US3653355A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mud anchor
Assignee: United States Department of the Army
•
Filing: 1970-08-06
•
Granted: 1972-04-04
•
Expires: 1990-08-06
Abstract
Abstract An explosive embedment anchor for use in mud bottoms which are too soft for efficient utilization of existing explosive embedment anchors. Anchors for this type are shot from a gun into the bed of a body of water, the anchor being the projectile. The anchor, after embedment, unfolds outward when pulled upward, much in the manner of an inverted umbrella. It consists of flukes hinged to a nose. The flukes are connected to a head by tie bars. A fabric attached to the flukes spreads out upon unfolding to hold it in the mud upon an upward pull of the head.
Inventors
- 👤 John A Christians
- 👤 Otis R Pannell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 16:33
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B21/00; B63B21/24; B63B21/26; B63B21/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
In combination with a gun a mud anchor adapted to be fired by said gun into mud and comprising, a head having a plunger adapted to fit in the muzzle end of said barrel, a nose spaced below said head, a series of flukes pivotally connected at their lower ends to said nose, their free ends being outwardly inclined for retainment by the underside of said head in folded position, foldable means connecting each said fluke to said head, means limiting axial movement of said head relative to said nose carried by said head and nose, a canopy normally folded within said flukes, riser cables for lifting said anchor attached to said head, and releasable means for holding said anchor to said gun, said canopy being spread by unfolding of said flukes whereby the weight of mud collecting thereon will hold said anchor in said mud.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
In combination with a gun a mud anchor adapted to be fired by said gun into mud and comprising, a head having a plunger adapted to fit in the muzzle end of said barrel, a nose spaced below said head, a series of flukes pivotally connected at their lower ends to said nose, their free ends being outwardly inclined for retainment by the underside of said head in folded position, foldable means connecting each said fluke to said head, means limiting axial movement of said head relative to said nose carried by said head and nose, a canopy normally folded within said flukes, riser cables for lifting said anchor attached to said head, and releasable means for holding said anchor to said gun, said canopy being spread by unfolding of said flukes whereby the weight of mud collecting thereon will hold said anchor in said mud.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
A mud anchor as set forth in claim 1 wherein said head comprises an annular block having a central bore and an annular reduced portion secured to the underside of said block and having an annular, inwardly inclining underside adapted to receive the outwardly inclined ends of said flukes to retain them in folded position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A mud anchor as set forth in claim 1 wherein said nose comprises an annular block having a series of radial slots in its upper surface adapted to receive the lower ends of said flukes in pivotal arrangement therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
71 words
A mud anchor as set forth in claim 1 wherein each said fluke comprises an elongated bar pivotally connected at its lower end in said nose, its upper end being outwardly inclined for retainment under said head when in folded position, and a keying fin attached to the outer upper edge thereof for engagement in mud whereby when said anchor is lifted, said fin will cause said fluke to rotate outwardly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
91 words
A mud anchor as set forth in claim 1 wherein said foldable means for connecting each said fluke to head comprises a first tie bar pivoted at its upper end to said head and having a slot in its lower end, a second tie bar pivoted at its upper end to the upper portion of its respective fluke and a pivot riding in said slot in said first tie bar pivotally connecting the lower ends of said first and second tie bars whereby said fluke is limited to pivot outwardly 90*.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
79 words
A mud anchor as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for limiting axial movement of said head relative to said nose comprises a rod having its upper end slidable axially in said head, its lower end being fixed centrally in said nose and a nut carried by the upper end of said rod whereby axial movement of said head is permitted for freeing the upper ends of said flukes upon an upward pull on said riser cables.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
63 words
A mud anchor as set forth in claim 1 wherein said canopy comprises a substantially disc shaped fabric attached at its perimeter to the upper inner edges of said flukes, said canopy being nested within said flukes when in their folded position and spread out when said flukes are extended outward whereby mud collecting on said spreaded canopy will hold said anchor embedded.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
134 words
An anchor for embedment in mud comprising, a head, riser cables attached to said head, a nose spaced from said head, a series of flukes hinged at their lower ends to said nose, foldable bracing linkage connecting each said fluke with said head, the upper ends of said flukes being normally locked in folded position by the underside of said head whereby when said head is raised by said riser cables said upper ends of said flukes are freed to engage said mud and swing outward 90*, and a canopy, normally nested within said flukes and attached to the upper Inner edges thereof, adapted to be spread out by the swinging outward of said flukes to form a platform to receive mud and the weight thereof acting to maintain said anchor in said mud.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
134 words
An anchor for embedment in mud comprising, a head, riser cables attached to said head, a nose spaced from said head, a series of flukes hinged at their lower ends to said nose, foldable bracing linkage connecting each said fluke with said head, the upper ends of said flukes being normally locked in folded position by the underside of said head whereby when said head is raised by said riser cables said upper ends of said flukes are freed to engage said mud and swing outward 90*, and a canopy, normally nested within said flukes and attached to the upper Inner edges thereof, adapted to be spread out by the swinging outward of said flukes to form a platform to receive mud and the weight thereof acting to maintain said anchor in said mud.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-04-04 | 1975-10-04 | 1976-04-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-04-04 | 1979-10-04 | 1980-04-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-04-04 | 1983-10-04 | 1984-04-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |