Improvements in Anchors.
Year: 1892

page_text: Cate of Application, 19th Aug., 1892-Accepted, 5th Nov., 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Anchors.
I ALEXANDER MCDOUGALL, a citizen of the United States of America,
residing at Duluth, in the County of St. Louis, and State of Minnesota, one of
the United States of America, Ship Builder, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement and accompanying
drawings:-
The principal objects of my invention are to provide and produce an anchor of
that variety which can be manufactured very cheaply, which will be extremely
portable and occupy but little space on the deck, and which will be very effective
in operation. To this end the invention consists generally, of a main triangular
metallic frame-work, a single fluke or blade pivotted within said frame, and a
pivoted link for limiting the movements of the fluke, all as will be hereinafter set
forth and claimed. For a better comprehension of my invention attention is
invited to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this Specification and in
which,
Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved anchor..
Figure 2 a plan view of the same.
Figure 3 is an end view, and Figures 4 & 5 are side views of the link.
In all of the above views corresponding parts are designated by the same letters
of reference.
A, represents the main frame of the device made of the general triangular shape
shown viz., with the two inclined sides a, a', and the two short connecting sides b, b¹.
This frame-work may be made of cast-metal, if desired; but I prefer to make the
same of rectangular wrought-iron or steel bars heated and hammered to the proper
shape. The two inclined sides at their forward ends are either welded or riveted
together, or else these sides may be made of one and the same piece of metal bent
around into position. It is more economical, however, to make the frame work of
two parts, each consisting of a side piece and one of the connecting side pieces b
or, since both of said pieces will be of the same shape, and they can therefore
be constructed very easily and cheaply. At the forward end of this frame-work
is a shackle, swivel, or ring c, to which the anchor chain or rope is attached.
Each of the connecting side pieces and 1 of the frame is bent over at its inner
end to form lugs or ears d, and d', projecting outwardly. Passing through these
lugs or cars d, d', is a metallic pivoting-pin E, arranged so as to turn easily in
said lugs or ears. The ends of this pivoting-pin extend out on the sides of the
lugs or ears, and are integrally connected with a link B, before referred to, and
arranged as shown. This link is of the ordinary construction, and is of the general
form shown in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings. The link is allowed a certain
limited movement on the pivoting-pin, so that it may be inclined either to the
right or to the left as may be desired. The movements of this link are restricted,
as will be evident, by the bearing surfaces f, thereof coming in contact with the
upper faces of the lugs or ears d,d'. The fluke C, of the anchor is pivoted
between the lugs or ears d, d' on the pin E, and is capable of movement on this
pin. The fluke is provided with a blade g, adapted to enter the ground with a
shank portion h, with an enlarged head i, through which the pivoting-pin E, passes.
The blade g, is pointed as shown, so that it will readily engage with and enter the
ground. When the fluke is moved in either direction as far as possible, it will
be clearly seen on reference being made to Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings that
either portion of the shank marked h, or the head i, will engage with one of the
surfaces, of the link B, and that the lug d, will engage with the other surface f,

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of the link, so that the fluke will be held very rigidly from other movement.
will also be evident that on whichever side the anchor may fall the fluke will
be locked in its proper position by the link B, as I have just explained. This
means for locking the fluke in position is very strong and rigid, since the link
bears against three immovable surfaces-viz., the pivoting pin and the upper
and lower surfaces of the lugs or ears d, d', aud the fluke bears against three
surfaces also viz., the pivoting-pin and the two surfaces f, of the link.
The operation of my improved anchor is as follows: The device is lowered from
the vessel in the usual way, and will of course rest in a flat position on the bottom.
The fluke will drop by its own weight and will enter the ground, and as a strain
is brought on the anchor by the movement of the vessel the fluke will be forced
farther into the ground until it has reached an angle of about fifty degrees,
when its motion will be arrested by the link, as was before explained. As any
additional strain is brought on the anchor, the fluke will be caused to bury deeper
into the ground until the dirt, sand, or gravel of the bottom is piled up in front
of and around the connecting-pieces, so that the anchor will be firmly
embedded. in the ground. Whichever side the anchor may fall on, the fluke will
enter the ground with equal facility, since it is pivotally mounted on the pin, and
its movement will be restricted by the link B on either side, as will be understood.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :
1. In an anchor, the combination of a metallic frame-work, a single pointed
fluke pivoted to said frame-work, and a link, substantially as described, pivoted so
as to surround the shank of said fluke and limit the movements of the same.
2. An improved anchor consisting of a frame-work of a general rectangular
shape having cross-pieces at its rear end and adapted to engage with the
ground, lugs or ears formed by a continuation of these connecting-pieces aud
extending rearwardly, a single pointed fluke pivoted between these lugs, and a link E,
mounted on the pivoting pin b, or the fluke and surrounding the shank of the
same and adapted to limit the movements of the fluke, substantially as set forth.
3. An improved anchor consisting of a metallic frame having lugs d, d' at its
rear end, a single pointed fluke pivoted between said ears and a link mounted on
the pivoting-pin for the fluke and adapted to limit the movements of the fluke,
substantially as set forth.
Dated this Fifth day of May A.D. 1892.