Ships – Life craft handling device – apparatus – or implement – Connector between boat and lowering tackle
Patent
1984-08-06
1986-05-13
Basinger, Sherman D.
Ships
Life craft handling device, apparatus, or implement
Connector between boat and lowering tackle
294 8224, B63B 2300
Patent
active
045879222
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a device for the suspension and release of a load, especially lifeboats and the like, comprising an engagement means arranged for releasable engagement with a suspension member at the end of a suspension line, and a release means with a disengageable safety means.
In connection with devices for the suspension and release of rescue crafts on ships or offshore structures, certain operational demands are imposed with a view to achieving reliability and safety in use. Thus, it is a requirement that the suspension arrangement is to be such that the lifeboat shall be able to be released under full load in the suspension line, i.e. with the weight of the boat and equipment and the number of persons on board for which the boat is approved, and also when the suspension line forms an angle of up to 45.degree. with the vertical, irrespective of direction. Further, it is an operational demand that release and reengagement shall be able to be effected with one hand while holding on with the other. Release shall also be able to take place without any load in the suspension line, i.e. when the boat is afloat.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide a device of the type set forth which in a safe manner fulfils the operational demands stated above, and which has a sturdy and durable structure.
It is also an object of the invention to provide such a device having a structure enabling self-release when the suspension line is relieved, i.e. is without any load when the rescue craft is afloat, provided the release safety device is disengaged.
The above-mentioned objects are achieved by means of a device which, according to the invention, is characterized in that the engagement means is mounted in a holding means which is pivotally mounted in a support for attachment to the rescue craft, the engagement means comprising a pair of mutually movable gripping members for engagement with the suspension member in such a manner that, under load, it tends to urge the gripping members away from each other, the gripping members being articulated to the support by way of respective force-transferring carrying elements, and the holding means being shaped to hold the gripping member in force-dependent, self-blocking engagement with the suspension member when this is loaded and the holding means is in a closing position. The release means comprises an operating member which is mounted in the support and by the safety means is lockable in a position in which the holding means is blocked in its closing position, and which, when the safety means is disengaged, is movable so that the holding means is forcedly driven in an engagement-releasing movement, and that one of the gripping members, when the holding means is blocked in the closing position without the suspension member being engaged, is arranged to be movable away from the other gripping member to allow introduction and reengagement of the suspension member.
In an advantageous embodiment said self-release without any load is achieved in that the holding means is pivotally mounted in the support at one end so that the force-dependent self-blocking is counteracted by a moment caused by the weight of the holding means, whereby the holding means, when the safety means is disengaged and the load of the suspension member is eliminated, is moved to released position only as a result of its own weight and without any external influence.
In another advantageous embodiment the suspension member is a sphere and the gripping members are a pair of concave rollers which, on either side of the sphere are rotatably mounted in pivot members which, at a distance from the rollers, are pivotally mounted in the holding means. In such an embodiment the sphere under load will always exert a force attempting to urge the rollers away from each other, so that the sphere is disengaged when the rollers are allowed to move away from each other. Further, as a result of the fact that the rollers are freely rotatable, one avoids s
REFERENCES:
patent: 460556 (1891-10-01), Capehart
patent: 1214313 (1917-01-01), Kalbfleisch
patent: 3661416 (1972-05-01), Bukarkin et al.
Basinger Sherman D.
Sotelo Jesus D.
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