Abstract: A root-like expandable foundation pile is disclosed. It includes a movable drill, a foundation body, a number of foundation blade, a foundation cap and a stopper. The foundation blades are designed to have the warped portion protruding outward, so that they can expand outward by rotating the root-like expandable foundation pile in a direction different from that makes the root-like expandable foundation pile drilled into the soil. Extra bearing capacity can be available from the expanded foundation blades. Time and cost of installation can both be saved.

Abstract: The invention relates to an elongate fixation device (1) for use in subsea anchoring, and a method for installation. The device (1) has a triple nested stem arrangement, the innermost stem (2) of which has a cutter (9) disposed at a distal end and a tapered section (8) located adjacent to and proximally behind the cutter (9). An intermediate stem (3) surrounds at least a central portion of the inner stem (2) and has one or more flareable cutting fingers (7) at its distal end. An outer stem (4) surrounds a proximal portion of the intermediate stem (3). The inner (2) and intermediate (3) stems are coupled by a first releasable coupling (17) which when released allows relative axial motion along a first distance. The outer and intermediate stems are coupled by a second releasable coupling (18) which when released allows relative axial motion along a second distance. The intermediate stem 3 is nested within the outer stem (4), in some cases for at least a majority of the outer stem (4).

Abstract: A land anchor device for securing a boat to the shore using a pair of deployable plates includes a tube having a top surface. The tube has an interior that defines a space where a variety of elements can be positioned within. The end of a tube is a spear that impales into the ground. A drive is positioned on the top surface of the tube. A lead screw is connected to the driver where the driver rotates the lead screw when in use. A plurality of lead nuts is enwrapped on the lead screw and move along an axis of the lead screw. A pair of arms is coupled to a lead screw and move into a perpendicular position for securing a rope around. A pair of plates is positioned near the spear and helps stabilize the tube within the ground.

Abstract: An anchor system including an anchor having a body member and a first arm pivotally coupled to the body member. The first arm is movable between a closed position wherein the first arm is positioned adjacent to the body member and an open position wherein at least part of the first arm is spaced away from the body member. The system further includes a second arm pivotally coupled to the body member and movable between a closed position wherein the second arm is positioned adjacent to the body member and an open position wherein at least part of the second arm is spaced away from the body member. At least one of the first or second arms has a cavity that is exposed when the at least one of the first or second arms is in the open position. The at least one of the first or second arms includes a protrusion extending therefrom.

Abstract: An attachment of a stockless anchor on the sea floor encourages flukes to tilt as soon as the vessel pulls away, while maintaining stability on the floor. The weight of the flukes act as a pivot with the crown of the stockless anchor that, when placed on the floor, causes the anchor to become attached by being buried in the floor when the vessel pulls away. The attachment comprises two claws fastened to the flanks of the flukes at or in close proximity of the crown on the pivot axis of the flukes, thereby enabling them to tilt and become attached immediately in the floor as soon as the anchor is placed on the floor. When the vessel pulls away the anchor is open and becomes attached immediately. An attachment to the floor avoids or reduces dragging of the anchor on the floor.

Abstract: Ground anchors are provided that may include at least one extendable protrusion. A ground anchor may include an extendable protrusion actuator configured to extend at least one extendable protrusion subsequent to a sub-surface portion of the ground anchor being inserted into the ground. A ground anchor may include a plurality of extendable protrusions configured to be extended by a single extendable protrusion actuator.

Abstract: A foldable anchor storable on watercraft with limited storage and deck space and which secures watercraft in place in sandy and soft bottom boating areas and is releasable from underwater objects. The foldable anchor includes a forward anchor body with an internal weighted ballast on an anchor body and a two-part shank pivotably attached to a top end of the anchor body which allows the shank to pivot from an elevated position to a lowered position relative the anchor body. The shank has a rear portion and a front portion pivotably disposed thereon and foldable against the rear portion. Stabilizer wings between the front and rear portions assist the anchor body to roll into a correct upright position. Locking pins secure each of the rear and front portions together and the rear portion and anchor body together at selected angles. D-rings and breakable zip ties secure the shank to an anchor rope.

Abstract: The present invention is a controllable hook assembly having an actuator operably connected to an arm motor assembly and a drive assembly configured to move independently a plurality of hook arms between an open and closed position capture and release a load. A controller is configured to operate each drive assembly to move the hook arms cooperating with screw threads in said actuator to provide rotation about a pivot point to drive each of the hook arms between an open and a closed position so as to allow for independent actuation of each of the hook arms.

Abstract: A belt-attachable caddy for carrying a retractable and fast-deploying grappling hook houses a slotted receptacle for a removable plate mounting a take-up reel around which a cable secured to an eyelet on the hook is wound. The hook has a plurality of tines foldable around a central shaft that can quickly be individually set into a deployed position or a retracted position with no more than two turns of a capping head. The speed and ease of operation of the deploying and locking mechanism are due in part to the concavely machined undersurface of the head which mirrors the path end of the tines hinged to the side of the shaft. The same locking maneuver and adjustment of the head apply coincidently to the deployed and retracted tines.

Abstract: The present invention is a controllable hook assembly having an actuator connected by a clutch to a drive assembly configured to limit the connection to a predetermined linear force applied to the actuator. The drive assembly and actuator of the controllable hook assembly also is configured to move a plurality of hook arms between an open and closed position and is adapted capturing a line attached to a load. A controller is configured to operate the drive assembly to move gear teeth in the hook arms cooperating with screw threads in said actuator to provide rotation about a pivot point, drive an actuator output shaft such that when the actuator is energized the linear motion of the actuator output shaft moves the hook arms between an open and a closed position so as to allow for repeated capture of loads by helicopter or other lifting devices without the need for extensive setup for such load capture.

Abstract: A locking device is described for use in selectively locking a plurality of pivotable members at selected operative positions about a central axis. The device includes means for mounting the members for pivotal motion about axes that may be substantially parallel and spaced outwardly from a central axis of a support. The device also mounts the members for axial motion along the axes between locking and unlocking positions. An axially displaceable spool is spring biased on the support to normally urge the members axially toward the locking position. In the locking positions, locking surfaces on the members mate with complimentary surfaces on the support to prevent pivotal motion of the members about the individual member axes. The spool is selectively movable on the support to lock itself and the members in this axial orientation. The spool is also selectively retractable to enable axial separation of the locking surfaces. The unlocked members are individually pivotable to folded, inoperative positions.

Abstract: A grapnel is disclosed which comprises a plurality of arms pivotably mounted on a substantially rod shaped body. The arms have at their free ends catching points forming an angle with the arms and near the foot of the catching points auxiliary catching claws extend substantially in the direction of the arms. A piston and cam-shaped portions of the grapnel arms co-operate to urge the arms into an outwardly extending position upon a traction on the grapnel rope.

Abstract: A permanent mooring for use with boats and the like is provided with folding flukes on a tubular body. The flukes are formed as portions of a cylinder and in their folded position completely envelope the mooring with a smooth cylindrical surface which decreases unwanted drag during installation. A connection is provided for attaching a high-pressure water pipe and the forward end of the mooring anchor is tapered so as to form a water jet nozzle. The mooring is directed to the bottom of the water and, upon pumping the water through the pipe and out of the nozzle, the mooring anchor is forced downwardly into the sand or mud by the washing action of the water, the weight of the mooring itself, as well as additional downward pressure on the water supply pipe by the installation personnel.

Abstract: A pair of anchors, each with a pair of oppositely directed hooks on the end of a shank, are shiftable between flat and extended positions. In the flat position the hooks of both anchors are disposed in parallel planes so that the grapple can lie flatwise, and in extended position the pairs of hooks on one anchor are disposed in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the hooks on the other anchor so that the grapple will hang onto an object. A compressed spring drives the anchors from flat to extended positions, and a tethered trigger releases the spring.

Abstract: A folding grapple for traps as used for trapping upland animals and the like consists of a primary grapple member formed of an elongated rod provided with an eye at one end thereof and two oppositely disposed hooks at the other end. The said eye is at substantially right angles to the axis of the rod with the hole formed by the eye having a central axis parallel to the rod axis. A cam loop member is integrally fastened to the rod approximately midway between said eye and the bottom end of the hooks. Cooperating with this main grapple member is a second grapple member formed of an elongated rod with one hook formed integrally with the rod at one end of same and with an eye structure at the other end of same. This second eye structure is formed in a plane in alignment with the axis through the rod so that the hole formed by the eye has a central axis perpendicular to the rod axis. A limit disc is integrally fastened to this rod a short distance away from the eye portion.

Abstract: An anchor incorporating an arrangement for releasing the anchor when it becomes snagged on large rocks or other objects. One embodiment includes a blocking element which is positioned in the elongated anchor body to prevent the anchor arms from moving out of a radially extending position to a position in which they extend longitudinally of the body. The blocking element is spring biased into its blocking position and has a sleeve thereon which is also spring biased to a position wherein the sleeve holds the anchor arms away from the blocking element. A sharp jerk on the anchor line causes the blocking element to move in the elongated anchor body out of blocking position releasing the anchor. Another embodiment includes a blocking element similarly positioned in an elongated anchor body. A striker element is mounted on the anchor body and connected to the anchor line and is spring biased to a position spaced from the blocking element.