EP0930224A1 - Anchor with articulated fluke - Google Patents

Abstract

The anchor consists of a body (2) with straight (10) and curved (16) elements, with a fixing ring (4) for a mooring chain (6) able to slide along the curved element. The gripping portion (8) of the anchor is pivoted to the middle of the straight element of the body and able to tilt in two opposite directions about its axis of rotation (X - X).

Description

The present invention relates to anchors intended anchoring a floating object, in particular a boat, and more particularly anchors of the type comprising a hanging part articulated on the body of the anchor.

Many known anchors, especially the anchor plow, have the disadvantage of being difficult to unhook that is, they are commonly lost since it takes detach the anchor from the boat to restore its freedom to the boat.

However, other anchors, such as the anchor flat, have a possible clearance allowing a better dropout, but it's hard for them to find a attachment element in the case of a reflux for example.

To remedy these drawbacks, the present invention aims to provide an anchor which allows a dropout wanted easy, whatever the conditions, and a practically constant grip even in case of reflux.

To this end, the present invention relates to a anchor for floating device comprising a body provided with a mooring to an anchor chain, part of attachment to the bottom of the water being articulated on the body, characterized in that the body has a first part having longitudinal ends and a second part extending between the ends of the first part in being separated from the latter so as to surround a empty area between them, the member being slidably mounted the along the second part and in that the part of attachment is mounted on the first body part in being articulated between hooking positions in opposite directions.

• la première et la seconde partie de corps sont des parties plates allongées,
• la première et la seconde partie de corps sont de manière générale coplanaires,
• les extrémités communes des première et seconde parties de corps constituent chacune une butée empêchant l'organeau de coulisser le long de la première partie de corps,
• la première partie de corps a une forme allongée en triangle aplati ayant une base reliant les extrémités longitudinales et un angle au sommet opposé compris entre 150 et 170 degrés, la seconde partie de corps ayant la forme d'une anse s'étendant du côté opposé au sommet par rapport à la base,
• l'angle au sommet de la première partie de corps de forme triangulaire est de 160 degrés,
• la partie d'accrochage est montée rotative autour d'un axe perpendiculaire au plan général de la première partie de corps et recoupant celle-ci, pratiquement dans sa zone médiane,
• la partie d'accrochage comporte deux palettes s'étendant symétriquement par rapport à un plan passant par l'axe de rotation X-X, en faisant un angle avec ce plan compris entre 70 et 80°, de préférence 75°, les deux palettes définissant ensemble une arête commune parallèle à l'axe de rotation,
• l'arête commune est située pratiquement au niveau du sommet de la première partie triangulaire de corps.

According to other characteristics:

• the first and second body parts are elongated flat parts,
• the first and second body parts are generally coplanar,
• the common ends of the first and second body parts each constitute a stop preventing the member from sliding along the first body part,
• the first body part has an elongated flattened triangle shape having a base connecting the longitudinal ends and an opposite apex angle of between 150 and 170 degrees, the second body part having the shape of a handle extending on the opposite side at the top relative to the base,
• the angle at the top of the first triangular shaped body part is 160 degrees,
• the attachment part is rotatably mounted around an axis perpendicular to the general plane of the first body part and intersecting the latter, practically in its median zone,
• the attachment part comprises two pallets extending symmetrically with respect to a plane passing through the axis of rotation XX, at an angle with this plane of between 70 and 80 °, preferably 75 °, the two pallets defining together a common edge parallel to the axis of rotation,
• the common edge is situated practically at the level of the vertex of the first triangular body part.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective représentant un mode actuellement préféré de réalisation d'une ancre selon la présente invention, à l'état de repos,
• la figure 2 est une vue latérale de l'ancre de la figure 1,
• la figure 3 est une vue prise depuis une extrémité longitudinale de l'ancre de la figure 1,
• la figure 4 est une vue de dessus de l'ancre de la figure 1,
• la figure 5 est une vue analogue à la figure 2, l'ancre selon la présente invention étant en position accrochée,
• la figure 6 est une vue analogue à la figure 5, l'organeau étant dans une position de décrochage de la partie d'accrochage, de manière volontaire ou du fait d'un reflux,
• la figure 7 représente l'ancre selon la présente invention dans une position d'accrochage dans une direction opposée à la direction d'accrochage des figures 5 et 6.

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

• FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a currently preferred embodiment of an anchor according to the present invention, in the rest state,
• FIG. 2 is a side view of the anchor of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 3 is a view taken from a longitudinal end of the anchor of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 4 is a top view of the anchor of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2, the anchor according to the present invention being in the hooked position,
• FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, the member being in a position for detaching the attachment part, voluntarily or due to reflux,
• FIG. 7 shows the anchor according to the present invention in a hooking position in a direction opposite to the hooking direction of FIGS. 5 and 6.

In Figure 1 there is shown an anchor according to the present invention, comprising a body 2 provided with a member 4 connecting with a first end of a chain 6. The other end of the chain (not shown) is connected at a fixed point on a floating object (not shown), such that a boat, directly or through a rope, in the usual way.

The body 2 also has a hooking part 8 which is rotatably mounted on the body, this part of attachment being intended to sink into the bottom of water or to hang in a rocky fault or under a rock, in the usual way.

According to the present invention, the body 2 comprises a first body part 10, generally elongated, whose longitudinal ends 12, 14 are connected by a second body part 16, longitudinal, which is moved away from the first body part 10 and coplanar to this one and which also has for its ends the ends longitudinal 12, 14.

These two body parts 10 and 16 define between they an empty space, as can be seen in Figure 1.

The member 4 is slidably mounted along the second body part 16 between the ends 12, 14 common to both body parts.

The dimensions of the member 4 and of the ends 12, 14 are such that they act as stops and prevent member 4 from passing over the first part of body 10 when it arrives, by sliding along the second body part 16, to any one of ends 12 or 14.

The attachment portion 8 is mounted articulated on the first body part 10, about an axis of rotation X-X (see also Figures 3 and 4) intersecting perpendicular to the general plane of the first part of body 10 substantially halfway between the ends 12 and 14.

In a currently preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, the first body part 10, seen laterally as on Figure 2, generally has the shape of a triangle having its base 18 connecting the ends 12 and 14 and a vertex 20 opposite to the second body part 16 with respect to at base 18, defining an edge of the first part of body 10 (see Figure 3).

The angle α of the vertex 20 (see FIG. 2) is understood between 150 and 170 °, preferably being equal to 160 ° as substantially shown in Figures 1 to 7.

Note that the thickness of the body 2 is very small relative to the length of it, because the weight of body 2 only intervenes incidentally in the functioning of the anchor, as will be described later.

In this preferred embodiment, the part attachment 8 is pivotally mounted around a shaft 22 X-X axis, the position of this axis relative to the vertex of the triangle being to be specified later.

This tree 22 can consist of two half-trees extending aligned on either side of the first part body 10, or may be a tree passing through it.

The hooking part 8, by itself, is constituted in the embodiment shown, of two symmetrical halves 24 and 26 which, during assembly, are fixed to each other by a weld line 28 (see Figures 1 and 3).

Given the symmetry with respect to the line of weld 28, only half 24 will be described below.

Half 24 has a cylindrical sleeve 30 of which the inside diameter corresponds substantially to the diameter outside of shaft 22, to be freely rotatable on this one.

The outside diameter of the sleeve 30 is such that the outer surface of the latter passes approximately through the vertex 20 of the first body part 10.

In other words, this arrangement determines the position of axis X-X relative to vertex 20, the distance between them being the sum of the radius of the tree 22 and of the thickness of the sleeve 30.

It will also be noted that the sleeve 30 does not extend up to the radial plane containing the weld line 28, the distance between this plane and the sleeve being at least equal to half the thickness of the body 2.

Half 24 of the hooking part 8 comprises two half-pallets 32 and 34 (see Figures 1 and 4) which are practically both tangent along a generator 36 of the outer surface of the sleeve 30, and extend from on either side of it, forming an angle between them β between about 140 and 160 °, preferably being of 150 ° (see Figure 2).

Similarly, half 26 of the hooking part 8 has two half-pallets 33 and 35, so that after assembly, we get two pallets 32, 33 and 34, 35 respectively (see Figure 4).

These pallets have a corresponding length approximately 1/3 of the length of the anchor.

Each half-pallet 32 and 34 has a notch 38 and 40 respectively (see Figure 4).

Each notch 38 or 40 extends longitudinally to from generator 36, its width from the line of solder 28 being greater than half the thickness of the first body part 10 (see Figures 3 and 4).

The length of each notch is such that when about 20 ° rotation around the X-X axis (see Figure 5) the attachment portion 8 does not interfere with the first part of body 10 (in particular half of a pallet 34 in the example in Figure 5).

This length can be easily determined by the skilled person.

In addition, the sleeve 30 of the single half 24 of attachment part comprises, on the external generator diametrically opposite to the generator 36, a projection 42 located near its end close to the radial plane passing through the weld line 28.

This projection 42 is intended to cooperate with two stops 44 and 46 located on the face of the first part of body 10 which is directed towards the half 24.

Note that this arrangement can also be located on half 26 only or even on both halves.

The stops 44 and 46 limit the rotation of the projection 42, therefore of the hooking part 8, around the X-X axis at an angle of 40 ° maximum i.e. 20 ° apart and on the other side of a plane passing through the X-X axis, and the vertex 20 of the first part of the body, this plane constituting a plane of symmetry of the attachment part.

Note that after positioning the sleeve 30 of each half of the hanging part, these two halves are assembled along the weld line 28, to form a all. So each pallet has a shovel shape with a beak part, analogous to known shovel anchors.

However, such a shape is not part of the present invention and can be modified by those skilled in the art trade without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

It will also be noted that the weight of the part attachment 8 is significantly greater than the weight of the body 2, so that when the anchor is dropped into the water, the latter descends into the rest state shown in Figure 2.

From this state, when the anchor reaches the bottom of the water, the spouts of each pallet come to rest on the latter, possibly sinking slightly, in a waiting position, in the rest state.

The chain will then take its natural position that is to say make a curve which, from the anchor, is roughly tangent to the bottom of the water and then goes up towards the floating object.

When taking this natural stand, the member 4 slides along the second body part 16, practically to one of the ends 12, 14.

We will describe below the case where said end is the end 14, as shown in FIG. 5.

In this state, the chain pulling on the organ goes pull the anchor that scrapes the bottom and will rotate the attachment part 8 around the axis X-X on an angle of 20 ° maximum due to the stops 44 and 46, making active pallet 32, 33.

In other words, the pallet 32, 33 will sink in soft soil or penetrate a crevasse or come hang under a rock 50 like this is shown on Figure 5.

Note that the triangular shape of the first body part 10 enlarges the opening in which can penetrate a rock.

From such a state, represented in FIG. 5, during a reflux or a reversal of current, the member 4 will be driven by chain 6 to slide along the second body part 16 towards the end 12.

From a certain sliding point, the member 4 will pull the anchor 2 in one direction located in the general plane of the active palette 32, 33, in a sense removing the snap, this state being shown in figure 6.

In this state the pulling force on the anchor at a very strong component in the plane of the pallet 32, 33 ce which will ensure the dropout.

The sliding of the member 4 then continues up to the end 12 and the hanging operation such as described above again, the active palette becoming the pallet 34, 35 (see figure 7) by cooperation with for example another rock 52.

In other words, anchor 2 according to this invention is considered not to be lost from when lifting the anchor, pulling on the mooring, the boat comes vertically from the anchor, the member 4 coming in the middle of the second body part 16.

In this state, the pallets pulled up are clear easily even if one of them is embedded in a rock or a net, because there is a component of opposite force to the catching force.

This can still be favored by sliding of the organ which leads to reducing the opening existing between the active palette and the first body part 10, causing a wedge effect which still helps to unhook anchor.

Furthermore, in the case of a reflux, the loss is very limited in time, the new hooking position being practically immediate.

Although the present invention has been described under form of a currently preferred embodiment, it is note that many modifications can be made without going beyond the scope thereof as defined by the appended claims.

For example, the projection 42 can be arranged on the first body part 10 and the stops 44, 46 can in this case be arranged on one of the sleeves 30.

We can also carry out an assembly allowing easily change the hooking part. In this case we replaces shaft 22 with a screw passing through the first body part 10 and a nut, which also allows make the two pallets in one block.

In the latter case the assembly and disassembly of the hanging part are easy.

Instead of making half pallets together then by welding, we can build pallets whole (corresponding to palette 32, 33 or palette 34, 35) and weld the sleeves 30 thereto after they have been positioned around the shaft 22.

Claims (9)

Anchor for floating device comprising a body (2) provided with a member (4) for mooring to a chain (6) anchor, a part (8) for hooking to the bottom of the water being articulated on the body, characterized in that the body has a first part generally straight (10) having longitudinal ends (12, 14) and a second part (16) in the form of a handle extending between the ends of the first part, defining between them an empty area, the member being slidably mounted along the second part (16) and in that the attachment part (8) has two pallets (32, 33 and 34, 35) which are symmetrically pivoted about an axis perpendicular to the first part (10) of the body (2), and is mounted on the first body part (10) while being articulated between hooking positions in opposite directions. Anchor according to claim 1, characterized in what the first and second body parts (10, 16) are elongated flat parts. Anchor according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first and the second part of bodies (10, 16) are generally coplanar. An anchor according to any one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the common ends (12, 14) first and second body parts constitute each a stop preventing the member (4) from sliding the along the first part of the body (10). An anchor according to any one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first body part (10) has an elongated flattened triangle shape having a base (18) connecting the longitudinal ends (12, 14) and an opposite vertex angle between 150 and 170 °, the second body part (16) having the shape of a handle extending from the side opposite the top relative to the base. Anchor according to claim 5, characterized in what the angle at the top of the first body part (10) of triangular shape is 160 °. An anchor according to any one of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the hooking part (8) is rotatably mounted around a perpendicular axis (X-X) in the general plane of the first body part (10) and intersecting it, practically in its middle zone. Anchor according to claim 7, characterized in that the attachment part comprises two pallets (32, 33 and 34, 35) extending symmetrically with respect to a plane passing through the axis of rotation (X-X), making a angle with this plane between 70 and 80 °, preferably 75 °, the two palettes together defining an edge common (36) parallel to the axis of rotation. An anchor according to claim 8 when it is dependent on claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the common edge (36) is situated practically at the level from the top of the first triangular body part (10).

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