US2847963A

US2847963A - Tension responsive foldable marine anchor

Info

Publication number: US2847963A
Application number: US608517A
Authority: US
Inventors: Raymond G Knitter
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1956-09-07
Filing date: 1956-09-07
Publication date: 1958-08-19
Anticipated expiration: 1975-08-19

Description

Aug.` 19, 1958 R. GJ KNITTER TENSION-RESPONSIVE FoLDABLE MARINE ANCHOR Filed Sept. 7. 1956 IN V EN TOR.

United States Parental/O TENSION RESPONSIVE FOLDABLE MARINE ANCHOR Raymond G. Knitter, Milwaukee, Wis. Application September 7, 1956, Serial No. 608,517 3 Claims. (Cl. 114-208) lThis invention relates to an improved foldable boat anchor having resiliently spread anchor arms which are arranged to fold whenever pull is exerted on the anchor line which is greater than a predetermined limit while an anchor arm is snagged in the bottom of a body of water, so as to eliminate likelihood of breaking the anchor and/or the anchor line, or of having to cut the anchor line to move an anchored boat.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a practical and elhcient anchor of this kind whose anchor arms are manually foldable, when desired, from a spread condition, so as to reduce the bulk of the anchor for storage and safer transportation, and which is composed of a small number of simple parts which are easily assembled.

Another object of the invention is to provide an anchor of the character indicated, which can be made in attractive, rugged, and serviceable forms at relatively low cost, is easily used and maintained, and is highly acceptable for the purpose intended.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which:

Figure l is a side elevational view of a boat anchor of the invention, portions being broken away and in sec tion, showing the anchor arms embedded in the bottom of a body of water;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure l, showing the 'anchor arms folded;

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the anchor;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the anchor arm support; and

Figure 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view, portions being in section, showing another form of the invention.

Referring to the drawing in detail, there is shown a body of water W having a bottom B, in which is a rock R, under which is snagged an anchor arm of an anchor of the present invention, indicated generally at 10.

The novel anchor comprises an elongated shank 12 terminating at its upper end in an eye 14 securable to an anchor line 16. The shank 12 has a threaded lower end portion 18, on whose upper end is an abutment nut and on whose lower end is an adjustable stop nut 22. Circumposed on the threaded portion 18 of the shank 12 in engagement with the lower sido of the abutment nut 20 is a nut 24 which is engaged with the smaller upper end of a rigid solid cone 26 which facilitates withdrawal of the anchor through debris, such as seaweed, when the anchor arms are folded,l as shown in Figure 2. The larger lower end 27 of the cone 26 has engaged therewith a Washer 30 circumposed on the shank 12. Engaged with the lower side of the washer 30 and circumposed on the shank 12 is an annular 4anchor arms 46,

resilient compressible element, in the form of a rubber block, constituting compression spring means which must be compressedto enable the anchor arms of the anchor 10 to fold as shown in Figure 2. Circumposed on the shank 12 in engagement with and conforming in size to the lower side of the resilient block 32 is a washer or pressure disc 34.

Circumposed on the shank 12 and engaged with the underside of the pressure disc 34, is an anchor amr support 36, which is cross-shaped and comprises a hub 40 passing the shank 12, and pairs of ears 38.

Extending through holes 42 in the ears 38 are pivot pins 44 which traverse inner end portions 48 of flat which terminate in rounded cam ends 49 for engaging the pressure disc 34 in the folded position of the anchor arms, and displacing the disc 34 upwardly relative to the support 36, as shown in Figure 2. The anchor arms 46 include twisted intermediate portions 50 and outer end portions 52 which are at right angles to the inner end portions 48 and constitute linkes having wider discs 54 secured to their outer or upper sides. The support 36 is secured in place on the shank 12 by the nut 20, with the resilient block 32 under the desired tension or compression.

In the event that one or more of the ukes 52 become snagged under a rock R, while the anchor arms are spread, pull applied through the anchor line 16 to the shank 12, greater than a predetermined amount, permits the anchor arms to pivot toward the folded position shown in Figure 2. In so pivoting the anchor arms cam the pressure disc 34 upw-ardly against the resistance of the block 32 and compresses the block, so that the anchor arms go into fully folded positions and can be withdrawn from under such as the rock R, so that the anchor 10 is freed. The anchor arms are arrested in the fully folded position by the engagement of the points 56 on the ends of the curved ends 49, in an over-center relation to the pivot pins 44. When the anchor is to be used in spread condition, the arms are forcibly unfolded.

The form of the invention shown in Figure 5 is the same in structure as that of Figures l to 4, except that a coil spring 32a is circumposed about the shankr 12 between the abutment nut washer 24 and `the pressure disc 34, in place of and functioning in the same manner as the resilient block 32 of Figures l to 4.

Although Figure 2 shows all of the anchor arms folded, only those which are snagged beneath an obstacle will be folded, except when the anchor arms are manually folded vfor storage purposes, for example.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A boat anchor comprising al1-elongated shank having a threaded lower end portion including an upper end and a lower end, an abutment at said upper end, an annular compressible element circumposed on said lthreaded portion beneath said abutment, a pressure disc on said threaded portion beneath said compressible element, an anchor arm support slidably circumposed on the shank beneath said pressure disc, a nut threaded on the lower end of said threaded portion beneath and engaging said support, said support having radial ears, and anchor arms having inner end portions pivoted on said ears, said inner end portions of the anchor arms terminating in cam ends engagea-ble with the pressure disc above said References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES' PATENTS support in folded positions of the anchor arms, said inner end portions of the anchor, arms being engaged with said pressure disc in the spread positions of the anchor arms. 877,761 Cummings Ian. 28, 1908 2. A boat anchor according to claim 1, wherein said 5 compressible element comprises an annular rubber block. FOREIGN PATENTS 3. A boat anchor according to claim 1, wherein said 79,141 Sweden Sept. 9, 1931 88,704 Sweden Mar. 2, 1937 compressible element comprises a coil spring.