US 7,614,356 B2
Foldable mast assembly for a sailing vessel
Charles W. Knisely, Lewisburg, Pa. (US); Henry M. Baylor, Lewisburg, Pa. (US); Matthew A. O'Rourke, Bridgewater, N.J. (US); Thomas C. Walker, Lewisburg, Pa. (US); and Jacob C. D. Clark, Downingtown, Pa. (US)
Assigned to Susquehanna Yacht Manufacturing, Inc., Lewisburg, Pa. (US)
Filed on Jan. 03, 2008, as Appl. No. 11/969,137.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/883321, filed on Jan. 03, 2007.
Prior Publication US 2008/0156242 A1, Jul. 03, 2008
Int. Cl. B63B 15/00 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 114—90  [114/39.32; 114/91] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A foldable mast assembly for a sailing vessel, comprising:
a lower mast section;
an intermediate mast section having a lower end foldably coupled to an upper end of the lower mast section;
an upper mast section having a lower end foldably coupled to an upper end of the intermediate mast section;
a boom coupled to the lower mast section; and
a first locking device configured to:
inhibit folding of the upper mast section relative to the intermediate mast section in a locked position; and
permit folding of the upper mast section relative to the intermediate mast section in an unlocked position;
wherein the first locking device includes a first moveable insert internal the upper and intermediate mast sections, whereby the first moveable insert is moveable between the locked and unlocked positions by adjusting an amount of overlap between the moveable insert and at least one of the intermediate and upper mast sections.