Pyramid masts

Abstract

Embodiments of the inventive technology provide a sail powered craft having a high power to weight ratio. A preferred embodiment may involve three masts connected together at the top of the craft and spread apart at the bottom to form a pyramid. Each mast may have a corresponding sail. In at least one embodiment, the front windward sail uses the craft's angle of attack to provide downforce on an upwind surfboard. The downwind front sail may create lift and forward thrust, thereby preventing the downwind board from submarining. Certain embodiments may also include an upside down main sail with a flying boom.

1 ) Any sail equipped vehicle with two or more masts connected together at the top where two or more of those masts connect to the body structure or hull(s) of the vehicle off the center line of the vehicles direction of travel.  
   
   
       2 ) Any sail equipped vehicle with two masts connected together at the top and attached to the hull(s) of the boat off the center line at or near its widest structural points.  
   
   
       3 ) An vehicle of  claim 2  where those two masts are attached to one or more other masts near the top to form a self supporting structure that does not require any other means of support to keep it standing under load.  
   
   
       4 ) Any sail equipped vehicle with one or more stabilizer masts, where the upper end of the stabilizer mast is connected to the main mast and the lower end of the stabilizer mast is connected to a structure off the center line of the vehicles direction of travel.  
   
   
       5 ) Any sail equipped vehicle with a tetrahedron like structure.  
   
   
       6 ) A vehicle of  claim 5  that carries two or more sails.  
   
   
       7 ) Any sail equipped vehicle with a pyramid like mast structure that carries two or more sails.  
   
   
       8 ) An apparatus of  claim 1 ,  2 ,  4 ,  5  or  7  where a mast is defined as any beam, post or pole, made of any material that can be put under tension and compression along its length, that can carry a sail.  
   
   
       9 ) An apparatus of  claim 1 ,  2 ,  4 ,  5  or  7  where the vehicle can be defined as a boat, hydroplane, surfboard, car, sled, skate, plane, train or truck.  
   
   
       10 ) An apparatus of  claim 1 ,  2 ,  4 ,  5  or  7  where the vehicle could have one or more hulls, or wings (hydroplane), or surfboards, that touch the water, ground or surface upon which it is riding.