| abstract |
A sail body ( 3 ), which can be finished along its edges and corners to create a finished sail ( 2 ), includes a number of sail sections( 46 ) joined along their edges ( 47 ). Each sail section includes a reinforced material ( 20 ) laminated between first and second films ( 32,42 ). The reinforced material includes sectors of reinforced material ( 30,31 ), each sector having a set of generally parallel reinforcement elements ( 24 ), such as fibers. The sectors of reinforced material are preferably elongate sectors in which at least the majority of the sectors have lengths ( 34 ) at least five times as long their widths ( 36 ). The sectors are arranged in an overlapping pattern and so that the set of reinforcement elements are generally aligned with the expected load lines ( 28 )for that section of the sail body. Sections can be made of different shapes but are typically triangular or quadrilateral. The reinforce material is typically a mesh or scrim containing sets of parallel, transversely oriented fibers ( 24,26 ). The mesh or scrim can either woven or unwoven. |