NZ230110A - Anchor with warp connection for trippable or non- trippable setting - Google Patents

Description

1 230110 £0 ZEALAND PATENTS ACT 1953 £QMELELE ALIKE PROVISIONAL mi 2.301 IP DATED: 21 JULY 1989 JLN AND RELATING IQ SECURING DEVICES We.RAYMOND INVESTMENTS LIMITED, a New Zealand company of RD 3 Warkworth, Jamesons Bay, Auckland, New Zealand, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement : - INTRODUCTION This invention relates to improvements in securing devices, particularly and more preferably to anchoring devices for anchoring vessels with the seabed, shoreline or other stable, at least partially penentrable structure.

PRIOR ART Traditionally, difficulties have been experienced in the provision of securing means or anchor for a vessel, in that generally an anchor is required for short term anchoring, such as for commercial/recreational activities, such as fishing, short term mooring and the like when the vessel is actively manned for considerable periods of time. In these circumstances, it is often desirable to provide for some means of "tripping" the anchor, particularly when the bottom is rocky or obstructed where the anchor is otherwise likely to become snagged.

Anchors have previously been provided with a shaft which incorporates a moveable warp connection which can be slid from a distal end of the anchor shaft to a head end of the shaft, for example by the vessel moving ahead over the warp connection toward the anchor head to cause the anchor to be released from the seabed "by the head".

When a relatively permanent or secure mooring is required, for example if the vessel is to be left unattended, or when mooring overnight, it is desirable that the anchor does not accidentally become "tripped" such as under the effects of tide, current and wind, for example, when a vessel can move ahead or ride up on its anchor where, if the anchor is in the "trippable" mode, it is possible that the anchor may become dislodged from the seabed, not reengaged and the vessel may be lost.

Hitherto, the practice has been that users engage the warp with the anchor in a "trippable" mode according to its final warp connection, yet overide the trippable connection by way of a frangible connection, for example a light line, pin or the like, which holds a portion of the anchor warp or chain adjacent the distal end of the shaft unless it is "tripped" or broken by strain applied; once the frangible connection is broken the rope is released from the distal end of the shank and the anchor maybe released from the seabed "by the head". This arrangement is particularly dangerous in that in certain circumstances, the frangible connection may encounter sufficient unintended strain to break and thus the user can be unaware that the anchor is in a substantially dangerous condition where it will not even reengage once released from the seabed. In certain other circumstances it has been found that the frangible connection cannot be made to break.

It is sometimes necessary to disable the sliding nature of the warp connection with the shaft by the inclusion of a shackle through an eye in the distai end of the shaft, however there are many problems surrounding this arrangement in that it necessitates a user having at hand tools to engage and disengage the shackles and furthermore, there is a tendency of shackles and other similar devices to become seized owing to the effects of corrosion, salt crystallisation and the like.

QBi£CIS Q£ HUE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to cone someway in overcoming the abovementioned problems or at least provide the public with a useful choice. Modifications are envisaged and may be incorporated without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. fiREJUE DESCRIPTION QE IHE INVENTION According to one aspect of this invention there is provided an anchor means having an anchor head with flukes for engagement with an at least partially penetrable surface, a shaft extending outwardly from said head for connection of a warp therewith, characterised in that that the shaft includes a warp connection means which is engaged with said shaft in first mode to be retained in an at least partially restricted portion substantially remote from said head and in a second alternative mode to be longitudinally movable toward and away from said head on said shaft; transit means provided for facilitating controlled passage of said warp connection means between engagement with said shaft in said first and second modes.

An anchor means wherein in the first mode, said warp connection means is restricted to engagement adjacent a distal end of said shaft and in the second mode is movable in relation to said shaft toward and away from a butt end of said shaft situated adjacent a said anchor head;, said transit means provided to facilitate passage of said warp connection means between said first mode and said second mode and vice versa, whilst said warp remains connected with said warp connection means.

An anchor means wherein the transit means includes a restriction between a securement eye adjacent the distal end of said shaft and remaining portions of said shaft, said restriction being lesser than a normal cross-sectional dimension of said warp connection means and wherein said warp connection means is provided with a reduced portion on one orientation which is passable through said restriction to facilitate engagement of the warp connection means in the first or second modes.

An anchor means wherein the shaft portion is at least partially slotted to receive said warp connection means engaged therein.

An anchor means wherein the warp connection means is elongated and the reduced dimension portion is provided in a side portion thereof.

An anchor means wherein the warp connection means is sufficiently elongated to pass about an end of said shaft whilst engaged with said shaft in the alternative second trippable mode.

An anchor means wherein the warp connection means is provided for engagement with said warp via a shackle or other connecting means.

An anchor means wherein the reduced dimension portion is provided by stamping said warp connection means to a ieduced dimension in at least one orientation adjacent a side mid portion thereof. 16D An anchor means wherein said restriction is provided by a projection extending from one portion of said shaft extending toward an opposing portion and defining a restricted opening therebetween.

An anchor means wherein the shaft is provided in the form of an elongate U shape and wherein said restriction is provided by way of a projection extending from one leg of the U, adjacent the base of the U toward the other leg to define the restriction between an end of said projection and an adjacent opposing face of said other leg.

Other aspects of this invention become apparent from the following description.

Modifications are envisaged and maybe incorporated with out departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED FORM OF THE INVENTION IN RELATION TO DRAWINGS: The preferred form of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a substantially diagramatic view of a vessel utilising the anchor of this invention. *7 ;Figure 2 is a substantially perspective view of the anchor of this invention showing the warp connected to the anchor in a trippable condition. ;Figure 3 is an enlargement of a distai end of the shaft of the anchor as shown in Figure 2. ;Figure 4 is an end view of the shaft of Figure 2 showing the connection of the warp in a substantially non-trippable configuration. ;Figure 5 shows an end view of the shaft with the warp connection means in transit between the non-trippable mode to the trippable mode. ;Figure 6 is a side view of the invention showing the warp connection means in use. ;In the preferred form of the invention, and with reference to Figures 1 and 2, the anchor as generally indicated by arrow 1 is constructed in metal, such as surface protected mild steel and the like. Preferably the anchor 1 incorporates a shaft 2 which is provided m substantially bifurcated configuration and preferably in the nature of elongated U shape with elongate arm portions 3 arranged substantially parallel and extending to a distal end 4 thereof which preferably is substantially rounded so that the shaft 2 may be bent from a length of, for example, bar and the iike. ;A restriction means as generally indicated by arrow 5 is preferably provided a short distance from the distal end 4 thereof to define the shaft 2 with the areas for warp W connection. With reference to Figure 3. a restricted eye securement 6 is provided adjacent to the distal end 4 and a substantially trippable securement area 7 is provided in the form of a slot which preferably extends from said restriction means b toward the anchor head H. (See Fig 3) ;With reference particularly to Figure 1, it will be appreciated that to trip the anchor 1, the vessel V moves ahead, tightening in the anchor warp W substantially to the position as shown by the broken line W, whereby continued forward movement, wave action and strain on the anchor warp W causes a warp connection means 10 in the form of an elongated ring (see Figures 2 and 3) to slide along the shaft 2 whereupon continued strain will cause the anchor 1 to be released from the bottom "by the head", that is, ;with the warp connection means 10 substantially in the position as shown by the broken lines of Figures 1 and 2. Thus, release from a snagged condition can be achieved. ;Referring specifically now to Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6 ( where eniaiged portions of the shaft 2 are depicted ), it. will be seen that the shaft 2 incorporates a restriction ;means b. In the preferred form of the invention, the restriction means 5 includes a short length of bar or similar material provided as a projection S positioned adjacent the shaft distal end 4 thereof, but spaced therefrom so to define a restricted area 9 in the shaft 2 and at least partially close the sticurement eye 6 adjacent to provide for reasonably secure engagement of the anchor warp V with the shaft 2. for example when the anchor is required for use for a relatively permanent mooring, such as for example overnight or when the vessel is unattended for longer per iods. ;The projection 8 in this form of the invention preferably is welded or otherwise fixed in the "slot" ;defined by the bifurcated shaft 2, the restricted opening 9 being provided between an end of the projection S and an opposing adjacent face of the portion of the elongate shaft member 3 there adjacent. ;Preferably the dimension of the restriction 9, ie between the end of the projection 8 and opposing portion of the shaft 2, is less than a normal dimension ( diameter in this case ) of the warp connection means 10 so that, ;it will be appreciated, in normal first mode use the warp connection means 10 will not pass through the restriction 9.-- ;1 f 6D ;In the second trippable mode, preferably the warp connection means 10 is engaged in the inner slotted portion 7 of the shaft 2 so that tho warp connection means 10 may, should tripping be required, be moveable toward the head H and the anchor be released, yet usually a normal pull on the anchor warp will direct such pull via the warp connection means 10 onto the projection 8 to secure the vessel V in an anchored condition. It will be appreciated that preferably the projection 8 is contructed sufficiently strongly in itself and in its engagement with the remaining portions of the shaft 2 to accommodate all loads likely to be encountered in use. ;In this prelerred form of the invention, preferably the warp connection means 10 is provided as an elongate loop of metal bar material of a sufficient dimension that when engaged in the second mode condition, as is shown by the solid lines of Figure J, the warp connection means 10 is sufficiently elongated to pass about the distal end 4 whilst engaged, spaced itom the distal end via the projection 8, with an anchor warp W engaged therewith via a shackle S, to thus enable ordinary use of the anchor 1 in a trippable condition. ;With paiticular reference to Figures 3 to 5, the warp connecting means 1U in this form ol the invention is provided with a teduced dimension portion 12 adjacent a mid-side portion of the warp connection means 10. Preferably said ;- 11 - ;reduced portion dimension 12 is stamped or ground or otherwise formed so as to reduce the dimension sufficiently to enable that portion 12 to pass through the shaft 2 restriction 9. ;It is to be appreciated that the reduced dimension portion 12 is provided on a side portion preferably of the elongate warp connection means 10, or at. least, away from the end portions thereof, so that when a strain is applied to the warp connection means via the warp W the reduced dimension portion 10 is moved away from the projection S or remaining portions of the shaft 2. ;Should the user of the anchor wish to permanently moor the craft, or alternatively, moor the craft at night and the like, all the user needs to do is to raise the anchor and transit the warp connection means 10 to the securement eye 6 by moving the warp connection means 10 transversly relative to the shaft 2 and pass the reduced dimension portion 12 through the restriction 9 to engage the warp connection means 10 in the adjacent securement eye 6 of the distal end of the shaft 2, so as to substantially disable the trippable nature of the anchor. It will thus be appreciated that the anchor can then be used in the first, substantially non-trippable condition. ;16 ;In view of the placement of the restricted dimension portion 12 adjacent a side portion of the elongate warp connecting means 10, it will be appreciated that it would be a most unusual circumstance which would result in the warp connection means 10 moving from a first mode to the second mode, or vice versa as for any movement to occur at all, it is necessary that some form of load be applied to the warp connection means 10, which in view of its elongate nature tends to move the warp connection means 10 to a substantially elongate position in relation to the shaft 2 and thus, maintain the reduced dimension portion 12 away from proximity with the restriction 9. ;In any event, should the anchor accidentally move from the first position to the second position, this does not necessarily mean that the anchor will even trip. In the unlikely event of the warp connecting means 10 moving from a non-trippable mode to a trippable mode a high level of danger does not always arise when the likelihood of occurrence is taken into account. ;In an alternative embodiment of the invention, it is envisaged that the warp connecting m ins 10 may be provided in a shape other than the substantially loop shape depicted One particular formation is the provision of the warp connecting means in a substantially figure 8 configuration ;230110 ;having a substantially thinned mid-portion which is of a sufficiently reduced dimension to pass through the restricted opening 9. Further forms of warp connecting Beans can be provided such as plate, hook, and other arrangements to facilitate movement to the warp connecting means 10 from the trippable mode to the non-trippable mode and vice versa, in accordance with the invention. ;It will thus be seen that a convenient method of providing: a trippable and non-trippable anchor is provided whereby movement from one mode to another is facilitated without the need of tools and equipment. ;Whilst the invention as being described with reference to a bifurcated anchor shaft, it is to be appreciated that in alternative forms of the invention, an anchor shaft can be provided in a grooved or slotted configuration and the warp connecting means could be alternatively provided. ;Whilst the invention is described with reference to construction in mild steel and the like, alternative materials incorporating the necessary inherent properties of strength and durability can alternatively be provided. ;Thus by this invention there is provided an improved securing arrangement or anchor. ;*6°£C/99j;

Claims (11)

WHAT I£ CLAIM ISi

1. An anchor means having an anchor head with flukes for engagement with the seabed, a shaft extending outwardiy from said head for connection of a warp therewith, characterised in that the shaft inciudes a warp connection means which is engaged with said shaft in a first mode, to be retained in an at ieast a partiaily restricted portion of the shaft substantiaiiy remote from said head and in an aiternative second mode, to be longitudinaiiy movable toward and away from said head on said shaft; and a transit means is provided for facilitating controlled passage of said warp connection means between said first and second modes •

2. An anchor means as claimed in Claim 1 wherein, in the first mode, said warp connection means is substantially restricted to engagement adjacent a distal end of said shaft and in the second mode is movable in relation to said shaft toward and away from a butt end of said shaft situated adjacent said anchor head.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim I or Claim 2 wherein said transit means is provided to facilitate transition of said warp connection means between ?30110 the first mode position and said second node position whilst said warp remains connected with said warp connection means.

4. An anchor means as claimed, in any one of the preceding claims wherein the transit means includes a restriction between first mode securement portion of shaft adjacent a distal end of said shaft and remaining, second mode securement portion of said shaft, said restriction being of a dimension lesser than a normal cross-sectional dimension of said warp connection means and wherein said warp connection means is provided with a corresponding reduced dimension portion on one orientation which is controllably passable through said restriction, to facilitate controlled engagement of said warp in either the first or second modes.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the warp connection means is elongated, and wherein the reduced dimension portion is provided in a side portion thereof.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5 wherein the reduced dimension portion is provided by stamping said warp connection means to reduced dimension adjacent a side mid portion thereof. - 16 - . ^ 230110

7. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the shaft includes an at least partially closed eye adjacent a distal end thereof, said eye being in communication via the restriction with a slotted portion in said shaft, for said second mode engagement, said warp connection means engagable in said slot and in said eye.

8. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the warp connection means is sufficiently elongated, in at least one orientation so as to pass about the distal end of the said shaft whilst engaged with said shaft in the second mode.

9. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the warp connection means is provided for engagement with an anchor warp via a shackle or thimble.

10. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the shaft is provided in the form of an elongate U shapo and wherein said restriction is provided to extend from one leg of the U, adjacent the base of the U, toward, but spaced from the other leg of the U, to define the restriction between an end of said projection and an adjacent opposing face of said other leg. - 17 - \ - • \ ■ ■' :J " • a. • • ' f I 230110

11. Apparatus as hereinbefore described with reference to the accoopanying drawings. 16 JAN 1992^ n j v' 1 ,! - 18 -