, 7) are symmetrical with respect to the vertical axis X extending between the foot box 5 and the head box 11, that is between the foot box 5 and the top 18 of the sail 9. Thus, each of the masts (6, 7) is adapted to alternately form a leading edge or a trailing edge depending on the tack and the rigging 2 is thus able to be used unilaterally, without the need to return it.

The masts (6, 7) are formed of tubular elements having a shaped section of ovoid shape, the largest dimension is oriented in the transverse direction to facilitate the flow of air. The masts (6, 7) also have flexibility, especially at their upper portion, adapted to relieve the sail 9 in strong winds.

According to one embodiment, each mast (6, 7) consists of an upper tube 6a, 7a and a lower tube 6b, 7b nestable one inside the other. The tubes, upper 6a, 7a and lower 6b, 7b, of each mast (6, 7) are secured to each other by fixing means. Furthermore, each end of the poles (6, 7) is nested in complementary shaped tubular housings formed in the foot boxes 5 and head 11 and fixed therein by fixing means.

The double boom 8 is equipped at each of its ends with a half-sleeve 12 which fits on the masts (6, 7) and ensuring the attachment of the double boom 8 on the masts 6, 7. The half Sleeves 12 are also equipped with fastening means.

In order to simplify the assembly of the elements of the rigging 2, the aforementioned fixing means may in particular be snap fastening means. However, any other type of attachment may also be used. It is thus understood that the structure of the rig can be easily assembled and dismantled and stored in a transport bag of modest dimensions.

The sail 9, shown on the figure 1 , has a general ovoid shape whose outer contours follow the shape of the masts (6, 7). Advantageously, the sail 9 is composed of transparent surfaces of polyethylene terephthalate (Mylar ™). The sail 9 has two sleeves (14, 15) arranged along its two side edges and in which the masts (6, 7) can be threaded to mount the sail 9 on the masts 6, 7. The sleeves 14, 15 are each interrupted on a median portion 16 to allow the attachment of the double boom 8 to the masts 6, 7.

The sail 9 is equipped with stiffening elements arranged to give the sail 9 a camber. The sail 9 is mounted on the masts (6, 7) so that the concavity of the sail 9 is oriented vis-à-vis the double boom 8. The stiffening elements are transverse slats 17 inserted into gussets worn by the sail 9.

Note that, according to one embodiment, the double boom 8 has an adjustable length allowing a distance or approximation of the median portions of the masts (6, 7) so as to allow a tension adjustment of the sail 9.

The maximum hollow 9 'of the sail 9, that is to say the center of thrust of the sail 9, is placed below the axis of the double boom 8 to facilitate navigation and including maneuvers.

Advantageously, it is possible to pass the hollow of the sail 9 from one side to the other of the rope plane following the implementation on the upper surface of the sail 9 of a thrust force pushing beyond a predefined threshold.

It will be understood that the rigging 2 as described above makes it possible to simplify the navigation maneuvers while allowing upwelling. Indeed, to perform the change of tack maneuvers, the windsurfer rotates in the same direction as the rigging 2 and can permanently keep both hands in position on the boom 8, without having to let go of his rear hand.

Indeed, to make a tack, the float 3 is facing the wind, the rig 2 can be moved by rotating in one direction or the other, the choice of the windsurfer. The navigation can then be resumed on the other side.

To make a jibe, the float 3 being oriented in the direction of the wind, the rigging 2 can be moved by simply rocking one side or the other of the float 3, to change tack by completing the turn.

Finally, the windsurfer can at any time play on an opening or closing of the sail 9, coordinated with an action of the feet to initiate transitions.

The ease of use of such a rig can thus attract a new slice of users, often put off by the classic practice of windsurfing which requires a good technical mastery acquired after many sessions of a laborious apprenticeship.

Although the invention has been described in connection with several particular embodiments, it is obvious that it is not limited thereto and that it comprises all the technical equivalents of the means described and their combinations if they are within the scope of the invention.

In particular, although the rigging according to the invention has been described above in relation to a windsurf board, it can also be mounted on a rolling machine comprising a board equipped with wheels.

Claims (12)

1. Rigging (2) for floating or rolling craft (1) comprising:

   - a foot housing (5) to be mounted pivotally on said craft (1);

   - two masts (6,7), each comprising a lower end fixedly attached to said foot housing (5);

   - a sail (9) extending between said two masts (6,7) and having a top (18) ;

   - at least one boom (8a) transversally connecting said two masts (6,7), the theoretical plane (P) of said boom (8a) dividing said sail (9) into two parts, a surface (9a) of said sail (9) starting from said plane (P) and extending towards said foot housing (5) and a surface (9b) of said sail (9) starting from said plane (P) and extending towards the top (18), said boom (8a) enabling said rigging (2) to be held and/or oriented, and

   characterized in that said sail (9) is semi-rigid and takes at least two stable shapes at rest,
   and in that said two masts (6, 7) are symmetrical relative to a longitudinal axis (X) of said rigging (2), extending between said top (18) of said sail (9) and said foot housing (5) in such a way that each mast (6, 7) can serve alternately as a leading edge and a trailing edge,
   and it comprises a second boom (8b), said boom (8a) and said second boom (8b) being disposed in the plane (P), on either side of said sail (9),
   said two shapes of said sail (9) each presenting a camber at rest, the concave side of which is directed either towards said boom (8a) or towards the second boom (8b), each of the two maximum drafts (9') being located at the surface (9a) of said sail (9) starting from said plane (P) and extending towards said foot housing (5),
   at least one of said booms (8a, 8b) comprising a cam (19) forming a pivot around said boom (8a, 8b) and being adapted to coming into contact with said sail (9).
2. Rigging (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that said surface (9a) of said sail (9) extending towards said foot housing is greater than said surface of said sail extending towards said top (18).
3. Rigging (2) according to any one of the claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the mean value of the at least one draft of said sail (9) ranges from 2.5% to 7.5% of the mean chord value of said sail (9).
4. Rigging (2) according to any one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the ratio of the longitudinal length of said sail (9) to the maximum chord of said sail (9) is greater than 1.5.
5. Rigging (2) according to any one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the two masts (6, 7) have, in proximity to said boom (8), an arched shape, the convex side of which is pointed towards the exterior of the rigging (2).
6. Rigging (2) according to any one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in the two masts (6, 7) have, in proximity to said top (18) and/or in proximity to said foot housing (5), an arched shape, the convex side of which is oriented towards the interior of said rigging (2).
7. Rigging (2) according to any one of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the masts (6, 7) are profiled, tubular elements having an ovoid section, the largest dimension of which is oriented along the transverse direction.
8. Rigging (2) according to any one of the claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said sail (9) comprises at least one stiffening element (17).
9. Rigging (2) according to claim 8, characterized in that said stiffening element (17) is a transverse batten inserted into a batten pocket borne by said sail (9).
10. Rigging (2) according to any one of the claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said masts (6, 7) and/or said stiffening element (17) and/or said sail (9) are inflatable.
11. Rigging (2) according to any one of the claims 1 to 10, characterized in that said boom (8) has an adjustable length in order to enable an adjustment in tension of said sail (9).
12. Floating or rolling craft (1) comprising a rigging (2) comprising:

    - a foot housing (5) to be mounted pivotally on said craft (1) ;

    - two masts (6,7), each comprising a lower end fixedly attached to said foot housing (5) ;

    - a sail (9) extending between said two masts (6,7) and having a top (18) ;

    - at least one boom (8a) transversally connecting said two masts (6,7), the theoretical plane (P) of said boom (8a) dividing said sail (9) into two parts, one surface (9a) of said sail (9) starting from said plane (P) and extending towards said foot housing (5) and one surface (9b) of said sail (9) starting from said plane (P) and extending towards the top (18), said boom (8a) enabling said rigging (2) to be held and/or oriented;

    characterized in that said sail (9) is semi-rigid and takes at least two stable shapes at rest,
    said two masts (6, 7) being symmetrical relative to a longitudinal axis (X) of said rigging (2), extending between said top (18) of said sail (9) and said foot housing (5) in such a way that each mast (6, 7) can serve alternately as a leading edge and a trailing edge,
    and it comprises a second boom (8b), said boom (8a) and said second boom (8b) being disposed in the plane (P), on either side of said sail (9),
    said two shapes of said sail (9) each presenting a camber at rest, the concave side of which is directed either towards said boom (8a) or towards the second boom (8b), each of the two maximum drafts (9') being located at the surface (9a) of said sail (9) starting from said plane (P) and extending towards said foot housing (5),
    at least one of said booms (8a, 8b) comprising a cam (19) forming a pivot around said boom (8a, 8b) and being adapted to coming into contact with said sail (9).

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