Domina Jalbert WindSurfing Sail Prototype from the 1960's on E-Bay.
Roy Mueller
SAIL AND METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION
Abstract
A sail and its construction is shown wherein the sail is formed by a
plurality of triangular panels each with an apex or tip located at the tack
of the sail. The panels are formed of predetermined shape having contoured
edges formed to provide a built-in pocket.
Description
Patent number: 3680519
Filing date: Aug 11, 1970
Issue date: Aug 1972
Inventor: Domina C. Jalbert
Working for Domina Jalbert at the Lab between 1988 and 1991, I had acquired
3 Experimental Proto-Type Spinnaker Sails from the Mid to Late Sixties & One
Sail Manufactured (Circa 1972) by Neil Pryde International in Hong Kong,
based on Jalberts Designs of the 3 proto-type sails. The One Listed in this
Auction, looks to be the oldest one of the 3 Experimental Sails. In the
Photos You can see Jalbert constructing a Kytoon at His Lab from the 40's, 2
of the front side of the Sail... Right side & Upside down, 1 of the vinyl
window in the center, 1 of the back side where you can see 3 white pockets
for 1 inch wide x 12', 18' & 27" fiberglass slats (not included) as well as
the adhesive from the missing call numbers visible on both sides. The next
3 photos show the Mast sleeve top, the Mast sleeve bottom, and the outer Jib
Point with Rope. The next photo is of 4 Stamps... 1. of "Jalbert
Experimental", 2. Jalbert Aerology Lab Inc. Boca Raton Florida 33442,
3.Stamp of Dom's Signature, 4. Pat. Pending Stamp. The Last 2 are of Dom
Chute Fishing and flying one of His Parafoil Hybrid's (anchored to a over
turned Concrete Bench) at his favorite Golf Course on the Gold Coast in
South Florida.
a.. Dimentions 163"H x 95"W / 414 x 241 cm
b.. Fabric 100% Dacron, Rip-Stop Nylon & Clear Vinyl
for Window.
c.. Construction Hand Cut & Sewn by Domina Jalbert @ The Boca
Raton Jalbert Aero-Lab.
d.. Color Royal Blue, Emerald Green, Yellow & Baby
Blue.
History
Domina Jalbert - The Father of Paragliding & the Ram-Air Parafoil.
The Modern Day Parafoil was developed by Domina C. Jalbert in his laboratory
he owned, based in Boca Raton, over 40 years ago. Dom first spoke of his
new invention in the June 10th 1963 issue of the Sun Sentinel Newspaper, on
page A-12. He referred to the device as a kite-balloon vehicle which could
be flown with 12 onces of dry-ice pellets to clear fog, by causing
precipitation around runways and landing stripes. He also mentioned it
could be used to slow space vehicals for re-entry and guide astronauts to a
safe recovery area. I believe it was first used by NASA when they tested
the X-37 emergency recovery vehical in 1998 for the new orbiting space
station...exactly like what Dom had predicted 35 years earlier. It was
first successfully flown in Boca Raton, March of 1964. The name for the
device went through several transitions before it became known as the
Parafoil. It had been referred to as the flying mattress when it's flight
was first witnessed. The first few that were ever produced by Mr. Jalbert ,
were stamped with the name "Kitefoil" and later "Aerofoil", before a German
friend of Dom's suggested Parafoil... which stuck. Mr. Jalbert filed for a
patent Oct. 1st 1964...and was granted one on Nov. 15th 1966 under the
Patent # 3,285,546. I believe the J-4, (A 4 Square Foot, mylar toy version
of the parafoil) was the first commercially produced, introducing a whole
new & unique kite/toy category using the Ram-Air Principle... thus
eliminating the need for any rigid structure.
Besides inventing the Parafoil during Jalbert's 80 year plus career in the
field of Aerology & Aerodynamics, Domina had many other patents pertaining
to Bimps (The Kytoon, which is credited for winning the 2nd World War in the
40's by extending communication ranges by lifting antenna behind warships),
Racing Spinnakers dawning several Parafoil Bars (The America's Cup Dolly
Spinnaker), Parachutes (The Multi-Center of effort round canapy used in
WWII, also used for The NASA Apollo Missions in the 60's & 70's), Drouges &
Spinsocks, Many powerful Boxkite-Parafoil Hybrids & Aerial Platforms and
Sleds.
This Auction Has No Reserve.
Place a Bid Today & Own a Piece of Aviation & Aerodynamic History, by One of
the Most Prominent & Innovative Pioneers in this Field, Since Leonardo Da
Vinci.