AU2005209674B2

AU2005209674B2 - Anchor comprising a shank

Info

Publication number: AU2005209674B2
Application number: AU2005209674A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Gijsbertus Degenkamp
Original assignee: Stevlos BV
Current assignee: Stevlos BV
Priority date: 2000-04-27
Filing date: 2005-09-12
Publication date: 2006-08-17
Anticipated expiration: 2021-04-27
Also published as: AU2005209674A1

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Applicant(s): VRIJHOF ANKERS BEHEER B.V.

Invention Title: ANCHOR COMPRISING A SHANK The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: -2- ANCHOR COMPRISING A SHANK This is a divisional application of Australian patent application no. 2001252768, which is herein incorporated by reference.

The invention relates to an anchor comprising a fluke and a shank. The shank of the anchor at one end is attached to the fluke and at the opposite other end provided with means for attachment to an anchor line or the like. The shank here ensures the transfer of the tensile forces in the anchor line to the fluke, particularly during penetrating the anchor in the anchoring soil, but possibly also during anchoring of an object connected to the anchor, such as a semisubmersible. The invention is also directed to an anchor fluke.

An example of such an anchor that has proven to be able to function well under normal conditions is applicant's Stevpris® anchor, which among others is subject of European patent 0.049.455. The Stevpris anchor has a shank having plateshaped legs converging away from the fluke.

In the penetrated situation of the anchors it may occur that they are loaded with a force that has a component transverse to the shank. Said transverse force will have to be accommodated by the shank. Furthermore -even very largetransverse forces can be exerted on the shanks when the anchor is hauled in and is hauled in then with the shank forward over the roll on the deck of an auxiliary or supply vessel. It often occurs then that -instead of with one of the shank's rear edges- the anchor comes to support on the roll with one shank leg, that means rotated a quarter of a turn. As a result considerable deformations may occur in the shank of the anchor, which may even lead to the anchor needing a new shank.

It is an object of the invention to provide a simply constructed anchor that improves on this. To that end the invention provides an anchor comprising a fluke and a shank extending upwards and forward from the fluke, which shank at a first end is attached to the fluke and at a second end that is situated opposite to the first end is provided with means for attachment of the anchor to a penetration line or anchor line, in which the shank is rigid and comprises two shank legs, the fluke having an upper surface which at the location of the first end of the shank forms a substantially planar centre plane, that is perpendicular 3 to a longitudinal plane of symmetry of the anchor, wherein the upper surface of the fluke forms side planes that run oblique to the side and downwards.

Preferably, the planar centre plane extends from the first end of one of the shank legs to the first end of the other of the shank legs.

Preferably, said fluke upper surface has a front edge and a rear edge, wherein said upper surface is continuous from the front edge to the rear edge of the fluke.

Preferably, said side planes are planar.

Preferably, the side planes each have a normal having a directional component, wherein the horizontal directional components of the normals of both side planes are oriented opposite to one another.

Preferably, the centre plane and the side planes meet one another along respective lines that are parallel to said longitudinal plane of symmetry.

Preferably, the anchor is box-shaped, wherein the fluke has a lower surface which in the area underneath the aforementioned planar plane of the upper surface comprises two planes that incline sideward and downward and meet according to a top line that is situated in a longitudinal plane of symmetry of the anchor.

Preferably, the lower surface of the fluke is continued to the side, up to the side edges in planes running obliquely downward.

Preferably, the fluke, considered in a sectional plane perpendicular to the longitudinal plane of symmetry, has an inverted V-shape.

Preferably, the fluke forms a hollow body of plates and has an upper surface and a lower surface, which from front to rear diverge with respect to each other, considered in a longitudinal sectional plane, to a rear side of the fluke, in which in the outermost laterally situated areas of the fluke lateral planes have been formed having a normal that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal plane of symmetry of the anchor.

-4- Preferably, contiguous to the lateral planes stabiliser planes that are obliquely inwardly and downwardly oriented have been formed in the lower surface of the fluke.

Preferably, the fluke at the lower side is provided with lower surfaces for supporting the lower side of the fluke according to a support surface, in which the shank can be adjusted to an orientation in which it extends to the second end substantially parallel to the support surface, wherein the shank comprises two cranked shank ledge that converge to the second end.

Preferably, the fluke has an upper surface, which at the front considered in a vertical longitudinal sectional plane is at an angle of approximately 10-300, preferably 20-300, preferably approximately 250, to the support surface.

Preferably, the fluke forms a hollow body of plates and has an upper surface and a lower surface, which from front to rear diverge with respect to each other, considered in a longitudinal sectional plane, to a rear side of the fluke, in which the anchor has a reference line running through the centre of gravity of the anchor and through the point of force application of the penetration line on the second end of the shank, in which the rear side of the fluke at the lower side is provided with transverse edges, that are situated rearward from the reference line.

Preferably, the transverse edges are situated on both sides of the longitudinal plane of symmetry of the anchor and are in line with each other.

Preferably, the transverse edges form the rear boundary of support surfaces that are part of the lower surface of the fluke, of which surfaces the opposite of the normal is at an angle to the reference line, which angle opens in rearward direction of the anchor, wherein the support surfaces are situated on both sides of the longitudinal plane of symmetry of the anchor, at a distance from the longitudinal plane of symmetry contiguous to the side edges of the fluke.

Preferably, the fluke forms a hollow body of plates and has an upper surface and a lower surface, which from front to rear diverge with respect to each other, considered in a longitudinal sectional plane, to a rear side of the fluke, in which the rear side of the fluke forms planes, which are oriented obliquely rearward and upward when the fluke is place on a level base.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention there is provided an anchor fluke having attachment means for attachment of a lower end of an anchor shank to the fluke, said fluke having a longitudinal plane of symmetry, attachment holes comprising first and second holes located on either side of said longitudinal plane of symmetry so as to attach the shank to the fluke on locations spaced apart from each other in a direction transverse to said longitudinal plane of symmetry, in which the fluke has an upper surface which at the location of the attachment holes forms a substantially planar centre plane that is perpendicular to said longitudinal plane of symmetry of the anchor and extends from the location of said first holes to the location of said second holes, in which the upper surface of the fluke forms side planes that run oblique from the location of the first and second holes to the side and downwards.

Preferably, said side planes are planar.

Preferably, the anchor is box-shaped.

Preferably, the fluke has a lower surface which in the area underneath the aforementioned planar plane of the upper surface comprises two planes that incline sideward and downward and meet according to a top line that is situated in a longitudinal plane of symmetry of the anchor.

-6- Preferably, the fluke forms a hollow body of plates and has an upper surface and a lower surface, which from front to rear diverge with respect to each other, considered in a longitudinal sectional plane, to a rear side of the fluke, in which in the outermost laterally situated areas of the fluke lateral planes have been formed having a normal that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal plane of symmetry of the anchor.

Preferably, contiguous to the lateral planes stabiliser planes that are obliquely inwardly and downwardly oriented have been formed in the lower surface of the fluke.

It is preferred here that contiguous to the side planes stabiliser planes that are obliquely inwardly and downwardly oriented have been formed in the lower surface of the fluke. Said plates are reinforced by the side planes.

The invention will be elucidated on the basis of the exemplary embodiment shown in the attached drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a side view of an anchor according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a view in perspective of the anchor of figure 1; Figure 3 shows an upper end of the shank of the anchor of figures 1 and 2, having an additional shackle for a pennant line; Figure 4 shows a further possible embodiment of an upper end of a shank in an anchor according to the invention; Figure 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the upper end of a shank of an anchor according to the invention; Figure 6 shows a transparent view in perspective on another anchor according to the invention.

Figure 7A-C shows a top view, a bottom view and a cross-section according to arrow VIIIC, respectively, of the anchor of figure 6; -7- Figure 8 shows a view in perspective of the bottom side of the fluke of the anchor of figure 6; Figure 9 shows a view obliquely from above of the front edge of the anchor of figure 6; Figure 10 A shows a detail of the rear side of the fluke of the anchor of figure 6, at the moment of coming down on an anchoring bottom; Figure 10 B shows the anchor of figure 6, shortly after the situation of figure 10 A; and Figure 11 shows the anchor of figure 6, in a position ready for penetration in an anchoring bottom.

The anchor 1 in the figures 1 and 2 comprises a fluke 2 having an upper surface a front end 3 and a rear end 4, and a shank 6 of two plate-shaped shank legs 6a, b which at their lower end 7 are hingingly connected by means of pins 8 to the fluke 2 and by means of lips and pins 9 provided with several holes (for adjustment of the angle between the fluke and the shank) at a location situated behind it to the fluke 2.

The shank legs 6a, b are connected to each other along their length by means of transverse plates 11. At their upper end 12 the shank legs 6a, b are formed with end ears 14, to which -in this example- a (first) pin 15 is fixedly attached with its ends, for instance by welding of by means of threading. The pin 15 is a part of a bow-shackle 16, of which the U-bow 17 is freely rotatable -in the direction Aabout the pin 15. The pin 15 keeps the ears 14 spaced apart, in which the resistance from the shank 6 against bending in the directions B is increased.

The U-bow 17 falls within the ears 14 and within the line X and forms an attachment for a link of the chain 18 which leads to a vessel or to an object to be anchored.

At the upper end 12 a reinforcement plate 13 has been attached between the shank legs 6a, b.

8 The upper end of the shank 6 shown in figure 3 differs from the one in figure 1 in that a second shackle or bow-shackle 20 has been arranged in an orientation transverse to bow-shackle 16. The bow-shackle 20 is substantially parallel to the plane of symmetry S of the anchor 1, and with the help of pin 22 is confined in order to engage about the pin 15. The bow-shackle 20 can swing freely in the direction B. In the farthest ant-clockwise turned position, the bow-shackle falls within the ears 14, as a result of which the shackle 20 is no impediment when pulling over the roll of a supply vessel. This also holds good when the anchor rests on the rear edge of the shank on deck or is moved over it.

In figure 4 the second bow-shackle 20 is fixedly attached in holes in the ears 14 of the upper end of the shank 6 by pin 22. There are now two bow-shackles, namely 16 and 20, arranged in a comparable manner, which are destined for an anchoring line and a pennant line, respectively. In this case, in the supported position shown, the bow-shackle 20 remains within the line X shown in figure 3 and within the contour of the ears 14.

In figure 5 the second bow-shackle 20 is not directly connected to the ears 14 of the shank 6. Here use is made of a rigid connection member 23, that is provided with two parallel holes, for rotatable accommodation of the pin 15 of the first bow-shackle 16, and the pin 22 of the second bow-shackle 20, respectively. The pin 15 is fixedly attached to the ears 14, in holes 23, and the bow-shackle 20 is freely rotatable in the direction C with respect to the connection member 23, and the connection member 23 is freely rotatable in the direction D about pin 15. In this case, in the inactive position shown, the connection member 23 remains within the contour of the ears 14, and also the bow-shackle 20, as well as within the line X shown in figure 3. The bow-shackle 20 may if necessary be removed.

The anchor 101 in figures 6 and further has a fluke 102 and a shank 106, in which the fluke again has a front edge 103 and a rear edge 105.

The shank legs 106a, 106b converge in downward direction with respect to each other, up to buckle-lines T1 and T2, where they are continued in downward direction in parallel and vertical plates 170a, 170b. At the lower ends 107a, 107b plates 172a, 172b have also been provided at the front, through which attachment pins 108a, 108b may extend for securing the shank 106 to the fluke 102. More to the rear at the lower end 107a, 107b of the shank 106, lips 171a, -9- 171b provided with several holes have been provided, so that with the help of pins 109a, 109b the shank can be attached to the fluke at various angled positions. Here the position is shown in which the angle between the shank and the fluke is the largest.

Between the lower ends 107a, 107b of the shank legs 106, the upper surface 105 of the fluke 102 has a planar plane, which extends rearward from the front edge 103, between the shank legs, and ends in a transverse line, in order to merge into a kind of gate or mirror surfaces 162a, 162b, that are in one plane with each other. The normal N1 to the planes 162a, 162b is upwardly inclined oriented to the rear with respect to the fluke 102. The lower boundary of the planes 162a, 162b is somewhat V-shaped, in order to be contiguous to tunnel Y, to be further discussed, at the lower surface of the fluke 102. Outside of it the lower boundaries of the planes 172a, 172b are parallel to the upper boundary and therefore transverse to the plane of symmetry S of the anchor 101.

Apart from the lower ends 107a, 107b of the shank legs 106 the upper surface of the fluke 105 has side plates 160a, 160b, that run downwardly inclined to the side edge of the fluke, at an angle ,8of 10-400, preferably 300. As can be seen in figure 7A the side edges are parallel to each other and to the plane of symmetry S, and they form planar side planes 190a, 190b, that are also parallel to the plane of symmetry S.

The lower surface of the fluke 102 is built up from several plates, and, as can be seen in figure 7C, has a substantially inverted V-shape to form a kind of tunnel Y. Said tunnel is advantageous when hauling in the anchor upside-down over the roll of a supply vessel, because the anchor line that is still connected to the anchor and the object to be anchored, such as an oil rig, is centred somewhat then, so that the force as a result of the anchor line (many hundreds of metres long) sagging in the water can be exerted onto the anchor in a centred manner.

To that end plates 183a, 183b are provided below the planar plane 161 of the upper fluke surfaces 105, which plates come together with the plate 161 at the front edge, and at the rear edge merge in the inclined lower edges of the surfaces 162a, 162b. For more rigidity a plate 184 can be arranged. Adjacent to it are longitudinal girders 150a, 150b to be further discussed, at the outside of which the lower surface 180 of the fluke 102 is continued outward in plates 185a, 185b that are inclined as well, of which the angle y, as can be seen in figure 7C, 10 is equal to that of the plates 183a and 183b and which may be 5-30 At the front end the plates of 185a, 185b merge into an edge with the plates 160a, 160b of the upper surfaces of the fluke 102. To the side, at the rear edges, the surfaces 185a, 185b merge into support surfaces 181a, 181b, that are situated in one plane with each other and of which the opposite of the normal N2 is at a rearward opening acute angle I, considered in the plane of symmetry S, with respect to the line Q (figure 10) through the centre of gravity of the anchor and the point of engagement (pin 115) of the anchor line at the upper end of the shank, during lowering the anchor. The planes 181a, b end at the rear in transverse edges 188a, b, that also form the rear boundary of the planes 162a, b and are in line with each other, perpendicular to the longitudinal plane of symmetry S. This is further gone into in the discussion of the figures 10A, B and 11.

At the side edges the surfaces 185a, b connect to stabiliser planes 182a, 182b which with their normals N3 are oriented towards each other, forward and downward. The arrangement with the stabiliser planes 182a, 182b and the side planes 190a, 190b as well as the portions of the support surfaces 181, 181b situated at the rear thereof, provide a solid structure at that location. Also see figure 8.

The longitudinal girders 150a, 150b (also see figure 8) are each built up from two longitudinal plates 151a, 152a, and 151b, 152b, respectively. Between them they determine slit-shaped passages 153a, 153b, that are parallel to each other and to the plane of symmetry S. They accommodate hinge plates 172a, 172b and lips 171a, 171b in between them and form accommodation space 155 (see figures 8 and in which a penetration tooth 156 can attachedly be accommodated. The longitudinal plates are provided with a front lower edge portion 154a, b and a rear lower edge portion 157a, 157b, respectively, that is at an angle with respect to the front lower edge portion and runs more or less parallel to the upper surface 161 of the fluke 102.

Of each longitudinal girder both front lower edge portions 154a, 154b are connected to each other by means of strips 158a, b, which also downwardly limit the accommodation spaces 155.

The angles between the plates 160a, 160b and 161 on the one hand and the 11 plates 183a, b and 185 a, b on the other hand, measured from the front edge 103 in a cross-sectional plane parallel to the plane of symmetry S, is always constant. Said angle can be determined depending on the soil type, and preferably is between 00 and 200, preferably The moment of coming down of the anchor 101 on an anchoring bottom 200 is shown in figure 10A, in this example planar and horizontal. During lowering the line Q (see figure 10B) is vertical because of the pin 115 and the centre of gravity Z, and the support surfaces 181a, 181b with their normals N2 are oriented downward to the right, as seen in the drawing.

The reference line Q is at an forwardly opening angle I to the opposite of the normal N2. During lowering the edges 188a, b that are forming a vertex line between the planes 162a, b and 181a, b are situated at the right -as seen in the drawing-, that is to say behind the line Q and therefore the centre of gravity Z, in which the penetration side or front side of the fluke is situated at the left. When coming down the anchor 101 will first come to support on the edges 188a, 188b, in which due to the forward position of the centre of gravity the anchor 101 will tilt forward. The support surfaces 181a, 181b prevent an all to deep penetration into the bottom, as a result of which the tilting might otherwise be impeded. In the situation shown in figure 10 OB, the line Q is already tilted somewhat to the left and will tilt further to the position shown in figure 11.

In figure 11 the anchor 101 is shown, in which the shank is adjusted at an angle for penetration in sand, with the smallest possible shank angle (the largest angle is for mud). The shank 106 here extends in the direction H, parallel to the ground surface 200. In this position the anchor rests on the front tips as well as on the lower edges of the side planes 190a, b. The upper end of the shank legs is at a distance of the basis. This situation can also be realised on deck, which facilitates mounting actions at the shank end. From the front edge 103 the upper surface 160a, 160b is at an angle a, seen in the cross-sectional plane parallel to the plane of symmetry S, of 250 to the floor area. The lower surface 185a, b is at an angle 6 of 10' to the upper surface.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or 12 "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

SIt is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Claims

1. Anchor comprising a fluke and a shank extending upwards and forward from the fluke, which shank at a first end is attached to the fluke and at a second end that is situated opposite to the first end is provided with means for attachment of the anchor to a penetration line or anchor line, in which the shank is rigid and comprises two shank legs, the fluke having an upper surface which at the location of the first end of the shank forms a substantially planar centre plane, that is perpendicular to a longitudinal plane of symmetry of the anchor, wherein the upper surface of the fluke forms side planes that run oblique to the side and downwards.

2. Anchor according to claim 1, wherein the planar centre plane extends from the first end of one of the shank legs to the first end of the other of the shank legs.

3. Anchor according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said fluke upper surface has a front edge and a rear edge, wherein said upper surface is continuous from the front edge to the rear edge of the fluke.

4. Anchor according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said side planes are planar.

Anchor according to claim 4, wherein said side planes each have a normal having a directional component, wherein the horizontal directional components of the normals of both side planes are oriented opposite to one another.

6. Anchor according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the centre plane and the side planes meet one another along respective lines that are parallel to said longitudinal plane of symmetry.

7. Anchor according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the anchor is box-shaped.

8. Anchor according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluke has a lower surface which in the area underneath the aforementioned planar plane of the upper surface comprises two planes that incline sideward and downward and meet according to a top line that is situated in a longitudinal plane of symmetry of 14 the anchor.

9. Anchor according to claim 8, in which the lower surface of the fluke is continued to the side, up to the side edges in planes running obliquely downward.

Anchor according to any one of the claims 1-9, in which the fluke, considered in a sectional plane perpendicular to the longitudinal plane of symmetry, has an inverted V-shape.

11. Anchor according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the fluke forms a hollow body of plates and has an upper surface and a lower surface, which from front to rear diverge with respect to each other, considered in a longitudinal sectional plane, to a rear side of the fluke, in which in the outermost laterally situated areas of the fluke lateral planes have been formed having a normal that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal plane of symmetry of the anchor.

12. Anchor according to claim 11, in which contiguous to the lateral planes stabiliser planes that are obliquely inwardly and downwardly oriented have been formed in the lower surface of the fluke.

13. Anchor according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the fluke at the lower side is provided with lower surfaces for supporting the lower side of the fluke according to a support surface, in which the shank can be adjusted to an orientation in which it extends to the second end substantially parallel to the support surface.

14. Anchor according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shank comprises two cranked shank legs that converge to the second end.

Anchor according to claims 13 and 14, in which the fluke has an upper surface, which at the front considered in a vertical longitudinal sectional plane is at an angle of approximately 10-300 to the support surface.

16. Anchor according to claim 15, wherein the angle is 20-300. 15

17. Anchor according to claim 16, wherein the angle is approximately 250.

18. Anchor according to any one of the preceding claims in which the fluke forms a hollow body of plates and has an upper surface and a lower surface, which from front to rear diverge with respect to each other, considered in a longitudinal sectional plane, to a rear side of the fluke, in which the anchor has a reference line running through the centre of gravity of the anchor and through the point of force application of the penetration line on the second end of the shank, in which the rear side of the fluke at the lower side is provided with transverse edges, that are situated rearward from the reference line.

19. Anchor according to claim 18, in which the transverse edges are situated on both sides of the longitudinal plane of symmetry of the anchor and are in line with each other.

Anchor according to claim 18 or 19, in which the transverse edges form the rear boundary of support surfaces that are part of the lower surface of the fluke, of which surfaces the opposite of the normal is at an angle to the reference line, which angle opens in rearward direction of the anchor.

21. Anchor according to claim 20, wherein the support surfaces are situated on both sides of the longitudinal plane of symmetry of the anchor at a distance from the longitudinal plane of symmetry contiguous to the side edges of the fluke.

22. Anchor according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the fluke forms a hollow body of plates and has an upper surface and a lower surface, which from front to rear diverge with respect to each other, considered in a longitudinal sectional plane, to a rear side of the fluke, in which the rear side of the fluke forms planes, which are oriented obliquely rearward and upward when the fluke is place on a level base.

23. Anchor fluke having attachment means for attachment of a lower end of an anchor shank to the fluke, said fluke having a longitudinal plane of symmetry, attachment holes comprising first and second holes located on either side of said longitudinal plane of symmetry so as to attach the shank to the fluke on locations spaced apart from each other in a. direction transverse to said longitudinal plane of symmetry, in which the fluke has an upper surface which at the location of the 16 attachment holes forms a substantially planar centre plane that is perpendicular to said longitudinal plane of symmetry of the anchor and extends from the location of said first holes to the location of said second holes, in which the upper surface of the fluke forms side planes that run oblique from the location of the first and second holes to the side and downwards.

24. Anchor fluke according to claim 23, wherein said fluke upper surface has a front edge and a rear edge, wherein said upper surface is continuous from the front edge to the rear edge of the fluke.

Anchor fluke according to claim 23 or 24, wherein said side planes are planar.

26. Anchor fluke according to claim 23, 24 or 25, wherein the centre plane and the side planes meet one another along respective lines that are parallel to said longitudinal plane of symmetry.

27. Anchor fluke according to any one of the claims 23 to 26, in which the anchor is box-shaped.

28. Anchor fluke according to claim 27, in which the fluke has a lower surface which in the area underneath the aforementioned planar plane of the upper surface comprises two planes that incline sideward and downward and meet according to a top line that is situated in a longitudinal plane of symmetry of the anchor.

29. Anchor fluke according to claim 28, in which the lower surface of the fluke is continued to the side, up to the side edges in planes running obliquely downward.

Anchor fluke according to any one of the claims 23 to 29, in which the fluke, considered in a sectional plane perpendicular to the longitudinal plane of symmetry, has an inverted V-shape.

31. Anchor fluke according to any one of the claims 23 to 30, in which the fluke forms a hollow body of plates and has an upper surface and a lower surface, which from front to rear diverge with respect to each other, considered in a 17 longitudinal sectional plane, to a rear side of the fluke, in which in the outermost laterally situated areas of the fluke lateral planes have been formed having a normal that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal plane of symmetry of the anchor.

32. Anchor fluke according to claim 31, in which contiguous to the lateral planes stabiliser planes that are obliquely inwardly and downwardly oriented have been formed in the lower surface of the fluke.

33. An anchor substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

34. An anchor fluke substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this 16th day of February 2006 VRIJHOF ANKERS BEHEER B.V. By their Patent Attorneys GRIFFITH HACK Fellows Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia