Collapsible Anchor with Nested Tubes and Auger

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional anchors for small watercraft are either too heavy or cumbersome, making them impractical for lightweight personal watercraft, especially when anchoring in shallow water.

Innovation Solution

A collapsible anchor design featuring a handle, multiple tube members with secure tabs and protrusions, and an auger member that can be easily assembled and disassembled to securely anchor in sand or mud, with options for hinged, telescoping, or folding configurations for convenient storage and use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If a conventional anchor is used for small watercraft, then the watercraft can be securely anchored, but the anchor becomes too heavy and cumbersome for lightweight personal watercraft

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanchor weightVSAvoidanchoring security

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The anchor is divided into multiple detachable tube members (first tube member, second tube member, third tube member) that can be assembled together to form the complete anchor structure. This segmentation allows the anchor to be lightweight when disassembled while providing full anchoring capability when assembled, resolving the contradiction between weight and anchoring security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The anchor structure transitions from a static conventional design to a dynamic collapsible design where tube members can be collapsed into each other for storage and deployed when needed. The auger member can be rotated to dig into the seabed, and the entire structure can be quickly assembled and disassembled, providing reliability when needed while minimizing weight during transport.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Weight of moving object

If a lightweight anchor is used for shallow water anchoring, then the anchor can be used on personal watercraft, but the anchor becomes long and bulky making it inconvenient to store

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanchor weightVSAvoidanchor storage volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The tube members are designed to nest within each other when collapsed - the second tube member fits inside the first tube member, and the third tube member fits inside the second tube member. This nesting arrangement dramatically reduces the storage volume of the anchor while maintaining its full length when deployed, resolving the contradiction between lightweight design and storage convenience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Volume of moving object

If a collapsible anchor with multiple tube members is used, then the anchor becomes easy to store, but the assembly and disassembly process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanchor storage volumeVSAvoidassembly ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The anchor is segmented into tube members with standardized connection interfaces featuring apertures and securing tabs. This segmentation with standardized interfaces simplifies the assembly and disassembly process, making it easy to connect and disconnect the tube members without complex mechanisms, thus resolving the contradiction between compact storage and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If an auger member is added to dig into sand or mud, then the anchoring effectiveness is improved, but the device becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanchoring effectivenessVSAvoidanchor structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The auger member is designed as a separate, detachable component that can be attached to the end of the tube members when anchoring effectiveness is needed. This segmentation allows the auger to be included in the anchor system only when required, maintaining simplicity for basic anchoring while providing enhanced anchoring effectiveness in sandy or muddy conditions when the auger is attached.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 collapsible anchor provides a lightweight, easy-to-store solution that effectively secures personal watercraft in shallow water, ensuring safety and convenience while being adaptable to various anchoring conditions.

Implementation Method 1

an auger member, the auger member attached to the second tube member and extending downward in a vertical orientation from the second tube member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAuger: Archimedes Screw

Data Source

PatentUS11453463B1Sport anchor

Publication Date: 2022.09.27 SANDSHARK INC

AI summary

A collapsible anchor for lightweight watercraft includes a handle member, including a left grip and a right grip, wherein the left grip and right grip are located across a central member from each other; a first tube member, the first tube member attached to the handle member and extending downward in a vertical orientation from the handle member; a second tube member, the second tube member removably attached to the first tube member and extending downward in a vertical orientation from the first tube member; and an auger member, the auger member attached to the second tube member and extending downward in a vertical orientation from the second tube member.