NL2021933B1

NL2021933B1 - Manually movable gangway

Info

Publication number: NL2021933B1
Application number: NL2021933A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Richard Van Leeuwen Hendrik
Original assignee: Verhoef Aluminium Scheepsbouwindustrie B V
Priority date: 2018-11-05
Filing date: 2018-11-05
Publication date: 2020-05-15

Abstract

A movable gangway comprising: a bridge section provided with a walkway which extends along a longitudinal direction of said bridge section; one or more counten/veights attached to the gangway a first, second and third pair of wheels having parallel axes of rotation, each ofthe wheels having a lower tread surface for making rolling contact with the ground, wherein a first plane extends tangentially to the lowertread surfaces of the wheels ofthe first and second pair of wheels, a second, different, plane extends tangentially to the lower tread surfaces of the wheels of the second and third pair, and wherein the gangway is tiltable between a first tilting orientation in which the first plane is substantially parallel to the ground and the wheels ofthe first and second wheel pairs contact the ground, and a second tilting orientation in which the second plane is substantially parallel to the ground and the wheels of the second and third wheel pairs contact the ground, wherein in the first tilting orientation the free end is spaced at a first distance from the first plane, and in the second tilting orientation the free end is spaced at a second, greater, distance from second plane.

Description

Manually movable gangway

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a manually movable gangway having a ground end and a free end and comprising a bridge section that is provided with a walkway which extends along a longitudinal direction of the bridge section. The moveable gangway further comprises, at its ground end a pair of wheels which have a common axis of rotation. One or more counterweights are attached to the moveable gangway and are arranged such that during use of the gangway, and when seen in projection onto a horizontal plane, the common axis of rotation is located between the counterweights and the free end. The invention further relates to a method for manually moving such a gangway, and to a transport frame adapted to be attached to gangway.

Background art

From CN 205059945 U a shore gangway is known which comprises a first gangway body, a second gangway body and a lifting rope mechanism. The first gangway body comprises a first walking board and first handrails arranged on the two sides of the first walking board, and the second gangway body comprises a second walking board and second handrails arranged on the two sides of the second walking board. One end of the second walking board is rotatably connected to one end of the first walking board, and the second walking board can rotate downwards. The lifting rope mechanism comprises a hoisting device, a pulley block and a lifting rope, with the hoisting device and the pulley block both arranged on the first gangway body and wherein one end of the lifting rope is fixedly connected to the hoisting device, and wherein the other end of the lifting rope penetrates the pulley block and then is fixedly connected to the hoisting device. The other end of the lifting rope penetrates the pulley block and then is fixedly connected to the second gangway body. A roller is disposed at an end of the first walking board that is away from the second walking board and a weight bar is disposed at an end of the first walking board that is not connected to the second walking board. The gangway uses the fulcrum action of the weight bar and the roller to meet the use demands during high tide, e.g. when a height level of a vessel changes with changing tides.

A drawback of the known gangway is that typically a powered lifting means, such as a crane or the like, is needed to move the gangway to and away from a vessel, such as a ship.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a gangway which can more easily be manually moved in a horizontal direction by a single person, in particular without the need for an external lifting device.

Summary of the invention

To this end, according to a first aspect, the present invention provides a manually movable gangway having a ground end and a free end and comprising: a bridge section provided with a walkway which extends along a longitudinal axis of said bridge section; a one or more

P6075446NL counterweights attached to the gangway; wherein the gangway is provided at its ground end with a first pair of wheels having a first axis of rotation, a second pair of wheels having a second axis of rotation parallel to the first axis of rotation, and a third pair of wheels having a third axis of rotation which is parallel to the first axis of rotation and which is spaced further apart from the first axis of rotation than from the second axis of rotation; wherein each of the wheels has a lower tread surface for making rolling contact with the ground, wherein a first plane extends tangentially to the lower tread surfaces of the wheels of the first and second pair of wheels, and a second plane extends tangentially to the lower tread surfaces of the wheels of the second and third pair of wheels and non-parallel to the first plane, and wherein the gangway is tiltable between a first tilting orientation in which the first plane is substantially parallel to the ground and the wheels of the first and second wheel pairs contact the ground, and a second tilting orientation in which the second plane is substantially parallel to the ground and the wheels of the second and third wheel pairs contact the ground, wherein in the first tilting orientation the free end is spaced at a first distance from the first plane, and in the second tilting orientation the free end is spaced at a second distance from the second plane, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance. Preferably the gangway is manually tiltable between the first and second tilting orientation by only one or two persons., e.g. by one or two persons directly pushing against the gangway or directly pulling on the gangway, or by one person pulling on a rope or cable that is attached to the free end of the gangway.

The ground end of the gangway is herein referred to as the end of the gangway that remains relatively close to the ground during tilting from the first tilting orientation to the second tilting orientation, and the free end is referred to as that end of the gangway which is moved in a direction away from the ground during tilting from the first tilting orientation to the second tilting orientation.

The free end is adapted to be connected to a portion of a vessel in such a manner that the ground end of the gangway is located at a lower level than the free end that is connected to the vessel. Typically the portion of the vessel to which the free end is to be connected is a deck of the vessel, which deck extends above the ground level. The ground may for instance be formed by a substantially horizontal surface of a quayside or jetty.

The gangway may be manually transported by a single person as follows. When the gangway is in an orientation in which both the ground end and the free end contact the ground, the person picks up the free end of the walkway and lifts it until the gangway is in the first tilting orientation in which the first and second pairs of wheels contact the ground. Due to the counterweights which are arranged at a rear side of the gangway opposite from the free end, the free end can be lifted using a predetermined amount of vertically directed lifting force, e.g. in the range of between 150 N and 300 N, that can be manually provided by a single person holding the free end. The force should be small enough to allow a single person holding the free end to easily move the gangway from an orientation in which the first pair of wheels is in contact with the ground and in which the second pair of wheels is spaced apart from the ground, to the first tilting orientation. This force preferably is at least 150 N, as otherwise the gangway might tilt inadvertently, e.g. due

P6075446NL to wind or when the gangway is moved across an uneven ground surface. The ground typically has a substantially horizontal surface across which the gangway can be rolled.

Next, the person drives movement of the gangway across the ground by pulling horizontally on the free end towards a vessel. While driving movement of the gangway across the ground it is sufficient if the person exerts only a vertically upwardly directed force, e.g. between 150N and 300N or less, on the free end to prevent the gangway from tilting away from the first tilting orientation.

Changing the orientation of the gangway from the first tiling orientation to the second tiling orientation may be carried out by the same person, and/or by another person. For instance, using a rope that is attached to the free end, the person, or another person, may pull up the free end towards a location above the ground surface, such as deck of a vessel to which the gangway is to be connected. The gangway will then be tilted from the first tilting orientation to at least the second tilting orientation, and in the second tilting orientation the gangway may be manually pushed in a horizontally direction to move the free end closer to the location to which the free end is to be connected. This will typically be carried out by a single person pushing against the ground end of the gangway.

Alternatively the gangway may be tilted into the second tilting orientation by the person exerting a downward directed force on the gangway at a location to the rear of the area spanned by the first and second wheel pairs, in particular on the one or more counterweights or on handles to which the one or more counterweights are attached. In this manner the gangway is tilted from the first tilting orientation, in which the first and second wheel pairs are in contact with the ground, to a second tilting orientation, in which the second and third wheel pairs are in contact with the ground. This downward force is typically also at least 150 N, but preferably no greater than 400 N. The downward force on the rear of the gangway causes the gangway to pivot around the second wheel pair until the gangway reaches the second tilting orientation.

While the gangway is in the second tilting orientation, the person or another person may exert a horizontally directed force on the gangway to move the gangway horizontally towards the vessel. During this horizontal movement, it is sufficient to apply a only a small vertically downward directed force on the counterweights or handles to which the counterweights are attached, e.g. between 150 and 300 N, or a small vertically upward directed force, e.g. between 150 and 300 N on the free end of the gangway, e.g. via a rope held by another person to prevent the gangway from tilting away from the second tilting orientation. The free end, which has thus been raised from the ground may subsequently be connected to the vessel.

In an embodiment the gangway is adapted to be substantially self-balancing in both the first and second tilting orientation. Herein by self-balancing is meant that, when the first and second wheel pairs, orthe second and third wheel pairs are in contact with a substantially horizontal ground surface, a small vertically upward directed force on the free end or a small vertically directed downward force on the one or more counterweights or handles to which the counterweights are attached is sufficient to prevent the gangway from tilting to another tilting orientation. The small

P6075446NL vertically upward directed force and the small vertically directed downward force preferably lie in the range of 150 N to 300 N or less, though the two forces do not have to be identical. The gangway can thus be manually transported across a substantially flat and horizontal portion of the ground by pulling or pushing the gangway while the gangway is in one of at least two substantially selfbalancing tilting orientations and without the person doing the pushing or pulling having to provide a large vertical force. When the gangway is in the first tilting orientation and when viewed in projection onto a horizontal plane, the center of gravity of the gangway preferably lies proximate to or within an area spanned by the wheels of the first and second wheel pairs. In this manner, the gangway, when in the first tilting orientation, is substantially balanced, i.e. is substantially prevented from tilting further under its own weight. When the gangway is in the second tilting orientation and when viewed in projection onto a horizontal plane, the center of gravity of the gangway preferably lies proximate to or within an area an area spanned by the wheels of the second and third wheel pairs, so that the gangway is also substantially balanced when in the second tilting orientation. By “proximate to” here is meant within 0,30 meter of said area. As the tendency of the gangway to tilt due to its own weight while in the first or second tilting orientation is substantially reduced, a single person can manually move the gangway along a substantially horizontal direction, in both tilting orientations of the gangway.

In an embodiment the one or more counterweights are attached to the gangway at an end of the gangway opposite from the bridge section. When the gangway is in the first or second tilting orientation, the weights thus counteract at least a substantial part of the weight of the bridge section.

The combined weight of the counterweights may lie in the range of 15 kg to 900 kg. For instance, for a gangway having a bridge section with a length of 4 m, a combined weight of the counterweights of 15 kg may suffice, whereas for a gangway having a bridge section with a length of 15m or more, the combined weight of the counterweighs may be 900 kg.

In an embodiment, the first axis of rotation is at a distance to the free end which is smaller than a distance of the second axis of rotation to the free end, and the second axis of rotation is at a distance to the free end which is smaller than the distance of the third axis of rotation to the free end.

In an embodiment the walkway extends along a walkway plane, wherein the first plane is at an angle αθ to the walkway plane of 1 to 10 degrees, preferably 3 to 10 degrees, more preferably between 6 and 8 degrees. Thus, when the gangway is in the first orientation and with the wheels of the first and second pairs in contact with a substantially horizontally extending ground surface, the free end of the walkway will generally be spaced apart from the ground surface by a distance equal to the first distance. The distance between the free end and the ground surface will roughly be equal to the length of the walkway times sin(aO).

In an embodiment, one or both of the first and second axis of rotation lie on one side of the walkway plane, and one or both of the third and fourth axis of rotation lie on an opposite side of the walkway plane.

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In an embodiment, the first plane is at a first angle a1 the second plane, wherein the first angle a1 is in the range of 6 to 20 degrees, preferably 11 to 17 degrees. Such a relatively small angle facilitates tilting of the gangway between the first and second tilting orientation. Preferably, the first angle a1 is equal to or greater than two times the angle αθ between the first plane and the walkway plane.

In an embodiment the gangway further comprises a fourth pair of wheels which has fourth axis of rotation parallel to the first axis of rotation, each of the wheels of the fourth pair of wheels having a lower tread surface for making rolling contact with the ground, wherein a third plane extends tangentially to the lower tread surfaces of the wheels of the third and fourth pair of wheels, wherein the gangway (1) is further tiltable to a third tilting orientation in which the third plane (P3) is substantially parallel to the ground and the wheels of the third and fourth wheel pairs contact the ground, wherein in the third tilting orientation the free end is spaced at a third distance from the third plane, wherein the third distance is greater than the second distance. This allows greater changes in height of the free end during -tilting of the gangway by a single person. The fourth axis of rotation preferably is at a distance from the free end which is greater than the distance of the third axis of rotation to the free end. In this embodiment the gangway preferably is further adapted to also be substantially self-balancing when the third and fourth wheel pairs are in contact with the ground and the third plane is substantially horizontal and substantially parallel to the ground.

In an embodiment the second plane is at a second angle a2 to the third plane, wherein the second angle a2 is in the range of 6 to 20 degrees, preferably 11 to 17 degrees. Such a relatively small angle facilitates tilting of the gangway between the second and third tilting orientation. Preferably, the first angle a1 and the second angle a2 are substantially equal.

In an embodiment, the first, second and third pairs of wheels lie within a virtual cylinder having a cylinder axis parallel to the axes of rotation and a radius of less than 1,5 m, preferably 1,2 m or less. Preferably the fourth pair of wheels lies within the same virtual cylinder. The axes of rotation of all the wheel pairs preferably lie within 1,5 m from each other, i.e. in case the transport frame comprises three wheel pairs, any two axes of rotation thereof preferably lie within 1,5 m from each other, and in case the transport frame comprises four or more wheel pairs, any two axes of rotation thereof preferably lie within 1,5 m from each other.

In an embodiment the lower tread surfaces of the pairs or wheels are circumscribed by said cylinder, wherein when viewed in projection onto the first plane, the cylinder axis is arranged between the first and second axis of rotation. When viewed in projection onto the second plane, the cylinder axis is preferably arranged between the second and third axis of rotation, and when viewed in projection onto the third plane, the cylinder axis is preferably arranged between the third and fourth axis of rotation.

In an embodiment, the axes of rotation of the wheels all lie within 1 meter from each other. That is, the first axis of rotation of the first wheel pair does not lie further than 1 m from the axes of rotation of the second and third wheel pair. If the gangway is further provided with a fourth wheel

P6075446NL pair, then the first axis of rotation preferably does not lie further than 1 meter from the fourth axis of rotation.

In an embodiment, a distance between the first and second wheel axis is substantially equal to a distance between the second and third wheel axis. The wheels of the first, second and third wheel pairs preferably all have a substantially equal diameter. In case the transport frame comprises a fourth wheel pair, then a distance between the third and fourth wheel axis is preferably substantially equal to the distance between the second and third wheel axis and/or the wheels of the fourth pair have a diameter substantially equal to the diameters of the wheels of the first, second and third wheel pairs.

In an embodiment, two neighbouring axes of rotation of the first, second and third axes of rotation lie within two times a maximum diameterof any of the wheels connected to the neighbouring axes of rotation. For instance, if the wheels of the first wheel pair have a diameter of 25 cm and the wheels of the second wheel pair have a diameter of 20 cm, then the first and second wheel axis lie within two times the maximum diameter, i.e. within 50 cm, from each other. Preferably, two neighbouring axes of rotation of the axes of rotation lie within 1,5 times said maximum diameter from each other.

In an embodiment, when the gangway is in the first tilting orientation, the lower tread surfaces of the wheels of the third wheel pair are spaced apart from the ground. When the gangway has four pairs of wheels, the lower tread surfaces of the fourth pair of wheels are spaced further apart from the ground than the lower tread surfaces of the third pair of wheels are.

In an embodiment a spacing of the lower tread surfaces of the first, second, third and/or fourth pairs of wheels, when viewed along their respective first, second and third planes is in the range of 10 to 60 cm, preferably equal to or less than 30 cm. The lower tread surfaces of neighbouring wheel pairs are thus arranged relatively close to each other, allowing smooth movement between the different tilting orientations.

In an embodiment the gangway has a centre of gravity, wherein when seen in projection onto the ground, in the first tilting orientation the centre of gravity lies within 30 cm of an area spanned by the wheels of the first and second pair of wheels, and wherein, when seen in the same projection when the gangway is in the second tilting orientation, the centre of gravity lies within 30 cm of an area spanned by the wheels of the second and third pairs of wheels, preferably wherein, when seen in the same projection when the gangway is in the third tilting orientation, the centre of gravity lies within 30 cm of an area spanned by the wheels of the third and fourth pairs of wheels. In the first, second and preferably also the third tilting orientation, the center of gravity thus is close, i.e. within 30 cm, to the area of support for the gangway that is spanned by the wheels that contact the ground. A person can thus hold the gangway in a tilting orientation by a using relatively small amount (e.g. less than 300N) of vertically directed force on either free end of the gangway. In is typically desirable that for each of the tilting orientations the center of gravity lies slightly outside the area spanned by the wheels contacting the ground on a side closer to the free end of the gangway,

P6075446NL so that the gangway will have a tendency to tilt with its free end towards the ground. However, it is also conceivable that in one or more of the tilting orientations the center of gravity lies within the area spanned by the wheels contacting the ground, in which case the gangway may remain in that tilting orientation by itself and without requiring a person or further support to prevent the gangway from tilting.

In an embodiment the bridge section extends a length of between 4 m and 16 m, and the walkway extends over at least 90% of said length.

In an embodiment the one or more counterweights together have a first weight, the entire gangway, including the one or more counterweights, has a second weight, and a third weight is defined as the second weight minus the first weight, wherein the ratio of the third weight to the second weight is in the range of 0,5 to 3, preferably in the range of 1,3 to 2,9 or in the range of 0,6 to 0,9. The second total weight of the gangway includes the weight of the counterweights, as well as the weight of the bridge section and the transport frame. For instance, a gangway with a bridge section of a length of 5 m and counterweights weighing 45 kg, may have a total weight of 115 kg. A gangway with a bridge section of a length of 12 m and counterweights weighing 900 kg, may have a total weight of 1200 kg.

In an embodiment, the gangway further comprises a transport frame that is attached to the bridge section near the ground end of the gangway, wherein the first, second and third pairs of wheels are mounted on the transport frame to be rotatable around their respective axis of rotation.

In an embodiment transport frame comprises a pair of beams which are attached bridge section and extend on either longitudinal side of the bridge section, wherein the wheels of the first, second and third wheel pairs are attached to the beams.

In an embodiment the bridge section and/or the transport frame are made from or comprise a metal or metal alloy, preferably aluminium, titanium, stainless steel.

In an embodiment, the transport frame is substantially rigid, wherein the positions of the axes of rotation of the wheel pairs are fixed with respect to the transport frame. Preferably, the transport frame is rigidly attached to the bridge section so that the position of the wheel axes relative to the free end is substantially fixed.

In an embodiment the transport frame is provided with two handles, wherein one of the one or more counterweights is attached to each handle, wherein said handles extend parallel to each other and the each handle counterweight attached thereto is spaced apart from the other handle and counterweight attached thereto by a distance of between 0,6 m and 1,5 m. People and materials moving across the gangway can thus move between the two handles. Additionally, the handles can be held by a single person standing between the handles, e.g. for tilting the gangway from the second tilting orientation to the third tilting orientation or vice versa.

Preferably, the handles have free ends which, when the gangway is in the first orientation, are spaced apart from the walkway plane by distance h in the range of 0,8 to 1,6 meters. This height allows easy access to the handles when the gangway is in the first tilting orientation, e.g. for

P6075446NL further tilting the gangway to the second tilting orientation and/or for exerting a horizontal force on the gangway via the handles. More preferably, when the gangway is completely tilted, e.g. in the second tilting orientation if the gangway only has three pairs of wheels and in the third tilting orientation if the gangway had four pairs of wheels, the handles are spaced apart from the ground by at least 10 cm. This substantially prevents a person who has wrapped his or her hand around the handle in order to push it down from accidentally crushing his or her hands moving the gangway to the orientation in which it is completely tilted.

According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a transport frame for a manually moveable gangway, preferably a manually moveable gangway as described herein, the gangway having a ground end and a free end, and comprising a bridge section provided with a walkway which extends along a longitudinal direction of said bridge section, wherein the transport frame is adapted to be attached to the bridge section and comprises: one or more counterweights; a first pair of wheels having a first axis of rotation, a second pair of wheels having a second axis of rotation parallel to the first axis of rotation; a third pair of wheels having a third axis of rotation which is parallel to the first axis of rotation and which is spaced further apart from the first axis of rotation than from the second axis of rotation; wherein each of the wheels has a lower tread surface for making rolling contact with the ground, wherein a first plane extends tangentially to the lower tread surfaces of the wheels of the first and second pair of wheels, and a second plane extends tangentially to the lower tread surfaces of the wheels of the second and third pair of wheels and non-parallel to the first plane, and wherein the transport frame is tiltable between a first tilting orientation in which the first plane is substantially parallel to the ground and the wheels of the first and second wheel pairs contact the ground, and a second tilting orientation in which the second plane is substantially parallel to the ground and the wheels of the second and third wheel pairs contact the ground. The transport frame according to the invention may be retrofitted to a gangway in order to facilitate manually moving the gangway along the ground.

According to a third aspect, the present invention provides a method for moving a gangway according to the invention, the method comprising the steps of: tilting the gangway until one of the first or second plane is substantially parallel to a ground surface; and subsequently manually pushing or pulling the gangway in a horizontal direction, such that the lower tread surfaces of the wheels of the first and second pair of wheels, or of the wheels of the second and third pair of wheels are in rolling contact with the ground surface. The ground surface is typically substantially horizontal. By moving the gangway, while it is in the first or second tilted position, horizontally such that two pairs of wheels are in rolling contact with the ground, tilting of the gangway due to its own weight is substantially avoided. The gangway can be pushed or pulled in a horizontal direction by a person, substantially without the person exerting a vertical force on the gangway to prevent it from tilting further. This allows the gangway to be moved along a substantially horizontal direction by a single person while the gangway is in one of the at least two tilting orientations. Typically, thanks to the counterweights, the tilting between the two tilting orientations can be carried manually out by a single person as well.

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Typically, when starting from a position in which only the first pair of wheels are in contact with the ground, a person will pick up the free end of the gangway in order to manually lift it until the gangway is in the first tilting orientation. Tilting the gangway from the first tilting orientation to the second tilting orientation, will typically comprise attaching a rope to the free end and manually pulling the free end up using the rope, until the free end is in the second tilting orientation. In order to tilt the gangway from the second orientation to the first orientation, a person may manually exert a downwardly directed vertical force on the counterweights or on handles to which the counterweights are attached. This force is preferably less than 400N.

In an embodiment, when the gangway is a gangway having four pairs of wheels as described herein, the method further comprises the steps of: tilting the gangway until the third plane is substantially parallel to the ground surface; and manually pushing the gangway, from an end of the gangway opposite to the free end, in a horizontal direction, such that the lower tread surfaces of the wheels of the third and fourth pair of wheels are in rolling contact with the ground surface. Here, tilting the gangway from the second tilting orientation to the third tilting orientation is typically carried out by pulling upwards on a rope that is attached to the free end. In order to tilt the gangway from the third orientation to the second orientation, a person may manually exert a downwardly directed vertical force on the counterweights or on handles to which the counterweights are attached. This force is preferably less than 400N.

Short description of drawings

The present invention will be discussed in more detail below, with reference to the attached drawings, in which

Figs. 1A shows a schematic side view of a gangway according to the invention;

Figs. 1B and 1C shows details of the gangway of Fig. 1A;

Figs. 2A-D show the gangway of Fig. 1 in various orientations;

Figs. 3A and 3B respectively show a schematic isometric view of the transport frame of the gangway of Fig. 1 and a detail thereof;

Figs. 4 schematically shows top view of a portion of the transport frame, illustrating the location of the gangway’s center of gravity in different tilting orientations of the gangway.

Description of embodiments

Figs. 1A and 1B, 1C respectively show a schematic side view of a gangway 1 according to the invention, and detailed views of a transport frame 30 thereof. The gangway 1 has a ground end 2 a portion of which remains in contact with the ground G during use of the gangway. The gangway further has a free end 3, which, at least when the gangway is in a tilted position, is typically spaced apart from the ground G. The gangway 1 further comprises a bridge section 10 which is provided with a walkway 15 which extends along a longitudinal direction of the bridge section 10. The transport frame 30 has a connected end 31 that is attached to the bridge section 10 near the ground end 2 of the gangway and further has an opposite end 32 to which counterweights 37 are attached.

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First, second, third and fourth wheel pairs 41,42,43,44 are attached to the transport frame 30 and have parallel axes of rotation.

In Fig. 1A the gangway 1 is shown supported on a substantially horizontal ground surface G, with the wheels of the first wheel pair 41 contacting the ground surface G, while ,the wheels of the second, third and fourth wheel pairs are spaced apart from the ground surface G.

The walkway extends along a walkway plane W and has a length L1 along said plane. The transport frame has a length L2 along the same walkway plane W, wherein L2 is smaller than L1. In the example shown, L1 is about 10 m and L2 is about 2,4 m. However in other embodiments the length L1 of the bridge section may be anywhere between 2m and 16 m, as long as the length L2 of the transport frame is smaller than the length of the bridge section, preferably at least by a factor 4.

When the gangway is in use, its ground end 2 remains close to the ground surface G while its free end 3 can be freely moved to contact either the ground surface, as shown in Fig. 1A, or can be moved to vertical distance from the ground surface, e.g. for connecting to a vessel. The bridge section 10 is provided with handrails 16 along both longitudinal sides of the bridge section.

The counterweights 37 facilitate tilting of the gangway 1 around wheel axes of the first, second or third wheel pairs 41,42,43. When seen in projection onto the walkway plane W, the wheel pairs 41,42,43,44 are arranged between the counterweights and the free end 2 of the gangway. The counterweights 37 have a common center of gravity 38 at a distance h of about 1,6 m from the walkway plane W, which is a convenient height for a person to push down on the counterweights and/or hold these when the walkway 15 is in a substantially horizontal orientation. The distance of the common center of gravity 38 along the walkway plane W to the wheel pairs depends amongst others on the weight of the counterweights 37 and the required counter moment for tilting the gangway and keeping it substantially balanced in the first, second and third tilting orientations, shown respectively in Figs 2B,2C,2D. The counterweights comprise steel, though lead or concrete could be used as well or instead.

The transport frame 30 is attached to the bridge section 10 by means of a bolted connection, though a welded, adhered and/or riveted connection could be used instead. The transport frame may be provided as part of a gangway during manufacture of the gangway, or may be retrofitted to a bridge section of an already existing gangway. In case the transport frame is attached to the bridge section using a non-permanent connection, such as bolts, easy maintenance, transport and replacement of the transport section can be achieved.

As can be seen more clearly in the detail of Fig. 1B, the wheel pairs 41,42,43,44 of the transport frame 30 are located at a lower side of the transport frame facing the ground G. The wheels pairs have respective axes of rotation 51,52,53,54 which are parallel to each other. The wheel pairs 41,42, 43, 44 are connected to the transport frame 30 at increasing distances from the free end 3 of gangway. The distance d1 between the first wheel axis 51 and the second wheel axis 52 is substantially equal to the distance d2 between the second wheel axis 52 and the third wheel axis 53, which in turn is substantially equal to the distance d3 between the third wheel axis 53 and the fourth wheel axis 54. Each of the wheels has a lower tread surface 61,62,63,64 for contacting

P6075446NL the ground G. The lower tread surfaces 61,62,63,64 of the wheels are circumscribed by a virtual cylinder C, a portion of which is shown in dotted lines in Figs. 1A and 1B, which has a cylinder axis 50 which lies between 1 m and 1,5 m from each of the axes of rotation 51,52,53,54. The wheels pairs are thus located relatively close to each other, so that the gangway may smoothly be tilted between a first tilting orientation, in which first and second wheel pairs 41,42 contact the ground G, a second tilting orientation, in which second and third wheel pairs 42,43 contact the ground, and a third tilting orientation, in which third and fourth wheel pairs 43,44 contact the ground.

Fig. 1C shows a detail of the same transport frame 30 in which planes P1, P2 and P3 which extend tangentially to the lower tread surfaces of the wheel pairs 41,42,43,44 are indicated. A first plane P1 extends tangentially to the lower tread surfaces 61,62 of the first and second wheel pair 41,42 and is at an angle αθ of about 7 degrees to the walkway plane W. Referring back to Fig. 1 A, in the orientation shown the gangway 10 is supported on the ground surface at its free end 3, and in this orientation the walkway plane W is at a slight angle to the substantially horizontal ground surface G.

By lifting up the free end 3, and/or by pushing down the counterweights 37, the gangway can be brought to a first tilting orientation in which the first plane P1 is substantially parallel to the ground surface G and in which the wheels of the first and second wheel pairs contact the ground surface. In this orientation, the moment exerted by the bridge section 10 is substantially equal to the moment exerted by the transport frame, including the counterweights, so that the gangway is supported by the wheels of the first and second wheel pairs in a manner in which applying only a vertically upward direct force of less than 300 N on the free end 3 and/or on applying a vertically downward directed force of less than 300N on the opposite end 32 is sufficient to prevent the gangway from tilting any further due to its own weight. The gangway is thus substantially balanced in this orientation and can manually be moved with the free end 3 spaced apart from the ground surface. For instance, when the gangway is in the first tilting orientation, person pulling can move the gangway in a horizontal direction by pulling in a horizontal direction on the free end 3, or by pushing in a horizontal direction on the transport frame 30, without having to exert a vertically directed force of more than 300 N on either the free end 3 or then end 32 of the transport frame to prevent tilting of the gangway.

The gangway can be tilted from the first tilting orientation to a second tilting orientation in which the free end 3 is spaced further apart from the ground surface G. When the gangway is in the second tilting orientation, a second plane P2, which extends tangentially to the lower tread surfaces 62,63 of the second and third pair of wheels 42,43, extends substantially parallel to the ground surface G, and the wheels of the second and third wheel pairs are in contact with the ground surface. The gangway is substantially balanced in the second orientation as well, so that a person moving the gangway in a horizontal direction while the gangway is in the second tilting orientation can do so substantially without having to exert a vertical force greater than 300 N on either the free end 12 of the gangway or the end 32 of the transport frame to prevent it from tilting due to its own weight.

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The gangway can further be tilted from the second tilting orientation to a third tilting orientation in which the free end 3 is spaced even further apart from the ground surface than when in the second tilting orientation. When the gangway is in the third tilting orientation, a third plane P2, which extends tangentially to the lower tread surfaces 63,64 of the third and fourth pair of wheels 43,44, extends substantially parallel to the ground surface G, and the wheels of the third and fourth wheel pairs are in contact with the ground surface. The gangway is substantially balanced in the third orientation as well.

Figs. 2A - 2D illustrate how a gangway according to the invention can be tilted and manually moved along a horizontal direction by a single person. Fig. 2A shows the gangway 1, with both the free end 3 and the wheels of the first wheel pair 41 in contact with the ground surface G of a quay 90. In Fig. 2A, the wheels of the second, third and fourth wheel pair are spaced apart from the ground surface G.

In Fig. 2B a person 95 has lifted up the free end 3of the gangway, until the lower tread surfaces of the first and second wheel pairs 41,42 contact the ground surface G and the gangway is in the first tilting orientation. In this orientation, the free end 3 is arranged at a first distance y1 from the plane through the lower tread surfaces of the wheels of wheel pairs 41,42, which here coincides with the ground surface G. In the example shown, this first distance y1 about 1m, allowing the person 95 to comfortably hold the free end 12 and manually pull the gangway in a horizontal direction. As the gangway is substantially balanced when in the first tilting orientation, the person does not have to exert a substantial vertically directed force on the gangway to prevent the gangway from tilting during the horizontal movement of the gangway.

In Fig. 2C the gangway has been moved by person 95 in a substantially horizontal direction along the ground surface G of the quay 90 towards a vessel 93 which floats on a body of water 92 and is moored along the quay. The body of water lies against a vertically extending sidewall 91 of the quay 90 and has its water surface at a level below the ground surface G. Another person 96 standing on a deck 94 of the vessel to which the gangway is to be connected, and has pulled the free end 3 of the gangway upwards via a rope 97 attached thereto, causing tilting of the gangway from the first tiling position shown in Fig. 2B to the second tilting orientation shown in Fig. 2C In the second tilting orientation the wheels of the second and third wheel pairs 42,43 are in contact with the ground surface G. During tilting of the gangway from the first to the second tilting orientation, the free end 3 has been moved from the first distance y1 to the ground surface to a second, greater, distance y2 from the ground surface, though the free end still lies below the level of the deck 94 of the vessel 93. In order to bring the gangway closer to the vessel 93 during or after tiling of the gangway to the second tilting orientation, the person 95 still standing on the ground G may exert a substantially horizontally directed force on against the counterweights and/or handles of the gangway towards the vessel..

In Fig. 2D, the person 96 has tilted the gangway from the second tilting orientation to the third tilting orientation by further pulling upwards on the rope 97. In the third tilting orientation the wheels of the third and fourth wheel pairs 43,44 are in contact with the ground surface G, and the free end 3 of the gangway is at a distance y3 from the ground surface G, which distance y3 is

P6075446NL greater than the distance y2 shown in Fig. 2C. The person 95 can now push the gangway further towards the ship until the free end 3is arranged above the level of the deck 94, and the free end can subsequently be connected to the vessel, e.g. by means of cables or hooks or the like.

For removing the gangway from the ship 93, the steps described with respect to Figs. 2A2D can be carried out in reverse order.

Figs 3A and 3B show respectively a schematic isometric view of the same transport frame 30, and a detail of the wheel pairs thereof. The transport frame 30 comprises a pair of beams having portions 33 which are attached to the connecting end 31 of the transport frame, and extend on either longitudinal side of the walkway 15 and substantially parallel to the walkway plane W. The beam portions 33 merge into beam portions 34 which extend at an angle to the walkway plane W and below which the wheels of the first, second and third pair of wheels are arranged. Beam portions 34 in turn merge into handles 35, which extend at a greater angle to the walkway plane W than the beam portions 33.

The counterweights 37 are attached to the handles 35. The handles and counterweights attached thereto are arranged in such a manner that the handles 35 and counterweights are spaced apart by at least 15 cm from the third tangential plane that is defined by the lower tread surfaces of the wheels of the third and fourth wheel pairs 43,44. This helps to prevent a person’s hand or foot becoming accidentally crushed between the handles 35 and/or counterweights 37 when the gangway is tilted into the third tilting orientation. The handles 35 extend parallel to each other at and are spaced apart from each other by a distance equal to or greater than the width of the walkway 15. The counterweights 37 that are attached on the opposing handles are spaced 1 m apart from each other so that personnel can walk between the two handles and their corresponding counterweights and onto or off the walkway.

Fig. 4 schematically shows a top view of a portion of the transport frame, which illustrates how the gangway’s center of gravity moves along a path 70 as it is tilted between the first orientation to the second tilting orientation, and between the second tilting orientation and the third tilting orientation. When the center of gravity of the gangway is at position 70a along the path 70 between the first axis of rotation 51 of the first wheel pair and the free end of the gangway (not shown in Fig. 4), the gangway is in an orientation as shown in Fig. 2A. In this orientation the gangway is not balanced on wheels of at least two wheel pairs, but instead is balanced on the wheels of the first wheel pair and the free end of the gangway.

When the gangway is tilted to the first tilting orientation, its center of gravity moves along the path 70 to location 70b which lies closer to the first axis of rotation 51 than to the second axis of rotation 52 and within 30 cm of an area spanned by the wheels of the first and second pair of wheels which contact the ground, so that the gangway is substantially self-balancing when in the first tilting orientation.

When the gangway is tilted further to the second tilting orientation, its center of gravity moved to location 70b which lies closer to the axis of rotation 52 than to the first and third axes of rotation, and within 30 cm of an area spanned by the second and third pair of wheels, so that in this orientation the gangway is substantially self-balancing.

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Likewise, during tilting of the gangway from the second tilting orientation to the third orientation, its center of gravity moved to location 70c which lies closer to the axis of rotation 53 of the third pair of wheels than to the axis of rotation of the fourth pair of wheels, and within 30 cm of an area spanned by the third and fourth pair of wheels, so that also in this orientation the gangway again is substantially self-balancing.

In summary the invention relates to a movable gangway comprising: a bridge section provided with a walkway which extends along a longitudinal direction of said bridge section; one or more counterweights attached to the gangway a first, second and third pair of wheels having parallel axes of rotation, each of the wheels having a lower tread surface for making rolling contact with the ground, wherein a first plane extends tangentially to the lower tread surfaces of the wheels of the first and second pair of wheels, a second, different, plane extends tangentially to the lower tread surfaces of the wheels of the second and third pair, and wherein the gangway is tiltable between a first tilting orientation in which the first plane is substantially parallel to the ground and the wheels of the first and second wheel pairs contact the ground, and a second tilting orientation in which the second plane is substantially parallel to the ground and the wheels of the second and third wheel pairs contact the ground, wherein in the first tilting orientation the free end is spaced at a first distance from the first plane, and in the second tilting orientation the free end is spaced at a second, greater, distance from second plane.

The present invention has been described above with reference to a number of exemplary embodiments as shown in the drawings. Modifications and alternative implementations of some parts or elements are possible, and are included in the scope of protection as defined in the appended claims. In particular, it will be appreciated that the fourth wheel pair may be omitted in some cases, and that the transport frame may alternatively be provided with a fifth and/or even a sixth wheel pair. Likewise, though the diameters of the wheels of all wheel pairs are preferably are all substantially equal, it is conceivable that some of the wheel pairs, in particular the fourth wheel pair, have different diameters than the wheels of the other wheel pairs.

Claims

1. Een handmatig verplaatsbare loopbrug (1) met een grondeind (2) en een vrij eind (3) en omvattend:A manually movable walkway (1) with a ground end (2) and a free end (3) and comprising:

een brugsectie (10) die is voorzien van een looppad (15) dat zich uitstrekt langs een lengterichting van de brugsectie;a bridge section (10) which includes a walkway (15) extending along a longitudinal direction of the bridge section;

een of meer contragewichten (37) die aan de loopbrug zijn bevestigd;one or more counterweights (37) attached to the walkway;

waarbij de loopbrug bij het grondeind daarvan is voorzien van een eerste paar wielen (41) met een eerste rotatie-as (51), een tweede paar wielen (42) met een tweede rotatie-as (52) die parallel is aan de eerste rotatieas;the walkway at its ground end comprising a first pair of wheels (41) with a first axis of rotation (51), a second pair of wheels (42) with a second axis of rotation (52) parallel to the first axis of rotation ;

een derde paar wielen (43) met een derde rotatie-as (53) die parallel is aan de eerste rotatie-as (51) en die op een verdere afstand is geplaatst van de eerste rotatie-as dan van de tweede rotatie-as;a third pair of wheels (43) having a third axis of rotation (53) parallel to the first axis of rotation (51) and spaced further from the first axis of rotation than from the second axis of rotation;

waarbij elk van de wielen een onderste loopvlak (61,62,63,64) heeft voor het maken van rollend contact met de grond, waarbij een eerste vlak (P1) zich tangentieel aan de onderste loopvlakken (35) van de wielen van het eerste en tweede paar wielen (41,42) uitstrekt, en een tweede vlak (P2) zich tangentieel aan de onderste loopvlakken (62,63) van de wielen van het tweede en derde paar wielen (42,43) en niet-parallel aan het eerste vlak (P1) uitstrekt, en waarbij de loopbrug (1) kantelbaar is tussen een eerste kanteloriëntatie waarin het eerste vlak (P1) in hoofdzaak parallel aan de grond is en de wielen van de eerste en tweede wielparen (41,42) contact maken met de grond, en een tweede kanteloriëntatie waarin het tweede vlak (P2) in hoofdzaak parallel aan de grond is en de wielen van de tweede en derde wielparen (42,43) contact maken met de grond, waarbij in de eerste kanteloriëntatie het vrije eind (3) op een eerste afstand (y1) van het eerste vlak is geplaatst, en in de tweede kanteloriëntatie het vrije eind op een tweede afstand (y2) van het tweede vlak is geplaatst, waarbij de tweede afstand (y2) groter is dan eerste afstand (y1).each of the wheels having a lower tread (61,62,63,64) for making rolling contact with the ground, a first plane (P1) tangentially to the lower treads (35) of the wheels of the first and second pair of wheels (41, 42), and a second face (P2) tangentially to the lower treads (62, 63) of the wheels of the second and third pair of wheels (42, 43) and non-parallel to the first face (P1), and wherein the walkway (1) is tiltable between a first tilt orientation in which the first face (P1) is substantially parallel to the ground and the wheels of the first and second wheel pairs (41, 42) contact with the ground, and a second tilt orientation in which the second face (P2) is substantially parallel to the ground and the wheels of the second and third wheel pairs (42, 43) contact the ground, the free tilt in the first tilt orientation (3) is placed at a first distance (y1) from the first plane, and in the second tilt the free end is positioned a second distance (y2) from the second plane, the second distance (y2) being greater than the first distance (y1).

2. Loopbrug volgens conclusie 1, waarbij de loopbrug is ingericht om in hoofdzaak zelfbalancerend te zijn in zowel de eerste als de tweede kanteloriëntatie.The walkway of claim 1, wherein the walkway is arranged to be substantially self-balancing in both the first and second tilt orientations.

3. Loopbrug volgens conclusie 1 of 2, waarbij het looppad zich langs een looppadvlak (W) uitstrekt, waarbij het eerste vlak (P1) onder een hoek αθ in het bereik van 1 tot 10 graden is tot het looppadvlak, bij voorkeur 3 tot 10 graden, meer bij voorkeur tussen 6 en 8 graden.Walkway according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the walkway extends along a walkway plane (W), the first plane (P1) being at an angle αθ in the range of 1 to 10 degrees to the walkway plane, preferably 3 to 10 degrees, more preferably between 6 and 8 degrees.

4. Loopbrug volgens conclusie 1,2 of 3, waarbij het eerste vlak (P1) onder een eerste hoek a1 tot het tweede vlak (P2) in het bereik van 6 tot 20 graden is, bij voorkeur 11 tot 17 graden.Walkway according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the first plane (P1) is in a range from 6 to 20 degrees, preferably 11 to 17 degrees, at a first angle α1 to the second plane (P2).

5. Loopbrug (1) volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, verder omvattend een vierde paar wielen (44) dat een vierde rotatie-as (54) heeft die parallel aan de eerste rotatie-as is, waarbij elk van de wielen van het vierde paar wielen een onderste loopvlak (64) heeft voor het maken van rollend contact met de grond, waarbij een derde vlak (P3) zich tangentieel aan de onderste loopvlakken (63,64) van de wielen van het derde en vierde paar wielen (43,44) uitstrekt, waarbij de loopbrug (1) verder kantelbaar is naar een derde kanteloriëntatie waarin het derde vlak (P3) in hoofdzaak parallel is aan de grond en de wielen van het derde en vierde paar wielen contact maken met de grond, waarbij in de derde kanteloriëntatie het vrije eind op een derde afstand (y3) van het derde vlak is geplaatst, waarbij de derde afstand (y3) groter is dan tweede afstand (y1).A walkway (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a fourth pair of wheels (44) having a fourth rotary axis (54) parallel to the first rotary axis, each of the wheels of the fourth pair of wheels has a lower tread (64) for rolling contact with the ground, a third plane (P3) tangentially to the lower treads (63,64) of the wheels of the third and fourth pairs of wheels (43, 44), the walkway (1) being further tiltable to a third tilt orientation in which the third face (P3) is substantially parallel to the ground and the wheels of the third and fourth pairs of wheels contact the ground, with the third tilt orientation the free end is placed a third distance (y3) from the third plane, the third distance (y3) being greater than second distance (y1).

6. Loopbrug volgens conclusie 5, waarbij het tweede vlak (P2) onder een tweede hoek a2 tot het derde vlak (P3) in het bereik van 6 tot 20 graden is, bij voorkeur 11 tot 17 graden.A walkway according to claim 5, wherein the second plane (P2) is in a range from 6 to 20 degrees, preferably 11 to 17 degrees, at a second angle α2 to the third plane (P3).

7. Loopbrug volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de eerste, tweede en derde wielparen binnen een virtuele cilinder (C) liggen die een cilinder-as heeft die parallel is aan de rotatieassen en een radius (R) van minder dan 1,5 m heeft.Walkway according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first, second and third wheel pairs lie within a virtual cylinder (C) having a cylinder axis parallel to the rotation axes and a radius (R) of less than 1.5 m has.

8. Loopbrug volgens conclusie 8, waarbij de onderste loopvlakken van de wielparen worden ingeschreven door de cilinder, en waarbij, wanneer bezien in projectie op het eerste vlak, de cilinderas (50) zich tussen de eerste en tweede rotatie-as bevindt.A walkway according to claim 8, wherein the lower treads of the wheel pairs are inscribed by the cylinder, and when viewed in projection on the first plane, the cylinder shaft (50) is located between the first and second rotary axes.

9. Loopbrug volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij een afstand tussen de eerste en tweede wiel-as in hoofdzaak gelijk is aan een afstand tussen de tweede en derde wiel-as.Walkway according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a distance between the first and second wheel axle is substantially equal to a distance between the second and third wheel axle.

10. Loopbrug (1) volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij, wanneer de loopbrug in de eerste kanteloriëntatie is, de onderste loopvlakken (63) van de wielen van het derde wielpaar (43) zich op afstand van de grond bevinden.Walkway (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, when the walkway is in the first tilt orientation, the lower treads (63) of the wheels of the third wheel pair (43) are spaced from the ground.

11. Loopbrug (1) volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij een afstand tussen de onderste loopvlakken van de eerste, tweede, derde en/of vierde wielparen, wanneer bezien langs hun respectieve eerste, tweede en derde vlakken (P1, P2, P3), in het bereik van 10 tot 60 cm is, bij voorkeur gelijk aan of kleiner dan 30 cm.Walkway (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a distance between the lower treads of the first, second, third and / or fourth wheel pairs when viewed along their respective first, second and third surfaces (P1, P2, P3 ), is in the range of 10 to 60 cm, preferably equal to or less than 30 cm.

12. Loopbrug (1) volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de loopbrug een zwaartepunt (70a,70b,70c,70d) heeft, waarbij wanneer bezien in projectie op de grond (G), in de eerste kanteloriëntatie het zwaartepunt (70b) binnen 30 cm van een door de wielen van de eerste en tweede wielparen opgespannen gebied ligt, en waarbij, wanneer bezien in de dezelfde projectie wanneer de loopbrug in de tweede kanteloriëntatie is, het zwaartepunt (70c) binnen 30 cm van een door de wielen van de tweede en derde wielparen opgespannen gebied ligt, bij voorkeur waarbij, wanneer bezien in dezelfde projectie wanneer de loopbrug in de derde kanteloriëntatie is, het zwaartepunt (70d) binnen 30 cm van een gebied van de wielen van de derde en vierde wielparen ligt.Walkway (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the walkway has a center of gravity (70a, 70b, 70c, 70d), wherein when viewed in projection on the ground (G), the center of gravity (70b) in the first tilt orientation is within 30 cm of an area spanned by the wheels of the first and second wheel pairs, and wherein, when viewed in the same projection when the walkway is in the second tilt orientation, the center of gravity (70c) is within 30 cm of a through the wheels of the second and third wheel pairs are stretched, preferably wherein, when viewed in the same projection when the walkway is in the third tilt orientation, the center of gravity (70d) is within 30 cm of an area of the wheels of the third and fourth wheel pairs.

13. Loopbrug (1) volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de brugsectie zich over een lengte tussen 4 m en 16 m, en het looppad (15) zich over ten minste 90% van die lengte uitstrekt.Walkway (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bridge section extends over a length between 4 m and 16 m, and the walkway (15) extends over at least 90% of that length.

14. Loopbrug (1) volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de een of meer contragewichten samen een eerste gewicht hebben, waarbij de gehele loopbrug inclusief de een of meer contragewichten een tweede gewicht heeft, en een derde gewicht gedefinieerd is als het tweede gewicht min het eerste gewicht, waarbij de verhouding van het derde gewicht tot het tweede gewicht in het bereik van 0,5 tot 3 is, bij voorkeur in het bereik van 1,3 tot 2,9.Walkway (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more counterweights together have a first weight, the entire walkway including the one or more counterweights having a second weight, and a third weight being defined as the second weight minus the first weight, the ratio of the third weight to the second weight being in the range of 0.5 to 3, preferably in the range of 1.3 to 2.9.

15. Loopbrug (1) volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, omvattend een transportframe in dat is bevestigd aan de brugsectie nabij het grondeind van de loopbrug, waarbij de eerste, tweede en derde wielparen aan het transportframe zijn bevestigd om roteerbaar rond hun respectieve rotatie-assen te zijn.A walkway (1) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a transport frame attached to the bridge section near the ground end of the walkway, the first, second and third wheel pairs being attached to the transport frame for rotation about their respective rotational axes.

16. Loopbrug (1) volgens conclusie 15, waarbij het transportframe in hoofdzaak stijf is en de posities van de rotatie-assen (51,52,53,54) van de wielparen vast zijn ten opzichte van het transportframe.A walkway (1) according to claim 15, wherein the transport frame is substantially rigid and the positions of the rotational axes (51, 52, 53, 54) of the wheel pairs are fixed relative to the transport frame.

17. Loopbrug (1) volgens conclusie 15 of 16, waarbij het transportframe is voorzien van twee handvatten (35) waaraan de een of meer contragewichten zijn bevestigd, waarbij de handvatten zich parallel aan elkaar uitstrekken en op een afstand van tussen 0,6 en 1,5 m van elkaar zijn geplaatst.Walkway (1) according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the transport frame is provided with two handles (35) to which the one or more counterweights are attached, the handles extending parallel to each other and at a distance of between 0.6 and 1.5 m apart.

18. Loopbrug volgens conclusie 17 wanneer afhankelijk van conclusie 2, waarbij de handvatten vrije einden hebben die, wanneer de loopbrug in de eerste oriëntatie is, op een afstand (h) in het bereik van 0,8 tot 1,6 meter van het looppadvlak (W) zijn geplaatst.Walkway according to claim 17 when dependent on claim 2, wherein the handles have free ends which, when the walkway is in the first orientation, a distance (h) in the range of 0.8 to 1.6 meters from the walkway surface (W) are placed.

19. Transportframe (30) voor een handmatig verplaatsbare loopbrug, waarbij de loopbrug een grondeind (2) en een vrij eind (3) heeft en een brugsectie (10) omvat die is voorzien van een looppad (15) dat zich langs een lengterichting van de brugsectie uitstrekt, waarbij het transportframe (30) is ingericht om aan de brugsectie (10) te worden bevestigd en omvat:Transport frame (30) for a manually movable walkway, the walkway having a ground end (2) and a free end (3) and comprising a bridge section (10) provided with a walkway (15) extending along a longitudinal direction of the bridge section extends, the transport frame (30) being arranged to be attached to the bridge section (10) and comprising:

een of meer contragewichten (37);one or more counterweights (37);

een eerste paar wielen (41) met een eerste rotatie-as, een tweede paar wielen (42) met een tweede rotatie-as die parallel is aan de eerste rotatie-as;a first pair of wheels (41) with a first axis of rotation, a second pair of wheels (42) with a second axis of rotation parallel to the first axis of rotation;

een derde paar wielen (43) met een derde rotatie-as (53) die parallel is aan de eerste rotatie-as (51,52) en die op een verdere afstand is geplaatst van de eerste rotatie-as dan van de tweede rotatieas;a third pair of wheels (43) having a third axis of rotation (53) parallel to the first axis of rotation (51, 52) and spaced further from the first axis of rotation than from the second axis of rotation;

waarbij elk van de wielen een onderste loopvlak (61,62,63,64) heeft voor het maken van rollend contact met de grond, waarbij een eerste vlak (P1) zich tangentieel aan de onderste loopvlakken (61,62) van de wielen van het eerste en tweede paar wielen (41,42) uitstrekt, en een tweede vlak (P2) zich tangentieel aan de onderste loopvlakken (62,63) van de wielen van het tweede en derde paar wielen (42,43) en niet-parallel aan het eerste vlak (P1) uitstrekt, en waarbij de loopbrug (1) kantelbaar is tussen een eerste kanteloriëntatie waarin het eerste vlak (P1) in hoofdzaak parallel aan de grond is en de wielen van de eerste en tweede wielparen contact maken met de grond, en een tweede kanteloriëntatie waarin het tweede vlak (P2) in hoofdzaak parallel aan de grond is en de wielen van de tweede en derde wielparen (42,43) contact maken met de grond.each of the wheels having a lower tread (61,62,63,64) for making rolling contact with the ground, a first face (P1) tangentially to the lower treads (61,62) of the wheels the first and second pairs of wheels (41, 42), and a second face (P2) tangentially to the lower treads (62, 63) of the wheels of the second and third pairs of wheels (42, 43) and non-parallel extends on the first plane (P1), and wherein the walkway (1) is tiltable between a first tilt orientation in which the first plane (P1) is substantially parallel to the ground and the wheels of the first and second wheel pairs contact the ground , and a second tilt orientation in which the second plane (P2) is substantially parallel to the ground and the wheels of the second and third wheel pairs (42, 43) contact the ground.

20. Werkwijze voor het verplaatsen van een loopbrug (1) volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de werkwijze de stappen omvat van:A method of moving a walkway (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising the steps of:

het kantelen van de loopbrug (1) totdat een van het eerste of tweede (P1, P2) vlak in hoofdzaak parallel is aan een grondoppervlak (G); en het vervolgens handmatig duwen of trekken van de loopbrug in een horizontale richting, zodanig dat de onderste loopvlakken van de wielen van het eerste en tweede paar wielen (41,42), of van de 5 wielen van het tweede en derde paar wielen (42,43) in rollend contact zijn met het grondoppervlak (G).tilting the walkway (1) until one of the first or second (P1, P2) plane is substantially parallel to a ground surface (G); and then manually pushing or pulling the walkway in a horizontal direction such that the lower treads of the wheels of the first and second pair of wheels (41, 42), or of the 5 wheels of the second and third pair of wheels (42 , 43) are in rolling contact with the ground surface (G).

21. Werkwijze voor het verplaatsen van een loopbrug volgens conclusie 20 waarbij de loopbrug een loopbrug volgens conclusie 5 is, waarbij de werkwijze verder de stappen omvat van:The method of moving a walkway according to claim 20 wherein the walkway is a walkway according to claim 5, the method further comprising the steps of:

het kantelen van de loopbrug (1) totdat het derde vlak (P3) is in hoofdzaak parallel is aan het grondoppervlak (G); entilting the walkway (1) until the third plane (P3) is substantially parallel to the ground surface (G); and

10 het handmatig duwen van de loopbrug in een horizontale richting, vanaf een eind of de loopbrug tegengesteld aan het vrije eind, zodanig dat de onderste loopvlakken van de wielen of het derde en vierde paar wielen (42,43) in rollend contact zijn met het grondoppervlak (G).10 manually pushing the walkway in a horizontal direction, from one end or the walkway opposite to the free end, such that the lower treads of the wheels or the third and fourth pair of wheels (42, 43) are in rolling contact with the ground surface (G).