GB2552345A

GB2552345A - Anchor roller and rode guide

Info

Publication number: GB2552345A
Application number: GB1612537.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alexander Hallas Mangoletsi John
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-07-19
Filing date: 2016-07-19
Publication date: 2018-01-24
Also published as: GB201612537D0

Abstract

An anchor roller assembly 5 comprises a base 9 and a tiltable member 11 comprising a longitudinal channel for receiving an anchor shank and pivotally mounted to the base, a pair of rollers 15, 17 supporting an anchor rode 1 and a guide 19 for preventing snagging of the anchor rode. The guide defines a flared bearing surface (27 fig 2) at least part of which is concave when viewed in a cross section plane normal to a longitudinal axis of the channel and convex when viewed in a cross section plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the channel. An anchor roller assembly is further disclosed in which the tiltable member comprises a buffer 31, 33 limiting the tilt angle of the tilting member and is adjustably positionable so allowing a maximum or minimum tilt angle to be set. An anchor roller assembly is further disclosed in which the tiltable member comprises a hose connector 65 and is arranged to convey water into the channel when water is supplied via a hose. A method of washing an anchor rode is also disclosed comprising supplying water to an anchor rode as it is drawn along the channel.

Description

(54) Title ofthe Invention: Anchor roller and rode guide

Abstract Title: Anchor roller assembly with a tiltable member and a rode guide (57) An anchor roller assembly 5 comprises a base 9 and a tiltable member 11 comprising a longitudinal channel for receiving an anchor shank and pivotally mounted to the base, a pair of rollers 15, 17 supporting an anchor rode 1 and a guide 19 for preventing snagging ofthe anchor rode. The guide defines a flared bearing surface (27 fig 2) at least part of which is concave when viewed in a cross section plane normal to a longitudinal axis ofthe channel and convex when viewed in a cross section plane parallel to the longitudinal axis ofthe channel. An anchor roller assembly is further disclosed in which the tiltable member comprises a buffer 31,33 limiting the tilt angle of the tilting member and is adjustably positionable so allowing a maximum or minimum tilt angle to be set. An anchor roller assembly is further disclosed in which the tiltable member comprises a hose connector 65 and is arranged to convey water into the channel when water is supplied via a hose. A method of washing an anchor rode is also disclosed comprising supplying water to an anchor rode as it is drawn along the channel.

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ANCHOR ROLLER AND RODE GUIDE

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to anchor guide and stowage arrangements for boats.

Background to the Invention

Arrangements for deploying, retrieving, and stowing the anchors of ships and other large vessels typically include fixed, through-hull hawse pipes that are unsuited for use in smaller craft. For smaller vessels, such as pleasure boats and smaller commercial craft, conventional anchor handling equipment includes a bow roller with an anchor support. Some bow rollers include an open channel that pivots about a horizontal axis to facilitate launch of the anchor when its restraining rope or chain is released, with a roller mounted at one or both ends of the pivoting channel. Each roller typically has a grooved or concave profile to guide and centre the rope or chain. Some bow rollers include a steel restraining band into which the retrieved anchor is drawn and stowed.

Despite such improvements, handling the anchors of smaller craft still presents 15 many challenges. The rope or chain may reach the bow roller from a wide range of angles, such as resulting from drift of a boat relative to where it is anchored, so that the rope or chain may be improperly seated over a roller and inadequately centred. This can cause the rope or chain to snag on the side of the bow roller channel or to jam between the side of the channel and the end of a roller inside the channel. In addition, the suspended anchor may rotate so that it reaches the bow roller at an unfavourable orientation and becomes jammed. In such cases, attempting to manually free the rope/chain or anchor may be awkward and time consuming. Anchors and chains are unfriendly shapes, and it is not unusual for the crew to sustain injuries during this process.

These difficulties are compounded by the tendency of an anchor chain to accumulate mud and other detritus from the seabed, increasing both its propensity to snag or jam during anchor retrieval and the infection risk arising from any cuts or skin abrasions sustained by crew attempting to free it.

Objects of the invention include solution of the aforementioned problems, including the provision of an anchor handling arrangement that facilitates anchor deployment and/or retrieval, that reduces the risk of snagging or jamming of the chain or anchor during anchor retrieval, and/or that facilitates cleaning of the anchor chain.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an anchor roller assembly comprising a base and a tiltable member, the tiltable member comprising: a longitudinal channel for receiving an anchor shank and being pivotably mounted to the 15 base for rotation about a pivot axis transverse to and partway along the length of the channel; a pair of rollers mounted to the channel, spaced from the pivot axis toward respective opposite ends of the channel, and arranged to support an anchor rode being drawn along the channel; and a guide disposed at one end of the tiltable member, for preventing snagging of an anchor rode being drawn along the channel, the guide defining 20 a flared bearing surface that is concave when viewed in a cross section plane normal to the longitudinal axis of the channel and convex when viewed in a cross section plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the channel.

When viewed in a cross section plane through a longitudinal axis of the channel, the convex part of the bearing surface preferably defines an arc, such as a roughly circular or elliptical arc, spanning at least 90 degrees, more preferably at least 120 degrees, more preferably at least 150 degrees, and most preferably at least 180 degrees about a centre of curvature defined by the arc. The convex arc may extend through the narrowest part of a flared opening defined by the bearing surface, and may extend through at least 90 degrees, more preferably at least 135 degrees, and most preferably at least 180 degrees, along the flare of the opening from said narrowest part, such as to substantially define part of a the surface of a torus. The bearing surface may be a multifaceted surface, facets thereof cumulatively forming said arc and/or said convexity.

When viewed in a cross section plane normal to the longitudinal axis of the channel, the concave part of the bearing surface preferably defines an arc, such as a roughly circular or elliptical arc, spanning at least 180 degrees, more preferably at least 270 degrees, and most preferably substantially 360 degrees about a longitudinal axis of the channel. The concave arc may extend through the lowest point of an opening defined by the bearing surface, and may extend through an angle of at least 90 degrees, and more preferably at least 135 degrees, in either direction from said lowest point, such as to substantially define part of the surface of a torus. The bearing surface may be a multifaceted surface, facets thereof cumulatively forming said arc and/or said concavity.

The guide may be a guide rail, which may form a closed path or a substantially Cshaped or U-shaped open path. Where the guide rail forms an open path, the opening is preferably oriented opposite to said rollers, relative to a central longitudinal axis of the channel, and/or at the part of the guide rail that is arranged to be uppermost when the anchor roller assembly is installed for use. At least part of the curved bearing surface may be convex and substantially circular, elliptical, or oval when viewed in a cross section plane parallel to the channel axis and/or normal to the path of the guide rail, such as wherein the guide rail has a rounded cross-section. At least part of the curved bearing surface may be concave and substantially circular, elliptical, or oval when viewed in a cross section plane normal to the channel axis and/or parallel to the path of the guide rail, such as wherein the guide rail follows a rounded path.

The guide may form a funnel, such as having the shape of a trumpet bell. The funnel may have circular symmetry about a central axis, or a more flattened geometry so that its rim defines an elliptical or oval path. Preferably, the internal flare of the funnel curves back upon itself on the outside of the funnel, such as to substantially define most of the surface of a torus. This helps to ensure that an anchor rode may be drawn over the rim of the funnel and into the channel from any direction without snagging.

The guide may define an opening that has the shape of an oval with a single plane of symmetry, e.g. similar to the silhouette of a hen’s egg, wherein the plane of symmetry is perpendicular to the pivot axis. Around a narrower end of the oval shape, the edge of the oval shape may be substantially axially aligned with an internal cylindrical surface of the channel. Around a wider end of the oval shape, the edge of the oval shape may be radially spaced from a longitudinal axis of the channel that is tangential to the surface of each roller.

The guide may be integrally formed with the channel. Alternatively, the guide may be formed as a separate component and secured to the channel, facilitating the use of a harder and/or more wear-resistant material for the guide than is necessary for other parts of the tilting member, as well as the easy replacement of the guide in the event that its bearing surface becomes excessively worn. The guide may be secured to and longitudinally spaced from an end of the channel, such as by one or more spacing member interposed between the guide and the channel. The one or more spacing member may comprise an axial strut, and may comprise a resilient and/or damping element.

One or each of the rollers may have a concave profile. In a transverse cross section of the channel, the concave profile of the roller may have a curvature that is similar to and/or substantially continuous with the curvature of an internal surface of the channel. For example, the concave profile of the roller may have a radius of curvature similar or identical to that of an internal arcuate surface of the channel adjacent to the roller. The rollers may be arranged to space the shank of an anchor from a floor of the channel when the shank is stowed in the channel.

At least part of the channel may have a closed cross section, such as an annular cross section. The channel may have an arcuate internal surface at each roller, and may have a cylindrical internal surface along the portion of its length that separates the rollers.

One or each roller may be mounted at an end of the channel.

The guide may further comprise one or more guide rollers. The curved bearing surface of the guide may comprise a bearing surface of the or each guide roller. Where the guide comprises a plurality of guide rollers, the guide rollers may be circumferentially spaced about a longitudinal axis of the channel, such as a longitudinal 20 axis tangential to a surface of each roller in the channel, and may be angularly equispaced about said axis. The rotation axis of the or each guide roller may be perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the channel. Surfaces of the or each guide roller, and of other parts of the guide that support the guide rollers, may collectively form a smooth, continuously contoured bearing surface over which an anchor rode may be drawn without snagging.

The rollers may be equally spaced from the pivot. The guide may be spaced farther from the pivot than either of the rollers, and is preferably spaced from the pivot between one-and-a-half and two-and-a-half times the distance from the pivot to the roller nearest to the guide and/or between one-and-a-half and two-and-a-half times the distance from the pivot to the roller farthest from the guide, such as around twice the distance from the pivot to the roller nearest to the guide and/or from the pivot to the roller farthest from the guide.

The mass of the tiltable member may be distributed so that its centre of gravity is outboard of the pivot axis when an anchor is stowed in the channel, and may be distributed to that its centre of gravity is outboard of the pivot axis when no anchor is present. The outboard distribution of mass biases the tiltable member so that it tips the anchor abruptly as soon as the rode tension is released, so that an anchor is immediately launched and its rode paid out under their own weight. When compared with conventional anchor handling arrangements, this provides a significant advantage in that it allows instantaneous deployment of an anchor in freefall, so that it is unnecessary to drive the windlass in order to pay out the anchor rode, and so that a vessel may be moored rapidly and securely before it drifts.

The anchor roller assembly may comprise a buffer arranged to limit downward tilt of the outboard end of the tilting member, and may comprise a buffer arranged to limit upward tilt of the outboard end of the tilting member. The or each buffer may comprise a surface of one of the base and the tilting member arranged to engage in limiting abutment with the other of the base and the tilting member. Alternatively, the or each buffer may be interposed between the base and the tilting member, may be secured to either of the base and the tilting member, and may be adjustably positionable, such as by means of a screw thread, so as to allow one or both of the maximum and minimum tilt angles of the tilting member, relative to the base, to be adjustably set. The or each buffer may be resiliently deformable and may provide a damping effect, such as wherein the or each buffer comprises an elastomer. Where the anchor roller assembly comprises a buffer arranged to limit upward tilt of the outboard end of the tilting member, said buffer may resiliently bias the tilting member to tilt its outboard end downward.

The tilting member may comprise a chain stop, such as a pin insertable through a link of an anchor chain in the channel via an opening in a sidewall or roof of the channel.

The anchor roller assembly may comprise a support for supporting the fluke(s) of an anchor above the shank of the anchor when the shank is received in the channel. The support may be engageable to secure the anchor in position with the fluke(s) above the 15 shank. The support may comprise a notch in which a shank or fluke of the anchor is receivable, and may comprise a fork or notched plate which is slidably mounted on the tilting member.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an anchor roller assembly comprising a base, a tiltable member comprising a channel for receiving an 20 anchor shank and being pivotably mounted to the base, and a buffer arranged to limit the tilt angle of the tilting member relative to the base, the buffer being adjustably positionable so as to allow the maximum or minimum tilt angle of the tilting member to be adjustably set.

The anchor roller assembly may comprise a further buffer, one of the buffers being arranged to limit the upward tilt of the tiltable member’s outboard end and the other to limit its downward tilt. Each of the buffers may be adjustably positionable, such as by means of a screw thread, so as to allow the respective maximum and minimum tilt angles of the tilting member to be adjustably set. The or each buffer may be resiliently deformable and may provide a damping effect, such as wherein the or each buffer comprises an elastomer. Where the anchor roller assembly comprises a buffer arranged to limit upward tilt of the outboard end of the tilting member, said buffer may resiliently bias the tilting member to tilt its outboard end downward.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided an anchor roller assembly comprising a base and a tiltable member incorporating a channel for receiving an anchor shank, the tiltable member further comprising a hose connector and being arranged to convey water into the channel when water is supplied via a hose attached at the hose connector.

The hose connector and/or the tilting member may be arranged to direct water onto a chain being drawn along the channel when water is supplied via a hose attached at the hose connector, may be arranged to direct the water along the channel toward an outboard end of the channel, and may be arranged to direct substantially all of the supplied water overboard.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided an anchor handling arrangement comprising: an anchor roller assembly according to either of the first and second aspects of the invention; and a windlass spaced from the tilting member and arranged to draw an anchor rode along the channel.

The windlass may be a horizontal-axis windlass, and may comprise a brake releasable to launch an anchor under the action of gravity. The anchor handling arrangement may comprise means for remotely controlling the deployment and retrieval of an anchor rode, may comprise means for remotely monitoring the deployment and retrieval of an anchor rode, and may comprise means for remotely controlling operation of the brake, such as wireless control and/or monitoring means.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a watercraft comprising an anchor roller assembly according to any of the first, second, and third aspects of the invention.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of washing an anchor rode that comprises the steps of providing an anchor roller assembly according to the third aspect of the invention; and drawing the anchor rode along the channel to retrieve the anchor while supplying water via a hose attached at the hose connector.

The first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth aspects of the invention may each comprise any combination of one another’s features.

Detailed Description of the Invention

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an anchor deployment and stowage arrangement including a pivoting bow roller assembly;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of part of the outboard end of a bow roller assembly similar to that of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of another pivoting bow roller assembly similar to 10 that of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of part of the bow roller assembly of Figure 3; and

Figures 5-6 are perspective views of the bow roller assembly of Figure 3 having an anchor stowed in two different orientations.

Referring to Figure 1, an anchor deployment and stowage arrangement is shown at the bow of a boat with the anchor deployed. The anchor rode 1—which may for example be a rope, a chain, or a length of chain spliced to the end of a rope—emerges from storage below deck around a windlass 3 operable to extend and retract the anchor rode 1. A rode guide and anchor stowage assembly 5 comprising a pivoting bow roller is mounted forward of the windlass 3. In the exemplary embodiment, the bow roller assembly 5 and the windlass 3 are mounted at opposite ends of a mounting board 7 secured to the deck.

The rode guide and anchor stowage assembly 5 comprises a bracket 9 forming a fixed base to which a tilting barrel 11 is pivotably secured at a central bearing pin 13. The barrel 11 has a cylindrical bore along most of its length, with a roller (15, 17) at each end to support the rode 1. A guide ring 19 is secured to the barrel 11 and spaced forward of the outer roller 17 by rods 21 extending longitudinally from the outboard end 23 of the barrel 11.

The guide ring 19 constrains the rode 1 so that, when taut, the rode is prevented from wrapping too far around the outer roller and/or the opening 25 in the outboard end 23 of the barrel 11, so that the risks of entrapment around the roller 17 and wear or snagging around the barrel opening 25 are minimised or avoided. For example, the guide ring 19 may limit the degree of curvature achievable by the taut anchor rode to 45 degrees or less, preferably to 30 degrees or less, and more preferably 15 degrees or less, at the outer roller 17 and/or the outboard opening 25 of the barrel 11. The guide ring 19 provides a flared bearing surface 27 around which the rode 1 passes during deployment and retraction of the anchor, alleviating the loads experienced by the outer roller 17 of the barrel.

The relative positions ofthe hull 29, guide ring 19, rollers (15, 17), pivot 13, and windlass 3 are arranged so that: the barrel 11 is approximately horizontal when an anchor is stowed therein and tension is maintained on the anchor rode 1; the barrel 11 tips at least 45 degrees from horizontal, preferably at least 60 degrees from horizontal, and in some embodiments as much as 70, 80 or even 90 degrees from horizontal, when the anchor is launched by releasing tension in the anchor rode 11; and the flukes of the anchor remain a safe distance from the hull 29 of the boat while the shank of the anchor is passing in or out of the tipped barrel 11.

To provide control over the angular range through which the barrel 11 is tiltable, a pair of adjustable buffers (31, 33) is provided to limit the upward and downward tilt (35, 37) respectively, of the barrel 11. Each buffer (31,33) comprises a rubber stop, providing shock absorption and sound absorption between the barrel 11 and the base bracket 9. This helps to minimise the noise and transient loading that could occur when an anchor shank is drawn abruptly into the barrel or launched so that the barrel tips abruptly downward at its outboard end.

Referring to Figure 2, the guide ring 19 has the form of a thick rail defining an opening 41 through which the anchor rode and shank are receivable. The guide rail 19 10 follows a closed path defining an eccentric oval shape that has a single plane of symmetry 43 which is normal to the pivot axis 13. The oval shape provides concave curvature all the way around the opening 41 when viewed along the length of the barrel, such as in a cross-section plane parallel to that of Figure 2. The rail 19 has a circular cross section 45, as can be seen in Figure 1, providing a convex curvature all the way around the circumference of the rail when viewed in a radial direction of the barrel, such as in a cross-section plane parallel to that of Figure 1, and which is maintained along the length of the rail 19.

The geometry of the oval guide ring 19 is approximately that of a torus, albeit one that is slightly squashed into an oval shape. However, if the oval ring is divided into perhaps four or five sectors, it can be seen that each of those sectors—including the whole of its lower half as one of the sectors—will more precisely match the surface of a true torus. Although it is not necessary for the rail 19 to have a circular cross section, it should have a profile that is arcuate over at least the radially innermost portion (i.e. across the inner circumference 47 of the oval opening) and the axially outermost portion (i.e. the front-facing surface in Figure 2 and the outboard-facing surface in Figure 1). It is preferred, however, that the arcuate profile extends at least 180 degrees about a centre of curvature defined by its outline, i.e. about the centre of the rail when it has a circular cross-section. This enables the anchor rode 1 to wrap around the arcuate bearing surface provided by the guide rail 19 without snagging, even when the anchor chain passes obliquely beneath the hull 29 of the boat, as illustrated by the dotted line in Figure 1.

As an alternative, the guide 19 may resemble a funnel, such as shaped like the bell of a trumpet. In this case, the internal flare of the funnel should extend outward and curl back upon itself so that the funnel has a broad, generally torus-shaped rim, again to prevent snagging of the anchor chain.

It will be appreciated that the bearing surface need not strictly be curved in order to be considered concave or convex for this purpose, since a sufficiently finely multifaceted bearing surface could provide the same technical effect. Accordingly, the curvature, convexity or concavity of an arc, profile or surface as described herein may be construed as being cumulatively defined by the facets of a multifaceted bearing surface.

The circumferential curvature at the uppermost tip 51 of the egg-shape may be substantially concentric with the cylindrical bore 53 of the barrel 11, and its innermost circumference 55 is similar to that of the cylindrical bore 53 of the barrel 11. The lower half of the egg-shape follows a substantially circular path which is approximately concentric with a line extending along the floor 57 of the barrel 11 and/or tangential to the bearing surface of each roller and passing through a mid-plane 59 thereof. The smaller inner radius 55 of the top of the guide ring helps to centre the anchor shaft as it enters the barrel, whilst the wider bottom half of the egg-shaped guide ring helps to guide the anchor shank into a suitable orientation as it reaches the entrance of the barrel. This shape has also been found particularly advantageous as it urges the shank to swivel downwards, allowing an anchor to be repeatably retrieved and stowed with its shank well aligned in the barrel and its flukes downward, and without the need for manual intervention.

As generally illustrated by Figure 2, the concave profile 61 of the roller 17 is substantially matched to and continuous with the internal curvature of the cylindrical bore 53. A significant advantage of the concave profile 61 of the rollers (15, 17), especially where this matches the internal curvature of the barrel 11, is that it encourages and/or facilitates rotation of the anchor shank. This allows the anchor to freely rotate into a stable position with its flukes hanging downward while it is being drawn into the barrel, so that stowage of the anchor can be executed swiftly, smoothly, and with excellent repeatability. Moreover, it allows easy adjustment of the anchor’s orientation within the barrel in the event that a different orientation is desired, such as to avoid contact with a jetty or a nearby bollard or other obstacle. Although the perspective view of Figure 2 reveals the internal curvature of the floor 57 of the barrel 11, it is preferred that the rollers (15, 17) are positioned so that parts of their bearing surfaces are spaced above the floor 57 of the barrel 11, so as to ensure that an anchor shank stowed in the barrel 11 is spaced from the floor 57 of the barrel, to minimise friction and wear, and to further enable rotation of the anchor shank.

In the arrangement of Figure 1, a chain stop is also provided in the form of a pin 63 which can be fed through a link of the anchor chain 1 by passing it through openings in either side of the barrel 11. This enables the anchor chain 1 to be kept under tension while the boat is anchored without placing strain on the windlass 3.

A hose connector 65 is provided toward the inboard end of the barrel 11, oriented at an angle so that the flow of water from the hose is directed outward along the bore of the barrel 11 and overboard. This allows the anchor rode 1 to be washed while the anchor is being retrieved, so that any detritus dislodged from the anchor rode is washed overboard rather than retrieved and deposited on deck. Chain washing can thus be undertaken cleanly and simultaneously with anchor retrieval, which may avoid substantial time, effort, and mess. Since the hose can be connected in advance and the water turned on remotely, the process of anchor retrieval and chain washing may be controlled centrally without the need for physical intervention.

figures 3-6 show parts of another bow roller assembly 5 similar to that of figures 1 and 2, the features of the two embodiments being generally the same or otherwise interchangeable with one another. In the arrangement of figures 3-6, the barrel 11 is provided with a sliding attachment 67 having the form of a fork or notched plate. The notch of the fork is arranged to receive part of an anchor 70, so that the anchor is securely supported with its flukes 72 above its shank 74. This may be advantageous in allowing the anchor flukes 72 to be oriented away from bollards or jetties with which they may collide then the vessel is moored in a harbour. Moreover, if the anchor 70 is well secured in this position, it may serve as a useful handrail when attempting to climb aboard, improving accessibility to the vessel. In addition, it allows the sculptural form of an anchor to be more prominently displayed. These advantages may be best illustrated by figure 6, which shows a claw-shaped anchor 70 secured with its flukes 72 upward to provide a curved handrail. However, as will be readily apparent to the skilled reader, the ability to direct the flukes away from nearby obstacles or to increase their aesthetic prominence will of course be applicable to many other common types of anchor. Accordingly, notches and/or sliding attachments 67 of suitable shapes and sizes may be provided to accommodate various anchor designs, and other fastening means may be provided instead or in addition.

As seen in Figure 4, the adjustable rubber buffers (31, 33) are provided on the base bracket 9, spaced about the central pivot axis 13. They are concealed beneath the barrel 11 of the bow roller 5 when it is fully assembled. The forward-facing buffer 33 limits the extent of downward tilt 37 by the outboard end of the barrel, whilst the upward-facing buffer 31 limits the extent of its upward tilt 3 5. As will be apparent to the skilled reader, other buffering means may be provided instead of the rubber blocks illustrated, which may incorporate various adjustment means for controlling tilt angle, and/or may incorporate springs or other resilient elements, dashpots or other damping elements, or any other elastic, viscoelastic or viscous energy-absorbing means.

To further ensure the smooth operation of the anchor handling system, means may be provided for easing any impact that might occur when an anchor is received at speed by the bow roller. For example, the anchor rode may comprise resilient means, such as a mooring spring, to cushion the windlass from sudden jerking of the anchor chain. In a preferred embodiment, the assembly comprises a switch or sensor operable to limit the winding speed or torque in the windlass, such as in response to the detection of one or more of load or strain in one of the buffers or shock absorbers; tilt angle of the barrel; proximity of the anchor or a position marker on the anchor or chain; increased tension in the anchor rode as the anchor shaft engages with the barrel; and/or reduced tension in the anchor rode as the outboard mass of the anchor chain reduces.

In use, the rapidity, ease and consistency with which the anchor and anchor rode may be deployed and retrieved, without snagging or jamming of the chain or anchor shank, allows the crew to fully benefit from the use of remote, wireless and automated control systems, such as to wirelessly and/or automatically initiate—and complete—the immediate launch or retrieval of an anchor. By contrast, when using conventional bow rollers and the like, the supposed advantages of wireless control and automation systems may be less readily apparent when manual intervention due to snagging or jamming of the anchor chain or shank remains an all-too-common occurrence.

The above embodiments are described by way of example only. Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. An anchor roller assembly comprising a base and a tiltable member, the tiltable member comprising:

a longitudinal channel for receiving an anchor shank and being pivotably mounted to the base for rotation about a pivot axis transverse to and partway along the length of the channel;

a pair of rollers mounted to the channel, spaced from the pivot axis toward respective opposite ends of the channel, and arranged to support an anchor rode being drawn along the channel; and a guide disposed at one end of the tiltable member for preventing snagging of an anchor rode being drawn along the channel, the guide defining a flared bearing surface, at least part of which is concave when viewed in a cross section plane normal to the longitudinal axis of the channel and convex when viewed in a cross section plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the channel.

2. The anchor roller assembly of claim 1 wherein, when viewed in a cross section plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the channel, the convex part of the bearing surface defines an arc spanning at least 90 degrees about a centre of curvature defined by the arc.

3. The anchor roller assembly of claim 2 wherein the arc extends through the narrowest part of a flared opening defined by the bearing surface.

4. The anchor roller assembly of claim 1 wherein, when viewed in a cross section plane normal to the longitudinal axis of the channel, the concave part of the bearing surface defines an arc spanning at least 180 degrees about the longitudinal axis of the channel.

5. The anchor roller assembly of claim 4 wherein the arc extends through the lowest point of an opening defined by the bearing surface.

6. The anchor roller assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the curved bearing surface substantially defines part of the surface of a torus.

7. The anchor roller assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the guide is a guide rail.

8. The anchor roller assembly according to claim 7 wherein the convex part of the curved bearing surface is substantially circular, elliptical, or oval when viewed in a cross section plane parallel to the channel axis and/or normal to the path of the guide rail.

9. The anchor roller assembly according to claim 7 or claim 8 wherein the concave part of the curved bearing surface is substantially circular, elliptical, or oval when viewed in a cross section plane normal to the channel axis and/or parallel to the path of the guide rail.

10. The anchor roller assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the guide defines an opening that has the shape of an eccentric oval whose single plane of symmetry is normal to the pivot axis.

11. The anchor roller assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the guide is secured to and longitudinally spaced from an end of the channel.

12. The anchor roller assembly according to any preceding claim wherein one or each of the rollers has a concave profile, the curvature of which is similar to and/or substantially continuous with the curvature of an internal surface of the channel.

13. The anchor roller assembly according to any preceding claim wherein at least part of the channel has a closed cross section, such as an annular cross section.

14. The anchor roller assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the channel has a cylindrical internal surface along the portion of its length that separates the rollers.

15. The anchor roller assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the guide is spaced farther from the pivot than either of the rollers.

16. The anchor roller assembly according to any preceding claim comprising a buffer arranged to limit downward tilt of the outboard end of the tilting member.

17. The anchor roller assembly according to any preceding claim comprising a buffer arranged to limit upward tilt of the outboard end of the tilting member.

18. The anchor roller assembly according to claim 16 or 17 wherein the or each buffer is adjustably positionable to allow one or both of the maximum and minimum tilt angles of the tilting member, relative to the base, to be adjustably set.

19. The anchor roller assembly according to any one of claims 16 to 18 wherein the or each buffer is resiliently deformable and/or provides a damping effect.

20. The anchor roller assembly according to any preceding claim comprising a support for supporting the fluke(s) of an anchor above the shank of the anchor when the shank is received in the channel.

21. The anchor roller assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the tilting member comprises a hose connector.

22. An anchor roller assembly comprising a base, a tiltable member incorporating a channel for receiving an anchor shank and being pivotably mounted to the base, and a buffer arranged to limit the tilt angle of the tilting member relative to the base, the buffer being adjustably positionable so as to allow a maximum or minimum tilt angle of the tilting member to be adjustably set.

23. The anchor roller assembly according to claim 22 comprising a further buffer, one of the buffers being arranged to limit the upward tilt of the tiltable member’s outboard end and the other to limit its downward tilt.

24. The anchor roller assembly according to claim 23 wherein each of the buffers is adjustably positionable so as to allow the respective maximum and minimum tilt angles of the tilting member to be adjustably set.

25. The anchor roller assembly according to any one of claims 22 to 24 wherein the or each buffer is resiliently deformable and/or provides a damping effect.

26. An anchor roller assembly comprising a base and a tiltable member incorporating a channel for receiving an anchor shank, the tiltable member further comprising a hose connector and being arranged to convey water into the channel when water is supplied via a hose attached at the hose connector.

27. The anchor roller assembly according to claim 26 wherein the hose connector and/or the tilting member is arranged to direct water along the channel toward an outboard end thereof when water is supplied via a hose attached at the hose connector.

28. An anchor roller assembly substantially as herein described with reference to the appended figures.

29. An anchor handling arrangement comprising an anchor roller assembly according to any preceding claim and a windlass spaced from the tilting member and arranged to draw an anchor rode along the channel.

30. The anchor handling arrangement according to claim 29 wherein the windlass comprises a brake releasable to drop an anchor under the action of gravity.

31. An anchor handling arrangement substantially as herein described with reference to the appended figures.

32. A watercraft comprising the anchor roller assembly of any one of claims 1 to 28.

33. A method of washing an anchor rode, the method comprising the steps of providing an anchor roller assembly according to any one of claims 21, 26 and

27, and drawing the anchor rode along the channel to retrieve the anchor while supplying water via a hose attached at the hose connector.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1612537.9