Watercraft Anchoring System

A watercraft anchoring system is a system for anchoring and preventing the drifting and movement of a small to medium-sized watercraft in a body of water. The system includes an anchor pole with an auger drill bit and a seabed-penetrating tip for embedding into the bed of the body of water. The auger drill bit assists in boring into the bed while the seabed-penetrating tip facilitates the subsequent entry of the auger drill bit and the anchor pole into the bed. A guide sleeve is utilized to hold and provide support for the anchor pole. A boat mount is utilized to secure the system to the watercraft and allows the system to be deployed, retracted, and adjusted as needed. A tensioning cable is tethered to the watercraft and to the anchor pole in order to provide stability to the system when the system is deployed.

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Description

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 61/969,429 filed on Mar. 24, 2014.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an anchoring system for boats and other watercraft. More specifically, the present invention is a watercraft anchoring system for small to medium-sized pontoon boats, fishing boats, and similar watercraft. The present invention prevents the drifting of a watercraft due to wind or current.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many types of watercraft, regardless of size, employ the use of an anchor in order to prevent drifting in open water due to wind or current. An anchor is typically utilized by embedding the anchor into the seabed, effectively tethering the anchoring watercraft to the seabed. A conventional temporary anchor onboard a watercraft comprises a highly dense piece of material that is attached to the watercraft via a chain, a cable, a rope, or a combination of all three. The anchor itself is often designed in a manner that facilitates the process of embedding the anchor (e.g. by hooking) into the seabed and preventing accidental release of the anchor from the seabed. Smaller types of watercraft often do not require large anchors such as those found on correspondingly large watercraft.

The present invention is a watercraft anchoring system for use with small to medium-sized watercraft. The present invention is utilized to prevent a watercraft from drifting forward, backward, and side-to-side due to wind or current. The present invention is ideal for anchoring a watercraft close to shore as well as adjacent to other watercraft as the present invention is able to prevent unwanted drifting of the watercraft as well as resulting collisions. Additionally, the present invention is straightforward to install onto a watercraft as well as to deploy.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention in a retracted configuration.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention transitioning from the retracted configuration to an operative configuration.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the present invention in the operative configuration.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the present invention in the operative configuration.

FIG. 5 is a detail view of the present invention taken from circle A of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention mounted to a pontoon boat and in an operative configuration.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the alternative embodiment of the present invention mounted to a pontoon boat and in the operative configuration.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the alternative embodiment of the present invention mounted to a pontoon boat and in the operative configuration.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the present invention with a protective cover.

 DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

The present invention is a watercraft anchoring system that prevents a small to medium-sized watercraft from drifting in water. The present invention is shown in FIGS. 1-5 and comprises an anchor pole 1, a guide sleeve 4, an auger drill bit 5, a seabed-penetrating tip 8, a boat mount 9, and a tensioning cable 23.

The anchor pole 1 is a pole that may be inserted into a body of water when anchoring the watercraft. The anchor pole 1 comprises a submerged end 2 and a grasping end 3. The submerged end 2 is the end of the anchor pole 1 that is placed into the water when the watercraft is anchored. The grasping end 3 is the end of the anchor pole 1 that allows the user to hold and manipulate the anchor pole 1 when placing the anchor pole 1 into the water or removing the anchor pole 1 from the water. The guide sleeve 4 is a tubular sleeve that serves to both hold and guide the anchor pole 1 when anchoring the watercraft. The anchor pole 1 is slidably and rotatably engaged through the guide sleeve 4. This allows the user to slide the anchor pole 1 through the guide sleeve 4 in order to insert the anchor pole 1 into or remove the anchor pole 1 from the water. The auger drill bit 5 provides additional security against dislodgement and movement for the anchor pole 1 within the bed of the body of water. The auger drill bit 5 is telescopically engaged into the submerged end 2. As such, rotating the anchor pole 1 within the guide sleeve 4 allows the auger drill bit 5 to bore into the bed. The seabed-penetrating tip 8 initiates insertion of the anchor pole 1 and the auger drill bit 5 into the bed. The seabed-penetrating tip 8 is adjacently connected to the auger drill bit 5, opposite to the submerged end 2, allowing the seabed-penetrating tip 8 to penetrate the bed prior to the auger drill bit 5 and the submerged end 2. The boat mount 9 is utilized to secure the present invention to the watercraft and allows the present invention to be deployed or retracted as needed. The boat mount 9 is laterally positioned to the guide sleeve 4 and as such, the guide sleeve 4 is able to move relative to the boat mount 9 when the present invention is being deployed or retracted. The guide sleeve 4 is hingedly connected to the boat mount 9, allowing the guide sleeve 4 to be hingedly repositioned in order to deploy or retract the present invention. The tensioning cable 23 provides further security against dislodgement and movement for the anchor pole 1 within the bed of the body of water.

The tensioning cable 23 is tethered to the anchor pole 1, adjacent to the auger drill bit 5. The tensioning cable 23 is additionally tethered to the watercraft, ensuring that the submerged end 2 of the anchor pole 1 is secured in place and not subject to movement once embedded within the bed. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the tensioning cable 23 is tethered to the anchor pole 1 via a D-ring in order to prevent the tensioning cable from winding around the anchor pole 1 while the anchor pole 1 is rotating.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the boat mount 9 comprises a base plate 10, an L-shaped bracket 11, a connecting rod 14, a first stabilizing bar 17, and a second stabilizing bar 20. The base plate 10 is utilized to mount the components of the boat mount 9 to the watercraft and serves as the foundation for the boat mount 9. The L-shaped bracket 11 serves to connect the guide sleeve 4 and the anchor pole 1 to the boat mount 9. The connecting rod 14, the first stabilizing bar 17, and the second stabilizing bar 20 allow the L-shaped bracket 11, the anchor pole 1, and the guide sleeve 4 to hingedly move relative to the base plate 10. The L-shaped bracket 11 comprises a first leg 12 and a second leg 13 that hold the guide sleeve 4 in place while allowing the position of the anchor pole 1 to be adjusted as needed. The guide sleeve 4 is integrated through the first leg 12, allowing the anchor pole 1 to slide through the first leg 12 and the guide sleeve 4 during deployment, retraction, and adjustment of the anchor pole 1.

A first end 15 of the connecting rod 14 is pivotally mounted onto the base plate 10, allowing the connecting rod 14 to pivot about the base plate 10 when the present invention is deployed or retracted. A second end 16 of the connecting rod 14 is pivotally mounted to the first leg 12, adjacent to the guide sleeve 4. As such, the first leg 12 is able to pivot about the second end 16 of the connecting rod 14 during deployment and retraction of the present invention. Similar to the connecting rod 14, a first end 18 of the first stabilizing bar 17 and a first end 21 of the second stabilizing bar 20 are pivotally mounted to the base plate 10. This allows the first stabilizing bar 17 and the second stabilizing bar 20 to pivot about the base plate 10 as well when the present invention is deployed or retracted. A second end 19 of the first stabilizing bar 17 and a second end 22 of the second stabilizing bar 20 are pivotally mounted to the second leg 13. In conjunction with the first end 18 of the first stabilizing bar 17 and the first end 21 of the second stabilizing bar 20, the second end 19 of the first stabilizing bar 17 and the second end 22 of the second stabilizing bar 20 are able to provide stability to the L-shaped bracket 11 during deployment and retraction of the present invention. The second leg 13 is positioned in between the first stabilizing bar 17 and the second stabilizing bar 20, allowing the first stabilizing bar 17 and the second stabilizing bar 20 to stabilize the L-shaped bracket 11 from two positions.

The present invention further comprises a plurality of locking holes 24 and an at least one spring-loaded nub 26. The plurality of locking holes 24 laterally traverses into the anchor pole 1. The plurality of locking holes 24 allows the position of the auger drill bit 5 within the anchor pole 1 to be adjusted utilizing the the at least one spring-loaded nub 26. The plurality of locking holes 24 is evenly distributed along the anchor pole 1 in order to facilitate quick and convenient adjustment of the auger drill bit 5 relative to the anchor pole 1. The auger drill bit comprises an extension shaft 6 and a screw blade portion 7. The extension shaft 6 allows the auger drill bit to be adjusted relative to the anchor pole 1. The screw blade portion 7 is the portion of the auger drill bit that is able to bore into the bed of a body of water. The extension shaft 6 is telescopically engaged into the anchor pole 1, allowing the auger drill bit to be adjusted relative to the anchor pole 1. Additionally, the at least one spring-loaded nub 26 is laterally mounted to the extension shaft 6, opposite to the screw blade portion 7. This allows the at least one spring-loaded nub 26 to be used to lock the position of the extension shaft 6 within the anchor pole. The at least one spring-loaded nub 26 is engaged into a selected hole 25 from the plurality of locking holes, securing the auger drill bit 5 to the anchor pole 1. When the user wishes to adjust the auger drill bit 5, the at least one spring-loaded nub 26 is disengaged from the selected hole 25.

The anchor pole 1, the guide sleeve 4, and the boat mount 9 are shown in an operative configuration in FIG. 3. When the present invention is in the operative configuration, the present invention is able to anchor the watercraft by embedding the anchor pole 1 into the bed of the body of water. The embedding process is facilitated by rotating the anchor pole 1 in order to bore into the bed with the seabed-penetrating tip 8 and the auger drill bit 5. In the operative configuration, the anchor pole 1 is oriented normal to the base plate 10 and the submerged end 2 is placed into the water, allowing the seabed-penetrating tip 8 and the auger drill bit 5 to embed into the bed. The present invention further comprises a pole-bracing slot 27. In conjunction with the connecting rod 14, the first stabilizing bar 17, and the second stabilizing bar 20, the pole-bracing slot 27 is able to provide further security for the present invention when in the operative configuration in order to prevent the anchor pole 1 from becoming dislodged from the bed. The pole-bracing slot 27 laterally traverses into the base plate 10, allowing the anchor pole 1 to be positioned within the pole-bracing slot 27 and prevented from shifting. The pole-bracing slot 27 is positioned offset from the first end 18 of the first stabilizing bar 17 and the first end 21 of the second stabilizing bar 20. This allows the pole-bracing slot 27 to support the anchor pole 1 at a position that is offset from the first end 18 of the first stabilizing bar 17 and the first end 21 of the second stabilizing bar 20 that is pivotally mounted to the base plate 10. The pole-bracing slot 27 is laterally engaged by the guide sleeve 4, allowing the guide sleeve 4 as well as the anchor pole 1 within the guide sleeve 4 to be supported within the pole-bracing slot 27. The first stabilizing bar 17 and the second stabilizing bar 20 are pressed against the boat mount 9 by a restraint 28 in order to prevent the boat mount 9 from becoming displaced during boat movement due to waves as shown in FIG. 3.

An alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 6-8. In the alternative embodiment, the boat mount 9 comprises a hinge 29 and a sleeve stop 32.

The hinge 29 allows the present invention to be deployed or retracted as needed via a hinge mechanism, similar to the pivotal motion provided by the connecting rod 14, the first stabilizing bar 17, and the second stabilizing bar 20 in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The sleeve stop 32 functions in a similar manner as the pole-bracing slot 27 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention and serves to provide support for the guide sleeve 4 and the anchor pole 1 when the present invention is deployed. The hinge 29 comprises a boat-fastened plate 30 and a free plate 31 that allow the guide sleeve 4 and the anchor pole 1 to pivot about each other. As such, the boat-fastened plate 30 and the free plate 31 are pivotally connected to each other about a rotation axis 33. The boat-fastened plate 30 is secured to the watercraft while the free plate 31 is laterally connected to the guide sleeve 4, allowing the guide sleeve 4 and the anchor pole 1 to pivot about the hinge 29. The sleeve stop 32 is offset from the rotation axis 33 by a stabilization distance 34 to allow the sleeve stop 32 to provide support for the guide sleeve 4 and the anchor pole 1 at a position that is offset from the fixed rotation axis 33.

The anchor pole 1, the guide sleeve 4, and the boat mount 9 are shown in an operative configuration in FIGS. 6-8. In the operative configuration, the boat-fastened plate 30 and the free plate 31 are oriented perpendicular to each other as the guide sleeve 4 is oriented perpendicular to the boat-fastened plate 30 as well, allowing the anchor pole 1 to be inserted into the water. The alternative embodiment of the present invention further comprises a latch 35. Additionally, in the alternative embodiment of the present invention, the sleeve stop 32 is a hook 36 and a stem 37. The hook 36 is able to partially wrap and hold the guide sleeve 4 in place when the guide sleeve 4 and the anchor pole 1 are in the operative configuration. The stem 37 is mounted to the watercraft and allows the hook 36 to be secured to the watercraft. The latch 35 is utilized to secure the guide sleeve 4 within the sleeve stop 32 when the alternative embodiment of the present invention is in the operative configuration. As such, the guide sleeve 4 is laterally enclosed by the hook 36 and the latch 35. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the latch 35 is spring-loaded and is pivotally mounted to the stem 37 in order to allow the user to easily secure or release the guide sleeve 4 from the hook 36.

The present invention further comprises a handle 38. The handle 38 facilitates manual deployment, retraction, and adjustment of the present invention and provides a more convenient means for the user to manipulate the present invention. The handle 38 is adjacently connected to the grasping end 3, allowing the user to easily hold the handle 38 when inserting or retracting the anchor pole 1 as well as when adjusting the anchor pole 1 position within the guide sleeve 4.

When the present invention is not in use, the auger drill bit 5 may be contained by a protective shroud as shown in FIG. 9. The protective shroud prevents damage that may hinder the effectiveness of the auger drill bit 5. Although the present invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

1. A watercraft anchoring system comprises:

an anchor pole;
a guide sleeve;
an auger drill bit;
a seabed-penetrating tip;
a boat mount;
a tensioning cable;
the anchor pole comprises a submerged end and a grasping end;
the anchor pole being slidably and rotatably engaged through the guide sleeve;
the auger drill bit being telescopically engaged into the submerged end;
the seabed-penetrating tip being adjacently connected to the auger drill bit, opposite to the submerged end;
the boat mount being laterally positioned to the guide sleeve;
the guide sleeve being hingedly connected to the boat mount;
the tensioning cable being tethered to the anchor pole, adjacent to the auger drill bit;

2. The watercraft anchoring system as claimed in claim 1 further comprises:

the boat mount comprises a base plate, an L-shaped bracket, a connecting rod, a first stabilizing bar, and a second stabilizing bar;
the L-shaped bracket comprises a first leg and a second leg;
the guide sleeve being integrated through the first leg;
a first end of the connecting rod being pivotally mounted onto the base plate;
a second end of the connecting rod being pivotally mounted to the first leg, adjacent to the guide sleeve;
a first end of the first stabilizing bar being pivotally mounted to the base plate;
a second end of the first stabilizing bar being pivotally mounted to the second leg;
a first end of the second stabilizing bar being pivotally mounted to the base plate;
a second end of the second stabilizing bar being pivotally mounted to the second leg;
the second leg being positioned in between the first stabilizing bar and the second stabilizing bar;

3. The watercraft anchoring system as claimed in claim 2 further comprises:

a plurality of locking holes;
at least one spring-loaded nub;
the auger drill bit comprises an extension shaft and a screw blade portion;
the extension shaft being telescopically engaged into the anchor pole;
the at least one spring-loaded nub being laterally mounted to the extension shaft, opposite to the screw blade portion;
the plurality of locking holes laterally traversing into the anchor pole;
the plurality of locking holes being evenly distributed along the anchor pole;
the at least one spring-loaded nub being engaged into a selected hole from the plurality of locking holes;

4. The watercraft anchoring system as claimed in claim 2 further comprises:

wherein the anchor pole, the guide sleeve, and the boat mount are in an operative configuration;
a pole-bracing slot;
the anchor pole being oriented normal to the base plate;
the pole-bracing slot laterally traversing into the base plate;
the pole-bracing slot being positioned offset from the second end of both the first stabilizing bar and the second stabilizing bar;
the pole-bracing slot being laterally engaged by the guide sleeve;
the first stabilizing bar and the second stabilizing bar being pressed against the boat mount by a restraint;

5. The watercraft anchoring system as claimed in claim 1 further comprises:

the boat mount comprises a hinge and a sleeve stop;
the hinge comprises a boat-fastened plate and a free plate;
the boat-fastened plate and the free plate being pivotally connected to each other along a rotation axis;
the free plate being laterally connected to the guide sleeve;
the sleeve stop being offset from the rotation axis by a stabilization distance;

6. The watercraft anchoring system as claimed in claim 5 further comprises:

wherein the anchor pole, the guide sleeve, and the boat mount are in an operative configuration;
a latch;
the sleeve stop being a hook and a stem;
the boat-fastened plate and the free plate being oriented perpendicular to each other;
the latch being pivotally mounted to the stem;
the guide sleeve being laterally enclosed by the hook and the latch;

7. The watercraft anchoring system as claimed in claim 1 further comprises:

a handle;
the handle being adjacently connected to the grasping end;
Patent History
Publication number: 20150266548
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 20, 2015
Publication Date: Sep 24, 2015
Inventor: Tommy Nelson Crosby (Albany, GA)
Application Number: 14/664,357
Classifications
International Classification: B63B 21/26 (20060101); B63B 21/30 (20060101);