Wind-propelled apparatus

Abstract

Wind-propelled apparatus in which a mast is universally mounted on a craft and supports a boom and sail. Specifically a pair of curved booms are arcuately connected athwart the mast and secure the sail therebetween, the position of the mast and sail being controllable by the user but being substantially free from pivotal restraint in the absence of such control.

What is claimed is: .[.1. Wind-propelled apparatus comprising body means adapted to support a user and wind-propulsion means pivotally associated with said body means and adapted to receive wind for motive power for said apparatus, said propulsion means comprising a mast, a joint for mounting said mast on said body means, a sail and means for extending said sail laterally from said mast, the position of said propulsion means being controllable by said user, said propulsion means being substantially free from pivotal restraint in the absence of said user, said joint having a plurality of axes of rotation whereby said sail free falls along any of a plurality of vertical planes upon release by said user..]. .[.2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said propulsion means is adapted to be hand-held by said user but is otherwise substantially free from pivotal restraint..]. .[.3. The apparatus of claim 1 including means for said user to hold said sail..]. .[.4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sail extending means comprises a boom laterally disposed on said mast to hold said sail taut and adapted to provide a hand-hold for said user..]. .[.5. The apparatus of claim 1 including means adapted to enable said user to grasp either side of said sail..]. .[.6. The apparatus of claim 1 adapted as a watercraft..]. .[.7. The apparatus of claim 6 including water stabilizing means associated with said body means..]. .[.8. The apparatus of claim 6 including leeboard means associated with said body means..]. .[.9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said propulsion means is substantially the sole means for changing the direction of travel of said apparatus..]. .[.10. Sail means for propelling a vehicle comprising a spar for a sail, hand-hold means associated therewith comprising a pair of curved booms arcuately connected athwart said spar for securing a sail therebetween, and means for attaching said spar to a vehicle in pivotal association therewith..]. .[.11. Wind-propelled apparatus comprising body means adapted to support a user, wind-propulsion means pivotally associated with said body means and adapted to receive wind for motive power for said apparatus, said propulsion means comprising a spar attached to said body in said pivotal association and a sail thereon, and a pair of curved booms arcuately connected athwart said spar and securing said sail therebetween, the position of said propulsion means being controllable by said user, said propulsion means being substantially free from pivotal restraint in the absence of said control..]. .[.12. The sail means of claim 10 including a sail on said spar and secured between said booms..]. .[.13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sail has a lower edge extending outwardly from said spar, and including means spaced upwardly from at least an intermediate point on said lower edge for providing a hand-hold for said sail..]. .[.14. Wind-propelled apparatus comprising body means adapted to support a user and wind-propulsion means pivotally associated with said body means and adapted to receive wind for motive power for said apparatus, said propulsion means comprising a mast, boom and sail laterally extended from said mast, a joint for mounting said mast on said body means, the position of said propulsion means being controllable by said user, said propulsion means being substantially free from pivotal restraint in the absence of said user, said joint having a plurality of axes of rotation whereby said sail free falls along any of a plurality of vertical planes upon release by said user..]. .Iadd. 15. Wind-propelled apparatus comprising body means adapted to support a user and wind-propulsion means pivotally associated with said body means and adapted to receive wind for motive power for said apparatus, said propulsion means comprising a mast, a joint for mounting said mast on said body means, a sail and means for extending said sail laterally from said mast comprising two opposed booms secured to said mast for guiding said sail therebetween and adapted to provide a hand-hold for said user on either side of said sail while sailing, the position of said propulsion means being controllable by said user, said propulsion means being substantially free from pivotal restraint in the absence of said user, said joint having a plurality of axes of rotation whereby said sail free falls along any of a plurality of vertical planes upon release by said user. .Iaddend..Iadd. 16. The apparatus of claim 15 adapted as a watercraft. .Iaddend..Iadd. 17. The apparatus of claim 16 including water stabilizing means associated with said body means. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 18. The apparatus of claim 16 including a dagger-board associated with said body means. .Iaddend..Iadd. 19. Wind-propelled apparatus comprising body means adapted to support a user and wind-propulsion means pivotally associated with said body means and adapted to receive wind for motive power for said apparatus, said propulsion means comprising a mast, a joint for mounting said mast on said body means, a sail extending in one direction only laterally from said mast, and means for extending said sail laterally from said mast comprising two opposed booms secured to said mast for guiding said sail therebetween, the position of said propulsion means being controllable by said user, said propulsion means being substantially free from pivotal restraint in the absence of said user, said joint having a plurality of axes of rotation whereby said sail free falls along any of a plurality of vertical planes upon release by said user. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 20. Wind-propelled apparatus comprising: 
       body means adapted to support a user; 
       wind-propulsion means pivotally associated with said body means and adapted to receive wind for motive power for said apparatus, said propulsion means comprising a mast, a joint for mounting said mast on said body means, a sail extending in one direction only laterally from said mast, and means for extending said sail laterally from said mast comprising two opposed booms secured to said mast for guiding said sail therebetween and adapted to provide a hand-hold for said user on either side of said sail while sailing, the position of said propulsion means being controllable by said user; 
       said propulsion means being substantially free from pivotal restraint in the absence of said user; 
       said joint having a plurality of axes of rotation whereby said sail free falls along any of a plurality of vertical planes upon release by said user; 
       said body means comprising a sailingboard adapted to support the user on water and in a standing position on either side of said sail while sailing; 
       said sail having a foot thereof extending from a first corner of said sail, at which said sail is secured to said booms, obliquely downwardly with respect to said booms toward said mast and toward a second corner of said sail which is positioned along said mast; 
       said booms being secured to said mast above said second corner of said sail. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 21. Wind-propelled apparatus comprising body means adapted to support a user and wind-propulsion means pivotally associated with said body means and adapted to receive wind for motive power for said apparatus, said propulsion means comprising a mast, a joint for mounting said mast on said body means, a sail extending in one direction only laterally from said mast, and means for extending said sail laterally from said mast comprising two opposed booms secured to said mast for guiding said sail therebetween and adapted to provide a hand-hold for said user on either side of said sail while sailing, the position of said propulsion means being controllable by said user, said propulsion means being substantially free from pivotal restraint in the absence of said user, said joint having a plurality of axes of rotation for establishing said pivotal association, said joint being secured to said mast to maintain said pivotal association, whereby said sail free falls along any of a plurality of vertical planes upon release by said user while said mast remains secured in said pivotal association. .Iaddend.