SHALLOW WATER ANCHOR SYSTEM

A shallow water anchor system configured to secure a watercraft to a location in a shallow body of water. The shallow water anchor system includes an L-shaped mounting bracket coupled to the watercraft. The shallow water anchor system includes a mount sized and shaped to be coupled to the L-shaped mounting bracket. The mount includes an attachment member sized and shaped to be coupled to the L-shaped mounting bracket. The mount includes a support extending from the attachment member and extending at an off-right angle from the attachment member. The mount includes a channel coupled to the support and extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom. The shallow water anchor system includes a spike sized and shaped to extend through the channel and be held thereby.

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Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This invention claims priority, under 35 U.S.C. §120, to the U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/326,903 to Mike Grady filed on Apr. 22, 2010, which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to boat anchors, specifically to a shallow water anchor system.

2. Description of the Related Art

An anchor is a device, normally made of metal, that is used to connect a vessel to the bed of a body of water to prevent the vessel from drifting due to wind or current. Anchors can either be temporary or permanent. A permanent anchor is used in the creation of a mooring, and is rarely moved; a specialist service is normally needed to move or maintain it. Vessels carry one or more temporary anchors which may be of different designs and weights. A sea anchor is an unrelated device: a drogue used to control a drifting vessel. Some improvements have been made in the field. Examples of references related to the present invention are described below in their own words, and the supporting teachings of each reference are incorporated by reference herein:

U.S. Pat. No. 7,270,073, issued to Waldrop, discloses an aesthetically pleasing anchor system designed to quickly anchor and release a boat in shallow water with minimal effort and little to no distraction from other activities such as fishing, which has an anchor sleeve containing a sleeve liner through which an anchor pole with a pointed bottom end passes through, said anchor pole extending below the hull of a boat into the lake or river bottom beneath, and which anchor pole can engage a locking insert when the anchor pole is twisted in either direction, said locking insert located in a notch cut out of the sleeve liner, allowing the anchor pole to be locked in a stowed position, and which has an upper flange which engages a hand grip wrapped around the top of the anchor pole, preventing the top end of the anchor pole from dropping completely through the boat hull, and which has a bottom flange attached to the boat hull bottom through which the anchor pole passes.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,606,829, issued to Benincasa et al., discloses a collapsible land anchor of this invention includes an anchor body, a drive anvil coupled to the top end portion of the anchor body, and a runner member that is slidable longitudinally through the drive anvil between an operative position and a collapsed position. A retraction anvil is coupled to the top end portion of the runner member, and a hammer weight is carried on the runner member. In its operative position, the runner member extends beyond the drive anvil away from the cavity of the anchor body to space the drive anvil apart from the retraction anvil. Also in the operative position, the hammer weight is slidable along the runner member into the drive anvil to drive the anchor body into the ground. In the collapsed position, the runner member is displaced towards and at least partially stowed in the cavity of the anchor body.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,220,197, issued to Pohlman, discloses a device for operating and anchoring a watercraft in congested and hazardous water areas is provided with a spud assembly for easy operation. A pole is provided for moving a watercraft in shallow water. The pole functions through an operating cylinder connected to a maneuvering ring. The spud assembly has a locking device for locking the maneuvering ring and the operating cylinder against movement in order to anchor the watercraft with the pole.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,058,871, issued to Tanner, discloses an anchoring device for boats including a T-shaped member comprised of a horizontal component and a vertical component. An upper end of the vertical component is secured to a midpoint of the horizontal component whereby the vertical component extends downwardly from the horizontal component in an essentially orthogonal relationship. The vertical component has a length greater than a length of the horizontal component. The horizontal component and the vertical component are constructed of PVC plastic tubing. The vertical component has a pointed lower end for penetrating a recipient surface. The T-shaped member receives a line from a boat wrapped therearound to facilitate securement of the boat to a shoreline.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,613,458, issued to Owen, discloses a shore anchor for small boats and personal watercraft includes an elongated central spike-like member, two anvil collars, a slidable hammer weight, and a protective sheath. The anvils are used in conjunction with the slidable hammer weight to drive and retract the elongated spike into or out of the ground. The protective sheath covers the exposed end of the anchor when the anchor is deployed and is attached to the hammer weight. When the anchor is removed for transportation or storage the protective sheath covers the pointed end of the elongated spike and is attached to the other end of the hammer weight.

The inventions heretofore known suffer from a number of disadvantages which include being limited in use, being limited in application, being difficult to install, being expensive, being difficult to use, being non-compatible to all boats, being damaging to the boat during installation, failing to adequately secure a boat to a location, being self-damaging, and being difficult to disengage.

What is needed is a shallow water anchor system that solves one or more of the problems described herein and/or one or more problems that may come to the attention of one skilled in the art upon becoming familiar with this specification.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available anchor systems. Accordingly, the present invention has been developed to provide a shallow water anchor system universally coupleable to various boats and watercrafts.

According to one embodiment of the invention, there is a shallow water anchor system that may be configured to secure a watercraft to a location in a shallow body of water. The shallow water anchor system may include an L-shaped mounting bracket, which may include a first plate. The first plate may have a plurality of securing devices configured to couple the first plate to the watercraft. The first plate of the L-shaped mounting bracket may be configured to couple to a rear exterior portion of the watercraft and may extend therefrom.

The L-shaped mounting bracket may include an extension that may extend outwardly and angle downwardly from the first plate at a declination angle. The declination angle may be about 15 degrees relative to the first plate of the L-shaped mounting bracket. The L-shaped mounting bracket may include a second plate that may extend outwardly from the extension and may be angled upwardly at an inclination angle. The inclination angle may be greater than the declination angle. The inclination angle may be about 20 degrees relative to the first plate of the L-shaped mounting bracket.

The shallow water anchor system may include a mount that may be sized and shaped to be coupled to the L-shaped mounting bracket. The mount may be configured to provide stable support to the L-shaped mounting bracket. The mount may include an attachment member that may be sized and shaped to be coupled to the second plate of the L-shaped mounting bracket. The mount may also include a support that may extend from the attachment member and may extend at an off-right angle from the attachment member. The mount may include an extended mount configured to extend the length the channel is from the watercraft. The mount may include a shortened mount configured to shorten the length the channel is from the watercraft. The mount may include a channel that may be coupled to the support and may extend substantially perpendicularly therefrom. The channel may be cylindrical and may be configured to hold the spike therein.

The shallow water anchor system may include a spike that may be sized and shaped to extend through the channel and be held thereby. The shallow water anchor system may include a mounting bracket configured to couple to a bow of a watercraft. The shallow water anchor system may also include a bow mount that may be coupled to the mounting bracket and may be configured to provide stable support to the bow mount therefrom. The support of the bow mount may include a curved neck that may be configured to couple the attachment member to the channel. The bow mount may include a plurality of riser spacers that may be disposed between the attachment member of the bow mount and the mounting bracket.

Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention.

These features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order for the advantages of the invention to be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawing(s). It is noted that the drawings of the invention are not to scale. The drawings are mere schematics representations, not intended to portray specific parameters of the invention. Understanding that these drawing(s) depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not, therefore, to be considered to be limiting its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawing(s), in which:

FIG. 1 is an abbreviated top plan view and a side elevational view of an L-shaped mounting bracket of a shallow water anchor system, according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a shallow water anchor system, according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a plurality of views of a shallow water anchor system including a bow mount, according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a plurality of views of a shallow water anchor system, according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a plurality of views of a shallow water anchor system having an L-shaped mounting bracket, according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a bow mount of a shallow water anchor system, according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a bow mount coupled to a plurality of riser spacers of a shallow water anchor system, according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a mount of a shallow water anchor system, according to one embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a bow mount of a shallow water anchor system coupled to a watercraft, according to one embodiment of the invention.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawing(s), and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention.

Reference throughout this specification to an “embodiment,” an “example” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, or combinations thereof described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases an “embodiment,” an “example,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment, to different embodiments, or to one or more of the figures. Additionally, reference to the wording “embodiment,” “example” or the like, for two or more features, elements, etc. does not mean that the features are necessarily related, dissimilar, the same, etc.

Each statement of an embodiment, or example, is to be considered independent of any other statement of an embodiment despite any use of similar or identical language characterizing each embodiment. Therefore, where one embodiment is identified as “another embodiment,” the identified embodiment is independent of any other embodiments characterized by the language “another embodiment.” The features, functions, and the like described herein are considered to be able to be combined in whole or in part one with another as the claims and/or art may direct, either directly or indirectly, implicitly or explicitly.

As used herein, “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” “is,” “are,” “characterized by,” and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive or open-ended terms that do not exclude additional unrecited elements or method steps. “Comprising” is to be interpreted as including the more restrictive terms “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of.”

FIG. 1 is an abbreviated top plan view and a side elevational view of a L-shaped mounting bracket of a shallow water anchor system, according to one embodiment of the invention. There is shown a L-shaped mounting bracket 12 of a shallow water anchor system. The L-shaped mounting bracket 12 is configured to interface between standard mounting systems of anchor systems and watercraft while providing enhanced strength, safety, and durability.

The illustrated L-shaped mounting bracket 12 is configured to couple to a rear exterior portion of a watercraft and extending out therefrom. The L-shaped mounting bracket 12 includes a first plate 14 configured to secure the L-shaped mounting bracket 12 to a rear exterior portion of a watercraft. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the mounting bracket 12 is configured in substantially an L-shape. The first plate 14 includes a plurality of securing devices 16 configured to couple the first plate 14 to the watercraft. As illustrated, the plurality of securing devices 16 are bolts configured to couple the L-shaped mounting bracket 12 to the hull of the watercraft; other non-limiting examples of a plurality of securing device may be screws, rivets, magnets, hooks, etc. The plurality of securing devices 16 is configured to secure the first plate 14 to the hull of the watercraft through a plurality of apertures 18 disposed through the first plate 14. The plurality of apertures 18 is configured to be sized and shaped to match a set of apertures disposed on a rear exterior portion of a watercraft and couple thereto.

The L-shaped mounting bracket 12 includes an extension 20 (shown shortened/abbreviated in the top view) extending outwardly and angled downwardly from the first plate 14 at a declination angle 22. The declination angle 22 is about 15 degrees relative to the first plate 14 of the L-shaped mounting bracket 12. The L-shaped mounting bracket 12 includes a second plate 24 extending outwardly from the extension 20 and angled upwardly at an inclination angle 26. The inclination angle 26 is greater than the declination angle 22. The inclination angle 26 is about 20 degrees relative to the first plate 14 of the L-shaped mounting bracket 12. The extension 20 is configured to extend the second plate 24 out and away from the watercraft. The second plate 24 is configured to couple to a mount of the shallow water anchor system.

In one embodiment, the inclination angle is at least about 5, 7, 9, 12, or 15 degrees greater than the declination angle. In one embodiment, the declination angle is at least about 3, 7, 10, 15, 17, or 20 degrees. In one embodiment, the inclination angle is at least about 4, 8, 11, 16, 18, or 21 degrees. In one embodiment, the inclination angle is no greater than about 7, 10, 15 or 20 degrees greater than the declination angle.

In one embodiment, the L-shaped bracket has substantially identical length and width, such as wherein the length intended to be mounted to the watercraft is one unit across and the length of the extension combined with the length of the second plate is one unit in length (plus or minus 5, 10, 15, or 20 percent). In one embodiment, the length of the extension is no greater than about (within 5, 10, 15, or 20 percent) half the distance across the first plate, thereby limiting leveraging forces that may be applied at the second plate to the watercraft at the first plate. Wherein the lengths are limited thereby, forces are not multiplied across the bracket. Thereby the attenuation created by the bias nature of the bracket will cause a net benefit for the system as far as safety, durability, and the like.

Typical shallow water anchor systems mount directly to a watercraft. Such systems require substantial work to install and form rigid mountings on the watercraft. Generally a user must drill holes through the watercraft to permit the anchor system to attach thereto. Further, the systems are not always easy to use, convenient, and when misused may cause damage.

Utilizing the present system, a user is provided with many and substantial advantages. In particular, the user may mount the bracket to existing positions such as but not limited to jack plates, and trolling motor mounts. Further, the L-shaped bracket produces an extension and lowering of the mount location, thereby providing a biased lever arm positioned to absorb shock, stress and strain that may be applied to the mount, thereby sparing other parts of the system.

Having an inclination angle greater than a declination angle advantageously creates a net inclination combined with an extension and lowering of the mount surface. Advantageously, this generates a small angular displacement for the pole mount making it easier and more comfortable to insert and withdraw a pole/spike. Further, it less likely to bind or be caught while withdrawing and inserting through a channel/sleeve/cylinder. The bracket provides unexpected advantages in ease of use, safety, and durability of the system while permitting a user to mount the bracket to existing holes, thereby not requiring a user to drill holes through their watercraft.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a shallow water anchor system, according to one embodiment of the invention. There is shown a shallow water anchor system 10 coupled to a watercraft 30. The illustrated shallow water anchor system 10 includes an L-shaped mounting bracket 12, a plurality of mounts, and a spike 34.

The L-shaped mounting bracket 12 is coupled to a watercraft 30. The watercraft 30 may be a boat configured to travel in a shallow body of water. As illustrated, the L-shaped mounting bracket 12 may be coupled to a mount 32, an extended mount 36, or a shortened mount 40. The L-shaped mounting bracket 12 is configured to provide stable support to the mounts coupled thereto. The shallow water anchor system 10 includes a spike 34. The spike 34 is configured to be in communication with one of the mounts and is configured to secure the watercraft 30 to the ground 44 of a shallow body of water 42.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a shallow water anchor system having a bow mount, according to one embodiment of the invention. There is shown a shallow water anchor system 10 having a mounting bracket 50, a bow mount 38, a riser spacer 52, and a spike 34.

The illustrated shallow water anchor system 10 includes a mounting bracket 50 configured to couple to a front interior portion of a watercraft, such as the bow of the watercraft. The mounting bracket 50 is coupled to an attachment member 58 of a bow mount 38, wherein the mounting bracket 50 is configured to provide stable support to the bow mount 38. The attachment member 58 is sized and shaped to be coupled to the mounting bracket 50. The bow mount 38 also includes a support 54 having a curved neck 56 configured to couple the attachment member 58 to a channel 60. The channel 60 is disposed opposite of the attachment member 58 and configured to support a spike 34. The illustrated shallow water anchor system 10 includes a riser spacer 52 configured to be disposed between the attachment member 58 of the bow mount 38 and the mounting bracket 50. The riser spacer 52 is configured to raise the support 54 of the bow mount 38 up and over the bow of a watercraft. The spike 34 is configured to pass through the channel 60 of the bow mount 38 and secure the watercraft to the ground of a shallow body of water.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a shallow water anchor system, according to one embodiment of the invention. There is shown a shallow water anchor system 10 including a mounting bracket 62, an extended mount 36, and a spike 34.

The illustrated shallow water anchor system 10 is configured to secure a watercraft to a location in a shallow body of water. The shallow water anchor system 10 includes a mounting bracket 62 configured to couple to a rear exterior portion of a watercraft. The mounting bracket 62 is sized and shaped to couple to an attachment member 58 of an extended mount 36. The extended mount 36 includes a support 54 coupled to the attachment member 58. The extended support 54 is also coupled to a channel 60, disposed opposite of the attachment member 58. The illustrated extended support 54 is configured to extend further out then a basic mount of the shallow water anchor system 10. The extended support 54 is configured to extend at an off-right angle from the attachment member 58. The channel 60 is coupled to the extended support 54 and extends substantially perpendicularly therefrom. The illustrated channel 60 is cylindrical and is configured to hold a spike 34 therein.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a shallow water anchor system, according to one embodiment of the invention. There is shown a shallow water anchor system 10 having a L-shaped mounting bracket 12, a shortened mount 40, and a spike 34.

The illustrated shallow water anchor system 10 includes an L-shaped mounting bracket 12 having a first plate 14. The first plate 14 of the L-shaped mounting bracket 12 is configured to couple to a rear exterior portion of the watercraft and extending out therefrom. The L-shaped mounting bracket 12 includes an extension 20 extending outwardly and angled downwardly from the first plate 14. The L-shaped mounting bracket 12 includes a second plate 24 extending outwardly from the extension 20 and angled upwardly.

The shallow water anchor system 10 includes a shortened mount 40 sized and shaped to be coupled to the second plate 24 of the L-shaped mounting bracket 12. The L-shaped mounting bracket 12 is configured to provide stable support to the shortened mount 40. The shortened mount 40 includes an attachment member 58 sized and shaped to be coupled to the second plate 24 of the L-shaped mounting bracket 12. The shortened mount 40 also includes a support 54 extending at an off-right angle from the attachment member 58. The shortened mount 40 includes a channel 60 coupled to the support 54 and extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom. The illustrated shortened mount 40 includes a shortened support 54 configured to shorten the distance the channel 60 is from the watercraft. The shallow water anchor system 10 also includes a spike 34 sized and shaped to extend through the channel 60 and be held thereby.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a bow mount of a shallow water anchor system, according to one embodiment of the invention. There is shown a bow mount 38 of a shallow water anchor system.

The illustrated bow mount 38 is configured to couple to a mounting bracket of a shallow water anchor system. The mounting bracket is configured to be coupled to a front interior portion of a watercraft, such as, but not limited to the bow of a boat. The bow mount 38 includes an attachment member 58 sized and shaped to be coupled to the mounting bracket of the shallow water anchor system. The mounting bracket is configured to provide stable support to the bow mount 38 during operation. The bow mount 38 also includes a support 54 extending from the attachment member 58 in a curved orientation and configured to extend up and over a bow of a watercraft. The bow mount 38 includes a channel 60 coupled to the support 54 and extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a bow mount coupled to a plurality of riser spacers of a shallow water anchor system, according to one embodiment of the invention. There is shown a bow mount 38 coupled to a plurality of riser spacers 52 of a shallow water anchor system.

The illustrated bow mount 38 is configured to couple to a mounting bracket disposed on a front interior portion of the watercraft, such as a bow. The bow mount 38 includes an attachment member 58 configured to couple to the mounting bracket. The bow mount 38 includes a plurality of riser spacers 52 configured to be disposed between the attachment member 58 of the bow mount 38 and the mounting bracket. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the bow mount 38 is coupled to a plurality of riser spacers configured to raise the level of the bow mount 38 to extend up and over the bow of a watercraft. The bow mount 38 also includes a support 54 having a curved neck configured to couple the attachment member 58 to a channel 60.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a mount of a shallow water anchor system, according to one embodiment of the invention. There is shown a mount 32 of a shallow water anchor system.

The illustrated mount 32 includes an attachment member 58 configured to couple the mount 32 to a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket is configured to be coupled to a rear exterior portion of the watercraft and extending out therefrom. The attachment member 58 is sized and shaped to be coupled to the mounting bracket of the shallow water anchor system. The mount 32 also includes a support 54 extending from the attachment member 58 and extending at an off-right angle therefrom. The illustrated support 54 of the mount 32 is configured to extend upwardly and away from the attachment member 58. The mount 32 includes a channel 60 coupled to the support 54 and extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the channel 60 is angled downward, wherein a top end 70 is angled towards a watercraft and a bottom end 72 is angled away from the watercraft. The top end 70 is angled towards the watercraft to enable a user to easily place a spike through the channel during operation and easily remove the spike from the channel during non-operation.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a bow mount of a shallow water anchor system coupled to a watercraft, according to one embodiment of the invention. There is shown shallow water anchor system 10 including a bow mount 38 coupled to a bow 80 of a watercraft 82.

The shallow water anchor system 10 includes a mounting bracket coupled to a bow mount 38. The bow mount 38 is configured to couple to a front interior portion 84 of the watercraft 82. The bow mount 38 includes an attachment member 58 sized and shaped to be coupled to the mounting bracket. The bow mount 38 also includes a support 54 configured to be disposed over a bow 80 of the watercraft 82. The support 54 includes a curved neck configured to couple the attachment member 58 to a channel 60. The channel 60 is coupled to the support 54 and extends substantially perpendicularly therefrom. The channel 60 is disposed off a side of the watercraft 82 to easily anchor the watercraft 82 in the shallow body of water.

In operation of one embodiment of the invention, a user couples an L-shaped mounting bracket or a mounting bracket to a watercraft. The L-shaped mounting bracket or the mounting bracket may be coupled to a rear exterior portion of the watercraft. The mounting bracket may also be coupled to a front interior portion of the watercraft. The user couples a mount to the L-shaped mounting bracket or couples a bow mount to the mounting bracket. The user then places a spike through the channel of the mount or bow mount and anchors the watercraft in the shallow body of water. The user removes the spike, and unanchors from the location and is able to travel around the shallow body of water.

It is understood that the above-described embodiments are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiment is to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

For example, although the Figures illustrate a circular channel, one skilled in the art would appreciate that the channel may vary in size, shape, design, configuration, length, height, width, diameter, color, orientation, angle, etc. and still perform its intended function. In addition, one skilled in the art would appreciate that the spike may vary size, shape, design, configuration, length, height, width, diameter, color, orientation, angle, etc., and still matching with the channel, and still performing its intended function.

Additionally, although the figures illustrate circular riser spacers, one skilled in the art would appreciate that the riser spacers may vary in size, shape, design, configuration, length, height, width, diameter, color, orientation, angle, etc, and still perform its intended function.

More, while the L-shaped bracket is shown with a particular configuration of apertures and a specific shape for each plate and extension, it is understood that a multiplicity of specific shapes for each may be utilized while still keeping to the limitations of the claims.

Finally, it is envisioned that the components of the device may be constructed of a variety of materials, such as but not limited to metals, metal alloys, plastics, plastic composites, rubber, rubber composites, glass, textiles, etc. and still perform its intended function.

Thus, while the present invention has been fully described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to, variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use may be made, without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention as set forth in the claims. Further, it is contemplated that an embodiment may be limited to consist of or to consist essentially of one or more of the features, functions, structures, methods described herein.

Claims

1. A shallow water anchor system configured to secure a watercraft to a location in a shallow body of water, comprising:

a) an L-shaped mounting bracket including: a1) a first plate including a plurality of securing devices configured to couple the first plate to the watercraft; a2) an extension extending outwardly and angled downwardly from the first plate at a declination angle; and a3) a second plate extending outwardly from the extension and angled upwardly at an inclination angle; wherein the inclination angle is greater than the declination angle;
b) a mount sized and shaped to be coupled to the L-shaped mounting bracket and configured to provide stable support therefrom, including: b1) an attachment member sized and shaped to be coupled to the second plate of the L-shaped mounting bracket; b2) a support extending from the attachment member extending from the attachment member; and b3) a channel coupled to the support and extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom; and
c) a spike sized and shaped to extend through the channel and be held thereby.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first plate of the L-shaped mounting bracket is configured to couple to a rear exterior portion of the watercraft and extend therefrom.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the system further includes a bow mount coupled to a front interior portion of the watercraft and configured to provide stable support to the channel.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the bow mount further includes a curved neck support configured to couple the attachment member to the channel.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the channel is cylindrical and configured to hold the spike therein.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein the bow mount further includes a plurality of riser spacers configured to be disposed between the attachment member of the bow mount and a mounting bracket.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the inclination angle is about 20 degrees relative to the first plate of the L-shaped mounting bracket.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the declination angle is about 15 degrees relative to the first plate of the L-shaped mounting bracket.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the mount further includes an extended mount configured to extend the length the channel is from the watercraft.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the mount further includes a shortened mount configured to shorten the length the channel is from the watercraft.

11. A shallow water anchor system configured to secure a watercraft to a location in a shallow body of water, comprising:

a) an L-shaped mounting bracket including: a1) a first plate including a plurality of securing devices configured to couple the first plate to the watercraft; a2) an extension extending outwardly and angled downwardly from the first plate at a declination angle; and a3) a second plate extending outwardly from the extension and angled upwardly at an inclination angle;
b) a mount sized and shaped to be coupled to the L-shaped mounting bracket and configured to provide stable support therefrom, including: b1) an attachment member sized and shaped to be coupled to the second plate of the L-shaped mounting bracket; b2) a support extending from the attachment member extending from the attachment member; and b3) a channel coupled to the support and extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom; and
c) a spike sized and shaped to extend through the channel and be held thereby.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the channel is cylindrical and configured to hold the spike therein.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the first plate of the L-shaped mounting bracket is configured to couple to a rear exterior portion of the watercraft and extend therefrom.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the system further includes a bow mount coupled to a front interior portion of the watercraft and configured to provide stable support to the channel; wherein the bow mount further includes a curved neck support configured to couple the attachment member to the channel; wherein the bow mount further includes a plurality of riser spacers configured to be disposed between the attachment member of the bow mount and a mounting bracket.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the inclination angle is greater than the declination angle.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the inclination angle is about 20 degrees relative to the first plate of the L-shaped mounting bracket.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the declination angle is about 15 degrees relative to the first plate of the L-shaped mounting bracket.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the mount further includes an extended mount configured to extend the length the channel is from the watercraft.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the mount further includes a shortened mount configured to shorten the length the channel is from the watercraft.

20. A shallow water anchor system configured to secure a watercraft to a location in a shallow body of water, comprising:

a) an L-shaped mounting bracket including: a1) a first plate including a plurality of securing devices configured to couple the first plate to the watercraft; wherein the first plate of the L-shaped mounting bracket is configured to couple to a rear exterior portion of the watercraft and extend therefrom; a2) an extension extending outwardly and angled downwardly from the first plate at a declination angle; and a3) a second plate extending outwardly from the extension and angled upwardly at an inclination angle; wherein the inclination angle is greater than the declination angle; wherein the inclination angle is about 20 degrees relative to the first plate of the L-shaped mounting bracket; wherein the declination angle is about 15 degrees relative to the first plate of the L-shaped mounting bracket;
b) a mount sized and shaped to be coupled to the L-shaped mounting bracket and configured to provide stable support therefrom, including: b1) an attachment member sized and shaped to be coupled to the second plate of the L-shaped mounting bracket; b2) a support extending from the attachment member extending from the attachment member; and b3) a channel coupled to the support and extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom; and
c) a spike sized and shaped to extend through the channel and be held thereby; the channel is circular and configured to hold the spike therein.
Patent History
Publication number: 20110259256
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 22, 2011
Publication Date: Oct 27, 2011
Inventor: Mike Grady (Daytona Beach, FL)
Application Number: 13/092,330
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Including Tower Or Riser Connected To Sea Floor (e.g., Column, Mast, Etc.) (114/230.13)
International Classification: B63B 21/00 (20060101); B63B 21/26 (20060101);