Fred R Cook

US Patent:

6371037, Apr 16, 2002

Filed:

Dec 26, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/748514

Inventors:

Fred C. Cook - Assonet MA 02702
David R Dion - Marion MA 02738

International Classification:

B63H 904

US Classification:

114107, 114108

Abstract:

A roller furling system for sailing yachts contains a rotating mandrel mounted within a boom of the vessel, and furls or reefs the sail within the boom. The furler includes the hollow boom which has a slot on the upper surface to permit the sail to enter, foot first. A rotating mandrel is mounted within the boom and a drum, attached to the after end of the boom and concentric with the mandrel, provides means to rotate the mandrel. A winding line is wound around the drum and is redirected by a series of pulleys out of the forward end of the boom. The boom is mounted on, and above a gooseneck fitting attached to the mast, thereby providing full access to the mast end of the boom slot. A sail feeder provides easy entry of the sail into the boom slot, and prevents jamming, particularly jamming caused by the forward end of the sail battens. The feeder has two sides along the boom slot, and an end piece, which prevents the batten ends from jamming above the end of the boom slot. The luff of the sail is attached to a luff extrusion having a U-shaped cross section, which rotates about an axis close to, and parallel to the mast to which it is attached.

US Patent:

7096812, Aug 29, 2006

Filed:

Jul 20, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/161038

Inventors:

Fred C Cook - Assonet MA, US
David R Dion - Marion MA, US

International Classification:

B63H 9/04

US Classification:

114105, 114108

Abstract:

A foil for the headsail of a sailboat for use with a headstay has an aerodynamic shape. It includes a headstay channel for containing the headstay, which may be snapped into place in the channel. The foil has a first and second sidewall, a forward wall, and two or more tabs on the back of the forward wall, which engage the headstay. A forward luff channel is bounded one side by the first side wall and on an other side by a forward channel inner wall. An aft luff channel isbounded on one side by the second side wall and on an other side by an aft channel inner wall. Fairing tabs are affixed to an end of the first side wall, to an end of the second side wall, and to an end of an aft channel inner wall.

US Patent:

7275491, Oct 2, 2007

Filed:

Oct 17, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/550232

Inventors:

Fred C. Cook - Assonet MA, US
David R. Dion - Marion MA, US

Assignee:

Schaeffer Marine, Inc. - New Bedford MA

International Classification:

B63H 9/04

US Classification:

114104, 114108, 114112

Abstract:

A sail furler with a recirculating halyard includes a foil having a longitudinal halyard channel and a longitudinal recirculating halyard channel formed within; and a halyard, having a first and second end, the halyard affixed at its first end to a slider, the slider affixed to head of the sail, the halyard rising to an upper end of the foil, leading through a top cap, and then descending downwards through the halyard channel to an exit of the halyard channel in proximity to a lower end of the foil, then ascending through the recirculating halyard channel, and terminating at its second end to the slider, so that the distance between the second halyard end and the head of the sail remains constant whether the sail is raised or lowered.

US Patent:

8001916, Aug 23, 2011

Filed:

May 7, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/437086

Inventors:

Fred C. Cook - Assonet MA, US
William H. Donaldson - Middletown RI, US

Assignee:

Schaefer Marine, Inc. - New Bedford MA

International Classification:

B63H 9/04

US Classification:

11410215

Abstract:

Disclosed is an articulating sail feeder that solves problems associated with furling and reefing sails on yachts, particularly large yachts. The inventive sail feeder includes hinge tracks arranged in articulating column that bends and rotates freely, but limits the axial twist of the sail as during furling and reefing. The inventive hinge tracks have a cross section that includes a batten end receptacle with channels for headboard cars. Hinge tracks with the inventive cross section absorb the wind-generated compressive forces exerted by the battens on the batten pockets, reducing chafing, and eliminate the need for sail slides, which would otherwise lock the sail in place during furling and reefing.

US Patent:

8091496, Jan 10, 2012

Filed:

May 7, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/437076

Inventors:

Fred C. Cook - Assonet MA, US
William H. Donaldson - Middletown RI, US

Assignee:

Schaefer Marine, Inc. - New Bedford MA

International Classification:

B63H 9/04

US Classification:

114108, 114112, 114204

Abstract:

Disclosed are luff extrusions that solve problems of batten chafing and friction locking. The inventive luff extrusions provide batten end receptacles with channels for headboard cars. The luff extrusions absorb the wind-generated compressive forces exerted by the battens on the batten pockets and eliminate the need for sail slides.

US Patent:

8091497, Jan 10, 2012

Filed:

May 7, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/437062

Inventors:

Fred C. Cook - Assonet MA, US
William H. Donaldson - Middletown RI, US

Assignee:

Schaefer Marine, Inc. - New Bedford MA

International Classification:

B63H 9/08
B63H 9/10

US Classification:

114112, 114108, 114204

Abstract:

Disclosed is a sectionalized mast track that solves problems associated with furling and reefing sails on yachts, particularly large yachts. The inventive mast track includes mast track sections that are secured to a mast with hinges. Securing pins connect the sections to each other such that all the sections pivot together along the centerline defined by hinges. The securing mechanisms also make it possible to remove a single mast track section at a time. Embodiments of the inventive mast track have a cross section that absorbs wind-generated compressive forces exerted by battens, reducing chafing, and eliminates the need for sail slides, which would otherwise lock the sail in place during furling and reefing. The inventive mast track may also be configured to couple to an articulating sail feeder that bends and rotates freely, but limits the axial twist of the sail as during furling and reefing.