US3071097A

US3071097A - Anchor tripper

Info

Publication number: US3071097A
Application number: US794882A
Authority: US
Inventors: Dowrelio Antone
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1959-02-24
Filing date: 1959-02-24
Publication date: 1963-01-01
Anticipated expiration: 1980-01-01

Description

A. DiBWRELIO Jan 1, 163

ANCHOR TRIPPER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 24, 1959 INVENTOR. AN TONE D0 WREL l0 A. DOWRELIO Jan. 1, 1963 ANCHOR TRIPPER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed. Feb. 24, 1959 INVENTOR. A N TONE DOWREL/O vll ATTORNEYS United States atent Patented Jan. 1, 1963 This invention relates to a new and improved anchor tripper and associated mechanism.

More particularly, the present invention relates to an anchor tripper fastened to the deck of a boat and having a housing pivotally mounted about a horizontal pivot axis and carrying sheaves over which the anchor chain or line passes. The housing is pivoted so that it can be swung out well over the side of the boat while the anchor is being hoisted or lowered to prevent the anchor from marring the side of the boat, and also so that after the anchor has been hoisted, the housing may be swung up over the deck out of the way of docks, other vessels and the like.

Various mechanical or manual hoisting means may be employed to raise or lower the anchor. In this connection reference is made to my Patent No. 2,669,427, issued February 16, 1954, for an anchor hoist which may be used to wind and unwind the anchor line.

The present invention provides an anchor tripper which is pivotally mounted on the deck of the vessel in two positions, namely: A first position in which the tripper extends out over the bow of the vessel when the anchor is in the water; a second position in which the anchor is swung well over the deck when the boat is under way.

One of the features of the invention is the fact that the tripper is swung from first position to second position automatically as the anchor line is wound by the winch by reason of the anchor engaging guides which pivot upwardly against a stationary stop mounted on the housing to prevent further inward movement of the anchor relative to the housing with the result that further winding of the line causes the tripper to be swung upwardly and backwardly against its pivot and into second position.

Still another feature of the invention is that as the tripper is swung upwardly and backwardly in the manner above described, the torque or casting spring mounted to the housing pivot bolt sleeve is compressed. Thus, automatic anchor casting is provided in that when the winch clutch is released and the chain locking dog disengaged, the urging force of the spring causes the anchor tripper to pivot counterclockwise to first position.

Still another feature of the invention is the automatic anchor guide and locking mechanism which directs the anchor to second position and securely maintains it in such position. This feature is provided by the anchor engaging guides which are pivotally mounted to the housing on both sides of the housing frame adjacent the outer sheave. in the hoisting operation, when the anchor shank passes upwardly through the guides to the point where the anchor flukes engage the outer end of the first guide, continued pull against the line causes the first guide to pivot outwardly and upwardly following the angle of the anchor, engaging the second guide. The second guide is then forced to rear stop position. As the tripper pivots clockwise, the guides under downward pressure of the duke end of the anchor move counterclockwise against forward stops and the anchor shank, to tightly lock the anchor against the first sheave in normally horizontal position. In the lowering operation, the guides follow a reverse action releasing the anchor.

The foregoing described automatic movement of the housing from one position to the other, and locking and unlocking action of the guides, together with the remote control of the winch, makes possible hoisting, storage and lowering of the anchor at a distance from the bow, as from the wheelhouse, etc.

Still another feature of the present invention is that the tripper is adapted to use with anchors varying in size by reason of removable spaced apart stop pins on the housing adjacent the first sheave permitting adjustment of the pivotal arc of the first guide.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision of a chain-locking dog which may be swung into position to lock the chain against movement thereby facilitating use of the Windlass associated with the hoist for purposes other than raising and lowering the anchor without possibility of unintentional movement of the anchor line.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings in which similar characters of reference represent corresponding parts in each of the several views.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the present invention showing the anchor tripper and its stationary support.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the present invention showing the anchor tripper mounted to the bow of a boat and in first positiion carrying an anchor chain.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the present invention showing an anchor tripper mounted to the bow of a boat and in second position carrying an anchor.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational vie-w of an anchor tripper according to the present invention mounted on the bow of a boat in combination with an anchor and line, a chain locking dog and a winch having a leverage system extending to the cabin for controlling the Winch clutch thereat.

FIG. 5 is atop plan view of an anchor tripper according to the present invention mounted on the bow of a boat in combination with a chain, a chain-locking dog and a winch having a gypsy head.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of an anchor tripper according to the present invention located in second position carrying an anchor and showing the tripper in combination with a main shaft carrying line sheaves for executing the hoisting and lowering operation manually from the wheelhouse.

The present invention is intended for installation on the deck 3 adjacent the how 5 or stem of a boat, and may be used in combination with a winch 7, or in boats not equipped with a winch, a structure such as that viewed in FIG. 6 of the drawings.

As shown on FIG. 6, mounted on a base plate 5 is a main shaft 11 carrying a first sheave 13 at substantially the same level as the horizontally disposed anchor shank 39 and a second sheave 17 mounted to the base plate 9 and extending below the deck 3. The line passes over the first sheave 13, extends downwardly through a suitable opening in the base plate 9 and then passes around the second sheave 17 so that the anchor tripper 19 may be mechanically operated by means of a leverage system (not shown) from the wheelhouse 21.

When a winch is employed, mounted on a winch base plate 23, is a winch 7 such as the type shown in my Patent No. 2,669,427, issued February 16, 1954. The details of the description of such a winch are set forth in the patent referred to, but generally it may be said that the winch may be driven by an electric motor (not shown) below the deck. Mounted on the main shaft 25 on one side of the hoist casing is a wildcat 26, the surface of the drum of which is provided with grooves for an anchor chain, the opposite side of the shaft is provided with a gypsy-head 27 which may be used to wind a line other than the anchor line. A control handle 29 actuates a clutch (not shown) to engage and disengage the wildcat '26 from driving relationship with the shaft 25 as is set forth in said patent. Remote control of the clutch may be accomplished by means of a leverage system 31 having a second handle (not shown) in the wheelhouse 21 or other convenient location on the vessel.

In place of the anchor chain 33 shown in the accompanying drawings, a cable, rope, or the like may be employed, all such instrumentalities being referred to herein collectively as a line. The line 33 is wound over the Windlass 26 and passes through guide 35 below the deck where it may be stored.

At the opposite end of the line 33 is an anchor 37. Such an anchor 37 comprises a shank 39 on the lower end of which are flukes 41 and on the upper end of which is eye 43 which receives line 33. The anchor line 33 passes over

sheaves

45 and 47 mounted on anchor tripper 19. By winding and unwinding the line 33 on the wildcat 26, the anchor 37 may be raised and lowered as desired.

A chain-locking dog 51 may be mounted on the deck 3 or on the hoist base-plate 23. Such a dog comprises an arm 53 having a bifurcated upper end 55 bent in the direction of the bow 5, the width of the space between the bifurcation being such as to permit one of the links of the chain to fit on edge while the two adjacent links, which are disposed at right angles to the engaged link, wedge against opposite sides of the bifurcated end. The lower end of the arm is pivotally mounted by means of pivot 57 to a pair of ears 59 projecting up from the chain-locking base-plate 60 which is secured to the deck or to the hoist base plate. The dog 51 may be swung about pivot 57 from latching to unlatching position as desired. When in latching position, the dog prevents movement of the chain and this permits gypsyhead 27 to be used to wind at line other than the anchor line for such purpose as hauling in a dinghy, drawing the boat toward a dock or for other purposes. Hence, release of the hoist clutch by handle 29, which enables the gypsy-head to turn without the anchor wildcat 2 6, does not release the anchor line.

The anchor lead 19 is mounted on a base plate 61 fastened to the deck 3 of the vessel. Base plate 61 lies between winch 7 and the bow and the winch 7 is offset so that the wildcat 26, the lead 19 and the bow 5 are aligned. The anchor tripper 19 includes two identical side frame members 63 of generally triangular shape in side elevation. The triangular frame members 63 may each be described as having two sides substantially foring an L, including a leg 65 and an arm 67, and a third third side 69 joining the outer ends of the leg 65 and arm 67. The outer end of the arm 67 of the L is pivotally attached to upstanding lugs 71 on the base plate 61 by means of pivot bolt 73 which passes through holes in the lugs 71 and a suitable spacing sleeve 75 interposed between the frame members 63 holding them apart a fixed distance. Over the sleeve 75 is mounted a helical torque spring 77 to automatically lower the tripper 19 to first position, as hereinafter explained.

The spring has an upper lever 79 fitted with a snubber 81 and a lower lever 83 at opposite ends thereof to engage a rubber roller 85 horizontally mounted between the side frames 63 parallel to and above pivot bolt 73, and to engage the base plate 61 respectively, when the tripper is in second position as shown in-PIG. 3.

The roller is in such position that when the tripper is in the first position, the roller rests in a cradle 87 formed on the upper face of the base plate 61, cradle 87 being concave to fit the roller 35, so that the strain of the weight of the anchor, and the forward impact of the anchor tripper against the deck is taken by the cradle 87.

The roller 85 has a surface composed of rubber or other similar material to cushion the impact of the tripper 19 against the deck 3 when the tripper is moved to first position.

Another bolt 91 and spacing sleeve (not shown) are spaced apart from and horizontally mounted above roller at a central position, holding the side frame members 63 apart a fixed distance.

The top portion of web member 69 extending outward- 1y from the point at which the roller bolt 93 passes through the side frames 63 to the location of first sheave 45, and web member 95 extending from a central l0- cation on web member 69 to the second sheave 47 are provided to reinforce the L-shaped members 65 and 6'7 and the lower portion of web member 69. The openings 97 provided between the various members of the frame reduce the weight and provide access between the frame sides.

Pivotally mounted to the side frames 63 adjacent first sheave 45 are a circular-shaped first guide 99 and a U- shaped second guide 1111. The first guide 99 is mounted on the first sheave bolt 103 by means of supporting arms 105. The second guide 101 passes around and over the upper end of the side frames 63 and is pivotally mounted above the first sheave bolt 163 to the side frames 63 by screws 107.

One of the side plates 63 is formed with three apertures near its periphery, removably receiving stop pins 109, 1-11, and 113 (as shown in FIG. 2) which selectively restrict downward pivotal motion of the first guide at different degrees of arc. By this means, the anchor tripper 19 can be used to carry anchors of varying sizes.

Stop pin 109 nearest arm 1115 of the first guide 99 functions to maintain the guide at an angle away from the how 5 of the boat when the anchor 37 is down. In the second tripper position, the same pin 109 serves to communicate the downward forces at the fluke end 41 of the anchor 37 to the tripper 19 by engaging and supporting the arms of the Weight-bearing first guide 99.

The U-shaped second guide 101 is provided with a front stop 115 and rear stop 117 spaced apart from each other and projecting upward from one of the side frame members 63 adjacent first sheave 45.

In operation, when the anchor 37 is down, the tripper 19 is in the first position (FIGS. 2, 4 and 5) swung out over the bow 5. When it is desired to use the gypsyhead 27, chain-locking dog 51 is raised so that one of the links is engaged between the bifurcations in the upper end 55. Thereupon, the clutch operated by control handle 29 of hoist 7 can be released permitting the gypsyhead 27 to turn without movement of the anchor chain 33.

When it is desired to hoist the anchor 37, chain-locking dog 51 is swung down out of engagement with line 33. The clutch is engaged, winding the chain 33 up over

sheaves

45 and 47 and wildcat 26, and down through guide 35 into a locker below the deck. When the anchor 37 is lifted up out of the water, the shank 39 passes upward through guides 99 and 1131. When flukes d1 engage the outer end of first guide 99, under continued pull of the line 33, guide 1111 pivots outwardly and upwardly forcing U-shaped guide 1111 backward against rear stop 117 to restrict further clockwise motion of both

guides

99 and 101, and further inward movement of the anchor 37 relative to the tripper 19. The pull forces of of the winch '7 are then communicated to the outer end of the tripper 19 causing it to move clockwise to second position, compressing the torque spring 7'7. In this position, the weight of the anchor flukes 41 forces the first guide 99 downward against stop pin 1G9 and the underside of the shank 39 at the fluke end of the anchor. The second guide 101 is forced up against front stop 115 and the topside of the rear portion of anchor shank 39. Thus, the anchor 37 is securely locked against sheave 45 substantially horizontally in second position.

Desirably, when the anchor 37 reaches second position as shown in FIG. 3, the motor is stopped manually or by means of a hoist switch (not shown) which de-energizes the hoist motor, or the clutch is disengaged and dog 51 is engaged.

If after the anchor 37 is wound to second position, it

is desired to use the gypsy-head 27, the chain-locking dog 51 may be re-engaged.

To release the anchor from second position, the clutch is disengaged with dog 51 in release position allowing wildcat 26 to unwind. Then, under force of the torque spring 77, the anchor tripper 19 is pitched forward and downward to first position causing the

guides

99 and 101 to move slightly clockwise, releasing the anchor 37. The anchor then falls freely through the guides into the Water and away from the bow of the boat.

Although I have described my invention in some detail by way of illustration and example for purpose of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made.

What is claimed is:

1. In an anchor tripper for cooperating with an anchor having a line associated therewith of the type having a frame member, means pivotally mounting the frame member on a boat for movement to an extended position having an extremity outwardly of the boat and to a retracted position overlying the boat, the improvement comprising first and second guide means mounted on the extended portion of said member, a sheave mounted on the extremity of said member, said anchor being adapted to pass through said first and second guide means and over said sheave, means for taking in and letting out said anchor line, means pivotally mounting said first guide means to allow free movement of said line downwardly when said frame member is in the extended position, stop means preventing downward movement of said first guide means to allow said first guide means to support said anchor when said frame member is in the retracted position, means pivotally mounting said second guide means to allow free passage of said anchor line over said sheave when said frame member is in the extended position and adaptable to receive the shank of the anchor when said anchor is in the retracted position to prevent upward movement of the shank of the anchor, and said sheave operably connected to said first and second guide means and forming the support for the middle section of the shank of the anchor.

2. In an anchor tripper for cooperating with an anchor having a line associated therewith of the type having a frame member, means pivotally mounting said frame member on a boat for movement to an extended position outwardly of the boat and to a retracted position overlying the boat the improvement comprising the tip portion of said member having a sheave adapted to support a portion of said anchor intermediate the fluke end and rearward end of said anchor when said member is in the retracted position and to form a guide for the anchor line when said member is in the extended position, and anchor support means including first and second support members mounted on the tip of said frame member operably connected to said sheave to support the fluke end of said anchor against downward movement and the rearward end of said anchor against upward movement when said member is in the retracted position, said support means being pivotally mounted on said member to allow free passage of said anchor line through said support means when said member is in the extended position.

3. An anchor tripper according to claim 2 and wherein said first and second support members comprise a first guide having a circular guide sleeve having a diameter larger than the shank of said anchor and pivotally mounted to extend downwardly when said member is in the extended position, and a second guide mounted above said first guide formed in a U-shaped configuration overlying the sheave and anchor line.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,749,193 Schauman et a1 Mar. 4, 1930 2,632,418 Gronquist Mar. 24, 1953 2,669,427 Dowrelio Feb. 16, 1954 2,718,865 Kurzman Sept. 27, 1955 2,734,475 Fyock Feb. 14, 1956 2,837,050 Frank June 3, 1958 2,940,412 Whitney June 14, 1960 2,940,413 Sanders June 14, 1960