Anchor Retrieval Device

Abstract

An anchor retrieval device for vessels comprising an anchor having a first point and a second point, a chain attached to a second point of the anchor, a rope having a first end associated with the first point of the anchor and a second end releasably associated to the chain and a flotation device associated with the rope.

Description

[0001]This disclosure refers to an anchor retrieval device.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]A common problem in vessels of small and medium size is that, upon weighing the anchored anchor, sometimes it remains stranded or trapped by some underwater body or relief. In these cases, the arm or the palm of the anchor is frequently retained by some rope or chain or by some rock or irregularity present on the underwater bottom.[0003]The chain joining the anchor to the vessel is attached to the anchor by the free end of the shank. In this way, if the anchor is trapped and it is not possible to free it by pulling the chain, a known and efficient solution consists of arranging an additional element, allowing the anchor to be pulled by applying force at a different point, preferably near the throat of the anchor, at the opposite end.[0004]A widely used solution consists of a device called a buoy rope. The buoy rope is a rope attached by its lower end to the throat of the anchor. If the anchor...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]In an implementation, the rope remains arranged under the water in a different orientation to that of the chain, so that it is possible to have access thereto in a simple way, avoiding the utilization of complex mechanisms.

[0025]Thanks to these characteristics, the device permits a change to the point of application of the extraction force on the anchor by means of a simple mechanism which is easy to use.

Problems solved by technology

A common problem in vessels of small and medium size is that, upon weighing the anchored anchor, sometimes it remains stranded or trapped by some underwater body or relief.

A likely drawback of this type of device is that it is difficult to use because it is necessary to arrange the buoy rope at the same time as the anchor is lowered, trying that the chain and the buoy rope do not get tangled with one another.

The manoeuvre of weighing the anchor is further complicated by the circumstance of having to simultaneously recover the buoy rope.

Nevertheless, it can also be complicated to use because it can be necessary to arrange and to pick up the buoy rope independently from the chain.

Furthermore, in the case that other vessels are present near the anchoring zone, the risk exists that the buoy rope wraps itself around a propeller or that another similar problem arises.

This device appears to have the drawback of not being very reliable and can turn out to be dangerous.

It appears that if the anchor does not keep aligned with the chain, which is probable if the direction of the wind changes from the moment in which the vessel anchored and, therefore, the vessel swings, it is possible that the engaging element accidentally releases the chain.

This will cause the anchor remain attached to the chain only at its throat and without offering any resistance to the dragging, so the vessel would no longer be anchored and would come adrift.

This type of devices appears to have the drawback that the mechanism is large and quite complex, further complicating the passage of the chain through the pulley of the vessel.

Likewise, on many occasions it appears that it is not possible to provide a revolving mechanism between the anchor and the chain allowing the free rotation of the anchor with respect to the chain.

On the other hand, in the devices completely releasing the chain from the free end of the shank, the anchor remains suspended only by its throat, complicating its retrieval and placement in the corresponding location in the vessel, especially if the weight of the anchor is considerable.

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