Sail corner attachment finishing system and method of attachment

Abstract

This invention consists of a corner spar, enfolded within a layer of high tensile fibers, which are in turn laminated to the base sail. A flexible, self-adjusting, bridle engages the corner spar and serves as an attachment point for control lines, sheets, or halyards.

1 . A corner attachment for a flexible pliant material such as a sail having a geometric body, said attachment comprising a separate assembly comprising a relatively rigid spar, a plurality of fibers extending around the spar, said fibers being laminated to the body of the sail, and bridle means attached to an extending away from the spar for the attachment of rigging.  
   
   
       2 . The attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the corner spar consists of a one-piece structural bar with, or without, a flexible strain relief element attached to it.  
   
   
       3 . The attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the corner spar consists of a multi-piece construct incorporating a structural bar along with a flexible strain relief and/or end bushings.  
   
   
       4 . The attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the corner spar consists of a structural bar with an integral strain relief.  
   
   
       5 . The attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the corner spar consists of a curved or C-shaped beam.  
   
   
       6 . The attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the corner spar incorporates load pads.  
   
   
       7 . The attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the bridle consists of a loop of rope or fibers.  
   
   
       8 . The bridle of  claim 7 , wherein the rope loop is created by splicing end to end.  
   
   
       9 . The bridle of  claim 7 , wherein a cross pin is lashed into the rope loop.  
   
   
       10 . The bridle of  claim 7 , wherein a cross pin is crimped into the rope loop with a turret.  
   
   
       11 . The bridle of  claim 7  wherein the rope loop is created by knotting the ends of the rope together.  
   
   
       12 . The rope loop of  claim 11 , wherein a ball or handle is placed or formed over the knot.  
   
   
       13 . The attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the bridle consists of a single length of rope or bundle of fibers.  
   
   
       14 . The attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the bridle consists of a single length of rope or bundle of fibers with an eye splice on at least one of the ends.  
   
   
       15 . The attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the bridle consists of chain or cable.  
   
   
       16 . The attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the bridle consists of a rigid bar or beam.  
   
   
       17 . The attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the bridle passes laterally through the corner bar and hooks back upon itself.  
   
   
       18 . The attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the bridle engages the corner bar through the use of hooks, eyes or pins.  
   
   
       19 . The attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the bridle engages the corner bar through the use of adhesives, bonding, mechanical clamping and/or retention knots.  
   
   
       20 . The attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the bridle is adjustable in length.  
   
   
       21 . The attachment of  claim 1 , wherein a strain relief is incorporated between the corner bar and the base sail.  
   
   
       22 . The strain relief of  claim 21 , wherein it is an integral part of the corner bar.  
   
   
       23 . The attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the high tensile fibers are radially arrayed into a somewhat bowtie or butterfly shape when spread open.  
   
   
       24 . The fibers of  claim 23 , wherein they are formed in parallel bundles.  
   
   
       25 . The bundles of  claim 24 , wherein the fibers overlap each other in the array.  
   
   
       26 . The bundles of  claim 25 , wherein all bundles overlie each other in a narrow center section of the array.  
   
   
       27 . The array of  claim 26 , wherein the array is folded about the center section and over opposite sides of the base sail.  
   
   
       28 . A method for creating the corner spar of  claim 1 , including the steps of: constructing the bar, assembling the strain relief, installing the end bushings and/or load pads.  
   
   
       29 . A method for creating the fiber web of  claim 1 , including the steps of: laying out the fibers, suitably engaging the bridle and spar together, creating the web of high tensile fibers, folding the web over a center base layer, engaging the web to the base layer, and suitably engaging the web covered base layer to the spar.  
   
   
       30 . A sail corner attachment comprising a corner spar having a flexible, adjustable bridle engaged thereto and extending in a first direction therefrom and having at least a double layer web of high tensile fibers engaged thereto and extending therefrom in a direction opposite that of the flexible bridle and being engaged over a center base layer positioned therebetween.  
   
   
       31 . The attachment of  claim 30 , wherein the bridle includes a knot therein having an adjustable position to lengthen the bridle.  
   
   
       32 . The attachment of  claim 30 , wherein the corner spar is preferably made of filament wound carbon fiber tubing.  
   
   
       33 . The attachment of  claim 32 , wherein the corner spar includes load pads.  
   
   
       34 . The attachment of  claim 30 , wherein the high tensile fibers are radially arrayed into a somewhat bowtie shape.  
   
   
       35 . The attachment of  claim 34 , wherein the fibers are formed in parallel bundles.  
   
   
       36 . The attachment of  claim 35 , wherein the parallel bundles of fibers overlap each other in the array.  
   
   
       37 . The attachment of  claim 36 , wherein all bundles overlie each other in a narrow center section of the array.  
   
   
       38 . The attachment of  claim 37 , wherein the array is folded about the center section over opposite sides of the center base layer.  
   
   
       39 . The attachment of  claim 38 , wherein the center base layer has a free end which is suitably fixed to a corner area of the sail.  
   
   
       40 . A method for creating a sail corner attachment comprising: 
 a sail corner attachment comprising a corner spar having a flexible, adjustable bridle engaged thereto and extending in a first direction therefrom and having at least a double layer web of high tensile fibers engaged thereto and extending therefrom in a direction opposite that of the flexible bridle and being engaged over a center base layer positioned therebetween;    the method including the steps of:    suitably engaging the bridle and spar together;    creating the web of high tensile fibers;    folding the web over a center base layer;    engaging the web to the base layer; and    suitably engaging the web covered base layer to the spar.    
   
   
       41 . A method for attaching a sail corner attachment comprising: 
 a sail corner attachment comprising a corner spar having a flexible, adjustable bridle engaged thereto and extending in a first direction therefrom and having at least a double layer web of high tensile fibers engaged thereto and extending therefrom in a direction opposite that of the flexible bridle and being engaged over a center base layer positioned therebetween, the center base panel incorporating a free end, to any or all corners of a sail, the method comprising the steps of:    aligning the free end of the center base panel with sail cloth to form a corner; and    engaging the panel and sail cloth together by any means suitable for use with the particular materials of the panel and sail cloth.