GB2339181A

GB2339181A - Anchor handling mechanism

Info

Publication number: GB2339181A
Application number: GB9913149A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Graham Walker; Jean Margaret Walker
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-07-07
Filing date: 1999-06-08
Publication date: 2000-01-19
Also published as: GB9913149D0

Description

2339181 AUTOMATIC ANCHOR HANDLING SYSTEM FOR USE ON MARINE CRAFT The

invention relates to anchors and a system for handling and deploying an anchor.

Conventional methods of handling anchors aboard marine craft can be difficult and even dangerous, while the anchor itself can be dirty, smelly and unsightly.

The invention provides a boat anchor handling and deployment system comprising an anchor, attached to a windlass via a chain, a frame having an anchor carrying portion, the frame being pivotally attached to the boat and pivotable from a first substantially inboard position to a second position where the anchor carrying, portion extends outboard, and means for biassing the frame towards the second position opposed by tension in the chain from the windlass such that paying out the chain permits the frame to pivot to the second position and the anchor to I be deployed, In the present invention the anchor is mounted on an automatic anchor handling device, which w be described by reference to the drawings, in which:

Figure I and 2 illustrate an embodiment of the invention in different phases of operation; and Figures and 4 illustrate details of the embodiment shown in Figures I and 2.

In Fig. I the anchor, I which may preferably be of the common plough type, is mounted on a frame, 2, pivoted at a bearing, 3), to the bow of the boat, so as to, in all normal sailing cases, lie concealed below deck in a locker, 4, closed by the hatch, 5.

When the anchor is pulled home into the locker by the conventional windlass, 6, the frame compresses a gas strut or other spring device, 7. When the anchor is needed the hatch is opened and the windlass set in motion to pay out the chain, 8. The chain is directed by rollers, 9 and 10 on the frame and also passes round a swivel turning block, 11, secured to the bow of the boat.

The paying out of the chain allows the compressed gas strut 7 to extend, lifting the frame and I C, anchor and swinain- it over until the anchor is positioned ahead of the bow of the boat as shown in Fig. 2. Further paying, out of the chain will then lower the anchor, which may be set in the usual way.

When it has become fully extended the gas strut is left behind by the frame, and is then located by a bracket, 12. On reversal of the action the end of the gas strut is engaged by an open ended socket, I'), which then compresses the gas strut.

A chain stopper, 14, is provided to transfer the chain tension, once anchored, directly to the hull via the frame and pivot instead of through the windlass. The chain stopper, also illustrated to a larger scale for clarity in Fig. 3, is arranged to move automatically out of engagement on g any pulling in of the chain by the windlass. An over centre spring, 15, is provided to keep the chain stopper clear of the chain until needed again, when it can be simply engaged by means of a handle, 16.

The full speed of the windlass may in some cases be too fast for safety, in the up and over )o operation of the frame and anchor, and so sensors, 17 and 18, are provided connected to an electronic control device, 19. On raising, the anchor and lifting It off the stemhead fitting, 20, the first sensor is triggered and the electronic control device slows down the operation of the windlass. Once the anchor is fully stowed the second sensor is triggered, which cuts of all power to the windlass. The hatch can then be closed until the anchor is needed again.

Cr On lowerin-,, the anchor the first movement of the anchor off its seating trio ers the second I gg sensor, which keeps the action at a slow speed until the first sensor at the sternhead is triggered, which allows the windlass to run at full speed for lowering, In a further development of this invention the hatch may be physically or electrically linked to the action of the frame, so that the automatic sequence to lower the anchor begins with the automatic opening of the hatch followed by the operation of the windlass and frame.

FI-D. 4 comprises different views (a), (b) and (c) of an articulated hatch with a hinged toe, 2) 1, I spring loaded by a shockcord or sirrfflar spring means, 22, to enable the hatch to close with the frame extended and the anchor set. With this feature the automatic lowering sequence can end with the closiner of the hatch for neatness and safety, and the automatic retrieval sequence would beclyin with the opening of the hatch and end with its closure.

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Claims

1, A boat anchor handling and deployment system comprising an anchor, attached to a D windlass via a chain, a frame having an anchor carrying portion, the frame being pivotally C> C.) C., attached to the boat and pivotable from a first substantially inboard position to a second position where the anchor carrying portion extends outboard, -D and means for biassing the frame towards the second position opposed by tension in the chain from the w indlass such that paying out the chain permits the frame to pivot to the second position and the anchor to be deployed.

2. A system according to claim I in which the frame is mounted below deck level and in the I first position the frame and anchor are stored below deck level.

3. A system according, to claim I or claim 2 and including an automatic deployment mechanism having sensors detecting when the frame is at the first and second positions, the speed of the windlass being controlled to run at a lower speed during movement of the frame.

4. A system according to any preceding claim and including a chain stopper engageable when 20 the anchor is deployed to transfer chain tension from the windlass to the hull via the frame.

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