Elastic Anchor Holder with Notch and Indents
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Smaller boats lack appropriate stowage areas or devices for anchors, leading to safety concerns and potential boat damage due to the improper storage of metal Danforth fluted design anchors, which are heavy and do not lay flat on the deck.
Innovation Solution
An anchor holding device with a support piece, upper and lower pieces, and an elastic band to securely hold the anchor's shank and fluke, featuring a notch configuration and indents, which is attached to the boat hull using screws, bolts, or adhesives, ensuring reliable anchor storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical closure assembly is used to hold the anchor, then the anchor can be secured, but the assembly may easily become undone or disengage causing safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic band automatically secures the anchor shank in the notch without requiring manual operation. The band self-adjusts to maintain constant tension on the anchor, eliminating the need for mechanical assemblies that can fail or be accidentally disengaged.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical closure assemblies with a simple elastic band system. This substitution eliminates mechanical failure points while maintaining secure anchor holding through continuous elastic tension.
2Device complexity
If the anchor is stored on the deck without proper stowage, then no stowage device is needed, but the anchor causes safety concerns and boat damage
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor holding device is segmented into distinct functional components: a support piece for structural attachment, a notch for shank retention, indents for fluke positioning, and an elastic band for securing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while keeping the overall device relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic band acts as an intermediary element between the anchor and the holding device structure. It provides the necessary retaining force while allowing for easy installation and removal of the anchor, and accommodates variations in anchor size and shape.
3Reliability
If the notch distance between second portion and separation portion is reduced, then the shank is prevented from passing through, but the notch must accommodate the full width of the shaft
Solution Approach 1:
The notch is designed with asymmetric dimensions where the distance between the second portion and separation portion is specifically optimized to be less than the distance between the fourth portion and second portion. This asymmetric geometry creates a retention mechanism that prevents shank passage while accommodating the shaft width through strategic dimensional relationships among multiple notch features.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device securely holds the anchor in an upright position, preventing movement at sea, enhancing safety and reducing the risk of boat damage by providing a reliable and easy-to-use anchor stowage solution.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic band is attached to the upper piece and configured to secure the anchor in an engaged position
Data Source
AI summary
A device for securing an anchor. The anchor securing device may comprise a shank holder for securing a shank of the anchor and a base fluke holder for securing the base of the anchor. The shank holder may use an elastic shank rope for further securing the shank to the anchor securing device.