Ships – Anchor – Fluke type
Patent
1999-08-23
2000-12-05
Morano, S. Joseph
Ships
Anchor
Fluke type
114310, B63B 2138
Patent
active
061551945
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
DESCRIPTION
The present invention relates to an improved plough anchor. More particularly, the improved plough anchor of the present invention has specific adaptations made thereto to increase its stability when in use.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
Plough anchors are generally provided in a form comprising an elongate shank, one end of which is adapted for attachment to an anchor chain and/or rope. The other end of the shank is pivotally connected to a plough body for engagement with a sandy sea, river or lake bed surface.
Present plough anchor designs require that they be pulled by the drift of the boat to which they are attached substantially in the direction of orientation or axis of their plough body. If the shank settles or is pulled by drift of the boat away from that axis the plough body may tilt or tip rather than ploughing into the sea, river or lake bed surface.
Typically plough anchors have the shank pivotally attached to the plough body through an axis that is tilted somewhat rearwardly from the vertical. Because of this the shank when settling or being pulled away from the axis of the shank body moves closer to the sea, river or lake bed surface on which the anchor sits. This action lowers the level of attachment of the anchor chain and/or rope to the shank with respect to the pivot attachment of the shank to the plough body. This in turn contributes to the tendency of the plough anchor to tilt or tip when pulled.
The pivotal attachment of the shank to the plough body is generally achieved through a neck portion welded to the flukes of the plough body. The neck portion projects upwardly from the flukes and spaces the pivotal attachment upwardly with respect thereto. This construction also accentuates the tendency of prior art plough anchors to tilt or tip.
A further disadvantage of known plough anchors is that they cannot be used in areas in which there is any real chance of becoming snagged, for example in sea beds with some reef or rocks present.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The improved plough anchor of the present invention has as one object thereof to overcome substantially the abovementioned problems associated with the prior art.
In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention there is provided an improved plough anchor, the plough anchor characterised by an elongate shank and a plough body, the plough body having provided therein a neck portion pivotally attached to the remainder thereof and through which the elongate shank is connected thereto, the axis described by the pivotal connection of the neck portion and remainder of the plough body being tilted forward of vertical such that upon rotation of the elongate shank with respect to the plough body the elongate shank is at its highest when not orientated along an axis described by the plough body.
Preferably, the neck portion of the plough body is pivotally received on a shoulder plate, the shoulder plate being provided below an uppermost portion of a pair of the blades forming in part the plough body.
Still preferably, the shank is attached to the neck portion of the plough body in a pivotal manner. The axis about which the shank pivots with respect to the neck portion being substantially horizontal.
The shank and neck portion preferably cooperate such that the shank is unable to move pivotally with respect thereto without operation of a release mechanism provided in the shank. The release mechanism preferably comprises in part a locking member able to engage and disengage the neck portion. The disengaging of the locking member from the neck portion is preferably achieved in response to manipulation of an anchor line attached to the shank by a user.
In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention there is provided an improved plough anchor, as described hereinabove, characterised in that the neck portion has provided thereon or thereabouts at least a pair of stabilising arms.
Preferably, the stabilising arms project in both a rearward and lateral manner and are arranged such that if the plough anchor sett
REFERENCES:
patent: Re31654 (1984-08-01), Fasco
patent: 3964420 (1976-06-01), Stelling
patent: 4418635 (1983-12-01), Taylor
Patent Abstracts of Japan, M861, p. 147, JP 01-127482 (Sojiro) May 19, 1989, Abstract, lines 4-6.
Kerins John C.
Morano S. Joseph
Muldoon Patrick Craig
LandOfFree
Plough anchor does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Plough anchor, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Plough anchor will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-951301