Bridges – Gangway – ramp – or dock leveler
Patent
1979-11-17
1982-12-14
Byers, Jr., Nile C.
Bridges
Gangway, ramp, or dock leveler
182 84, E01D 100
Patent
active
043631509
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a ship's embarkation device comprising at least one projecting means, e.g. a ladder, to the one end of which there is pivotally attached a first platform, which is connected to the ship's deck, and to the opposite end of which a second platform is pivotally attached, wherein at least one connecting bar is pivotally arranged between the first and the second platforms via first and second pivot axles, said device further comprising means for hoisting and lowering the device and for turning the device to and from a stowing position on the deck.
When installing conventional accommodation ladders (Swedish Pat. No. 369.696) which also are intended to be used as embarkation devices for pilots etc. a fairly large-scale operation is required on the ship's deck. The platform, which is pivotally connected to the ship's deck, is via a torsion axle connected to one or even two folding davits, which are to be welded on to the deck. This also applies to the supports for the torsion axle. The davits and the wires running via them keep the second "lower" platform in parallel with the ship's deck. The ladder is operated by means of wires, which run from the ladder via the davits to brackets and to a winch each. The brackets have to be welded on to the deck as well, and take up some space. This type of accommodation ladder fulfils very high demands for safety concerning embarkation of e.g. pilots and the operation of the ladder and is mainly intended for large ships.
It is previously known to parallel the steps of accommodation ladders by means of a connecting bar, e.g. as shown in the Danish Pat. No. 5764, the British Pat. No. 608.424 and the German Pat. No. 676.825. These connecting bars do however not strengthen the torsional resistance of the accommodation ladder.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a constructively simple and thereby cheaper embarkation device, by which a simplified installation is achieved at the same time as a perfectly satisfactory function and safety of the accommodation ladder is maintained and the lower platform will always automatically be kept in a horizontal position. The procedure of turning the device to the stowage position will be simplified as well. According to the invention this has been achieved by the fact that said connecting bar is arranged to strengthen the torsional resistance of the device and to take up the torsional forces between the platforms when the device is turned to and from the stowing position on deck.
The Danish patent specification No. 5764 shows an accommodation ladder with a connecting member, whose purpose, however, is only to parallel the steps of the ladder. This device has no second platform.
The device according to the invention illustrates several important advantages, some of which are mentioned below.
Only a few details have to be welded on to the deck and the stowage space required is exceedingly small. The connecting bar stabilizes the ladder and makes it steadier and safer to walk on. There is no need of davit arms obstructing the through-fare on the ladder when this is hoisted to its upper position. Furthermore, the ladder is kept against the ship's side more firmly than in devices hanging on vertical wires, and this prevents the ladder from swinging when the ship is rolling. The connecting bar always keeps the lower platform in a horizontal position and also takes up the torsional forces between the platforms when the ladder is turned to and from the stowage position.
Further characteristics of the invention will be evident from the following specification, in which some embodiments are more closely described in accordance with the enclosed drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of an accommodation ladder according to the invention,
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the accommodation ladder according to FIG. 1,
FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of an accommodation ladder according to another embodiment of the in
REFERENCES:
patent: 298212 (1984-05-01), Knight
patent: 1343094 (1920-06-01), Sims
patent: 2362170 (1944-11-01), Swaisgood
patent: 2372574 (1945-03-01), Haynes
patent: 2411966 (1946-12-01), Hogan
patent: 2738913 (1956-03-01), Taylor
patent: 3856110 (1974-12-01), Nilsson
patent: 4115887 (1978-09-01), Ewards
AB Welin
Byers Jr. Nile C.
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