ANCHOR SYSTEM

Abstract

An anchor assembly comprising an anchor having a shank with a running slot for a shackle connection to an anchor rode with which the anchor is to be supported, the running slot allowing a captive movement of the shackle between a location at the free end of the shank and a location adjacent the fluke of the anchor, and apparatus carried by the shank, configurable through or at the slot to maintain the shackle, at or in the vicinity of the location at the free end of the shank.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an anchor system. More particularly the invention relates to an anchor assembly or combination.

BACKGROUND

A feature of modern anchors is a running slot in the shank of an anchor to enable an anchor to be freed by a ride over of the anchor. The ride over has the Quality Controleffect of having a connection in the slot move from its anchoring condition, near the distal region of the shank, to a more fluke proximal condition in order to uplift the anchor from its sea bed or the like penetration.

In some conditions the movement of the shackle up and down in the slot may compromise the stability of the mooring, which makes it desirable to be able to fix and release the sliding anchor chain connection as desired.

The present invention has as an aim and object an alternative to sliding anchor combinations or assemblies to those known as Kewene™ anchors such as, for example, typified New Zealand patent specifications 230110 and 536941.

It is an object of the present invention to provide all of the advantages of such a system, but in a way that better derives advantage from low cost conventional connections and/or simply requires a specific slot form in the anchor shank to allow its combination with shackles.

It is a further or alternative object to lessen the bulk of the shank fabrications of such anchor types in the distal region of the shank.

The present invention has as an aim and object to provide an alternative to sliding anchor combinations or assemblies to those known as Kewene™ anchors such as, for example, typified New Zealand patent specifications 230110 and 536941.

It is a further or alternative object of the current invention to provide an anchor assembly which goes some way to solving the problems identified above; or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect of the invention is an anchor assembly, or such an anchor assembly in partial or complete disassembly, and whether with or without a shackle, or said apparatus comprising or including:

an anchor having a slotted shank in the slot of which the shackle or a shackle is to be adapted to be able to run from a more distal position in the slot useful in an anchoring condition to a more proximal condition in some retrieval conditions, and

a shank slot captive assembly able to be located at a position, whether that position is characterised by the slot shape or not, at which it can function to prevent the or a shackle more distally in the slot from running to a more proximal position unless that slot captive assembly is selectively (a) released from that location and moved in advance of the movement of the or a said shackle or (b) removed from said slot.

In another aspect the invention consists in

an anchor assembly, or in combination,

an anchor having a running slot for a shackle connection to a chain or the equivalent with which the anchor is to be supported, and

apparatus carried by, or to be carried by the shank, deployable and/or refittable and/or attachable and/or reconfigurable through or at the slot to maintain the shackle, or suitable to maintain any said shackle, at or in the vicinity of the end of the slot furtherest from the fluke(s) of the anchor;

and optionally said shackle or said shackle and chain.

Optionally said apparatus carried by, or to be carried by the shank, is itself a shackle or shackle-like member. It may be bushed to increase the girth of its pin. Or it may just have a larger diameter pin.

Preferably said apparatus is repositionable and/or removable and/or reconfigurable and between a slidable condition wherein in can slide along the slot and a captive condition wherein its movement, if any, is isolatable to a region (or position) of the slot at or adjacent the end of the slot furtherest from the fluke(s) of the anchor.

Preferably said apparatus is repositionable and/or removable and/or reconfigurable between a slidable condition wherein in can slide along the slot and a captive condition wherein its movement, if any, is isolatable to a region (or position) of the slot at or adjacent the end of the slot furtherest from the fluke(s) of the anchor yet be repositioned and/or reconfigured to allow the shackle move to or towards the end of the slot proximate most the fluke(s) of the anchor.

Preferably the apparatus and the slot are adapted and configured to, in the captive condition, locate the apparatus at a first location at or near the end of the slot furtherest from the fluke(s) of the anchor.

Preferably the first location is defined by a first locator of the anchor shank.

Preferably the first locator is an enlargement of the slot.

Preferably the slot is of a substantially constant width other than at said first locator.

Preferably a second locator is provided located at or proximate the end of the slot nearest the fluke(s) of the anchor.

Preferably the second locator is an enlargement of the slot.

Preferably the slot is of a substantially constant width between said first and second locators.

Preferably the shackle is engaged or engageable at the slot to the anchor in a position intermediate of the apparatus and the end of the slot furtherest from the fluke(s) of the anchor.

Preferably the shackle is engaged or engageable to the apparatus to be coupled therewith.

Preferably the apparatus comprises of a first backing member and a second backing member to locate on each side of said slot and an intermediate member passing through said slot to thereby capture said apparatus at said slot, the apparatus being expandable to allow non occluded travel of the apparatus along the slot yet be moved to a non expanded condition wherein its shape prevents the travel of the apparatus away from said first locator.

Preferably the apparatus comprises of a first backing member and a second backing member to locate on each side of said slot and an intermediate member or assembly of members connecting said backing members together through said slot, the intermediate member and at least one of said backing members able to move relative each other to allow the backing members to displace relative each other, at least one of said backing members and said intermediate member being shaped and configure in a manner that prevents a sliding of the apparatus away from said first locator when the backing members are in a first disposition relative each other and allows a sliding of the apparatus away from said first locator when the backing members are in a second disposition relative each other.

Preferably the backing members are unable to be disconnected from each other so that the apparatus will remain associated with said anchor.

Preferably the running slot has an enlarged region through which said apparatus is to be deployed or refitted or attached or at which it can be reconfigured, thereby to provide an abutment thus preventing such shackle from running in the non enlarged region of slot further towards the fluke(s).

In an another aspect the invention is, in or for an anchor assembly or combination as aforesaid,

a said anchor having a running slot over the full length of which a shackle connected, or to be connected to the anchor rode or chain, can run, there being at least one zone of larger width into which a shackle or other apparatus can be fitted as an occlusion to prevent the running of the shackle of the anchor chain beyond and into the running slot more proximal to the fluke(s).

Preferably the shackle or other apparatus can be selectively positioned at said zone of larger width yet be reconfigured and/or removed to be repositioned or repositionable so as to nor present itself as an occlusion.

Preferably said shackle or other apparatus cannot be removed from said slot.

Preferably said shackle or other apparatus cannot be removed from said slot but only be reconfigured between a condition where it is prevented from movement away from said zone and where it can be moved away from said zone.

In another aspect the invention is an assembly or combination of

an anchor with slotted shank and a shank supported fluke,

a rode connectable shackle or rode connected shackle engaged through the slot of the shank, and

a shackle or other apparatus connectable to the shank, or connected to the shank, to restrict the run of the first mentioned shackle from the distal region (with respect to the shank) of the slot.

Optionally the shackle or apparatus to restrict the run has a larger pin or pin assembly than that of the first mentioned shackle.

Optionally, but preferably, when restricting the shackle run there is same slot engagement by both shackles. Alternatively there can be different slot/opening or slot/slot engagement.

In another aspect the invention can be broadly said to be an assembly to be located in a slot aperture on a shank of an anchor, the assembly comprising at least:

• • a) a fastener, having a head and a shaft, and
  • b) a nut to be associated with the shaft of the fastener, wherein the head and the nut are situated on either side of the slot and the shaft extends therebetween, passing through the slot aperture,

and wherein there is a region of the shaft adjacent either or both of the head or the nut which is of greater diameter or width than the remainder of the shaft,

and wherein on tightening of the nut on the shaft, the region of the shaft of greater diameter or width can be drawn into an enlarged region of the slot aperture so as to station the assembly within that enlarged region,

and wherein on loosening of the nut on the shaft, the region of the shaft of greater diameter or width can be withdrawn from the slot aperture so as to permit sliding of the assembly along all regions of the slot.

Preferably the region(s) of the shaft of greater width or diameter is/are provided by way of an additional insert(s) mounted on the shaft.

Preferably the additional insert(s) is/are plastic.

Preferably the shaft is manufactured as a single component with a stepped profile to provide at least one region of the shaft of greater diameter or width than the remainder of the shaft.

Preferably there are shaft mounted spacer elements situated either side of the slot aperture and intermediate the head and the nut.

Preferably the spacer elements are plastic.

In a further aspect the invention consists in an anchor suitable for inclusion in an anchor assembly or combination as previously stated.

In yet a further aspect the invention consists in an anchor with a running slot enlarging at or towards the distal region of the slot in a manner substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In another aspect the invention is a shackle with a bushed pin or a bush for such a shackle with a bushed pin of or for an assembly or combination of the present invention.

In another aspect the invention can broadly be said to be an anchor assembly comprising:

an anchor having a shank with a running slot for a shackle connection to an anchor rode with which the anchor is to be supported, the running slot allowing a captive movement of the shackle between a location at the free end of the shank and a location adjacent the fluke of the anchor, and

apparatus carried by the shank, configurable through or at the slot to maintain the shackle, at or in the vicinity of the location at the free end of the shank.

Preferably said apparatus is repositionable and configurable between a slidable condition wherein the apparatus can slide along the slot and a captive condition wherein the movement of the apparatus is isolated to a region of the slot at the location at the free end of the shank.

Preferably the location at the free end is defined by a first locator of the anchor shank.

Preferably the first locator is an enlargement of the slot.

Preferably the slot is of a substantially constant width other than at said first locator.

Preferably a second locator is provided located at or proximate the end of the slot nearest the fluke of the anchor.

Preferably the second locator is an enlargement of the slot.

Preferably the slot is of a substantially constant width between said first and second locators.

Preferably the apparatus carried by the shank, comprises at least:

• • a) fastener with a shank, and
  • b) a fastening means, mounted on said shank and moveable along the shank,

wherein the apparatus can be configured between its slidable and captive conditions by adjusting the position of the mounted fastening means along the shank.

Preferably the shank of the fastener is at least partially threaded, and wherein the shank mounted fastening means is a nut with a corresponding thread.

In another aspect the invention can broadly be said to be an anchor assembly comprising:

a shank having a running slot over the full length of which a shackle is connected, or to be connected to the anchor rode or chain, can run, there being at least one zone of larger width into which a shackle or other apparatus can be fitted as an occlusion to prevent the running of the shackle of the anchor chain beyond and into the running slot more proximal to the fluke(s).

Preferably the shackle or other apparatus can be selectively positioned at said zone of larger width yet be reconfigured and/or removed to be repositioned or repositionable so as to nor present itself as an occlusion.

Preferably said shackle or other apparatus cannot be removed from said slot.

Preferably said shackle or other apparatus cannot be removed from said slot but only be reconfigured between a condition where it is prevented from movement away from said zone and where it can be moved away from said zone.

Preferably the shackle or other apparatus comprises at least:

• • a) a fastener, having a head and an at least partially threaded shaft, and
  • b) a nut with a corresponding thread to be associated with the shaft of the fastener,

wherein the head and the nut are situated on either side of the slot and the shaft extends therebetween, passing through the slot,

and wherein there is a region of the shaft adjacent either or both of the head or the nut which is of greater diameter or width than the remainder of the shaft,

and wherein on tightening of the nut on the shaft, the region of the shaft of greater diameter or width can be drawn into an enlarged region of the slot so as to station the assembly within that enlarged region, on loosening of the nut on the shaft, the region of the shaft of greater diameter or width can be withdrawn from the slot so as to permit sliding of the assembly along all regions of the slot.

Preferably the region(s) of greater width or diameter of the shaft of the shackle or apparatus is/are provided by way of an additional insert(s) mounted on the shaft.

Preferably the additional insert(s) is/are plastic.

Preferably the shaft of the shackle or apparatus is manufactured as a single component with a stepped profile to provide at least one region of the shaft of greater diameter or width than the remainder of the shaft.

Preferably there are shaft mounted spacer elements situated either side of the slot aperture and intermediate the head and the nut of the shackle or apparatus.

Preferably the spacer elements are plastic.

In another aspect the invention can broadly be said to be an assembly or combination of

an anchor with slotted shank and a shank supported fluke,

a rode connectable shackle or rode connected shackle engaged through the slot of the shank, and

means connectable to the shank, or connected to the shank, to restrict the run of the first mentioned shackle from the distal region (with respect to the shank) of the slot.

Preferably said means connectable to the shank is repositionable and configurable through the slot between a slidable condition wherein it can slide along the slot and a captive condition wherein its movement is isolated to a region of the slot at the location at the free end of the shank.

In another aspect the invention can broadly be said to be an anchor as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In another aspect the invention can broadly be said to be an anchor assembly as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In another aspect the invention can broadly be said to be an anchor shank slot assembly as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In another aspect the invention can broadly be said to be an assembly or combination as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In another aspect the invention can broadly be said to be an assembly to be located in a slot aperture on a shank of an anchor as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In another aspect the invention can broadly be said to be a shackle with a bushed pin or a bush for such a shackle with a bushed pin as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In another aspect the invention can broadly be said to be a shackle or apparatus as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As used herein the term “and/or” means “and” or “or”, or both.

As used herein the term “(s)” following a noun includes, as might be appropriate, the singular or plural forms of that noun.

As used herein the term “fastener” includes a bolt or screw.

The term ‘comprising’ as used in this specification means ‘consisting at least in part of’, that is to say when interpreting statements in this specification which include that term, the features, prefaced by that term in each statement, all need to be present but other features can also be present.

This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred form of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompany drawings in which;

FIG. 1 which shows a end or distal region of a shank 1 of an anchor (the fluke or flukes of which are not shown) having a retrieval slot 2,

FIG. 2 shows an overall anchor of one preferred form but with both shackles removed,

FIGS. 3A and 3B show an anchor of another form with shackles fitted, and

FIGS. 4A and 4B show a generic anchor form with slot and shackles,

FIG. 4B being an end enlargement,

FIG. 5A shows a second embodiment of a slotted anchor system, having a preventer assembly to trap the anchor shackle at the distal region of the shank,

FIG. 5B shows a third embodiment of the anchor system, similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5A, wherein the anchor chain or rode is directly connected to, and slides with, the preventer assembly,

FIG. 6 shows from side on, and in cross section, an exploded view of the assembly of the anchor system shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B,

FIG. 7A shows the assembly in its slidable configuration captured within the slot of the anchor system shown FIGS. 5A and 5B,

FIG. 7B is a cross sectional view of the assembly as shown in FIG. 7A,

FIG. 8A shows the assembly in its stationary configuration captured within the slot of the anchor system shown FIGS. 5A and 5B,

FIG. 8B is a cross sectional view of the assembly as shown in FIG. 8A,

FIG. 9 shows a side on cross sectional view of an assembly of an alternative embodiment of the present invention in its stationary configuration retained in an enlarged locator region of the slot,

FIG. 10 shows the assembly of FIG. 9 instead in its slidable configuration in a narrower region of the slot outside of the locator region,

FIGS. 11A and 11B show isometric views of a further alternative embodiment of the preventer assembly of the present invention comprising a fastener with a stepped shaft, a nut, and spacer elements,

FIG. 12 shows a side on view of the assembly of FIGS. 11A and 11B, and

FIG. 13 shows a cross sectional side on view of the assembly of FIGS. 11A and 11B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In a first embodiment, a feature of the arrangement of the shank is a slot which runs between the end of the shank most proximate the anchor flukes and the distal end of the shank (shown in FIG. 1), or at least a part of the way between those ends. Preferably the slot has an enlarged region 3 of the distal region or near the distal region of the slot leading to a transitional zone 4 to the lesser width zone 5. The lesser width zone 5 can of course enlarge further more towards the fluke but this is not a requirement. Likewise the enlarged region 3 near the distal region can at the end of its run locally narrow but this is not preferred. It is sufficient that there be a constriction arising from the form of the slot to itself serve the functionality hereinafter described of restricting the more proximal movement of an extra shackle.

In the arrangement shown in FIG. 1 there is a standard anchoring shackle 6 that is able to move freely along the whole of the running or retrieval slot 2 (i.e. both from and to the enlarged region 3 and down into and from the more narrow region 5).

Interposable as a quick attachment is a removable shackle 7 (a removable “preventer” shackle) with a larger pin, or a bushed pin 8, which can fit in the region 3 but cannot run into the region 5 of the slot as it is prevented by the transition zone 4.

As an increased girth/diameter pin or pin assembly is required to prevent the run along the region 5, any chosen sufficient sectioned pin can be used or it can be packed out to a larger size with a sleeve, bush or the like (whether of a metal, plastic or other material).

In use therefore, when anchoring, the “preventer” shackle 7 can be simply removed and the standard anchoring shackle 6 used as the rode connection to the anchor for anchoring purposes. With the “preventer” shackle removed the anchor can be retrieved in a ride over manner if required. The “preventer” shackle may instead be some other slot located apparatus or assembly that can perform the same functions.

Upon uplifting the anchor it is a simple matter to fix a conventional shackle to the region 3 of the slot 2 of the shank 1 thereby to prevent, when carried by the boat, movement of the standard anchor shackle down into the region 5.

In some preferred forms a bush, whether of plastics material or other, can be provided on a pin, if a standard shackle form does not serve the purpose of a preventive shackle, for the particular scale of the slot 2 and its transition from 3 through 4 to 5.

If desired a reattachment opening can be provided in the shank so that the shackle 7, or 7′ can be carried by the anchor even though not interfering with the retrieval slot movement of the shackle 6, or 6′.

A preferred form of the anchor and slotted shank configuration is as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

In a second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5A, the “preventer” shackle is replaced with a “preventer” assembly 11. The assembly 11 is able to slide along a narrow slot 12 in a fluke supported shank 13 of an anchor 14, the shank having one end proximal to the fluke 15 and one end distal to the fluke 16. Within the slot 12 there are two enlarged locator regions, the first at or near the distal end of the slot 17 and the second at or near the proximal end 18.

In this embodiment a D shackle or similar 10 slides in slot 12, but can alternatively be retained at the distal end 16 of the slot by engagement of the assembly 11 at locator region 17. When it is desired that the ride over capability be enabled, the assembly 11 can be stationed at locator region 18, or simply allowed to run freely in the slot in order to allow the shackle 36 to slide the full length of the slot 12 without restriction.

In yet a further, but similar embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5B, the anchor chain is connected directly to the assembly 11. Preferably the assembly 11 is captured within and bears upon the slot 12 to allow lifting of the anchor 14 from the distal end and proximal end respectively.

In a preferred embodiment the assembly 11 preferably comprises a nut assembly 19 and a fastener or bolt assembly 20, which interact with one another by way of a threaded connection 21 (see FIG. 6).

In a preferred embodiment the bolt assembly 19 is made up of a hexagonal head bolt 22 welded at point 23 to a backing plate 24. Other types of bolt head could be used. For the embodiment of FIG. 5B the sides of the bolt head provide a surface which can bear upon the slot when the assembly is stationed at one of the locator regions. In this regard square and hexagonal heads would be most suitable.

The peripheral geometry of the backing plate 24 is not particularly significant, but a heavy duty washer is a suitable and readily available component that could be used. The hole in the centre of the washer provides a weld point 23 on the outside of the assembly 11, as the weld would interfere with the operation of the assembly 11 if it were to be positioned on the inner face (in use) 25 of the backing plate 24.

The nut assembly 20 similarly comprises a clamping plate 26 welded at point 27 to a nut 28. Again, a heavy duty washer can serve as suitable a clamping plate 26. As shown in FIG. 6, a flared nut 28 can be used. Other types of nut could be used, but the flared nut provides a gap for welding the nut 28 and clamping plate 26 together at point 27, internally of the assembly 11, for a tidy finish.

The assembly 11 can assume both a slidable configuration as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B and a stationary configuration as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, however it is only able to assume the stationary configuration when it is within one or other of the locator regions 17 or 18.

When in the slidable configuration, the assembly 11 is able to run freely along the slot 12. For the embodiment of FIG. 5B, the assembly can still bear on the slot 12 at either end 15 or 16 of the anchor shank, even in its slidable configuration, to facilitate lifting of the anchor.

When in the stationary configuration, the assembly 11 becomes trapped in one of the locator regions, for example region 17 as shown in FIG. 8A, and cannot travel. The locator region 17 then in turn traps the shackle 10 and the distal end 16 becomes the stationary lifting point of the anchor. This makes for a more secure mooring if the ride over capability of the anchor is not desired.

FIG. 8B shows a cross sectional view of the assembly 11 in its stationary configuration engaged with one of the locator regions 17 of the slot. The assembly 11 is brought into this configuration by moving it into the locator region 17 and tightening the nut assembly 20 so as to clamp the side surfaces of the slot 29 between the backing plate and the clamping plate 26 to restrict lateral movement.

When in this configuration, the head of the bolt 22 is drawn into the locator region 17, preventing the bolt from sliding into the narrower region of the slot 12 adjacent the locator region. The upper and lower surfaces 31 and 32 of the slot contact the corresponding surfaces of the bolt 22. It can be seen that the locator regions 17 and 18 must be sufficiently large to accommodate the head of the bolt 22, and should be shaped so as to prevent it from rotating to assist in the tightening and loosening of the nut assembly 20 when required. Preferably, where a hexagonal or square head bolt 22 is used, the locator region will provide parallel upper and lower surfaces 31 and 32 for restricting rotation of the bolt.

It is preferable to provide a stopping surface 30 to limit how far the nut assembly 20 can be threaded onto the bolt 22, and preferably this is set to ensure some clearance either side of the slot when the assembly 11 is tightened to assume it's stationary configuration. This prevents the nut assembly 20 from binding against the side surfaces 29 of the slot when in the stationary configuration.

When the nut assembly 20 is loosened, the head of bolt 22 can be withdrawn outward of the slot 12. The assembly 11 can then assume the sliding configuration shown in cross section in FIG. 7B, where the shank of the bolt 33, having a narrower diameter than that of the head, can move freely along the slot 12 and through the locator regions 17 and 18. Here the stopping surface 30 acts to prevent excessive lateral movement when the assembly 11 is in the sliding configuration.

A weld or other bead 34 (see FIG. 8) on the threaded end of bolt 22 ensures that the connection assembly 11 can be loosened in order to change between its stationary and sliding configurations, but cannot be completely disassembled into its component assemblies 19 and 20 or entirely removed from the anchor 4. This feature ensures that the components cannot get lost. As the threaded shaft of the bolt 22 and the nut 28 will be retained in the correct alignment at all times and will remain captured in the slot 12, this assembly can be more convenient than dealing with a D shackle or similar as the preventer or connection mechanism.

An alternative embodiment of the assembly 11, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, can be constructed from a nut 35 and bolt, screw or other type of fastener 36 with intermediary inserts 37 and 38 mounted on the shaft. The bolt or screw 36 preferably has a threaded shank 39 able to fit through a central bore in the first plastic insert 37. The insert 37 preferably has a cylindrical shoulder region 40 which extends in direction of the axis of the shank 39. The inside of the bore hole of the insert 37 preferably has barbs or projections able to key into a thread of the shank 39 in order to retain the insert 37 in position adjacent the head of the bolt or screw 36. The shank 39 can then be inserted through the slot 12 of the anchor shank 13 and the second intermediary insert 38 and nut 35 threaded onto the end of the shank 39 on the other side of the slot, thus the assembly 11 is retained captured in the slot.

By tightening and loosening the nut 35 the assembly 11 can be altered between the stationary configuration (shown in FIG. 9) and the sliding configuration (shown in FIG. 10). In the stationary configuration the nut 35 is tightened so that the insert 37, the shoulder region 40 of which is of a larger diameter than the shank 39, is drawn into the locator region 17 of the slot 12. In this configuration the assembly 11 is prevented from being able to slide into the narrower region 18 of the slot 12.

When the nut 35 is loosened, the assembly 11 can assume its sliding configuration wherein the shoulder 40 of the insert 37 is withdrawn outside of the slot (as can be seen in FIG. 10) such that the shank 39 of the bolt or screw 35 is able to enter into and slide along the narrower regions of the slot 12 outside of the locator regions 17 and/or 18.

Alternatively the first intermediary insert 37 could be associated with the nut instead of the head of the screw.

The first intermediary insert 37 is preferably a machined plastic component and the second 38, preferably a nylon washer. Such plastic components not only reduce the amount of metallic component of the assembly 11, and therefore it's cost, but also prevent metal on metal contact either side of the slot 12 and avoid damage to any galvanizing layer in the vicinity of the slot.

As a further preferred embodiment, the preventer assembly 11 may comprise a fastener 41 with a stepped shaft 43, a nut 42, and a pair of side plates 44, all as shown in FIGS. 11A to 13. The side plates 44 serve a supporting and spacing function, and are preferably plastic washers for the reasons previously outlined.

The stepped shaft 43 has a central region 45 wherein a substantially rectangular section of the cylindrical shaft 43 has been cut out to present a flat surface 46 which, in use, will remain parallel to the upper contour 31 of the slot. The effective diameter of the central region 45 is narrower (when the assembly 11 is viewed from side on) than the remaining regions of the shaft 43, and is thus able to slide in the narrower regions of the slot 12 outside of the locator regions 17 and/or 18 provided that it remains in the correct orientation. There are shoulder regions 47 of greater shaft diameter either side of the central region 45.

When the nut 42 is loosened as far as possible, so as to adopt the sliding configuration of the assembly 11, the shoulder regions 47 ensure that there is some clearance on either side of the slot 12 as the assembly 11 slides. There may optionally be some limiting feature on the thread or end of the shaft 43 which prevents complete removal of the nut 42 so that the assembly 11 remains permanently affixed to the anchor shaft.

When the nut 42 is tightened as far as possible the shoulder region 47 adjacent the head of the bolt 41 will be drawn into the location region 17, thus the stationary configuration is achieved in much the same way as shown in FIG. 9 in respect of the alternative embodiment. Optionally the head of the bolt 41 and the nut 42 are brought to butt up against either side of the slot to securely retain the assembly 11 in its stationary position.

While the preferred embodiments have exemplified the use of nut and bolt assemblies with a threaded engagement to facilitate transformation of the assembly 11 between its stationary and sliding configurations, a person skilled in that art will appreciate that any equivalent arrangement could be used which provides a shaft to extend through the slot intermediate of two side support components situated on either side of the slot, at least one of which is able to move along the shaft in order to alter the distance between the two said side support components, and some means of providing regions of the shaft which are of relatively lesser and greater width.

Claims

1. An anchor assembly comprising:

an anchor having a shank with a running slot for a shackle connection to an anchor rode with which the anchor is to be supported, the running slot allowing a captive movement of the shackle between a location at the free end of the shank and a location adjacent the fluke of the anchor, and

apparatus carried by the shank, configurable through or at the slot to maintain the shackle, at or in the vicinity of the location at the free end of the shank.

2. An anchor assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said apparatus is repositionable and configurable between a slidable condition wherein the apparatus can slide along the slot and a captive condition wherein the movement of the apparatus is isolated to a region of the slot at the location at the free end of the shank.

3. An anchor assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the location at the free end is defined by a first locator of the anchor shank.

4. An anchor assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein the first locator is an enlargement of the slot.

5. An anchor assembly as claimed in claim 4 wherein the slot is of a substantially constant width other than at said first locator.

6. An anchor assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein a second locator is provided located at or proximate the end of the slot nearest the fluke of the anchor.

7. An anchor assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein the second locator is an enlargement of the slot.

8. An anchor assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein the slot is of a substantially constant width between said first and second locators.

9. An anchor assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the apparatus carried by the shank, comprises at least:

c) fastener with a shank, and

d) a fastening means, mounted on said shank and moveable along the shank,

wherein the apparatus can be configured between its slidable and captive conditions by adjusting the position of the mounted fastening means along the shank.

10. The anchor assembly of claim 9 wherein the shank of the fastener is at least partially threaded, and wherein the shank mounted fastening means is a nut with a corresponding thread.

11. An anchor assembly comprising:

a shank having a running slot over the full length of which a shackle is connected, or to be connected to the anchor rode or chain, can run, there being at least one zone of larger width into which a shackle or other apparatus can be fitted as an occlusion to prevent the running of the shackle of the anchor chain beyond and into the running slot more proximal to the fluke(s).

12. An anchor assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein the shackle or other apparatus can be selectively positioned at said zone of larger width yet be reconfigured and/or removed to be repositioned or repositionable so as to nor present itself as an occlusion.

13. An anchor assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein said shackle or other apparatus cannot be removed from said slot.

14. An anchor assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein said shackle or other apparatus cannot be removed from said slot but only be reconfigured between a condition where it is prevented from movement away from said zone and where it can be moved away from said zone.

15. An anchor assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein shackle or other apparatus comprises at least:

c) a fastener, having a head and an at least partially threaded shaft, and

d) a nut with a corresponding thread to be associated with the shaft of the fastener,

wherein the head and the nut are situated on either side of the slot and the shaft extends therebetween, passing through the slot,

and wherein there is a region of the shaft adjacent either or both of the head or the nut which is of greater diameter or width than the remainder of the shaft, and wherein on tightening of the nut on the shaft, the region of the shaft of greater diameter or width can be drawn into an enlarged region of the slot so as to station the assembly within that enlarged region, on loosening of the nut on the shaft, the region of the shaft of greater diameter or width can be withdrawn from the slot so as to permit sliding of the assembly along all regions of the slot.

16. The anchor assembly as claimed in claim 15 wherein the region(s) of greater width or diameter of the shaft of the shackle or apparatus is/are provided by way of an additional insert(s) mounted on the shaft.

17. The anchor assembly as claimed in claim 16 wherein the additional insert(s) is/are plastic.

18. The anchor assembly as claimed in claim 15 wherein the shaft of the shackle or apparatus is manufactured as a single component with a stepped profile to provide at least one region of the shaft of greater diameter or width than the remainder of the shaft.

19. The anchor assembly as claimed in claim 15 wherein there are shaft mounted spacer elements situated either side of the slot aperture and intermediate the head and the nut of the shackle or apparatus.

20. The anchor assembly as claimed in claim 19 wherein the spacer elements are plastic.

21. An assembly or combination of

an anchor with slotted shank and a shank supported fluke,

a rode connectable shackle or rode connected shackle engaged through the slot of the shank, and

means connectable to the shank, or connected to the shank, to restrict the run of the first mentioned shackle from the distal region (with respect to the shank) of the slot.

22. An anchor assembly as claimed in claim 21 wherein said means connectable to the shank is repositionable and configurable through the slot between a slidable condition wherein it can slide along the slot and a captive condition wherein its movement is isolated to a region of the slot at the location at the free end of the shank.