FR2587674A1 - Device for a multihull sailing boat enabling the inclination of the floats to be adjusted or enabling them to be turned round - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for a multihull boats, especially sailing boats, including two floats joined together by means of at least one beam, which is characterised in that the linkage at the assembly points between floats and beam is constituted by an articulation allowing the inclination of each float to be modified by rotation about the longitudinal axis passing through the said points of assembly. The device also includes means for controlling the inclination of the float, means for locking the selected inclination as well as means for damping a slight variation around this inclination.

Description

The invention provides a device for a multihull sailboat allowing, by rotation, either to modify the inclination of at least one of the floats to regain the symmetry of the water lines when the sailboat is sailing, or in the case of sailboats with two floats (catamarans or praos) to return the floats after capsizing the boat in order to reconstitute a chassis allowing it to find its original waterline, ceoi without necessarily turning over the platform or the link arms.

 It is well known to those skilled in the art that a multihull sailboat in the case of a catamaran or a prao is made up of two floats linked together, or else in the case of a trimaran is made up of '' a central hull associated with two floats.

Like any sailboat a sailboat with two floats can capsize, but in this case the spacing of its floats gives the capsized boat a great stability and it is then very difficult to straighten it0 Some means have however been proposed in order to allow a return to life correct of this type of sailboat after capsizing.

A first means illustrated by FIG. N01 makes it possible to straighten the boat by immersion of the two thirds before the floats. In FIG. 1 A, the front compartment (4) is filled with water; the front of the boat then started to sink0 In Figure 1 B the central part of the boat (3) is filled with water. The boat then turns towards a vertical position, the bows directed towards the bottom. The mast (4 filled with foam ensures a buoyancy providing an Archimedes thrust making it possible to exceed this position of the vertical boat (figure IC). to empty the compartments (3) and (4) of their water to complete the rotation and, with the boat upright, to find correct flotation (1) (Figure 1 D).

This process has several major drawbacks - it requires sinking two-thirds of the boat, which is not very
pleasant.

- the partition (5) located between the submersible compartments and the com
waterproof partitions must between very solid. The slightest leak or damage
on this partition quickly leads to the loss of the ship.

- it requires a relatively calm sea to be able to succeed. Gold
this condition is rarely present after capsizing.

- when the boat is dismasted during a capsize, which is very
frequent in multihulls, the process is complicated. The absence of lice
Archimedes (6) on the mu (no longer allowing to cross
the point of equilibrium of the vertical position of the floats.

- the immersion of the front part of the boat prohibits the use of
sandwich materials increasingly used in multihulls in rai
sound of their solidity and lightness. Indeed these materials
have an intrinsic buoyancy hindering the immersion of the waves
teurs.

- the immersion of the front part of the boat prohibits the re-filling of
polymer foam in it. However, this material is frequently used
to make him play the role of bumper in case of aveo encounter
a floating object (tree for example), in order not to be damaged
mage the structure of the multihull and ensure the buoyancy of the
float even when it is broken open.

A second means illustrated by FIG. N02 makes it possible to straighten a catamaran by using a tilting floating mast. On drawing n 2 A we see that the floating mast (1) pockets the complete reversal of the tamaran ca. In FIG. N02 B, the shroud (2) is shortened by means of a hoist (3) and the shroud (4) is softened by means of the hoist (5); the catamaran frame (4) then takes an inclination such that the boat can straighten up under the action of its own weight (7). In figure n03 B the mast (1) is straightened using the hoists (3) and (5) by restoring the adequate length to the shrouds (S) and (4).

This process can be valid on a light catamaran (up to 200 kg) but is hardly applicable to the habitable cruising catamaran.

If this process requires the presence of the mast, and a catamaran of a size greater than eight meters frequently dismasted during a capsize.

In addition, this process requires a floating mast, which increases the efforts that encaisse.l'espar when it comes into contact with water. lono the higher the buoyancy of a mast, the higher the chances of dismasting. Finally, for a heavy cruise ship, the buoyancy required in the mast will be significant and will require the addition of an additional volume at the head of the mast, in the form of a saucer in general, which offers significant aerodynamic resistance.

A third means is a project called "Reoto-Verso" published in the magazines "Voiles et Voiliers", "Les cahiers du Yatohing" and "Die
Yacht "using floats with an houri plane of symmetry.

zontal passing through the link arms. In Figure 3 AS the catamaran is shown in the initial state specific to navigation.

We see the horizontal plane of symmetry (1) and the link arms (2). In Figures 3 B and 3 C, the catamaran capsized. In Figure 4D, the catamaran capsized. The streak of the floats (3) and (4) makes it possible to keep the chassis of the catamaran in a clean condition to sail even when it has capsized. Then simply rotate the mast (5) to find a catamaran ready to sail.

This project was not followed up, among other things for the following drawbacks t - The vertical symmetry of the floats in a horizontal plane, prohibits the association of fine water inlets with large volumes at the top of the bows, essential conditions for '' a good passage in the sea by reducing the risk of charging.

- The beams (2) must be placed in the horizontal plane of symmetry (1) of the floats (3) and (4). Two alternatives are then possible0
a) the floats are of a height and dunnage (resistance
this aerodynamics) reasonable. The arm is then
very low on the water t it will enter the sea when passing
waves. This tires the structure and slows down the walking of the
boat. 3n causing a brutal brake application on the front
it can even capsize from the front. At the very least, this is the
permanent shower for the crew.

b) the arm is located at a reasonable height above
the water. The floats then take on volume and dunnage
excessive.

Thus, the prior art does not yet offer a sufficiently satisfactory solution to solve the problem of the recovery of a boat with two floats having capsized. This is why, continuing his research in this field, the applicant has found and developed a device which overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks.

For, for the user of this type of sailboat, any system or any means of righting a capsized boat must meet the following requirements with regard to (a) the design of the boat, (b) the conditions of the operation recovery, (c) the condition of the crew after capsizing, (d) the condition of the boat or (e) other constraints.

a) The design of the boat.

The solution must be compatible with
- the structural constraints of the sailboat with two floats.

- the requirements of the hull design, leading to a good step
wise in the sea.

 - The habitability and facilities of a cruise ship.

 - The rigging of a sailboat with two floats.

 - Appendages (fins and rudders, even hydrofoils).

 - Materials used in naval construction.

b) The conditions of the operation:
- Survival on an overturned two-float sailboat being difficult
easy, straightening must be able to be carried out whatever
the state of the sea and the wind.

o) The crew.

- The maneuver should not require a significant effort, whereby the
crew may be exhausted.

d) The system and the mast.

- given the risk of dismantling, the solution should not
use the mast to straighten the boat.

 - the possible presence of the mast must not hinder the operation.

- drunk if the mast is present even broken, we must be able
use it for navigation.

e) Various constraints.

- Given the frequency of capsizing, the system should not
not be substantial, heavy or bulky.

- The solution should not be a hindrance in normal navigation,
neither at the level of the crew, nor at the level of the steering of the boat.

- the solution must be reliable and easily repairable in the event of a
varied, even at sea.

- the system must be infallible, because any failure during a ten
recovery can worsen a precarious situation of
survival.

- the system must be able to be used as many times as necessary
without intermediate repair, in successive capsizes.

The device according to the invention, for multihull boats in particular sailboats comprising floats assembled by at least one beams is characterized by the fact that the connection to the assembly points between floats and beams is constituted by an articulation allowing the modification of the inclination of each float: by rotation about the longitudinal axis passing through said assembly points.

The articulation according to the invention generally consists of male and female elements, n being integral with the float, the other being integral with the beam. Bais the articulation can also be constituted by other mechanical means making it possible to ensure the rotation of the float such as for example oardans associated with other mechanical means for the control of movement or flexible connections by artsoules arms. According to a variant, the articulation constituting the float-beam assembly point can deploy in a slot, still called a lumen, located either on float or beam.

Depending on the navigation conditions, it may be advantageous to adjust the inclination of each float, individually or simultaneously, either so as to maintain the symmetry of the water lines of the submerged parts of the floats, or so as to increase the distance separating the center of hull (center of application of Arohizede thrust) and the center of gravity of the boat in order to increase stability.

When the boat turns over for one of the many causes known to navigators, such as overselling, pyramidal wave, charging, or even false maneuvering, the device according to the invention allows, thanks to the presence of the joints, to cause the turning of each float after ohavirage without causing the entire boat to overturn. We thus reconstitute with moderate efforts a hunts allowing the boat to find its original waterline.

To cause the floats to rotate around the longitudinal area passing through the float-beam assembly points, the device according to the invention also includes control-do means; this movement, such as, for example, connecting rods, cranks, linkages, carnals and pinions, cables and pulleys, hoists, jacks, motors, gears, alone or in combination.

The device according to the invention finally comprises means for blocking each float at the inclination chosen whatever this inclination, in particular when the float turns over.

Mention may be made, by way of example, of means such as hooks, straps, racks, ratchets, notched lights, worms and gears, jacks, drum, disc or jaw brakes, etc.

 It is interesting to absorb the movement of the boat passing through the sea while retaining the stiffness of the chassis. To allow this damping, the device according to the invention comprises means allowing a certain angulation on either side of the chosen inclination of the float adjusted and maintained by the control means and by the locking means. Among these means, it is possible to illustrate, by way of example, two rolled cylinders, one of which is held relative to the beam or the float by the above-mentioned locking means and the other of which is free to rotate relative to the first, but whose rotation is limited by stops, for example 3, the abovementioned blocking means can also be used, designed in a manner to allow a certain movement, obtained for example by the sliding of a lug in the light of a link or by a jack.

The device according to the invention also comprises means for damping the rotational movement on either side of the chosen inclination of the float adjusted and maintained by the control means and by the abovementioned blocking means. Among these means, there may be mentioned, by way of example, two embossed cylinders, one being held relative to the beam or to the float by the above-mentioned locking means and the other of which is free to rotate relative to the first, but of which the rotational movement is damped by means such as spring stops for example 3 mention may also be made of the insertion of a shock absorber between the float and the beam, or else the use of spring dampers, or pneumatic or hydraulic, or other, associated with the aforementioned control means and locking means.

The operation of the device according to the invention can be ensured by all known means such as for example manual means or more sophisticated mechanical means.

The invention will be better understood from the description of Figures 4 to 8.

Figure 4 which shows a section of a capsized catamaran comprises the floats (1) and (2) connected together by the beam (3) via the joints (4) and (5). By turning around the joints (4) and (5), the floats (1) and (2) come into position (6) and (7). The waterline goes from position (8) to position (9).

FIG. 5 is a view from above of a catamaran comprising two beams and fitted with the device according to the invention, the position of which is identified by the letters A, B C, D.

FIG. 6 represents a detail of the section YT of FIG. 5.

This section makes it possible to observe the articulation according to the invention comprising a male element (10) secured to the float (1) and a female element (11) secured to the beam (3). We also note on this section the presence of a locking hook (12) allowing the blocking of the float in the chosen position.

Figure 7 is a top view of a catamaran with two beams and fixed nacelle comprising the male-female joints A; Bs Cw DS as well as a control means according to cables such as (13) and pulleys such as (14) operated by cranks such as (15) and the effort of which is multiplied and the position locked using d; '' gears such as (16).

Figure 8 is a section of the catamaran of Figure 7 in which we find the aforementioned means.

Claims (14)

REMnEDDICATIONS 1) Device for multihull boats in particular sailboats- comprising floats assembled by at least one beam, characterized in that the connection to the assembly points between floats and beam is constituted by an articulation allowing the modification of the inclination of each float by rotation about the longitudinal axis passing through said assembly points. 2) Device for multihull boats according to claim 1, characterized in that the articulation consists of male and female elements, one being secured to the float, the other being secured to the beam. 3) Device for multihull boats according to claim 19 characterized in that the articulation is constituted by a flexible connection from articulated arms or gimbals or other known means.  4 Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that the articulation constituting the float-beam assembly point can move in a light located on the float or on the beam. 5) Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that the inclination of the floats can be adjusted individually or simultaneously at a proper angle, either so as to maintain the symmetry of the water lines of the submerged parts of said floats , or so as to increase the distance separating the center of the hull and the center of gravity of the boat in order to increase the stability of the boat. 6) Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that, it allows to cause the joints the reversal of the floats after capsizing. 7) Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises means for controlling the rotational movement around the joints. 8) Device according to claim 7 characterized in that the means for controlling the rotational movement around the joints are preferably chosen from connecting rods, cranks, linkages, chains and sprockets, cables and pulleys, hoists, motor cylinders, gears, alone or in combination. 9) Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 characterized in that, it comprises means for blocking the floats at the chosen inclination.  10) Device according to Revandioation 9, characterized in that the locking means are preferably chosen from hooks, straps, racks, pawls, notched lights, worms and gears, jacks, drum brakes, disc, mSchoires , etc ... 11) Device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it allows a certain angulation on either side of the chosen inclination of each float adjusted by the control means cited in the claims 7 and 8 and maintained by the blocking means cited in claims 9 and 10. 12) Device according to claim 11 characterized in that the means preferably used to authorize this angular variation are either two nested cylinders, one of which is held relative to the beam or the float by the locking means cited in the claims 9 and 10 and the other of which is free to rotate relative to the first, but the rotation of which is limited by stops, ie Located among the blocking means indicated in claims 9 and 10 and designed so as to allow a certain clearance.  indication 11.  allows a damping of the variation of angulation quoted at the reven (13) Device according to claims i to 12 characterized in that it  cations 7 and 8 and to the locking means cited in claims 9 and 10.  materials, or others, associated with the control means cited in the resale  float and beam, spring shock absorbers, or hydraulic, or tire  located among the following means, shocks inserted between the  but whose rotation is damped by spring boxes, either  the other being free to rotate partially relative to the first,  to the beam by the locking means cited in claims 9 and 10,  nested cylinders, one of which is held relative to the float or  preferential means used for depreciation are either two  14) ispositif according to claim 13 characterized in that the