EP0352395B1 - Marine anchor having tripping means - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a marine anchor provided with anchoring means and, more particularly, such an anchor whose rod is pivotally mounted between two symmetrical legs, within the limits of a certain angle on either side of said legs.

In general, such an anchor comprises a straight rod with hooking means for a chain or rope at one end and a hole near its other end. In the hole, passes a transverse axis welded on each side of the penis to a tab whose front part is pointed. The two legs are symmetrical and, most often, flat. They are directed towards the end of the penis comprising the attachment means. A stop is provided to limit the pivoting of the rod relative to the transverse axis, so that the rod is angularly free on either side of the legs, within the limits of an acute angle, generally close to 30 °.

Near the transverse axis, the tabs also have transverse projections or flaps on their two faces to prevent them from landing flat on the bottom and thus predispose their point to depression.

Such an anchor is particularly effective on sandy or muddy bottoms, but it is not uncommon for it to catch on, when the legs penetrate, for example, into a rock hole. It sometimes happens that it is very difficult, if not impossible, to raise the anchor.

To overcome this drawback, disengaging means have been devised which consist in releasing the pivoting stops of the legs. An anchor with such a means is described in document FR-A-2350244. The anchor includes a head pivotally mounted on a primary shaft. A secondary shaft, comprising a stop to limit the pivoting of the head is also pivotally mounted on the primary shaft. In the working position of the anchor, a locking means prevents the secondary shaft from pivoting relative to the primary shaft. Beyond a certain force exerted on the anchor, the means for blocking the pivoting of the secondary shaft is unlocked and the stop is released. This device is relatively complicated. In addition, on a boat where it is necessary to act quickly and in often precarious conditions of balance, it presents a real danger for the fingers.

Another anchor is described in international patent application WO 83/00126. The means of detachment is even more complex. In addition, to make it work, the tensile force on the rod must take place in the opposite direction to the direction of insertion of the anchor. On board a boat, this opposite direction is not easy to determine.

An object of the present invention is to provide an anchor, provided with an anchoring means, which is simple, effective and easy to use.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the anchor comprises two symmetrical legs each provided with a pair of symmetrical flaps and, between said legs, a rod capable of pivoting about a transverse axis joining the two legs so as to form relative to said axis a front arm and a rear arm, the free end of the rear arm carrying transverse lugs, an oblong slot being provided in the rod, along its longitudinal axis, for the passage of the axis joining the legs, a lug coming in abutment against the flaps of the legs when the axis is in the rear part of the light, the pins being released from said flaps when the axis is in the front part of the light, the light having the general shape of an isosceles trapezoid the axis of symmetry of which coincides with the longitudinal axis of the penis, the large base being towards the front, and elastic or breakable stops being provided for, under conditions normal, limit the movements of the pins when they are released from said flaps.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the elastically retractable stops are formed by wires in the form of a pin, a first strand of which is welded to a tab and the second strand of which forms a stop between the two legs.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the first strand of each pin is welded to two flaps arranged symmetrically on either side of each tab, in their inner rear corner.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the first strands of the two pins form a passage which limits the transverse play of said rear arm of the rod and maintains the latter in the active zone of the stops.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the breakable stops are plates extending a part of the flap towards the rear.

• la Fig. 1 est une vue en perspective d'une ancre selon l'invention,
• la Fig. 2 est une vue en coupe, agrandie et partielle, selon la ligne II-II de la Fig. 1,
• la Fig. 3 est une vue de derrière, agrandie, de l'ancre de la Fig. 1,
• la Fig. 4 est une vue en coupe, similaire celle de la Fig. 2, montrant une variante de l'ancre des Figs. 1 à 3, pourvue de moyens complémentaires pour limiter le pivotement de la verge entre les pattes, lesdits moyens complémentaires étant enclenchés,
• la Fig. 5 est une vue en coupe correspondant à la Fig. 4 montrant lesdits moyens complémentaires désenclenchés,
• la Fig. 6 est une vue de derrière de l'ancre des Figs. 4 et 5, et
• les Figs. 7 à 9 montrent une seconde variante de l'ancre montrée aux Figs. 4 à 6.

The characteristics of the invention mentioned above, as well as others, will appear more clearly on reading the following description of exemplary embodiments, said description being made in relation to the accompanying drawings, among which:

• Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an anchor according to the invention,
• Fig. 2 is a sectional view, enlarged and partial, along the line II-II of FIG. 1,
• Fig. 3 is a rear view, enlarged, of the anchor of FIG. 1,
• Fig. 4 is a sectional view, similar to that of FIG. 2, showing a variant of the anchor of Figs. 1 to 3, provided with complementary means for limiting the pivoting of the penis between the legs, said complementary means being engaged,
• Fig. 5 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 4 showing said complementary means disengaged,
• Fig. 6 is a rear view of the anchor of FIGS. 4 and 5, and
• Figs. 7 to 9 show a second variant of the anchor shown in Figs. 4 to 6.

The anchor of the invention comprises a rod 1, one end of which, which will be considered as the front end, has a hole 2 in which is threaded a hooking means (not shown), such as a ring for attaching a chain or rope. Near its rear end, Fig. 2, the rod 1 is pierced with a transverse hole 3 in which a transverse axis 4 passes. With respect to the axis 4, the rod 1 therefore breaks down into a front arm 1A and a rear arm 1B, very short.

On each side of the rod 1, the axis 4 is welded to a tab 5. At the level of the axis 4, the spacing between the two legs 5 is only slightly greater than the thickness of the rod. The legs 5 are coplanar and symmetrical. They are pointed at the front, widen towards the rear over about two thirds of their length, then narrow to their rear edge which is parallel to the axis 4. Their internal longitudinal side is straight and their longitudinal outer side is a line broken into two segments. The internal sides of the two legs are divergent towards the front.

In their rear corner next to the penis, the two legs 5 have a substantially square notch whose front side is located slightly behind the axis 4. The length of the sides of these notches is substantially equal to one third of the largest width of the legs 5.

At the front edge of each notch, two rectangular plates or flaps 6 are welded towards the rear, the width of the notches. The flaps 6 of each tab 5 are symmetrical with respect to the plane of the latter and form between them an angle of approximately 90 °. The value of this angle is, of course, only given as an indication, and it can be significantly different. The main function of the flaps 6 is to tilt the legs of the anchor on the bottom to predispose them to sinking.

To the assembly of the two flaps 6 of the right plate 5, looking at FIG. 3, a hard but elastic steel wire is welded in the form of a pin 7. A strand 8 of the pin 7 is welded at one end to the face of the bottom flap 6, near its internal edge and rises up to at the internal end of the rear edge of the top flap 6 which faces it. The elbow of the pin 7 is directed outward, that is to say to the right. The second strand 9 of the pin 7 returns obliquely inward, that is to say to the left. It descends under the end of the first strand 8, offset backwards, then under the arm 1B of the rod 1, between the two legs 5. From the elbow, the second strand 9 comprises a substantially rectilinear part 10 with a steep slope, then, before passing under the penis, a second rectilinear part 11 whose slope is markedly attenuated. This second part 11 forms a low stop, looking at FIG. 3, for the rear arm 1B of the rod 1. The tab 5 on the other side has an identical pin, but oriented in reverse, to form a stop 11 in the other direction, above the rear arm 1B . The first strands 8 of the two pins 7, FIG. 3, form a corridor which limits the transverse play of the rear arm 1B and therefore keeps it in the zone of action of the stops 11. The elbows of the pins 7 may have one or more windings so as to lengthen the wire and obtain the desired elasticity towards the ends of the strands 9.

In normal operation, the rod 1 makes an angle of about 30 ° with the legs 5 when it is in contact with one of the stops 11. As is conventionally provided between the anchor and the boat a rope or chain whose length is three times longer than the height of water, the boat's tensile force on the anchor is substantially in the direction of the rod 1. Even if this force is significant, the resulting force of the rear arm 1B on the active stop 11 is weak. An effective anchoring is therefore ensured.

If you pull on the rope or chain to raise the anchor, there comes a time when the boat is substantially vertical to the front end of the verge 1. In this case, if the anchor is hooked at the bottom, a moderate vertical traction at the end 1A of the rod will produce by the rear arm 1B of the rod a significant force on the active stop 11. This, by the elasticity of the pin 7, s' retract, and the rod 1 can pivot freely relative to the legs 5. The anchor can then be unhooked easily.

To put the rear arm 1B of the rod 1 in place between the two stops 11, a key can be provided allowing the second strand 9 of the pin 7 to be moved aside to open the passage. In a satisfactory embodiment, said clamp is formed of a relatively long handle, with, near one end, two fingers perpendicular to said handle and parallel to each other, the spacing of which is slightly greater than the diameter of the wire of the pin.

Preferably, another connection than the axis 4 is provided between the two lugs 5 of the anchor, in particular to prevent twisting from axis 4. In a particularly satisfactory embodiment, this connection is a rear hoop 12, FIGS. 1 and 2, made of rigid steel wire, the ends of the branches of which are welded respectively to the rear parts of the two legs 5. Of course, the arch 12 passes beyond the free end of the rear arm 1B of the rod 1 so as not to impede its pivoting. For reasons of clarity, the arch 12 has not been shown in FIG. 3. The roll bar 12 also serves as a handle for handling the anchor and, optionally, as an attachment point on board.

The anchor of Figs. 4 to 6 includes all the elements of the anchor previously described, the reference numerals used being to designate the same elements respectively assigned a single accent, that is to say that it comprises a rod 1 ′ forming two arms 1′A and 1′B on either side of a transverse hole 3 ′ through which passes an axis 4 ′ joining two coplanar legs 5 ′, the rear sides of which are respectively provided with flaps 6 ′ to which wires are welded in the form of a pin 7 ′ forming elastic stops to limit the pivoting of the rod 1 ′.

Instead of being round like the hole 3, the hole 3 ′ is an oblong light, in the shape of an isosceles trapezoid, whose axis of symmetry X′-X ′ is coincident with the longitudinal axis of the rod 1 ′ and whose large base is at the front. In the light 3 ′, the axis 4 ′ joining the legs 5 ′ can move appreciably back and forth and vice versa, hence a possibility of relative longitudinal movement of the rod 1 ′ with respect to the legs 5 ′ .

Between the two flaps 6 ′ respectively associated with each lug 5 ′, there is provided a bar 14 ′ which joins their rear interior corners, that is to say those which are not adjacent to the lug 5 ′. At the outer edge of the bar 14 ′ is welded the wire 8 ′ of the pin 7 ′, FIG. 6.

The rear arm 1′B of the rod 1 ′ has on its lateral faces two lugs 13 ′ symmetrical. Preferably, the pins 13 ′ are cylindrical. The position of the lugs 13 ′ on the arm 1′B is such that they each bear against a bar 14 ′ near the lower end, FIG. 4, when the axis 4 ′ is in the rear part of the light 3 ′ and the arm 1′B rests on the wire part 11 ′ on the same side of one of the two pins 7 ′. So when the axis 4 ′ is in the front part of the light 3 ′, Fig. 5, the pins 13 ′ have protruded behind the end of the bar 14 ′ as well as said portion 11 ′ of pin 7 ′.

In operation, the anchor arriving on the bottom and subjected to a forward traction on the rod 1 ′, according to arrow F′1, is in the situation of FIG. 4: the axis 4 ′ is in the rear part of the light 3 ′, in abutment against the rear side of the latter, and the pins 13 ′ are in abutment against the bars 14 ′, very close to their lower ends. If the traction stops, the rod 1 ′ under the effect of its weight, undergoes two movements: on the one hand a pivoting of the front arm downwards and, on the other hand, a sliding backwards until that the axis 4 ′ is in abutment against the front side of the light 3 ′. The pins 13 ′ are then released relative to the stop 14 ′. If, again, a forward pull is exerted on the rod 1 ′, the reverse movement occurs, that is to say that, simultaneously, the rod 1 ′ advances until the axis 4 ′ Is in abutment against the rear side of the light 3 ′ and the front arm 1′A is raised. The part 11 ′ of the pin 7 ′ guides the rear arm 1′B of the rod 1 ′ so that the lugs meet against the end of the bar 14 ′ when the axis 4 ′ is in abutment with the back of light 3 ′. Then, if the traction on the rod 1 ′ becomes strong, it is the pins 13 ′ which will absorb the reaction force, and not the elastic stops 11 ′. Therefore, these can be provided much less resistant than in the previous embodiment, their functions being only to guide the rod 1 ′ to bring the lugs 13 ′ in front of the corner of the bars 14 ′, to limit the pivoting when the he anchor does not work and retracts under the conditions which we will now describe.

When the anchor has to be reassembled, at a certain moment, the traction F′2 at the front end of the rod 1 ′ is vertical, FIG. 5. If the anchor is normally buried in the sand or in the mud, it is simply released under the effect of said traction. If it is hung, under a rock for example, it becomes necessary, firstly, to release, if necessary, the pins 13 ′ from the stops 14 ′. For this, from a vertical position, we give slack at the end of the rod 1 ′. This, as explained above, then pivots and slides simultaneously until the axis 4 ′ is in abutment at the front of the lumen 3 ′, the pins 13 ′ thus being released from the abutments 14 ′. By again pulling vertically on the rod 1 ′, Fig. 5, the front of the light 3 ′ abuts by its lower side against the axis 4 ′ and a moment is generated, tending to rotate the rod 1 ′ clockwise relative to the 'axis 4 ′. The pins 13 ′ being released from the stops 14 ′, the reaction force is exerted, via the rear arm 1′B, on the pin part 11 ′ in contact with the latter. When the traction F′2 becomes sufficient, the part 11 ′ retracts and releases the rod relative to the legs 5 ′. The anchor can then be lifted easily. As already mentioned, the stops 7 ′ can be relatively flexible, therefore easily retractable, because they are not stressed when the anchor is working. Note, Fig. 4, that if, at the time when the vertical traction F′2 is exerted on the rod 1 ′ to unhook the anchor, the axis 4 ′ remained in the rear part of the light 3 ′ for any reason, the moment generated tends to disengage the pins 13 ′ downwards, therefore releasing them from the bars 14 ′. In such a situation, to unhook the anchor, the traction F′2 should only be greater.

The anchor of Figs. 7 to 9 also includes elements of the anchors described above, the reference numbers of the same elements being respectively assigned a double accent, that is to say that it comprises a rod 1˝ forming two arms 1˝A and 1 ˝B on either side of a transverse hole 3˝ through which passes an axis 4˝ joining two coplanar legs 5˝, the rear sides of which are respectively provided with flaps 6˝. The hole 3˝ has the same oblong shape as the hole 3 ′ and the axis 4˝ can move there in the same way as the axis 4 ′ in the hole 3 ′ of the anchor previously described.

The rear arm 1˝B has at its free end two pins 13˝, similar to the pins 13 ′. In each pair of flaps 6˝, the back of at least one is provided with a plate 15˝ which extends it over a short length. In practice, the plate 15˝ must occupy laterally, on the back of a flap 6˝, a place which allows it to angularly limit the movement of the pins 13˝ in one direction. Finally, we have shown in Figs. 7 and 8 of the grooves 16˝ on the plates 15˝, these grooves constituting incipient fractures for said plates.

In operation, the anchor arriving at the bottom and subjected to a forward traction of the rod 1˝ is in the situation of FIG. 7: the axis 4˝ is in the rear part of the light 3˝, in abutment against the rear side of the latter, and the pins 13˝ are respectively in abutment against the internal faces of two flaps 6˝ being in a same plane and respectively associated with the legs 5˝. If the traction stops, the rod 1˝, under the effect of its weight, undergoes two movements: on the one hand, a pivoting of the front arm 1˝A downwards and, on the other hand, a sliding towards the rear until the axis 4˝ is in abutment against the front side of the light 3˝. The pins 13˝ then take a position close to that which is shown in FIG. 8. If, again, a forward pull is exerted on the rod 1˝, the reverse movement occurs, and we find the position of FIG. 7.

When the anchor of Figs. 7 to 9, at a certain moment, the traction at the free end of the rod 1˝ is vertical. If the anchor is normally buried, it disengages. If it is well hooked, it becomes necessary, firstly to give slack to the free end of the front part 1˝A of the rod 1˝. This pivots and slides until the axis 4˝ is in abutment at the front of the light 3˝, the pins 13˝ being beyond the rear edges of the flaps 6˝ concerned. By again pulling vertically on the rod 1˝, the front of the light 3˝ abuts by its lower side against the axis 4˝ and the traction tends to rotate the rod 1˝ around the axis 4˝ clockwise, looking at Fig. 8. As the pins 13˝ have exceeded the rear edges of the flaps 6˝ concerned, they abut against a plate 15˝, which under the force breaks, which allows to unlock the rod and therefore to recover the anchor whose legs 5˝ hang vertically.

For example, we have shown screws 17˝ to fix the plates 15˝ to the back of the flaps 6˝, but one could use other quick fixing means to replace, if necessary, a broken plate. It will be understood that two plates are sufficient, one on one side of the penis and the other on the other.

The anchor of the invention is very safe and very effective. It is very easy and safe to use. Finally, note that in the variant shown in Figs. 7 to 9, the means used are extremely simple.

Claims (5)

1. A marine anchor equipped with anchor weighing means comprising two symmetrical flukes (5˝) each provided with a pair of symmetrical ledges (6˝) and between the said flukes (5˝) a shank (1˝) capable of pivoting around a transverse shaft (4˝) joining the two flukes (5˝) so as to form relative to the said shaft (4˝) a fore arm (1˝A) and a rear arm (1˝B), the free end of the rear arm (1˝B) carrying transverse stop-pins (13˝), characterised in that an oblong opening (3˝) is provided in the shank along its longitudinal axis for the passage of the shaft (4˝) joining the flukes (5˝), the stop-pins (13˝) coming into abutment against the ledges (6˝) of the flukes when the shaft (4˝) is in the rear part of the opening (3˝), the stop-pins (13˝) being disengaged from the said ledges when the shaft (4˝) is in the fore part of the opening (3˝), the opening having the general shape of a truncated triangle the axis of symmetry of which is merged with the longitudinal axis of the shank (1˝), the long base being located forward and elastic or breakable lug pieces being provided in order, under normal conditions, to limit the movements of the stop-pins (13˝) when they are disengaged from the said ledges (6˝).

2. A marine anchor according to claim 1, characterised in that the said lug pieces concealable elastically are formed by wires in the form of a pin (7′) the first side (8) of which is welded to a fluke (5˝) and the second side (9) of which forms a lug piece (11˝) between the two flukes (5˝).

3. A marine anchor according to claim 2, characterised in that the first side (8) of each pin (7′) is welded to the ledges (6˝) disposed symmetrically on both sides of each fluke (5˝) in their interior corner.

4. A marine anchor according to claim 1, characterised in that the first sides (8) of the two pins (7) form a passage which limits the transverse play of the said rear arm (1˝B) of the shank (1˝) and holds this latter within the active zone of the lug pieces.

5. A marine anchor according to claim 1, characterised in that the breakable lug pieces are small plates (15˝) extending a ledge part rearwards.

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