EP3578452A1

EP3578452A1 - Mobile and foldable platform for boats

Info

Publication number: EP3578452A1
Application number: EP19172467.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Giorgio Besenzoni
Original assignee: B FINANCIAL Srl
Current assignee: B FINANCIAL Srl
Priority date: 2018-06-07
Filing date: 2019-05-03
Publication date: 2019-12-11
Anticipated expiration: 2039-05-03
Also published as: EP3578452B1; IT201800006108A1

Abstract

Described is a mobile and foldable deck (1) for boats (2), fixed to the hull of a boat (2) having a load-bearing frame (4) delimited by sides (7), an upper fixed platform (5) and a lower platform (6), which is covered by a supporting base (8); the supporting base (8) is divided into longitudinal portions, each of which is mechanically connected to a step flange (9), in such a way that the above-mentioned step flanges (9) are designed to move angularly and simultaneously the above-mentioned longitudinal portions following a predetermined command. The lower platform (6) is activated upwards or downwards, by means of two or more cylinders (15) of the hydraulic, electrical or mechanical type and by means of a mechanical pantograph system made by means of a series of rods, in such a way as to obtain a configuration of the supporting base (8) in the form of steps and allow a user (16) to reach an embarkation/disembarkation position and a position for entering the water.

Description

This invention relates in general to a mobile and foldable deck for boats. More specifically, the invention relates to a mobile and foldable deck for boats, preferably moved hydraulically and designed to be installed at the stern of the above-mentioned boats.
Mobile decks are known in the nautical sector, that is to say accessory components associated externally to pleasure boats or cruise ships; in particular, the decks for boats of the mobile type and which can be tilted can be applied to the boats by interposing movement means which allow the definition for the decks of:

a rest or closed condition, according to which the deck is positioned facing and alongside a predetermined portion of the hull of the boat (generally the sterns of the boat);
an operating condition, according to which the deck is tipped by 90° with respect to the rest position and is positioned protruding from the hull of the boat, in such a way that the walking surface of a supporting base is just below the water level in order to be accessible to persons just for a rest, keeping in contact with the water, or for diving into the water from a more comfortable position or for lowering into or climbing out of the water in an easy and fast manner.

The decks for boats usually have substantially significant dimensions, so as to be spacious and integrated with the well, which notoriously identifies the open part of a boat, in general the stern, where the manoeuvring gear, rudder, benches for seating and/or tables are located).
It is therefore necessary to design in a precise manner and to control the mechanism for opening and closing the deck; moreover, it must be possible to use the mechanism easily and without too much effort.
Moreover, in the presence of a mobile deck of this type, it is necessary to use a ladder to climb on-board, which must be positioned to the side of the deck.
It is therefore evident that the construction concepts of the decks of a traditional type still comprise a significant overall size and the need to use further elements and/or accessories to provide the user with all the desired functionalities and levels of comfort.
The prior art of the specific applications of a mobile deck therefore lacks a deck for boats which is advantageously equipped with accessory components which are able to expand the methods of use and transform it into an accessory which is able to provide additional functions which are appreciated by the boat owner and his/her guests on-board.
The aim of the invention is therefore to overcome the above-mentioned limitations of the prior art and, in particular, to make a mobile and foldable deck for boats which integrates in the same structure the functions of deck, walkway, ladder for entering into or climbing out of the water and support structure for a tender or a jet ski to be placed in the water.
Another aim of the invention is to make a mobile and foldable deck for boats which is highly versatile and with a substantially contained overall size, with respect to the functions effectively performed.
These aims, according to the invention, are achieved by a mobile and foldable deck for boats, according to appended claim 1; further detailed features are contained in the subsequent claims.
Advantageously, the mobile and foldable deck for boats according to the invention allows further and diversified functionalities to be obtained with respect to the traditional ones which can be found in decks of known type, all to the advantage of constructional exclusivity of the nautical item in question and the possibility for the purchaser (and for the guests on-board the relative boat) to make use of an extremely versatile product which is suitable for various uses.
Moreover, the deck according to the invention makes use of the existing dimensions and spaces of similar prior art decks, whilst providing the innovative additional functionalities mentioned above, with the evident advantages which this results in, not only from the production point of view but also in terms of communication to the public, who can perceive the advantages of the new deck without a distortion of the typical concept of this type of nautical item.
The above-mentioned aims and advantages, as well as others which will emerge below, will become more apparent from the following description, relative to preferred embodiments of the mobile and foldable deck for boats, object of the invention, provided by way of example, but without limiting the scope of the invention, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view from below of a first embodiment of the mobile and foldable deck for boats, according to the invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view from above of the deck of Figure 1, according to the invention;
Figure 3 is a perspective view from above of a second embodiment of the mobile and foldable deck for boats, according to the invention, in a first operating position;
Figure 4 is a side view of the deck of Figure 3, according to the invention;
Figure 5 is a perspective view from above of the mobile and foldable deck for boats, according to the invention, in a second operating position;
Figure 6 is a side view of the deck of Figure 5, according to the invention;
Figure 7 is a perspective view from below of the deck of Figure 5, according to the invention;
Figure 8 is a perspective view from above of the mobile and foldable deck for boats, according to the invention, in a third operating position;
Figure 9 is a side view of the deck of Figure 8, according to the invention;
Figure 10 is a perspective view from above of the mobile and foldable deck for boats, according to the invention, in a fourth operating position;
Figure 11 is a side view of the deck of Figure 10, according to the invention;
Figures 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 show a series of methods of folding the various components of the mobile and foldable deck for boats, according to the invention.

With reference to the above-mentioned, the mobile and foldable deck for boats, object of the invention, is generically indicated with the numeral 1.
More specifically, but without limiting the invention, the deck 1 according to the invention is designed to be installed at the stern P of a boat 2, in such a way that, when it adopts a condition of use, it is substantially alongside the well, even though at a lower planar level.
More specifically, the deck 1 is fixed to the hull of the boat 2 by means of side fixing plates 3 and has a main structure 4 delimited by chocks 7, a fixed upper platform 5 and a lower platform 6.
Above the platform 6 there is a supporting base 8 (usually made of teak) divided into various longitudinal portions, each of which is connected mechanically by a step flange 9, which moves angularly the respective portion, simultaneously with the other longitudinal portions, following a predetermined command.
The supporting base 8, in the use condition and when the longitudinal portions are not moved, constitutes an upper walking surface which is accessible by one or more persons (Figures 1-4).
There are also movement means 10, designed to be fixed to a predetermined part (and preferably at the stern P) of the boat 2 and operatively connected to the main structure 4 in such a way as to arrange, alternatively, the structure 4 and the supporting base 8 between a rest position, in which the walking surface of base 8 is substantially positioned according to a vertical plane and adjacent to the boat 2, and a position of use, in which the supporting base 8 protrudes from the boat 2 and the walking surface is substantially positioned according to a horizontal plane. According to other embodiments, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, it is possible to position the deck 1, complete with any folded handrails 11 and/or stanchions 12, in a horizontal rest position, with the boat ready for navigation; in that case, a safety locking or "pinlock" system (of an electric or hydraulic type which can be disengaged by the user) is used to keep the deck 1 in the horizontal position.
Moreover, according to other preferred embodiments of the invention, it is possible to use a further platform 13, integrated, removable and/or in a concealed fashion (since it is slidable below the supporting base 8 of the deck 1 and can be withdrawn inside a relative seat), in such a way that the mobile deck 1 can also be used as a walkway for embarkation and/or disembarkation from a berth 14 (the movement of the platform 13 is described in detail below).
According to preferred methods of the invention, two or more cylinders 15 are used, preferably of the hydraulic, electrical or mechanical type, to raise or lower the base 8.
In this way, the movement of the platform 6 upwards or downwards, thanks to the presence of the step flanges 9 connected mechanically to each longitudinal portion of the base 8 and by using a mechanical pantograph system made by mean of a series of rods, allows a configuration of the base 8 in the form of steps to be obtained, also allowing a user 16 to reach both an embarkation/disembarkation position (following the upwards movement of the platform 6 and climbing the longitudinal portions of the base 8 which constitute the steps) and a position for lowering into water (following the downwards movement of the platform 6 and descending the steps).
In this way, all the intermediate positions can be reached, between an end position of the deck 1 fully raised upward and an end position of the deck 1 fully moved downwards.
In practice, a deck 1 is obtained which is mobile self-levelling, which can also be used as a ladder to compensate for differences in level and adopt a configuration for embarkation/disembarkation or lowering into the water for a user 16 and/or, at the same time, designed to support a tender or a jet-ski to be placed in the water; if the deck 1 is also equipped with a further platform 13, extended for at least a portion of length of the supporting base 8 and slidable outside the base 8, as well as integrated, removable and/or in a concealed fashion (since it can be withdrawn below the base 8), the above-mentioned deck can also be used as landing gangway and/or walkway.
In particular, Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8 show a configuration for embarkation/disembarkation with respect to a berth 14 by the user 16, with the deck 1 in the raised position, Figure 9 shows a configuration with the bench 1 fully raised, whilst Figures 10 and 11 show a further configuration with the deck 1 in a fully lowered position, with the platform 13 withdrawn below the base 8, and designed for the lowering into the water of the user 16.
Figures 12 and 13 show the system for movement of the handrails 11, which are self-levelling with the steps of the ladder during the raising and lowering of the deck 1.
In particular, the handrails 11, if present, can be tilted on the supporting base 8, thanks to a system of slots 17, which allow the respective handrail 11 to be raised and rotated (according to the arrows F of Figure 13) to tilt it to a horizontal position and lock it in position (Figure 12), by inserting suitable locking pins, in such a way as to position the deck in the horizontal rest position, with the boat ready for navigation.
In order to raise the handrails 11 again to the vertical position, thanks to the movement system with slots 17, it is sufficient to rotate them and lower them again (fig. 13).
Figures 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 show the system for movement of the platform 13, if it can be slid and withdrawn below the supporting base 8.
In this case, after placing the platform 13 in the rest position, the automatic stanchions 12 and the relative stays, if present, are folded on themselves, in such a way as to rest on the upper surface of the platform 13 (Figure 15), thanks to a movement system consisting of a cylinder 18, preferably of the hydraulic type, which actuates respective belts 19 and pulleys 21, and by a pair of gears 20, which invert the motion (arrows G of Figure 14) of the pulleys 21 integral with the stanchions 12, which, consequently, rotate in the opposite direction (arrows H of Figure 14).
Figures 16, 17 and 18 show relative details of the hydraulic cylinder 22 used for translating the slidable platform 13, respectively, in a position of the platform 13 fully elongated and outside the supporting base 8 (Figures 15, 16) and a position of the platform fully withdrawn below the supporting base 8 (Figures 17, 18) and positioned inside a relative seat.
It has been found in practice how the innovative technical effect of the mobile deck 1 according to the invention appears undoubtedly surprising since it significantly affects a consolidated construction concept of this type of accessory for the nautical sector, which has remained unchanged for many years.
In particular, the mobile deck according to the invention can be advantageously used as a ladder for connection with the berth, a ladder for entering into the water and/or a landing gangway or walkway, with all the advantages relative to the fact of being able to use a single accessory for the various functions mentioned above.
The technical characteristics of the mobile and foldable deck for boats, object of the invention, clearly emerge from the description, as do the advantages thereof.
Lastly, it is clear that numerous other variants might be made to the deck in question, without forsaking the principles of novelty of the inventive idea contained in the accompanying claims, while it is clear that in the practical actuation of the invention, the materials, the shapes and the dimensions of the illustrated details can be of any type according to requirements, and can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.
In particular, during the executive or implementation phase, modifications may be made to the mobile deck for boats according to the invention consisting, for example, in movement means with a construction concept different from that which can be inferred from and seen in the accompanying drawings and comprising linear actuation means, different from the hydraulic means, selected from the group consisting of linear pneumatic actuators, electric motors or other systems designed for applications and uses in the marine environment.
Where the constructional characteristics and the techniques mentioned in the following claims are followed by signs or reference numbers, the signs or reference numbers have been used only with the aim of increasing the intelligibility of the claims themselves and, consequently, they do not constitute in any way a limitation to the interpretation of each element identified, by way of example, by the signs or reference numbers.

Claims

A mobile and foldable deck (1) for boats (2), wherein said deck (1) is fixed to the hull of a boat (2) and has a load-bearing frame (4) delimited by sides (7), an upper fixed platform (5) and a lower platform (6), said lower platform (6) being covered by a supporting base (8), characterised in that said supporting base (8) is divided into longitudinal portions, each of which is mechanically connected to a step flange (9), in such a way that said step flanges (9) are designed to move angularly and simultaneously said longitudinal portions following a predetermined command, and characterised in that said lower platform (6) is activated upwards or downwards, by means of two or more cylinders (15) of the hydraulic, electrical or mechanical type by means of a mechanical pantograph system made by means of a series of rods, in such a way as to obtain a configuration of the supporting base (8) in the form of steps and allow a user (16) to reach an embarkation/disembarkation position and a position for entering the water.
The deck (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the movement means (10), fixed to a predetermined part of the boat (2) and operatively connected to said load-bearing frame (4), are configured in such a way as to arrange, alternatively, said load-bearing frame (4) and said supporting base (8) between a rest position, in which said base (8) is substantially positioned according to a vertical plane and adjacent to the boat (2), and a position of use, in which said base (8) protrudes from the boat (2) and said base (8) is substantially positioned according to a horizontal plane.
The deck (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that said deck (1) comprises one or more foldable handrails (11) and/or stanchions (12).
The deck (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a further platform (13) is integrated, removable and/or in a concealed fashion and slidable below said supporting base (8) of the deck (1), in such a way as to be arranged outside the base (8) as a landing gangway and/or walkway or withdrawn inside a predetermined seat.
The deck (1) according to claim 3, characterised in that said one or more handrails (11) are self-levelling with said supporting base (8) during the operations for raising and lowering the deck (1).
The deck according to any one of claims 3 and 5, characterised in that said one or more handrails (11) are tilted on said supporting base (8), thanks to a system of slots (17), which allow each handrail (11) to be raised and rotated (F) to tilt it to a horizontal position and lock it in position, by inserting suitable locking pins, said one or more handrails (11) can be raised in a vertical position and, thanks to said system of slots (17), rotated and lowered.
The deck (1) according to claim 4, characterised in that said further platform (13) has a series of stanchions (12) foldable on themselves, in such a way as to be supported, in the rest position, on the upper surface of said further platform (13).
The deck (1) according to claim 7, characterised in that said stanchions (12) are foldable on themselves by means of a movement system consisting of a hydraulic cylinder (18), which operates respective belts (19) and pulleys (21), integral with the stanchions (12), and a pair of gears (20), designed to invert the motion (G) of said pulleys (21), said stanchions (12) being designed to rotate (H) in the opposite direction to said gears (20).
The deck (1) according to any one of claims 4, 7 and 8, characterised in that said further platform (13) is slidable and translates, by means of an actuation cylinder(22), between a position wherein the platform (13) is outside said supporting base (8) and a position wherein the platform (13) is positioned beneath said supporting base (8) and inserted inside a seat.
The deck (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a safety locking system is used to keep said deck (1) in a horizontal rest position.