Ships – Anchor – With dislodgement means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-08
2001-04-03
Basinger, Sherman (Department: 3617)
Ships
Anchor
With dislodgement means
Reexamination Certificate
active
06209475
ABSTRACT:
THIS INVENTION relates to an improved anchor connection and in particular, to an anchor retrieving device adapted to be positioned between an anchor and one end of a main anchoring line to retrieve the anchor when it becomes snagged at the bottom of a body of water.
When an anchor becomes snagged on rocks, coral, debris or the like, it is impossible to raise the anchor. The anchor chain or rope must then be cut and the anchor jettisoned. Alternatively, a diver may manually free the anchor but that is only possible where conditions are suitable and the depth of the anchor is not too great.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved anchor connection or an anchor retrieving device which at least minimises the disadvantage referred to above.
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided an anchor connection and retrieving device adapted to be interposed between an anchor and one end of a main anchor line, the anchor having a shank, a crown and a plurality of tynes or flukes, the device having a locking assembly including a releasable portion, a locking portion relative to which the releasable portion is releasably coupled, a release member movable laterally between a first position allowing the releasable portion to be coupled to the locking portion and a second position in which the releasable portion may decouple from the locking portion, the locking portion being connected to the one end of the anchor line and a retrieving line connected to the locking portion and to the crown of the anchor, the releasable portion being coupled to the shank of the anchor, and a release block adapted for travel along the anchor line and for directly engaging the release member to move the release member laterally into the lock portion to allow the releasable portion to decouple from the locking portion.
According to one aspect the invention provides an anchor connection and retrieving device adapted to be interposed between an anchor and one end of a main anchor line, the anchor having a shank, a crown and tynes or flukes, the device having a locking assembly including a releasable portion, a locking portion relative to which the releasable portion is releasably coupled, two release members movable laterally between a first position allowing the releasable portion to be coupled to the locking portion and a second position in which the releasable portion may decouple from the locking portion whereby both said release members need to be moved to the second position before the releasable portion can be decoupled from the locking portion.
The release block may comprise a sleeve of suitable weight adapted to engage about the anchor line so that it may travel along the anchor line. The block may have a passage extending through it through which the anchor line may pass as the block travels along the line. The block may have an enlarged mouth at a leading end. Preferably, the enlarged mouth is provided by a flared opening.
The release block may consist of two parts hinged to each other which may be locked together to form a sleeve through which the anchor line may travel, the parts may be unlocked to allow the block to be positioned about the anchor line and then the parts may be locked together with the anchor line captured between them.
The locking portion may have a recess for receiving the releasable portion. The locking portion may consist of a sleeve within which the releasable portion may be received.
The releasable member may comprise a pin normally projecting outwardly of the locking portion. Preferably, the pin extends laterally of the locking portion.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3995577 (1976-12-01), Gentry
patent: 4836126 (1989-06-01), Kobayashi
patent: 4987847 (1991-01-01), Kobayashi
patent: 5074235 (1991-12-01), Kobayashi
patent: 5207775 (1993-05-01), Piton et al.
patent: 604437 (1988-12-01), None
patent: 629507 (1991-08-01), None
patent: 649127 (1993-03-01), None
patent: 1-190597 (1989-07-01), None
patent: 224672 (1989-10-01), None
patent: 237058 (1993-02-01), None
United Kingdom Search Report Jan. 14, 2000 Examainer: Richard Collins.
New Zealand Search Report Jan. 25, 2000 Neville Harris, Commissioner.
Basinger Sherman
Hoffman Wasson & Gitler PC
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