Windlass assembly

Abstract

A windlass assembly for a marine craft anchoring system is disclosed. The assembly comprises, before attachment to the craft, a windlass portion and a bow roller portion connected to each other via a connection portion. The connection portion provides a mechanical link between the windlass portion and the bow roller portion, secures alignment between the windlass portion and the bow roller portion and fixes the spacing between the windlass portion and the bow roller portion.

Claims

1. A windlass assembly for a marine craft anchoring system comprising an anchor and anchor rode, the assembly comprising, before attachment to the craft, a windlass portion and a bow roller portion connected to each other via a connection portion, the windlass portion comprising a gypsy adapted to haul the anchor rode for one turn or less around the gypsy, the connection portion being capable of providing a mechanical link between the windlass portion and the bow roller portion, capable of securing alignment between the windlass portion and the bow roller portion and capable of fixing the spacing between the gypsy and the bow roller portion.

2. A windlass assembly according to claim 1 further including a fairlead portion located at the bow roller portion, for guiding the anchor rode with respect to the bow roller portion.

3. A windlass assembly according to claim 1 wherein there is provided a second roller, aft of the bow roller portion.

4. A windlass assembly according to claim 1 wherein the connection portion defines a channel for the anchor rode to extend between the windlass portion and the bow roller portion.

5. A windlass assembly according to claim 1 wherein there is provided a cover on the connection portion.

6. A windlass assembly according to claim 1 wherein the connection portion has a height which varies between the windlass portion and the bow roller portion.

7. A windlass assembly according to claim 1 further including a rode securing mechanism.

8. A windlass assembly according to claim 7 wherein the rode securing mechanism is a chain stopper.

9. A windlass assembly according to claim 7 wherein the rode securing mechanism is located at the windlass portion.

10. A windlass assembly according to claim 1 wherein the connection portion includes a length adjustment mechanism to allow adjustment of a distance between the windlass portion and the bow roller portion.

11. A method of installing a windlass assembly on a marine craft having a bow, an anchor and an anchor rode, the windlass assembly comprising, before attachment to the craft, a windlass portion and a bow roller portion connected to each other via a connection portion, the windlass portion comprising a gypsy adapted to haul the anchor rode for one turn or less around the gypsy, the method including the step of securing the assembly at the bow of the craft, wherein the connection portion provides at least one of: (i) a mechanical link between the windlass portion and the bow roller portion; (ii) alignment between the gypsy and the bow roller portion; and (iii) fixes a spacing between the windlass portion and the bow roller portion, before the assembly is secured to the craft.

12. A method of manufacturing a windlass assembly for a marine craft anchoring system comprising an anchor and anchor rode, the assembly comprising, before attachment to the craft, a windlass portion and a bow roller portion connected to each other via a connection portion, the windlass portion comprising a gypsy adapted to haul the anchor rode for one turn or less around the gypsy, the connection portion being capable of providing a mechanical link between the windlass portion and the bow roller portion, capable of securing alignment between the and the bow roller portion and capable of fixing a spacing between the gypsy and the bow roller portion, the method including, before the assembly is secured to a craft, selecting the connection portion of a desired length from a plurality of connection portions of different lengths, the length being selected to establish a required distance between the windlass portion and bow roller portion, and securing the connection portion between the windlass portion and the bow roller portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIGS. 1 to 6 show a windlass assembly according to an embodiment of the invention in various orientations.

(3) FIGS. 7-12 show the windlass assembly of FIGS. 1-6 with an anchor held in the assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS, AND FURTHER OPTIONAL FEATURES OF THE INVENTION

(4) FIGS. 1 to 6 show a windlass assembly according to an embodiment of the invention in various orientations. FIGS. 7-12 show the windlass assembly of FIGS. 1-6 with an anchor held in the assembly. The same reference numbers are used for the same features in the different drawings, and some reference numbers are omitted from various drawings where they are used and explained elsewhere.

(5) FIG. 1 shows a windlass assembly 10 for a marine craft anchoring system, before installation on a marine craft such as a sailboat or powerboat.

(6) The windlass assembly comprises a windlass portion 12 and a bow roller portion 16 connected to each other via a connection portion 14. The connection portion provides a mechanical link between the windlass portion and the bow roller portion. The connection portion secures alignment between, and fixes the spacing between, the windlass portion and the bow roller portion, even before the assembly is secured to the craft.

(7) In one embodiment, the windlass assembly can be manufactured by, before the assembly is secured to a craft, selecting a connection portion 14 of a desired length from a plurality of connection portions of different lengths, the length being selected to establish a required distance between the windlass portion 12 and bow roller portion 16, and securing the connection portion between the windlass portion 12 and the bow roller portion 16.

(8) In another embodiment, the windlass portion, connection portion and bow roller portion may be formed integrally.

(9) In still another embodiment, discussed below, the spacing between the windlass portion and the bow roller portion may be fixable after adjustment, e.g. adjustment of the connection portion.

(10) The assembly may include a fairlead portion 18, located at the bow roller portion 16. The fairlead portion 18 is formed as a rigid hoop, to guide the anchor rode (not shown) with respect to the bow roller 20.

(11) A second roller 22 is provided, aft of the bow roller 20. The term aft is used in terms of the intended orientation of the assembly on a craft, with the bow roller 20 being forward of the windlass portion 12. The second roller 22 is closer to the bow roller 20 than the windlass portion 12. The second roller serves to support the anchor rode during hauling and letting out and also serves to support at least a part of anchor 100 when the anchor is fully hauled in. In this case, the anchor is also be supported on the bow roller 20. The limit of travel of the anchor towards the windlass is defined by the anchor coming into contact with the fairlead 18.

(12) The connection portion 14 defines a channel 24 for the anchor rode to extend between the windlass gypsy 26 and the bow roller 20. The connection portion has side walls 28, 30 which, when the assembly is installed on a craft, meet the deck of the craft. Each side wall has an inwardly-extending projection 32, 34. The effect of this is partially to cover the channel 24. The side walls provide an additional safety feature, which is to prevent inadvertent contact between a person on board with the anchor rode moving in the channel. As will be appreciated, where the windlass and bow roller are provided as separate entities, the anchor rode extends over open deck between them. A fast-moving anchor rode therefore presents a potential safety hazard.

(13) The lateral extent of the channel 24 in the connection portion 12 preferably matches the lateral extent of a corresponding channel 36 in the windlass portion and the lateral extent of a corresponding channel 38 in the bow roller portion 16.

(14) A cover 40 is provided on the connection portion 14. The cover 40 extends partially along the length of the connection portion, leaving part of channel 24 uncovered in order that the movement of the anchor rode in the channel is clearly visible and to accommodate the shape of the anchor to be used with the windlass assembly. The cover provides an additional safety feature, to prevent inadvertent contact between a person on board with the anchor rode moving in the channel.

(15) The windlass portion 12 includes gypsy 26 which is rotatable by a motor located in housing 42, in a known manner. The anchor rode passes around the gypsy for one turn and drops into an anchor locker below deck (not shown).

(16) As shown in FIG. 5, the connection portion 14 has a height which varies between the windlass portion 12 and the bow roller portion 16. The height of the connection portion 14 immediately adjacent the windlass portion 12 is substantially the same as the height of the windlass portion where it meets the connection portion. Similarly, the height of the connection portion immediately adjacent the bow roller portion 16 is substantially the same as the height of the bow roller portion where it meets the connection portion. In this way, the connection portion provides a gradual transition between the height difference between the windlass portion and the bow roller portion. In this embodiment, the windlass portion has a greater height than the bow roller portion. In this way, the assembly provides a relatively low-profile arrangement, which is easy for a person to step over with minimal risk of tripping.

(17) To allow some adaptability of the assembly for varying craft designs, the distance between the windlass portion and the bow roller portion is adjustable. This may be achieved, for example, by making available a plurality of connection portions of different lengths as discussed above or by the connection portion including a length adjustment mechanism. The length adjustment mechanism may provide discrete steps of adjustability, or the length may be continuously adjustable, in a manner that will be clearly understood. The cover 40 may cover at least part of the length adjustment mechanism.

(18) The assembly further includes a chain securing mechanism. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the chain securing mechanism is a chain stopper 46. Chain stopper 46 includes a hinged plate with a slot 48 adapted to fit over a link of the chain. There is also provided a stop (not shown) to limit the travel of the hinged plate. The hinged plate therefore cooperates with the chain to prevent its movement in the forwards direction. The hinged plate is moveable into and out of engagement with the chain via a lever (not shown).

(19) In the embodiment shown, the chain securing mechanism 46 is located at the windlass portion, immediately adjacent the connection portion.

(20) The assembly is installed on a craft using a suitable arrangement of bolts, fitted through corresponding holes in the deck. For relatively small boats (e.g. around 30 feet in length), the present inventors consider that a conventional arrangement of separate windlass and bow roller would require about 12 bolts for securing to the boat. A corresponding assembly according to an embodiment of the invention would require fewer bolts for securing to the boat, typically about 6. The installation time for the assembly is therefore substantially reduced compared with the conventional arrangement of separate windlass and bow roller.

(21) The hauling capacity of the windlass is determined based on the anchor and rode weight, and the anchor shape, which in turn are determined based on the craft dimensions and the user requirements. Similar consideration apply to the bow roller and to the fairlead. For craft lengths in the range 20-60 feet, the length of the assembly (from the back of the windlass portion to the front of the bow roller) is preferably at least 50 cm, more preferably at least 60 cm. This length is preferably at most 200 cm, more preferably at most 150 cm or 100 cm. A length of about 75 cm is considered to be suitable, for example. Where the length is adjustable, preferably it is adjustable by at least 5% of the greatest possible length of the assembly, more preferably by at least 10%. The length may be adjustable by at most 50% of the greatest possible length of the assembly, more preferably at most 25%.

(22) While the invention has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments described above, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art when given this disclosure. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention set forth above are considered to be illustrative and not limiting. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

(23) All references referred to above are hereby incorporated by reference.