Anchoring apparatus

Abstract

There is disclosed an anchoring apparatus comprising a windlass assembly, guide, anchor rode and an anchor. The windlass is configured for paying out and hauling in the anchor rode with the anchor attached to a distal end of the anchor rode, and the anchor rode is constrained to move along the guide. The anchor rode comprises an indication unit located a predetermined length along the anchor rode relative to the anchor. The anchoring apparatus further comprises a sensor unit configured to sense the proximity of the indication unit with respect to the sensor unit, and a control unit configured to change the hauling in speed of the windlass when the sensor unit senses the proximity of the indication unit.

Description

[0001] 008839136

[0002] ANCHORING APPARATUS

[0003] Field of the Invention

[0004] The present invention relates to an anchoring apparatus for a vessel and to a vessel incorporating such an anchoring apparatus. It has particular, although not necessarily exclusive, application to an anchoring apparatus for a pleasure craft such as a pontoon boat.

[0005] Background

[0006] A form of windlass having a gypsy (in which a line and / or chain executes only a single turn or less between inward and outward runs) is commonly used on marine craft to haul and let out the anchor rode i.e. the line and / or chain attached to the anchor. Since the combined weight of the anchor and chain can be relatively great, windlasses powered by electric or hydraulic motors are known. These typically haul the chain over the gypsy of the windlass and allow the anchor rode to fall under gravity into an anchor locker under the deck of the craft at the bow. One example of such a windlass is the Lewmar Pro-Fish series windlass, such as Part Number: 665641 1199-31 1 (https: / / www.lewmar.eom / node / 11669?v=25247 accessed 16 August 2023).

[0007] The anchor rode is typically guided over the bow of the craft by a bow roller. The bow roller may have an associated fairlead to ensure that the anchor rode does not escape from the bow roller during hauling and letting out of the anchor.

[0008] In view of the need to provide a suitable space for the anchor locker, the windlass is usually set back a particular distance (which may vary from craft to craft) from the bow of the craft, so that the windlass can be located directly above the anchor locker, allowing the anchor rode to drop substantially vertically into the anchor locker. This space between the windlass and the bow may also be required to accommodate the rigid shank of the anchor itself when the anchor is fully hauled in.

[0009] An anchor rode may include a length of chain and a length of line (rope) connected in series. The chain is typically connected to the anchor at a distal end of the chain and the line is typically connected to a proximal end of the chain. The purpose of the chain is to assist the anchor in providing engagement with the sea bed (or lake bed or river bed, as appropriate) and therefore enhances the anchoring capability of the anchoring system. The purpose of the line is to provide an adequate length of connection between the boat and the proximal end of the chain, to allow relatively deep water anchoring where necessary without using excessive (heavy and expensive) chain.

[0010] A known example of a pleasure craft is a pontoon boat. Pontoon boats comprise a flat deck attached on top of buoyant elongate tubes (known as pontoons). These pontoons extend the length of the boat and can house a variety of marine equipment, such as the fuel & water tanks and pressurised (buoyant) tanks. Pontoon boats are popular, relatively low-cost boats in the leisure boating industry. The pontoons of such pontoon boats may for example have an internal diameter in the region of 600mm. Pontoon boats are particularly suitable for use on inland waters and are typically highly stable, allowing boat manufacturers to build comfortable user accommodation space on the deck, such as seating, sunloungers and fishing stations.

[0011] Pontoon boats with two pontoons are known. Pontoon boats with three pontoons are known and may be referred to as “tritoons”. The individual pontoons may be referred to as “hulls” or “pontoon hulls”.

[0012] One of the advantages of pontoon boats is that they may have a shallow draft, allowing them to explore areas of relatively shallow water without risk of grounding. This is made possible because the multiple shallow pontoons provide stability without the need for a keel or centreboard. However, the relatively shallow pontoons also mean that there is no adequate vertical space available for an anchor drop between a windlass and an anchor locker.

[0013] In order to maximise the deck space available to the users of a pontoon boat, it is known for an anchor apparatus for the pontoon boat to be attached to the underside of the deck. We refer to this as an underslung pontoon anchor apparatus. However, in this case, the anchor and rode is typically out of sight of the skipper.

[0014] The present invention has been devised in light of the above considerations.

[0015] Summary of the Invention

[0016] The present inventors have realised that a particular problem with an underslung pontoon anchor apparatus of the type mentioned above, which is that, as the anchor rode is hauled in using the windlass, at the early stages of the hauling-in process, it is advantageous to run the windlass at a high speed in order to lift the anchor quickly. However, if the windlass is still running at high speed when the anchor meets the bow roller, this can cause damage to the bow roller, the anchor and to the windlass motor.

[0017] Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention provides an anchoring apparatus comprising a windlass assembly, guide, anchor rode and an anchor, wherein the windlass is configured for paying out and hauling in the anchor rode with the anchor attached to a distal end of the anchor rode, the anchor rode being constrained to move along the guide, wherein the anchor rode further comprises an indication unit located a predetermined length along the anchor rode relative to the anchor, the anchoring apparatus further comprising: a sensor unit configured to sense the proximity of the indication unit with respect to the sensor unit; and a control unit configured to change the hauling in speed of the windlass when the sensor unit senses the proximity of the indication unit. The anchoring apparatus may be suitable for installation on a pontoon boat, the pontoon boat including at least two pontoons and a base deck structure supported by the pontoons. The anchoring apparatus may be suitable for installation by attachment to an underside of the base deck structure. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this mode of installation. In some embodiments, the anchoring apparatus may be installed on the top side of the deck of a vessel. That vessel may be a pontoon boat or alternatively may be another pleasure craft such as a sailing boat (single hull or multi hull) or power boat (single hull or multi hull).

[0018] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of operation of an anchoring apparatus, the anchoring apparatus comprising a windlass assembly, guide, anchor rode, an anchor, an indication unit, a sensor unit and a control unit, wherein the indication unit is located a predetermined length along the anchor rode relative to the anchor, the method comprising: operating the windlass assembly to pay out and haul in the anchor rode with the anchor attached to a distal end of the anchor rode, the anchor rode being constrained to move along the guide, during hauling in of the anchor rode, the sensor unit sensing the proximity of the indication unit with respect to the guide; and the control unit changing the hauling in speed of the windlass assembly in response to the sensor unit sensing the proximity of the indication unit.

[0019] In another aspect, the present invention provides a pontoon boat having an anchoring apparatus according to the first aspect, the pontoon boat including at least two pontoons and a base deck structure supported by the pontoons, the anchoring apparatus being attached to an underside of the base deck structure.

[0020] In another aspect, the present invention provides a pontoon boat having an anchoring apparatus, the pontoon boat including at least two pontoons and a base deck structure supported by the pontoons, the anchoring apparatus being attached to an underside of the base deck structure, the anchoring apparatus comprising a windlass assembly, guide, anchor rode and an anchor, wherein the windlass assembly is configured for paying out and hauling in the anchor rode with the anchor attached to a distal end of the anchor rode, the anchor rode being constrained to move along the guide, wherein the anchor rode further comprises an indication unit located a predetermined length along the anchor rode relative to the anchor, the anchoring apparatus further comprising: a sensor unit configured to sense the proximity of the indication unit with respect to the guide; and a control unit configured to change the hauling in speed of the windlass assembly when the sensor unit senses the proximity of the indication unit. Optional features of the present invention are now set out. These may be applied singly or in any combination to any aspect of the invention, except where such a combination is clearly impermissible or expressly avoided.

[0021] In preferred implementations of the present invention, the anchor rode includes a length of chain and a length of rope connected in series. In this case, the length of chain is optionally connected to the anchor at a distal end of the chain and the length of rope is optionally connected to a proximal end of the chain.

[0022] The windlass assembly may be adapted to haul and let out rope.

[0023] The anchoring apparatus may further include a drum reel for storing multiple turns of anchor rode. In this way, the entirety of the anchor rode may be constituted by anchor rode stored on the drum reel and disposed between the drum reel and the anchor, as measured along the anchor rode. In this way, the anchoring apparatus may be considered to use a captive reel apparatus, without the need for an anchor rode locker.

[0024] The windlass may be disposed between the drum reel and the anchor. In alternative embodiments, the windlass assembly and the drum reel may be integrated to that the anchor rode is hauled directly onto a captive reel windlass.

[0025] The anchoring apparatus may be fixed to an underside of the base deck structure. This is not a typical configuration in anchor systems and allows the anchor to be stowed out of the way of the users of the boat. This in turn increases the available deck space to the users.

[0026] The anchoring apparatus may include one or more rollers configured to guide the anchor rode. The use of such a roller permits smooth letting out and hauling in of the anchor. The roller may include a fairlead portion to reduce the risk of the anchor rode jumping off the roller.

[0027] In some embodiments, the vessel is a pontoon style vessel with three hulls. In this case, the hulls are parallel and extend along the full length of the pontoon boat. Each hull is attached to the deck of the boat, with one running along the middle (i.e. the central hull) and the other two on either side of the central hull. This arrangement results in the deck being well support across its width. For a three hull vessel, the anchoring apparatus may be disposed between adjacent hulls.

[0028] In some embodiments, the guide comprises a bow roller assembly. The indication unit may be positioned along the anchor rode relative to the anchor in order to protect the bow roller assembly from high speed impact with the anchor during hauling in of the anchor rode. The bow roller assembly and the windlass assembly may be fixed to a base plate, the base plate being attachable to an underside of a deck structure of a pontoon boat. In some embodiments, the control unit is configured to reduce the hauling in speed of the windlass when the sensor unit senses the proximity of the indication unit. In some such embodiments, the speed of the windlass is reduced by operating the motor at a lower continuous speed. In other such embodiments, the average hauling in speed of the windlass is reduced by switching the motor between hauling in and not hauling in, for example in a pulsed manner.

[0029] In some embodiments, during paying out of the anchor rode, when the sensor unit senses the proximity of the indication unit, the control unit does not change the speed of the windlass.

[0030] The indication unit may comprise a permanent magnet. The sensor unit may be configured to generate an electrical signal induced by the proximity of the indication unit to the sensor unit.

[0031] Further optional features of the invention are set out below. The invention includes the combination of any aspect of the invention and any optional features described except where such a combination is clearly impermissible or expressly avoided.

[0032] Summary of the Figures

[0033] Embodiments and experiments illustrating the principles of the invention will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

[0034] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the pontoon hulls and base deck structure forming part of a three pontoon hull vessel (a tritoon) according to an embodiment of the invention. The superstructure of the vessel is not shown.

[0035] Figure 2 shows a side perspective view of the pontoon hulls and base deck structure shown in Figure 1 .

[0036] Figure 3 shows a perspective view, from the bows and from above, of the pontoon hulls and base deck structure shown in Figure 1 .

[0037] Figure 4 shows a perspective view, from the bows and from below, of the pontoon hulls and base deck structure shown in Figure 1 .

[0038] Figure 5 shows another perspective view, from below, of the pontoon hulls and base deck structure shown in Figure 1 .

[0039] Figure 6 shows a partial cutaway view of the bow region of the pontoon boat of Figure 1 , with one of the pontoon hulls omitted in order to provide a clear view of the anchoring apparatus.

[0040] Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the anchoring apparatus itself without showing the pontoon boat or the base deck structure. Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the windlass assembly of the anchor apparatus, along with the anchor rode but without showing the anchor.

[0041] Figure 9 shows an enlarged view of part of the anchor apparatus.

[0042] Figure 10 shows a view of the windlass assembly and control unit, with the cover plate of the windlass assembly removed. Also shown in the anchor rode.

[0043] Figure 11 shows a view similar to Figure 8, except with the cover plate of the windlass assembly removed.

[0044] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0045] Aspects and embodiments of the present invention will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures. Further aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All documents mentioned in this text are incorporated herein by reference.

[0046] Where appropriate, corresponding features in the figures are given corresponding reference numbers and the description of some features of some figures may be omitted where they have been described previously.

[0047] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the pontoon hulls and base deck structure forming part of a three pontoon hull vessel 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. The superstructure of the vessel is not shown. Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5 show different views of the same three pontoon hull vessel. This vessel is also referred to herein as a boat or a pontoon boat.

[0048] The vessel has three elongate pontoon hulls, central pontoon hull 102, port pontoon hull 104 and starboard pontoon hull 106. Each pontoon hull extends in the longitudinal (fore-aft) direction of the vessel, from a bow region of the vessel to a stern region of the vessel.

[0049] The pontoon hulls 102, 104, 106 are parallel to each other. A base deck structure is arranged at the upper sides of the pontoon hulls. The base deck structure comprises an arrangement of laterally extending beams 108. These are attached to the pontoon hulls by a corresponding arrangement of brackets 110 welded to the pontoon hulls.

[0050] Although not shown in the drawings, it is intended that a superstructure is supported on the base deck structure. The superstructure may include various items arranged for user comfort and for usability of the boat. For example, there may be provided a deck overlaying the base deck structure and providing a surface suitable for users to walk on, a perimeter wall or railing, seating, steering equipment, fishing stations, etc. At the stern of the boat is provided space 112 for positioning an outboard motor. As best shown in Figure 3, each pontoon hull has a bow region. Each bow region comprises a forwardly tapering shape, terminating in a longitudinally extending seam 114. Arranged laterally on either side of the bow seam, at least for the central pontoon hull, are spray plates 116. The spray plates are arranged to prevent excessive spray from projecting upwardly from the water during high speed travel of the boat.

[0051] Figures 3-5 show the anchor 120, in its hauled-in position, arranged at the bow portion of the boat, between the central pontoon hull 102 and one of the other pontoon hulls. The anchoring apparatus is described in more detail below.

[0052] Each pontoon hull typically comprises an aluminium structure. The general shape of the structure is cylindrical (circular cylindrical) with a typical maximum diameter of about 600mm. The pontoon hull comprises various compartments which may be sealed from each other via bulkheads. Some of these compartments may be open (typically opening to the top side, to allow positioning of equipment in the compartment, and access to that equipment). Others of these compartments are closed and typically are pressurised. In particular, the bow compartment at the bow region of the pontoon hull is sealed and pressurised. This allows it to withstand impact with the water, and limited impact with solid objects, without significant deformation.

[0053] Figure 6 shows a partial cutaway view of the bow region of the pontoon boat, with the starboard pontoon hull omitted in order to provide a clear view of the anchoring apparatus 122. The anchoring apparatus includes a base plate 124 to which is fixed a bow roller assembly 126 and a windlass assembly 128. The bow roller assembly provides a guide for the anchor rode and anchor. The base plate 124 is fixed with respect to the underside of the base deck structure of the pontoon boat. As can be seen for example from Figures 1 and 2, the anchor 120 itself is hidden from view from above by the base deck structure and the deck (not shown) located over the base deck structure. This means that as the anchor 120 is hauled in, the skipper of the boat typically cannot see the anchor emerge from the water and be lifted towards the bow roller assembly 126.

[0054] Figure 7 shows the anchoring apparatus 122 itself without showing the pontoon boat or the base deck structure. The bow roller assembly 126 includes a generally U-shaped channel 130 formed from a folded metal plate 132 holding a series of rollers that in use guide anchor rode. The rollers themselves are not clearly shown but their positions are indicated by the presence of bolt heads 134 which fix the axles of the rollers with respect to the U-shaped channel 130. At the forward end of the bow roller assembly is a fairlead loop 136 that prevents the anchor rode and anchor 120 from jumping off the rollers. The anchor 120 itself is of conventional form and includes a shank portion which in Figure 7 is hidden by the bow roller arrangement. The shank portion provides a connection between the head of the anchor and the anchor chain. Also note that in Figure 7, the anchor rode is not shown because it is also hidden except for the part on the drum of the windlass and a small gap between the bow roller assembly and the windlass assembly 128. The windlass assembly 128 is also fixed to the base plate 124. The windlass assembly 128 includes an electric motor 140, gearbox 142 and windlass drum 144. The windlass drum 144 is oriented such that it rotates around a substantially horizontal axis, driven in both rotational directions by the motor 140 and gearbox 142. The rope part 152 of the anchor rode 150 is shown wrapped in turns around the drum 144. Forward of the drum 144 is a sensor unit (not shown in Figure 7) covered by a cover plate 148. This also provides a function of partially covering the anchor rode 150. This will be described in more detail below.

[0055] In use, the motor 140 is operated to drive the drum 144 either in a paying out direction (clockwise in Figure 7) or in a hauling in direction (anticlockwise in Figure 7).

[0056] Figure 7 also shows electrical connections 147 for the motor 140 and for the sensor unit described below.

[0057] Figure 8 shows the windlass assembly 128 and the anchor rode 150 but does not show the anchor. The anchor rode includes a length of chain 154 at the forward end of the anchor rode 150. The anchor 120 is intended to be attached to the forward end of the chain 154, for example using a shackle or other conventional fixing means. The anchor rode 150 also includes a length of line (rope) 152 that is significantly longer than the length of chain 152. The anchor line 152 is connected to the opposite end of the chain 154 to which the anchor is connected. Close to the end of the chain attached to the anchor line is provided an indication unit 160. The indication unit 160 is attached with respect to one or more links of the chain 154.

[0058] Figure 11 shows a view similar to Figure 8 except with the cover plate 148 of the windlass assembly 128 removed. A different viewpoint is provided of the same arrangement in Figure 10. In these drawings, it is possible to see in more detail the drum 144 on which the anchor rode 150 is wound. At the forward end of the windlass arrangement is located a sensor unit 170. The sensor unit 170 has a control cable 172 wired to control box 200 which also provides electrical connections 202 to the windlass motor 140. In use, as the anchor 120 is hauled in and the anchor rode 150 is wound onto the drum 144, ultimately the indication unit 160 on the anchor chain 154 approaches and reaches the sensor unit 170. A corresponding sensor signal is sent to the control box 200 which consequently reduces the hauling in speed of the motor 140. In turn, this brings the anchor 120 more gently onto the bow roller assembly 126 and avoids significant mechanical shocks to the bow roller assembly 120 and to the motor 140 and gearbox 142.

[0059] Figure 9 shows an enlarged view of part of the anchor apparatus. In particular, the indication unit 160 is shown, attached onto one of the links of the anchor chain 154. The indication unit is provided with two halves connected together by a fastener such as a bolt and nut, in order to embrace and be fixed to the chain link. The sensor unit 170 is has an aperture dimensioned to receive the anchor chain 154 and in particular to receive the indication unit 160. The indication unit 160 is or comprises a permanent magnet. For example, a rare earth magnetic material may be used for this purpose. The sensor unit 170 comprises a magnetic sensor such as a reed switch (not shown). When the indication unit 170 is close to or adjacent the reed switch, a corresponding signal is generated in order to inform the control unit 200 to take the appropriate action explained above. Note that the slowing down of the motor speed is typically only required during hauling in of the anchor. When the sensor unit 170 senses the proximity of the indication unit 160 during letting out of the anchor, there is no requirement for the speed of the motor 140 to be slowed down. In operation, during hauling-in of the anchor, the motor continues to haul in the anchor rode (and the reduced speed) even after the indication unit 160 has passed the sensor unit 170, in order to fully haul in the anchor onto the bow roller arrangement. Accordingly, part of the anchor chain may extend into the windlass assembly to be located behind the cover plate 148. However, typically the anchor chain is not wound onto the drum, or in an alternative operation if the anchor chain is wound onto the drum, less than one turn of anchor chain is wound onto the drum.

[0060] ***

[0061] The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or in the following claims, or in the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for obtaining the disclosed results, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

[0062] While the invention has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments described above, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art when given this disclosure. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention set forth above are considered to be illustrative and not limiting. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0063] For the avoidance of any doubt, any theoretical explanations provided herein are provided for the purposes of improving the understanding of a reader. The inventors do not wish to be bound by any of these theoretical explanations.

[0064] Any section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described.

[0065] Throughout this specification, including the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise” and “include”, and variations such as “comprises”, “comprising”, and “including” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

[0066] It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and / or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and / or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by the use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. The term “about” in relation to a numerical value is optional and means for example + / - 10%.

Claims

Claims:1 . An anchoring apparatus comprising a windlass assembly, guide, anchor rode and an anchor, wherein the windlass is configured for paying out and hauling in the anchor rode with the anchor attached to a distal end of the anchor rode, the anchor rode being constrained to move along the guide, wherein the anchor rode further comprises an indication unit located a predetermined length along the anchor rode relative to the anchor, the anchoring apparatus further comprising: a sensor unit configured to sense the proximity of the indication unit with respect to the sensor unit; and a control unit configured to change the hauling in speed of the windlass when the sensor unit senses the proximity of the indication unit.

2. The anchoring apparatus of claim 1 , suitable for installation on a pontoon boat, the pontoon boat including at least two pontoons and a base deck structure supported by the pontoons and the anchoring apparatus being configured to be installed by attachment to an underside of the base deck structure.

3. The anchoring apparatus of claim 1 wherein the anchor rode comprises a length of chain and a length of rope connected in series, the anchor being attached to a distal end of the length of chain.

4. The anchoring apparatus of claim 1 wherein the guide comprises a bow roller assembly.

5. The anchoring apparatus of claim 4 wherein the indication unit is positioned along the anchor rode relative to the anchor in order to protect the bow roller assembly from high speed impact with the anchor during hauling in of the anchor rode.

6. The anchoring apparatus of claim 1 wherein the windlass assembly includes a motor and a drum, the drum being configured to store at least part of the anchor rode.

7. The anchoring apparatus of claim 5 wherein the bow roller assembly and the windlass assembly are fixed to a base plate, the base plate being attachable to an underside of a deck structure of a pontoon boat.

8. The anchoring apparatus of claim 1 wherein the control unit is configured to reduce the hauling in speed of the windlass when the sensor unit senses the proximity of the indication unit.

9. The anchoring apparatus of claim 1 wherein, during paying out of the anchor rode, when the sensor unit senses the proximity of the indication unit, the control unit does not change the speed of the windlass.

10. The anchoring apparatus of claim 1 wherein the indication unit comprises a permanent magnet and the sensor unit is configured to generate an electrical signal induced by the proximity of the indication unit to the sensor unit.

11. A method of operation of an anchoring apparatus, the anchoring apparatus comprising a windlass assembly, guide, anchor rode, an anchor, an indication unit, a sensor unit and a control unit, wherein the indication unit is located a predetermined length along the anchor rode relative to the anchor, the method comprising: operating the windlass assembly to pay out and haul in the anchor rode with the anchor attached to a distal end of the anchor rode, the anchor rode being constrained to move along the guide, during hauling in of the anchor rode, the sensor unit sensing the proximity of the indication unit with respect to the guide; and the control unit changing the hauling in speed of the windlass assembly in response to the sensor unit sensing the proximity of the indication unit.

12. A pontoon boat having an anchoring apparatus, the pontoon boat including at least two pontoons and a base deck structure supported by the pontoons, the anchoring apparatus being attached to an underside of the base deck structure, the anchoring apparatus comprising a windlass assembly, guide, anchor rode and an anchor, wherein the windlass assembly is configured for paying out and hauling in the anchor rode with the anchor attached to a distal end of the anchor rode, the anchor rode being constrained to move along the guide, wherein the anchor rode further comprises an indication unit located a predetermined length along the anchor rode relative to the anchor, the anchoring apparatus further comprising: a sensor unit configured to sense the proximity of the indication unit with respect to the guide; and a control unit configured to change the hauling in speed of the windlass assembly when the sensor unit senses the proximity of the indication unit.

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