AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND FORM OF ANCHORS
Year: 1860

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Murray Gladstone at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
8th May 1860.
I, THOMAS MURRAY GLADSTONE, Engineer, of London Street, City, E.C., in
the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND FORM OF ANCHORS," to be
as follows:-
I make the improved anchors so as to afford an increased proportion of area
at the points of impact and strain by reducing the superficies at and near to the
points of neutral axis N, and not as in the ordinary solid oval or oblong forms,
which have generally their greatest proportion of metal at or near to the said
points. I do this in the way and manner set forth in the Drawings annexed,
to which I refer for the more complete understanding of my improvements.
Figures 1, 2, and 3 show my construction and form of anchors having a
pivot head; Figures 4, 5, and 6, as applied to anchors having a solid head;
Figures 5, 7, also show side views of my improved "tubular iron stocks," having
shackles thereon, but which latter may be applied in the usual way by the
bolt passing through a separate hole behind the stock hole.
I claim as my Invention the "girder" method of using the metal as
shown in the several parts set forth, particularly when it is perceived as
follows:-
Figure 1 is a side view of my improved anchor with shank and pivot head.
The shank shows the greatest depth and best proportion and distribution of

page_text: metal for resistance at the point of the greatest compression and tension, a
section of which part is given at O, the right angles of which may be rounded
or more acute, as shall be deemed desirable.
Figure 2 is the edge view of the shank, shewing the junction of the arms C
for the joint and the mode of attachment to the head, a cross section of which
is seen.
In Figure 1 is shown the construction and form of my improved pivot head.
The out part is given transversely flat in Figure 3. It will readily be
admitted that the true semicircle H, secured by the cords D, D, gives the
strongest form against any strain from the chain and of the anchor, while the
acute angle towards each point of the flukes in Figure 3 affords the best
penetrating power, the face expanding towards the centre of the head increases
the area for holding when in soft ground, and at the same time adds to the
strength in proportion to the distance from the centre of pressure, which is
greatest at the crown of the arch or bow. The open spaces between the outer
arc H and the cords D give freedom for fishing the anchor, which spaces may be
diminished, if thought fit, to strengthen the cords and the arms. The small lugs
Lon either side of the flukes or loops L 4 (but lugs are best), with the convex
tapering and the sharp angle towards the points, give certain means for
canting the anchor should it fall on the flat of the head, aided by the circular
back of this improved pivot head. It will be seen that an anchor of this kind
can readily be constructed and formed, tho shank and head being made longi-
tudinal with the grain of the metal as rolled and placed in the direction of both.
In the shank the upper and lower sides A may be made of strong rolled flat
iron of the required size in one continuous bar round the stock hole, with
filling-up pieces at the points required to be solid, while B and C can be welded
in flat iron of the requisite proportions. The same applies to the pivot head H
and the cords D, as well as to the solid piece E, which is welded to the circle H
and the cords D, or the whole may be drawn under the hammer, but which
would be the more expensive method. This description will enable any anchor-
man to construct and form my improved anchor with pivot head.
In Figure 4 is given a side view of the construction and form of my
improved anchor with a solid head. The shank shows the greatest depth and
best proportion and distribution of metal by side lining pieces against lateral
strain for resistance to compression and tension, and a section is given at
Figure O, the right angles of which may be rounded or more acute, as shall
be deemed desirable.
In Figures 5 the edge view of the shank, shewing in section the junction
of the arms, is seen my improved tubular iron stock, to be described hereafter.

page_text: In Figure 4 are the arms A, A, supported at right angles by the transverse
arch or bridge B, B, which from the broadest part at the centre tapers to each
extremity in a perfect semicircle, so as to offer the greatest power of resistance
to compression and tension from the direction of the chain end of the anchor,
while its attachment to the back of the two arms A, A, prevent them from
moving away from any load. In Figure 6 the face of one arm A, A, is shown,
also a section of the same at k; by this means is secured an acute angle from
cach point of the flukes so as to afford the most searching penetrating power,
and also giving increased area for resistance in soft ground, as may be demanded;
and at the same time the arc B, B, expanding conversely, assures of
increased strength in proportion to the distance from the centre of pressure,
which is greatest to the right and left of the crown of the arch; the tension
being greatest at the throat R, and compression at the back S following the
dotted line, and also at the dotted line O. The holes E are for the purpose of
fishing or a buoy rope attachment. There may be one or more holes, but I
would prefer either a small one at the centre for a shackle, or one about the
centre of each arm with shackles, so as to keep the strength of the back intact.
It will be seen that an anchor of this kind can be readily constructed and
formed by pursuing a method like to the mode of operation described for
Figure 1, and which any anchorman can follow out in practice in making
the improved anchor with solid head.
I now proceed to describe my improved "tubular iron stock D," Figures
5 and 7, which I make of strong circular tube iron. For more perfect
safety (though not of necessity), as applied in Figure 5, I insert in the
centro a solid bolt E, E. By this stock being tubular I obtain increased
diameter without excess of weight, so that it may be made of like diameter
of the small of the round or small part of shank. In Figure 5 I collar it
as at H, and I attach or weld the pieco F thereon, which can pass through
the slot L, and so through the stock hole and the eyes of the shackle, and
when so passed and half turned it is safe when in use, especially if a small
plug be inserted in the slot L. I also insert at the one end a pin within the
stock, attached to which is a piece of chain and mushroom M, which secures
the whole to the anchor when stowed away.
In Figure 7 I show another mode of application. E, E, E, is a turned
solid bolt, which is secured in shank A by the contraction of the metal (or
welded); the shackle is also placed upon it at the same time. The tubular
stock D, D, is here shown in two parts, and fits upon the turned ends of the
bolt E, and is secured thereon by the bolt G. When not in use these ends may
be taken off and lashed alongside the shank. This tubular stock may be

page_text: plugged with wood if thought desirable, and will be found very effective to
cant the anchor beyond any solid iron stock, which has always been defective
for want of bulk. I consider this arrangement for the shackle to be also an
improvement, as it makes needless another hole in the shank.
Now I claim as my Invention, 1st, the use and application of the " *girder
construction and form set forth in the shank, and shown on Figures 1 and 4,
with the modifications thereof.
2nd, the use and application of the "bow" construction and form set forth
in the pivot head, Figures 1 and 3; and,
3rd, the use and application of the "bridge" construction and form set forth
in the solid head, Figures 4 and 6, with the modifications thereof.
4th, the use and application of the "tubular" construction and forms of iron
stock set forth in Figures 5 and 7, with the modifications thereof, all of which
(with the aid of the Drawings annexed) I have made comprehensible for
any ordinary anchorman to follow out into practice in the manufacture.
thereof.