The method of providing sails with narrow pockets for sail battens to prevent the sails from fluttering and thereby deteriorate the quality of the sails, has been practiced for a long time. It is also common knowledge to design the sail battens in such a way that they - when inserted in the sail pockets - can be tightened in order to improve the aerodynamic effects of the sails. Battens of different lengths relative to the width of the sails have been used, the battens can be applied to only a part of the sails width or otherwise to the whole width of the sails, so-called fully-battened sailso

The tightening of the battens in previously known devices is performed by means of bands or strings. As an example can be mentioned dhe device according to the US patent 4602585• The present invention refers to a device, which is primarily intended for fully-battened sails and consists of one to a batten pocket connectable, elongate, vertically U-shaped lower batten holder and two upper, relatively each adjustable holders for tightening and locking of the batten. Thanks to the device according to the present invention it is possible to tighten the batten in a simple way with accuracy and thereafter to lock the batten in a wanted position without risking that the tension is losto

The enclosed drawing shows a device according to the inven¬ tion. Fώg. 1 shows a perspective view of the tightening device, while fig. 2 shows it in detail. Pig. 3 shows a fjilly-battened sail provided with devices according to the invention.,

In the drawing (l) represents a sail, equipped with a num-

ber of batten pockets (2) applied in a distance above each other. The are applied to the whole width of the sail and are intended for the insertion of battens (3) in a conventional way. Each bat¬ ten (3) is according to the invention provided with a tightening device comprising one to a batten pocket (2) connectable, elongate vertically U-shaped lower batten holder (4) and two on the same applied, relatively each other adjustable holders (5) and (6). The adjustability and the locking of the holders (5) and (6) relative to each other is obtained by means of a pair thorough screws (7). The lower holder (4), being of a mainly rectangular shape, is along its longitudinal edges equipped with beads 4' and 4", below which are placed wedge-shaped teeth (8') and (8") next to each other. Said tee.th are intended to co-operatetwith wedge-shaped teeth (9') and (9") on the insides of the border parts of the holders (5) and (6), embracing the beads (4') and (4"). The wedge-shaped teeth on the holders (5) and (6) pointing in opposite direction relative to the teeth of holder (4) give a ratchet effect when the holders are displaced relatively each other. Said effect simplifies the displa _¬ cing and tightening of a batten and prevents also the retrogression of the batten during the tightening.

The holder (4) forms - due to its U-shape - a cavity (10) intended to hold one end of a batten (3) and slightly wider than the batten. At the opposite end of the holder (4) is applied a connec¬ tor (ll) to a slider of any suitable type. To enable the attachment of the tightening device according to the invention to a sail, the bottom side of the lower holder (4) is provided with a plate (12), intended to be fi±ed on the opposite side of the sail (l) and faste _¬ ned to the holder (4) by thorough screws (13)- Along the center of the cavity (lO) in the holder (4) a number of teeth or grooves are placed perpendicular to the length of the holder. Hϊhen a batten (3) is to be tightened in a batten pocket (2), said grooves (14) serve to hold and support the tip of a screw driver (15)• The screw driver is moved clockwise from a position, dot marked in the drawing, while bearing on the holders (5) and (6) and through ratcheting the screw driver forces the batten into the pocket and tightens it to the de _¬ sired curvec form. As rest for the free end of a batten (3), the up _¬ per holders (5) and (6) are proveded at their fore edge with lugs (l6) directed towards the lower holder (4).

The tightening device according to the invention operates as follows: When the tightening device has been applied to the leech end of a sail (l) in line with a pocket (2), a batten (3) has been inserted in said pocket and the free end of the batten has been placed in the cavity (10) of the holder (4) and brought to rest against the lugs (lέ) of the holders (5) and (6), the last Mentioned holders are adjusted relative to each other by means of the screws (7) to a position admitting the ratcheting of the holder (4) relatively holders (5) and (6). By using the screw driver in the above mentioned way and by repeated insertion of the screw driver into the grooves (14) behind each other, the batten is forced into the batten pocket (2) until the desired tightening has been achieved. Iξy tightening the screws (7) the holders (4), (5) and (6) are then safely locked to each other.

The tightening device - shown in the drawing and described above - can be modified regarding different details within the limitβ of the inventiono