A plus if this system works is that the anchor is neutrally housed without tension on the chain or line.
I agree I really like that aspect of it.

Ebb could you rig your model someplace that would allow you to drop the anchor to the ground and pull it up several times to see how the anchor reacts as you lift it? For example what happens when the anchor comes up with the fluke pointed away from the boat? Does it start into the rollers and come up until the shank changes direction from verticle to horizontal and how does it act when it flips around? I'm a firm believer in testing every aspect of something in the design stage.

One solution would be to design a longer channel with a 1/4/5/16" chain link pawl at the end, still keeping the two pin hole bump-up to lock the anchor shank. Could make the channel 4 or 5" longer which might counter the cantlever effect with more thru-deck attachment.
The build it stronger than it ever needs to be part of me thinks this would be a good idea. How much extra weight could you be talking about? Maybe 4 to 5 lbs. max.