Flat anchor with claws

Abstract

An attachment of a stockless anchor on the sea floor encourages flukes to tilt as soon as the vessel pulls away, while maintaining stability on the floor. The weight of the flukes act as a pivot with the crown of the stockless anchor that, when placed on the floor, causes the anchor to become attached by being buried in the floor when the vessel pulls away. The attachment comprises two claws fastened to the flanks of the flukes at or in close proximity of the crown on the pivot axis of the flukes, thereby enabling them to tilt and become attached immediately in the floor as soon as the anchor is placed on the floor. When the vessel pulls away the anchor is open and becomes attached immediately. An attachment to the floor avoids or reduces dragging of the anchor on the floor.

Claims

1. A stockless anchor comprising: one or more flukes mounted on opposed sides of a longitudinal shank; a crown mounted to a distal end of the longitudinal shank; and one or more claws removably fastened on flanks of each fluke of the one or more flukes; the one or more claws being placed proximate a pivot axis of each fluke of the one or more flukes.

2. The stockless anchor according to claim 1, wherein ends of the one or more claws extend proximate the pivot axis of each fluke of the one or more flukes.

3. The stockless anchor according to claim 1, wherein ends of the one or more claws extend outwardly beyond the crown.

4. The stockless anchor according to claim 1, wherein the one or more claws extend symmetrically from opposed sides of the one or more flukes.

5. The stockless anchor according to claim 1, wherein the one or more claws comprise one or more channel-section surfaces configured to extend over a plane surface of a corresponding fluke of the one or more flukes.

6. The stockless anchor according to claim 5, wherein the one or more channel section surfaces comprise at least one aperture configured to receive a fastener therethrough.

7. The stockless anchor according to claim 6, wherein the one or more claws comprise two channel-section members configured to extend over opposed sides of the corresponding fluke of the one or more flukes.

8. The stockless anchor according to claim 6, wherein the at least one channel-section member extends through a plane parallel to a plane of the corresponding fluke.

9. The stockless anchor according to claim 1, wherein the one or more claws define plane surfaces at each end.

10. The stockless anchor according to claim 9, wherein at least one of the plane surfaces extends from a body section of at least one of the one or more claws.

11. The stockless anchor according to claim 9, wherein the plane surfaces extend parallel to a plane surface of the two flukes.

12. The stockless anchor according to claim 9, wherein at least one aperture is defined through the body section of at least one of the one or more claws.

13. The stockless anchor according to claim 1, wherein the one or more claws comprise at least one half claw configured to extend from one side of a corresponding fluke of the one or more flukes.

14. The stockless anchor according to claim 13, wherein the one or more claws comprise two half claws configured to extend from corresponding locations on opposed sides of the corresponding fluke of the one or more flukes.

15. The stockless anchor according to claim 14, wherein the two half claws extend substantially symmetrically from the opposed sides of the longitudinal shank.

16. The stockless anchor according to claim 1, wherein a body portion of the one or more claws defines a cylindrical shape.

17. The stockless anchor according to claim 1, wherein a body portion of the one or more claws extends at a non-right angle relative to a plane through which the one or more flukes extend.

18. The stockless anchor according to claim 1, wherein the one or more claws define a shaped spur in a traction direction of the stockless anchor.

19. The stockless anchor according to claim 1, wherein the one or more flukes define a pointed edge and a flat edge.

20. A stockless anchor comprising: at least one fluke mounted on opposed sides of a longitudinal shank, the at least one fluke defining a pointed edge and a flat edge, the pointed edge arranged in a traction direction of the stockless anchor; a crown mounted to a distal end of the longitudinal shank; and one or more claws removably fastened on flanks of each fluke by a bolt configured to cooperate with at least one corresponding aperture defined by the one or more claws or a corresponding fluke of the at least one fluke; the one or more claws being placed proximate a pivot axis of the at least one fluke; wherein the one or more claws define a shaped spur in the traction direction of the stockless anchor.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an anchor according to an embodiment.

(2) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an anchor according to an embodiment.

(3) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a claw according to an embodiment.

(4) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a claw according to an embodiment.

(5) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a claw according to an embodiment.

(6) FIG. 6a is a perspective view of a claw according to an embodiment.

(7) FIG. 6b is a perspective view of a claw according to FIG. 6a.

(8) FIG. 6c is a plan view of a claw according to FIG. 6a.

(9) FIG. 6d is a perspective view of a claw according to FIG. 6a.

(10) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an anchor according to an embodiment.

(11) FIG. 8a is a perspective view of an anchor according to an embodiment.

(12) FIG. 8b is a perspective view of a half-claw according to another embodiment.

(13) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the half-claw of FIG. 8b.

(14) FIG. 10a is a perspective view of a claw according to an embodiment.

(15) FIG. 10b is a perspective view of a claw according to another embodiment.

(16) FIG. 10c is a perspective view of a claw according to another embodiment.

(17) FIG. 10d is a perspective view of a claw according to another embodiment.

(18) FIG. 10e is a perspective view of a claw according to another embodiment.

(19) FIG. 11 is an elevational view of a claw according to an embodiment.

(20) FIG. 12 is an elevational view of a claw according to another embodiment.

(21) FIG. 13 is an elevational view of a claw according to another embodiment

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(22) In FIGS. 1 and 2

(23) The claws (1 and 2) are placed on the pivot axis of the flukes. They may be provided with points, or they may have plane surfaces at their ends parallel to the surfaces of the flukes.

(24) The claws (1 and 2) are secured to a channel-section member (3 and 4) that is pierced by a hole for fastening to the flukes (7 and 8).

(25) For Temporary Fastening with the Anchor being Drilled

(26) The hole serves to receive a bolt for fastening the device on the fluke of the stockless anchor (7 and 8) on the anchor that is drilled.

(27) Temporary Fastening without Drilling the Anchor

(28) The anchor is tapped in order to insert a screw that blocks the anchor on being tightened.

(29) The description below relates to one of the two claws (1 and 2) present on the flukes (7 and 8), since said claws are identical.

(30) In FIG. 3

(31) One claw shape has a point at its end, secured to a channel-section member (4) having a hole 9 drilled therein that is fastened on the fluke by a bolt.

(32) In FIG. 4

(33) Another shape of a claw 1 and 2 has a plane surface (20) with openings (21 and 22), and at its ends there are two plane surfaces (23 and 24) obtained by bending the part through 90°, two tabs (25 and 30) are perpendicular to the plane surface and parallel to each other, being welded to the surface (20).

(34) In the fastener tab (25), the hole (27) is for receiving a threaded system such as a screw that passes through the drilled anchor. A said screw is screwed into a tapped hole (29) in the fastener tab (30), two holes (26 and 28) being tapped in order to receive two screws that block the fluke on being tightened.

(35) In FIG. 5

(36) Another shape of a claw (1 and 2) comprises a plane surface (31) that is folded in its center to form a channel-section followed by an angle of 110° having two openings (38, 39), two tabs (40 and 41) are folded at its ends through an angle of 110°, six holes (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37) are drilled in the channel-section, the holes (34 and 36) on the axis for receiving a bolt that keeps the two sides of the channel-section parallel, the holes (32, 33, 35, and 37) are tapped and are for receiving four screws that serve to block the flukes of the anchor.

(37) In FIGS. 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d

(38) Another shape of claw (1 and 2) that is retractable for stowage, a tapped shaft is welded to the middle of the web of the channel-section (4), which section has lugs (14 and 15), a part 2 that has a hole in its center is placed on said shaft, the part having openings (10, 11) corresponding to the lugs, the claw (2) is held in position by the lugs against the part 4 by a spring (13) that is compressed by a nut (12).

(39) The channel-section (4) is pierced by four holes. The holes 16 and 19 are for receiving a bolt fastened through the drilled anchor, two holes 17 and 18 are tapped in order to receive two screws that block the fluke on tightening.

(40) In FIG. 7

(41) Another shape of a claw molded on the stockless anchor, said claws having respective surfaces (46, 47, 52, 53) that are parallel to the shank (5) and perpendicular to the surfaces of the flukes and also plane surfaces at their ends (50, 51, 48, 49) that are parallel to the surfaces of the flukes. The claw may comprise a main surface forming an angle with the plane of the fluke. The angle maybe perpendicular or acute.

(42) In FIG. 8a

(43) There can be seen another way of mounting claws, four half-claws (42, 45, 43, 44) are placed on either side of the drilled flukes at equal distances from the shank.

(44) In FIG. 8b

(45) There can be seen half-claws that are folded at their ends through an angle of 90°, one end of the half-claw (48) is pierced by a hole in order to be fastened together with the other half-claw on the anchor by a bolt.

(46) The other end of the half-claw (46) is folded through 90° in order to provide a plane end.

(47) An opening (47) provides a passage through the half-claw.

(48) If the half-claw is fastened behind the pivot axis of the fluke, the plane portion (46) needs to be very long in order to be located either on the pivot axis of the fluke.

(49) In FIG. 9

(50) There can be seen the same half-claw as in FIG. 8, but shown with two fastener holes (50 and 51) that improve the stability of the claws.

(51) In FIG. 10

(52) There can be seen several possible claw shapes (FIG. 10a, FIG. 10b, FIG. 10c, FIG. 10d) that may be welded, molded, or bolted on the flukes of the anchor.

(53) FIG. 10a—the body of the claw (52) is cylindrical and has a plane surface (53) at its end.

(54) FIG. 10b—the body of the claw is cylindrical and is terminated by the surface of the cylinder.

(55) FIG. 10c—the body of the claw is polygonal and has a plane surface at its end.

(56) FIG. 10d—the body of the claw is polygonal and is terminated by the surface of the polygon.

(57) FIG. 10e—the body of the claw is cylindrical, the resulting spur being formed at an angle relative to the (x,z) plane.

(58) In FIG. 11

(59) There can be seen the behavior of the anchor on a hard bottom. The claws bear against it and give an optimum penetration angle to the flukes. They become buried directly in the floor.

(60) In FIG. 12

(61) There can be seen the behavior of the anchor on a sandy bottom. The plane surfaces of the claws prevent them initially from becoming completely buried, and subsequently cause the flukes to pivot in the sand, at a maximum angle.

(62) In FIG. 13

(63) There can be seen the behavior of the anchor when seen from above on the bottom, when traction is not along the shank.

(64) The anchor pivots horizontally about the axis situated at the claw 1 until the traction axis becomes aligned with the axis of the shank.

(65) With reference to these drawings, the claws may be of various sizes, in proportion with the sizes of anchors, such that the height of the claws is greater than the height of the crown (6), with the claws being made of stainless or galvanized metal.

(66) Users May Fasten Claws in Four Ways

(67) 1) By using the claws of FIG. 3, if the thickness of the fluke fits exactly in the channel-type section (4) without leaving any space, they need to fill holes in the anchor having the same diameter as the holes and insert two bolts in order to fasten the channel-sections (3 and 4) on the flukes.

(68) 2) Using the claws of FIG. 4, they need to drill the flukes of the anchor and insert two bolts for fastening to the channel-sections (3 and 4). If while inserting the flukes into the channel-type section any clearance remains between the flukes and the channel-type section, the screws in the holes 28 and 29 serve to press the flukes against the part 25.

(69) 3) Using the claws of FIG. 5, they can block the anchor without drilling using four screws, in order to hold the flukes (7 and 8) captive in the channel-sections (3 and 4).

(70) 4) Using the half-claws of FIGS. 9 and 10, they are fastened using one or more bolts in symmetrical manner on the flukes, on either side of the fluke and at the same distance from the shank, one under the other.

(71) The retractable version (FIG. 6) enables the claws (1 and 2) to be folded flat parallel to the flukes, so as to enable the anchor to be stowed in a locker without occupying up too much space (FIGS. 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d). The claws may be retracted such that ends of the claws are placed in the proximity of the planes of or defined by the flukes.

(72) The drawings are given as examples and the claws may have other shapes providing the essential characteristics of said claws are conserved (three-dimensional (x,y,z) claws fitted onto a stockless anchor on the tilt axis of the flukes having a vertical dimension (y) that is predominant over the other two dimensions in order to form a shaped spur, said shaping serving to facilitate penetration of the claw into the sea floor when traction (x) is applied to the anchor).

(73) The device of the invention is particularly intended to provide opening, effectiveness, and stability for the flukes of the anchor on the floor, immediately once the vessel pulls away. This has the consequence of preserving the ecosystem of sea bottoms, and of increasing the safety of sailors by considerably reducing anchors turning over, becoming detached, and dragging.