GB2217268A

GB2217268A - A ships capsized automatic opening climbing net stowing container

Info

Publication number: GB2217268A
Application number: GB8808872A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen Lee
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-04-14
Filing date: 1988-04-14
Publication date: 1989-10-25
Also published as: GB8808872D0

Abstract

A stowing container for ships climbing net, has a body 9 fixed internally on a ship with a front flap 11 which in the event of a capsize opens automatically by tilt activated release mechanism 25. In such circumstances once the front flap is open the climbing net 33 self deploys, enabling persons to climb the net in order to exit the ship. The stowing container can also be opened manually by use of the finger slots 12 on the front flap 11 in order to deploy the net manually through a window or door, in events other than capsize when required to leave the ship at sea. The container also has a hinged top lid 13 and compartments for an alarm 28 and emergency lights 29 with spring operated switches. A construction of climbing net and release mechanism are described. <IMAGE>

Description

SHIPS CAPSIZED AUTOMATIC OPENING CONTAINER, AND CAPSIZED SELF DEPLOYING CLIMBING NET.

This invention relates to a ships capsized automatic opening container, and capsized self deploying climbing net.

Stowing containers for climbing nets are a well known method of keeping such nets in when not in use and climbing nets are a well known means of getting on. or off. a vessel at sea particurly in times of emergency.

Such stowing containers require to be opened manually, and such Climbing nets are, however, relatively difficult to deploy, requiring firstly knowledge of their existance, secondly requiring some knowledge of how to manually deploy the net in the correct manner. Also the standard stowing container and climbing net, is usually situated on the outer decks, therefore it is: not useable to persons still inside the ship particularl if a ship capsizes.

According to the present invention there is provided a stowing container,which automatically opens when a ship reaches an enevitable capsize position,comprising of a container with a manually opened lid, and an automatically opening hinged front flap,which operates in the capsized position, inside the container there are three compartments:: to house the front flap automatic opening mechanism, the self deploying climbing net, and the battery powered emergency light and operating alarm, and or pre recorded emergency procedure loud speaker instructions system, which automatically illuminate, and sound when the container auomatically opens in a capsize event, or when the container is opened manually for other manual deployments of the ret The container is fitted or the inner hull wall of a ship, either above, below, or inplace of a window, or the ships boarding doors situated on the sides of the ship the containers should be positioned opposite corridors, and other open areas stretching the complete width of the ship, with another container o the oposi te wall or oor.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows in perspective the upright stowing container closed.

Figure .t illustrates the upright stowing container automatically opened in the capsized position.

Figure 3 shows the construction of the automatic release mechanism Figure 4 shows in perspective., the stowing container table top type. afixed to the interior hull wall of a ship below a outer window in its closed state Figure 5 illustrates the stowing container automatically opening in a capsized situations with the climbing net self deploying.

Figure 6 shows i perspective the above window stowing container variation closed.

Figure 7 illustrates the above window stowing container opened automatically in a capsized position.

Figure 8 shows the construction of the climbing net, and fictures.

Referring to the drawing the stowing container 9. in whatever position as described above,in Fig 1,4,or 6, is secured to the wall of the ship by means of 'U' bolts 36 being placed through holes in the back plate 16 of the container 9,and through holes trilled throngh both the inner wall 17, and outer hull lining 18 of the ship, the 'U' bolts 36 would then be secured by nuts 41 and washers 42 to all three parts mentioned, inside the container the 2 bolts 36 would protude sufficiently for carabiners 4 to be placed through. the carabiners 4. would then be attached to the ands of the climbing net 33, which would be made of a webbing type material such as seat beiting material.

the 'U' bolts 36, carabiners 43, and webbing material would require to be strong enough to be capable of supporting the weight of approximately 3 tonnes. The Climbing net 33 would be similarly constructed as in figure 8 with th steel or other such suitably rigid and strong material i the shape of a rod 4 affixed at evenly spaced distances of approximately 6 meter intervals along the nets length. by means of a extra section of webbing 50 sewn 45 into position immediately below a tread strap 46. the rod 48 would be held in place by means of a screwed clamp 47 to prevent the rods 48 sliding out of position arid to mentain stability when persons are useing the net. The rods 48 would also Lie used to assist in neat storage. and evenly controlled deployment of the net by the placing of the rod 48 ends into a runner 35 fixed on each side of the ret compartment in the stowing container When the stowing container 9 is operating through a ship capsizing, the automatic tilt release mechanism 25, which works, by a heavy ballbearing 37 in a tube 25, the tube being straight for most of its length running from the front of the container alony the top of the container to the rear where a bendd Is. put into the tube downwards at an angle of between 50 arid 70 degrees 3::3 The ball tearing 37 is housed when the container is i its closed position in the bottom of the bent part of the tube. when the ships over reaches the point of tilt at which it capsizes.

the ballbearing 37 rolls down the tube past the bend and drop≈to the bottom of the tube where wi th the force of its dropping weight it pushes up the leverarm 24. which pivots on a pi 23, off the front flap catch 30, which is fixed on the inside of a cut slot 31 i the front flap 11. the leverarm 24 when it is pushed up by the descending ballbearing, releases the front flap 11. which by its own weight drops open on its hinge 39, the climbing net 33 In turn is then free to deploy itself by sliding of the runners 35 under its own we ight .At At the same time as the front flap 11 opens i it also releases the emergency light 29: a rid operating alarm 28 sprung switches 26 and 27, causing both these to operate.

Where the first person to climb the net5 reaches the top. that person can then manually open the slide hinged 19 container lid 13 to break the glass 15 in the window by fearcely opening the lid 13, and striking the metal glass breaker 14 against the window 15, this will also give some protection against splintering glass in this proccess, once the glass is smashed the li d can tie 11 i d off its hinge 19 and placed through the broken window, the attached heavy duty canvas sheet 22 will then keeF the 1 id joined to the container. and also act as a safety barrier for persons climbing through the broken window from fragments. of glass. sot ill in the @ window frame When the container is fitted to the side boarding doors, the hinged lid 13 does not require to be fitted with the slide off type hinges 19, or a canvas sheet 22, it can instead be fitted with a fixed hinge and a catch fixed above the container on the door in in order that the 1 lid can be opened and retained by a hook type catch i an open position manually. Also even when a ship does not capsize the container can be opened manually. by use of finger slots 12 i the front flap 11 to manually lift the leverarms 24 externally. and the climbing net deployed manually through a broken window with the 1 id being deployed as already described to assist persons to escape down the side of a ship The climbing net can be rest owed manually. reversing the way in which the net is deployed, with no maintenance required except for the a). arm and 1 ight batteries which can be readily serviced and renewed when required.

Claims

1 A ships capsized automatic opening climbing net stowing container. comprising a body in the form of a box. hinged top lid. hinged front flap. the box having compartments to house. a climbing net. emergency lighting. operating alarm and means for automatically releasably securing the front flap when the container is closed.

2 A ships capsized automatic opening climbing net stowing container as claimed in Claim 1 wherein guide means are provided inside the net stowing compartment co-operable with the climbing net to neatly stow the climbing net when not in uses and to assist in the climbing nets controlled and correct deployment of the net when i use due to a ships capsize.

3 A ships capsized automatic opening climbing net stowing container as claimed in Claim 1 wherein catchment means is provided In the compartments to secure the hinged front t flap and hinged top li when the container is i its stowed position.

4 fi ships capsized automatic opening climbing net stowing container as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 3 wherein a means of automaticly release mechanism is adapted to co-operate with the catchment means in order to automatically release the front flap and release the top lid, n event of a ship capsizing

5 A ships capsized automatic opening climbing net stowIng container as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 3 or Claim 4 wherein a manual opening mechanism means is adapter to co-operate with the release catchment means to manual open the container to manually deploy the climbing net in events other than a ships capsize

6 A ships capsize automatic opening climbing net stowing container as claimed in any preceding claim where in the body contains compartments for the insert ion of emergency lighting, operating alarm batteries for same. and spring operating switches for same.

7 A ships capsize automatic opening climbing net stowing container substantially as described here in with th reference to Figures 1-7 of the accompanying drawing.

8 A climbing net as substantially described herein with reference to figure fire of the accompanying drawling