Quick-release, sure-set anti-fouling anchor
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to marine anchors and particularly to anti-fouling, quick-release and quick re-setting anchors. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Since man&#39;s first attempts at navigation upon the water anchors of various types have been used to stabilize the means he has used for water transport and to position these means at convenient places. 
     Early anchors were large and heavy and are best illustrated by the fisherman or admiralty anchor and the Chinese anchor. 
     A need for a more efficient lighter weight and easier to handle anchors resulted in a study of anchor dynamics. 
     Formulas for anchor efficiency were developed. One of these used to determine anchor efficiency is H = P/W in which the efficiency or holding power is designated as H. P is the horizontal pull and W the weight of the anchor. The result has been the development of a variety of anchors with large fluke surfaces. Such anchors are illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,373,712; 3,327,673; 3,295,848; 3,407,776; 3,270,704. 
     These various patents follow the approach of designing an anchor mechanism that consists of two various shaped flukes designed to dig into the bottom and present the maximum drag to bottom surface materials. They have resulted in an anchor efficiency of 6 to 10. An example of such a lightweight anchor is the Danforth anchor. 
     Stokes U.S. Pat. No. 3,373,712 illustrates this approach but his device and that of Goodwin U.S. Pat. No. 3,327,673 are both subject to fouling by marine bottom plants and snagging on bottom rocks and debris. 
     Additionally, each anchor listed in the prior art suffers from the general disability of all anchors in that there is a general tendency of the anchor to turn over with an upward pull on the ring or if the ship swings from side to side. 
     OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of this invention to provide an anchor design that is quick-setting and will dig into the bottom surface as soon as a pull is exerted on the anchor line. 
     It is another object of this invention to provide an anchor that is quick-releasing by reversing the direction of pull. 
     It is still another object of this invention to provide an anchor that when it leaves the bottom will automatically assume a trim position to prevent hooking on marine growth, nets or rocky overhangs. 
     It is still a further object of this invention to provide an anchor that will reliably adjust itself to reverse its position and dig into the bottom if the tide or wind is reversed causing a pull on the anchor line in the opposite direction. 
     It is another object of this invention to provide an anchor device that can readily be maneuvered into a cross-hold or deadman position to improve holding power when needed. 
     It is still a further object of this invention to provide an anchor that will resist turnover with an upward pull on the ring or movement of the ship from side to side. 
     It is another object of this invention to provide a lightweight anchor that is of a simple, low cost design. 
     It is still a further object of this invention to provide a lightweight anchor with improved holding power. 
     Other objects and many attendent advantages will become apparent when considered in the light of the specification and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a plan view of the anchor; 
     FIG. 2 is a section view through line 2--2; 
     FIG. 3 is a section view through line 3--3; 
     FIG. 4 is a partial section view through line 2--2 of the four positions of the shank in relation to the plane of the flukes, holding in each position; 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged section of the same parts in the hold position; 
     FIG. 6 is a partial section of the same parts in the rest position; 
     FIG. 7 is a partial section of the same parts in the locking position for holding; 
     FIG. 8 is a partial section of the same parts in the beginning of the pull-out position; 
     FIG. 9 is a partial section of the same parts towards a trim and pull-out position; 
     FIG. 10 is a partial section of the same parts in a trim and pull-out position; and 
     FIG. 11 is a partial section of the same parts in the crosshold or deadmans position. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to the drawings in FIGS. 1 and 2, the anchor 10 of this invention is comprised of two flukes 11a and 11b which are roughly triangular shaped on each end so as to dig into the bottom surface. A shank 12 ends in a configuration (not shown) to which a shackle is fastened. A line or houser is attached to the shackle. An arcuate anti-fouling rod 40 is mounted on the shank just above the flukes to protect the mechanism from engagement with marine vegetation. 
     Two U-shaped stock bars 13a and 13b are mounted to the flukes at right angles to the plane of the flukes and joined together at the center line holding the flukes in fixed relation to each other. The anti-roll bars are similar to the common anchor stocks and would be so identified by those skilled in the art of anchor making. 
     A center hub 14 at the extremity of the shank opposite that to which a line is attached contains a cut-out center portion 15 with cam-like properties. This center hub 14 can be attached to the shank 12 or be an enlarged end portion of shank 12. 
     The centers of stock bars 13a and 13b pass through the cam-like opening 15 and are identified in FIG. 2 as 13d and 13e. 
     Two rod-like structures 16 and 17 with a diameter slightly larger then that of rods 13a and 13b are mounted opposite each other on the flukes. These rod-like structures and the stock bars join the flukes together and pass through cam-like center portion 15. 
     Four obtuse angled cover plates 18a and 18b and 19a and 19b serve a dual purpose. First they protect the mechanism from fouling by preventing marine growth from becoming engaged therein. They are mounted on two circular rods 20a and 20b to which the flukes are attached at right angles. Secondly and more important they provide guide and support surfaces for the anchor as it digs into a holding position and also as it reverses to a holding position in the opposite direction. In this second function they act as tripping palms and position the flukes to dig into the bottom. 
     FIG. 3 is a section through 3--3 of FIG. 1. This view shows the position of protective semi-circular rods 21a, 21b, 21c and 21d located outside of circular rods 20a and 20b, and attached to the flukes. These protective rods prevent marine vegetation from fouling the mechanism by entry through the sides of the anchor. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates the four positions of the shank in relationship to the plane of the flukes limited by the cut-out can design 15 of this invention. Each possible position establishes a 32° angle between the shank 12 and the flukes 11a and 11b thus creating the maximum holding efficiency. 
     The Symmetrical configuration of the pins 16 and 17 and rods 13E and 13D allows the cut-out area in the shank to assume four different but identical positions in relation to the flukes. 
     FIG. 5 shows the flukes 11a and 11b in a locked and holding position in relation to the shank 12. The areas 31a, 30b, and 32b are in contact with rods 13e, 13d and pin 16 establishing a positive lock for holding. 
     FIG. 6 shows the cut-out areas 15 and 33 after the anchor of this invention has been dropped to the bottom. Shank 12 and flukes 11a and 11b are nearly in line. Rods 13d, 13e and pins 16 and 17 are in a neutral position to the locking surfaces. 
     In FIG. 7 a force has been exerted on the shank 12, moving it in the direction of the arrow. In area 15, 30b area engages pin 16, rods 13e and 13d lock positively against areas 31a and 32b, causing the flukes to be shoved forward and down and the tips of the flukes to dig into the bottom. At this same time the angle between the shank 12 and the flukes 11a and 11b will be 38° and the maximum efficiency of the anchor will be achieved. 
     FIG. 8 illustrates the unlocking or release of the anchor mechanism. When the pull on the anchor is slackened and the direction of pull reversed, the shank surface 31a is pushed clear of rod 13e and rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow. 
     In FIG. 9 force exerted on shank 12, will cause rods 16 and 17 to engage cam surfaces 30 and 31 while 13d moves into area 33 which is in the shape of a U. This aligns the flukes with the shank. The interaction of rods 16 and 17 with shoulder areas 30a and 30b prevents misalignment of the flukes and shank during pull up. A moderate force will now disengage flukes 11a and 11b from the bottom. 
     FIG. 10 shows the trim position in which the flukes and shank are aligned to prevent catching on nets or becoming fouled with marine growth. This position is also best for storing the anchor. 
     In FIG. 11 the deadman hold or cross-hold is illustrated. This position is achieved by shortening the line and achieving the initial unlocking position illustrated in FIG. 7. Then tighten the line and pull in the holding position. This forces rod 16 into locking cam area 32 and increases the angle of the shank to the flukes to approximately 90°. This position is satisfactory for permanent mooring and is the strongest holding position. 
     By slackening the line and pulling in the pull-out direction the cam surface may be rotated around the rods increasing the angle from 90° to about 180° as is shown in FIG. 9. The anchor can then be easily pulled out. 
     One should note that if changing tide or shifting winds causes the boat to pass over the anchor it will pull out when the position in FIG. 9 is reached. 
     However, the anchor will then be in the reverse of FIG. 5 and continued pull will cause the anchor to tilt over on obtuse angled plates or tripping palms 18a and 18b and 19a and 19b and set flukes 11a and 11b into the bottom automatically resulting in a re-anchoring of the craft with a minimum of drift.