Gravity installed anchor

Abstract

An anchor for mooring of structures to a water bottom, comprising an elongated central body having a longitudinal axis through its center. The central body comprises a plurality of channel members radiating outward from the center, each with a channel therein. A plurality of nose and tail plates are disposed within the channels, and hingedly connected to the central body, so that the plates can be swung in or out from the central body, and thereafter fixed in place (for example, by pins inserted through mating holes in the channel members and plates). A means for attaching a mooring line to the anchor, for example a load ring encircling the central body and rotatable completely around the circumference of the central body, has an arm hingedly attached thereto. The arm can be rotated to a desired angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the central body, and fixed at a set angle or within a range of angles to the longitudinal axis.

1 . An anchor, comprising: 
 a) an elongated central body comprising a longitudinal axis;    b) a plurality of radially outwardly extending plates attached to said central body so that a broad face of each of said plurality of plates lies in a plane substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis, and attached thereto so as to be movable radially inwardly and outwardly whereby the exposed area of said plates varies with said radial movement, and a means for fixing said plates in a desired position; and    c) a means for attaching a mooring line to said anchor.    
   
   
       2 . The anchor of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 a) said elongated central body comprises a plurality of radially outwardly extending channel members, each comprising a channel therein;    b) said plurality of plates are disposed within said channels of said channel members.    
   
   
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       7 . The anchor of  claim 2 , wherein said central body comprises three channel members.  
   
   
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