Anchoring apparatus

Abstract

To make secondary anchoring of small boats quick, safe, versatile, a low cost buoyant apparatus with an attached tripping strap has been invented to permit transport of a secondary anchor to its holding location. The invention, in addition serves to prevent excessive boat swings once anchored in restricted anchorage, and can also serve as a marker in the event that an earlier anchored boat needs to move and return to the same spot. This buoyant apparatus is very versatile; it can be used from the boat's bow, from the stern, and also as a lunch hook. Although the buoyant ring has an appearance of a life preserver, it is not intended for that use, and does not qualify as U.S. Coast Guard or Sheriff Regulation safety equipment.

Claims

1. A floatable apparatus, comprising a ring-shaped float defining a central opening; and a tripping strap having a proximal end secured to the float and an adjustable strap loop arranged on a distal end through which an anchor rode is configured to extend; the float having a top surface, a bottom surface, a generally convex edge wall that defines the circumferential exterior of the float, and a series of indents on the top surface extending from the central opening, wherein the indents are configured to accommodate a marine fluke anchor; the series of indents comprising: a right stock indent; a left stock indent, wherein the right and left stock indents are arranged in a single line on opposing sides of the central opening; and a shank indent arranged perpendicularly to the line defined by the right and left stock indents; wherein the indents keep the anchor in place during transit to a selected anchoring location, at which time it is upset by an anchor rode and the tripping strap, to drop the anchor into sediment.

2. The floatable apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a rigid plastic material configured to have sufficient density to float the marine fluke anchor and line during periods of transit over the water.

3. The floatable apparatus of claim 2, having a smooth surface configured to permit the fluke anchor to release and slide smoothly into the water without hanging up when upset by the tripping lever.

4. The floatable apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tripping strap can be adjusted so that the floatable apparatus can be secure directly above the marine anchor fluke to signal that an anchor is located below; for safety purposes.

5. The floatable apparatus of claim 1, wherein the adjustable strap loop comprises a hook and loop fastener fixed in place by a securing locking slide.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a Perspective View showing the invention which is a two sided buoyant ring 1, one of which is the top side having 3 indentations for the anchor, a right stock indent 2, a left stock indent 3, and a shank indent 4, with a topside as shown, with a displayed name Anchor Float 11, along with a tripping strap 5, secured to the ring 1 by a rivet 6, with an adjustable slide 7 after the lower end of the strap 5 is positioned and locked between the male and female Velcro 17 to determine the correct size of the strap loop 14 which trips the fluke anchor 8, connected to a line or rode 9, secured to a fluke anchor 8, fastened to an anchor rode 9 by a knot 16, continuing onto the boat rode 10.

(2) FIG. 2 is a Top View of the fluke anchor 8 in place on top of the buoyant ring 1, noted by the displayed name Anchor Float 11, and the tripping strap 5 secured in place by rivet 6, as well as the VELCRO 17 and slide 7, attached to the rode 10.

(3) FIG. 3 is a Bottom View of the buoyant ring 1, showing the safety message Caution Anchor display 12, when launched fluke anchor 8 displaced by the tripping strap 5, secured in place by rivet 6 and strap slide 7, with rode 10 attached in this case to an alternate anchor ring 13.

(4) FIG. 4A shows a Top View of the buoyant ring 1 shown in FIG. 2, with three indentation Charlie cross-sections FIG. 4B, FIG. 4C, and FIG. 4D.

(5) FIG. 5 is an enlarged Perspective View showing the details of the tripping strap 5 with the buoyant ring loop 15 secured in place by the rivet 6 into the hole 18, and the rode loop 14 sized by shifting the male and female Velcro 17 fore and aft and pressed in place by locking slide 7.

(6) FIG. 6 is a Top View and FIG. 7 is a Bottom View comparison between the FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 of the buoyant ring 1 showing the different name and safety message, along with the indents 2, 3, and 4 as well as the position of the tripping strap 5, rivet 6, slide 7, and loops 14 and 15.

(7) FIG. 8 is a Front View and FIG. 9 is a Back View comparison between the FIG. 8 and the FIG. 9 of the buoyant ring 1 and strap 5, as well as indent 4, rivet 6, slide 7, Velcro 17 and loops 14 and 15.

(8) FIG. 10 is a Left Side View and FIG. 11 is a Right Side View comparison between the FIG. 10 and the FIG. 11 of the buoyant ring 1, strap lock 7, loop 14 and loop 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF USING THE INVENTION

(9) The correct size light weigh fluke anchor is placed on to the buoyant ring top in the indented resting position. The fluke anchor line is threaded through the tripping strap loop. The line is then coiled around the left hand of the on board individual, after which the right hand swings the ring assembly off the boat and into the water. The casting technique is easily acquired with a few practice casts on a flat lawn area. This technique is much easier than casting the light weight fluke anchor by it's self due to anchor shape and flex shielding.

(10) Once the ring and fluke anchor are floated into position, the fluke anchor can be removed from the buoyant ring by hand, and dropping the anchor to the bottom sediment. The fluke anchor can also be jerked from the boat to dislodge it from the ring, allowing the anchor to naturally sink into position. The buoyant ring then floats along the anchor rode to mark the anchor's position. The ring is self-adjusting so that it can be positioned anywhere along the anchor rode to mark the anchor line's location or the actual position of the anchor itself. This feature allows for easy retrieval, when leaving an anchor and line in place, for mooring purposes.

(11) To summarize, there are three ways the invention can be used. They follow as Numbers 1, 2 and 3.

(12) Number 1The regular boat bow anchor is not used. The buoyant ring with the fluke anchor in place can be used as a temporary hook for lunch by casting it off the bow, floated to a decided location, quickly pulling on the rode, to flip the fluke anchor into the water, and settle to the bottom. The float then centers on the in-water anchor rode, to caution other boaters of the presence of the anchor and its rode.

(13) Number 2The regular boat bow anchor is set. The stern of the boat is powered or drifts towards the shore. The float with the secondary fluke anchor on top is cast flat or dropped at the stern of the boat to drift towards the shore. When the anchoring position is reached, the fluke rode is pulled, and the ring flips over, dropping the fluke into the water and settling it into the bottom.

(14) In shallower shoreline waters, the float ring, with the secondary fluke anchor on top, can be used by the boat operator to float the anchor to shore. Once this secondary anchor is set, the float is positioned right over float over the secured anchor, with the caution lettering facing up, to warn beachcombers of the presence of the anchor, for safety purposes.

(15) When the boat is about to leave this location, the boat operator can then set the anchor on top of the float for easy transport back to the boat.

(16) Number 3On occasions, a mooring location is desired for return trips to the same anchor location. The buoyant ring can also be used to serve as a temporary mooring marker for easy return. The fluke anchor rode is disconnected from the boat, and the anchor is set at the desired location. The float is flipped over to the caution side to warn other boaters of the presence of an anchor rode. The loose end of the rode is then secured on shore to a fixed object.

(17) Upon return, the boat operator can easily find the previously set anchor and tie off in the same manner as before. This is especially useful when mooring in the same location for an extended period of time (i.e. beach camping, water skiing, etc.), with frequent trips in and out of a desired location; upon return, the boat operator can easily find the previously set anchor, and secure the boat quickly and easily in the same safe anchor location, without having to reset their mooring anchor.