Method and apparatus for compacting sail cars

Abstract

The invention relates to method and apparatus for compactly stacking batten or sail cars above a boom when a very tall sail is stowed, furled or fully lowered. More specifically, most of the cars are compacted or stacked by diverting cars onto several lower tracks, such that the height of the stacked cars is approximately halved. If more than two lower storage tracks are used, the height reduction of the stacked cars can be greater.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for stacking sail cars comprising a track along which cars of the sail ride, the track comprising a vertical upper section and a lower section including at least a port and a starboard tracks; the cars each having guide structure thereon for guiding cars to opposite tracks of the lower section, effectively reducing the vertical height of the stacked cars when the sail is stowed.  
     
     
         2 . A method for stacking sail cars to effectively reduce a vertical height of the sail cars when stacked upon stowage of the sail, the method comprising the steps of: 
 creating a track for engaging the sail cars, the track having an upper vertical centerline section and a lower section including at least a port and starboard tracks;    creating track and the cars with guide structure thereon for guiding cars to opposite tracks of the lower section; and    stowing the sail by lowering same along the track until the cars are received within the port and starboard tracks, serving as stowage tracks.    
     
     
         3 . An apparatus for compacting sail cars comprising a mast track along which cars of the sail ride, the track comprising a vertical upper section and a lower section including at least a port and a starboard storage track; the cars and tracks having switch means for alternately switching cars to opposite tracks of the lower section, effectively reducing the vertical height of the stacked cars when the sail is stowed, the track also incorporating structure for maintaining at least the bottom cars of the sail along a centerline of the mast rather than to either side thereof.