EP2523847A1

EP2523847A1 - Light-weight platform having stairs

Info

Publication number: EP2523847A1
Application number: EP10710160A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Peter A. Müller
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-01-13
Filing date: 2010-01-13
Publication date: 2012-11-21
Also published as: WO2011085504A1; US20130047909A1; US8833290B2

Abstract

The invention relates to a segmented platform (1) for water vehicles. The segmented platform can be lowered as a stair lift, floating platform, or gangway by means of an active or passive operating cylinder (4) and a parallelogram (3). The platform (1) comprises plates (2), optional lateral buoyant elements (8), and a locking mechanism (11, 12), wherein the whole can be tilted up by means of the bearings (6) on the side pieces (7), and wherein a lowering stroke (H1, H2, H3) is additionally performed by means of an intermediate parallelogram (28) or by means of swiveling means (29), whereby the water vehicle requires a smaller footprint while not in use. The plates (2) can have a front cover (21) made of a band (18) and provide for greater personal safety while the plates (2) are lifted.

Description

Lightweight platform with stairs

TECHNICAL FIELD The invention is based on a lightweight segmented plate which serves as a staircase and floating platform and is preferably attached to the stern of a watercraft, and can be folded up as a whole if necessary, especially in tender vehicles, in order not to provide further storage space in the storage garage Claim platform. Furthermore, the platform can be statically self-supporting by floating bodies are placed laterally of the platform, which also generate a dynamic buoyancy while driving. Therefore, the lightweight system also allows a lightweight active cylinder system, so that in connection with the protected adjustment mechanism, which have safety means, such. a front cover of the stairs, which shear and crushing sites able to reduce, according to the preamble of the first claim.

State of the art

In the marine sector, rigid floating platforms are known, to which mainly manual, mostly telescopic foldable ladders are attached, as described in the patent EP 1 616 782 A1, in ships extendable stairs are used, which hydraulically and by winch, as described in the patent MXPA 02011583, do their job in recreational motor yachts are by means of cylinders, hydraulic or electric, extendable ladders, as well as stairs with horizontally remaining treads in use. These serve passengers and quadrupeds mostly as a comfortable departure or ascent into or out of the water. For large ships, the stairs are also used for shore leave.

The motor-operated ladders and stairs are stored directly in the watercraft or in the floating platforms in cassettes and are extended from this horizontally full extent, and then tilted over an articulated joint in the water direction, as described in the patent FR 2878822. In many cases, the Inclination by means of another working cylinder. A combination of rigid floating platform and movable stair elements is known under US Patent 2006/0075952 A1, which is tiltable without security elements with respect to shear and crush points on the stair elements. Also known are lowerable swimming platforms, which are lowered to below the waterline, especially for the reception of dinghies and jet skis, as described, inter alia, in DE 199 63 057 C1. Presentation of the invention

The invention has for its object at the stern of a watercraft, overhanging to install a segmented plate, which has the function of a floating platform, and a lowerable stairs and optionally assumes the function of a gangway and when not in use, the whole can be folded away.

More and more boats and yachts are equipped at the rear with swimming platforms or stairs, on the one hand to be closer to the water by means of the floating platform, or easier to attach the water skim to the feet, on the other hand one

Stair equipment to get back on board the boat or yacht from the water. Many swimming platforms have extendable stairs, so-called chicken ladder, so you can get in or out of the water a little better. Lowerable swimming platforms are a great luxury but extremely comfortable and are usually purchased in conjunction with the lift function for a dinghy.

The invention brings the advantages of a floating platform with the advantages of large, otherwise only yachts to find extendable and inclinable stairs with the constant remaining horizontal stairs, in an elegant, space-saving and simple way together, as well as in a folding form, so such

Swimming platform in the dry dock or as part of a tender in a yacht garage in terms of length hardly takes up space.

Since steps under water are difficult to see, the steps are separated by means of a movable means, but in a form that no limbs can get between the steps when starting up the system. In the version with a light gas lifting cylinder, such a cover is not provided because the gas cylinder is able to lift only the weight of the stairs and not even the weight of a person in addition.

The lateral floats on the platform serve for better trim of the

Watercraft and relieve the rear of the additional platform and allow a dynamic effect when driving the vessel, ie higher stability and better glide angle of the vehicle. The lightweight floating platform with the stair function is not only aimed at lowering the elements, but can be moved to a raised position so that it can be used as a gangway.

According to the invention this is achieved by the features of the first claim.

The core of the invention is to install at the stern of a watercraft, a floating platform with a staircase function with high safety standards, which can be lowered or raised, by means of an active or passive active cylinder, and tiltable for a

space-saving parking of the watercraft.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

Brief description of the drawings

In the following, embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. The same elements are provided in the various figures with the same reference numerals.

Show it:

Fig. 1 is a schematic top plan view of a segmented plate, with attached to the sides of active cylinder and buoyancy body and the rotating means for the

Fold up the plate

Fig. 2 shows a schematic side view of the segmented plate with the means of rotation for folding up and locking the plate and by means of the dash-dotted line indicating the lowering of the plate below the waterline

3 shows a schematic side view of the segmented plate with an active cylinder and the blocking device and by means of the broken line the possible Gangwaystellung

A schematic side view of the segmented plate with the buoyant body and the support rail

5 shows a schematic side view of the segmented plate with a flexible, roll-up front cover

6 shows a schematic side view of the segmented plate folded through 180 ° with a raised intermediate element

Figure 7 is a schematic side view of the segmented plate folded by 90 ° with a lowered intermediate element.

Figure 8 is a schematic side view of the segmented plate folded by 90 ° and lowered with means for lowering the platform. Only the elements essential for the immediate understanding of the invention are shown schematically. Way to carry out the invention

Fig. 1 shows a schematic top plan view of a segmented platform 1 with two parallel plates 2, which are laterally attached to a parallelogram 3, consisting of an upper arm 3a and a lower arm 3b. In addition, there are two active cylinders 4 for lifting or lowering the platform 1, which is also functional only by means of a cylinder and, for. can be mounted centrally under the plates 2. Parallelogram 3 and active cylinder 4 are rotatably mounted on the rotary plate 5, which in turn rotatably supported by the

Bearing 6 is mounted on the side cheeks 7. The side cheeks 7 are connected to the stern of the watercraft. In addition, a buoyant body 8 is attached to the rotary plate 5 on each side. This simple construction is also efektiver in the handling by the plate bearings 9, which are connected to the parallelogram 3, downstream mounted at the end of the plates 2, so that the lowering of the parallelogram 3 by activating the active cylinder 4, thus a maximum Generate amount of stair lift. The buoyancy bodies 8 generate a static buoyancy and prevent or reduce disarming of the vessel by an additional sternity at a standstill due to the attachment of the platform 1 at the stern of the water, especially if the buoyancy is identical to the weight of the platform 1. Furthermore, the buoyancy bodies 8 generate a dynamic buoyancy while driving and additionally stabilize the vehicle. By cleverly attaching the buoyancy body 8 to the rotary plate 5, the active cylinder 4 and parallelogram 3 is covered at the same time, so that the plate 1 and the two buoyancy bodies 8 as possible form a surface.

The rotary plate 5 is supported against the stern of the vessel and can be turned on or off by means of adjusting means 10 so that the rotary plate 5 and thus the buoyancy body 8, horizontally in relation to the watercraft, to which it is attached to the rear rests. By loosening the lock which is not shown here, the entire plate 1 can be swung together with the float 8 on the rotary plate 5 and its storage 6 and vertically or beyond eg on the lying surface of the

Watercraft are stored so that during storage of the

Watercraft in dry dock saves space accordingly. In the case of the platform 1 is attached to a tender boat, this can be made correspondingly foldable in the usual scarcely cut garages on such yachts and also create space. Instead of folding directly can also one

Intermediate member between the bearing 6 and side cheeks 7 are used, so that with such an intermediate member once folded down before being folded up and thus can be gained in height, or vice versa, in the garage at a raised platform 1, the tilting fulcrum is lowered.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic side view of the segmented platform 1 with the

Bearing 6 for the in cramped parking conditions of vessels advantageous folding up the platform 1 according to arrow A and the latch 11, which ensures that the wave can not baskulate the plate, but when swung horizontally, extends firmly to the stern of the vessel. In addition, a lifting latch 12 is provided, so that the platform 1, when folded up, also remains in position. The lifting lock function can also be done by means of a self-locking, lockable active cylinder 4. The latch 11 or the lifting latch 12 can be made manually or electrically or by means of a fluid.

If the platform 1 is tilted and secured to the lock 11, the plates 2 can by means of the parallelogram 3 according to arrow B to below the

Waterline WL be lowered.

3 shows a schematic side view of the segmented platform 1 with an effective cylinder 4, which in this case represents a gas-spring with a blocking device 14. The working cylinder 4 is here attached to the side wall 7, the opposite side, i. the piston rod e.g. on the lower arm 3b. These

cost-effective variant does not place high demands on shear and

Crushing, as the extension, resp. Tensile forces are low and only the weight of the plates 2 are safe and reliable in the horizontal position P to bring. An adjusting thread 15 on the active cylinder 4 ensures the desired orientation. Such a lockable active cylinder 4 holds the plates 2 in Position, only by the release by means of a key of the blocking device 14, can be lowered by weight on the plates 2, these in the first place. When you release the button for the blocking device 14 of the active cylinder 4 is locked. After use of the stairs, the blocking device 14 can be solved again and the plates 2 automatically move up in position P. By releasing the blocking device 14 of the active cylinder 4 is locked again. Instead of the illustrated blocking device 14, this can also be accomplished by a simple handrail or and a simple manual closure.

Of course, the active cylinder 4 and an electric cylinder with

Represent spindle drive.

By means of the gangway blocking means 13, which is activated manually or electrically or by means of a fluid, the parallelogram can be pivoted further upwards according to section C, so that the plates 2 are brought up to the position G and e.g. serve as a tool to help people get ashore.

4 shows a schematic side view of the segmented platform 1 with the

Buoyancy 8 as a static buoyancy element at standstill and dynamic

Buoyancy element when driving, which by means of a step 8a also the friction on

Buoyancy 8 reduced at higher speeds or eliminated altogether.

Thus, the forces on the buoyancy body 8 is not full of the side cheeks 7, respectively.

Bearing 6 and rotary plate 5 must be worn, a detachable and hinged support rail 16 is attached to the stern of the vessel and the buoyancy body 8 and thus has a double benefit by increasing the stability of the platform 1 and at the same time a welcome handrail for swimmers into the water or out of the water. 5 shows a schematic side view of the segmented platform 1 with a

Roller blind 17, which is a stored pipe on the rotary plate 5 or side cheeks 7 or rear or under the first plate 2, with a retractor or a positively controlled elevator, to which a belt 18, advantageously a plastic belt and possibly in the full width of the plates. 2 is attached and by means of Guide rollers 19 so that a flexible, rollable, variable front cover 21 results on the plates 2. A spring 20 keeps the band 18 under tension. Is instead of an active cylinder 4 in the form of a gas spring, a hydraulic or electrical variant installed in the plate 1, so as to lift people or objects, an intervening of limbs in the upwardly moving plates 2 conceivable problematic and therefore is a front cover 21 in These cases are favorable for safety.

6 shows a schematic side view of the segmented platform 1 in order

This consists of an intermediate parallelogram 28 with an upper arm 3aa and a lower arm 3bb and the pivot bearings 27 on which on one side an intermediate side cheek 23 with the latch 11 and, if necessary, not shown here, the lifting latch 12, as well as the Gangwayblockiermittel 13 are applied and on the other side, the mounting cheeks 25 are mounted.

In order to bring the Zwischenparallelogramm 28 in position, a lever 26 is attached to the upper arm 3aa, which is mounted at the rear of the vessel or on an extended mounting bracket 25. The lever 26 can be mechanically, electrically, hydraulically adjusted according to the length or by means of a corresponding hole pattern in the upper arm 3aa and positioned so that the Zwischenparallelogramm 28 changes in angle and thus experiences a stroke according to arrow H1 on the intermediate cheek 23. By folding the platform 1 over the bearing 6 according to arrow A, this can e.g. be placed on the engine cover of the vessel and thus shortens the footprint of the vessel.

7 shows a schematic side view of the segmented platform 1 by 90 °

folded with a lowered intermediate element 22. The intermediate element 22 corresponds to the parts and function described in Figure 6. The lever 26 may be a mechanical part or an effective cylinder 4. By lowering the

Between cheeks 23 according to arrow H2, when folding the platform 1 according to arrow A, the final height of the platform 1 reduces, an advantage which plays a role in certain yacht garages and also the intermediate cheek 23 can have a stand surface function by means of a stand surface 24, so that Watercraft can not tilt sideways when standing, should the appropriate Aufkimmmittel not be present in the parking lot.

8 shows a schematic side view of the segmented plate 1 with a

Float 8 folded 90 ° according to arrow A and lowered by the Absenkhub H3 by means of a set of pivot means 29 which are mounted by means of pivot bearing 30 on the side wall 7 and the pivot means 29 are also supported by means of pivot bearings 31 on the buoyancy body 8. In the event no buoyancy body 8 is used, the pivot bearings 31 are attached directly to the platform 1. By pulling or pushing up the buoyant body 8 on the eye 32, the buoyancy body 8 undergoes a pivoting according to the folding path A and due to the correspondingly positioned pivoting means 29 a kinematic motion is triggered, which allows the buoyant body 8 to rotate about the pivot bearing 30 and pivot bearings 31 and hereby the buoyancy - body eg folded by 90 ° is at the same time by the kinematics of the pivoting means

29 of the buoyancy body 8 to the lowering stroke H3 lowers. By means of torsion springs, not shown here, on the pivot bearings 30 or pivot bearings 31, the pivoting of the buoyant body 8 can be assisted. The misalignment of the buoyant body 8 and the lowering stroke 3 can also be influenced by means of an unequal length of the pivot means 29. Is on the platform 1 or on the buoyancy body 8 frontally a footprint 24 is provided so that the entire vessel can be stabilized in the dry dock and not tilt this despite V hull.

Of course, the invention is not limited to those shown and described

Embodiments limited. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 platform

2 plate

3 parallelogram

3a, 3aa upper arm

3b, 3bb lower arm

4 active cylinders

5 turntable

6 bearings

7 side cheeks

8 buoyancy bodies

8a level

9 plate bearings

10 adjustment means

11 locking

12 lifting lock

13 gangway blocker

14 blocking device

15 adjusting thread

16 support rail

17 Roller blind

18 band

19 leadership role

20 spring

21 front cover

22 intermediate element

23 intermediate side wall

24 floor space

25 fastening cheek

26 lever

27 pivot bearings

28 Intermediate parallelogram

29 pivoting means

30 pivot bearings

31 pivot bearings

32 eye

P position horizontal

G position gangway

WL waterline

H1.H2 hub intermediate element

H3 lowering stroke

B, C Hub plates (2)

A folding path

Claims

claims

Platform (1) for watercraft

in

in that the platform (1) has a rotary plate (5) on which by means of the bearings (6) in connection with the side cheeks (7) are foldable and hinged (A) or and in the vertical position of the platform (1) by means ( 28,29) a lowering stroke (H1, H2, H3) takes place or and on the platform (1) buoyancy bodies (8) or and on the plates (2) a front cover (21) are mounted.

Platform (2) according to claim 1

characterized,

in that the platform (1) has a rotary plate (5) on which a parallelogram (3) is mounted, on which plates (2) are mounted by means of plate bearings (9) and the platform (1) has at least one active cylinder (4) and in that the plates (2) are lowerable (B) or height adjustable (C) and that the platform (1) has a latch (11) or and a lifting latch (12) or and a gangway block (13) or and a support rail (16) or a support rail (16) in conjunction with a buoyancy body (8).

Platform (2) according to claim 1

characterized,

in that the platform (1) has a roller blind (17) with guide rollers (19) on the plates (2) and a band (18) and thus forms a front cover (21) when the plates (2) are lowered.

Platform (2) according to claim 4

characterized,

in that the roller blind (17) is spring-loaded or positively controlled or and a spring (20) tensions the band (18).

Platform (2) according to claim 1

characterized,

that the platform (1) in the locked position by means of the lock (11), by the movement of the parallelogram (3), the plates (2) remain constant in angle with a stroke B or C.

6. Platform (2) according to claim 1

characterized,

in that the buoyancy bodies (8) are attached to the rotary plate (5) and these can have a step (8a) and the buoyancy bodies (8) are fastened laterally or below the parallelogram (3).

7. Platform (2) according to claim 1

characterized,

that the rotary plate (5) on both sides each have a height-adjustable and lockable intermediate member (22) and the intermediate member (22) consists of a Zwischenparallelogramm (28) and an intermediate side cheek (23) and a mounting cheek (25) and at the rear of the watercraft and the intermediate parallelogram (28) an adjustable lever (26) is attached, which generates a stroke (H1.H2).

8. Platform (2) according to claim 1

characterized,

in that the intermediate side cheeks (23) or the buoyancy bodies (8) have a front-side footprint 24.

9. Platform (2) according to claim 1

characterized,

in that pivot means (29) are attached to the side cheeks (7) which are identically long or the above rotatably mounted pivoting means (29) are of unequal length or not parallel to each other and are in parallelogram (3) or buoyancy body (3). 8) are connected and by means of flaps via folding path (A) the parallelogram (3) or the buoyancy body (8) at the same time undergoes a Absenkhub (H3). 0. Platform (2) according to claim 1

characterized,

in that the working cylinder (4) acts hydraulically or electrically or is a gas pressure cylinder or throttle cable cylinder with a blocking device (14) and the lever (26) acts mechanically or by means of oil or gas or electrically.