Grab all gripping anchor

Abstract

An anchor that operates in a 360 degree direction regardless of the marine environment. A swiveling and/or rotating anchor. The anchor is able to rotate with its arms/flukes and shank. The arms/flukes are fastened to the anchor shank. The anchor comprises a shank having a forward and a rear end with a plurality of arms/flukes secured to the shank and/or crown. The plurality of arms/flukes are secured to the shank by a fluke mounting element or the shank itself. The plurality of arms/flukes are radically oriented and angularly spaced apart and positioned on the fluke mounting element or the shank itself.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The invention relates to anchors for marine use and other aquatic uses, and in particular, to anchors having multiple arms/flukes elements.

[0003] 2. Description of related art: Many different anchor types have been proposed and implemented for holding a boat in a particular place by means of arms/flukes which dig into the bottom of an ocean, lake, or river. Numerous shapes of anchors have been proposed including grapnel, “A” frame, yachtsman's, mushroom, SMC, Danforth, CQR, Claw, Bruce, Spade, Delta, Plough, Bulwagga, Hooker, Guardian, and Fortress.

[0004] One serious limitation of prior anchors is that they have a tendency to slide, roll and/or drag in the direction of a sideways pull, such as which may occur with a shift of wind, tides, or currents. Such slide, roll and/or drag is often the precursor of one or both of the arms/flukes breaking out of the sea floor. Often the anchor in such situations fails to reset itself and skates along on the edge of one fluke and/or the shackle end of the shank. The anchor rode can become entangled around the arms/flukes and/or shank making the anchor ineffective.

[0005] Although there have been prior attempts to solve the problem of anchor rolling and breakout by providing various modifications and accessories to conventional anchors, all such attempts have been cumbersome, unreliable, and ill-suited for serious use. Such limitations have undoubtedly been a reason such anchor modifications have not received widespread acceptance.

[0006] It is of critical importance for an anchor to have the ability to catch and grab on uneven ground. The present invention provides a very simple yet extremely efficient and reliable solution to such limitations in prior anchors.

[0007] Accordingly, it is the primary objective of this invention to provide an anchor with a plurality of radially oriented and angularly spaced arms/flukes which are combined to provide quick and considerable grip and holding power through all degrees. Because of the Grab All Gripping Anchor unique configuration, the anchor of the present invention also has a minimum level of dragging and fouling when pivoting and/or swinging with the change of tides, winds, and currents.

[0008] Additional objectives and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentality's and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

[0009] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] To achieve the foregoing objectives and in accordance with the purpose of the invention as embodied and broadly described herein an anchor comprising a shank having a forward and a rear end with a plurality of arms/flukes secured to the rear end of the shank and/or the shank itself. The plurality of arms/flukes are secured to the shank by a fluke mounting element and/or the shank itself. The plurality of the arms/flukes are radially oriented and angularly spaced apart and positioned on the fluke mounting element and/or the shank itself A plurality of arms/flukes elements are radially aligned and oriented with respect to each other.

SPECIFICATIONS

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specifications, illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and together with a general description given above and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment given below, serve to in the principles of the invention.

[0012] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the Grab All Gripping Anchor, according to the invention.

[0013] FIG. 2 shows a side view of such anchor, according to the invention.

[0014] FIG. 3 shows a top view of such anchor, according to the invention.

[0015] FIG. 4 shows a partial side view of the end portion of the arms/flukes elements, according to the invention.

[0016] FIG. 5 shows a partial top view of the end of an arms/flukes element, according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.

[0018] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an anchor 10 comprising a shank 12 having a forward and a rear end with a plurality of arms/flukes 18 secured to the shank 12. The plurality of arms/flukes 18 are secured to the shank 12 by a fluke mounting element 20 or to the shank 12 itself. The plurality of arms/flukes 18 are radially oriented and angularly spaced apart and positioned on the fluke mounting element 20 and/or the shank 12 itself. A plurality of arms/flukes 18 elements are radially aligned and oriented with respect to each other. The arms/flukes 18 may be provided in a fixed or adjustable configuration.

[0019] In FIG. 1, the Grab All Gripping Anchor 10 is shown according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. The anchor 10 includes a shank 12 with a forward end 14 and a rear end 16. Shank 12 may be variously configured, for example, cylindrical or rectangular, rotatable, or other configurations well known in the art. A plurality of arms/flukes 18 are secured to the shank 12 and/or a fluke mounting element 20, sometimes referred to in the art as an anchor crown 20, which may be variously configured and shaped and provided, for example as a expanded like member as shown, or alternatively, be a fastening element for securing arms/flukes 18 to the shank 12. Examples of fastening elements include a weld, a moulded one piece unit, bolts, screws or the like. However, the configuration as seen in FIG. 1 or similarly, is preferred.

[0020] The plurality of arms/flukes 18 as seen in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 are preferably radially oriented with respect to shank 12, and angularly spaced apart and positioned on a fluke mounting element 20 or alternatively to the shank 12 itself. The arms/flukes 18 can be mounted as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 or mounted separately, or in conjunction with or in any combination with the shank 12 and/or crown 20 mounting element.

[0021] The arms/flukes 18 are preferably composed of a durable resilient material such as metal, however a variety of materials can be used. Numerous and various arms/flukes 18 configurations may be altered depending on the embodiment. The preferred embodiment is shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3.

[0022] As seen in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 a plurality of arms/flukes 18 elements are radially aligned and oriented with respect to the shank 12 and each other, and preferably one arm/fluke 18 element is aligned with the plurality of another arm/fluke 18 element. In different embodiments, however, it is possible to have some arms/flukes 18 without a corresponding arms/flukes element or to have some or all of the arms/flukes elements not in corresponding alignment with each other.

[0023] With reference to FIG. 4, a preferred configuration of an arm/fluke 18 element is shown. In this configuration a pointed tip 19, sometimes referred to in the art as a bill or pea 19, a substantially triangular or pointed end 19 is provided. The bill/pea 19 can be pointed and/or rounded. A pointed bill/pea 19 is the preferred embodiment.

[0024] The preferred embodiment of the gussets 21 is stationary in this configuration. In other embodiments the gussets 21 could be hinged and/or moveable allowing the arms/flukes 18 to be collapsible and/or moveable. Additional preferred embodiment would be with a U-ring 11 at the end of the shank 12 and/or crown 20.

[0025] The preferred embodiment is having the arms/flukes 18 permanently attached to the shank 12 and/or flude mounting element 20 and parallel to each other. However, in different embodiments the arms/flukes 18 could swivel and/or rotate around the shank 12 in whole or in part in conjunction with one another or independently.

[0026] With reference to FIG. 5 the preferred configuration and arrangement of the arms/flukes 18 is shown. Additional configurations can include curved or multi shaped arms/flukes 18 elements. Many configurations of arms/flukes 18 elements are possible. Of critical importance is radial orientation and positioning of the plurality of arms/flukes 18 elements about the shank 12, which provides significant gripping and holding power by the use of multiple arms/flukes 18 elements in a radial configuration. The arms/flukes 18 as well as the crown 20 and gussets 21 can be of any number and/or geometrical shape and/or size. The preferred geometrical embodiment of the arms/flukes 18 is triangular towards the bill/pea 19.

[0027] In operation and use The Grab All Gripping Anchor is used like any other anchor. The Grab All Gripping Anchor is extremely versatile, reliable, easy to use, easy to transport, store and set, and highly efficient in gripping and grabbing the sea bottom to hold a boat in position. The preferred method/use would be with a swivel and/or swivel shackle attaching an all chain rode to top of the shank 14. In use, anchor 10 is used like any conventional anchor. However, because of the configuration of multiple arms/flukes 18 elements, very quick gripping and holding power is provided while also having a minimal level of dragging and fouling when pivoting and/or swinging with changes in winds, tides and currents. The plurality of multiple arms/flukes 18 allows for arms/flukes 18 to be constantly grabbing the sea bed. These qualities provide for security while at anchor. Anchor 10 will remain set securely or reset quickly after swinging at anchor.

[0028] Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspect is, therefore, not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant's general inventive concept.

Claims

1. An anchor, comprising of:

a shank having an upper end and a lower end, and defining a shank axis.

a plurality of arms/flukes secured to said shank, said plurality of arms/flukes being secured to said shank by a fluke mounting element and/or the shank itself.

a plurality of arms/flukes being radically oriented with respect to said shank axis, and angularly spaced apart from each other.

a plurality of arms/flukes elements separate and/or in conjunction with respect to said shank axis, and angularly and radially oriented aligned in any combination with said shank element and/or crown element.

a plurality of radially aligned arms/flukes can be independently or dependently adjustable and/or moveable on the fluke mounting element and/or shank element, and are positioned and configured so that each of said plurality of arms/flukes elements are or could be aligned with one of said plurality of arms/flukes elements.

a self regulating physical system operating in a 360 degree direction that provides a constant and/or stable anchor-point in the seabed, regardless of the change in the marine environment.