Abstract: A novel shank is provided for an anchor which greatly improves the retention capacity of the anchor. The shank has a tip joined by an intermediate portion to a body portion. These three elements when at rest are in alignment along the longitudinal axis of the shank. The shank is inflexible in a first plane and is flexible in a second plane which is oriented at 90.degree. to the first plane to an extent such that the tip can be moved in the second plane into a position wherein it is substantially normal to the longitudinal axis without permanent deformation of the shank.

Abstract: An anchor comprises a shank and a pair of flukes with pointed ends. The flukes are pivotally mounted to a lower portion of the shank so the flukes extend upwardly from the pivot along opposite sides of the shank. The flukes pivot as a unit about an axis through the lower portion of the shank. A counterweight, preferably in the form of a solid metal block, is secured adjacent the bottom of the flukes to pivot with the flukes. The counterweight is mounted on a side of the pivot axis opposite the flukes. Preferably, the counterweight has a weight substantially greater than the combined weight of the flukes to produce a greater moment about the pivot axis than the moment produced by the flukes. Separate pairs of claws project outwardly from each side of the counterweight and are curved generally toward the pointed tips of the flukes. The claws provide frictional contact or drag with the bottom of the water to pivot the flukes relative to the shank so the pointed tips of the flukes penetrate the bottom.

Abstract: An anchor in which an L-shaped shank has a single fluke pivotally secured to the shorter leg of the L. The L-shaped shank lies substantially in a plane. The fluke pivots through the plane but not in the plane. The fluke has a single triangular, planar fluke member which may be disposed in the plane. The longer leg of the shank is arcuate and the anchor cable is attached thereto.

Abstract: An anchor having release capabilities includes a pair of generally planar and spaced-apart flukes joined to a cylindrical tube. A shaft is located intermediate the flukes, the tube passing through the shaft to provide 360.degree. movement between the flukes and shaft. The shaft includes spaced-apart and parallel plates adjacent the tube. A rod is disposed within the tube and a perpendicular trigger is attached thereto, the trigger extending through an opening in the tube. The rod is retained between the plates of the shaft by a replaceable, breakable tie. A locking ring element may be used with the anchor to prevent the release capability. The ring is slidable over the plate portion of the shaft to maintain the rod therebetween. A float may be employed with an anchor to prevent entanglement with obstructions such as the superstructures of submerged vessel. The float is coupled to the anchor shaft by a length of rope, cable, or chain so that the float remains below the water surface.

Abstract: An improved marine anchor is disclosed for anchoring a marine vessel with an anchor rode. The anchor comprises a first and a second fluke connected to an anchor stock. An anchor shank has a pivot aperture disposed between a head portion and a tail portion of the anchor shank. The tail portion of the anchor shank may be provided with either an aperture or a slip ring for connecting to the anchor rode. The pivot aperture pivots the anchor shank on the anchor stock in a space between the first and second flukes. The improvement comprises a novel anchor crown secured to the anchor stock to limit the pivotal movement of the anchor shank upon contact of the head portion of the anchor shank with the anchor crown.

Abstract: The anchor comprises a shank and a rocker which is mounted in the vicinity of one end of the shank to pivot about an axis perpendicular to the shank and to the rocker and which has two equal branches constituting the arms of the anchor. Each arm carries at its free end a ploughshare whose convergent end portion faces the other end of the shank. The convex faces of the two ploughshares are disposed in confronting relation. In operation, the anchor operates in the same way as conventional so-called "plough" anchors in hard grounds, whereas the two ploughshares sink into and simultaneously operate in very soft grounds.

Abstract: An anchor having a twin fluke comprising closed hollow double-plate fluke structures, a shank hinged between the flukes substantially in the gravity center of the fluke, fluke angle delimiters on either side of the hinge, rear stabilizers at the side edges of the fluke, front stabilizers in the form of forwardly and outwardly diverging fluke finger tips, and wings connecting the fluke angle delimiters and each of the rear stabilizers, the wings diverge rearwardly and converge outwardly towards the rear stabilizers. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the wings are located substantially rearwardly of the fluke with the rear stabilizers diverging rearwardly and inwardly to their intersection with the wings.

Abstract: An improved boat anchor assembly including an anchor shank having a pair of penetrating flukes pivotally connected thereto and supported for angular displacement about an axis normally related to the longitudinal axis of the shank, motion limiting stops mounted on the shank for arresting pivotal motion of the flukes relative to the shank, said shank being provided with a pivotal coupling interposed between the ends thereof and a shear pin for imparting stability to the shank and adapted to give way under angularly applied loads of predetermined magnitudes whereby the shank is permitted to "break" for facilitating recovery of the anchor, and releasable coupling means including a single non-load bearing pin for releasably locking said flukes and said shanks into an integral configuration whereby the anchor readily may be disassembled for compact storage.

Abstract: An anchoring apparatus includes a resiliently urged cam assembly. Flukes of the apparatus are automatically set in a sea bed engaging position and are releasable for permitting removal from the sea bed. The flukes are then automatically reset.

Abstract: A double fluke anchor having a pair of flukes lying in a common plane is welded to a crossbar. An elongated stock projecting forwardly of the flukes at right angles to the crossbar and lying in the plane of the flukes is journaled on the crossbar for limited relative rotation. The forward end of the stock is fixed to the forward end of a hairpin shank having its widest dimension at an intermediate point, approximately in the plane of the pivot of the cross bar and converging toward both ends to form a closed loop. A sliding ring connects the anchor line and the hairpin shank and is freely slidable to both ends of the hairpin shank. With this construction, the anchor may be weighed with the flukes lying adjacent the axis of the hairpin shank with the tips of the flukes pointed downwardly.

Abstract: A stockless marine anchor having multiple-pointed twin flukes balanced symmetrically about and secured to a shaft having a shank means connected thereto for moving the flukes into anchoring position and means for releasing the flukes from the anchoring position. In one embodiment, two releasing rings are provided, one on each fluke, and the shank means is mounted for limited rotation on the fluke shaft. In a second embodiment, a spring-biased plunger enclosed within the shank releases the shank for rotation on the fluke shaft.

Abstract: A boat anchor having pivoted flukes and a readily detachable loop or pocket shank is provided on opposite sides of each fluke with a pair of free-swinging crown plates whose pivot axes are coaxial with the fluke pivot axis. Fixed stop elements on the crown plates engage the stock of the anchor to limit swinging of the crown plates independently through wide arcs. In any position assumed by the anchor on the bottom and for all positions of the free-swinging crown plates, the flukes will quickly penetrate into the bottom in response to tension on the anchor chain or line transmitted through the shank. If the flukes or crown plates, or both, become fouled on the bottom, the anchor can still be retrieved without difficulty by pulling in the proper direction on the shank due to the free-swinging ability of the crown plates and the flukes relative to the shank. Simplicity of construction, economy of manufacturing, and ease of storage in a small space are important features.

Abstract: An anchor having a two-handed fluke, the two hands thereof being separated by a slot in which the anchor shank is mounted for slewing to each side of the fluke on a pivot which substantially coincides with the geometric center of the fluke surface area and is journaled in a pivot box formed by side plates on the inner edges of the fluke hands and head plates connecting the side plates and delimiting the slewing angle of the shank, and having rear stabilizers on the outer edges of the fluke hands, and the fluke hands each having a pair of outwardly curved finger tips on which flange plates with upstanding tips are arranged forming front stabilizers.

Abstract: A non-fouling fluked anchor having a yoke-like shank in which the yoke arms are arcuate and pivotally attached to a pointed, center mounted fluke such that the arcuate arms of the shank provide for variable positioning of the fluke point to insure initial penetration of the fluke point in sea floor bottoms having different degrees of hardness. The fluke tip, the yoke frame, and the anchor line tether establish a three point contact with the sea bottom. The arcuate yoke shank arms allow a variable initial penetration angle of the fluke from 15 degrees to approximately 67 degrees. As a relatively harder sea bottom is encountered the anchor, due to the action of the arcuate yoke will pivot to provide a steeper fluke angle to insure penetration. Once the fluke has penetrated the bottom the anchor will then assume the secured position at the conventional holding angle.

Abstract: The invention relates to an anchor which includes an anchor head having flukes thereon and a shaft to which at an outer end thereof an anchor warp is connected. The shaft is pivotally mounted with the head of the anchor and is formed having an elongate primary shaft pivotally connected with the head at an inner end and having a recess therewithin which mounts, in normal operation a secondary shaft which has its inner end connected with the anchor head.

Abstract: The anchor flukes are carried on a cross bar having spaced abutment plates which limit pivotal movement of a primary arm which is pivoted on the cross bar. A secondary arm also pivoted on the cross bar at one end does not have anything to limit pivotal movement and has the anchor cable secured at the other end. A pressure releasable latch interconnects the arms so that they release upon engagement of the anchor flukes with an obstruction when the boat is positioned above the anchor thereby allowing the anchor to be raised with its flukes trailing.

Abstract: An anchor of the twin fluke type in which crown members attached to the flukes support transverse restraining bars adapted to limit swing of the shank out of the plane of the flukes. One end of each restraining bar is pivotally connected to its respective crown member, and the other end is engaged by a locking member when the bar is in transverse restraining position. A release line connected to each locking member extends substantially coextensively with the anchoring line and is adapted to be pulled to remove the locking member from whichever restraining bar is engaging the shank, thereby permitting the restraining bar to pivot out of restraining position and permitting the shank to swing up to 180.degree. from the plane of the flukes so that the anchor can be pulled clear of obstructions.

Abstract: A quick-release, anti-fouling anchor that can be quickly and surely set in either of two positions, 180.degree. apart comprising a shank, with an enlarged end portion containing a closed loop cam-like opening, two flukes shaped like truncated triangles, stocks or anti-roll bars extending at 90.degree. angles from and attached to the flukes and joining them together so as to pass through the cut out section, two support rods joining the flukes and passing through the cut out section, two support rings are attached to the base of each fluke through which the rods pass, the rods and cam surface being in such relationship that a force exerted on the shank varies locks or unlocks the angle of the flukes according to the desired anchoring mode. Two obtuse cover angled plates mounted on each circular ring to act as trippings palms which position the flukes to dig into the bottom.

Abstract: In an anchor the stabilization arms transversely extending in the plane of the flukes are constructed as bars of quadrilateral cross-section having forwardly directed faces forming an acute angle with each other instead of rod-shaped. These bars are so formed that with a considerably smaller length of the stabilization arms the same stabilizing effect is obtained.

Abstract: An anchor has a shank at whose crown end is provided a pair of main flukes defining a fluke plane. A stock is provided on the shank toward the ring end thereof and has a pair of arms extending oppositely from the shank and lying generally in a stock plane perpendicular to the fluke plane. A secondary fluke is pivotal on each of these arms between a pair of extreme positions forming an acute angle with the stock plane. In a central position the secondary flukes lie in the stock plane. In use the secondary flukes dig in first so as to pull the anchor downwardly and cause the main flukes to dig in, giving excellent grab.

Abstract: A lightweight anchor in which each one of the flukes is made up of two sheets of stainless steel plate stock, stacked one on top of the other and welded together. Each sheet contains a plurality of integrally formed, longitudinally extending ribs and the inner and outer edges of each sheet are bent to form upwardly extending perpendicular flanges. The crown is a generally U-shaped member made out of stainless steel plate stock. The angle of rotation of the shank relative to the flukes is limited by a pin connected to the shank and extending into angular slots in support plates attached to the flukes. A pair of stainless steel U-shaped braces made out of bar stock are rigidly connected to the flukes to prevent yawning movement of the flukes and also serve as a back up mechanism for limiting the angular movement of the shank relative to the flukes. All the surfaces on the anchor are electropolished.

Abstract: An exchangeable anchor assembly comprising a free end adapted to be connected to a line, with two parallel crown plates disposed at opposite ends of the stem and sandwiching the stem therebetween. Carried between the crown plates are a pair of stop-limit elements to limit the extent of angular rotation of the stem between the stop-limit elements relative to the crown plates. A cross bar is provided for supporting the crown plates in a fixed position thereto and for carrying two or more combined fluke units having a sleeve connection. A stabilizer unit is provided which includes a pair of angularly displaced wing elements connected with each crown plate. Lock straps are provided to hold the entire unit on the cross bar and to permit relative movement of the stem about the cross bar with such movement limited by the stop-limit elements connected between the crown plates.

Abstract: Anchor for anchoring dredgers, off-shore drilling platforms and other special purpose vessels, comprising a shank, two flukes hinged to the shank having together a Delta shape, trim plates or head faces provided on both sides of the flukes, the width of the trim plates being less than the total width of the flukes, characterized in that the outer ends of both trim plates are connected to the outer rims of the flukes by stabilizing plates which enclose an acute angle both with the direction of the shank and with the plane of the flukes.