Improvements in and relating to Anchors.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Nov., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 9th Dec., 1893-Accepted, 10th Feb., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Anchors.
We, JOHN BUCHANAN, Engineer of Canal Wharf, Basingstoke, and CLAUDE
WILLIAM BUCKLE of 20, Cambridge Road, Southampton, Hampshire, Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to an improved form of anchor and means for sinking the
same in sand, mud, or the like, and for recovering when desired. The object of
the invention being to provide an anchor which will afford a more secure hold on
the ground, and will not be liable to drag.
This anchor is in the form of a thick metal plate or disc cupped or dished so as
to have a mushroom shape, the convex side being underneath. The cable, which
is preferably of wire rope, is attached by rings or other means to three or more
points on the upper or concave side, so that the anchor when lowered will hang
horizontally. Through this cup pass one or more tubes, preferably, in anchors of
ordinary size, one, at the centre. This tube may be formed in one with the
anchor itself or may be made separate and inserted and fixed by any ordinary
means.
The anchor is sunk in the sand in the following manner. A pipe of suitable
dimensions and strength is placed over the end of the tube above mentioned,
sufficiently long to allow the anchor to be sunk to any depth which may be
required without becoming disconnected. To the upper end of this tube a pump
is connected worked in the case of small anchors, as used in yachts, by manual
power, if steam is not available, or by steam or other means when in use on large
vessels. This pump must be of sufficient strength to give a pressure greater than
that produced by the water and sand through which the anchor is passed at the
greatest depth to which it is to be sunk.
The anchor is lowered until it touches ground. The pump then brought into
action and forces the water through the pipe and out from the bottom of the
anchor. This immediately quickens the sand by the water forcing its way through
and separating the particles. The weight of the anchor will then cause it to fall
rapidly through the sand continuing its fall as long as the ground is loosened under
it by the stream of water, thus sinking as far as the sand or similar loose substance
extends. When the anchor has reached the desired depth, the connecting pipe
must be disconnected, to prevent it becoming filled with the sand and blocked
up, as if left on and open the sand will rapidly silt up to about the same height as
it occupies outside. To allow of this the pipe should be of indiarubber or other
elastic material at the end, allowing it to be slipped over the end of the tube on
the anchor, at the same time having sufficient grip to prevent escape of the water
at that point. On stopping the supply of water a sharp pull on the pipe will
cause it to be released from the metal tube and it can be drawn up to the vessel
ready for the next sinking or for the raising of the anchor. To raise or recover
the anchor we employ another device operating in much the same
This consists of a disc or cylinder or other suitably shaped block of metal having
two holes one furnished with an upwardly extending tube for the purpose of
connecting the same or a similar pipe for the supply of water from the pump.
The other hole is for the purpose of attachment to the cable, the recovering
block being passed over the cable and allowed to slide down it by its own weight
until it reaches the ground. External eyes may also be used for the purpose of
threading the recoverer on the cable. The water is then forced through the pipe
manner.

page_text: and the block lowered in the same manner as the anchor, until it reaches the
latter through the guidance of the cable.
When it has reached the lowest position the cable connected with the anchor
is pulled, the water supply still being kept up, and the sand above the anchor
'consequently quickened. When the pull has overcome the first resistance owing
to the suction at the bottom and has started moving, it will be raised freely along
with the recovering block without requiring any great force, and both can be
rapidly drawn on to the vessel again.
Owing to the great depth to which this anchor can be sunk, a much lighter
and smaller one than is employed at present can be used for the same size of
vessel without fear of it dragging the smallest distance.
Dated this 10th day of November 1893.
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, Agent for the Applicants.
COME PIE
Improvements in and relating to Anchors.
We JOHN BUCHANAN Engineer of Canal Wharf, Basingstoke, and CLAUDE
WILLIAM BUCKLE of 20, Cambridge Road, Southampton, Hampshire, Engineer
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 :-
This invention relates to an improved forin of anchor and means for sinking the
same in sand, mud, or the like, and for recovering when desired, the object of the
invention being to provide an anchor which will afford a more secure hold on
the ground, and will not be liable to drag.
This anchor is in the form of a thick metal plate or disc, cupped or dished so as
to have a mushroom shape, the convex side being underneath. The cable, which
is preferably of wire rope, is attached by rings or other means to three or more
points on the upper or concave side, so that the anchor when lowered will bang
horizontally. This cup is perforated in one or more places, preferably in anchors
of ordinary size, one, at the centre.
The anchor is sunk in the sand in the following manner. The end of a pipe of
suitable dimensions and strength is placed in the perforation above mentioned,
the pipe being sufficiently long to allow the anchor to be sunk to any depth which
may be required without becoming disconnected, the upper end being retained on
the vessel. To the upper end of this tube a pump is connected, worked, in the
case of small anchors, as used in yachts, by manual power, if steam is not available,
or by steam or other means when in use on larger vessels. This pump must be of
sufficient strength to give a pressure greater than that produced by the water and
sand through which the anchor is passed at the greatest depth to which it is to be.
Bunk.
The anchor is lowered until it touches ground. The pump is then brought into
action and forces the water through the pipe and out from the bottom of the
anchor.
This immediately quickens the sand by the water forcing its way through and
separating the particles. The weight of the anchor will then cause it to all as
long as the ground is loosened under it by the stream of water, thus sinking as far
as the sand or similar loose substance extends.
When the anchor has reached the desired depth, the connecting pipe must be
disconnected, to prevent it becoming filled with the sand and blocked up, as if
left on and open the sand will rapidly silt up to about the same height as it
occupied outside,
+

page_text: To allow of this according to one arrangement the end of the supply pipe is
formed of a thin tube of copper, which can be placed in the hole.
This tube is perforated near the end at opposite points, and a small bar of
aluminium or other suitable material which can be easily bent, but which will
resist breaking or shearing; is placed inside it hanging loosely, when not employed,
on the end of a cord. This bar can project through the holes on each side into
recesses in the anchor, or can be at the bottom, and outside of the anchor, pre-'
venting the pipe slipping out of its hole. To release the pipe, the cord is pulled,
bending the bar and pulling it out of the holes thus releasing the pipe and allowing
it to be drawn on to the vessel.
Instead of employing a simple perforation a tube may be used, and the end of
the supply pipe placed over it. To raise or recover the anchor we employ another
device operating in much the same manner. This consists of a cylinder or tube
of metal, of considerable thickness in order to give the required weight, over the
end of which the same or a similar supply pipe is placed. Eyes are provided at
the side for the purpose of attachment to the cable, the recovering tube being
allowed to slide down it by its own weight until it reaches the ground.
The water is then forced through the pipe and the tube lowered in the same
manner as the anchor, until it reaches the latter through the guidance of the
cable.
When it has reached the lowest position the cable connected with the anchor is
pulled, the water supply still being kept up, and the sand above the anchor
consequently quickened.
When the pull has overcome the first resistance owing to the suction at the
bottom and has started moving, it will be raised freely along with the recovering
tube without requiring any great force, and both can be rapidly drawn onto the
vessel again.
Owing to the great depth to which this anchor can be sunk, a much lighter and
smaller one than is employed at present can be used for the same size of vessel
without fear of its dragging the smallest distance.
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood reference is had to
the accompanying drawings which show the improved anchor and recoverer.
Figs. 1 and 2 are respectively a vertical section and a plan of the improved
anchor, Fig. 3 a section of the recovering tube and connections, and Fig. 4 a view
showing the recoverer applied to the anchor.
A is the cup shaped disc of the anchor thicker at the centre and tapering
towards the sides, having the central perforation B through which the water is
supplied.
The end of the supply pipe C, which, as mentioned above is of thin copper, is
placed in the hole B. The pipe is fixed by means of the small bar D, each end
of which projects through a hole in the pipe. As shown, this bar is situated below
the anchor which is slightly recessed to receive it and is formed with shoulders to
prevent it moving too far to either side. This bar has the cord d connected to it
running up the pipe for some distance and then preferably passing out through a
small hole at the side up to the vessel, the hole not being sufficiently large to cause
much loss of water. In pulling the cord the bar is pulled up by the centre,
bending and thus shortening it, and removing the ends which form the catch.
The pipe can then be readily removed from the anchor. To prevent the bar being
pulled up, too far, small cross-bars d' are fixed inside the pipe as indicated in dotted
lines. The bar can be easily straightened again for the next time of fixing.
In order that the pipe may not slip too far through the anchor, a small collar c
is placed around it which bears on the top of the anchor.
The cable E. is shown connected at three points to the anchor by means of
ring bolts a the arrangement ensuring the anchor being lowered in a proper
5 position.
Referring to Fig. 3. the tube F. is furnished with the eyes f at the side by
means of which it is threaded on to the cable E when used.

page_text: On the upper end of this tube the connecting pipe C is fitted, the end of the
tube being made of. small diameter to allow of this.
1
As this pipe will not be required to be removed while the tube is below the
ground, the pipe and tube may be connected permanently if found desirable...
The anchor and recoverer are shown of special form in the drawings which we
consider suitable for the purpose, but we do not restrict ourselves to the shapes
illustrated and may modify them as may be found desirable in practice.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-.
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is
.
4. F
1. An improved anchor consisting of a disc or block of suitable form, with
cable connections perforated and having a tube connected with a water supply,
forcing water at a suitable pressure through the underside of the anchor for the
purpose of sinking, substantially as and for the purposes specified.
2. In combination with the anchor claimed above, a recovering or raising device
consisting of a heavy tube to which a supply pipe is connected forcing water at
the required pressure through the tube which is provided with means by which it
can be threaded on the anchor cable, substantially as described and for the purposes
specified.
Dated this 9th day of December 1902.
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicants..