Abstract:
An anchor line stabilizer helps a boat remain a preferred distance away from an anchor which is located on a floor of a body of water. The anchor line stabilizer, among other things, allows the boat to move a short distance further than the preferred distance away from the anchor and then return to the preferred distance to allow for short brief movements caused by, for example, wind, waves and/or other intermittent forces.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    This invention relates to a stabilizing system for a boat anchor line. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Boat anchors are often used to hold a boat at or near a given location on a body of water. The weight and shape of the anchor promote a static position on the floor of the body of water, while an anchor line connecting the boat to the anchor holds the boat within a given distance of the anchor. By varying the length of the anchor line, a user can determine how near to each other the boat and the anchor will be maintained. The range of movement of a boat while attached to an anchor may be referred to as a swing scope and is related to the ratio between the length of the anchor line to the depth of the water. For example, as the length of the anchor line increases with respect to the depth of the water, the swing scope will increase. It may be desirable to allow for various amounts of swing scope in various situations. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    Ideally, a user would want to use an anchor line that is just long enough to allow the anchor to hit the bottom of the body of water (e.g., in a straight vertical line between the anchor and the boat). This would help keep the boat in a precise location above the anchor. 
         [0004]    However, in choppy or rough waters, e.g., water with a large number and/or size of waves, wind and/or other forces, traditional boat anchors can be moved by the waves and/or other forces. If, for instance, a wave hits the boat and raises the level of the boat relative to the bottom of the body of water, the anchor may be lifted off the floor allowing the boat to move with the wave. After the wave has passed the boat, the anchor may then again hit the floor, but may be in a different location. If the anchor has moved, the anchor has been ineffective at keeping the boat in a desired location. If the anchor is pulled off of the floor, it is likely to have been moved. 
         [0005]    Even when the anchor is not lifted off the floor, the anchor, and thus the boat, may move if the wave is strong enough to drag the anchor across the floor. It should be appreciated that other forces, such as wind, may also cause in whole or in part, movement of the boat. 
         [0006]    In some instances, the user may use an anchor line that is longer than the length necessary to allow the anchor to reach the floor of the body of water. This allows the boat to move within a hemisphere that has an outer surface that is a distance away from the anchor equal to the length of the anchor line. This hemisphere, its radius and/or its diameter may also be referred to as the swing scope of the boat. This will allow the boat to move vertically as well as across the surface of the body of water within the hemisphere without the anchor moving. While this solution allows the boat to stay within a defined area near the desired location, there is no mechanism to keep the boat at a preferred location, nor a mechanism to return the boat to the preferred location if it moves. Likewise, the boat may still be moved further than the limit of the swing scope if forces are strong and/or consistent enough. 
         [0007]    Additionally, as a boat moves to the limit of the swing scope, the anchor line will be drawn taught and any further forces or stresses may be translated to the boat and/or the point (e.g., hook) where the anchor line is attached to the boat. This stress can cause damage to the boat and/or the anchor line (e.g., the mounting hook can be broken or the anchor line can be snapped). 
         [0008]    As such, it would be preferable to allow a boat freedom to move short distances away from a preferred location and/or a preferred area while at the same time encouraging the boat to return to the preferred location and/or preferred area. 
         [0009]    This invention provides an anchor line stabilizer that will allow a boat freedom to move short distances away from a preferred location. 
         [0010]    This invention separately provides an anchor line stabilizer that will draw a boat back toward a preferred location after having been moved away from the preferred location. 
         [0011]    This invention separately provides an anchor line stabilizer that can be installed on a deployed anchor line without the need for a free end of the anchor line. 
         [0012]    This invention separately provides an anchor line stabilizer connected to an anchor and a boat that is installed between ends of an anchor line without having to disconnect either end. 
         [0013]    This invention separately provides an anchor line stabilizer that allows the anchor line to stay coupled to a boat and anchor so that the anchor and boat remain operatively coupled in the event the anchor line stabilizer becomes uncoupled or otherwise fails. 
         [0014]    This invention separately provides an anchor line stabilizer that absorbs some of the energy of waves to reduce “boat slap”. 
         [0015]    This invention separately provides a flexible member (e.g., a bungee cord) that can be coupled to an anchor line to effectively allow the line to stretch or flex. 
         [0016]    This invention separately provides a universal bracket for coupling an anchor line stabilizer to an anchor line of a boat. 
         [0017]    This invention separately provides a universal bracket for coupling multiple ropes, lines or the like. 
         [0018]    In various exemplary embodiments, an anchor line stabilizer is installed parallel to an anchor line of the boat. That is to say that, at least a portion of the anchor line and the anchor line stabilizer are each connected at the same location. In various ones of these exemplary embodiments, the anchor line stabilizer is connected to two points on the anchor line creating a loop or subsection of the anchor line that is parallel to the anchor line stabilizer i.e., the subsection of the anchor line is connected to the rest of the anchor line at the same point(s) as the anchor line stabilizer. It should be appreciated that, by saying the subsection of the anchor line is connected to the rest of the anchor line at one or more points, it is not implied that the anchor line is cut or otherwise discontinuous at any point(s). 
         [0019]    In various exemplary embodiments, an anchor line stabilizer is attached to an anchor line of a boat such that it will resist allowing the boat to move away from a preferred location. In various exemplary embodiments, the anchor line stabilizer will stretch or become otherwise deformed as a force moves the boat away from the preferred location. In various ones of these exemplary embodiments, the anchor line stabilizer will retract, relax or shrink after the force has subsided and/or weakened. In various ones of these exemplary embodiments, as the anchor line stabilizer retracts, relaxes or shrinks, the boat will be drawn back towards the preferred location. 
         [0020]    In various exemplary embodiments, an anchor line stabilizer can be coupled to an anchor line of a boat without needing a free end of the anchor line. In various ones of these exemplary embodiments, the anchor line stabilizer has one or more brackets that may be coupled to the anchor line without the need for a free end of the anchor line. In such exemplary embodiments, the bracket(s) can be attached to the anchor line after the anchor line is coupled to both an anchor and the boat. In various ones of these exemplary embodiments, the bracket(s) are configured to accept a loop of the anchor line, which is then secured to the bracket(s). The bracket(s) are then coupled to the rest of the anchor line stabilizer. 
         [0021]    In various exemplary embodiments, an anchor line stabilizer is constructed, in part, of a bungee cord or other expandable cord, rope, line and/or the like. In such exemplary embodiments, the bungee cord or other expandable cord, rope, line and/or the like can be stretched to allow the anchor line stabilizer to increase in length. In various ones of these exemplary embodiments, the bungee cord or other expandable cord, rope, line and/or the like is attached to one or more brackets, which are attached to an anchor line of a boat. 
         [0022]    These and other features and advantages of various exemplary embodiments of systems and methods according to this invention are described in, or are apparent from, the following detailed descriptions of various exemplary embodiments of various devices, structures and/or methods according to this invention. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         [0023]    Various exemplary embodiments of the systems and methods according to this invention will be described in detail, with reference to the following figures, wherein: 
           [0024]      FIG. 1  is a side plan view of a boat and a conventional anchor line attached to an anchor; 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  is a side plan view of a boat using an anchor line stabilizer according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  is a front plant view of an anchor line stabilizer according to a first exemplary embodiment coupled to an anchor line; 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  is an isometric view of an anchor line stabilizer according to a first exemplary embodiment; 
           [0028]      FIG. 5  is a front plan view of an anchor line stabilizer according to a second exemplary embodiment; 
           [0029]      FIG. 6  is a front plan view of a bracket according to a first exemplary embodiment; 
           [0030]      FIG. 7  is a side plan view of a bracket according to a first exemplary embodiment; 
           [0031]      FIG. 8  is a bottom plan view of a bracket according to a first exemplary embodiment; 
           [0032]      FIG. 9  is a front plan view of a bracket according to a second exemplary embodiment; 
           [0033]      FIG. 10  is a front plan view of a bracket according to a third exemplary embodiment; 
           [0034]      FIG. 11  is a front plan view of bracket according to a second exemplary embodiment coupled to an anchor line according to a first exemplary method; 
           [0035]      FIG. 12  is a rear plan view of a bracket according to a second exemplary embodiment coupled to an anchor line according to a first exemplary method; 
           [0036]      FIG. 13  is a front plan view of a bracket according to a second exemplary embodiment coupled to an anchor line according to a second exemplary method; 
           [0037]      FIG. 14  is a front isometric view of a bracket according to a first exemplary embodiment coupled to an anchor line according to the first exemplary method; and 
           [0038]      FIG. 15  is a rear isometric view of a bracket according to a first exemplary embodiment coupled to an anchor line according to the first exemplary method. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0039]      FIG. 1  shows a boat  100  floating on a body of water  200 . Body of water  200  has a surface  210  and a floor  220 . A distance L D  between surface  210  and floor  220  of body of water  200  is variable and may change as wave and tide conditions change. As shown in  FIG. 1 , boat  100  is coupled to an anchor line  110  which is also coupled to an anchor  120  positioned at a location on floor  220  of body of water  200 . Anchor line  110  includes a length L A , which is a distance of the length of anchor line  110  to surface  210  of body of water  200 . Anchor  120  is weighted, shaped, or otherwise adapted to resist movement from its location on floor  220  of body of water  200 . In this scenario, boat  100  is able to move around on surface  210  of body of water  200  within an approximate distance L A  from the location of anchor  120  without anchor  120  moving from the location. 
         [0040]    It should be appreciated that, a floating boat  100  is typically substantially on surface  210  of body of water  200 . As such, boat  100  is able to move within a circle on surface  210  of body of water  200  that has an outer edge, which is a distance of approximately L A  from anchor  120 . However, as stated above, depth L D  of body of water  200  may not be constant or fixed. As distance L D  between surface  210  and floor  220  of body of water  200  increases, the circle within which boat  100  may move contracts until, when distance L D  is approximately equal to length L A , boat  100  is substantially restricted to approximately a single spot substantially directly above anchor  120 , unless anchor  120  moves. 
         [0041]    It should be appreciated that the area, radius and diameter of the circle on surface  210  of body of water  200  within which boat  100  is restricted can be calculated (e.g. using trigonometry) or at least approximated if length L A  and depth L D  are known. For example, a right triangle may be made between length L A , depth L D  and the radius of the circle within which the boat  100  is restricted, with length L A  being the hypotenuse. 
         [0042]    If boat  100  is forced to move further than distance L A  from the location of anchor  120  by wind, waves and/or other forces, anchor  120  will typically either lift off of floor  220  of body of water  200  or will be dragged across floor  220  of body of water  200 . Typically, to help prevent or limit movement of boat  100  further than L A  from the location of anchor  120 , a user may use multiple anchors. For example, the use of multiple anchors may help increase the anchor mass holding the boat in place and/or to divide the forces across multiple anchor lines. A user may also use an anchor line with a longer length L A , which will help alleviate forces that may cause the anchor to lift from the floor. 
         [0043]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , an exemplary embodiment of an anchor line stabilizer  300  may be coupled to anchor line  110  of boat  100 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , in various embodiments, anchor line stabilizer  300  is coupled to anchor line  110  at points  112  and  114  to help create a loop  113  in anchor line  110 . Meanwhile, a substantially straight line is generally maintained between boat  100  and anchor  120  by portions  111  and  115  of anchor line  110  and anchor line stabilizer  300 . 
         [0044]    As forces, such as waves and/or wind, urge boat  100  away from anchor  120 , anchor line stabilizer  300  may be stretched from a relaxed length. In various embodiments, as anchor line stabilizer  300  stretches, it becomes harder to stretch anchor line stabilizer  300  further, until anchor line stabilizer  300  reaches the limit of its stretchable length or the stretched length of anchor line stabilizer  300  is equal to the length of loop  113 , at which time any further forces that act upon boat  100  may be substantially translated to anchor line  110 . 
         [0045]    It should be appreciated that anchor line stabilizer  300  has the effect of giving anchor line  110  a variable length L A . Variable length L A  of anchor line  110  allows boat  100  to better track variable depth L D  of body of water  200 . Furthermore, anchor line stabilizer  300  helps absorb shock between boat  100  and anchor line  110 . For example, when a wave or other force lifts or moves boat  100 , boat  100  is lifted or moved relatively more smoothly than without anchor line stabilizer  300 . The smoothed or subdued motion of boat  100  may also help boat  100  to better “ride” the waves and reduce “boat slap,” the effect of boat  100  falling abruptly and/or violently against surface  220  of body of water  200  after having been lifted by a wave or other force, as well as reduce some of the conditions responsible for sea or motion sickness. 
         [0046]    Additionally, the shock-absorbing effect of anchor line stabilizer  300  can be useful when a motorized anchor-lifting device is used. In some instances, motorized anchor lifting devices can experience violent jerking motions when the anchor line is pulled taught by a moving boat. This violent motion can cause undue stress on the motorized anchor-lifting device. The anchor line stabilizer may absorb some or all of this stress and/or jerking motion so that the anchor-lifting device does not experience some or all of the violent jerking motions. When the anchor line stabilizer is used in such a way, the anchor line stabilizer may be installed after the anchor is lowered and removed before the anchor is lifted by the anchor-lifting device. Likewise, the anchor line stabilizer may absorb some or all of the stress and/or jerking motion experiences by a connection point between the anchor line and the anchor and/or the boat. 
         [0047]    It should be appreciated that points  112  and  114  may be anywhere on the anchor line  110 . In various exemplary embodiments, points  112  and  114  are spaced apart a distance that is shorter than the limit of the stretchable length of anchor line stabilizer  300 . In this way, the length of loop  113  is shorter than the maximum stretched length of anchor line stabilizer  300 . As such, when the loop is straightened or pulled substantially taut, additional forces on the boat or the anchor line will be translated to the anchor line rather than the anchor line stabilizer. This may help in preventing the anchor line stabilizer from being stretched far beyond its recommended limit. In various exemplary embodiments, point  112  is preferably close to or above surface  220  of body of water  200 . In this way, a user can easily access loop  113  of anchor line  110 . As such, a user can safely retrieve anchor  120  by pulling on loop  113 , and thus anchor line  110 , without stretching anchor line stabilizer  300 . 
         [0048]    It should be appreciated that anchor line stabilizer  300  does not require a free end of anchor line  110  to be coupled to anchor line  110 . As such, anchor line stabilizer  300  may be coupled to anchor line  110  before, during or after anchor  120  is coupled to anchor line  110  and/or before, during or after anchor  120  is placed in body of water  200  or otherwise deployed. Alternatively, anchor line stabilizer  300  may be installed between a free end of anchor line  110  and boat  100  and/or anchor  120 . 
         [0049]    After anchor line stabilizer  300  is coupled to anchor line  110 , if anchor  120  has not already been placed in body of water  200 , anchor  120  is placed in body of water  200 . Anchor  120  should settle to floor  220  of body of water  200  and, in various embodiments, preferably slightly stretch anchor line stabilizer  300 . When anchor line stabilizer  300  is slightly stretched, it helps maintain a substantially straight line between boat  100  and anchor  120  made by portions  111  and  115  of anchor line  110  and anchor line stabilizer  300 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 3  shows a more detailed view of a first exemplary embodiment of anchor line stabilizer  300  coupled to anchor line  110 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , anchor line stabilizer  300  is coupled to anchor line  110  at two points  112  and  114 , creating loop  113  in anchor line  110 . It should be appreciated that there are numerous methods for coupling anchor line stabilizer  300  to anchor line  110 . Various embodiments of anchor line stabilizer  300  may be coupled to anchor line  110  using various methods. 
         [0051]      FIG. 4  shows a first exemplary embodiment of anchor line stabilizer  300 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the first exemplary embodiment of anchor line stabilizer  300  includes a flexible member  330  and a pair of first exemplary embodiments of a bracket  310 , and each bracket  310  is attached to opposing ends of flexible member  330 . Flexible member  330  may be joined to brackets  310  using any suitable known or later-developed method. For example, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the free ends of flexible member  330  are fed through apertures (e.g., holes) defined in the first exemplary embodiment of bracket  310 . In various embodiments, the free ends of flexible member  330  are then folded over onto themselves and secured. By folding the free ends over and securing them to flexible member  330 , the thickness of the end portions of flexible member  330  are overlapped which helps prevent the end portions from pulling back through the aperture defined in the bottom of the first exemplary embodiments of the bracket  310 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 5  shows a second exemplary embodiment of anchor line stabilizer  300 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , in this second exemplary embodiment, anchor line stabilizer  300  has a pair of second exemplary embodiments of bracket  310 , a pair of clips  320  and flexible member  330 . In various embodiments, clips  320  are attached to opposing ends of flexible member  330 . Each clip  320  may also be coupled to one of the pair of second exemplary embodiments of bracket  310 . 
         [0053]    Flexible member  330  may be constructed of any suitable known or later-developed material. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , flexible member  330  is constructed primarily of bungee cord. However, flexible member  330  need not be a cord and may be constructed of any material having suitable elastic qualities, such as a spring or a spring-aided device. Bracket  310  may also be constructed of any suitable known or later-developed material. For example, as shown in  FIG. 4 , bracket  310  may be constructed of wood or a wood plastic composite. As shown in  FIG. 5 , bracket  310  may be constructed primarily of high-density plastic. While bracket  310  may also be made of metal material(s), wood and/or plastic material may be less likely to scratch or otherwise damage the boat and are unlikely to rust or oxidize. Clips  320  may also be constructed of any suitable materials. For example, any variety of clips typically attached to a bungee cord may be utilized. In various exemplary embodiments, however, clips made of plastic or other non-metallic material may be advantageous in that they are less likely to scratch or damage a boat or other objects and are less likely to rust or oxidize. The brackets and clips may also be constructed of nylon composite materials. 
         [0054]      FIGS. 6-8  show the first exemplary embodiment of bracket  310  in greater detail. As shown in  FIG. 6 , bracket  310  defines a line passage hole  312  and two channels  314 , which help form a hook  316 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the first exemplary embodiment of bracket  310  has a tapered profile. For example, as shown in  FIG. 7 , bracket  310  is thinner near hook  316 , than at the opposite end. As shown in  FIG. 8 , bracket  310  defines a receiving hole  319  at the end of bracket  310  opposite from hook  316 . In various embodiments, receiving hole  319  passes from the end of the bracket  310  into the inside edge where it intersects line passage hole  312 . Receiving hole  319  is shown in phantom lines in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . Receiving hole  319  allows flexible member  330  to be inserted through and secured to bracket  310 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 9  shows the second exemplary embodiment of bracket  310  in greater detail. As shown in  FIG. 9 , second bracket  310  defines a line passage hole  312 , two channels  314 , which help form a hook  316 , and three receiving holes  318 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , line passage hole  312  is preferably centrally located. Channels  314  are located on the outer perimeter of bracket  310  such that a loop of a line can be placed in channels  314  and wrapped at least partially around hook  316 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 , receiving holes  318  are located near the end of the bracket opposite from the hook  316 . 
         [0056]    It should be appreciated that bracket  310  may have more than one hook  316 , created by more than two channels  314 . It should also be appreciated that bracket  310  may have any number of receiving holes  318 . Further, some or all of the apertures defined by bracket  310  may have beveled edges to, for example, reduce wear and tear. 
         [0057]      FIG. 10  shows a third exemplary embodiment of bracket  310 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , bracket  310  has line passage hole  312 , four channels  314  which create four hooks  316  and four receiving holes  318 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , in various embodiments, line passage hole  312  is centrally located. In various embodiments, channels  314  are located near the outer perimeter of bracket  310 . In various embodiments, each receiving hole  318  is located on the end of bracket  310  opposite from each hook  316 . In the third exemplary embodiment of bracket  310 , more than one line can be coupled or otherwise joined to bracket  310  at one time. Bracket  310  may thus be used to couple two or more lines together. 
         [0058]      FIGS. 11-13  show various views of two exemplary methods for attaching anchor line  110  to bracket  310 .  FIGS. 11 and 12  show front and back views of a first such exemplary method, respectively. As shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , a loop  116  is provided in anchor line  110  and is inserted through line passage hole  312 . In various embodiments, loop  116  is then inserted into a first channel  314 , wrapped at least partially around hook  316  and then inserted into a second channel  314 . Anchor line  110  is then tightened to bracket  310 .  FIG. 13  shows a front view of a second exemplary method of wrapping loop  116  around hook  316 . As shown in  FIG. 13 , loop  116  may be wrapped around itself before wrapping loop  116  around hook  316 . 
         [0059]    It should be appreciated that, while  FIGS. 11-13  show two exemplary embodiments of a method for coupling the loop  116  and/or the anchor line  110  to the bracket  310 , there are numerous other ways that the loop  116  and/or anchor line  110  can be attached, connected, coupled, or otherwise joined to the bracket  310 . Certain methods of coupling the loop  116  and/or anchor line  110  to the bracket  310  may be preferable in certain situations and should be appreciated to be other embodiments of the two methods illustrated in  FIGS. 11-13 . Furthermore, it should be appreciated that, although  FIGS. 11-13  show the second exemplary embodiment of bracket  310 , other embodiments of bracket  310 , including the first and third exemplary embodiments outlined above, can be used in place of, or in conjunction with, second exemplary embodiment of bracket  310 . 
         [0060]      FIGS. 14 and 15  illustrate a first exemplary method of coupling bracket  310  to anchor line  110  using the first exemplary embodiment of bracket  310 . As shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , loop  116  of anchor line  110  is passed through line passage hole  312  and channels  314  and around hook  316 . 
         [0061]    It should be appreciated that, although the anchor line stabilizer has been described as particularly useful for maintaining a boat&#39;s position relative to an anchor, the anchor line stabilizer may have other uses including, for example, tensioning a line for a boat mooring, tensioning a line for a wind tarp or tensioning a trailer tie line. In general, the above-outlined anchor line stabilizer may be useful for tensioning any rope, line or the like that is subjected to variable degrees of force or strain. 
         [0062]    While this invention has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments outlined above, various alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and/or substantial equivalents, whether known or that are or may be presently foreseen, may become apparent to those having at least ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention is intended to embrace all known or earlier developed alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and/or substantial equivalents.