AN ANCHOR FOR A WATERCRAFT

Abstract

An anchor for a watercraft comprising a shank and at least one prong adapted for attachment to the shank, wherein the anchor for a watercraft also comprises at least one weakened connection configured to release the at least one prong from the shank when a load on the at least one prong exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Claims

1. An anchor for a watercraft comprising: a shank; at least one prong adapted for attachment to the shank; and at least one weakened connection configured to release the at least one prong from the shank when a load on the at least one prong exceeds a predetermined threshold.

2. The anchor for a watercraft according to claim 1, wherein the shank comprises two or more portions and wherein a first shank portion is frangibly attached to the second shank portion by the at least one weakened connection.

3. The anchor for a watercraft according to claim 1, wherein the prong is frangibly attached to the shank by at least one weakened connection.

4. The anchor according to claim 1, wherein the at least one weakened connection comprises or is a shear pin.

5. The anchor according to claim 2, further comprising a stop member to preclude the first shank portion from passing through the second shank portion.

6. The anchor according to claim 5, wherein the stop member comprises an outward extending flange.

7. The anchor according to claim 6, wherein the flange is adapted to preclude movement of the at least one prong.

8. The anchor according to claim 1, where the anchor comprises two or more different dimensioned prongs.

9. The anchor according to claim 8, wherein each prong is adjacent different dimensioned prongs.

10. The anchor according to claim 1, each of the at least one prong is pivotally hinged to the shank.

11. The anchor according to claim 1, wherein the shank comprises a plurality of arms adapted to pivotally hinge at least one prong.

12. The anchor according to claim 1 comprising a first set of prongs and a second set of prongs, wherein the first set of prongs have a more acute fluke-shank angle compared to the second set of prongs.

13. The anchor according to claim 1 when used with a watercraft.

14. A method of releasing an anchor for a watercraft including: providing an anchor for a watercraft comprising a shank, at least one prong adapted for attachment to the shank, and at least one weakened connection configured to release the at least one prong from the shank when a load on the at least one prong exceeds a predetermined threshold; subjecting a load greater than the predetermined threshold on the at least one prong, to thereby release the anchor.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the predetermined load causes the at least one weakened connection to break which facilitates release of the at least one prong.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0050] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[0051] FIG. 1 shows a side view of an embodiment of the present invention in the form of an anchor for a watercraft.

[0052] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 with the shear pin removed and shank separated.

[0053] FIG. 3 shows a side view of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 in disassembled form.

[0054] FIG. 4 shows a side view of an embodiment of the present invention in the form of an anchor for a watercraft.

[0055] FIG. 5 shows a top view of the present invention shown in FIG. 4

[0056] FIG. 6 shows a bottom view of the present invention shown in FIG. 4.

[0057] FIG. 7 shows a side view of an embodiment of the present invention in the form of an anchor for a watercraft.

[0058] FIG. 8 shows a bottom end perspective view of the present invention shown in FIG. 7.

[0059] FIG. 9 shows a top end perspective view of the present invention shown in FIG. 7.

[0060] FIG. 10 shows a side view of the present invention shown in FIG. 7 with flukes in a position of reduced resistance.

[0061] FIG. 11 shows a view of the present invention shown in FIG. 7 in disassembled form.

[0062] FIGS. 12A and 12B show a view of an anchor according to an embodiment of the present invention where opposing prongs have a different configuration.

[0063] FIG. 13A shows a perspective view of an anchor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0064] FIG. 13B shows a bottom view of the anchor of FIG. 13A.

[0065] FIG. 13C shows a side view of the anchor of FIG. 13A.

[0066] FIG. 13D shows another side view of the anchor of FIG. 13D.

[0067] FIG. 14A shows an embodiment of a prong.

[0068] FIG. 14B shows the body portion of the prong shown in FIG. 14A.

[0069] FIG. 14C shows the fluke of the prong shown in FIG. 14A.

[0070] FIG. 15A shows another embodiment of a prong.

[0071] FIG. 15B shows the body portion of the prong shown in FIG. 15A.

[0072] FIG. 15C shows the fluke of the prong shown in FIG. 15A.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0073] FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate an anchor 100 for a watercraft, according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The anchor 100 generally comprises a shank 1 comprising two shank portions 1A, 1B, wherein the shank portions are telescopically engaged. It is envisaged that, in use, first shank portion 1A may be slidably engaged in second shank portion 1B in a telescoping fashion, such that first shank portion 1A is at least partially received and retained in second shank portion 1B. The first shank portion 1A and second shank portion 1B may be frangibly attached by at least one locking mechanism in the form of shear pin 9. It is envisaged that in use, shear pin 9 prevents second shank portion 1B from moving relative to first shank portion 1A until a load on the anchor 100 exceeds a predetermined threshold. When the shear pin 9 breaks, second shank portion 1B slides relative to first shank portion 1A.

[0074] Anchor 100 further comprises one or more arm members 6 attached to a lower end of second shank portion 1B and at least one prong 4 extending outwardly therefrom. In the present embodiment, anchor 100 comprises four arm members 6 attached to a lower end of second shank portion 1B and a prong 4 extending outwardly from each of the arm members. Each arm member 6 is spaced apart about the periphery of second shank portion 1B and fixedly attached thereto. Prongs 4 are pivotally connected to each arm member 6 by a mechanical fastener 7 at a first end and comprise a fluke 5 at the opposed second end.

[0075] Anchor 100 further comprises an end member 8 located at the lower end of first shank portion 1A and screw-threadedly engaged therewith. End member 8 comprises a flange extending outwardly therefrom, wherein the flange substantially precludes pivotal movement of the prongs 4 relative to the arm members 6 and prevents first shank portion 1A from passing fully out of the bore of second shank portion 1B.

[0076] In use, when anchor 100 is subjected to excessive load on the prongs 4 and/or flukes 5, shear pin 9 shears off, enabling sliding movement of second shank portion 1B relative to first shank portion 1A, this frees prongs 4 to pivot about mechanical fastener 7 and the flukes 5 are oriented in a position of reduced resistance enabling the anchor to be freed from the seabed. Advantageously, freeing shank portions 1A,16 to move relative to one another enables anchor 100 to be freed from the seabed without the anchor separating into separate parts which need to be retrieved from the seabed.

[0077] Each prong 4 forms an angle of between substantially 90 relative to the shank 1 for effective anchorage in a seabed or reef. A penetration edge 5A of each fluke 5 extends at an angle of between substantially 45 and substantially 135 from each opposing side of the prong 4 for effective mud or sand anchorage.

[0078] Anchor 100 further comprises an attachment end 3 at an upper end of the first shank portion 1A. The attachment end 3 of anchor 100 may be connected to a chain using an attachment portion such as a swivel connector 2. A tripping ring (not shown) for a tripline may be attached to an arm member, the shank and/or a shank portion of the anchor 100.

[0079] FIGS. 4 to 6 shows an anchor 200 for a watercraft, according to a second embodiment of the invention. Anchor 200 comprises a shank 11, four arm members 16 spaced about the periphery of a lower end of shank 11 and extending outwardly therefrom, a prong 14 pivotally connected to each arm member 16 by a mechanical fastener 17 and frangibly attached thereto by a locking mechanism in the form of a shear pin 19, wherein the prong 14 comprises a fluke 15.

[0080] Anchor 200 may comprise an attachment end (not shown) at an upper end of the shank 11 for attaching the anchor to a chain. A tripping ring (not shown) for a tripline may be attached to an arm member, the shank and/or a shank portion of the anchor.

[0081] In use, when anchor 200 is subjected to excessive load on the prongs 14 and/or flukes 15, the shear pin 19 shears off, which frees prongs 14 to pivot about mechanical fastener 17 orienting flukes 15 in a position of reduced resistance and enabling the anchor to be freed from the seabed.

[0082] FIGS. 7 to 11 illustrate an anchor 300 for a watercraft, according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Anchor 300 generally comprises a shank 21 comprising two shank portions 21A, 21B, wherein the shank portions are telescopically engaged. It is envisaged that, in use, a first shank portion 21A may be slidably engaged in a second shank portion 21B in a telescoping fashion, such that the first shank portion 21A is at least partially received and retained in the second shank portion 21B. The first shank portion 21A and second shank portion 21B may be frangibly attached by at least one locking mechanism in the form of a shear pin 29. It is envisaged that in use, shear pin 29 shears when a load on the anchor 300 exceeds a predetermined threshold. When the shear pin 29 breaks, the first shank portion 21A slides relative to the second shank portion 21B such that it is at least partially extended from the upper end of second shank portion 21B.

[0083] Anchor 300 further comprises four arm members 26 spaced about the periphery of a lower end of shank portion 21B and extending outwardly therefrom, a prong 24 pivotally connected to each arm member 26 by a mechanical fastener 27. Each arm member 26 is attached to second shank portion 21B at one end thereof and to prong 24 at a second end 30 thereof. Preferably, second end 30 of arm member 26 is configured to receive at least a portion of prong 24 therein, wherein second end 30 of arm member 26 has a substantially U-shaped configuration and at least a portion of prong 24 is received within the channel of U-shaped second end 30. Each leg of U-shaped second end 30 and prong 24 are provided with one or more apertures, through which mechanical fastener 27 may be passed when the apertures are aligned in order to connect prong 24 to arm member 26.

[0084] Anchor 300 further comprises an end member 28 in the form of a flange located at the lower end of first shank portion 21A and frictionally engaged with the lower end of second shank portion 21B. In this instance, it is envisaged that the flange 28 prevents first shank portion 21A from passing fully into or out of the bore of second shank portion 21B. In addition, flange 28 may substantially precludes pivotal movement of the prongs 24 relative to the arm members 26 whilst it is abutting projection 31 of prong 24.

[0085] Prong 24 comprises a fluke 25 which is configured to penetrate into the seabed enabling anchor 300 to hold the watercraft in position. Each prong 24 forms an angle of between substantially 90 relative to the shank 21 for effective anchorage in a seabed or reef. A penetration edge 25A of each fluke 25 extends at an angle of between substantially 45 and substantially 135 from each opposing side of the prong 24 for effective mud or sand anchorage.

[0086] Anchor 300 further comprises an attachment end 23 at an upper end of the first shank portion 21A. Attachment end 23 of anchor 300 may be connected to a chain using an attachment portion. A tripping ring (not shown) for a tripline may be attached to an arm member, the shank and/or a shank portion of the anchor 300.

[0087] In use, when anchor 300 is subjected to excessive load on prongs 24 and/or flukes 25, shear pin 29 shears off, enabling second shank portion 21B to slide along the length of first shank portion 21A. Consequently, prongs 24 are freed to pivot about mechanical fastener 27 and the flukes 25 are oriented in a position of reduced resistance enabling the anchor to be freed from the seabed. In use, it is envisaged that when the shear pin breaks, the prongs of the anchor pivot outwards past 90 and rotate back towards the axis of the shaft (see FIG. 10).

[0088] In FIGS. 12A and 12B, an anchor 400 comprising two pairs of prongs having a different size, shape and configuration are shown. In FIG. 12A, a first pair of prongs 32A, 32B having a more acute fluke-shank angle compared to a second pair of prongs (FIG. 12B) is illustrated. In use, it is envisaged that an anchor comprising an opposing pair of prongs 34A, 34B each having a shallower piercing entry (a larger fluke-shank angle) compared to the opposing pair of prongs may create less resistance at the entry point for the shallow prongs and improve penetration and holding capabilities of the shallow prongs.

[0089] Shown in FIG. 13a illustrates an anchor 500 for a watercraft, according to a further embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13b shows an underside view of anchor 500. Anchor 500 comprises a shank, four arm members 560 spaced about the periphery of a lower end of the shank and extending outwardly therefrom, and a prong pivotally connected to each arm member 560 by a mechanical fastener 570. In one embodiment, the shank comprises two shank portions 510A, 510B wherein the shank portions 510A, 510B are telescopically engaged. In use, a first shank portion 510A is suitably engaged in a second shank portion 510B in a telescopic fashion, such that the first shank portion 510A is at least partially received and retained in the second shank portion 510B. The first shank portion 510A and second shank portion 510B may be frangible attached by at least one locking mechanism. In one embodiment, the at least one locking mechanism comprises a shear pin 590. The at least one locking mechanism is adapted to shear when a load on the anchor 500 exceeds a predetermined threshold. It will be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that the predetermined threshold can be any suitably threshold and may be adapted to a particular ocean floor landscape.

[0090] Anchor 500 further comprises an end member 580. The end member is located at the lower end of first shank portion 510A. End member 580 comprises a flange extending outwardly therefrom, wherein the flange substantially precludes pivotal movement of the prongs relative to the arm members 560 and prevents the first shank portion 510A from passing fully out of the bore of the second shank portion 510B. When the locking mechanism breaks, the first shank portion 510A slides relative to the second shank portion 510B such that it is at least partially extended from the upper end of the second shank portion 510B.

[0091] The anchor may suitably comprise prongs of different sizes and/or dimensions. In the embodiment shown, the anchor 500 comprises prongs 540a and 540b. In a preferred embodiment, the anchor 500 comprises two pairs of opposing prongs 540a, 540b. That is, prongs 540a are adjacent prongs 540b and prongs 540b are adjacent prongs 540a.

[0092] Each prong suitably comprises a fluke and a body portion. Prong 540a suitably comprises a body portion 542a and a fluke 545a. In one embodiment, the fluke 545a is generally perpendicular to the body portion 542a. The body portion suitably comprises an aperture (not shown). The arms suitably comprise aperture(s) that are aligned with the apertures of the body portion. The mechanical fastener is suitably inserted into the apertures to facilitate pivotal movement.

[0093] Suitably, the prongs form an angle between the outer surface of the body portion and the outer surface of the fluke. In one embodiment, the angle is between about 45 and about 75, between about 50 and about 70, between about 60 and about 70, between about 65 and about 70. In the embodiment shown, the angle between the outer surface of the body portion and the outer surface of the fluke is 68.

[0094] The other prong suitably comprises a fluke and a body portion. Prong 540b suitably comprises a body portion 542b and a fluke 545b. In one embodiment, the fluke 545b is generally perpendicular to the body portion 542b. The body portion suitably comprises an aperture (not shown). The arms suitably comprise aperture(s) that are aligned with the apertures of the body portion. The mechanical fastener is suitably inserted into the apertures to facilitate pivotal movement.

[0095] Suitably, the prongs form an angle between the outer surface of the body portion and the outer surface of the fluke. In one embodiment, the angle is between about 45 and about 90, between about 60 and about 90, between about 70 and about 90, between about 75 and about 85. In the embodiment shown, the angle between the outer surface of the body portion and the outer surface of the fluke is 80.

[0096] In an embodiment, the fluke and body portion of a prong can be integrally formed. In another embodiment, the fluke may be attached to the body portion. In this embodiment, the fluke is suitably permanently affixed to the body portion. In a further embodiment, the fluke is welded to the body portion.

[0097] In one embodiment, the flukes are diamond shaped. However, it will be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that the flukes can be any shape or size based on the area it is to be utilized. In this regard, diamond shaped flukes are believed to be used best in sand and/or mud.

[0098] The inventor postulate that having a different pair of prongs allow for a different angle of entry into the ocean floor. The non-symmetrical design creates an imbalance of penetration pressure on the prongs that drag along the ocean floor when the anchor is deployed. This imbalance results in one prong penetrating the floor prior to the other, and this creates a twisting motion. The inventor believe that this allows the anchor to further bury itself deeply into the floor.

[0099] Shown in FIG. 14a is an embodiment of prong 540a. Prong 540a comprises a body portion 542a and a fluke 545a. Shown in FIG. 14b is a side view of the body portion 542a and shown in FIG. 14c is a bottom view of fluke 545a. The figures depict the angles and dimension of one embodiment of the prong 540a.

[0100] Shown in FIG. 15b is an embodiment of prong 540b. Prong 540b comprises a body portion 542b and a fluke 545b. Shown in FIG. 15b is a side view of the body portion 542b and shown in FIG. 15c is a bottom view of fluke 545b. The figures depict the angles and dimension of one embodiment of the prong 540b.

[0101] As shown, prong 540a has a more acute fluke-shank angle compared to prong 540b. In this regard, it is postulated that an anchor comprising opposing prongs of 540a, 540b create a twisting motion of the anchor. As the anchor is burying or grabbing the seafloor, it is postulated that the anchor better penetrates the seafloor, and this improves the holding capability of the anchor.

[0102] The person skilled in the art will appreciate that the anchors described herein may have any number of arm members and prongs. In this regard, the anchor may comprise one or more arm members and prongs. In one embodiment, the anchor comprises 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 arm members or prongs. Preferably, the person skilled in the art will appreciate that the number of arms is equal to the number of prongs. In a preferred embodiment, the anchor comprises four arm members. Testing

[0103] Testing was preformed on a number of differently sized shear pins to determine the predetermined threshold. The prongs of an anchor of the present invention were attached to an immovable objection to replicate the anchor being fouled on underwater landscape. Increasing pressure was applied with a lifting device attached to a crane scale, which was attached to the connection end of the shaft of the anchor until the shear pins sheared and the anchor collapsed. The shear pins were formed from zinc coated mild steel. The results are shown in Table 1:

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Shear pin diameter Pressure range at collapse Boat size, suitable for 3 mm 50 kg-60 kg 3 m-5 m 4 mm 100 kg-120 kg 5 m-9 m 5 mm 180 kg-200 kg 7 m-10 m

[0104] As shown, the present anchor can be adapted to be used by differently sized watercrafts by altering the shear pin diameter. It will be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that large shear pins than those shown above can be utilized for larger watercrafts.

[0105] It is envisaged that the shear pin diameter can be scaled to accommodate larger watercrafts. In this regard, in one embodiment, the shear pine has a diameter of between about 6 mm and about 10 mm.

[0106] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word comprising and its derivatives including comprises and comprise include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

[0107] Reference throughout this specification to one embodiment or an embodiment means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases in one embodiment or in an embodiment in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

[0108] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.