Importance

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Abstract

A roller furling apparatus is disclosed having a bearing device configured to be rotatably fixed relative to a stay, a furler housing having an opening into which the stay extends and an end portion rotatably mounted on the bearing device such that the furler housing is rotatable with respect to the bearing device and the stay. The furling device further has a drive portion about which a line is coiled so as to rotate the furler housing and drum flanges mounted on the furler housing so as to rotate with the housing, the flanges being spaced apart and located at opposite ends of the drive portion. A line guard is slidably mounted on, and extends between the spaced apart drum flanges, the line guard extending around a major portion of the peripheries of the drum flanges. At least one support member is connected to the line guard and to the bearing device to hold the line guard in a stationary position as the furler housing and drum flanges rotate. At least one of the drum flanges is split and has first and second drum flange portions releasably attached together by a releasable attachment device consisting of an engagement recess formed in one of the drum flange portions and a resiliently movable arm on the other of the drum flange portions, the movable arm having a protrusion releasably engaging the engagement recess.

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First Claim