Chain Anchor

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates, in general, to a device for detachably anchoring a chain to a fixed object; such device being especially designed, but not limited, for end-connecting a corresponding safety chain to a vehicle towing a trailer. Heretofore, the available chain anchors for such purpose have been inconvenient to use and were not readily engaged in that-- in many instances--the use of bolts and tools was required. The present invention was conceived in a successful effort to provide a chain anchor which avoids such inconvenience.

2. The Prior Art

U.S. Pat. Nos. 13,593; 13,760; 157,736 and 293,657 represent the prior art to the extent known to applicant, and applicant has no knowledge of any prior art disclosing the particular structure of the herein-claimed chain anchor.

The present invention embraces, as a major object, a chain anchor which provides for manual quick engagement of a chain with a fixed anchor member, and manual quick disengagement of the chain from said anchor member, both readily, conveniently, and without the use of tools; the structural configuration of such chain-engaging anchor member, together with an associated guard, precluding accidental escape of the chain from the anchor member yet without hindering such manual quick engagement and manual quick disengagement of the chain.

The present invention provides, as a further object, a chain anchor which is designed for ease and economy of manufacture.

The present invention provides, as a still further object, a practical, reliable, and durable chain anchor, and one which is exceedingly effective for the purpose for which it is designed.

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a pair of transversely spaced, bumper-mounted, chain anchors as in use with corresponding safety chains extending between a vehicle and trailer.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view, with the cover in section, of one such chain anchor; the view illustrating initial placement of a chain link in the anchor block.

FIG. 3 is an end elevation, on substantially line 3--3 of FIG. 2, of the chain anchor.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional elevation, with the cover in section, of one chain anchor as in use.

FIG. 5 is a plan view, with the cover in section, of said one chain anchor as in use.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged longitudinal elevation of one chain anchor with the cover not shown; the view illustrating the manner of manipulating a chain preparatory to engagement thereof with the anchor block.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings and to the characters of reference marked thereon, the chain anchor of the present invention is primarily adapted--but not limited--for use in pairs to connect to a vehicle the safety chains C which conventionally lead forward from a trailer to the vehicle. An exemplary array is illustrated in FIG. 1 wherein a pair of the chain anchors, each indicated generally at 1, are fixed on the rear bumper 2 of a vehicle 3; the chain anchors 1 being disposed equidistantly on opposite sides of the hitch 4 on the forward end of the trailer tongue 5.

Each of the chain anchors 1 is constructed as disclosed in FIGS. 2-6, inclusive, and comprises the following:

A somewhat elongated, upwardly opening, semi-circular trough 6 is disposed horizontally on and fixedly secured--as by welding--to a rectangular base plate 7 adapted to be secured to the top of the vehicle bumper 2 by bolts 8.

Centrally of its ends, the trough 6 is fitted with an upstanding, exteriorly, substantially circular, block 9 which is engaged in matching relation in said trough and fixed therein as by welding.

The anchor block 9 is essentially C-shaped and includes a deep but relatively narrow, upwardly opening, central throat 10. The opposed or outer faces of the anchor block 9 are concave; one concavity being indicated at 11, and the other at 12. Additionally, the anchor block 9 tapers from bottom to top in a transverse vertical plane.

At each end--equidistantly but relatively closely spaced from the anchor block 9--the trough 6 includes, in fixed unitary relation, a guard ring or eye; one being indicated at 13, and the other at 14. Such guard eyes are circular, co-axial with, and of the same diameter as said trough 6.

In use of each chain anchor 1, the related chain C is first threaded through the guard eye 13 or 14, depending on the direction in which the working reach of the chain extends from the chain anchor. The chain is then passed above the anchor block 9, and the non-working or free end portion of the chain threaded through the other guard eye. Nextly, an adjacent vertical link 15 of the chain is inserted in the throat 10 of the anchor block 9 as shown in FIG. 2, and then--by slight chain motion--the immediately adjacent horizontal link 16 or 17 is end-engaged in the concavity 11 or 12 which is opposite the working reach of the chain C as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The end-engagement of such horizontal link 16 or 17 in the concavity 11 or 12 remote from the working reach of the chain tends to prevent accidental upward displacement of the vertical link 15 from the throat 10. In the present illustration, the horizontal link 16 is end-engaged in the concavity 11, with the working reach of the chain extending in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIGS. 4 and 5.

Additionally, and also importantly, with the working reach of the chain C extending through guard eye 13 or 14 in relatively closely surrounded relation, there can be only limited vertical loose play of the adjacent portion of said working reach of the chain. Hence, the motion-limiting effect of said surrounding guard eye on such adjacent portion of the working reach of the chain prevents the vertical link 15 from being shifted upwardly sufficient to accidentally escape the throat 10. The chain is thus most effectively anchored and in a manner to preclude accidental disconnection from the chain anchor.

However, by reason of the structure of the chain anchor, it is not only easy to manually engage--without hindrance--the chain with the anchor block 9 in the manner previously described and wholly without the use of tools, but--likewise--the chain can, when disconnection is desired, be readily manually disengaged by the simple expedient of manually grasping the link 15 and lifting it out of the throat 10, followed by withdrawl of the chain from the graud eyes 13 and 14.

The chain anchor is provided with a cover 18; such cover being of substantially the same length as the trough 6 and of inverted, substantially semi-circular form, although slightly greater than 180.degree. in arcuate extent whereby, when closed, to snap-engage about the guard eyes 13 and 14. Further, the cover 18 may be hinged, as at 19, for swinging between open and snap-engaged closed position.

From the foregoing description, it will be readily seen that there has been produced such a chain anchor a substantially fulfills the objects of the invention as set forth herein.

While the specification sets forth in detail the present and preferred construction of the chain anchor, still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.