Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
- 2132752
SPECIFICATIONS:
This invention relates to a stockless twin-fluked anchor. A common embodiment
of a twin-fluked anchor is described in Danforth's Patent No. 515,818, which includes a
long stock to ensure that the anchor is stable, that is, the anchor m~int~in~ an attitude such
that both flukes engage the bottom simlllt~nt-ously. The long stock makes the anchor
difficult to handle and stowe. A number of embodiments have included short stocks,
however, these have poor stability and tend to roll about the shank and then breakout.
This greatly reduces the holding power of the anchor, and its ability to set quickly.
A second feature of the twin-fluked anchor is a crown assembly which is attached
to the stock and flukes to limit the rotation of the shank and to elevate the rear of the
10 anchor, angling the flukes so they can penetrate the bottom. The crown assembly often
fails when a heavy load is applied to the shank.
In this invention, the flukes are configured so that no stock is required to m~int~in
stability and includes a simple but stronger crown assembly that is attached to the shank
and engages both flukes simultaneously to limit the rotation of the shank. The crown
assembly is lighter, permitting more of the weight to be in the flukes increasing the
holding power of the anchor.
The stability of this anchor is achieved by pointing the flukes outward away from
the shank. The tip of each fluke is at the widest point of the anchor, causing the anchor
to naturally rest on each tip. When a horizontal force is applied to the shank both flukes
20 penetrate the bottom with no tendency to roll. If one of the flukes engages harder bottom,
then greater force is applied to that fluke, ensuring both flukes penetrate the bottom
2132752
The simpler crown assembly is achieved by attaching a plate to the shank that is
wide enough to engage each fluke. This plate slopes upward and to the rear forming a
shoe that elevates the rear of the anchor, angling the flukes dowllwald so as to penetrate
the bottom. A support plate is attached from the rear of the shoe to the end of the pivot
end of the shank, forming a strong triangular structure.
An embodiment of my invention which illustrates the above and other features of
my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a plan view of the stockless anchor of the invention.
Figure 2 is a side elevation of the stockless anchor of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is an enlarged side elevation of the shank of the stockless anchor in
Figures 1 and 2.
The stockless anchor 1 of the invention includes a shank 2 between twin flukes 3,4
mounted on a pivot pin 5 for pivoting movement about the axis of the pivot pin at the
pivot hole in the shank 6. The shank includes a handle 7 with a pivot end 8 and a rode
end 9 and a crown assembly consisting of two shoe plates 10,11 and a support plate 12
attached to the shank at the pivot end. Each shoe plate is at least 3 times the width of the
handle and is sloped upward and to the rear. The support plate is attached to the outboard
ends 13,14 of each shoe plate and to the pivot end of the handle forming a rigid triangular
structure. Each fluke consists of a long side 16,17 and a short side 18,19 joined by a
diagonal 20,21 and is mounted on the pivot pin 5 with the short side near the shank. As
the shank pivots, the shoe plates contact each fluke along the short side, limi~ing the angle
of rotation.
I have found that the greatest stability occurs when the outline of the flukes is
approximately square and the length of the shank is about 1.45 times the length of the
flukes.
In a tvnical embodiment. such as the Kin~ston Anchors' G-10 GRIPPER anchor,
2132752
flukes are 1/4 inch plate with a width of 4 inches and an overall length of 8.5 inches, and
a 1/2 inch round pivot pin. The crown assembly on the shank is fabricated from a single
piece of 1/8 inch by 1 1/4 inch flatbar, and attached to the handle with 3 welds.
(Dimensions and materials for the Model G-10 anchor are provided here and below for the
purpose of example only; the requirements for anchors of other sizes will be apparent to
those skilled in the art.)
It is understood that the present invention is not limited to the structure precisely as
described and illustrated. For example, the handle may be tapper to better distribute the
weight and strength.
