Prior art

Most Relevant Prior Art for US Patent 12110089

A search of the USPTO database for patent number 12110089 shows several cited prior art references. This analysis focuses on those cited by the examiner, as indicated by an asterisk (*) in the patent document.

Here are the most relevant prior art documents and their potential anticipation of claims in US12110089:

US4476799A - Sails

• Full Citation: US4476799A, Bandy Stephen D.
• Publication Date: 1984-10-16.
• Brief Description: This patent describes sails with stress distribution means to control sail shape. It focuses on incorporating flexible members, such as elastic luff tapes or elastic panels, along the luff to absorb stress and allow for controlled shaping of the sail, particularly for flattening.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): US4476799A appears highly relevant to claims 1 and 23 of US12110089, as it discloses a sail having an elastic luff region to control sail shape. Specifically, the concept of a luff region with higher elasticity compared to the remainder of the sail, used to flatten the sail, seems to be a core aspect of this prior art. Depending on the specific material properties and stiffness ratios detailed in US4476799A, it could potentially anticipate claim 1's requirement for the stiffness ratio between the first and second materials (2-20 times higher) and claim 23's stiffness ratio (2-25 times greater) if similar ranges or effects are implicitly or explicitly taught.

DE3320321A1 - Diaphragm supporting framework of cloth or sheet or a combination of both which is used as a sail on ships

• Full Citation: DE3320321A1, Wolfgang Dipl.-Ing. 7000 Stuttgart Menz.
• Publication Date: 1984-12-06.
• Brief Description: This German patent describes a sail with a diaphragm supporting framework made of cloth or sheet material. It focuses on the construction of sails using different materials to achieve specific aerodynamic properties. While the abstract does not explicitly detail an "elastic luff region" in the same way as US12110089, it addresses the use of varied materials and construction for sail performance.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): The general concept of using different materials for sail construction might be relevant to the broader idea of US12110089. However, without a more detailed description of the material properties and their specific placement (especially concerning an elastic luff region for shape modification), it's less clear if it directly anticipates the claims of US12110089. It would likely depend on whether the "diaphragm supporting framework" inherently creates a luff region with significantly different elastic properties for the purpose of active shape control as defined in US12110089.

FR2585324A1 - Sail equipped with flexible linear reinforcement for wind-propelled vehicles, in particular for boats

• Full Citation: FR2585324A1, Zodiac.
• Publication Date: 1987-01-30.
• Brief Description: This French patent describes a sail with flexible linear reinforcement, particularly for wind-propelled vehicles like boats. The focus is on reinforcing the sail with flexible elements.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to DE3320321A1, the general idea of flexible reinforcement in sails is present. However, to anticipate US12110089, the "flexible linear reinforcement" would need to specifically be located in the luff region and possess a "higher degree of elasticity" for the purpose of actively flattening the sail, with the specified stiffness ratios. The description is too general to make a definitive claim of anticipation without further analysis of the patent's full text.

US4672907A - Sails

• Full Citation: US4672907A, Larnaston Limited.
• Publication Date: 1987-06-16.
• Brief Description: This patent describes sails designed to adjust their shape in response to wind conditions. It mentions the use of materials with varying stretch characteristics to achieve desired aerodynamic profiles.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): US4672907A appears to be quite relevant due to its focus on sails with adjustable shapes and varying stretch characteristics. If it specifically discloses a luff region that is significantly more elastic than the remainder of the sail, and uses this differential elasticity to flatten the sail to a greater extent (as described in the independent claims of US12110089), it could potentially anticipate claims 1 and 23. The specific stiffness ratios would again be a key differentiator.

GB2194499A - Sail with elastic luff tube

• Full Citation: GB2194499A, Adrenalin Co Ltd.
• Publication Date: 1988-03-09.
• Brief Description: This British patent explicitly describes a "sail with elastic luff tube." This suggests a direct focus on an elastic element within the luff of a sail.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Given the explicit title "Sail with elastic luff tube," this prior art is highly likely to anticipate claims 1 and 23 of US12110089. The presence of an "elastic luff tube" strongly suggests a luff region with a higher degree of elasticity than other parts of the sail. The critical factors for complete anticipation would be whether the disclosed elasticity difference and the resulting ability to flatten the sail match the ranges and functional descriptions in US12110089's claims.

US4854255A - Sailing provisions including release to prevent capsizing

• Full Citation: US4854255A, Horst Kief.
• Publication Date: 1989-08-08.
• Brief Description: This patent describes sailing provisions, including a release mechanism to prevent capsizing. Its primary focus appears to be safety and control mechanisms rather than the inherent elastic properties of the sail's luff for shape adjustment.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): While broadly related to sailing, the primary subject matter of this patent, preventing capsizing via a release, does not appear to directly anticipate the claims of US12110089, which focus on the differential elasticity of the luff region for sail shape modification. Unless the "release" mechanism implicitly relies on a uniquely elastic luff in a manner consistent with US12110089's claims, it's unlikely to be anticipatory.

EP0375111A1 - Improvements in sails

• Full Citation: EP0375111A1, Gaastra International Licensing N.V.
• Publication Date: 1990-06-27.
• Brief Description: This European patent describes improvements in sails, potentially related to their construction and performance.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Without access to the full text of EP0375111A1, it's difficult to assess its direct anticipatory effect. The general title "Improvements in sails" could cover a wide range of innovations. For it to anticipate claims 1 or 23 of US12110089, it would need to specifically disclose a luff region with a higher degree of elasticity than the remainder of the sail, used for shape modification, and ideally within the specified stiffness ratios.

US5315948A - Luff pad for roller reefing and furling sails

• Full Citation: US5315948A, Sail Systems, Inc.
• Publication Date: 1994-05-31.
• Brief Description: This patent describes a "luff pad for roller reefing and furling sails." Luff pads are typically used to create a more aerodynamic shape for furled sails and to protect the luff wire.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): While it relates to the luff of a sail, the focus on a "luff pad for roller reefing and furling" does not immediately suggest the inherent differential elasticity of the luff material for active sail flattening as claimed in US12110089. Unless the luff pad itself is designed with the specific elastic properties and stiffness ratios of US12110089's claims, it is unlikely to be directly anticipatory.

US6843194B1 - Sail with reinforcement stitching and method for making

• Full Citation: US6843194B1, Jean-Pierre Baudet.
• Publication Date: 2005-01-18.
• Brief Description: This patent describes a sail with reinforcement stitching and a method for making it. The focus is on the structural reinforcement of the sail using stitching techniques.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): The reinforcement stitching described in this patent primarily addresses strength and durability. While reinforcement can influence stiffness, it doesn't directly teach a luff region with a higher degree of elasticity compared to the remainder of the sail for shape adjustment, nor does it inherently suggest the specific stiffness ratios of US12110089. Therefore, it is unlikely to anticipate claims 1 or 23.

ES1073250U - Rig for windsurf boards

• Full Citation: ES1073250U, Ignacio Bañares Vilella.
• Publication Date: 2010-11-25.
• Brief Description: This Spanish utility model describes a rig for windsurf boards. Windsurf rigs have sails, but their design considerations and luff characteristics often differ significantly from those of larger yacht sails.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): A windsurf rig's sail may have flexible elements, but it is unlikely to incorporate a luff region with the specific differential elasticity and stiffness ratios described in US12110089 for the purpose of flattening a yacht sail. Without further details, direct anticipation of claims 1 or 23 is improbable.

US8506739B2 - Method of producing sails using reinforced, formed fabrics

• Full Citation: US8506739B2, Createx S.A.
• Publication Date: 2013-08-13.
• Brief Description: This patent describes a method of producing sails using reinforced, formed fabrics. It focuses on the manufacturing process and the resulting fabric structure.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): While this patent deals with the production of reinforced fabrics for sails, its focus on "reinforced, formed fabrics" does not directly disclose a luff region with a higher degree of elasticity compared to the remainder of the sail for active shape control, nor the specific stiffness ratios of US12110089. The method of production itself would need to inherently and specifically create such a luff region with these properties to be anticipatory of claims 1 or 23.