Abstract: A constant tension anchoring system mounted on a floating body in the ocean includes an anchor, an anchor chain, an anchor windlass, a towing cable, a load and a chain stopper. During the oscillatory motion of the waves, the constant tension anchoring system repeats the release and retraction so as to maintain a generally constant tension force and thereby ensure the safety of the anchoring system and the floating body.

Abstract: A windlass assembly for a marine craft anchoring system is disclosed. The assembly comprises, before attachment to the craft, a windlass portion and a bow roller portion connected to each other via a connection portion. The connection portion provides a mechanical link between the windlass portion and the bow roller portion, secures alignment between the windlass portion and the bow roller portion and fixes the spacing between the windlass portion and the bow roller portion.

Abstract: A device for handling and towing a submersible object includes a tilting structure with a support, to pivot about a first axis parallel to a horizontal plane, and equipped with a guide device, a pivot connection about a second axis in a plane substantially perpendicular to the first axis, to allow a rotary part of the tilting structure to rotate relative to the support, the rotary part having the guide device, a stabilizing device to keep the rotary part in a deployed position relative to the support provided a torque of the relative pivoting between the rotary part and support about the second axis does not exceed a predetermined threshold, to allow the rotary part, equipped with the guide device, to rotate relative to the support about the second axis once a torque of relative pivoting between the rotary part and support about the second exceeds the threshold.

Abstract: A wave-powered water vehicle includes a) a first component which is a float that travels on or near the water surface; b) a second component which is wave actuated and travels below the first component; and c) a means whereby the first component engages the second component and/or the second component engages the first component; wherein the engagement means provides lateral support of one component for the other, and thereby minimizes lateral movement of one against the other when the components are fitted together.

Abstract: An anchor cradle for fluke, return bar-type anchors which provides an efficient means for handling and stowing said anchors. The cradle includes a first support bracket and a second support bracket, wherein each comprises a base plate, a wing plate, and a nose plate. The base plate for both the first support bracket and the second support bracket are mounted parallel and offset to each other and each are pivotably mounted to an arm of a boat winch. The wing plate interlocks with the flukes of the anchor and is adjacently connected along a top edge of the base plate. The wing plate for both the first support bracket and the second support bracket are oriented away from each other in order to create an anchor-receiving region. The nose plate reorients the anchor and is adjacently connected along a front edge of the base plate, forming a triangular-shaped nose portion.

Abstract: A self-securing, vertically mounted marine anchor stowage device may comprise a bracket, forming a generally U-shaped channel and having an alignment guide designed and configured to capture the shaft of a marine anchor, a plurality of mounting slots which, in coordination with mounting hardware such as U-bolts, washers and nuts, enable the anchor stowage device to be mounted to a vessel, and a plurality of adjustment slots which, in coordination with bolt, washer and wing nut combinations, provides a means of adjustably mounting one or more rollers within the U-shaped channel, the bolts forming axes about which the rollers may rotate, the anchor stowage device being designed and configured to accommodate vertical stowage of an anchor by capturing the shaft of the anchor between the bracket and the one or more rollers, the anchor being held in the stowed condition solely by the force of gravity.

Abstract: Apparatus for anchor line reeling to raise or lower an anchor using a cranked reel employing a clutch bearing and a drag, which drag is controllably released by reverse rotation of the crank. An additional reel drag is used to prevent reel overturning when the anchor is lowered and hits bottom.

Abstract: A device for securing an anchor. The anchor securing device may comprise a shank holder for securing a shank of the anchor and a base fluke holder for securing the base of the anchor. The shank holder may use an elastic shank rope for further securing the shank to the anchor securing device.

Abstract: Apparatus for anchor line reeling to raise or lower an anchor using a cranked reel employing a clutch bearing and a drag, which drag is controllably released by reverse rotation of the crank. An additional reel drag is used to prevent reel overturning when the anchor is lowered and hits bottom.

Abstract: A device for securing an anchor. The anchor securing device may comprise a shank holder for securing a shank of the anchor and a base fluke holder for securing the base of the anchor. The shank holder may use an elastic shank rope for further securing the shank to the anchor securing device.

Abstract: An improved method for cleaning an anchor rode of a vessel utilizing a clamp member and a nozzle member, with the clamp member adapted to secure the nozzle member to the vessel such that water from a hose connected to the nozzle member is directed towards and onto the anchor rode as the anchor rode is taken up.

Abstract: An anchor lock device for a vessel including a roller carriage having two sets of rollers positioned in a rectangular configuration thus forming a channel for guiding a rode. The anchor lock device further including a mounting system for attaching the anchor lock device to a vessel. The mounting system includes movable components for engaging the anchor lock device when use of the anchor is desired and for storing the anchor and rode when not in use.

Abstract: An anchor device comprises a connecting member between an anchor and its anchor line, having a first part designed to be fastened to one end of the shank of the anchor and a second part extending axially and designed to be fastened releasably to the first part and to be connected to the anchor line; locking means and counter-means including a piston which is slidable in a cavity of the second part and which, causes the release of the locking means and counter-means; a body designed to be moved by sliding along the anchor line until it interacts with the piston, thus releasing the locking means and counter-means, wherein the piston is axially slidable.

Abstract: An anchor handling device for an anchor handling vessel, the anchor handling device being adopted to bring an anchor from a substantially horizontal position resting at an aft deck of the vessel, to a substantially vertical position hanging astern of the vessel, wherein the device comprises two arms (7, 7?) which at first ends are pivotally arranged about a substantially horizontal axis being substantially perpendicular to the length axis of the vessel, and which axis substantially coincides with a rotational of a stern roller (4) arranged at the aft end of a cargo deck (2) of the vessel, and where the arms (7, 7?) at their second ends support an anchor handling roller (8) having an axis of rotation being substantially parallel to the axis of rotation for the arms (7, 7?), is described.

Abstract: A mechanism for releasing and retracting an anchor chain into/from water in marine vehicles, comprising a stowing reservoir which is driven by a motor for automatically stowing the chain.

Abstract: A mechanism for dropping down and picking up an anchor in a controlled manner, the anchor having a chain with one end connected to a capstan in a releasable and retractable manner, an arm section to which the chain is connected from its other end, and a tip section, the mechanism of the present invention comprises a movable carrier which guides the anchor a certain distance as the anchor leaves the marine vehicle and is picked up onto the same.

Abstract: A mechanism for dropping down and picking up an anchor in a controlled manner, the anchor having a chain with one end connected to a capstan in a releasable and retractable manner, an arm section to which the chain is connected from its other end, and a tip section, the mechanism of the present invention comprises a movable carrier which guides the anchor a certain distance as the anchor leaves the marine vehicle and is picked up onto the same.

Abstract: An improved anchor retrieving device is disclosed. The Anchor Retrieval System (ARS) of this invention has three major parts. One part, the slider, is slide-ably mounted on the anchor rode. Another part, the tether, attaches the slider to the crown end of the anchor during use. Another part, the retriever, is stored on the boat and put onto the anchor rode when needed. This invention encompasses a remotely releasable retriever and a slider that is easily and safely mounted on the anchor rode without having to be threaded on from an end of said rode.

Abstract: A mechanism for releasing and retracting an anchor chain into/from water in marine vehicles, comprising a stowing reservoir which is driven by a motor for automatically stowing the chain.

Abstract: A new use for a cranked reel employing a clutch bearing and a drag, which drag is controllably released by reverse rotation of the crank. The new use is to raise or lower an anchor using a cranked reel employing a clutch bearing and a drag, which drag is controllably released by reverse rotation of the crank.

Abstract: A bowsprit or davit assembly is for raising and lowering, and for firmly securing, an anchor. The assembly includes an elongate frame member, of a substantial U-shape in cross-section, adapted to be mounted on a surface (deck of a vessel), the frame member including respective front and rear U-shaped sections, wherein the front section includes respective first and second rotatable rollers for receiving and guiding a rope or cable, the rotatable rollers being displaced from one another in both the vertical and horizontal directions. An elongate member extends between opposed wall members of the front section, at or in the vicinity of the uppermost free edges thereof. Opposed flaps extend laterally normal of the outermost free end of opposed wall members of the front section.

Abstract: The present embodiments of the invention generally relate to a watercraft recovery device and method. The watercraft recovery method provides for operatively releasing an anchor from a watercraft, starting the watercraft, and steering the watercraft. The watercraft recovery device allows fisherman or other users to wade away from the boat and to recover the watercraft without re-navigating the water to return to the watercraft. This will help to ensure that fisherman or other users can quickly recover their boat in the case of an unexpected storm that makes the water conditions unsafe.

Abstract: A bowsprit or davit assembly is for raising and lowering, and for firmly securing, an anchor. The assembly includes an elongate frame member, of a substantial U-shape in cross-section, adapted to be mounted on a surface (deck of a vessel). The, frame member includes respective front and rear U-shaped sections (2) and (1). The front section (2) includes respective first and second rotatable members (10) and (15) for receiving and guiding a rope or cable, the rotatable members (15) being displaced from one another in both the vertical and horizontal directions. An elongate member (20) extends between opposed wall members of the front section (2), at or in the vicinity of the uppermost free edges thereof. Opposed flaps (7) extend laterally normal of the outermost free end of opposed wall members of the front section (2).

Abstract: An anchor rope lock that locks the rope in response to tension exerted by the anchor, and that unlocks the rope for retrieval or adjustment in response to tension applied to the free end. A locking shoe is mounted on a horizontal pivot axis for pivoting towards locked and unlocked positions. The rope passes under a lower surface of the shoe and upwardly through a passage in a projecting toe portion. As the shoe pivots towards the locked position, the lower surface of the shoe moves towards the upper surface of an underlying base plate so as to compress the rope, and the passage in the toe of the shoe moves towards a vertical orientation so as to force the rope into a bend so that the anchor rope is held firmly at a fixed length.

Abstract: In a method of and apparatus for offshore mooring, a clamping apparatus includes a clamping mechanism and a pulley. A mooring line connected to an anchor or a pendant line connected to a vessel to be moored extends through the clamping mechanism and around the pulley of the clamping apparatus. The distal end of the line extending through the clamping apparatus is connected to an anchor handling vessel. The anchor handling vessel is employed to apply a predetermined tension to the pendant line and the preset mooring line. A remote operated vehicle is then employed to actuate the clamping apparatus and to disengage the anchor handling vessel.

Abstract: The An anchor retrieval assist device including a “U” shaped type of boat bow chock-rope guide and anchor staging and storage device which allows buoy type anchor retrieval devices to be pulled through the guide without rope removal. It is designed to allow pulling of an anchor via the buoy retrieval system with a rope routed through the device and attached to a forward cleat on a boat. The anchor can be easily released from its storage-rest position by raising the anchor rope, tipping the anchor to allow it to roll off the bow rest position into the water. A pin is provided to secure the anchor in the rest position. The device works equally well with or without mechanical buoy type retrievers for anchoring and retrieving the anchor manually.

Abstract: A position sensor is arranged to detect the position of a mechanical interaction, such as the application of manual pressure. A first fabric layer has electrically conductive fibers machined therein to provide a first conductive outer layer allowing conduction in all directions along the layer. A second fabric layer has electrically conductive fibers machined therein to provide a second conductive outer layer allowing conduction in all directions along the layer. A central layer is disposed between the first outer layer and the second outer layer. The central layer includes conductive elements. A first insulating separating element is disposed between the first conductive outer layer and the conducting elements. A second insulating separating element is disposed between the second conductive outer layer and the conducting elements. The conducting elements provide a conductive path between the first conducting outer layer and the second conducting outer layer at the position of a mechanical interaction.

Abstract: A container for supporting an anchor on its side on the deck of a boat. The container is a hollow enclosure having an enclosed bottom, sides and a top. The top of the hollow enclosure has an anchor support recess having two side recesses for the anchor flukes and a front recess for the anchor shank. The top has a central enclosure and as an anchor is raised, the line can be placed in the central enclosure and the anchor rested on the top with its flukes resting on the side support recesses and the shank resting in the front recess. A strap can be provided to hold the anchor on the container.

Abstract: An anchor bag and system for use with a rode and an anchor having an anchor stock, an anchor shank, an anchor crown, and an anchor fluke. The bag has an opening at one end, a closed section at the opposite end, and an inner chamber for accepting, properly coiling, and stowing the rode. The anchor is retained on the outside of anchor bag by a releasable shank support and by a separate fluke support. The opening of the bag is selectably closable by a pull string. The closed section has a reinforced rode passage through which the bitter end of the rode is retained. A plurality of drainage portals are situated on the outer surface of the bag. Carry handles are positioned on the bag such that the composite weight of the anchor bag system (with anchor and rode stowed therein) is distributed equally on either side of the center points of the carry handles. The rode is chainlessly attached to the anchor and, from the anchor end, has internal weights thereon extending a distance of between approximately 2.5% to 12.

Abstract: An anchor davit comprising an elongated U-shaped frame for receiving a main shank of an anchor; a roller at the outboard end of the frame for guiding the anchor line as it is lowered or raised; means at the outboard end of the U-shaped frame for providing chafe protection of an anchor line when the anchor is deployed and for providing captivity of the anchor when the anchor is being raised and secured; and means at a rear portion of the flat bottom portion juxtaposed the rear of the U-shaped frame for securing the U-shaped frame to a bow, a deck, a gunnel or another structural member of a boat. The means at the outboard end of the U-shaped frame for providing chafe protection of the anchor line and for providing captivity of the anchor comprises a smooth round rod.

Abstract: An apparatus installed on board any maritime support for hoisting and handling loads at sea, the apparatus having at least one winch on which a cable is wound that enables the load to be raised, a gantry carrying suspension systems for the cable, and enabling the cable together with the load to be moved overboard relative to an edge of the maritime support in order to launch the load, and any fixed guidance and deflection systems close to the edge of the support and capable of receiving the cable after the launching and while the load is in use.

Abstract: A recreational boat comprising an aft cockpit, a cabin in front of the cockpit, the cabin having a top surface, side walk ways on the port and starboard sides of the cabin, the walk ways having upper surfaces below the top surface of the cabin, and a forward cockpit having a portion in front of the cabin, the forward cockpit having a floor with an upper surface, the forward cockpit floor upper surface being below the upper surfaces of the walk ways.

Abstract: A bow anchor system which has a configuration of the bow of a boat to fit against the bow. The bow anchor has a triangular shape with a pair of wings which form a delta shape. An arm pivotally connected to the triangular shape is also connected to the anchor line for raising and lowering the anchor. A winch mechanism in the hull pays out and retrieves the anchor through a conduit in the bow of the boat.

Abstract: A simple, easily affordable and portable, yet rugged and reliable, collapsible anchor is disclosed for use with small water craft, particularly those susceptible to damage by sharp edges or protuberances of a conventional non-collapsible anchor stower aboard. When snagged, the anchor is self-tripped by a force exerted in a direction upstream from where the craft was anchored. The force trips a release mechanism which allows a pair of flukes to rotate in an "A"-shaped spring yoke in which they are held, and unsnag the anchor. The flukes are nonrotatably disposed on a fluke shaft which is journalled in the lower terminal portions of the yoke's two spring arms. The upper terminal portions (apex) of the yoke are held together by a fulcrum pivot (shoulder bolt) means.

Abstract: A mechanism for controlling the extension of a boat anchor line from a boat, to thus anchor a boat in waters of different depths, or to let the boat drift downstream different distances from the submerged anchor. The mechanism includes a line-guidance pulley and a line-gripper device having a spring means for biasing the device to a condition wherein the line is held motionless against travel into or out of the boat. A c-clamp is used to detachably mount the mechanism on the side wall of a small boat.

Abstract: A device for tensioning and locking an attachable subject which includes, in combination, a toggle clamp and a quick release pin channel lock. The channel lock provides a method for securing an anchor on a bow roller.

Abstract: An anchor davit assembly preferably includes an anchor support bracket and a winch. The bracket is provided with a releasable locking system to positionally lock the anchor to the anchor support bracket, the locking system including a lever which is pivotally connected at one end to the anchor support bracket, and a tension spring (or other suitable biasing structure) which connects the anchor to the lever. The tension spring thus urges the anchor rearwardly against the anchor support bracket while also urging the lever to pivot in a direction towards its locked position. The winch of the invention includes a spool freely rotatable about an axle and a handle pivotally connected to one of the axle's ends. The axle is, in turn, mounted for rotation relative to a base support.

Abstract: An anchor orientating device (1) to ensure that an anchor (2) comes over a ship's stern roller (3) on its back i.e. fluke outermost comprises an elongate body (4) carrying a transverse cordioid shaped cam (5) inclined backwardly on the body (4), the front of the body (4) being adapted for attachment to an anchor cable (7) and the rear, in substantial non-rotational manner, to an anchor. Reaction of the cam (5) with the roller surface causes device (1) to rotate so as to pivot the anchor to a fluke outermost position and to bring a stabilizing cam land (16) into engagement with the surface. The device (1) additionally includes a secondary reaction surface (20) which reacts with a smaller diameter bolster bar (21) of an anchor rack to further rotate the anchor and so enable the anchor fluke (2A) to engage the bolster bar (21) for anchor store.

Abstract: A power-operated windlass having a motor that reverses direction to control taking in and paying out of a rope and a shifting mechanism responsive to changes in motor direction which selectively locks and unlocks the rope pulley against rotation in an unwinding direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for attaching anchors, especially to sailing and motor boats and includes a strong, flat, flexible band which is comparatively thin in relation to its width and is attached to the anchor at one end and connected at its other end to a band magazine which comprises a reel built up of two rigidly interconnected end wall plates which are non-rotatably attachable to a convenient part of the boat. The wall plates are spaced apart from one another at a distance only slightly wider than the band width, and a rotatable sleeve which is mounted centrally on the end wall plates is rotatable by means of a crank or the like and is provided with an attachment for the band end.

Abstract: An anchor retriever for deploying an anchor from a boat into the water and for retrieving the anchor from the water includes a base portion having a metal plate for attachment directly to the boat and a synthetic material guide providing a sliding channel arrangement for a movable carriage. Pivotally attached to the movable carriage is an anchor retention assembly which provides the actual anchor holder portion which pivots from a substantially horizontal to a substantially vertical orientation as the anchor goes from a stowed orientation to a deployed orientation into the water. When the anchor is retrieved it applies force on certain portions of the retriever assembly, these portions are then allowed to come out of locking engagement whereby the anchor retention assembly pivots from its vertical orientation to its horizontal orientation as it goes from a deployed condition to a stowed condition.

Abstract: An anchor handling boom assembly having an elongated boom and a shank guide member. The shank guide member can be channel-locked along the boom or it can be released to rotate to such a position as to enable the shank of the anchor to easily pass over in retrieval or release. Release of the shank guide member can be made to cause a free fall of the anchor.

Abstract: A handling and storage device for a swivel-fluke-type marine anchor comprises an interrelated shank-receiving boom and fluke-receiving guide both being rotatable with parallel axes of rotation. When the shank of the anchor is held in position by the shank-receiving boom, the fluke-receiving guide receives and folds the anchor into an essentially planar position. In a preferred embodiment suitable for overhanging sides and transoms, the axes of rotation of both the shank-receiving boom and the fluke-receiving guide is the same. In another preferred embodiment suitable for vertical or receding sides and transoms the axes are separate but parallel, and the axis of the boom is on a frame which is also rotatable and which holds the boom away from the side or transom when in the receiving position.

Abstract: An anchor rack with a davit post pivoted on deck to pivot in a vertical plane and supporting a jib provided with a fang to catch and carry an anchor at its shackle pin which is intercepted when hauling the anchor line to the davit and then pivoting the davit post with jib from an outboard extended position with the anchor payed out to a retracted position inboard with the anchor racked, and with a pulley on top of the davit post to pass the anchor line to the winch.

Abstract: A mount for securing Danforth-type anchors to horizontally extending railings includes a generally L-shaped bracket. A pair of retaining loops may be mounted to hold one arm of the bracket on either the top or the bottom of the railing to provide limited vertical adjustability in height for the anchor mount. A pair of Danforth-type anchor crown plate retaining and stop members are fastened into slots in the other arm of the L-shaped bracket. By adjusting the separation between the retaining members, different size Danforth-type anchors may be accommodated; and by turning the bracket upside down on the railing, and/or by reversing the location of the stop members, the mounting position for the anchor may be varied several inches in height, inboard or outboard of the rail.

Abstract: A handling and storage device for a swivel-fluke-type marine anchor comprises an interrelated shank-receiving boom and fluke channeling member both being rotatable with parallel axes of rotation. When the shank of the anchor is held in position by the shank-receiving boom, the fluke channeling member receives and folds the anchor into an essentially planar position. In a preferred embodiment suitable for vertical or receding sides and transoms the axes are separate but parallel, and the axis of the boom is on a boom support frame which is also rotatable and which holds the boom away from the side or transom when in the receiving position.

Abstract: A sprocket wheel has a plurality of equi-spaced circumferential teeth, each pair of adjacent teeth defining therebetween a pocket. The pockets are shaped to engage with the links of a drive chain. The teeth are formed with flanks at their edge faces which lead and trail during rotation of the sprocket wheel. The flanks merge with rounded faces which define bases of the teeth. The teeth are asymmetrically shaped in such a manner that the rounded faces associated with leading flanks each have a radius of curvature which is greater than the radius of curvature of each of the rounded faces associated with trailing flanks.

Abstract: An anchor hoist comprises a main body member having two side walls. The main body member is pivotally mounted to a pivot-forming boat fixture and has an inner and an outer rotatable sheave for receiving an anchor line or chain. The center-to-center distance between the rotary axes of the sheaves is greater than four times the diameter of the inner sheave, and is in practice about 50 cm. Arranged in the region of the outer end of the main body member is a pivotable support device which, in the in-use position of the hoist, engages a lower, further boat fixture. Pivotally mounted on the axis of the inner sheave is a line holder, e.g. in the form of a clam cleat, so arranged that when the anchor line is jerked said cleat will swing inwardly-outwardly to release the anchor. When using the anchor hoist of this invention, the anchor will be located at a distance from the side of the boat such as to avoid contact between the anchor and the side of the boat when the anchor is lifted or slipped.

Abstract: This system is for offshore operations and includes a boat having a towing and an anchor handling winch are respectively disposed on the boat deck so as to rotate about horizontal axis. In connection with an offshore rig using chain or cable attached to the anchor, the anchor winch on the boat is used to spool the pendant cable which is attached to the anchor end of the chain until the underwater buoy is brought on the boat deck. The towing cable on the other towing winch is then attached to the buoy cable to suspend the chain and anchor in the water while the pendant cable is disconnected from the buoy cable. The disconnected end of the pendant cable is then connected to a vertical spool on the boat deck and spooled onto the vertical spool from the horizontal anchor handling winch while the chain or cable is being retrieved by an apparatus on the rig.

Abstract: A power-operated windlass having a motor that reverses direction to control taking in and paying out of a rope and a shifting mechanism responsive to changes in motor direction which selectively locks and unlocks the rope pulley against rotation in an unwinding direction.