US20100186309A1

US20100186309A1 - Callapsible shed

Info

Publication number: US20100186309A1
Application number: US12/322,054
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles L. Hawkins
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-01-28
Filing date: 2009-01-28
Publication date: 2010-07-29

Abstract

An improved collapsible structure for, but not limited to, the safety of the launch valve voyage repair team while engaging in removal, installation or performing routine maintenance of the launch valve and the water break assembly in all weather conditions. It is quickly installed or removed and serves as a means to protect the launch tube valve and the water break assembly in all weather conditions while said valve and assembly are disassembled.

Description

FEDERALLY SPONSERED RESEARCHED

Not Applicable.

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to a collapsible shed for, but not limited to, covering both a launch valve trough pit and the water brake assembly pit on an aircraft carrier while engaging in repairs and maintenance to the launch tube valve assembly or the water brake. Note: The term shed is used in its broadest sense and is not intended to be limiting to the inventions uses.
2. Prior Art
Conventional launch valve trough covers consisting of a frame and covered with a light weight plastic or aluminum sheeting which are erected and used to cover an area of the launch valve trough, such as the launch valve or the water brake, while engaging in repairs and maintenance are well recognized by those skilled in the art.
The square footage area under which repairs and maintenance can be preformed to the launch tube valve assembly or the water brake are defined by the size of the shed which can be erected. Repairs and maintenance are a normal routine and are preformed in various weather conditions. The current said sheds are not constructed to be used in weather where winds exceed 20 mph or 23 knots. The current sheds are not weatherized thereby work stops in unfavorable weather conditions. I.e.: Cold, heat, rain, sleet or snow. Current sheds are not self contained in that they require many of the tools i.e.: pneumatic wrenches, welding leads, lighting as well as the ventilation to be pulled in through the door which are both cumbersome and block the means of ingress and egress. The prior sheds are neither easily transported nor easily stored and they lack a means to fasten them safely to the flight deck of the ship.

SUMMARY

The invention described herein is a structure improving, but not limited to, the safety of the launch valve maintenance personnel while engaging in removal & installation or routine maintenance of the launch valve in all weather conditions. It is quickly installed or removed. It is, but not limited to, rectangle in shape. In the retracted form, the end and door panels fold upward and inside, locking to the roof. In the raised position and once unlocked, the end and door panels swings down to form an end panel and a door for an entrance and exit. The side panels are hinged to fold inward in the retracted position and unfold as the invention is raised. Neither end panel nor side panel or the door panel is a structural member of supporting the roof section. The roof section is supported by the arms that raise and lower the invention.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 DRAWING SHOWING THE: Overall invention in the fully RETRACTED position. operational controls (1), guides (2), lower guide rail (3), female arms (4), male arm (5), ram (6), upper guide rail (7), end and door panel locks (8), female fixed journal box (9), male fixed journal box (10), utility port (11), external electrical connection (12), ventilation port (13), container twist lock (locked) (14), door tubing (15), roof section (16), deck seal (17), bottom section (18) and door(23).

FIG. 2 DRAWING SHOWING THE: Overall invention in the fully RAISED position. female arms (4), male arm (5), ram (6), container twist lock (unlocked) (14), roof section (16), side track arm and ram housing (18), folding side panel (19), safety device (20), end panel (21), door panel(22) and door(23).

EMBODIMENT ONE; DETAILED DESCRIPTION—FIG. 1 AND FIG. 2

NUMERIALS

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 & 23: FIG. 2, NUMERIALS 19, 20, 21, 22 & 23

Embodiment One of the Invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 (perspective view). The invention is set over an aircraft carriers launch tube valve assembly by a crane. The invention is a frame with a roof section (16), bottom section (18), panel locks (8), end panels (21), door panels (22), door (23), control panel (1) connected to a ram (6) which are connected to the arms (4 & 5). There are two bottom arms “female” and one upper arm “male” that form an X. The arms are contiguous. There is a track and arm housing (18) containing the lower guide rail (3), guides (2) and the upper guide rail (7) also fixed journal boxes (9 & 10). There is a deck seal (17). There are container twist locks (14).
A Continuation of the Embodiment One of the Invention is illustrated in FIG. 2 (perspective view).
Shown in the FIG. 2, is folding side panel (19), control panel anti-lowering safety device (20), end panel (21) & door panel (22).

EMBODIMENT ONE; OPERATIONAL DESCRIPTION FIGS. 1 AND, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, & 15

The invention is set over an aircraft carriers launch tube valve or water brake assembly by a crane. The invention is connected to the deck, air and electricity are connected to the invention at control panel (1) and an operator raises or retracts the invention by engaging a handle which sends a signal to the rams (6) which are connected to the arms (4 & 5). There are two bottom arms “female” sandwiching one upper arm “male” that rotates at a pivoting point to form an X. The arms are contiguous. As the ram contracts, the slidable end of the female arm (4) and travels inside the track and arm housing (18), along the lower guide rail (3) and the upper guide rail (7) while the opposite ends of the said arms remain fixed in the fixed journal boxes (9 & 10) causing the roof section (16) to be pushed upwards. As the said roof section is raised, the folding side panel (19) unfolds into place. Once the said roof section is at its full height the operator disengages the end panel and door panel locks (8) and swings the end and door panel down until vertical then locks them into place. The said bottom section having an underside has a rubber seal (17) along its perimeter. The invention also houses, but not limited too, heaters, fans, electrical outlets, ac & dc lighting, medical supplies, beds, communication & radio equipment. The roof section has a storage area.
Advantages
From the descriptions above, a number of advantages of the embodiment of the collapsible shed can be interpreted and are listed below:

- (A.) The invention manufacturer by virtue of the collapsible shed will now be able to be produce in quantity by manufacturing like parts. Prior art required the current manufacturer to produce a housing to a specific design. One shed can fit many buyers' needs. The improved collapsible shed will allow for a greater variety of shed designs and performances.
- (B.) Users of the collapsible shed will need fewer parts in stock especially if more then one collapsible shed is in use at one location. Parts are interchangeable from shed to shed.
- (C.) User can easily vary the collapsible shed performance criteria to meet external weather pattern changes in repair areas.
- (D.) Users can apply the collapsible shed in applications where adverse weather conditions would diminish and cease current work productivity.
- (E.) User can shorten down time due to adverse climates.
- (F.) User can hasten the repair and or maintenance time.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS AND SCOPE

Accordingly, the reader will see that the improved collapsible shed embodiment can be used as both a collapsible shed as well as protection against adverse environmental conditions while it allows for safely working over the launch tube valve assembly and the water brake assembly. Many outdoor deck, but not limited to, flight deck processes that have historically been restricted by climatic change can be a continuous process whereby reducing down time. Also the collapsible shed will improve the voyage repair teams' safety in many industries.

Claims

1. A means for improving a shed whereby the shed is collapsible.

2. In claim 1, the shed protects the launch tube assembly from debris.

3. In claim 2, the shed protects the voyage repair team by providing shelter from the elements.

4. In claim 3, the shed is retractable thereby allowing a weather tight cover for the launch tube valve and water break assembly while work has stopped without removing the shed.

5. In claim 4, the shed is portable.

6. In claim 5, the shed has external, interlocking members so that sheds can be easily stacked vertical.

7. In claim 6, the shed can be transported by air, rail, vessel and over the road.