US3618554A

US3618554A - Boat- or ship-type anchor

Info

Publication number: US3618554A
Application number: US833819A
Authority: US
Inventors: Lowell Lloyd Patten
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1969-06-16
Filing date: 1969-06-16
Publication date: 1971-11-09
Anticipated expiration: 1988-11-09

Abstract

A fluke-type marine-mooring anchor is disclosed as assembled from mechanical elements with a means of quick conversion from a folded, restrained condition to an open, working condition.

Description

United States Patent Inventor Lowell Lloyd Patten [56] References Cited 2360 E. 215! South St, Salt Lake City, UNITED STATES PATENTS A l N $3 8 1? 3,450,088 6/1969 Guier l 14/208 F556 216 1969 2,669,963 2/1954 Christie 1 14/203 Patented Nov. 9, 971 3,022,761 2/1962 De Beixedin 1 14/208 Primary Examiner-Milton Buchler Assistant Examiner-F. K. Yee BOAT- OR SHIP-TYPE ANCHOR 1 Claim, 4 Drawing Figs.

U.S. Cl 114/208 R ABSTRACT: A fluke-type marine-mooring anchor is dis- Int. Cl 1363b 21/40 closed as assembled from mechanical elements with a means Field of Search u l 14/208, of quick conversion from a folded, restrained condition to an 208 A, 207, 206 open, working condition.

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sum 2 or 2 A 145, z izzzn BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to new and useful improvements in marine-mooring anchors which have moving parts and more particularly to improvements in older fluke-type anchors such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,576,390; 2,354,666; 2,679,226 and 3,29l,093.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A general object of this invention is to provide an anchor of lightweight and high-holding power with means for quick and simple conversion into a flat, compact, and rigid package when not in use. It provides other functions of a fluke anchor by modification and addition of parts which are new and novel. A further object is to provide a device of this character of simple and practical construction which is efficient and reliable in operation and relatively simple to manufacture and is quickly and easily folded for storage providing unusual safety in handling and stowing. Other objects and advantages are hereafter more fully explained in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side view of the complete anchor in the open or working position.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the complete anchor in the folded or stowing position with fluke clamped.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the forward section of the fork shaft member, showing details of construction.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the complete anchor in the working position, fluke down.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, the anchor comprises a bifurcated fluke anchor with a substantially V-shaped shank or frame 2 which supports the other parts of the anchor. The base or wide end of the flu'ke is attached to a rod 4 which forms an axis that pivots in suitable holes near the rearward ends of the sides of the frame. The blade 1 and frame are similar to those shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,669,963 and 3,022,76! with the differences described below. Said frame follows the outline of the fluke to provide protection of the points in the folded position. The frame contains an opening at the forward end (shown by dotted lines in FIGS. 1 and 2 which represent the outline of the fork shaft as well as the outline of the frame opening) parallel to the long axis of the anchor which supports a Y-shaped member, herein referred to as the fork," which is comprised of a shaft with two attached arms 3. The fork shaft consists of a cylindrical forward section 10 with round cross section, and a prismatic rearward section 9 with square cross section. The two arms are attached to the rearward end of the shaft and support inward facing hooks 7 at their outer ends. The forward end of the shaft contains an eye for the attachment of an anchor line. The opening in the forward end of the frame contains round and square sections, corresponding to those of the shaft, and slightly larger. The round section of the shaft is longer than the round section of the frame opening to allow forward-rearward as well as rotational movement of the shaft in the opening. The square sections can thus be engaged or disengaged while the round sections provide a journal-bearing combination. The mating square elements provide a means of selectively locking the rotational position of the shaft at approximately 90 intervals.

This rotational locking could be provided by other means such as a spline system or lug and socket. A compression spring 6 is mounted on the forward end of the fork shaft between the eye and the forward end of the frame, holding the fork shaft forward to retain the locked position.

The operation of the anchor is as follows. In the open or working position with the plane of the fork perpendicular to the plane of the frame, and the square sections of shaft and frame opening engaged, the anchor is supported on the bottom by one side of the frame and the outer end of one fork arm (back of the hook.) In this position one side of the base of the fluke is elevated above the bottom, causing the other side of the fluke to press against the bottom by gravity. Forward motion of the anchor by a pull on the anchor line then causes the edge of the fluke to dig, thus rotating the fluke downward. This rotation is stopped when the fluke reaches a position where the cross link 8, which is connected between the fluke halves, engages the fork hook 7. Further forward movement of the anchor then causes the fluke to dig in the usual manner of fluke anchors. The fork member thus produces an effect similar to the appendages attached to the bases of the flukes on most fluke anchors which cause rotation of the fluke upon contact with the bottom (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,022,761; 2,679,226 and 3,291,093) by different means.

After being retrieved, the anchor is converted for stowing to the closed or folded position (FIG. 2) by holding the blade parallel and inside the frame and pressing rearward on the eye (usually done by holding the anchor in a vertical position and pressing down on the eye) so as to disengage the square sections. This allows the fork to be rotated into the plane of the frame. In this position one arm of the fork lies against each face of the fluke. Release of pressure against eye then causes the square sections to again engage holding the fluke inside the frame and immobile with points protected. The fluke can thus be folded or restrained in approximately 2 seconds or less. The thickness of the folded package is approximately one-twentieth of its length.

The invention having been described, what is claimed is:

1. An anchor assembly comprising in combination:

a support frame having members forming substantially a V, said members having openings located adjacent to the ends which form the open portion of the frame and an opening located at the apex of the V, said opening having a round forward section and a square rearward section;

a link joining the two halves of the bifurcated fluke;

a substantially Y-shaped fork member adapted to be supported by said frame having:

a. a shaft comprising a round forward section and a square rearward section, said shaft fitting into said opening in said frame;

b. an eye at one end of said shaft to accommodate attachment of an anchor line;

c. and two arms with inward-facing hooks at the other end of said shaft.

a spring mounted on said shaft between said eye and the end of said frame, said spring holding said shaft in said opening in a forward position so that when compressed said spring allows said square section of said shaft to be disengaged from said square section of said frame opening, allowing said shaft to be rotated about its axis, from a position wherein said arms are in contact with opposite faces of said fluke, to a position wherein one of said hooks will engage said link upon downward rotation of said fluke, holding said fluke in the digging position.

Claims

1. An anchor assembly comprising in combination: a support frame having members forming substantially a V, said members having openings located adjacent to the ends which form the open portion of the frame and an opening located at the apex of the V, said opening having a round forward section and a square rearward section; a link joining the two halves of the bifurcated fluke; a substantially Y-shaped fork member adapted to be supported by said frame having: a. a shaft comprising a round forward section and a square rearward section, said shaft fitting into said opening in said frame; b. an eye at one end of said shaft to accommodate attachment of an anchor line; c. and two arms with inward-facing hooks at the other end of said shaft. a spring mounted on said shaft between said eye and the end of said frame, said spring holding said shaft in said opening in a forward position so that when compressed said spring allows said square section of said shaft to be disengaged from said square section of said frame opening, allowing said shaft to be rotated about its axis, from a position wherein said arms are in contact with opposite faces of said fluke, to a position wherein one of said hooks will engage said link upon downward rotation of said fluke, holding said fluke in the digging position.