EP1877303B1

EP1877303B1 - Manual release arrangement for life boat

Info

Publication number: EP1877303B1
Application number: EP05748012A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Tor Christiansson
Original assignee: P & P Utveckling AB
Current assignee: P & P Utveckling AB
Priority date: 2005-05-02
Filing date: 2005-05-02
Publication date: 2010-08-18
Anticipated expiration: 2025-05-02
Also published as: US20090064918A1; EP1877303A1; WO2006118493A1; CN101166663A

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to an arrangement for manually releasing nautical life saving equipment, e.g. containers for inflatable life boats or rafts, acccording to the characteristics of the preamble of independent claim 1, a use thereof, and a connecting stick according to the characteristics of the preamble of independent claim 8.

BACKGROUND ART

All major ships today are equipped with life boats or other similar equipment which shall function as rescue crafts in case of an emergency. These rescue crafts are usually provided with some arrangement in order to automatically release the life saving craft in case of an emergency. The automatic release mechanism can be triggered by sensing a pressure change of the environment so as to release the nautical life saving equipment when being subjected to a higher pressure, e.g. the pressure of water at a certain depth. In case of inflatable rafts, the inflating of the raft is triggered simultaneously or shortly after the release of the raft. Hence, in case of a shipwreck, the released raft will be inflated and move towards the surface in order to function as a life saving craft.
Even though the life rescuing equipment is provided with an automatic release mechanism, there is also a need for equipping the life rafts or life boats with a manual release mechanism. There are occasions when it is desired to be able to release the life raft at ones own will. This might be the case in the scenario of having a fire or conflagration as well as if the ship runs aground. Even in case of shipwreck, the use of the automatic release system is generally considered to be a back up for the manual release. Usually it is preferred to manually release the life saving equipment in order to be in a safe position as soon as possible. The purpose of the automatic release is to assure the life saving equipment will be available in case there is no time for manual release. Hence, it is important at these occasions to be able to quick and easy release the life raft or life boat. Referring to inflatable rafts or life boats, these are commonly kept in containers. Such containers are, while being fastened to suitable support stands on board the relevant ships, by means of claspable straps or the like, releasable retained on the support stands while having one of the ends of the straps permanently fastened onto the support stands and having the other ends of the straps releasable fastened to the support stands in a generally standardized manner involving a so-called "release hook" or "slip hook" being hooked into a hole within the support stand. It is common practice to place a hydrostatic automatic release arrangement between the manual release arrangement, e.g. a slip hook, and the end of the strap permanently fastened to the support or deck.
The release hook comprises an eye portion adapted to stay in connection with a back-bend end of the straps and a protruding base portion of the hook with a free end portion extending relatively far backwards which at the end comprises a retaining protrusion for the retaining of an anchoring ring encircled the base portion of the hook and the respective free end portion. The free hook end portion can be let through the retaining hole within the support stand and thereafter be locked against pull-out by letting the locking ring down over the retaining protrusion on the free end of the hook. The backwards protruding free end is resiliently depressible into the base portion of the hook so that, to manually achieve a release of the connection provided by the hook, the hook can be sufficiently compressed to release the locking ring from the retaining protrusion and thereafter flip and retract the hook from its grip in the hole in the support stand, thus releasing the floatable container
However, it has been found that the traditionally provided release hooks present problems of safety with regard to the easiness of release which is being required of them. Thus, when applying an initially tight tensioned strap, in case of exposure of the strap to an increased level of humidity, the tension of the strap is further augmented, and in that case a correspondingly strong tension within the strap provides a pulling in the release hook whereby the free end portion of the release hook is forced to an elastic pivoting away from the main stem of the hook thus resulting in a so strongly augmented outwards tensioning within the aforementioned locking ring that it becomes difficult to release it through a manual squeezing of the release hook. Furthermore, the release hook has to be released from the retaining gripping by being bent outwards to achieve a transverse translation of the external hook portion away from the retaining hole, and this necessary bending outwards of the hook is made difficult to perform due to an increased pulling within the eye-end of the hook. This arrangement indicates there is a need for another fastening system, in which a fairly easy provided releasing is safeguarded which is independent on the size of the tension within the strap. In addition, the manual release mechanism should be resistant to the rather rough environment to which it is exposed and shall not be unable to release due to corrosion or other impact from the environment, e.g. it should preferably not be harmfully affected by low temperature and icing of its components.
In EP 1 193 172 representing the closest prior art there is suggested an arrangement for manual release of nautical life saving equipments. In the background art discussion in EP 1 193 172 , the problem of manually releasing the life raft when there are strong tension forces in the holding straps is mentioned. However, tests performed on the arrangement described in EP 1 193 172 have shown that a still better performance concerning the release force at heavy loads and strong tensions is desired. Furthermore, the system described in EP 1 193 172 includes a rather complicated arrangement including several details needed to be put together. In addition, the arrangement seems to be inferior to the slip hook arrangement concerning reclosing of the arrangement if there is a need to release and reclose the arrangement for test purposes. EP 1 193 172 is also silent about how it will work in case of tough and corrosive environment as well as how it will work when subjected to cold weather and icing.
Hence, there is a need for an improved release arrangement for manually releasing life saving equipment, e.g. a container of an inflatable raft, in order to achieve a safe and quick release of the equipment.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The present invention aims to provide a release system for nautical life saving equipment, e.g. containers for inflatable life boats or rafts in order to overcome the above mentioned deficiencies in prior art solutions.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a manual release arrangement for releasing nautical life saving equipment, e.g. containers for inflatable life rafts, is located as a connecting link between a first rope arrangement and a second rope arrangement adapted to fixating the life saving equipment. The second rope arrangement forms a loop encircling the first rope arrangement. The first rope arrangement is fixed to a connecting stick so that the connecting stick together with the first rope arrangement forms a stop preventing the loop of the second rope arrangement to run along the first rope arrangement. The connecting stick is adapted, at release, to turn around an axis formed by the loop of the second rope arrangement. The axis is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the rope arrangements.
Hence, the connecting stick will engage the two rope arrangements when there is a force applied to the ropes, striving in opposite directions, in order to separate the ropes.
In the following examples, the connecting stick comprises a front panel connected to two side panels extending essentially perpendicular to said front panel from the under side of said front panel along at least a part of the longitudinal axis of the connecting stick. The construction may also be solid but due to saving of material it is preferred to use this construction. Whether the construction is made of sheet material, e.g. bent sheet metal, or made of solid material, it is constructed so that the momentum of the turning force from the second rope arrangement is small due to the short lever arm effected by the second rope arrangement around the axis formed by the first rope arrangement while the relatively low friction forces of the second rope arrangement against the sides of the connecting stick have a longer lever arm. This arrangement will make the connecting stick to be locked in a position near the equilibrium point of the applied forces.
The stabilized position of the connecting stick is depending on the fact that the second rope arrangement is working, with its forces in opposite turning directions, so as to neutralise each other. In addition to this stabilising arrangement, there are also friction forces from the rope arrangements, mainly the second rope arrangement, working on the stick, which forces contribute to the maintaining of the connecting stick in its locking position. Hence, the resultant of the turning force must be balanced and lower than the resulting friction force in order to make the connecting stick work.
The applied force is relatively independent on the dimensions of the rope arrangements. However, it is believed that the design of the stick, for example the width and shape of the front panel as well as the angle between the front panel and the side panels influences the forces and their possibility to work on the stick. For example, if the stick would be a plain, round rod, without any protrusions or indentations, there would hardly be any forces working to restrict such a connecting stick from turning by itself and release. The forces working at the very point of the loop of the second rope arrangement would overrule the forces working in the opposite direction and the connecting stick would turn and release if not provided with a locking arrangement as described below. However, a stick having an oval shape might work, provided that the stick would be wide and flat enough to provide enough grips for the opposite turning forces to balance the turning force working at the very point of the loop.
The connecting stick may further be provided with a locking arrangement which is adapted to prevent the connecting stick to release unintentionally. In one embodiment, the locking arrangement comprises a locking pin which is fitted into holes placed in each one of the side panels, or if the construction is a solid piece in a hole extending through the piece, so as to extend essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the connecting stick. The locking pin will restrict the connecting stick to turn due to the interaction with the parts of the second rope arrangement located on each side of the connecting pin while forming a sling.
The front panel of the connecting stick may further be provided with a hole adapted to receive the first rope arrangement in order to fix the first rope arrangement to the connecting stick. In one embodiment the under side of front panel is provided with a holding stick in the hole. The stick is placed so that a rope arrangement may be inserted through the hole from the upper side of the connecting stick, at one side of the hole, and encircling the holding stick in order to be inserted in the hole once again, entering from the under side of the connecting stick at the other side of the hole, so as to fix the rope arrangement to the connecting stick. In another embodiment it is possible to provide the connecting stick with two holes whereby the rope arrangement enter one hole from the upper side of the connecting stick and continue to enter the other hole from the under side so as to form a loop round the connecting stick and thereby fixing the rope arrangement to the connecting pin.
The expression "rope arrangement" is used herein. The expression is to be interpreted to comprise such means as ropes, wires, straps, chains, one or more pivotally connected small bars or the like which essentially have the same function or could work as a rope. The expression also includes the use of several ropes or the like in order to function as a rope. Such a rope arrangement may contain parts of different material combined.
The "rope arrangement" may further be provided with a cover material or treated on its surface at positions which are subjected to severe wearing. These positions of the rope arrangements may for example be the parts forming the loops or the parts nearby which are in contact with each other and the connecting pin when forming the locking arrangement. The part of the second rope arrangement forming the turning axis may be formed of stiffer material.
In the following part, certain dimensions and designs of the ropes and parts forming the release arrangements have been used. These specific embodiments only serve as examples of the present invention. It is obvious for the skilled person in the art that he may use the ideas as described in the present claims or description in order to construct new embodiments within the inventive idea of this invention. For example may the form and size of the hole, where the first rope arrangement is located, be varied, as well as its location on the connecting stick. In one embodiment there may be two separate holes instead of one. The location of the hole may be tried out so as to provide a position where the arrangement is near the equilibrium in order to achieve the desired release force.
In the following examples, the release stick is made from bent sheet metal to form a front panel and side panels. It is obvious that the stick may be formed in other ways, e.g. it may be formed as a solid stick having an upper side and two sides of the same contour as described in the examples or having other shapes. The material used may be any material suitable to resist the rough environment from salt water and large temperature changes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 A container for an inflatable life raft fastened by a conventional slip hook arrangement for manual release
Fig. 2 A first embodiment of the manual release arrangement according to the present invention
Fig 2b The first embodiment of the manual release arrangement according to the present invention together with an automatic release arrangement
Fig 3 A connecting stick according to an embodiment of the present invention illustrated in different views illustrated in scale 1:1
Fig. 4 Different embodiments of the connecting stick according to the present invention
Fig. 5 Another embodiment of the security locking of the manual release arrangement

EMBODIMENT(S) OF THE INVENTION

In Fig. 1 of the drawing, a life raft container 101 is illustrated. The container comprises a first, lower part 102 and a second, upper part 103 adapted to fit in with each other so as to form the outer shell containing the raft. The container is arranged in a support stand 104 and is fastened to the support stand by means of an upper strap 105 which extends down to, and is connected to, a manual release arrangement 106. The release arrangement is illustrated as a commonly used slip hook 107 which comprises a retaining eye 108 fastened to the upper strap. The slip hook 107 further comprises an upwards extending fork branch 109, having a protrusion 110 at its distal end and being pivotally connected to a stem 111 at its other end (the base end). A locking ring 112 is fastened around the stem 111 of the slip hook 107 and can be moved along the stem. The release arrangement 106 might be locked in a position to fix the container 101 by letting the fork branch 109 pass through a below arranged retaining hole 113 of a coupling.
The slip hook 107 might be released by pivotally pressing the fork branch 109 towards the stem 111 so that the distal part of the branch is getting close enough to the stem 111 and the locking ring 112 may be threaded over the distal end of the fork branch. This part is connected to a part of an automatic, hydrostatic release coupling device 114 which moreover is coupled onto a fixed bottom part of the support stand 104 via a lower strap 115. The release arrangement of the strap 105 may thus work as well manually as automatically. By releasing the fork branch 109 from the locking ring 112, by pushing the fork branch 111 towards the stem while guiding the ring 112 over the protrusion 110 of the distal end of the fork portion, and thereby releasing the fork portion to freely rotate at its base, the slip hook 107 will be released from its engagement with the retaining hole 113 so as to disengage from its locking position.
Even though this arrangement in many ways have been reliable in connecting the straps or wires with a support or the deck, it has turned out that the force to manually release the container may be too high. An essential feature of a release arrangement for life saving equipment on board a ship is the easiness to trigger the release. An increase of the force from the strap, e.g. due to shrinking of the strap or a list of the ship, will result in an increased tension in the slip hook. The distal end of the fork portion will be pivoting away from the stem with a force proportional to the increased force of the strap and render difficult the release of the slip hook. The use of a slip hook has a further disadvantage in that it often requires two operations to be performed simultaneously to release the locking, the pressing together of the stem and the fork portion of the slip hook while at the same time move the locking ring along the fork portion to pass the protrusion of the distal end and disengage the bounding of the fork portion. The slip hook is also inferior compared to the release arrangement according to the present invention in respect of icing. When the slip hook is iced, the release might become much more difficult due to the need of stronger force in order to break the ice. The slippery surface will also make it harder to get a grip of the release hook and make the rather finicky job to release the hook even harder.
In figure 2a the novel release arrangement 206 is shown. The arrangement comprises a long and narrow connecting stick 207 which function corresponds to the function of the slip hook in figure 1. The connecting stick 207 is connected to a rope 205 which forms a loop 208 adapted to enter through a hole 216 in the connecting stick. On the back side of the connecting stick 207, a holding pin 217 is placed in order to be encircled by the loop and thereby unreleasably fixing the rope 205 to the connecting stick. The hole 216 is positioned near one end, preferably at a distance of about 1/5 to 1/10 from said end. When placed in a locking position in the release arrangement, the end of the connecting stick near the hole 216 is placed in a second loop 213 formed by a second rope 215. The ropes 205, 215 are thereby engaged by the connecting stick. The loop 213 of the second rope 215 is prevented from gliding by the locking arrangement formed by the interaction of the first rope 205 and the connecting stick 207 when there is a tension in the release arrangement caused by the ropes 205, 215 pulling in opposite directions. The connecting stick 207 is positioned so that its longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the y-axis in the drawing. Also the main direction of the forces caused by the ropes 205, 215 are perpendicular to the y-axis in the drawing. However, when the connecting stick is in its rest position, or locking position, its longitudinal axis will have an angle of about 30 degrees to the XY-plane while the main direction of the forces caused by the ropes 205, 215 is in the XY-plane. This relationship is better illustrated in figure 2b. In figure 2b, an automatic release arrangement 214 is also attached to the manual release arrangement 206
In order to release the arrangement, the connecting stick 207 is turned around a axis, said axis being parallel to the X-axis and formed by the loop 213 of the second rope 215 (referring to figure 2a, the turning direction would correspond to pull the end of the connecting stick 207 furthest away from the hole 216, up and out of the plane of the drawing)
In order to test the invention, 3 series using different setups of the rope arrangement was tested. In the first test series only ropes were used while in the second series combinations of wires and ropes for the different slings were used and in the third series only wires were used. The forces applied to the connecting stick by means of the rope arrangements were varied and tests were made to measure the force needed to release the manual release arrangement.
In fig 3 is the connecting stick 307 used for the experiment shown in 4 different views: In fig. 3a, a view from straight above is shown illustrating the upper side of the connecting stick 307 (upper side view), in fig. 3b, a view from straight beneath is showing the under side of the connecting stick (under side view) and in figure 3c, a side view is shown having the upper side pointing downward (side view). In figure 3d a view illustrating the connecting stick 307 from its front side (i.e. the short side near the locking pin) wherein the upper side is pointing downward (front view).
The proportions, scale and design of the connecting stick 307 corresponds to the stick used in the tests. Hence, the stick is drawn in scale 1:1. In figure 3, the different views of the connecting stick 307 shows the different features of the stick in detail.
However, the tested connecting pin 307 illustrated in figure 3 only serves as one successful example of how a connecting stick (207, 307, 407) can be designed so as to achieve the desired effect of the present invention.
In figure 3a, the hole 316 is clearly illustrated. The hole is adapted to receive a rope arrangement entering at one side, encircling the holding pin 317 and exiting at the other side of the hole 316 in order to form a loop to fix a rope arrangement to the connecting stick.
In figure 3b, showing a under side view of the releasing stick, the location of the holding pin 317 is shown.
In figure 3c, a side view of the connecting stick 307 is shown wherein the release arm 318, which comprises the end of the front panel 322 of the connecting stick, and the side panel 319, is illustrated. In this figure the location of the locking pin 320 can be seen. The locking pin 320 is inserted through holes 321 in the side panels and can be pulled out when there is a desire to release the connecting stick. In figure 3d there is a better view of the locking pin 320.
In figure 3d, the front view of the releasing stick is shown. It is shown that the side panels 319 are at right angle with the front panel 322. In this view, the shape of the locking pin 320 is clearly illustrated. The locking pin may be formed from a thin, round rod into the desired shape. In this figure, it can be noted that the holding pin 317 is rather thick. This arrangement makes it possible to allow the thickness of the sheet metal forming the connecting stick 307 to be rather thin. The holding pin 317 is preferably made solid. The forces from the rope arrangements, when the connecting stick is in its locking position as shown in figure 2, will mainly work on each other and the holding pin. The arrangement, whereby one of the rope arrangements is threaded through the hole to encircle the holding pin, will induce short lever arms for the applied forces. Even in cases of strong forces, the short lever arms will result in that the main body, comprising the front and side panels of the connecting stick can be made by using a rather thin sheet metal. As can be seen from the pictures, the radius of the holding pin is about 5 times thicker (about 10 mm) than the thickness of the sheet metal (about 2 mm). The holding pin may for example be made of solid metal. These dimensions can of course be changed due to choice of material, design of the connecting stick and the strength of the applied forces.

The tests have shown that this arrangement have certain benefits concerning the easiness of releasing. The test results below indicates that the force needed to release the arrangement not is proportional to the forces effected by the straining of the ropes but remain rather constant. The tests of the manual release arrangement was performed using different rope arrangements, i.e. different material (traditional ropes and wires) and different dimensions, i.e. changing the diameter of the rope arrangements used for the slings. The results are as follows:

Table 1: Tests using ropes for sling 1 and sling 2:

Sling 1 [∅ in mm]	Sling 2 [∅ in mm]	Load [N]
5	6	0 - 1500
5	8	0 - 1500
5	14	0 - 1500
6	8	0 - 1500
6	14	0 - 1500
8	5	0 - 1500
8	6	0-1500
8	8	0 - 15000
8	14	0 -15000

Table 2: Tests using wires for sling 1 and sling 2. The wires comprise 114 threads of stainless steel.

Sling 1 [∅ in mm]	Sling 2 [∅ in mm]	Load [N]
3	3	0 - 5000
3	4	0 - 5000
3	5	0 - 5000
4	3	0 - 5000
4	4	0 - 7000
4	5	0 - 7000
5	3	0 - 5000
5	4	0 - 7000
5	5	0 - 10000

Table 3: Tests using a wire for sling 1 and rope for sling 2. The wire of sling 1 comprises 114 threads of stainless steel.

Sling 1 [∅ in mm]	Sling 2 [∅ in mm]	Load [N]
3	5	0 - 1500
3	6	0 - 1500
3	8	0 - 5000
3	14	0 - 5000
4	5	0 - 1500
4	6	0 - 1500
4	8	0 - 7000
4	14	0 - 7000
5	5	0 - 1500
5	6	0 - 1500
5	8	0 - 15000
5	14	0 - 15000

In the tests performed, the force required to trigger the connecting stick to release was somewhat proportional to the tension force in the lower region, i.e. below an applied force of approximately 1000 N, and the needed release force to trigger the turn of the connecting stick was below 100 N. When the release arrangement was subjected to stronger tension forces, i.e. from 1000 to 15000 N, the needed release force to trigger the turn of the connecting stick was stabilized between 100 N and 200 N. In none of the cases was the required force to turn the connecting stick greater than 200 N. This phenomenon is at least partly caused by the connection between the increased friction forces between the sides of the connecting stick and the adjacent rope (see fig. 2), which strives to keep the connecting pin in place, and the main forces in the longitudinal direction of the ropes, which strives to induce a turning motion of the connecting pin.
A further explanation to the phenomenon beyond this result is the positioning of the connecting stick in an unstable position of equilibrium. Even though the connecting stick will remain in its locking position when not subjected to any additional turning force, the equilibrium is unstable which in turn results in that a minor force will be enough to disturb the balance so that the connecting stick will rotate to release the arrangement. It is further obvious from the construction that the stick is only able to rotate in the releasing direction since it is hindered by the axis, formed by the loop of the first rope, to rotate to be even more secured. Hence, there is no risk the arrangement will rotate so as to end up in a stable locking position unable to release.
In the experimental studies there were no detailed protocols over the exact values of the release force needed to pull the release arm 318 and make the locked rope to loosen up. There were no significant systematical difference in the needed force between the different size (diameters) of the ropes and wires. This is partly due to due to inaccuracy in the measuring equipment but also to the rather many parameters influenced by the change of the rope arrangement and applied force, e.g. the diameter of the rope forming the first sling influences the thickness of the axis around which the connecting stick turns when releasing, the friction forces due to different material in the rope arrangement and its interconnection with the release stick will also have an impact on the resulting release force.
In a further test, the release arrangement was tested concerning its functionality when subjected to cold weather and icing of the parts. In this test, the manual release arrangement 206 was placed near an automatic release arrangement 214 as shown in fig. 2b. The test equipment was also provided with an applied force from the rope arrangements (205,215) which was about 2500 Newton (N). The test equipment was conditioned at a temperature of about minus 10 degrees Celsius for 20 hours. During the first 8 hours the equipment was showered with water mist (fresh water) once an hour. After the last shower, the equipment was conditioned for 12 hours more at the same temperature. When the 20 hours had passed, the locking pin 220,320 was taken away. There was no extra effort needed to dislocate the locking pin 220, 320 from its engagement with the side panels 319 compared to an unconditioned set up. However, there were needed some extra fore in order to release the temperature conditioned connecting stick 207, 307 than what usually is needed. The force needed was measured to be 200-300 Newton. From the experiment shown in table 1-3, the desired force should be a little bit less than 200 Newton regardless of the applied force. Even though there was a slight increase in the force needed in the conditioned set up, the test indicated the manual release arrangement performs well still when iced.
There are some adjustments which can be made to the release stick in order to facilitate release of the connecting stick. In fig. 4, an upper side view (corresponding to the view of the connecting stick 307 shown in figure 3a) is shown of 3 different embodiments. In figure 4b, a connecting stick corresponding to the one shown in figure 3 is shown. In figure 4a, the front panel 422 is modified so that it will be narrower at its end forming the release arm 418. This tailing away stick will contribute with less friction forces and make the release of the connecting stick to be easier. In figure 4c, another embodiment is shown in which the front panel 422 including the part forming the release arm 418 is made wider. This arrangement will contribute with stronger friction forces than the release arm shown in figure 4b.
There are of course other ways to influence the releasing force to turn the connecting stick from a locked position to a releasing position. For example, the surface of the side panels (shown in fig. 3b and denoted 319) might be treated to be rough or provided with a surface material in order to increase the friction forces or provided with indentations or protrusions in order to hold the rope in place and thus increase the needed release force. Another way to influence the needed release force is to vary the angle between the bent side panels (319 in fig. 3) and the front panel (322 in fig.3). In the present example, the angle is 90 degrees, i.e. a right angle. If the angle is made obtuse, i.e. bending the side panels away from each other, the release force will increase. Also the bending of the plate sheet metal and the curvature at the angle between the side panels and the release arm is believed to influence the functionality of the manual release arrangement. Instead of having a curvature, the panels may be bent at two locations, each bend for example being of 45 degrees so as to together make up a bending of 90 degrees to form a right angle of the side panels 319 to the front panel 322.
In the shown embodiments, the connecting stick is provided with a security locking pin which has to be removed in order to be able to turn the stick and release the connecting stick. The release arrangement will work even if there is no such locking pin present since the locking pin is only intended to avoid unintentional release if someone accidentally is turning the release arm. In the shown embodiments the locking pin is exemplified as shown in fig. 4d. In case some other locking arrangement is desired, it is obvious for the skilled person in the art to provide the release arrangement with any kind of suitable arrangement. In fig 5, another example of a security locking arrangement is shown wherein the locking pin is replaced with a locking clamp 520 which interacts with a part of the automatic release arrangement 514.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the first rope arrangement may be fixed to the connecting stick in some other way. In case a thick rope is used in the first rope arrangement it may be fastened in the hole in the connecting pin by threading it through the hole and tie a knot on the opposite side in order to fix the rope at the connecting stick. Hence, even if a preferred embodiment of how to fix the first rope arrangement to the connecting stick is taught in the examples it is obvious for the skilled person in the art that there are several ways of fixing this rope to the connecting pin which are within the inventive idea of the invention.

Claims

A manual release arrangement (206) for releasing nautical life saving equipment, e.g. containers for inflatable life rafts, said release arrangement comprising a first rope arrangement (205), a second rope arrangement and a connecting stick (207, 307, 407) as a connecting link between the first rope arrangement (205) and the second rope arrangement (215) wherein said release arrangment is adapted to fixating the life saving equipment characterized in that said second rope arrangement (215) forms a loop (213), said first rope arrangement (205) being fixed to a connecting stick (207,307,407) near one of the ends of the connecting stick (207, 307, 407) whereby said end of the connecting stick (207, 307, 407) is placed in the loop (213) formed by the second rope arrangement (215) so that the connecting stick (207,307,407) together with the first rope arrangement (205) forms a stop preventing the loop (213) of the second rope arrangement to run along the first rope arrangement (205) when there is a tension in the release arrangement (206) caused by the rope arrangements (205, 215) pulling in opposite directions, said connecting stick (207,307,407) adapted, at release, turn around an axis, said axis being formed by the loop (213) of the second rope arrangement (215) and orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the rope arrangements (205,215).
The release arrangement according to claim 1 characterized in that the connecting stick (207,307,407) comprises a front panel (322) connected to two side panels (319) extending essentially perpendicular to said front panel from the under side of said front panel along at least a part of the longitudinal axis of the connecting stick (207,307,407),
The release arrangement (206) according to any preceding claim characterized in that the connecting stick (207,307,407) further comprises a locking arrangement (320,520) which is adapted to prevent the connecting stick (207,307,407) to release unintentionally.
The release arrangement (206) according to claim 3 characterized in that the locking arrangement comprises a locking pin (320) which is fitted into holes (321) placed in each one of the side panels (319) so as to extend essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the connecting stick (207,307,407)
The release arrangement (206) according to any preceding claim characterized in that the connecting stick (207,307,407) comprises a front panel (322) provided with at least one hole (216,316) adapted to receive the first rope arrangement (205) in order to fix said first rope arrangement (205) to the connecting stick (207,307,407).
The release arrangement (206) according to claim 5 characterized in in that the connecting stick (207,307,407) comprises a holding pin (217,317) placed on the underside of the front panel (322) in order to reinforce the connecting stick (207,307,407) where the connecting stick is encircled by the first rope arrangement (205).
The use of a connecting stick (207, 307, 407) in a manual release arrangement (206) for releasing nautical life saving equipment, e.g. containers for inflatable life rafts, as a connecting link between a first rope arrangement (205) and a second rope arrangement (215) adapted to fixating the life saving equipment characterized in that said second rope arrangement (215) forms a loop (213), said first rope arrangement (205) being fixed to the connecting stick (207,307,407) near one of the ends of the connecting stick (207, 307, 407) whereby said end of the connecting stick (207, 307, 407) is placed in the loop (213) formed by the second rope arrangement (215) so that the connecting stick (207,307,407) together with the first rope arrangement (205) forms a stop preventing the loop (213) of the second rope arrangement to run along the first rope arrangement (205) when there is a tension in the release arrangement (206) caused by the rope arrngements (205, 215) pulling in opposite directions, said connecting stick (207,307,407) adapted, at release, turn around an axis, said axis being formed by the loop (213) of the second rope arrangement (215) and orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the rope arrangements (205,215).
A connecting stick (207, 307, 407) for connecting a first rope arrangement (205) and a second rope arrangement (215) adapted to fixating the life saving equipment, said connecting stick comprises a front panel (322) connected to two side panels (319) extending essentially perpendicular to said front panel from the underside of said front panel along at least a part of the longitudinal axis of the connecting stick (207,307,407) characterized in that the front panel (322) is provided with at least one hole (216,316) adapted to receive a first rope arrangement (205) in order to fix said first rope arrangement (205) to the connecting stick (207,307,407).