Watercraft anchors

Abstract

A method, system, apparatus, and/or device for anchoring a watercraft. The method, system, apparatus, and/or device may include a head and a shank The head may be configured to moor into a vessel to a surface. The shank may be connected to the head. The shank may include a pivot member connected to the head, a first shank arm and a second shank arm connected to the head, where the first shank arm is configured to rotate about the pivot member relative to the second shank arm. The shank may also include a shear member connecting the first shank arm and the second shank arm.

1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a head configured to dig into a seafloor; and   a scissoring shank connected to the head, wherein the scissoring shank comprises:
 a pivot member connected to the head; 
 a first shank arm connected to the head by the pivot member; 
 a second shank arm connected to the head, wherein the first shank arm is configured to rotate about the pivot member relative to the second shank arm; and 
 a shear member connecting the first shank arm and the second shank arm. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the head is configured to dig into the seafloor to moor a vessel to the seafloor. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the shear member is configured to restrict the first shank arm from rotating about the pivot member. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the shear member is configured to shear when a threshold amount of force is applied to the shear member such that the first shank arm is able to rotate about the pivot member. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a hole extending through the first shank arm and the second shank arm, the shear member being configured to be inserted into the first hole to restrict the first shank arm to a closed position, wherein when a threshold amount of shearing force is applied to the shear member, the shear member shears to allow the first shank arm to pivot to an open position. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a connector connected to an end of the first shank arm, wherein the connector is configured to attach to a tether that is connected to a vessel or watercraft. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the connector is configured to transfer force from the tether to the shear member via the first shank arm. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 when the first shank arm rotates to a closed position, the first shank arm overlaps the second shank arm; and   when the first shank arm rotates to an open position, the first shank arm is a distance from the second shank arm.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first shank arm is configured to rotate along a vertical plane. 
     
     
         10 . A device, comprising:
 a head configured to dig into a surface; and   a shank connected to the head, wherein the shank comprises:
 a pivot member connected to the head; 
 a first shank arm connected to the head by the pivot member; 
 a second shank arm connected to the head, wherein the first shank arm is configured to rotate about the pivot member relative to the second shank arm; and 
 a shear member connecting the first shank arm and the second shank arm. 
   
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the head is configured to dig into the surface to moor a vessel to the surface. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the shank is a scissoring shank. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein when a threshold amount of pulling force is applied to the first shank arm as the head is lodged against an object, the shear member is configured to shear such that the first shank arm switches from a closed position to an open position. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein when the first shank arm is in the open position, the threshold amount of pulling force dislodges the head from the object. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the threshold amount of pulling force to shear member is based on a characteristic of a vessel tethered to the device. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a head configured to moor into a vessel to a surface; and   a shank connected to the head, wherein the shank comprises:
 a pivot member connected to the head; 
 a first shank arm connected to the head; 
 a second shank arm connected to the head, wherein the first shank arm is configured to rotate about the pivot member relative to the second shank arm; and 
 a shear member connecting the first shank arm and the second shank arm. 
   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the head is configured to dig into the surface to moor the vessel to the surface. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the shank is a scissoring shank. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the surface is a floor or ground along a bottom of a body of water. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the head is a plow head, a claw head, a ray head, a wing head, a lightweight type (LWT) head, a spade head, or a hook.