GB2091683A - Lifting arrangement for use on ships - Google Patents

Abstract

A lifting arrangement for use on ships consists of one or a plurality of support columns (3) which are fixed on a ship (1) preferably on the stern thereof, in a substantially vertical position. Furthermore, the lifting arrangement comprises bearers (2) adapted for displacement along these support columns and a platform (4) preferably constructed as a grid, fixed to and carried by the bearers. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Lifting arrangement for use on ships The invention relates to a lifting arrangement for use on ships. This lifting arrangement can be mounted both on smaller ships and boats and also on large ships. The intended purpose of the lifting arrangement is to convey persons or objects from the water onto the deck of the ship or, conversely, from the deck into the water. Preferably, the lifting arrangement is so constructed that it can be mounted at the stern of a ship. The lifting arrangement according to the invention comprises one or a plurality, preferably two, support columns, bearers displaceable along these support columns and a platform mounted on the bearers.

The bearers can engage around the support columns or, if the support columns are hollow in construction, may extend through a longitudinal slot into the interior of the support columns. At their other end, these bearers support a platform.

The arrangement is ideally so contrived that the platform is horizontally disposed. In this respect, attachment of the support columns and the length thereof will be expediently so chosen that in its very lowest position, the platform is below the water line and in its highest position, is at the level of the deck of the ship or a little higher. Abutments at both ends of the support columns prevent these extreme positions being exceeded.

The platform may be moved in a vertical direction by various means, for example by means of a tackle system, a chain transmission or a rackand-pinion drive, propulsion being either manual or motorised or if necessary by means of ratchets.

Preferably, the platform is not constructed as a continuous plate but has apertures in it, in other words is constructed as a sieve or perforated plate, preferably as a grid, so that in the lowered state it offers as little resistance to the water as possible. If the platform is intended for use only for carrying loads, for example fish or baggage or the like, then it can also be constructed as a frame covered with a net.

It is convenient for each support column to be constituted by two mutually parallel U-shaped members connected rigidly to each other, the ends of the sides of the members facing each other and having a gap between them through which the bearer can pass. In this case, at its end which is remote from the platform, a slider or such like which is disposed inside the U-shaped member, is guided by the latter for vertical displacement.

In order to reduce friction, each bearer is provided with four pairs of rollers. Two of these pairs of rollers are contained in one U-shaped member while the other two pairs of rollers are contained in the other. Within each U-shaped member, the two pairs of rollers are so disposed one above the other that the rollers which are in each case superposed can roll along the inside face of one or other of the flanges, as the case may be.

Preferably there is associated with the platform a ladder which has its top end connected to that edge of the platform which is directed away from the ship. The connection may be either separable or contrived in such a way that the ladder can be pivoted out of an inoperative position in which it is resting on the platform and the adjacent ship's deck, into the position of use in which it is hanging down vertically from the edge of the platform.

This ladder makes it easy for bathers or even castaways to climb onto the lowered platform.

It is however also possible for the ladder to be swung out horizontally while the platform is in its upper position and used as a gangplank, the free end of the ladder being placed on the fixed gangplank or on a harbour wall. It goes without saying that it is also possible to place on this ladder a gangplank with a lateral rail such as is used for example on passenger ships.

The invention will be explained in greater detail hereinafter with reference to examples shown in the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a broken away side view of a ship's stern with the lifting arrangement fitted in the inoperative position and in the working position thereof; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a modified embodiment of the lifting arrangement; Fig. 3 shows the platform being used as a gangplank; Fig. 4 shows an improved version of a bearer for the lifting arrangement, and Fig. 5 shows a section taken on the line V-V in Fig. 4.

The lifting arrangement shown in Fig. 1 comprises a support column 3 which is so attached tD the stern of a ship 1 via an upper brace 6 and a bottom brace 5 that it is positioned at the right-angle to the water surface W. A bearer 2 is vertically displaceable along this support column 3 and can be moved in a vertical direction by a motor drive M. This bearer 2 carries a platform 4. The extreme raised position of the platform 4 shown by solid lines, is so fixed that it is easily possible for persons or goods to cross from the deck of the ship onto the platform and vice versa.

The bottom dash-dotted position 4' of the platform is so established that the top surface of the platform is below the surface W so that persons swimming in the water or goods which are brought up to the platform can easily gain access to or be placed on the platform.

In the case of the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, two support columns 3a and 3b are fixed via corresponding braces 5a and 5b and 6a, 6b to the dash-dotted stern of the ship 1. As will also be explained in greater detail with reference to Fig. 4, these support columns comprise two U-shaped members disposed parallel with and at a distance from each other. In this case, in a manner which will be explained also with reference to Fig. 4, the two bearers engage through the slots between the U-shaped members and are guided for displacement along these slots, an appropriate drive also being provided in this case.

Mounted on the U-shaped members is a platform 4a in the form of a grid. The top end of a ladder 7 is separately fixed to the outer edge of this platform.

Fig. 3 shows the lifting arrangement being used as a gangway or gangplank. In the manner already described hereinabove, there is fixed at the stern of the ship 11, on which there is moreover a rail 17, a support column which is vertical to the water surface Wand which, via a bearer 20, carries a platform 14 which has a handrail 1 8 along its side. The end of the platform is placed on a harbour wall 1 9 so that passengers can cross safely from ship to land.

Figs. 4 and 5 show the guidance of the bearer 20, indicated in Fig. 2, employing four pairs of rollers 21 in the support column which is constituted by two U-shaped members 1 3a and 1 3b. These members are fixed at a distance from and parallel with each other and the overall arrangement is such that the eight rollers roll alongside and above one another in the U-shaped members and guide the bearer 20 with minimal clearance so that it is easily vertically displaceable.

The drive which can be effected in various ways is not expressly illustrated here.

Claims (6)

1. A lifting arrangement for use on ships, characterised by one or more support columns to be secured to a ship, preferably at the stern thereof, in a substantially vertical position, bearers displaceable along the support columns and a platform fixed to the bearers.

2. A lifting arrangement according to Claim 1, characterised in that the platform is constructed as a grid.

3. A lifting arrangement according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that each support column is formed by two mutually parallel U-shaped members which are rigidly connected to each other with the arms of the U-shaped members directed towards each other, leaving a gap between them through which the bearer can pass.

4. A lifting arrangement according to Claim 3, characterised in that the or each bearer is provided with four pairs of rollers every two of which are so disposed one above the other that one of the rollers of each upper pair roll along the inside face of one arm while those two rollers of the lower pair positioned directly beneath said upper rollers roll along the inside face of the other arm of one of the two U-shaped members.

5. A lifting arrangement according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterised by a ladder associated with the platform and connected to that edge of the platform which is directed away from the ship.

6. A lifting arrangement for use on ships, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to or as shown in the accompanying drawings.