Folding anchor

Abstract

The invention provides an anchor ( 1 ) with four flukes ( 5, 6, 7, 8 ) which may be folded together for storage purposes, the flukes being both hinged together and hinged to a shank ( 2 ) such that the anchor can be deployed from a stowed to an operational state by a single action, the flukes ( 5, 6, 7, 8 ) and shank arranged to lie in a substantially flat position when stowed.

1 . An anchor ( 1 ) characterised in comprising a plurality of plates ( 2   a ,  2   b ,  5 ,  6 ,  7   a ,  7   b ,  8   a ,  8   b ) linked together by pivot joints ( 3 ,  4   a ,  4   b ,  9 ,  10 ,  11 ,  12 ).  
     
     
         2 . An anchor as claimed in  claim 1 , arranged to lie substantially flat when in a stowed state.  
     
     
         3 . An anchor as claimed in  claim 1  or  2 , comprising a shank including two portions ( 2   a ,  2   b ) pivoted together and a plurality of flukes ( 5 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 ), two flukes ( 5 ,  6 ) being pivotally connected to respective shank portions ( 2   a ,  2   b ), each fluke connected to the shank portions being pivotally connected to each of two other flukes.  
     
     
         4 . An anchor as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the two portions ( 2   a ,  2   b ) of the shank have sections arranged to be urged together and held in position, in which position the anchor is arranged to be in an operational state.  
     
     
         5 . An anchor as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the two sections of the shank comprise corresponding eyelets ( 15 ,  16 ) by which a line, rope, chain or cable is attached to the anchor.  
     
     
         6 . An anchor as claimed in  claim 3 ,  4  or  5  wherein two other flukes each comprise two sections hinged together such that when the anchor is in a stowed state each is folded substantially in half.  
     
     
         7 . An anchor as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein in a stowed state at least one fluke ( 7 ,  8 ) is sandwiched between the two portions ( 2   a ,  2   b ) of the shank.  
     
     
         8 . An anchor as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least one fluke ( 8 ) comprises two sections ( 8   a ,  8   b ) hinged together, whereby when in a operational state the two sections are at an angle relative to each other of between 115° and 155°.  
     
     
         9 . An anchor as claimed in  claim 8 , comprising two flukes ( 7 ,  8 ), each comprising two sections ( 7   a ,  7   b  and  8   a ,  8   b ) binged together relative to each other, and two flukes ( 5 ,  6 ) each comprising a single sheet, each of the single sheet flukes ( 5 ,  6 ) being hinged to both of the two section flukes ( 7 ,  8 ).  
     
     
         10 . An anchor as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the two section flukes ( 7 ,  8 ) are longer than the single sheet flukes ( 5 ,  6 ).  
     
     
         11 . An anchor as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising flukes ( 5 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 ) arranged such that when in an operational state, the four flukes form a drogue.  
     
     
         12 . An anchor as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the flukes ( 5 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 ) are arranged such that the drogue is vented.  
     
     
         13 . An anchor as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least two of the flukes ( 5 ,  6 ) have apertures ( 19 ,  20 ) therein.  
     
     
         14 . An anchor as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each pivotal connection comprises a hinge ( 4   a ,  4   b ;  9 ,  10 ,  11 ,  12 ,  13   14 ) permitting relative movement about one axis only.  
     
     
         15 . An anchor substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and/or as illustrated in, one or more of the accompanying figures.