IMPROVEMENTS IN ANCHORS
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine,
Lake, & Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for
the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN ANCHORS."-A communication
from abroad by Thomas Thomson, of Bluff Harbor, Otago, New
Zealand, Harbour Master.
Scaled the 20th February 1872, and dated the 4th January 1872.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Robert Lake
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition
and Declaration, on the 4th January 1872, pursuant to the 9th
Section of the Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London, send greeting.
WHEREAS I am in possession of an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN ANCHORS," and have petitioned Her Majesty to grant unto me, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, Her Royal Letters Patent for

page_text: the same, and have made solemn Declaration that it has been com-
municated to me from abroad by Thomas Thomson, of Bluff Harbour,
Otago, New Zealand, Harbour Master.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Robert Lake, do hereby
declare that the following Complete Specification, under my hand and
scal, fully describes and ascertains the nature of the said Invention, and
in what manner the same is to be performed, in and by the following
statement, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings forming
a part of this Specification :-
This Invention consists of certain improvements in anchors for the
purposes of making them cant more readily, and decreasing their
liability to foul or to be thrown out of the ground by the chain sweeping
round them. These improvements have reference more especially to the
crown.
The crown is made with a straight or very nearly straight back, with
an arm at each end, proceeding therefrom at (or very nearly at) a right
angle to it, and pointing towards the stock. On the inner side of cach
of these arms is a fluke, by preference of an oval shape and slightly
concave. This crown may be made in two pieces having a joint in the
centre like a rule joint, so that each can fall inward independently of
the other, but not outward. It may be made with a single fluke if so
preferred, in which case the straight or nearly straight back is retained,
but the arms are made to converge by easy inward curves to meet at
any given point, where they are welded together, the outer surface of
each having been previously flattened into an oval shape to form the
fluke. In any case the crown must be connected at its centre to the
shank to which it is to. be attached, and which must have suitable
bearings provided for it to permit of its working freely. The double
fluked crown is made from a flat slab of iron, and may have holes cut in
it between the throat and the corner to lessen its weight, and at the a
same time provide means for assistance in fishing the anchor. The
throats are bevelled on both edges to the top of each fluke. It is an
advantage to have the outer side of each arm flanged. I prefer to have
it so that the flange projects on either side about half the thickness of
the crown, and reaches from the corner of the crown to a point about
three-fourths of the length of the arm. It is not essential, but preferable,
to make the crown of such a length from corner to corner (measuring
along its back), as would be one half the length of the shank, to which
-

page_text: it is attached, and to set the flukes at right angles to the back, and at
such a distance apart as the arm measures in length. I also think it is
preferable that the width of the crown (measuring across the pin holċ)
should be equal to one-fourth of the length of its back, such pin hole
being of necessity in the centre. In the case of single-fluked crowns
I think it is desirable but not absolutely necessary to have the back of
the crown equal in length to about one-third of that of the shank, and
that the point at which the arms meet should be about one-third the
length of the shank measuring from the pin hole. This description of
crown will admit of a much lighter stock, being used on account of its
greater readiness to cant into position. The shank may be described
as a double one, or it may be said that there are two shanks, one
attached to each end of the stock converging together so as to form with
it a triangle, very nearly if not quite equilateral. But when they have
converged so far as that there is only space enough between them to
receive the crown they cease to converge and proceed in parallel lines
for a sufficient distance to receive the centre of the crown, and permit
the flukes to pass between the converging portions of the shank. The
two parallel parts are bolted together, partly for strength but principally
for supporting the flukes, and so regulating the angle which it is desired
they shall assume as to take the ground. The stock to which this
double shank is attached, consists of a flattened beam, having circular
extremities to fit into corresponding holes provided for them in each end
of the double shank. These holes are made sufficiently large to permit
the stock to revolve frecly therein, whilst around each end of the stock
a groove is made to receive the end of a set screw passing through the
shank to keep the said shank and the stock united. In the centre of
this stock a common shackle is attached to which the chain is connected.
If preferred however the ends of the stock might be rigidly attached to
the shank, and the shackle made to revolve on the stock, and further a
much lighter stock could be used if the chain were connected to the
anchor by a bridle attached to each end of the shank. In the event of
objection being made to my double shank a single one of the ordinary
kind might be substituted if a slot or opening were made at such a point
and of such a size as to permit of the flukes passing through it when
required. Or the opening might be altogether dispensed with if the
arms of the crown were made slightly divergent instead of parallel to the
shank, so as to permit of their assuming the desired angle for taking
the ground when so required. It is quite possible to convert the crowns

page_text: of some of the anchors at present in use into the shape of my improved
ones by very simple additions, for instance, Trotman's anchors may be
so converted by attaching a V shaped piece to each arm of the crown.
In order however that my Invention may be distinctly understood I
will proceed to describe the Drawings hereto attached, where the same f
letters indicate the same parts wherever they occur.
Figure 1 represents a plan, and Figure 2 a side clevation of my
sólid crowned anchor; Figure 3 is a side view of same when it is on the
ground.
A is the crown, A¹ the throat thereof, and A² the holes therein; B, B, 1
the arms with flukes C, C, and flanges D, D; E, E, is the double shank
connected by bolts E¹, E¹, and having holes E, E², for adjusting
the angle of the flukes when taking the ground; F is the stock having a
groove F" at each end for receiving end of set screw F; G is the shackle.
Figures 4, 5, and 6 represent similar views of my jointed crown]
anchor, with an extra view (Figure 7) shewing plan of the back of the
crown.
Figures 8, 9, and 10 represent similar views of my single fluked crown
anchor, illustrating the method of reducing the thickness of the stock,
and providing a bridle to the shank, shewn in dotted lines. This bridle 2
is applicable to the anchors shown in the preceding Figures as well as
to this.
Figures 11 and 12 represent a plan and side view of an ordinary shank
with a slot H in it as before described.
Figure 13 shews a solid crown with the arms slightly divergent for 2
attachment to an ordinary shank without the opening H as also before
described.
And Figure 14 shews the method of converting the crown of a
Trotman's anchor into my improved crown, the lugs I shewn in dotted
lines being removed as useless.
It will be noticed that in every case the back of the crown is
represented with one or more curves in it (except the single fluked one).
This is simply for the purpose of reducing the weight, although it may at
the same time lessen the friction between it and the chain when they
come into contact with each other.
3
3

page_text: Having thus fully described the said Invention, and the various
methods of performing the same, as communicated to me by my foreign
correspondent, I would have it understood that I do not confine myself
to the precise details hercin set forth and illustrated in the Drawings, so
long as the nature of my Invention be retained; but I claim,-
1st. The construction of anchors with a crown having a straight or
very nearly straight back, and an arm at each end proceeding therefrom
at or very nearly at a right angle thereto and pointing towards the stock,
and with the crown in either one or two pieces in each case working
freely on its centre in suitable bearings at the end of the shank, sub-
stantially as herein described and illustrated by Figures 1 to 7 inclusive.
2nd. The construction of such crowns with bevilled throats A¹ and
holes A (sec Figures 2 and 3), and the arms with flanges D, D,
substantially as herein described and illustrated by Figures 1 to 7
inclusive.
3rd. The construction of anchors with a crown having a straight or
very nearly straight back, and an arm at each end converging to meet
at any given point and form a single fluke, such crown working freely
on its centre in suitable bearings at the end of the shank, substantially as
hercin described and illustrated by Figures 8, 9, and 10.
4th. The use of bolts or rests E¹ and holes E2 for receiving or
supporting bolts or rests for the purpose of connecting the two sides of
the shank, and adjusting the angle of the flukes when taking the ground,
substantially as herein described and illustrated, more especially by
Figures 3, 6, and 10.
5th. The use of stocks F having circular, ends, and with grooves 1
therein, for the purpose of receiving the end of set screws F² to connect
them to the double shank, substantially as herein described and illus-
trated more especially by Figure 1.
6th. The use of a fixed stock with a revolving shackle for double
shanked anchors.
7th. The method of converting crowned anchors into my improved
canting crowned anchors, substantially as herein described and illustrated
by Figure 14.
Sth. The combination of my improved double fluked crown with a
common anchor shank.
'

page_text: 9th. The combination of either my improved double or single fluked
anchor crowns with a double shank forming with the stock or triangle,
substantially as herein described.
. In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto
set my band and seal, this Third day of January, in the year of 5
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two.
Witness,
E. C. JACKSON.
W”. ROB³. LAKE. (L.S.)