EP1358103A1

EP1358103A1 - Adjustable keel for sailboats

Info

Publication number: EP1358103A1
Application number: EP02700407A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Denis Philippe Baron
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-02-06
Filing date: 2002-01-24
Publication date: 2003-11-05
Also published as: FR2820396B1; WO2002062657A1; FR2820396A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a device for selectively varying a sailboat draught by varying the configuration of its centre-board or its keel, whether ballasted or not. The device consists of a part of the keel (1) fixed to the hull (2) outside and/or inside which slides a mobile part of the keel (4) displaced in translation by an actuator (16) and guided by rods (5) and (6), the assembly being designed so as not to encroach upon the space of the hull and obstruct the centre passage of the sailboat as is often the case with a retractable centre-board. The mast pillar (14) can advantageously be used. Some sliding parts are electrolytically protected against corrosion by a bellows or a sealing casing. A probe controls the level of said protection in the bellows or casing. Other embodiments provide different types of solution. The inventive device is designed to equip ballasted sailboats.

Description

Adjustable keel for sailboats.

The present invention relates to the reported keels of sailboats and the pendular keels as well as ballasted or unballasted daggerboards, the sailboats concerned being able to comprise one or more keels, one or more daggerboards. The full centerboard is considered here as a sailboat with at least one centerboard.

For weighted sailboats, several solutions exist to reduce the draft in certain circumstances. The aim of this reduction in the draft is either to better adjust the sailboat in certain navigation conditions or to access places with a low height of water available for sailing or maneuvering. However, a large draft provides better righting torque and allows higher performance with more comfort since less heeling. Whether it is an integral dinghy without an apparent keel, maize with a moving daggerboard, a ballasted dinghy with a keel embryo (partial keel) which can retract all or part of a daggerboard, that the keelboat whether it is weighted or unballasted, whether it is a pivoting drift or a saber drift, drawbacks are present in the use of a keel or a movable drift:

- when the fin slides in a partial keel by rotation around an axis, the shape and dimensions of the fin are limited by the shape and dimensions of the housing that can be assigned to it in this keel and by its displacement which does not not allow it to be given optimum efficiency; on the other hand the lifting systems often pose efficiency problems,

- when the centerboard in the raised position is housed inside the hull, it is easier to give it more efficient forms (profiled saber centerboard) but the volume occupied in the central part of the sailboat limits the habitable volume, limits the passage for the occupants of the sailboat, imposes provisions of arrangements according to the volume occupied by the daggerboard and its housing, the daggerboard well, gives the impression of a smaller habitable volume, - the double-headed sailboat comprising two oblique keels is a solution to permanently limit the draft provided that the sailboat is as low as possible, however this type of keel is generally fixed which makes grounding very problematic in the event of accidental grounding: where for a monohull it is enough to artificially heeling the sailboat so that the draft is automatically reduced which allows to get out of this situation (for example by disposing all the equipa at the abseil on the same edge and / or by anchoring an anchor perpendicular to the sailboat and using a halyard to pull this anchorage from the top of the mast), for the keel, increasing the heel implies that the draft of one of the two keels increases and therefore that the situation worsens.

Patented devices have brought their improvements concerning the adjustable draft for sailboats. The observations below do not aim to question the value of these devices but to determine their limits with respect to the device of the present invention. Later in the present description, the differences between the devices of these patents and the device of the present invention will be indicated.

Patent EP 0 941 919 A1 Some characterizing elements:

- a movable part sliding in a fixed part,

- the mobile part is moved by the rotation of threaded rods, - the forces between each threaded rod and the mobile part are applied via a threaded plate located at the top of the mobile part,

- operation of the threaded rods manually or by electric motor,

the threaded operating rods ensure the displacement but not the guiding of the mobile part, the guiding and the maintenance of the mobile part is ensured between slides arranged on the fixed part,

- the mobile part can be locked in position relative to the fixed part only in the extreme high or low position,

FR Patent 2,395,886 A

Some characterizing elements:

- blocking of the keel only in the retracted position,

- the keel does not protrude upwards from the floor of the boat,

- the keel comprises a set of threaded rods and nuts ensuring translation in the vertical plane,

- a watertight well located in the bottom of the hull,

- a keel sector of sufficient size to fit in the well,

- the second element is fully and simultaneously housed in the first.

GB patent 819 916 A

Some characterizing elements:

- a deep keel which can be retracted telescopically into a cavity in the hull of the boat, - the rudder of the boat works in conjunction with the telescopic keel,

- in the bottom of the hull a watertight cavity is provided to accommodate the keel when it is retracted,

- the top of the cavity is formed by a horizontal plate bolted to the side cabins or to some other main part of the frame of the boat,

- the telescopic keel is made up of several stages in the shape of an inverted bowl in cross section,

- each floor can be slid into the one above,

- a shell having a cavity of sufficient depth to contain all the stages when they are fully retracted.

The above features, the description itself and the drawings of this patent demonstrate that this invention relates to boats from traditional construction comprising a keel forming part of the hull structure and that all the elements, in shape of inverted U, which make up this keel are intended to be completely retracted into the hull.

Patent EP O 189 154 A Some characterizing elements: the patent relates to a pivoting fin and a saber fin moving vertically in a fin hole, it is the latter which will be analyzed:

- the centreboard well crosses the entire boat vertically, from the bottom of the hull to the deckhouse,

- spiral springs compensate for the weight of the fin, - a threaded rod actuated from the outside of the boat, on the deckhouse, maneuver the drift vertically up or down,

- A means for blocking the drift is provided by bolts passing through the well and the drift.

We have known for a long time skittles in which a saber fin or a pivoting fin can move, it is in the public domain. However, the problems arising from the presence of a lifting daggerboard having not yet been satisfactorily resolved, manufacturers are selling series sailboats comprising either a fixed keel with low draft or a fixed keel with draft important for the same model of sailboat which gives the customer the choice according to the type of navigation desired but which deprives each version of the advantages of the other version while not having very marked differences between these two versions which could displease to a clientele that extreme solution, not adaptable to the situation, does not interest.

The device according to the invention overcomes the drawbacks presented above by new forms and modes of operation such as the operating means, the guide means. It allows you to vary the draft of a sailboat by varying the configuration of its keel (s) and / or its fin (s). For this it has according to a first characteristic and in combination:

- in the form of a weighted fin, not part of the structure of the hull, a keel comprising a part of keel known as the fixed part, fixed relative to the sailboat, or orientable but not lifting in the case of a keel pendulum, allowing by its particular shape a translational movement of a movable part of the keel inside and / or outside of the fixed part, the fixed part - mobile part assembly being disposed outside the hull of the sailboat, - at least one jack producing the displacement in translation of the mobile part,

- At least one particular guide means, comprising at least one guide, movable in translation, of the movable part relative to the fixed part.

According to particular embodiments: - the device is integrated in a pendulum keel,

- the guide means (s) may / may comprise at least one element making it possible to guide the mobile part by moving at least partly in a housing not exceeding the level of the floor upwards,

- the guide means (s) may / may comprise at least one element making it possible to guide the movable part by moving at least partly in a housing, in the hull, exceeding upwards the level of the floor but remaining integrated in the layout of the sailboat,

- the guide means (s) may / may comprise at least one element making it possible to guide the movable part by moving at least in part, in the hull, in a hollow tube or pedestal sized according to this use,

- the pedestal may be that of a mast of the sailboat,

- the guide means (s) may / may comprise at least one means for limiting the amplitude of the displacement of the movable part and / or a damping means at the low end of the travel of the movable part,

- at least one means for guiding the movable part of the keel may comprise at least two telescopic elements sliding one inside the other (or one inside the other) and making it possible to obtain a length in the stretched position greater than that of only one of these sliding elements,

- at least one mobile extension can ensure continuity of form and action between the fixed part and the mobile part of the keel when it is expected that the mobile part can move away from the fixed part beyond the limits of its contact, - at least one cylinder producing displacement, comprising a rod, can provide secondary guidance for the movable part by its own rod or by at least one guide means arranged in the extension of its rod,

at least two jacks which move the movable part and guide it can be actuated by a single means which ensures their synchronization,

- At least one jack may have at least two telescopic elements of its rod and / or of its sliding body one inside the other (or one inside the other) and making it possible to obtain in a stretched position a length greater than that of only one of these sliding elements, - the keel may include at least one joint between the fixed part and a mobile extension and / or between the fixed part and the mobile part and / or between two mobile extensions,

- at least one means of isolation from the surrounding water protects at least one guide means and / or at least one jack, - an isolation means comprises a bellows arrangement,

an isolation means comprises a flexible and / or elastic envelope which follows the movements of the element to be insulated,

an isolation means comprises an enclosure comprising a liquid, a gas or a gaseous mixture, an auxiliary means controls the tightness of the isolation means with respect to the surrounding water,

- a locking means makes it possible to block the mobile part in the chosen position.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention schematically and in section, hidden elements which are normally shown in broken lines are not shown to simplify the figures:

Figure 1 shows the device according to the invention with the movable part in the high position. Figure 2 shows the device according to the invention with the movable part in the low position.

FIG. 3 represents a variant of the device comprising a mobile extension with the mobile part and the mobile extension in the high position. FIG. 4 represents a variant of the device comprising a mobile extension with the mobile part and the mobile extension in the low position.

FIG. 5 shows a variant of the device, part of the fixed part - mobile part assembly being arranged in a recess in the shell. FIG. 6 represents, in the low position, a variant of the device in which a mobile extension and the mobile part can slide inside the fixed part.

FIG. 7 represents, in the low position, a variant of the device in which several mobile extensions and the mobile part can slide inside the fixed part.

FIG. 8 shows a variant of the device in which the oblique translation of the movable part relative to the fixed part is guided at least in part by two guide means themselves made up of sliding elements. FIG. 9 represents a variant of the device in which two jacks also guide the mobile part in its translation.

FIG. 10 shows a variant of the device in which two jacks also guide the movable part in its translation while having the cylinders arranged above the waterline.

FIG. 11 represents a variant of the device in which two mechanical jacks ensure the translation of the mobile part and its guidance.

FIG. 12 represents a portion of a variant of the device in which a guide means comprises a damping means and a means for limiting the amplitude of the movement.

Figure 13 shows three sliding elements of a variant of the device.

Figure 14 shows three sliding elements of a variant of the device.

FIG. 15 shows a variant form of the movable part.

FIG. 16 shows a variant form of the movable part and of the fixed part. FIG. 17 represents a variant of the device comprising guides passing through the fixed part and protruding into the shell.

FIG. 18 represents a view of the device according to section AA.

FIG. 19 represents a variant of the device comprising guides which do not enter the shell. FIG. 20 represents a view of the device according to section BB.

FIG. 21 shows a variant of the device comprising isolation means in the form of a bellows.

FIG. 22 represents a view of the device according to the section CC. FIG. 23 represents a variant of the device comprising isolation means in the form of a flexible and / or elastic envelope, the movable part in the low position.

FIG. 24 represents a view of the device according to the section DD. FIG. 25 represents a variant of the device comprising isolation means in the form of a flexible and / or elastic envelope, the movable part in the high position.

FIG. 26 represents a view of the device according to the section EE.

Figure 27 shows, in partial view, a locking means in position of the movable part.

FIG. 28 shows a variant of the device applied to a pendulum keel, the movable part of which slides inside the upper part.

FIG. 29 shows a variant of the device applied to a pendulum keel, the movable part of which slides outside the upper part. FIG. 30 shows two rod cylinders with two sliding elements, one inside the other and each equipped with a different isolation means, the movable part in the low position.

Figure 31 shows the elements of Figure 30, the movable part in the high position. FIG. 32 represents a view of the device according to the section FF.

FIG. 33 represents a view of the device according to the section GG.

FIG. 34 represents two jacks each equipped with a different isolation means, the movable part in the low position. FIG. 35 represents a view of the device according to the section HH.

FIG. 36 shows a variant of the device comprising, for the movable part, a sliding zone outside and a sliding zone inside the fixed part.

Figure 37 represents a sailboat in traditional construction seen in local section.

Figure 38 shows a "modern" sailboat seen in local section.

In a first embodiment which is in no way limitative, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the device comprises a part of the keel fixed relative to the hull of the sailboat (2), this fixed part (1) being ballasted or not ballasted, the fixing is preferably consolidated by the use of veranda (3). The fixed part (1) is preferably profiled for better efficiency in the anti-drift effect that any sailboat keel must produce. The shape of the fixed part allows vertical translational movement of the mobile part (4) made of one or more elements, which can slide along the fixed part. In this first embodiment, the mobile part is entirely outside the fixed part even in the high position. By its shape the mobile part ensures an anti-drift effect to the sailboat and it is preferably ballasted. The mobile part does not enter a cavity in the shell.

Guiding in translation of the movable part (4) relative to the fixed part (1) is provided by guide means, the cylindrical or non-cylindrical guides (5) and (6), which can be hollow, are linked to the movable part (4) in their lower part respectively in (7) and (8) and can slide in a housing made in the fixed part (1) respectively (9) and (10). Depending on the length of the predetermined displacement of the movable part, the guides (5) and (6) are entirely contained in the fixed part of the keel or enter the hull without exceeding the level of the floor (11) or exceed upwards the floor level. When the guides (5) and (6) protrude above the level of the floor, the guide (5) can be hidden in the arrangements of the sailboat for example in a trunk or in a tubular table support (12) or in a tube can be a pedestal (13), the guide (6) can be hidden under the same conditions as (5) and moreover it can slide inside the mast pedestal (14) which relieves the forces exerted by the mast (15) on the deck, so that the guide is invisible in the sailboat without requiring any form of special arrangement. Seals, not shown, can be arranged around the guides (5) and (6) to prevent the passage of water towards the interior of the hull, however it is preferable to keep the extensions of the guide housings specially. as mechanical protection and against a risk of water entering the hull, these extensions are used only for this use or also for another use such as (12), (13) and (14). The guides (5) and (6) are adjusted over their entire length with their respective housing in the fixed part (1) and / or with the housing extensions inside the hull or adjusted only at the level of bearings or rings, passages, not shown, allow water and / or air to circulate when the guides are in movement in order to avoid overpressures or depressions resulting from this movement. Means for adjusting and taking up play between the guides (5) and (6) and the fixed part 1, not shown, can be fitted to the guide means in order to avoid possible vibrations. At least one actuator (16) integral on the one hand with the fixed part (1) and / or the shell and on the other hand with the movable part (4), produces, when it is actuated, the translation of the movable part with respect to the fixed part. Between the cylinder and the fixed part and / or the mobile part the link is fixed or mobile for example with the use of at least one flexible means such as a silembloc, the link being preferably removable to facilitate access, maintenance and, if necessary , replacing elements. Safety devices prohibit actuating the cylinder downwards when the maximum low position is reached and upwards when the maximum high position is reached. In its downward or upward translational movement of the movable part, the volume (19) located between the fixed part and the movable part increases or decreases. So that there are no significant pressures or depressions inside this volume (19), which would disrupt normal operation and could cause damage, at least one passage is made to facilitate entry or the water outlet for example in (20).

Certain type of cylinders requiring additional equipment in addition to the tube forming their body, for example a fluid transport pipe for a double-acting hydraulic cylinder, a housing such as (21) is provided and can also be used at least in part for passage of water between the inside and the outside of the volume (19). When a passage for water is of sufficient dimensions to allow foreign bodies to pass towards (19) which can disturb normal operation, a filtration grid is placed in front of this passage as in (20).

When it is not made precise, in all the present description the term "jack" is used in the sense of a device used mainly to exert in the direction of its main axis a force allowing the translation of the movable part (4) and to maintain the movable part (4) in the chosen position, high, low or intermediate. The jack is either screw and nut or worm or cable driven by drum or rack or pressure difference controlled by a fluid. The actuator is actuated directly or indirectly manually or mechanically (for example a force output of an internal combustion engine) or by an electric motor or by a mechanism actuated by the variation and / or the pressure difference controlled (s) d 'a fluid or by a combination of at least two of these means. Whatever the type of jack, if it is actuated other than manually, a manually actuated emergency means is preferably associated with the operation in the event of a breakdown in normal operation. The materials constituting the cylinder are designed to resist the marine environment and not to be the cause of electrolytic corrosion of the hull and / or parts and equipment in contact with water, cylinders fulfilling these conditions are known. . For the understanding of the drawings, the ends (17) and (18) of the jack (16) are represented as rings intended to be secured in their location by an axis or a bolt; in reality the ends (17) and (18) have a constitution which depends on the type of jack and the choice of fixing.

The movable part (4) is shown in Figures 1 and 2 longer at the bottom than at the top and with a torpedo shape in its lowest part because they are forms both effective in the anti- drift and to provide an effective booster torque. Variants will be described later regarding the arrangement or characteristics of the components of the present invention. While remaining in this first embodiment, other forms of the movable part (4) are possible including by having the greatest length at the top of the movable part, the only form constraint is that the movable part must slide relative to the fixed part (1). The extra thickness of the movable part (4) relative to the fixed part (1) at the junction of the two parts acts as a fin organizing better flow of water on the keel for better anti-drift action. To this extra thickness there may be added a fin to further improve the quality of this flow and to stiffen the junction.

Other guide means, not shown, used alone or in addition to the guide means described above can be arranged directly between the fixed part (1) and the movable part (4) to facilitate the sliding of these two parts as slides in rails or dovetail slides or friction zones comprising wear-resistant material.

At least one joint (22) between the fixed part (1) and the mobile part (4), integral with the mobile part, fulfills at least one of the following four roles:

- participate in the guidance during the translation of the mobile part,

- remove any dirt on the fixed part (1) at each pass, - limit any vibrations of the mobile part (4),

- maintain darkness between the fixed part and the mobile part and in the volume (19) in order to avoid the installation of plants or shells although access to the volume (19) is provided to allow periodic maintenance and the possibility of applying a coating like an anti-vegetative paint.

At least one scraping means, not shown, arranged around each guide and integral with the fixed part (1) ensures the good condition of the surface of these guides. The scraping intervenes automatically during the displacement of the part mobile (4) which is accompanied by the movement of the guides.

The visual control of the position of the mobile part (4) can be done directly by a mechanical indicator made up of visible marks through a light, preferably sealed, made in a guide housing as in (23) or an indicator top thanks to an extension extending this guide upwards as in (24). This position can also be controlled by position detectors, the information of which is displayed by analog or digital display or by indicator lights. The visual control of the position of the mobile part makes it possible to adjust the position of the mobile part (4) to make the wing adjustments based on observations of the pre-established settings under certain navigation conditions and to ensure the draft water where the water level is known to be low.

The use of the device that is the subject of the invention can be facilitated by remote control from the cockpit, a manual emergency control, in the event of a breakdown, preferably located directly near the lifting means.

The removal of the mobile part (4) for a complete maintenance of the device, which it is preferable to carry out regularly for example during an annual maintenance of the sailboat, or for a repair, can be carried out in several ways but so as not to use a lifting device several times to lift the sailboat itself, it is preferable to operate as follows: have the sailboat dry on a cradle with a support in the axis of the hull in front of the keel and another support aft of the keel (it goes without saying that the hull fitted with such a keel is reinforced in front and aft of the keel for such manipulation) or two longitudinal supports of the hull on either side other of the keel (unlike the classic bers which carry the weight of the boat directly on the ground by the bottom of the keel) the keel being in the high position. Locking means, not shown, keep the guides (5) and (6) in their position. Under the keel, which is not on the ground or on the cradle, slide a hydraulic jack on casters, like a garage mechanic jack, then pressurize it under the keel simply to maintain its weight and then separate the movable part (4) from the jack and guides then, thanks to the jack, lower the mobile part (4) until it is no longer in contact with the fixed part (1) then, if necessary, pull the jack and the mobile part (4) from under the hull (the ber must allow this maneuver). All fixed and mobile parts are then accessible. Refitting is done by performing all operations in reverse order. The sealing means to prevent water entering through the location of a jack, present or not depending on the type of jack chosen and / or according to the arrangement of the elements of the device which is the subject of the invention in this first form of embodiment or in the variants below, are not shown.

All the variants which will be described below comprise at least all the elements of the first embodiment unless another solution is explained for one or more elements of a variant.

In a variant of the device, illustrated in FIG. 36, the guiding in translation of the movable part relative to the fixed part of the keel is ensured only, or in addition to at least one guiding means (106) described above , by complementary forms (107) of the fixed part and of the mobile part allowing them to slide into one another with or without the aid of slides and / or friction zones comprising a material resistant to wear. FIG. 36 shows, in this variant, the displacement in translation of a movable part of the keel inside and outside the fixed part.

In another variant of the device illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, at least one mobile extension (25) ensures the continuity of the shape of the keel and of the anti-drift action between the fixed part (1) and the mobile part (4) when 'It is expected that the movable part (4) can move away from the fixed part (1), in normal use, beyond the limits of its contact. The guide means have, in this variant, dimensions allowing this distance from the movable part. A housing of sufficient length is provided for a cylinder of sufficient size to operate a large-scale translation. This housing may include, depending on the extent of the desired translation, an additional housing (26) located inside the shell. When the upper end of the jack protrudes above the fixed part (1), the shape of the jack is intended to bear directly on the fixed part (1) and / or on a support, not shown, bearing on the bottom of shell.

Appropriate shapes, not shown, such as at least one notch and / or at least one bead and / or at least one flexible link between the mobile extension and the fixed part (1) and / or the mobile part (4) allow the movable part (4) to drive the movable extension (25) when the movable part is actuated downwards, the movable part remaining engaged, even in the maximum low use position, straddling an area of the movable extension, the mobile extension remaining itself engaged astride an area of the fixed part. When the movable part (4) is actuated upwards, it drives the movable extension upwards. The mobile extension stays outside the hull even in the extreme high position.

In another variant, not illustrated, the characteristics of the previous variant are present except that at least one movable extension (25) straddles the movable part (4) which itself has a shape suitable for sliding inside the mobile extension.

In another variant illustrated by FIG. 5, the fixed part (1) is arranged partly in a recess of the hull (2), while being arranged for most of its height lower than the bottom of the hull, allowing the fixed part to be positioned higher than in the first embodiment. The mobile part (4) has a reduced travel in translation compared to the first embodiment.

In another variant, not illustrated, the characteristics of the previous variant are present except as regards the extent of the translational travel which is increased by the presence of at least one mobile extension disposed between the fixed part and the moving part. The dimensions of the means for guiding and controlling the translation are adapted to this translation.

In another variant illustrated by FIGS. 6 and 7, at least part of the movable part (4) slides inside the fixed part (1) which has a recess (27). In this variant, the mobile part does not slide along the outside of the fixed part. To give more solidity to the guide means, at least one reinforcement such as (28) or (29) linked (s) to the fixed part (1) or forming part of this fixed part can (can) be part of the device, these reinforcements can touch each other forming a whole between (28) and (29). The dimensions of the recess (27) of the fixed part being limited, the extent of the translation of the movable part remains limited to remain in contact with the fixed part or the magnitude is increased by adding at least one extension such as (30) or (31) and (32) which ensure (s) continuity of the keel even if the movable part (4) moves away beyond contact with the fixed part (1). The extensions (30), (31), (32) are hollow in order to allow their nesting with the fixed (1) and mobile (4) parts, the guide means and the jack.

Whether the mobile part of the keel slides inside or outside the fixed part, at least one hollow mobile extension can be added to the first form or any of the variants.

In another variant partially illustrated by Figures 13 and 14, the guide means and / or at least one jack is (are), at least in part, made up of several telescopic elements such as (33), (34 ), (35) and / or (36), (37), (38), sliding one inside the other or one inside the other and allowing for an equivalent action in the operation of the device of smaller dimensions in the direction of their main axis, that is to say vertically or substantially vertically, when the elements are in the retracted position. Especially in cases where the shape of the sailboat or the extent of the translation of the movable part (4) makes it problematic to install the device that is the subject of the invention without encroaching on the interior volume of the hull, this variant makes it possible to '' bring a less bulky solution. This variant can be combined with the first embodiment or with each of the other variants of the device by adapting at least one guide and / or at least one actuator comprising telescopic elements.

In another variant illustrated by FIG. 8, the guide means and / or at least one jack is (are), at least in part, made up of several telescopic elements such as (39), (40), ( 41), sliding one inside the other (one inside the other) and allowing, for an equivalent action in the operation of the device, smaller dimensions in the direction of their main axis when the elements are in the retracted position. In this variant the guide means and / or the cylinder (s) is (are) inclined relative to the vertical which allows the movable part (4) to move obliquely during its translational movements. Certain sailboats are favored by this oblique displacement of the mobile part which thus facilitates a better balance with the adjustment of the wing.

In another variant illustrated in FIG. 9, at least one jack such as (42) or (43) provides both the force necessary for the movement of the mobile part (4) and the guiding of the mobile part (4) with or without the aid of another guiding means. This type of jack is designed to exert the force necessary to move the part (4) and to resist all external forces, mainly lateral, exerted on the keel, for example the lateral component resulting from the anti-drift effect of the keel. In this variant the cylinder (s) is (are) located (s) in whole or in part in the keel and secured to the fixed part of the keel and / or to the hull itself.

When the space is sufficient to extend the cylinder rod upward (44) in order to provide the cylinder with more resistance, at least one guide means (45), integral with the rod or the rod housing, ensures a more precise movement of the rod and the movable part.

In this variant, the jack rod is also the guide movable in translation relative to the fixed part (1).

In another variant illustrated by FIG. 10, at least one actuator such as (46) or (47) provides both the force necessary for the movement of the mobile part (4) and the guiding of the mobile part (4) with or without the aid of another guiding means as in the previous variant, but here the jack (s) is (are) inside the hull and preferably above the waterline. The elements such as (48) or (49) ensuring the connection between the cylinder (s) and the movable part (4) are either the rods of the cylinders themselves, of sufficient length to fulfill their function, or additional elements to lengthen these rods. Depending on the type of cylinder used, the rods of the cylinders are fixed relative to these complementary elements or free to rotate.

In another variant illustrated by FIG. 11, at least two jacks such as (50) or (51) provide both the force necessary for the movement of the mobile part (4) and the guiding of the mobile part (4) with or without the aid of another guiding means as in the two preceding variants, but here the jacks are exclusively with screw and nut or worm or with rack or with cable and tombour. The cylinders are actuated by a single means (52) which ensures synchronization of the movements of the rods of the cylinders. The means (52) is either an electric motor or the receiver of a mechanical transmission or the receiver of a device with controlled variation and / or pressure difference (s) of a fluid or a combination of at least two of these means. The elements such as (53) or (54) ensuring the connection between the cylinders and the movable part (4) are either the rods of the cylinders themselves, of sufficient length to fulfill their function, or complementary elements for lengthening these rods. Depending on the type of cylinder used, the rods of the cylinders are fixed relative to these complementary elements or free to rotate.

In another variant illustrated by FIG. 12 and which can be a complement to any of the other variants or of the first embodiment, at least one guide means comprises a means damping the speed of the end of descent of the guide (55) by a spring

(56) on which a slide (57) can rest, integral with the guide (55) and able to participate in guiding inside the tube or the pedestal (58) which bears on the bottom of the shell (2 ) and / or on the fixed part of the keel (1). This variant plays a safety role so that the movable part cannot escape downwards following a rupture of the jack (s). The slide

(57) can be voluntarily detached from the guide (55) to access the space between the fixed part of the keel and its mobile part. When the slide (57) is used without the spring (56) it constitutes a means of limiting the amplitude of the movement of the movable part (4).

Among the numerous possibilities of shape of the movable part and of the fixed part of the keel adapted to the use of the device which is the subject of the invention, FIGS. 15 and 16 are indicative examples shown in the high position.

In another variant illustrated by FIGS. 17 and 18, the device comprises at least one telescopic guide such as (61) or (62) which protrudes above the fixed part (1) and protrudes into the shell, without exceeding the level of the floor (11).

In another variant illustrated by FIGS. 19 and 20, the device comprises at least one telescopic guide such as (63) or (64) comprising a sufficient number of telescopic elements so that the deployed assembly is long enough to fulfill its function without have to protrude upward in the hull of the sailboat.

It is shown in the figures relating to this variant of the features which are added to other variants when necessary: the extension or contraction of a telescopic guide induces variations in volume inside this guide.

When the interior of this guide contains a gas or a gaseous mixture, a conduit connecting the interior of the guide connected to a vent allows this guide to operate without pressure problem.

When the interior of this guide contains water from the surrounding water, a conduit connects the interior of the guide to the surrounding water, as in (68).

When the interior of this guide contains a particular liquid, which can be a lubricant, this liquid contained in this guide in extension is recovered, when this guide is in contraction, in at least one reservoir connected to the interior of this guide by a conduit, this reservoir itself being connected to a vent not shown. This tank is either independent of the volume of the keel and housed in the hull as in (65) or integrated into the keel as in (66) and (67) or a combination of the two possibilities. The liquid returns to the guide by suction when the guide is in extension movement.

In another variant illustrated by FIGS. 21 and 22, the area of the telescopic guides in contact with the surrounding water in other variants is here isolated from this surrounding water by an isolation means comprising at least one bellows such as (70 ) or (71) which allows the guides to be preserved from corrosion caused by the environment outside the guides.

In an improvement of this variant, and applicable to any variant comprising an isolation means against the surrounding water, both for better operation while preventing the bellows from being crushed by the pressure of the surrounding water and for better protection and a better functioning of the guides, the interior of the bellows contains a liquid which can be a lubricant or pure water to avoid a pollution in case of rupture of a bellows. Pure water (demineralized or distilled) cannot be the agent of electrolytic corrosion. At least one reservoir collects the liquid contained in a bellows when the bellows is contracted and returns it to it when the bellows is expanded. If the liquids contained in a guide and in a guide bellows are identical, the same tank can be used for all this liquid. Passages like (69) are provided so that the liquid contained in the bellows can also flow out of the bellows when the bellows fills or empties.

In another improvement of this variant, not illustrated, and applicable to any variant comprising an isolation means against the surrounding water, the device comprises a means for detecting a defect in the protection against electrolytic corrosion corresponding to an exchange between the inside and outside of the bellows and therefore a rupture of the bellows or improper assembly. Whether it is a well-chosen lubricant or pure water, at least one probe connected to a suitable detector measures the conductivity of this liquid. In the event of the entry of salt water or even fresh water but charged with impurities, the conductivity of the liquid will change and this change will be detected by the probe connected to the detector. This detection will be used to inform the user of the boat by a display, an alarm or any other means in order to indicate that a bellows is to be reviewed or replaced. With the experience acquired in the use of other equipment for boats installed underwater and having a bellows like the transmission bases for engine type "saildrive", it is reasonable to recommend a replacement of the bellows every ten years to avoid sealing problems due to aging of the material.

In another variant also illustrated by FIGS. 21 and 22 at least one jack is isolated from the surrounding water by at least one bellows such as (72). All the characteristics and properties described above for a guide bellows as well as the two improvements above apply to this protection by bellows of the jack. The bellows (72) is shown including the rod and a part of the cylinder body and bearing on the fixed part (1). It can also isolate only the rod by being fixed on the body of the jack.

The bellows fasteners at their ends are not shown, they are considered to be known.

The bellows that the device comprises are permanently in the keel and therefore under water during the use of the boat, whatever the position of the mobile part of the keel.

In another variant illustrated by FIGS. 23 and 24, the device also includes an isolation means which is here a flexible and / or elastic envelope (73) or (74) or (75) which has the same length as the element. protected in the stretched position and which simply follows the shapes of the guide or the jack or which stretches or retracts with the movements of the guide or the jack which this envelope insulates from the surrounding water. The guides and the actuator are shown contained entirely in the keel, but they can also protrude inside the hull to provide greater movement of the movable part (4). The characteristics and particularities mentioned in the variants comprising a bellows isolation means and in their improvements are applicable to the variants comprising at least one flexible and / or elastic envelope as a means of isolating the surrounding water. Passages like (76) are provided so that the liquid contained in the envelope can also circulate out of the envelope when the envelope fills or empties. Another variant in this variant consists in not connecting the interior of the envelope to a tank or to a vent; whether it is a gas, a gaseous mixture or a liquid contained in the envelope, the volume is deliberately small, which allows a movement of the guide or of the jack without damage to the envelope which can bear on the guide or on the jack under the pressure of the surrounding water and the movements of the guide or of the jack.

In another variant not illustrated, which can be combined with any variant comprising isolation means, two isolation means are superimposed around the element to be protected, two envelopes or two bellows or an envelope and a bellows. A resistivity variation detection probe is disposed between the two isolation means in order to detect a leak in the seal of the exterior isolation means. This does not prevent the probe from being kept directly in contact with the environment surrounding the element to be protected. A second type of probe can be placed between the two isolation means and / or in the isolation means in contact with the element to be protected, establishing electrical contact between two naked conductors which do not touch if they are brought into contact. contact with a conductive liquid.

Figures 25 and 26 show the variant illustrated in Figures 23 and 24 but with the movable part (4) in the high position. A housing like (77) or (78) allows the envelope sufficient space when the guides are retracted.

The variants of the device comprising an isolation means can be combined with the first embodiment or with each of the other variants of the device by the adaptation of at least one guide and / or at least one jack comprising insulating elements. surrounding water.

Another variant illustrated in part by Figure 27, consists of a locking means in the chosen position of the movable part (4) relative to the fixed part (1). The use of a double-acting hydraulic cylinder as (85) constitutes a blocking means, when the cylinder is not actuated and its conduits are closed, thanks to the incompressibility of liquids.

To provide additional locking means in the case of the use of a single cylinder in the device, which while ensuring locking in translation could leave the mobile part (4) the possibility of a small partial rotation movement around the attachment with the jack, the incompressibility of liquids is used here to create another locking means applicable to any non-telescopic guide sliding in a sealed enclosure or to any telescopic guide. The interior of the enclosures such as (79) or (80) is sealed despite the sliding of the guide through the use of seals. The enclosure (79) or (80) is filled with adequate liquid which can be evacuated towards a reservoir like (65) by conduit such as (81) or be sucked in when the guide goes up or down. The addition of a valve or a solenoid valve (83) or (84) makes it possible, by closing it, to block the guide in question at least in compression. By using at least two guides of this type arranged in front and behind the mobile part (4), the mobile part (4) is locked in the occupied position by closing the valves or solenoid valves in conjunction with the use of a single or double acting hydraulic cylinder. In the variants comprising a liquid which isolates the guide from the surrounding water, a reservoir used can be the same for both uses, the exchange of liquid with the interior of the isolation means and with the blocking means.

In another variant, illustrated by FIGS. 28 and 29, the device which is the subject of the invention is integrated in a pendulum keel, also called a pivoting keel or tilting keel, which can pivot around an axis (60) arranged in the longitudinal direction of the hull and maneuvered by an extension above the bottom of the hull in (59) of the keel itself or of an extension. This type of keel which allows a large return torque by the large draft it provides and its adjustable inclination has the disadvantage precisely of generally having a very large height, greater than a conventional keel. Under certain conditions, for example when entering a port where the draft is limited, this characteristic is a handicap, which is why the adjustable reduction in height gives it an additional positive characteristic. In this variant the fixed part (1) is fixed relative to the top assembly of the keel in which it is integrated and it is therefore pivotable relative to the hull but not liftable. The pendulum keel is thus retractable or extendable on itself while remaining pivoting. The movable part (4), ballasted or not ballasted, is located in the lower part of the pendulum keel and slides relative to the fixed part (1) inside and / or outside the fixed part.

The moving part is guided in translation by at least one guiding means as described above and / or by complementary shapes of the fixed part and of the mobile part allowing them to slide in one another with or without the aid of slides and / or friction zones comprising a wear-resistant material.

One or more additional daggerboards, weighted or unballasted, are particularly suitable for sailboats with a pendular keel. Whatever the type of keel, pendulum or other, whether it is a main fin or one or more complementary fins, in the axis of the hull or offset axially and / or angularly, all that applies to the pins of the first embodiment or of each of the other variants of the device also applies to these daggerboards. These can also be used to stabilize the boat placed on the bottom at low tide or dry landed.

Figures 30, 31, 32 and 33 show, in the low position, in the high position and in two sections, another variant in which the two types of means for isolating the surrounding water are represented in the same device, it being understood that these cylinders can be more than two and that a bellows or an envelope can equip each of the cylinders of the device. In this variant at least two jacks make it possible to produce the displacement of the mobile part (4). The particularity of each cylinder is to include a rod comprising at least two telescopic elements (86) and (87) or (88) and (89). The bellows or envelope is fixed in its upper part on the body of the jack as in (90) or on the fixed part (1) as in (91). In the lower part of (4) of the housings (92), (93) are provided for receiving the isolation means when the mobile part (4) is in the high extreme position. In (94) and (95) the top of each cylinder is either included in the fixed part (1) or protrudes into the hull.

In (102) there is shown an example of junction between the upper part and the lower part of (4) when the movable part (4) is made of several elements which are then assembled, either in this variant or in any other variant of the device.

In another variant illustrated by FIGS. 34 and 35, two forms of jack and two isolation means are shown, it being understood that the device can comprise identical jacks, that these jacks can be more than two and that a bellows or a envelope can equip each of the actuators of the device. The two jacks (96) and (97), unlike the previous variant, have a non-telescopic rod on itself. They provide both guidance and movement of the movable part (4). The cylinders body is located entirely in the fixed part (1) or it protrudes into the shell but without exceeding the level of the floor (11) or it exceeds the level of the floor. When the level of the floor is exceeded upwards as is the case of (97), the body of the jack can be hidden in a form of the interior arrangements of the hull or in a pedestal which can be that of a mast. The isolation means is fixed either directly on the fixed part (1) as in (98) or (101) or on the cylinder body, if it has one, as in (99).

When the cylinder body protrudes out of the fixed part (1) downwards; a recess such as (100) is preferably made in the movable part (4) to increase the extent of the stroke of the latter.

Figure 35 is a left view along HH at the cylinder (96) of Figure 34 and showing the keel without the boat. An optional element (105) stiffens the upper edge of (4) while improving the flow of the water streams along the keel. In the lower part of (4) it is preferable to make a bulge like (103) so that the center of gravity of the assembly is lower. In this area the most suitable shape will be decided by the naval architect according to the characteristics and the desired behavior for the boat, weighted fins as in (104) descend the center of gravity and improve the flow of water along from the keel. As in the other figures, the upper sole of the keel (106) is shown to be wider and longer than the body of the keel to give a better seat to the keel - hull attachment; it is also up to the naval architect to decide the form.

In another version, not illustrated, the means of isolation from the surrounding water comprises an enclosure containing, instead of a liquid, a gas or a gaseous mixture, brought to a certain pressure, during assembly, in a determined position of the movable part (4) and the pressure of which is continuously controllable. An additional means such as a detector described above, detects the presence of water in the enclosure, which indicates the presence of a rupture of an element of the enclosure, by measuring the variation of the conductivity of the medium. , or the establishment of electrical contact, in the enclosure, between two partially naked electrical conductors which do not touch.

Figures 37 and 38: with the evolution in shipbuilding the term "keel" is still used but no longer designates the same element constituting a sailboat. For clarity it is specified here that throughout this description and in the claims and concerning the device object of the invention, the term "keel" is used in the current sense concerning modern sailboats built in the twenty-first century (figure 38), that is to say a weighted fin (108), not forming part of the structure of the hull (2), fixed under the hull often stiffened in this area by verandas (3), independent of the rudder and a possible fin (109) preceding the rudder as opposed to the keel (110) of a sailboat in traditional construction (Figure 37) which is a centerpiece of the very structure of the hull in one or more parts, in which are embedded and fixed the veranda, the frames from one end to the other of the hull up to the stem (111) and supporting the rudder by the 'intermediate of the sternpost (112). On a sailboat in traditional construction you cannot remove the keel on pain of dislocating the entire hull whereas on a modern sailboat you can replace the keel, in the shape of a fin, without touching the structure of the hull, this is proof of an essential difference between these two elements which are designated by the same term. On certain modern sailboats, the fin-shaped keel is longer than tall, if this keel is attached, it is part of the field of the device of the present invention. Any metallic boat which has an internal keel on which the hull carcass is welded and in addition an external keel or fin in the form of aileron, is concerned by the present invention for the aileron part even if the latter is welded to the hull, if this fin has an adjustable draft comprising a fixed part and at least one movable part as described in the present description.

Any sailboat made of synthetic materials (plastic) built with a keel forming part of the hull is concerned by the present invention if a movable part slides inside and / or outside the fixed part of the keel as it is described in the present description for varying the draft.

A combination of the elements described above as being the device object of the invention in the first embodiment or in at least one of the variants is also considered to be the device object of the invention. The fixed part (1) is represented in all the figures as a solid body but it can also be hollow, with the necessary stiffeners and produced, for example, by molding or by mechanical welding.

The particularities of the devices of the invention patents mentioned above, different from the constitution of the device of the present invention:

EP patent 0 941 919 A1

- only threaded rods are provided to operate the mobile part,

- the mobile part is guided in the fixed part only by slides between the fixed part and the mobile part, there is no mobile guide,

- the mobile part can only be locked in the extreme high or low positions,

- and extreme low position the guides act on a short length between the fixed part and the mobile part, the lever arm exerted at the junction of the two parts is very large when the boat is sailing, tilted and shaken by the impacts of the waves on the hull, the anti-drift force and the force of gravity applying on the keel.

FR Patent 2,395,886 A

- only threaded rods are provided to operate the moving parts,

- This device consists of two telescopic elements housed entirely in a sealed compartment of the hull and not exceeding the height of the floor, there is no fixed part outside the hull.

There is no movable guide, the guides in translation are fixed, these are the sectors to be guided which slide around them with minimum support heights to allow sufficient movement of the keel, which implies important levers at the heel of the boat and very important forces in this area in navigation.

On the other hand, taking for example a sailboat ten meters long, modern hulls have a floor twenty or thirty centimeters above the bottom of the hull which allows a deployed keel of sixty centimeters maximum and a draft maximum water of one meter twenty while the skittles adjustable in height allow to hope for a draft of at least two meters to benefit as well as possible from the boat.

GB patent 819 916 A

- the device is not designed for a fin-shaped keel but for a keel used in traditional construction. Details of this difference are given in FIGS. 37 and 38 and the description concerning these figures,

- there is not a fixed part external to the hull, it is a cavity of the hull itself in the shape of an inverted U which receives all the retracted keel.

EP patent 0 189 154 A

- a daggerboard well which enters the hull and even crosses it vertically to the deckhouse, this is one of the aspects which the device object of the present invention eliminates by means of a keel which does not encroach on the arrangements of the boat, - the fin is actuated by a threaded rod itself actuated from above the deckhouse, there is no other means of operation or control, remotely,

- the means for blocking the movable part in the chosen position, by bolts, can only be done in specific places and not in any position.

Benefits:

- the earthing on the sailboat is made easier by reducing the height of the keel,

- an additional cost is to be expected compared to an ordinary keel, but on the other hand the solutions provided allow keelboat enthusiasts, for their performance, to be able to reduce the draft in certain circumstances and for dinghy enthusiasts, making it possible to navigate in shallow waters, to have effective daggerboards without encroaching on the facilities,

the guide means act as an extension of a fin so that it has sufficient travel without this fin occupying space in the hull,

- by correctly dimensioning the various elements, the whole is very solid; the device being placed low in the sailboat, its weight only contributes to the righting torque and therefore to the good behavior of the boat.

The device according to the invention is intended to equip weighted sailboats.

Claims

1) Device for varying, according to its choice, the draft of a sailboat by varying the configuration of at least one fin and / or at least one keel of this sailboat, comprising a fixed part (1 ) of the keel and / or of the fin, fixed with respect to the hull, a mobile part (4) of the keel and / or of the fin, said mobile part being able to be moved in translation or maintained in the position chosen by at at least one actuator secured on the one hand to said fixed part and on the other hand to said movable part, said actuator being used mainly to exert a force in the direction of its main axis, said actuator being either with screw and nut or with screw endless either cable driven by a drum or rack or pressure difference controlled by a fluid and actuated directly or indirectly, manually or mechanically or by an electric motor or by a mechanism actuated by the variation and / or the difference pressure e controlled by a fluid or by a combination of at least two of these means, at least one means for guiding in translation of said movable part relative to said fixed part, with or without the aid of slides and / or friction zones, characterized in that the fixed part-movable part assembly is disposed outside said shell, and that said guide means comprises a guide movable in translation linked to said movable part and which slides in a housing made in said fixed part as in (9) or (10) or (28) or (29) or (106).

2) Device for varying, according to its choice, the draft of a sailboat equipped with at least one pendular keel by varying the configuration of this keel, comprising at least one jack either with screw and nut or with screw without end either with cable driven by a drum or with rack or with a pressure difference controlled by a fluid, actuated directly or indirectly, manually or mechanically or by an electric motor or by a mechanism actuated by the variation and or the difference pressure control (s) of a fluid or by a combination of at least two of these means, characterized in that it comprises an upper part of the keel known as a fixed part, orientable relative to said sailboat but not lifting relative to to the hull, a lower part of the keel, called the movable part, and that said actuator, integral on the one hand with said fixed part and on the other hand with said movable part, is used mainly to exercise in the direction of its main axis a force allowing the translation of said movable part and for maintain said movable part in the chosen position, and that it comprises at least one means for guiding in translation of said movable part relative to said fixed part, with or without the aid of slides and / or friction zones.

3) Device according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the movable part (4) moves in translation inside the fixed part (1).

4) Device according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the movable part (4) moves in translation outside the fixed part (1).

5) Device according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the movable part (4) moves in translation inside and outside of the fixed part (1), complementary shapes of said fixed part and said mobile part allowing the sliding of one in the other as in (107).

6) Device according to claim 1 or 3 or 4 or 5 characterized in that said (said) guide means (s) comprises (s) at least one element which guides said movable part by moving, at least in part, in a housing, in said hull, not exceeding upwards the level of the floor of said sailboat.

7) Device according to claim 1 or 3 or 4 or 5 characterized in that said (said) guide means (s) comprises (s) at least one element which guides said movable part by moving, at least in part, in a housing such as (12), in said hull, protruding above said level but remaining integrated in the arrangements of said sailboat.

8) Device according to claim 1 or 3 or 4 or 5 characterized in that said (said) guide means (s) comprises (s) at least one element which guides said movable part by moving, at least in part, in a hollow tube or pillar such as (13), in said shell.

9) Device according to claim 8 characterized in that said spindle is that of a mast of said sailboat such as (14).

10) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one means such as (57) for limiting the amplitude of the displacement of said movable part and / or a means damping at the bottom end of said movable part such as (56).

.11) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of said means for guiding said movable part comprises at least two telescopic elements sliding one inside the other (one inside the other) such that (39), (40), (41), occupying in the stretched position a length greater than that of one of said sliding elements.

12) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one mobile extension such as (25) or (30) or (31) and (32) ensures continuity of shape and action between said fixed part and said mobile part when it is provided that said mobile part can move away from said fixed part, in normal use, beyond the limits of its contact.

13) Device according to any one of the preceding claims with the exclusion of claim 2, characterized in that at least one jack such as (42) or (43) or (46) or (47) provides secondarily the guiding of said movable part, by its own rod or by at least one guide means arranged in the extension of said rod.

14) Device according to claim 2 characterized in that at least one actuator provides secondary guidance of said movable part relative to said fixed part, by its own rod or by at least one guide means arranged in the extension of said rod.

15) Device according to any one of the preceding claims except for claim 2, characterized in that at least two jacks ensuring the displacement and the guiding of said movable part are actuated by a single means such as (52) which ensures synchronization of said cylinders.

16) Device according to claim 2 characterized in that at least two jacks ensuring the movement and guiding of said movable part relative to said fixed part are actuated by a single means which ensures the synchronization of said jacks.

17) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one actuator comprises at least two telescopic elements of its rod and / or of its body sliding one inside the other (some in the others) and making it possible to obtain, in the stretched position, a length greater than that of one of said sliding elements.

18) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said keel comprises at least one joint between said fixed part and one of said mobile extensions and / or between said fixed part and said mobile part such as (22) and / or between two of said movable extensions.

19) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one isolation means which isolates from the surrounding water at least one guide means and / or at least one jack.

20) Device according to claim 19 characterized in that said isolation means comprises at least one bellows such as (70) or (71) or (72).

21) Device according to claim 19 characterized in that said isolation means comprises at least one flexible and / or elastic envelope such as (73) or (74) or (75).

22) Device according to claim 19 or 20 or 21 characterized in that at least one isolation means comprises an enclosure comprising a liquid, a gas or a gaseous mixture.

23) Device according to claim 19 or 20 or 21 or 22 characterized in that an auxiliary means controls the tightness of said isolation means by detecting a variation of the conductivity in said isolation means or the establishment of an electrical contact between two bare conductors not touching each other.

24) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a blocking means makes it possible to block said mobile part (4) in the position chosen by the addition of at least one valve or at least one solenoid valve. such as (83) or (84) between the exterior and the interior of the sealed enclosures such as (79) or (80) of a movable guide.