WO2012143897A1

WO2012143897A1 - Anchor alignment guide and methods

Info

Publication number: WO2012143897A1
Application number: PCT/IB2012/051987
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stephen Andrew YOUNG; Alexander Patrick Sheridan WOOD; Robert Steven BROWN; Stephen Michael MAIR
Original assignee: Manson Anchors Limited
Priority date: 2011-04-20
Filing date: 2012-04-20
Publication date: 2012-10-26
Also published as: EP2699471A1; EP2699471B1; EP2699471A4

Abstract

An anchor guide of or for a marine vessel, to receive the rode raisable lead in of an elongate shank of an anchor having, transversely to the locus of its rise, a section of non-rotational generation, the guide comprising of a plurality of bearing members to skeletally define a passageway for the lead-in, there being a gap or slot between each bearing member to allow the passage of lead-in into the passage yet accommodate the section in a the slot or gap, the bearing elements positioned to interact with shank to resist anchor swing when the anchor is being raised onboard the vessel.

Description

ANCHOR ALIGNMENT GUIDE AND METHODS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an anchor alignment guide and related

and associated components including but not limited to anchors for such.

BACKGROUND

An anchor primarily comprises a shank and a fluke. When an anchor is being raised such as under the action of a rode (usually an anchor rope with chain proximate the anchor) alignment is not normally an issue where the anchor is to be drawn up to the side of the hull because alignment can be dealt with relatively easily by an anchor roller that the shank of the anchor engages as it is pulled up to a retrieved condition. Where however an anchor is to be pulled into a cavity of the hull alignment of the anchor can become desirable where there is a desire to have the anchor pulled onboard in a way where it does not impede the flowpath of water.

Alignment of the anchor during the retrieval process may also be desirable in order to ensure that the anchor flukes are positioned, held or controlled, at the appropriate time(s), to avoid their upper ends from hitting the hull of the vessel.

The present invention has as an object a wish to arrange for an anchor to be rotated to a condition where it can be pulled into an appropriate cavity or receptacle of a hull of a vessel that addresses at least some of the abovementioned desiderata and/ or will at least provide the public with a useful choice.

It is a further or alternative object of the present invention to provide an anchor alignment assembly or combination capable of rode raising, directly or indirectly an anchor and rotating the anchor when it is not appropriately aligned or leaving the anchor in its current rotational condition when it is aligned in a manner that addresses at least some of the abovementioned desiderata and/ or will at least provide the public with a useful choice.

It is a further or alternative object of the present invention to provide an anchor with a rode raisable lead-in member to be used to better align the anchor prior to its entrance into a hull receiving cavity that will at least provide the public with a useful choice.

It is a further or alternative object of the present invention to provide an in hull guide for a rode raisable lead-in member of an anchor assembly that will at least provide the public with a useful choice. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, in a first aspect the present invention may be said to be an anchor alignment assembly for engagement by a rode raisable region of or engaged to the elongate shank of an anchor having, transversely to the locus of its rise, a section of non-rotational generation, the assembly comprising:

an elongate passageway defining member defining a passageway through which the rode raisable region can at least in part be pulled by a rode when raising the anchor; wherein the passageway defining member allows rode raisable region entry into a converging guide zone able, when the rode raisable region is not aligned as required, to provide for its rotation parallel an axis coincident the elongate direction of the shank, as it continues to be raised thereby, to rotate the anchor, yet able, when the rode raisable region is aligned as required, to leave the rode raisable region and the anchor unrotated.

Preferably the section of non rotational generation is shaped and adapted to not be of a circular cross section at a sectional plane there through to which the elongate direction of the shank of the anchor in normal to.

Preferably the non rotational generation section is defined by at least one fin that projects in a direction outward from the elongate direction of the shank.

Preferably the shank comprises of an elongate shank member and a fin or fins that project radially to the elongate direction of the shank member..

Preferably the fin or fins are removable from the shank member..

Preferably the converging guide zone is defined by a guide.

Preferably the guide comprises of two complementary guide members located on a notional cylindrical surface.

Preferably the axis of the cylinder is coaxial the elongate direction of the passageway..

Preferably the two guide members each define a guide surface, as a boundary of the converging guide zone, with which the rode raisable region can engage to be guided for rotation as the anchor is raised.

Preferably the guide surfaces are on a notional cylindrical surface..

Preferably at least one of the two guide surfaces are non parallel to the axis of the notional cylinder.

Preferably the guide comprises of two guide surfaces located on a notional cylindrical surface.. Preferably the boundary of the converging guide zone is non parallel to the axis of the notional cylinder..

Preferably both guide surfaces are non parallel to the axis of the notional cylinder..

Preferably the converging guide zone leads to a channel zone into which the rode raisable region can be guided and become rotationally confined about the axis coincident the elongate direction of the shank..

Preferably the anchor is of a kind that includes an elongate shank member that has a first distal end at which the rode is or can be attached and a second distal end at or near which the fluke or fluke assembly (herein after the "fluke") of the anchor is attached.

Preferably the anchor is a stockless anchor.

Preferably the fin or fins are at or near the first distal end..

Preferably the shank member is elongate and straight..

Preferably the fluke is attached in a pivotal manner relative to the shank member about a pivot axis that is perpendicular to the elongate direction of the shank member.

Preferably the assembly further comprises a housing for receiving the fluke of the anchor when the anchor is being raised.

Preferably the housing houses said anchor when the anchor is fully raised.

Preferably the assembly further comprises a housing for receiving the fluke of the anchor and wherein the housing is shaped and adapted to bring the fluke into a rotationally restricted condition where the fluke cannot rotate about said pivot axis, when the anchor is in its raised condition.

Preferably the assembly further comprises a housing for receiving the fluke of the anchor and wherein the housing restricts the rotation of the fluke about said pivotal axis as the anchor is raised, to bring the fluke into a rotationally restricted condition where the fluke cannot rotate about said pivotal axis, when the anchor is in its fully raised condition.

Preferably the housing is shaped and adapted to guide the fluke towards said rotationally restricted condition as the anchor is raised.

Preferably the restricted condition is where the fluke is aligned with the elongate direction of the shank member..

Preferably the housing is shaped and configured to provide graduated restriction to the rotation of the fluke about its pivot axis as the anchor is raised..

Preferably the housing defines at least one cavity for the fluke to be at least in part stowed when the anchor is in its fully raised condition.. Preferably the housing has a rectangular opening via which the fluke of a stowed anchor can pass as it moves away from its stowed condition.

Preferably the passageway defining member allows rode entry into a converging guide, or complementary converging guides, able, when the rode raisable region is not aligned as required, to provide for its rotation coincident the axis coincident the elongate direction of the shank..

Preferably the housing includes an entrance opening via which the fluke passes as it moves between the fully raised condition and a condition from which is it raised from.

Preferably the entrance opening is rectangular.

Preferably the housing defines a cavity on each side of the shank to receive the fluke of the anchor.

Preferably the cavity is upwardly tapered.

Preferably the passage defining member comprises of said guides.

Preferably the passage defining member also comprises of a plurality of spaced apart bearing members against which the side or sides of the shank member can bear against once at least partially inside said passage defining member.

Preferably the bearing members help prevent the anchor from swinging, once the shank member is at least partially inside the passage defining member..

Preferably the passage defining member also comprises of a plurality of spaced apart bearing members against which the shank member can bear against once at least partially inside said passage defining member, the bearing members positioned to present bearing surfaces at a pitch circle diameter that is of a size to allow for the shank member to be accommodated between bearing members with its elongate axis substantially concentric with the centre of the pitch circle.

Preferably the plurality of spaced apart bearing members are configured to allow a sliding fit between the shank and the bearing surface so that the shank can move in the elongate direction of the shank..

Preferably there are at least three spaced apart bearing members.

Preferably there are five spaced apart bearing members.

Preferably the bearing members are equispaced about the PCD.

Preferably there are at least three spaced apart bearing members there being a gap between each adjacent bearing member to accommodate the section of non-rotational generation of the shank. Preferably there are at least three spaced apart bearing members there being a gap between each adjacent bearing member to accommodate the fin of the shank..

Preferably there are at least three spaced apart bearing members there being a gap between each adjacent bearing member to accommodate each fin of the shank..

Preferably the bearing members are elongate and extend in a direction parallel to the elongate passage.

Preferably the bearing members extend from a zone of the passage way (herein after "entry zone"), through which the rode raisable region initially passes as it is raised, prior to entry into said converging guide zone.

Preferably at least one bearing member extends into said converging guide zone.

Preferably a plurality of bearing member extends into said converging guide zone.

Preferably the bearing member(s) that extend into the converging guide zone do so in a manner to not interfere with the rotation of the shank when the shank is being guided for rotation by the guide.

Preferably the bearing members in the entry zone of the passageway have a tapered terminal end.

Preferably the tapered terminal end is the lower most end of each bearing member..

Preferably the tapered terminal end is tapered to reduce the prospect that a the shank can catch on said bearing members..

Preferably the guide members are rods or tubes..

Preferably the bearing members are rods or tubes..

Preferably the guide members and bearing members are located on the same PCD at any given cross section through the passageway the sectional plane of which the elongate direction of the passage way is normal to..

Preferably the guide members and bearing members define together a skeletally bounded passageway..

Preferably the anchor comprises a base (such as its crown) of or engaged to said fluke, defining the lower end of said anchor, the base being of a shape to close the entrance opening when the anchor is in the fully raised position.

Preferably the base is not symmetrical about a mirror image plane in which the elongate axis of the shank member lies and normal to which the pivot axis of the fluke is.. Preferably the base defines a lower most surface to which the elongate axis of the shank members is not normal to..

Preferably the lower most surface is planar..

Preferably this lower most surface is shaped to match the surface of the hull at where the assembly is located to create a fair hull form in this region when the anchor is fully raised and located in the hull of the vessel..

In a further aspect the present invention may be said to be a marine vessel that carries the anchor alignment mechanism as hereinbefore described wherein the entry to the passage defining member is located below the waterline of the vessel.

Preferably the vessel also carries the rode and anchor in a manner to both at least in part be pulled into and/ or through said anchor alignment assembly.

Preferably the housing is located about said entry zone of said passageway defining member..

Preferably the entry to the housing for the fluke is located below the waterline of the vessel..

Preferably the anchor is flush with the hull when in its fully raised condition.

Preferably the entry to the housing for the fluke is located at the commensurate with the external surface of the hull at which it is presented..

Preferably the rectangular entry of the housing is oriented so that the major sides of the rectangular opening are parallel the centreline of the vessel..

In a further aspect the present invention may be said to be a method of aligning an anchor for in hull cavity receipt,

said method comprising or including the steps of

providing a lead-in member interposed between the rode and the anchor, the lead- in member being of a section transverse to the lead-in axis that is not circular,

providing in and/ or above the cavity a guide suitable for the lead-in membered anchor assembly through which the lead-in member can be rode pulled, the guide being able to ensure rotation, if required at all, one way or the other,

pulling the lead-in member through the guide thereby to ensure the dependent anchor is properly aligned to the cavity, and

further pulling the anchor into the cavity..

In a further aspect the present invention may be said to be a method of aligning an anchor for in hull cavity receipt, said method comprising or including the steps of

providing a lead-in region of an elongate shank of the anchor, the lead-in region being of a section transverse to the lead-in axis that is not circular,

providing in and/ or above the cavity a guide suitable for the lead-in region of the anchor to contact, the guide being able to ensure rotation, if required at all, one way or the other of the shank about an axis parallel to the elongate direction of the shank,

pulling the lead-in region through the guide thereby to ensure the anchor is properly aligned to the cavity, and

further pulling the anchor into the cavity.

Preferably the method comprising, upon said further pulling, the drawing into the cavity of the fluke or fluke assembly of the anchor..

Preferably the method comprising, upon said further pulling, the drawing into the cavity of the fluke or fluke assembly of the anchor and the closing of the cavity by virtue of a bottom plate of the anchor that has a shape commensurate the cavity opening through which the anchor is pulled..

In another aspect the present invention may be said to be a guide for a rode raisable member, as a lead-in, for a dependent anchor, wherein the guide defines two channel entrances (skeletal or otherwise) on either side of a lead-in passageway (skeletal or otherwise) whereby any lateral protrusion of the lead-in into one or other the channel entrances can be channelled thereby to ensure a desired rotation of the lead-in as it is raised further..

Preferably each channel is skeletally defined..

Preferably each channel is convergent from its entrance..

Preferably each channel entrance accounts for almost 80° about the lead-in..

In a further aspect the present invention may be said to be an anchor rotation guide for a rode raisable lead in region of an elongate shank of an anchor wherein the guide comprises of at least one guide member that defines two channel entrances (skeletal or otherwise) on either side of an elongate lead-in passageway (skeletal or otherwise) whereby a lateral protrusion of the lead-in region can be channelled thereby to ensure a desired rotation of the anchor about an axis parallel to the elongate direction of the shank, as it is raised further into said passageway.

Preferably the lead in passageway is defined at least in part by said guide member. Preferably the lead in passageway is defined at least in part in a skeletal manner by said guide member..

Preferably the lead in passageway is defined at least in part by lateral bearing members against which the side or sides of the shank can bear at the shank is at least partially raised through said passageway.

Preferably the lead in passageway is defined at least in part said guide member and by lateral bearing members against which the side or sides of the shank can bear at the shank is at least partially raised through said passageway.

Preferably the bearing members do not effect a rotation of said anchor about said axis but do restrict the lateral displacement and/ or swinging of the shank once the shank is at least partially located in said passageway.

Preferably the lead in member becomes operatively engaged with the bearing members before the guide members, upon the raising of the lead in member into the passageway.

Preferably the guide member effects a rotation of said anchor about said axis and restricts the lateral displacement and/ or swinging of the shank once the shank is located in said passageway and being raised.

Preferably the guide member and the bearing members are located on a notional cylindrical surface about said passageway..

Preferably each channel defines a converging guide zone..

Preferably the fin or fins are removable from the shank member..

Preferably the bearing members are spaced apart to create a gap or slot between each adjacent bearing member..

Preferably the bearing members are positioned to present bearing surfaces at a pitch circle diameter that is of a size to allow for the shank member to be accommodated between bearing members with its elongate axis substantially concentric with the centre of the pitch circle..

Preferably the plurality of spaced apart bearing members are configured to allow a sliding fit between the shank and the bearing surface so that the shank can move in the elongate direction of the shank.. Preferably the axis of the cylinder is coaxial the elongate direction of the passageway..

Preferably there are two guide members each define a guide surface, as a boundary of the converging guide zone, with which the rode raisable region can engage to be guided for rotation as the anchor is raised..

Preferably the at least one of the two guide surfaces are non parallel to the axis of the notional cylinder..

Preferably the boundary of the converging guide zone is non parallel to the axis of the notional cylinder..

Preferably the fin or fins are at or near the first distal end..

Preferably the anchor is of a kind that includes an elongate shank member that has a first distal end at which the rode is or can be attached and a second distal end at or near which the fluke or fluke assembly (herein after the "fluke") of the anchor is attached..

Preferably the anchor is a stockless anchor..

Preferably the shank member is elongate and straight..

Preferably the fluke is attached in a pivotal manner relative to the shank member about a pivot axis that is perpendicular to the elongate direction of the shank member..

Preferably there are at least three spaced apart bearing members..

Preferably there are five spaced apart bearing members..

Preferably the bearing members are equispaced about the PCD..

Preferably there are at least three spaced apart bearing members there being a gap between each adjacent bearing member to accommodate the section of non-rotational generation of the shank.

Preferably there are at least three spaced apart bearing members there being a gap between each adjacent bearing member to accommodate the fin of the shank..

Preferably the bearing members are elongate and extend in a direction parallel to the elongate passage.. Preferably the bearing members extend from a zone of the passage way (herein after "entry zone"), through which the rode raisable region initially passes as it is raised, prior to entry into said converging guide zone..

Preferably at least one bearing member extends into said converging guide zone.. Preferably a plurality of bearing member extends into said converging guide zone..

Preferably the bearing member(s) that extend into the converging guide zone do so in a manner to not interfere with the rotation of the shank when the shank is being guided for rotation by the guide..

Preferably the bearing members in the entry zone of the passageway have a tapered terminal end..

Preferably the tapered terminal end is tapered to reduce the prospect that the shank can catch on said bearing members..

Preferably the guide members are rods or tubes..

Preferably the bearing members are rods or tubes..

Preferably the anchor comprises a base (such as its crown) of or engaged to said fluke, defining the lower end of said anchor, the base being of a shape to close the entrance opening when the anchor is in the fully raised position..

Preferably the base is not symmetrical about a mirror image plane in which the elongate axis of the shank member lies and normal to which the pivot axis of the fluke is..

Preferably the base defines a lower most surface to which the elongate axis of the shank members is not normal to..

Preferably the lower most surface is planar..

Preferably this lower most surface is shaped to match the surface of the hull at where the assembly is located to create a fair hull form in this region when the anchor is fully raised and located in the hull of the vessel.. In a further aspect the present invention may be said to be a marine vessel that carries the guide as hereinbefore described wherein the entry to the passage defining member is located below the waterline of the vessel.

Preferably the vessel also carries the rode and anchor in a manner to both at least in part be pulled into and/ or through said passageway of the guide.

In another aspect the present invention may be said to be an apparatus to guide, or suitable for guiding, a rode pull through of a lead-in for an anchor, the apparatus comprising or including

a bottom ring or like member,

a top ring or like member, and

four links between the rings (or the like),

links connecting to the bottom ring in pairs in close proximity and connecting to the top ring in angular offset to where such are attached to the bottom ring, thereby to provided between links of different pairs convergent guide channelling for a lateral protuberance of the lead-in..

Preferably the effect of each channel side is to rotate whether reliant on a helical, spiral, corkscrew or like..

In a further aspect the present invention may be said to be an apparatus to guide, or suitable for guiding, a rode pull through of a lead-in region of the shank of an anchor, the apparatus comprising or including;

a bottom ring or like member,

a top ring or like member, and

four links between the rings (or the like),

links connecting to the bottom ring in pairs in close proximity and connecting to the top ring in angular offset to where such are attached to the bottom ring, thereby to provided between links of different pairs convergent guide channelling for a lateral protuberance of the lead-in.

In a further aspect the present invention may be said to be a guide to receive a rode raisable lead-in region of the elongate shank of an anchor to guide and turn the anchor as required to a desired rotational orientation upon a raising of the anchor onboard a vessel, said lead in region including a lateral protrusion, the guide comprising or including; at least one guide member that presents at least one guide surface located at a surface of a notional cylinder having an axis along which the lead-in can travel as the anchor is raised towards its onboard condition, the at least one guide surface being presented to engage with the lateral protrusion, when the anchor is not rotationally positioned as required, to provide for anchor rotation parallel an axis coincident the elongate direction of the shank, as it continues to be raised to rotate the anchor, yet able, when the anchor is rotationally aligned as required, to leave the rode raisable lead in region and the anchor unrotated.

Preferably the guide surface, as a developed form of the cylinder, comprises a section that is at an incline to the axis of the cylinder.

Preferably the guide surface is at least partially of a helical form.

Preferably a plurality of spaced apart bearing members act in concert with said at least one guide member to define a passageway for the rode raisable region.

Preferably the bearing members each present a bearing surface or surfaces against which the shank can bear once at least partially inside said passageway.

Preferably the bearing members are positioned to present bearing surfaces at a pitch circle diameter that is of a size to allow for the shank member to be accommodated between bearing members with its elongate axis substantially concentric with the centre of the pitch circle.

Preferably the centre of the PCD is the same as the axis of the notional cylinder..

Preferably the bearing surfaces also are located at the surface of the notional cylinder..

Preferably there are at least three spaced apart bearing members..

Preferably there are five spaced apart bearing members..

Preferably the bearing members are equispaced about the PCD.

Preferably there are at least three spaced apart bearing members there being a gap between each adjacent bearing member to accommodate the section of non-rotational generation of the shank..

Preferably there are at least three spaced apart bearing members there being a gap between each adjacent bearing member to accommodate the fin of the shank.. Preferably there are at least three spaced apart bearing members there being a gap between each adjacent bearing member to accommodate the or each protrusion of the shank..

Preferably the bearing members are elongate and extend in a direction parallel to the elongate passageway..

Preferably the bearing members extend from a zone of the passageway (herein after "entry zone"), through which the rode raisable region initially passes as it is raised, prior to being capable of contact with the guide surface or surfaces.

Preferably at least one bearing member extends into the zone of the passageway where the guide surface or surfaces become operative for rotating a raising anchor.

Preferably a plurality of bearing member extends into the zone of the passageway where the guide surface or surfaces become operative for rotating a raising anchor.

Preferably the bearing member(s) that extend into the zone of the passageway where the guide surface or surfaces become operative for rotating a raising anchor, do so in a manner to not interfere with the rotation of the protrusion when the protrusion is being guided for rotation by the guide member.

Preferably the guide members are rods or tubes..

Preferably the bearing members are rods or tubes..

In a further aspect the present invention may be said to be a guide for a rode raisable lead-in, the guide being substantially as herein shown by reference to the drawings. In a further aspect the present invention may be said to be a guide for a rode raisable lead-in region of the shank of an anchor, the guide being substantially as herein shown by reference to the drawings.

In a further aspect the present invention may be said to be a guide of helical, spiral, corkscrew or like members (preferably pairs of guide members) to guide or to channel the rotation of a rode raisable lead-in thereby to align a dependent anchor..

In a further aspect the present invention may be said to be a guide onboard of for a marine vessel comprising of at least one helical, spiral, or corkscrew shaped guide member to guide or to channel the rotation of a rode raisable lead-in region of an elongate shank of an anchor to rotationally align the anchor to a desired rotational condition about the elongate axis of the shank.

Preferably the guide also comprises bearing members that in are presented to (a) initially be engaged by said lead in region and (b) upon continued raising of the anchor, act in concert with said at least one guide to resist anchor swing during the raising of the anchor onboard the vessel.

Preferably the bearing members do not effect a rotation of the anchor as the anchor is raised on board.

In a further aspect the present invention may be said to be an anchor having a shank with a region as a male turning region to co-act in a female guide to effect turning in a manner substantially as herein described.

In a further aspect the present invention may be said to be an anchor guide of or for a marine vessel, to receive the rode raisable lead in of an elongate shank of an anchor having, transversely to the locus of its rise, a section of non-rotational generation, said guide comprising of a plurality of bearing members to skeletally define a passageway for the lead-in, there being a gap or slot between each bearing member to allow the passage of lead-in into said passage yet accommodate the section in a said slot or gap, the bearing elements positioned to interact with shank to resist anchor swing when the anchor is being raised onboard the vessel.

Preferably the passageway is also at least partially defined by lead-in guide that allows lead-in guide entry into a converging guide zone of the passageway able, when the rode raisable region is not rotationally aligned as required, to provide for its rotation parallel an axis coincident the elongate direction of the shank, as it continues to be raised thereby, to rotate the anchor, yet able, when the rode raisable region is aligned as required, to leave the rode raisable region and the anchor unrotated.

In a further aspect the present invention may be said to be an anchor for use with a guide as claimed above, wherein the anchor comprises

a fluke

a shank the shank comprising an elongate shank member that has a first distal end that is capable of connection to a rode and a second distal end that is connected to the fluke, the shank also comprising a protrusion extending laterally from and to the elongate direction of the shank member, the shank member being of a length that extends proud of the fluke a distance to present the protrusion at a location to, during the raising of the anchor, have entered the passageway of the guide a sufficient way for any turning of the anchor to have been effected to an extent that the fluke will not impinge on the hull of the vessel.

In a further aspect the present invention may be said to be an anchor for use with an assembly hereinbefore described located onboard a marine vessel, wherein the anchor comprises

a fluke

a shank the shank comprising an elongate shank member that has a first distal end that is capable of connection to a rode and a second distal end that is connected to the fluke, the shank also comprising a protrusion extending laterally from and to the elongate direction of the shank member, the shank member being of a length that extends proud of the fluke a distance to present the protrusion at a location to, during the raising of the anchor, have entered the passageway of the assembly a sufficient way for any turning of the anchor to have been effected to an extent that fluke is aligned with the entrance of the housing and allow its receipt into the housing.

In a further aspect the present invention may be said to be an anchor as herein described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In a further aspect the present invention may be said to be an anchor as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The present invention may also relate to an anchor alignment assembly or combination comprising or including a rode raisable member, directly or indirecdy (e.g. via one or more shackles) attached to, or attachable to, an anchor, said rode raisable member having, transversely to the locus of its rise, a section of non-rotational generation (i.e. that is not circular), and a passageway defining member, structure or assembly through which the rode raisable member can at least in part be pulled by a rode when raising any connected anchor; the arrangement being characterised in that the passageway defined by the passageway defining member, structure or assembly allows rode entry into a converging guide, or complementary converging guides, able, when the rode raisable member is not aligned as required, to provide for its rotation as it continues to be raised thereby, in turn, to rotate any connected anchor, yet able, when the rode raisable member is aligned as required, to leave the rode raisable member and any connected anchor unturned.. As used herein the term "rode raisable region of the shank of the anchor" can refer to any part of the shank able to be acted upon to effect a rotation (preferably about or parallel to or substantially of that nature) with respect to the shank (e.g. shank axis) and thus of the dependent part of the anchor. An example, and in no way limiting, is a rode raisable region of the shank of an anchor substantially as shown in Figures 4 to 8 hereafter.

The term "rode raisable lead-in" or any equivalent refers to a lead-in member attached directly or indirectly to the shank or forming part of the shank where, if directly or indirectly attached, it controls rotation of the anchor.

As used herein the term "and/ or" means "and" or "or", or both.

As used herein the term "(s)" following a noun includes, as might be appropriate, the singular or plural forms of that noun.

This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred form of different embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompany drawings in which Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a rode raisable member being pulled through a guiding passageway so as to ensure the alignment of the double shackle linked anchor, the anchor being linked dis tally of its shank,

Figure 1A shows in isolation, a member of the guide to demonstrate its preferred helical, spiral, corkscrew or the like nature,

Figure IB shows an isometric view of a preferred form of a guiding passageway structure,

Figure 2 shows with respect to the alignment condition shown in broken lines, how it is that a finned (non rotational sectioned) rode raisable member can be pulled into a guide under the action of a rode (not shown) thereby to align the dependent flukes of the suspended anchor to an anchor pocket or cavity,

Figures 3A to 3G show a sequence of movements as the rode raisable member and the double shackle linked dependant anchor are pulled upwardly towards a cavity of a hull (the hull not being shown) so that progressively the non-rotational shape part of the girth of the rode dependable member is rotated one way or the other thereby to align progressively the anchor to the cavity,

Figure 4 shows an anchor substantially of the form previously shown, but with an extended shank length to include a transverse section able to effect rotation and thus constitute what previously has been referred to as the rode raisable region of the shank (or a lead-in member or rode raisable member directly or indirecdy) of an anchor,

Figure 5 is another isometric view of the anchor of Figure 4,

Figure 6 is a front elevational view or side elevational view,

Figure 7 is an end elevational view, the articulation axis being in the plane normal to the drawing, yet incorporating the longitudinal axis of the shank,

Figure 8 is a plan view of the anchor of Figures 4 to 7,

Figures 9-13 show a variant of the shank form of Figures 4 to 8 where there is symmetry of a guide vane at the rode raisable region,

Figure 14 shows a hull of a vessel and in phantom the location of a two anchor unit system of the present invention, one at or near the bow and one at or near the stern, Figure 15 shows a view from beneath the hull of the vessel of Figure 4,

Figures 16a and 16b are diagrams showing the rotation required in order to align an anchor with a substantially rectangular cavity in the hull, Figures 17 A and 17 B are front and side views respectively of a further embodiment of the anchor pocket assembly of the present invention with an

asymmetrically shaped anchor stowed inside a housing in the hull in an orientation to match the contour of the surrounding hull,

Figures 18A, 18B and 18C show front, side and base views respectively of the anchor of the assembly of Figure 17A and 17B,

Figures 19 A, 18B and 18C show front, side and base views respectively of a guide passageway of the assembly of Figure 7A and 17B,

Figures 20A, 20B and 20C show front, side and base views respectively of a guide housing of the assembly of Figure 7A and 7B

Figures 21A and 21B show front and base cut away views respectively of guide passageway of Figures 9A to 19C mounted inside the housing of Figures 20A to 20C,

Figure 22 shows a cut away view of an anchor shank member moving through the guide passageway in non-coaxial alignment with the elongate axis of said passageway, Figure 23 shows an anchor being drawn into the entry zone of the guide passageway being both laterally and angularly displaced from the elongate axis of said passageway,

Figure 24 shows an embodiment of the invention wherein the anchor shank has two fins or outstands becoming jammed between the bearing members of the alignment zone on entry to the guide passageway, and

Figure 25 shows the anchor shank of Figure 24 passing through the alignment zone in a rotational orientation wherein it cannot become jammed between the bearing members of the alignment zone. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system allowing the deployment and retrieval of an anchor to be housed in a housing recess or cavity 9 inside the hull 53 of a vessel 54 as shown in Figures 4 and 5.

The anchor 1 may be drawn up into the hull 53 of a vessel 54 on a rode. The hull 53 may include a cavity or recess 9 that is of a shape that is sufficiently large to receive at least part of the anchor 1. In the preferred form the anchor 1, in its fully raised or retrieved condition, does not protrude (or not significantly) outside of the natural hull contour of the hull 53 at where the anchor is stored in its retrieved condition. It is desirable that the flow of water around the hull 53 is not impeded by the anchor when it is stored, and therefore the crown or base region 25 of the anchor may be of a shape and/ or contoured to match with the profile of the hull in the region surrounding the cavity.

The anchor 1 may be raised by or on a rode and may sit inside a housing 16 as genetically shown in broken lines 9 in Figure 1. The rode, usually a chain or cable, will allow the anchor a significant degree of linear, rotational and angular freedom of movement when it is clear of the hull 53. This means that the anchor could be in any rotational or angular position prior to its entry into the cavity. Figure 16a and figure 16b show that the rotational orientation of the anchor may mismatch the orientation that it needs to be in to be received in the housing. This mismatch may be up to 180 degrees for example as shown in Figure 16b. If a mismatch remains, the fluke of the anchor may strike the hull of the vessel. For this reason the anchor must be correctly oriented in a rotational condition (ie about its shank axis). In addition, an anchor may be swinging and/ or laterally displacing as it approaches the vessel. Therefore constraint of the anchor 1 in a horizontal direction may also be desirable before it is fully drawn into the cavity or recess 9.

The location of the anchor recess 9 on the vessel 54 will vary from vessel to vessel. There may be only one anchor recess 9 positioned at either the bow or the stern of the vessel 54. Some vessels may have a two anchor system to secure both the bow and stern of the vessel, in which case there may be two recesses 9 positioned as shown in Figures 14 and 15. Optionally there may be two anchor recesses 9 near the bow region of the hull 53, both aligned along the centreline 59 of the vessel or on each side of the centreline and optionally there may not be a stern anchor. Preferably the recess or recesses 9 will be below the surface of the water 55. If the anchor recess 9 is somewhat near the aft of the vessel 53, for example at position 56 shown on Figures 14 and 15, then the contour of the hull may be substantially parallel to the surface of the water 55 and may also be substantially flat. Correspondingly the crown or bottom surface 25 of an anchor to be stowed at position 56 may be more or less flat and parallel to the axis 57. The anchor may be symmetrical as for example shown in Figures 1— 13. In such a case the anchor may have to turn through a maximum angle (about its vertical axis) of 90° from any given starting position in order to be received in an orientation where it will match with the profile of the hull. For example point 34 on the anchor as shown in Figure 6 and as repeated schematically in Figure 16a can be caused to rotate clockwise or anticlockwise to end up in a rotational orientation that is at greatest, 90° from where it started, in order to locate into its recess 9.

If the anchor recess 9 is in the bow region of the vessel (for example at position 58 shown on Figures 4 an 15) then the crown or base region 25 of the anchor may need to be asymmetric, for example as shown in Figure 4. This is because the exterior of the hull 53 with which the base 25 is to become complimentary to may not be normal to the anchor shank, the shank preferably extending vertically in the stored condition. In that case the anchor will have to turn through a maximum of 180° in order to be aligned with a cavity as shown in Figure 16b.

In the preferred form, the axis 56 is parallel to the centreline of the vessel 58.

Preferably the recess(es) 9 will be aligned along the centreline of the vessel 58 as shown in Figure 15, or may be laterally offset from that centreline by some distance.

In one form (that shown in Figures 1 to 3G) the anchor 1 may have a shank 17 comprising a shank member 3 carrying a crown 25 and a fluke 2 at one end (which may consist of two fluke plates), which is linked by a first shackle 4 and preferably then a second shackle 5 to a rode raisable member 6. Preferably the fluke 2, and/ or the entire crown 25 are pivotally attached to the shank member 3.

The rode raisable member 6, in its girth, includes fins or other cross-sectional features 7 meaning it is not in section a body of a rotational generation i.e. it is of a form capable of being guided rotatably reliant on its non-circular form.

Preferably the anchor 1 is a stockless anchor.

As the anchor is raised, it is drawn through a construction or assembly defining a guide passageway 8 connected and/ or suspendable from the hull (over the cavity shape shown generally by 9 in Figure 2). The guide members 10 and 11 are preferably tubular or made of rod but may instead be made from other sections. Engagement or contact of the cross sectional feature 7 with the guide members 10 and 11 of the guide passageway 8 drives the rotation of the anchor through the required angle to permit entry of parts of the anchor into the recess 9.

As can be seen in Figure 3A, the cross sectional feature 7 or the rode raisable region may preferably be a longitudinally extending vane fin or outstand 19. The outstand 19 may be elongate as shown, or may be short and stubby. It may, instead of a vane, be a lug or pin or similar. In a second preferred form (that shown in Figures 4 to 3) of the anchor 1, the shank 17 extends as part of its fabricated form or moulded form to a rode raisable region 21 connectable at 18 by an appropriate opening to a swivel or shackle connection to the rode. The region 21 has a perimeter in transverse section that is not rotationally generated. Indeed that region 21 may include a vane-like outstand 19 from preferably (but not necessarily) a substantially square section that interacts in a manner previously described with the guide.

The oustand 19 is preferably longitudinally extending of the shank. It is an outstand that may be at right angles to the pivot axis 20 of the crown 25 or flukes 2 of the anchor which are, in the plane of the drawing of Figure 7, aligned to the gravity assuming position as a result of the articulation of the flukes 2 relative to the shank member 3.

Figures 9 to 13 are the same as Figures 4 to 8 except the vane is shown on both flanks of the shank over the region to help effect the turn.

In a third preferred form (that shown in Figure 17), the crown 25 is attached to a long rigid shank 17 having an upper rode raisable region which is not of rotational generation 21. This reduces the likelihood that the anchor 1 will swing up and hit the hull 53 as the anchor is brought proximate to the hull prior to its reception into the cavity 19. A suggested construction for the long rigid shank is as shown in cross section in Figure 18C, wherein a hollow box section 49 is covered by a pipe-like sleeve 50. This construction gives the desired rigidity while minimising the overall weight of the shaft.

As shown in Figure 18A, the cross-sectional feature 7 may be a fin 42. In some embodiments there may be two fin features which extend in diametrically opposite directions from the shank. Fin 42 may be of a substantially rectangular section (as shown in Figure 18B), wedge shaped, or may have some other shape which aids in its smooth engagement with the guide members 10.

The shank 17 may be fabricated with an integral fin 42, or may have a recess 44 into which a fin 42 can be slotted. The latter arrangement is preferable because it allows the fin 42 to be removed and replaced as necessary.

As can be see, the fin 42 of the asymmetric anchor (shown in Figure 17A and 17B) may preferably extend outwardly from the shank axis in a plane parallel to that of the pivot axis 20 of the anchor flukes 2. For a symmetrical anchor, for example that shown in Figures 5 - 13, the outstands(s) 19 may extend in a plane perpendicular to the pivot axis. It will be appreciated that the vane/ fin position will depend on the desired movement of the anchor and should be selected accordingly.

The region of shank member 3 where the vane or fin is provided 21 may be of circular cross section or of an alternative cross section. A circular cross section may be preferable because it allows the shank to be more tighdy constrained within the guide passageway 8 to reduce vibration and swinging. The shank member 3 may be of a reduced or reducing diameter or size at its distal end 48, and may in fact include a significant taper to aid in the initial channelling of the shank into the guide.

Shown in Figures B and 2 is a guide passageway defining member 8 preferably comprising a converging pairing of guide members 0 and 11 (preferably extending upwardly from the entry zone 24 of the guide passageway 8 in a helix, spiral or corkscrew, or a portion thereof) to ensure that each fin or the like 7 that enters the passageway 8 between a pairing 0 or 11 is thereby guided by contact with a guide surface 29 of a guiding member 0 to a particular disposition that favours the alignment of the anchor 1 to the recess 9. A pointed or wedge-shaped region at the point of convergence 23 will help to ensure that the cross-sectional feature 7 is diverted sideways in one or other direction so as not to get caught on entry to the guide structure 8.

The guide passageway defining structure shown in Figures B and 2 will effect an anchor rotation of up to 90° in either direction depending on the orientation of the anchor on entry. Each pair of guides 10 and rotationally constrains the or each cross sectional feature 7 and hence the shank 7. As the cross-sectional feature 7 travels upwards, the rotational constraint increases until, at or near its upper limit of travel 32, the anchor 1 is preferably fully constrained, captured by and between a respective pair of guideslO and 11, and no further rotation of the anchor can occur. In this rotational orientation the anchor 1 is aligned in its housing 16 and in it stored condition.

Preferably the degree of rotational constraint is proportional to the distance of travel towards the upper limit 32. Preferably it is directly proportional. Such may be achieved by a helical or spiralled or corkscrewed shaped adaptation of the guides.

Preferably the guide members 10 and 11 contact a notional cylindrical surface 27 aligned with the elongate axis of the passageway 8, or at least provide a guide surface 29 which contacts with such a notional cylinder 27. The guide members 10 and 11 may be curved tubular members as shown, or a series of straight members which are attached to one another to form a helical guidepath. Alternatively a diagonally cut pipe might provide the required guide surface.

Preferably the distance between the upper 32 and lower 34 limits of travel of the fin or cross sectional feature 7, and the speed at which the shank 7 is drawn vertically through this distance, is such that rotation of the anchor occurs somewhat gradually. If the guide members 10 and 11 force the rotation of the anchor shank 7 too quickly the resistance of the flukes 2 against the water may create undesirably large torsional stresses in the shank member 3.

The progression of an anchor 1 from a deployed condition to a stored condition can best be seen by reference to Figures 3A to 3G where the progressive raising leads to a fin or like feature 7 of the rode raisable member 6 being diverted into the zone 3 or 4 so that ongoing rotation as it is raised further it is one way rather than the other e.g. as shown from Figures 3C onwards where that fin feature is in the zone 14 and the member 5 ensures its ongoing rotation to the condition shown when the anchor is pulled into the housing 6.

An alternative guide passageway 8 is shown in detail in Figures 9A to 9C and again as part of an anchor pocket assembly in Figure 7A and 7B, is designed to rotate an anchor 1 through a maximum of 80 degrees. The mechanism comprises just one pair of guide members 10 which converge at both their upper and lower ends. The guide members 0 may be supported by apertured plates 39 or alternative structures and in a manner so as to create a passageway through which the shank 7 can move up and down

While the guide members 0 will preferably be of the helical, spiral or corkscrew geometry described in order to effect continuous rotation of the anchor in a single direction through the required angle for alignment with the housing 6, it will be appreciated that other guide geometries could be used to effect different types of motion, for example if the anchor was to be turned in one direction first and then subsequently turned back in the other direction as the shank is raised or lowered. Preferably at least the guide surface 29 of each guiding member will make contact with a notional cylinder 27 aligned with the elongate axis of the guide passageway as shown, or will roughly follow such a notional surface.

Each pair of guides 0 and may continue in a parallel condition to each other from their region where their convergence terminates thus creating a slot or slots 43 in which the vane, fin or other cross sectional feature can be captured, for example as shown in Figure 3G. A similar slot 43 can also be seen in Figures 7B. Hence a continued lifting of the vane, fin or other cross sectional feature 7 beyond this region will not result in any further anchor rotation but instead a fully rotationally restrained lifting will occur. When the anchor 1 has been fully lifted to its stowed position the vane, fin or other cross sectional feature 7 will be retained in the slot 43 to prevent rotation of the anchor while housed.

Additional shank support members 5 above the guide passageway, and optionally extending some way down into it help to stabilise the shank member 3 as the anchor 1 is lifted and while it is stowed. The support members 5 may be tubular members which extend some distance up the hawsepipe as shown, or may provide circumferential support to the shank in an alternative way (for example by way of axially spaced rings or circumferentially spaced profiles protruding inwardly of the hawsepipe tube).

As shown in Figures 3A to 3G and 7A and 7B, preferably the recess 9 is defined by, or contains within it, a housing 6 (shown in detail in Figures 20A to 20C) with a rectangular opening 28. This may be shaped and configured to create the recess yet allow the hull to remain sealed or otherwise free from flooding, or may be otherwise configured so as to permit the flow of water through a wet well. The housing 6 may be so shaped to snugly receive the anchor 1 when in it in its fully retrieved condition and may have features of shape designed to stabilise the anchor when stowed.

By the time the upper end of the shank 7 has been drawn up through the guide passageway 8 and reached the hawsepipe 37 (or perhaps slightly before or after this time) the guide members 0 (optionally and ) will have correctly oriented the anchor 1 so that the anchor fluke 2 is in an alignment that permits their reception into the housing 6.

Preferably crown 25 and/ or fluke 2 may be weighted so that the equilibrium position of the flukes about their pivot axis 20 naturally tends to bring them into more or less planar alignment with the shank member 3 (i.e. into the position shown in Figure 8B). However there may be some swinging or tipping of the fluke 2 either side of this point as the anchor is raised, and therefore there may be channel walls 33 on the inside of the housing 6 which define a reducing channel to engage with the edges of the fluke 2 and thereby bring it into an upright alignment as the anchor 1 advances into the housing 6.

Preferably there will be plastic or rubber receivers 35 to engage with the edges of the fluke 2 in order to stabilise it in this position for stowage, preventing excessive movement or vibration. Alternatively the channels 33 may be of a different shape or configuration so as to encourage the fluke 2 to adopt, and to retain and stabilise it in, some other equilibrium position, or some other non-equilibrium position.

Apertures 36 in the housing 27 and in the hawsepipe 37 allow visual inspection of and physical access to the moving components so that mechanical problems can be easily detected and rectified. The unit is bolt attached rather than welded into the hull so that it can be removed if need be. This reduces the chance that the vessel will need to be dry docked in order to attend to issues with the anchor unit.

It may be important that the shank 7 remains more or less coaxial with the guide passageway 8 as the vane, outstand or fin 7 travels upwardly through the guide members 0 (and optionally ) so that vane or fin 7 is able to follow the guide surface 29. If the shank member 3 axis becomes either angularly misaligned or transversely misaligned with the elongate axis of the guide passageway 8 (for example as shown in Figure 22) then there is a risk that the vane or fin 7 might jump across the guiding member 10 into the non-guide zone 40, where it will eventually be prevented from further vertical movement. Similarly, if the shaft member 3 is drawn into the passageway 8 on an angle (for example as could occur when in the position shown in Figure 23) then it may become jammed against one of the surrounding passageway defining members 15 and 10 (optionally 11). This could cause damage to the winch, rode, hull or other components of the unit and will prevent retrieval of the anchor.

In order to align and stabilise the shank 17 it is drawn into the guide passageway 8 through an alignment zone 30 prior to its entry into the guide zone. The alignment zone 30 is designed to receive the initial upper part of the shank 17 and to bring it into coaxial alignment with the upper part of the guide passageway 8. For example, it will stop the anchor 1 from swinging and laterally displacing so that the axis of the shank 17 is held substantially vertically and/ or coaxial the upper part of the guide passageway 8, prior to the fins 42 entering the upper part of the passageway 8.

The alignment zone 30 is preferably bounded by a cylindrical body 45 or some other shaped body having a circular aperture 46 through it. The diameter of the circular aperture 46 must be large enough to permit the non-rotational section of the shank member 21 through it. However, within the perimeter of the circular aperture there are a series of circumferentially spaced bearing members 47 which project to provide bearing surfaces 60 to bear against the shank member 3. Preferably these bearing members 47 are equispaced. The bearing surfaces 60 must collectively, on their own and/ or together with the guide members, provide an effective inner diameter, or a pitch circle diameter which is sufficiently small to bear on the shank member 3 so as to provide a sliding fit engagement. Once drawn up a litde way into the alignment zone, the shank 7 will become constrained, to some extent, from swinging under the vessel.

In addition there must be a sufficient gap 6 between each of the bearing members to allow the non-rotional section of the shank 21 to pass through the alignment region 30 regardless of the rotational orientation of that section.

The bottom and top edges of the bearing members 47 may be pointed or tapered so that they act to divert the non-rotational section of the shank 2 into an orientation where it will be able to pass through the alignment region by guiding the outer edge of the non-rotational section (for example the fin or outstand) into one of the gaps 61. The alignment zone 30 causes no or insignificant rotation of the anchorl about the axis of the shank 17 as the fins 7 of the anchor pass through the alignment zone.

Some of the bearing members 47 may be elongate, and may extend into the guide zone 3 to some extent. This allows the bearing members and guide members to act in concert at the guide zone in a manner to continue to offer lateral bearing to the anchor to stop it swinging. Preferably the elongate members that do extend into the guide zone are those which are in a position that, when acting in conjunction with the guide members 0 and , will serve to constrain the shank 7 to its correct alignment. The bearing members 47 can only extend into the guide zone in such a way and/ or extent as to accommodate the sweep path of the vane, outstand or fin 7 as it rotates while moving through the zone. A configuration suitable for constraining the shank 7 yet still allowing its requisite rotation is shown in Figures 9A to 9C. It is preferable that there will be five bearing members 47 as shown, but three members, or more than five members could be used.

In the embodiment of the invention where the non-rotational section of the shank bears two fins, vanes or outstands, there is a prospect that the non-rotational region of the shank 21 could become jammed between the bearing members, for example as shown in Figure 24, on its entry to the alignment zone 30. It is desirable that the non- rotational region 21 pass through the alignment zone in an orientation where it cannot become jammed, for example as shown in Figure 25. For this reason, it is preferable to configure the bearing members to facilitate the passing of the non-rotational section in an orientation which will prevent jamming. The configuration of five bearing members achieves this by only permitting the non-rotational section 21 to pass through the alignment zone in an orientation where it cannot jam. Other numbers of bars and alternative bearing member arrangements could be used to discourage jamming of the non- rotational section of the shank 21 in the alignment zone. So can the appropriate positioning of the fins.

Claims

. An anchor alignment assembly for engagement by a rode raisable region of or engaged to the elongate shank of an anchor having, transversely to the locus of its rise, a section of non-rotational generation, the assembly comprising:

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the section of non rotational generation is shaped and adapted to not be of a circular cross section at a sectional plane there through to which the elongate direction of the shank of the anchor in normal to.

3. The assembly of claim 1 or 2 wherein the non rotational generation section is defined by at least one fin that projects in a direction outward from the elongate direction of the shank.

4. The assembly of claims 1 to 3 wherein the converging guide zone is defined by a guide.

5. The assembly of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the guide comprises of two complementary guide members located on a notional cylindrical surface.

6. The assembly of claim 5 wherein the two guide members each define a guide surface, as a boundary of the converging guide zone, with which the rode raisable region can engage to be guided for rotation as the anchor is raised.

7. The assembly as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 6 wherein at least one of the two guide surfaces are non parallel to the axis of the notional cylinder.

8. The assembly as claimed in any one the preceding claims wherein the anchor is of a kind that includes an elongate shank member that has a first distal end at which the rode is or can be attached and a second distal end at or near which the fluke or fluke assembly (herein after the "fluke") of the anchor is attached.

9. The assembly as claimed in any one the preceding claims wherein the anchor is a stockless anchor.

0. The assembly as claimed in claim 8 wherein the fluke is attached in a pivotal manner relative to the shank member about a pivot axis that is perpendicular to the elongate direction of the shank member.

11. The assembly as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10 wherein the assembly further comprises a housing for receiving the fluke of the anchor when the anchor is being raised.

12. The assembly as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10 wherein the assembly further comprises a housing for receiving the fluke of the anchor and wherein the housing is shaped and adapted to bring the fluke into a rotationally restricted condition where the fluke cannot rotate about said pivot axis, when the anchor is in its raised condition.

13. The assembly as claimed in claim 11 or 12 wherein the assembly further comprises a housing for receiving the fluke of the anchor and wherein the housing restricts the rotation of the fluke about said pivotal axis as the anchor is raised, to bring the fluke into a rotationally restricted condition where the fluke cannot rotate about said pivotal axis, when the anchor is in its fully raised condition.

14. The assembly as claimed in claim 13 wherein the housing is shaped and adapted to guide the fluke towards said rotationally restricted condition as the anchor is raised.

15. The assembly as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 14 wherein the housing includes an entrance opening via which the fluke passes as it moves between the fully raised condition and a condition from which is it raised from.

16. The assembly as claimed in claim 15 wherein the entrance opening is rectangular.

17. The assembly as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 16 wherein the housing defines a cavity on each side of the shank to receive the fluke of the anchor

18. The assembly as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 16 wherein cavity is upwardly tapered.

19. The assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the passage defining member comprises of said guides.

20. The assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the passage defining member also comprises of a plurality of spaced apart bearing members against which the side or sides of the shank member can bear against once at least partially inside said passage defining member.

21. The assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the passage defining member also comprises of a plurality of spaced apart bearing members against which the shank member can bear against once at least partially inside said passage defining member, the bearing members positioned to present bearing surfaces at a pitch circle diameter that is of a size to allow for the shank member to be accommodated between bearing members with its elongate axis substantially concentric with the centre of the pitch circle.

22. The assembly as claimed in claim 20 or 21 wherein there are at least three spaced apart bearing members.

23. The assembly as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 22 wherein there are five spaced apart bearing members.

24. The assembly as claimed in any one of claims claim 21 to 23 wherein there are at least three spaced apart bearing members there being a gap between each adjacent bearing member to accommodate the section of non-rotational generation of the shank.

25. The assembly as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 24 wherein the bearing members are elongate and extend in a direction parallel to the elongate passage.

26. The assembly as claimed in claim 25 wherein the bearing members extend from a zone of the passage way (herein after "entry zone"), through which the rode raisable region initially passes as it is raised, prior to entry into said converging guide zone.

27. The assembly as claimed in claim 26 wherein at least one bearing member extends into said converging guide zone.

28. The assembly as claimed in claim 26 or 27 wherein a plurality of bearing member extends into said converging guide zone.

29. The assembly as claimed in 27 or 28 wherein the bearing member(s) that extend into the converging guide zone do so in a manner to not interfere with the rotation of the shank when the shank is being guided for rotation by the guide.

30. The assembly as claimed in any one of claims 26 to 29 wherein the bearing members in the entry zone of the passageway have a tapered terminal end.

31. The assembly as claimed in claim 15 wherein the anchor comprises a base (such as its crown) of or engaged to said fluke, defining the lower end of said anchor, the base being of a shape to close the entrance opening when the anchor is in the fully raised position.

32. A marine vessel that carries the anchor alignment mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein the entry to the passage defining member is located below the waterline of the vessel.

33. A marine vessel as claimed in claim 32 wherein the vessel also carries the rode and anchor in a manner to both at least in part be pulled into and/ or through said anchor alignment assembly.

34. A method of aligning an anchor for in hull cavity receipt, said method comprising or including the steps of

further pulling the anchor into the cavity.

35. An anchor rotation guide for a rode raisable lead in region of an elongate shank of an anchor wherein the guide comprises of at least one guide member that defines two channel entrances (skeletal or otherwise) on either side of an elongate lead-in passageway (skeletal or otherwise) whereby a lateral protrusion of the lead-in region can be channelled thereby to ensure a desired rotation of the anchor about an axis parallel to the elongate direction of the shank, as it is raised further into said passageway.

36. A guide as claimed in claim 35 wherein the lead in passageway is defined at least in part by said guide member.

37. A guide as claimed in claim 35 wherein the lead in passageway is defined at least in part by lateral bearing members against which the side or sides of the shank can bear at the shank is at least partially raised through said passageway.

38. A guide as claimed in claim 35 wherein the lead in passageway is defined at least in part said guide member and by lateral bearing members against which the side or sides of the shank can bear at the shank is at least partially raised through said passageway.

39. A guide as claimed in claim 37 or 38 wherein the bearing members do not effect a rotation of said anchor about said axis but do restrict the lateral displacement and/ or swinging of the shank once the shank is at least partially located in said passageway.

40. A guide as claimed in any one of claims 35 to 38 wherein the lead in member becomes operatively engaged with the bearing members before the guide members, upon the raising of the lead in member into the passageway.

41. A guide as claimed in claim 37 to 40 wherein the guide member effects a rotation of said anchor about said axis and restricts the lateral displacement and/ or swinging of the shank once the shank is located in said passageway and being raised.

42. A marine vessel that carries the guide as claimed in claim 35 wherein the entry to the passage defining member is located below the waterline of the vessel.

43. A marine vessel as claimed in claim 42 wherein the vessel also carries the rode and anchor in a manner to both at least in part be pulled into and/ or through said passageway of the guide.

44. An apparatus to guide, or suitable for guiding, a rode pull through of a lead-in region of the shank of an anchor, the apparatus comprising or including;

a bottom ring or like member,

a top ring or like member, and

four links between the rings (or the like),

45. A guide to receive a rode raisable lead-in region of the elongate shank of an anchor to guide and turn the anchor as required to a desired rotational orientation upon a raising of the anchor onboard a vessel, said lead in region including a lateral protrusion, the guide comprising or including;

at least one guide member that presents at least one guide surface located at a surface of a notional cylinder having an axis along which the lead-in can travel as the anchor is raised towards its onboard condition, the at least one guide surface being presented to engage with the lateral protrusion, when the anchor is not rotationally positioned as required, to provide for anchor rotation parallel an axis coincident the elongate direction of the shank, as it continues to be raised to rotate the anchor, yet able, when the anchor is rotationally aligned as required, to leave the rode raisable lead in region and the anchor unrotated.

46. A guide as claimed in claim 45 wherein the guide surface, as a developed form of the cylinder, comprises a section that is at an incline to the axis of the cylinder.

47. A guide as claimed in claim 45 wherein the guide surface is at least partially of a helical form.

48. A guide as claimed in any one of claims 45 to 47 wherein a plurality of spaced apart bearing members act in concert with said at least one guide member to define a passageway for the rode raisable region.

49. A guide as claimed in claim 48 wherein the bearing members each present a bearing surface or surfaces against which the shank can bear once at least partially inside said passageway.

50. A guide as claimed in claim 48 wherein the bearing members are positioned to present bearing surfaces at a pitch circle diameter that is of a size to allow for the shank member to be accommodated between bearing members with its elongate axis substantially concentric with the centre of the pitch circle.

51. The guide as claimed in any one of claims 48 to 50 wherein the bearing members extend from a zone of the passageway (herein after "entry zone"), through which the rode raisable region initially passes as it is raised, prior to being capable of contact with the guide surface or surfaces.

52. The guide as claimed in claim 51 wherein at least one bearing member extends into the zone of the passageway where the guide surface or surfaces become operative for rotating a raising anchor.

53. The guide as claimed in claim 52 wherein a plurality of bearing member extends into the zone of the passageway where the guide surface or surfaces become operative for rotating a raising anchor.

54. The assembly as claimed in 52 or 53 wherein the bearing member(s) that extend into the zone of the passageway where the guide surface or surfaces become operative for rotating a raising anchor, do so in a manner to not interfere with the rotation of the protrusion when the protrusion is being guided for rotation by the guide member.

55. The assembly as claimed in any one of claims 51 to 54 wherein the bearing members in the entry zone of the passageway have a tapered terminal end.

56. A guide for a rode raisable lead-in, the guide being substantially as herein shown by reference to the drawings.

57. A guide for a rode raisable lead-in region of the shank of an anchor, the guide being substantially as herein shown by reference to the drawings.

58. A guide onboard of for a marine vessel comprising of at least one helical, spiral, or corkscrew shaped guide member to guide or to channel the rotation of a rode raisable lead- in region of an elongate shank of an anchor to rotationally align the anchor to a desired rotational condition about the elongate axis of the shank.

59. A guide as claimed in claim 58 wherein the guide also comprises bearing members that in are presented to (a) initially be engaged by said lead in region and (b) upon continued raising of the anchor, act in concert with said at least one guide to resist anchor swing during the raising of the anchor onboard the vessel.

60. A guide as claimed in claim 59 wherein the bearing members do not effect a rotation of the anchor as the anchor is raised on board.

61. An anchor having a shank with a region as a male turning region to co-act in a female guide to effect turning in a manner substantially as herein described.

62. An anchor guide of or for a marine vessel, to receive the rode raisable lead in of an elongate shank of an anchor having, transversely to the locus of its rise, a section of non-rotational generation, said guide comprising of a plurality of bearing members to skeletally define a passageway for the lead-in, there being a gap or slot between each bearing member to allow the passage of lead-in into said passage yet accommodate the section in a said slot or gap, the bearing elements positioned to interact with shank to resist anchor swing when the anchor is being raised onboard the vessel.

63. An anchor guide as claimed in claim 62 wherein the passageway is also at least partially defined by lead-in guide that allows lead-in guide entry into a converging guide zone of the passageway able, when the rode raisable region is not rotationally aligned as required, to provide for its rotation parallel an axis coincident the elongate direction of the shank, as it continues to be raised thereby, to rotate the anchor, yet able, when the rode raisable region is aligned as required, to leave the rode raisable region and the anchor unrotated.

64. An anchor for use with a guide as claimed above, wherein the anchor comprises a fluke

65. An anchor for use with a assembly as claimed 11 to 18 located onboard a marine vessel, wherein the anchor comprises

a fluke

66. An anchor as herein described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

67. An anchor as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.