EP4282745A1

EP4282745A1 - Auxiliary support, stop and/or transit unit for boats

Info

Publication number: EP4282745A1
Application number: EP23174820.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Giorgio Besenzoni
Original assignee: B FINANCIAL Srl
Current assignee: B FINANCIAL Srl
Priority date: 2022-05-25
Filing date: 2023-05-23
Publication date: 2023-11-29
Also published as: IT202200010949A1

Abstract

An auxiliary support, stop and/or transit unit (1; 100) for boats comprising a load-bearing frame (2; 101) adapted to be connected to a peripheral installation area (P) of a hull (S) of a boat; and at least one service platform (3; 102), which mainly extends along a longitudinal direction (X) and which is provided with an upper floor (4) accessible by one or more people. More in detail, the auxiliary support, stop and/or transit unit (1; 100) comprises articulation means (5; 104), interposed between the load-bearing frame (2; 101) and the service platform (3; 102) to which they are coupled, operatively cooperating with the service platform (3; 102) so as to roto-translate the service platform (3; 102), by means of a horizontal movement which follows at least a rotation about one or more horizontal axes (Z) orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (X), alternately between a resting position, in which the service platform (3; 102) is arranged according to a horizontal plane and retracted with respect to the load-bearing frame (2; 101), and a use position, in which the service platform (3; 102) is arranged according to a horizontal plane, projecting and advanced outwards with respect to the load-bearing frame (2; 101) to increase the useful surface area available to people, objects and/or boat accessories.

Description

The present invention relates to the field of boating, especially recreational boating, and relates to an auxiliary and collapsible support, stop and/or transit unit for boats (sometimes acting as a footboard), preferably though not exclusively adapted to be installed at the stern of such boats.
In essence, the invention presented here relates to an ancillary and auxiliary unit (or even a structure or even further an assembly) for boats, which provides a movable surface for momentarily supporting objects (typically, such as deck chairs, beach towels, mattresses, tenders, watercrafts, jet skis) or a movable surface for people to stand and/or transit and that is generally installed at the stern of boats.
In any case, this does not exclude that the auxiliary unit of the invention can be also installed on the side of the hull of the boat, protruding from its gunwale.
The auxiliary footboard unit of the invention is advantageously usable, for example, to allow hauling and launching tenders or other equipment or service vessels of the boat (if used as a gangplank), and to allow people to transit (again if used as a gangplank so that it acts as a point of access to the surrounding water, including by diving, and as a point of climbing out therefrom or if used as a boarding ladder) or temporarily stay there for leisure activities (again if used as a gangplank).
As known, in the boating industry, a gangplank is an ancillary component that has become essential for pleasure boats and/or cruise ships (in the extended and technical meaning of the term, thus not limited to ships traditionally identified as "cruise ships" and consisting of a motor ship of significant size, used for voyages for touristic and recreational purposes lasting at least one week, during which customers are entertained on board with the various facilities present, especially of a recreational and sports nature), with which it is externally associated.
On the one hand, in many application solutions on boats, the gangplanks are of the movable and often tilting type, being attached to the boats through the interposition of main movement means, which generally allows defining, for the gangplanks themselves:

a resting (or closing or non-use) condition, in which the gangplanks are arranged to face and abut against a predetermined part (otherwise referred to as a peripheral installation area) of the hull of the boat (usually at the stern), substantially integrating therewith without appreciably enlarging the volume thereof and becoming a sort of delimiting bulkhead;
a fully operating (or opening or working) condition, in which the gangplanks are arranged effectively projecting from the hull of the boat so that the floor of one or more of the support platforms faces (possibly even just below) the surface of water (typically in the sea or on any navigable lake) to be accessible to people for stopping or relaxing by keeping a pleasant contact with the water or being immediate close thereto, or to dive into the water from a more comfortable position, or even to climb down gradually into the water or climb back from an easier and quicker position after a swim.

On the other hand, there are application solutions on boats in which the gangplanks are of a fixed type, directly coupled to the hull of the boat by means of a support structure.
For example, other auxiliary or ancillary units of a fixed or movable type, which can be installed on pleasure boats, to which the present invention is directed, are also the boarding ladders for climbing into the water or out therefrom, used in particular by people, even those who are less agile from a motor point of view, on boats to gradually immerse themselves for a swim and climb back up easily afterwards.
To be pleasant to use and effectively exploitable, a gangplank must have suitably large dimensions; not surprisingly, in new designs, gangplanks are increasingly spacious and in particular increasingly integrated with the cockpit (which, as known, identifies the open part of a boat, generally at the stern, where usually there are the maneuvering assemblies with related winches, the rudder, some benches for seating and often also a central table, and where people stand during normal navigation to enjoy leisure activities).
Therefore, in the marine industry, the current trend is to manufacture gangplanks which are increasingly larger and increasingly integrated with the cockpit of which they aspire to become a sort of constructional continuation when they take the use position.
Technically, it is necessary to carefully design and control the closing and opening mechanism (main movement means ) of the gangplanks, which must be easy and untiring to use for the user, whereas, in order to ensure better safety conditions for people, the support platform (considered as such even when it consists of a series of elementary support platforms, mutually coupled in a telescopic manner) of the gangplanks must preferably be provided with appropriate peripheral support structures, known as handrails.
In addition, in the presence of a collapsible gangplank, the boarding ladder (either removable or not) for climbing down and back up on board traditionally provided in boats must be positioned to the side of the gangplank itself, especially because the current trend by users is that of keeping the gangplank lowered (or open) on the water surface even under mooring conditions.
Therefore, it is apparent that the gangplanks and boarding ladders of the type briefly described above are designed to provide greater comfort and additional pleasant situations of enjoyment or relaxation for people on the boats on which they are installed, while also respecting adequate safety conditions for the same people who stand even temporarily on the gangplanks or use the boarding ladders.
Firstly, examples of mechanical structures for boats of the type defined above in the essential features are shown in the prior art documents published under US2021/047005 A1 and US2021/0147039 A1 , in which, in each case, the roto-translation movement of the platforms or footboards results in the creation of a boarding ladder in which such platforms are not mutually coplanar in order to increase an actual useful surface area effectively available for people, objects and/or boat accessories.
Secondly, the prior art documents published under WO2014/147039 A1 , WO2011/137548 A2 and US2006/075952 A1 relate to movable footboards with extension of the useful surface area of the type most directly relevant to the subject of the present invention.
However, the auxiliary support, stop and/or transit units for boats of the prior art briefly described above also suffer from some recognized limitations or at least from a constructional concept, which, besides the design differences from manufacturer to manufacturer, which allow the expected technical performance to be effectively achieved in different manners, has been anchored to the traditional standards described above for years.
Indeed, the gangplank and boarding ladder solutions of the known type are permeated by significant structural volume and equally significant construction complexity, found in particular in the articulation means which move the support platform from the resting position to the use position; the footboard assembly described in patent publication EP3895975 A1 does not escape such a drawback either.
Therefore, the present invention aims to overcome the limitations of the prior art just pointed out concerning gangplanks (fixed or movable and folding (or collapsible)) and boarding ladders for boats.
In particular, it is primary purpose of the invention to provide an auxiliary support, stop and/or transit unit for boats, which has a smaller volume, especially under resting or non-use conditions, than the equivalent auxiliary units of known type. Therefore, in the cognitive sphere of such a purpose, it is a first task of the instant invention to devise an auxiliary support, stop and/or transit unit for boats, which requires less processing of the predetermined part (or peripheral installation area) of the hull of the boat, generally defined at the stern.
It is another task of the present invention to provide an auxiliary support, stop and/or transit unit for boats, which is installable at a lower cost than the auxiliary units of the prior art more directly comparable thereto, the cost of raw materials and labor employed being the same.
It is a further purpose of the invention to provide an auxiliary support, stop and/or transit unit for boats, which has a simpler construction concept than similar auxiliary units of known type.
Last but not least, it is a purpose of the instant invention to create an auxiliary support, stop and/or transit unit for boats, which is effectively usable both as a (fixed or movable) gangplank and as a boarding ladder, by means of appropriate variations in size and the moving system.
The aforesaid purposes are achieved by an auxiliary support, stop and/or transit unit for boats as in appended claim 1, as hereinafter referred for the sake of brevity of disclosure.
Further detailed technical features of the auxiliary support, stop and/or transit unit for boats of the invention are contained in the respective dependent claims.
The aforesaid claims, hereinafter specifically and practically defined, form integral part of the present description.
Advantageously, the auxiliary support, stop and/or transit unit of the invention has a smaller overall volume (in the horizontal and vertical directions) and a simpler constructional concept than the auxiliary units of the prior art more directly comparable thereto.
This is because, the auxiliary support, stop and/or transit unit for boats according to the invention innovatively comprises articulation means, interposed between the load-bearing frame and the service platform to which they are coupled, operatively cooperating with the service platform so as to roto-translate the service platform, by means of a horizontal movement associated with a rotation about one or more horizontal axes orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, alternately between a resting position, in which the service platform is arranged according to a horizontal plane and retracted with respect to the load-bearing frame, and a use position, in which the service platform is arranged according to a horizontal plane, projecting and advanced outwards with respect to the load-bearing frame to increase the useful surface area available to people, objects, items, tools and/or boat accessories.
Still advantageously, the auxiliary support, stop and/or transit unit of the present invention can be effectively and conveniently employed both as a gangplank and as a boarding ladder, especially at the stern, in boats.
Equally advantageously, in a preferred embodiment thereof, the auxiliary support, stop and/or transit unit of the invention allows increasing the useful surface area of the last front step compared to the auxiliary units currently available in the market, if it also includes a plurality of main support platforms operatively connected to main movement means which are distinct from the aforesaid articulation means and through which the latter are connected to the load-bearing framework.
Said purposes and advantages, as well as others that will be found later in the present patent disclosure, will become more apparent from the following description, relating to preferred embodiments of the auxiliary support, stop and/or transit unit for boats unit of the invention, given by way of indicative but non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 is an assonometric view of the auxiliary support, stop and/or transit unit for boats of the invention in a first possible operating condition, in which it takes the configuration of a stationary gangplank, i.e., fixed to the boat, in which the service platform is in the resting position;
figure 2 is an assonometric view of the auxiliary support, stop and/or transit unit for boats in figure 1 in a second possible operating condition, in which the service platform is still in the resting position;
figure 3 is an assonometric view of the auxiliary support, stop and/or transit unit for boats in figure 1 in a third possible operating condition, in which the service platform is in the use position;
figure 4 is an assonometric view of the auxiliary support, stop and/or transit unit for boats in figure 1 in a fourth possible operating condition, in which the service platform is still in the use position;
figure 5 is an assonometric view of the auxiliary support, stop and/or transit unit for boats in figure 1 in a fifth possible operating condition, in which the service platform is still in the use position;
figure 6 is an enlarged sections view of figure 3;
figure 7 is a cut longitudinal section view of figure 1;
figures 8 and 9 are two distinct cut longitudinal section views of the auxiliary unit in figure 1 at two successive intermediate positions of the service platform while it transitions from the resting position to the use (or working or operating) position;
figure 10 is a cut longitudinal section view of figure 3;
figure 11 is an assonometric view of the front step of the auxiliary unit in figure 1, in which the service platform is in the resting position;
figure 12 is a longitudinal section view of figure 11;
figure 13 is an assonometric view of the front step of the auxiliary unit in figure 1, in an intermediate position of the service platform while it transitions from the resting position to the use position;
figure 14 is a longitudinal section view of figure 13;
figure 15 is an assonometric view of the front step of the auxiliary unit in figure 1, in which the service platform is in the use position;
figure 16 is a longitudinal section view of figure 15;
figure 17 is an assonometric view of a variant of the auxiliary unit of the invention in figure 1, in particular of the service platform belonging thereto while it is in the resting position;
figure 18 is a longitudinal section view of figure 17;
figure 19 is an assonometric view of the auxiliary unit in figure 17 in a first intermediate position of the service platform while it transitions from the resting position to the use (or working or operating) position;
figure 20 is a longitudinal section view of figure 19;
figure 21 is an assonometric view of the auxiliary unit in figure 17 in a second intermediate position of the service platform while it transitions from the resting position to the use (or working or operating) position;
figure 22 is a longitudinal section view of figure 21;
figure 23 is an assonometric view of the auxiliary unit in figure 17 in a third intermediate position of the service platform while it transitions from the resting position to the use (or working or operating) position;
figure 24 is a longitudinal section view of figure 23;
figure 25 is an assonometric view of the auxiliary unit in figure 17, in which the service platform is in the use position;
figure 26 is a longitudinal section view of figure 25;
figure 26a is an enlargement of a detail of figure 26.

The auxiliary support, stop and/or transit unit for boats of the invention is illustrated under application conditions and under various operating conditions in figures 1-5 where it is indicated by reference numeral 1 as a whole.
More in detail, the auxiliary unit 1 of the invention depicted in figures 1-16 takes the configuration of a movable and collapsible (as well as raiseable or liftable) gangplank, where such a term means a gangplank the load-bearing frame 2 of which is coupled through movement means to the hull S of the boat (not shown in its entirety in the accompanying figures), as will be better highlighted later.
As it can be seen, the auxiliary unit 1 comprises:

the aforesaid load-bearing frame 2 adapted to be connected to a peripheral installation area P of a hull S of a boat; such a peripheral area is preferably (but only preferably) located at the stern of the boat;
a service platform 3, better seen from figure 3 and in more detail to figure 6, which mainly extends along a longitudinal direction X (also coinciding with the symmetry axis of the entire auxiliary unit 1) and which is provided with an upper floor 4 suitable for temporarily accommodating one or more people, one or more objects, one or more items of furniture (e.g., a deck chair, a small table, a mat, a mattress) and/or one or more boat accessories (e.g., a tender).

According to the invention, the auxiliary unit 1 comprises articulation means, indicated by reference numeral 5 as a whole, interposed between the load-bearing frame 2 and the service platform 3 to which they are coupled, operatively cooperating with the service platform 3 so as to roto-translate the service platform 3 itself, by means of a horizontal movement associated with (or resulting from) a rotation about one or more horizontal axes Z orthogonal to the longitudinal direction Y (thus, according to a traditional movement pattern of the rod and crank type), alternating between a resting position (shown as an example in figures 1 and 2), where the service platform 3 is arranged according to a horizontal plane and retracted as far as possible from the load-bearing frame 2 (in this case without falling within the volume of the peripheral installation area P of the hull S), and a use position (e.g., shown in figures 3-5), in which the service platform 3 is arranged according to a horizontal plane, projecting and advanced outwards with respect to the load-bearing frame 2 to increase the useful surface area available to people, objects, articles, and/or boat accessories to be placed there.
In particular, the horizontal axes Z are orthogonally incident on the vertical plane defined by each of two lateral flanks 16, 17 delimiting the service platform 3 on symmetrically opposing parts, as better seen in figure 6 and in the sections in figures 7-10.
Moreover, the articulation means 5 are operatively connected to actuation means of automatic type, indicated by reference numeral 6 as a whole and diagrammatically shown in figure 7, suitable for being actuated to move the service platform 3 in rotation and horizontal translation, according to a rotation in a first direction (in this case counterclockwise, by way of example only) which advances the service platform 3 with respect to the load-bearing frame 2 and transfers it from the resting position to the use position, and according to a rotation in a second direction (in this case clockwise), opposite to the first direction, which retracts the service platform 3 with respect to the load-bearing frame 2 and transfers it from the use position to the resting position.
In the specific case, the articulation means 5 are preferably coupled directly to the service platform 3 and indirectly, through the interposition of main movement means, indicated by reference numeral 7 as a whole, to the load-bearing frame 2, so that the auxiliary unit 1 of the invention - configured to act as a gangplank- is definable as movable.
This does not preclude that in other embodiments of the auxiliary support, stop and/or transit unit for boats of the invention, not disclosed below, the articulation means can be coupled directly either to the service platform or to the load-bearing framework, so that, in that case, the auxiliary unit of the invention - again configured to act as a gangplank- will be definable as fixed or stationary. Advantageously, but in a non-limiting manner, the auxiliary unit 1 of the invention comprises a plurality of main support platforms 8 (in the embodiment shown in the accompanying figures 1-5, such main platforms 8 are precisely four in number) operatively connected to the main movement means 7 which arrange them mutually side by side and coplanar at least in the use position of the service platform 3; it is worth noting that a rear main support platform 81 is arranged close to the load-bearing frame 2 and a front main (or outer) support platform 82 is more cantilevered than the others adjacent thereto and is arranged close to the service platform 3 to which it is coupled through the articulation means 5.
Indeed, the main movement means 7 arrange the main support platforms 8 in a plurality of operating positions, the most obvious of which can be seen in figures 2, 4, and 5 in particular (although figures 1 and 3 also show the main platforms 8 in an operating position in which they are mutually aligned and placed side by side on a horizontal plane); in at least one of such operating positions, the service platform 3 can or cannot take the working position.
In the specific case, the service platform 3 takes the working position in figures 3, 4 and 5, as mentioned above.
Additionally, in the resting position, the service platform 3 is vertically aligned with the front main support platform (or footboard or step) 82 adjacent thereto with respect to which it has a smaller extension in length, measured along the aforesaid longitudinal direction X in order to properly meet the volume and aesthetic requirements.
In the use position, instead, the service platform 3 is aligned horizontally, along the longitudinal direction X, with the front main support platform 82 directly adjacent thereto (the former, following a hypothetical numbering of the main platforms 8 from left to right or from the outside to the hull S of the boat).
Even more specifically, in the resting position, the service platform 3 is arranged above the front main support platform 82 the overall volume of which is included.
Preferably, but not necessarily, the floor 4 of the service platform 3 is coplanar to a floor 9 of the main front support platform 82, when the service platform 3 itself takes the use position, so as to form a composite floor 10 which conveniently and advantageously extends or lengthens the floor 9 of the main front support platform 82 and, if required, increases the useful surface area thereof available to people standing there, items, articles for recreation and pleasure in water as well as boat accessories, such as typically a tender, a dinghy, a mattress and the like.
In particular, figure 3 shows that, in a preferable but not binding manner, the composite floor 10 consisting of the floor 4 of the service platform 3 and the floor 9 of the front main support platform 82 is arranged at a lower level (usually of the order of 2-3 cm) than a floor 18 of at least one main support platform 83 adjacent thereto and more retracted with respect to the main platform 82 (the latter, following the hypothetical numbering of the main platforms 8 from left to right, mentioned earlier) when the service platform 3 takes the use position.
This level difference is generated when the service platform 3 is in the operating position and does not create any particular problems for the user or in the maneuvering of boat accessories (such as a tender), because the movement of the service platform 3 itself by the articulation means 5 (operated in turn by the actuation means 6) generally occurs (or is recommended to occur) when the auxiliary unit 1 of the invention is in the operating position in figures 2, 4 and 5, i.e., when the various main support platforms (or steps) 8 thereof are not horizontally coplanar with each other (the configuration in figure 3 being shown mostly for educational and illustrative purposes to better highlight the function of the service platform 3).
Again advantageously, it is worth noting that the floor 4 of the service platform 3 is also coplanar to a floor 11 of the second main support platform 83 (see figure 1) even when:

the service platform 3 itself takes the resting position;
the main platforms 8 are all on the same horizontal plane,

auxiliary unit

The just described use position taken by the service platform 3 in relation to the presence of the main support platforms 8 allows achieving significant advantages over the prior art, the most significant of which are:

expanding the useful space available to people for leisure, relaxation, and fun in contact with or close to the water while still substantially remaining on board the boat;
making it easier for people to access the dock from the boat, especially when the auxiliary unit 1 of the invention is in the operating condition in figure 5, in which it is in the recessed and outwardly retracted position with respect to the operating condition in figure 1 (as well as in figure 3); indeed, the substantial splitting of the useful surface area portion at the first main front support step 82 allows obtaining a larger foot support surface area for people who have to disembark from the boat and who, in such circumstances, are inevitably forced to lengthen their stride, thus making it easier and safer for the people themselves to access the dock;
more properly moving boat accessories of some significance (in terms of weight and economic value), such as a tender during its launching or continuous entry into the water.

According to the preferred embodiment described herein of the invention, the articulation means 5 comprise a pair of articulated quadrilateral structures 12, 13, each of which is operatively connected to the service platform 3 through first hinged means, indicated by reference numeral 14 as a whole, and to the main movement means 7 through second hinged means, indicated by reference numeral 15 as a whole.
In this case, as can be seen in figures 1-6, there are two articulated quadrilateral structures 12, 13, coupled one to each of the two opposing lateral flanks 16, 17 of the service platform 3, so that four rotation axes can be identified, as well shown in figure 8.
Figures from 7 to 16 preferably illustrate each of the articulated quadrilateral structures 12, 13 including a pair of shaped rods 19, 20 spaced apart from each other (in a manner which is substantially always the same), which describe a rotation arc of about 90° when the service platform 3 transitions from the resting position to the use position and vice versa, and take:

an initial position identifying a first X' inclined (by an angle substantially equal to 45°) with respect to a horizontal plane and a vertical plane, when the service platform 3 takes the aforesaid resting position direction (in this respect, see figures 7 and 12);
a final position identifying a second direction X" intersecting the first direction X' and inclined (by an angle substantially equal to 45°) with respect to a horizontal plane and a vertical plane, when the service platform 3 takes the use position (in this respect, see figures 10 and 16).

The use of an articulated quadrilateral structure 12, 13, preferably in a double version, as a favored but non-binding embodiment of the articulation means 5 allows avoiding a drawback typically found in the support, stop and/or transit structures for boats of the prior art (one of which is shown by the prior document published as WO2014/199314 A2 ), most directly comparable to that of the present invention; indeed, the articulated quadrilateral structure 12, 13 allows not including a chain system to maintain the tensioning of the simple pivoting arms (e.g., of the type indicated by reference numerals 4a and 4b in WO2014/199314 A2 ), resulting in a constructional simplification of the articulation means 5 used in the invention as compared to the aforesaid prior art.
With reference to the first hinged means 14, they include a pair of upper transverse studs 21, 22, placed side by side and spaced apart from each other, each of which identifies one of the previously defined horizontal rotation axes Z and supports a distal end 19a, 20a of one of the shaped rods 19, 20 of the respective articulated quadrilateral structures 12, 13.
In turn, the second hinged means 15 include a pair of lower transverse studs 23, 24 mutually placed side by side and spaced apart from each other, each of which identifies one of the rotation axes Z and supports a proximal end 19b, 20b, opposite to said distal end 19a, 20a, of one of the shaped rods 19, 20 of the respective articulated quadrilateral structures 12, 13.
It is understood that in further embodiments of the auxiliary support, stop and/or transit unit of the invention, not depicted below, the articulation means can comprise a number of articulated quadrilateral structures different from that just described with reference to the accompanying drawings, such a number being capable of varying from one according to design choices.
Preferably but not necessarily, however conveniently, the auxiliary unit 1 of the instant invention comprises end-of-stroke means, indicated by reference numeral 25 as a whole, defined in the articulation means 5 and, in this case, also in the load-bearing frame 2, useful for stopping the horizontal roto-translation movement which causes the transition of the service platform 3 from the resting position to the use position; the end-of-stroke means are better seen in figures 12, 14, and 16 where they are actually identified by a reference numeral.
More in detail, such end-of-stroke means 25 preferably comprise:

a first side surface 26 of a striking plate 27, having, for example in longitudinal section, a C-shape (as shown in figures 12, 14, and 16), coupled to the load-bearing frame 2;
an abutment wall 28 arranged at the proximal end 19b of a first one (that with reference numeral 19) of the shaped rods 19, 20 of the articulated quadrilateral structures 12, 13 and, in the use position of the platform service 3, abutting against the first side surface 26 of the striking plate 27.

In a preferred but not binding manner, in order to increase the stability of the service platform 3 in the use position, which also benefits the safety of people standing thereon, the end-of-stroke means 25 also comprise:

a second side surface 29 of a shaped projection 30 of a second one (that with reference numeral 20) of the shaped rods 19, 20 of the articulated quadrilateral structures 12, 13, arranged close to the proximal end 20b of the second shaped rod 20;
an abutment portion 31 of a side wall 19c of the first shaped rod 19 of the articulated quadrilateral structures 12, 13, arranged at the distal end 19a of the first shaped rod 19 itself and, in the use position of the service platform 3, abutting against the second side surface 29 of the shaped projection 30 of the second shaped rod 20.

Moreover, the auxiliary unit 1 of the invention also includes opposing end-of-stroke means, indicated by reference numeral 32 as a whole, defined in the articulation means 5 and, in this case, also in the load-bearing frame 2, useful for stopping the horizontal roto-translation movement which causes the transition of the service platform 3 from the use position to the resting position; in essence, as can be seen in figures 7 and 12, such opposing end-of-stroke means 32 consist of the linear end-of-stroke of the actuation means 6 which are described immediately below.
It is understood that other embodiments of the auxiliary support, stop and/or transit unit claimed herein exclusively, not disclosed below, can provide for end-of-stroke means to be defined only in the articulation means or only in the load-bearing frame, which does not affect the advantage brought by the present invention.
The end-of-stroke means 25 and the opposing end-of-stroke means 32 are precisely the constructional components which thus allow the auxiliary unit 1 of the invention to alternately define only the two positions initially described, the resting position, in which the service platform 3 is arranged according to a horizontal plane and retracted from the load-bearing frame 2, and the use position, in which the service platform 3 is arranged according to a horizontal plane, projecting and advanced outwards from the load-bearing frame 2 to increase the useful surface area available for people, objects and/or boat accessories, respectively.
Indeed, because of the configuration of the articulation means 5 with which it is equipped, the auxiliary support, stop and/or transit unit 1 of the invention does not allow the service platform 3 to be effectively and stably arranged in any intermediate position between the resting position and the use position, unlike the footboard described in WO2014/199314 A2 in which, not surprisingly, no end-of-stroke means of the type indicated by 25 and 32 in the accompanying figures and an integral part of the invention are provided for the purpose.
Such end-of-stroke means 25 and such opposing end-of-stroke means 32 have the important advantage of making the auxiliary unit 1 of the invention more stable, especially when the service platform 3 takes the use position, thus favoring, compared to equivalent auxiliary units of known type, the achievement of safer conditions both for people standing on the upper floor 4 thereof and for the structural integrity of its components.
In this respect, the actuation means 6 comprise a pair of actuator members 33, 34, each of which is operatively connected to the articulation means 5 and fixed to the main movement means 7: in brief, in this case, one actuator member 33, 34 for each of the respective articulated quadrilateral structures 12, 13 on which they act (appropriately governed by a central processing and control unit, not shown) is provided to cause the transition of the service platform 3 from the resting position to the use position and vice versa.
In particular, the actuator members 33, 34 are chosen from the group consisting of hydraulic actuators, pneumatic actuators, electromechanical actuators, mechanical actuators, electric motors and/or combinations thereof, suitable for applications and uses in the marine environment.
Again with regard to the actuation means, it is possible to state that other embodiments of the auxiliary unit of the invention can include a different number of actuator members from that just described and visible in the accompanying figures, such a number being capable of varying from one according to construction and application requirements.
It is clarified that the main movement means 7 previously introduced and provided only by a preferred embodiment of the auxiliary support, stop and/or transit unit 1 of the invention preferably also comprise a pair of actuator members 35, 36 each operatively connected to the articulation means 5 and fixed to the load-bearing frame 2: more specifically, the actuator members 35, 36 of the main movement means 7 are also chosen from the group consisting of hydraulic actuators, pneumatic actuators, electromechanical actuators, mechanical actuators, electric motors and/or combinations thereof, suitable for applications and uses in the marine environment.
Starting from figure 17 and up to the enlarged detail in figure 26a, a further possible embodiment of the invention is shown, in which the auxiliary support, stop and/or transit unit for boats now indicated by reference numeral 100 as a whole is shown in the operating sequence according to which the service platform 102 progressively transitions from the resting position to the use (or operating) position.
The auxiliary support, stop and/or transit unit 100 for boats of the invention differs from that described above and indicated by reference numeral 1 due to the different design of the articulation means, now indicated by reference numeral 104, which also couple the service platform 102 to the load-bearing frame 101; again, a roto-translating movement of the service platform 102 is still achieved, although in a slightly different manner than in the auxiliary unit 1 described above. Indeed, such articulation means 104 include in this case a pair of semi-articulated quadrilateral structures 111, 112, each being operatively connected to the service platform 102 through first hinged means, indicated by reference numeral 113 as a whole, and to the main movement means, indicated by reference numeral 106 as a whole, through sliding guide means, indicated by reference numeral 114 as a whole, this being the primary differentiating element from the embodiment in figures 1-16.
More specifically, there are at least two semi-articulated quadrilateral structures 111, 112, coupled one for each of two lateral flanks 115, 116 of the service platform 102 opposite to each other.
In a preferred but not binding manner, each of the semi-articulated quadrilateral structures 111, 112 includes a pair of vertical shoes 119, 120 (preferably made of polymer material such as PE, POM or equivalent materials in terms of performance) spaced apart from and parallel to each other, sliding horizontally along the longitudinal direction X and on the guide means 114 when the service platform 102 transitions from the resting position to the use position and vice versa.
Preferably but not necessarily, each of the vertical shoes 119, 120 is provided with a proximal free end 119a, 120a where it has (or where there is defined) a convex surface 123 in contact with the guide means 114 to facilitate an effective horizontal sliding of the service platform 102 along the longitudinal direction X.
As far as the first hinge means 113 are concerned, they comprise a pair of upper transverse studs 121, 122 placed side by side and spaced apart from each other, each of which identifies one of the horizontal rotation axes Z mentioned many times above and supports a distal end 119b, 120b of one of the vertical shoes 119, 120 of said respective semi-articulated quadrilateral structures 111, 112.
On the other hand, in relation to the distinctive guide means 114, they preferably comprise:

an inner support track 124 (made of polymer material, such as PE, POM, or equivalent materials in terms of performance) which mainly extends along the aforesaid longitudinal direction X, is coupled to an intermediate structure 125 integral with the main movement means 106, and is provided with an upper wall 124a on which the vertical shoes 119, 120 slide horizontally during the roto-translating movement of the service platform 102 from the resting position to the use position and vice versa;
a pair of transverse pins 126, 127, each coupled to one of the vertical shoes 119, 120, inserted into an elongated central through slot 128 obtained in each of such vertical shoes 119, 120; moreover, each of the transverse pins 126, 127 slides vertically inside the respective central through slot 128 during the roto-translating movement of the service platform 102 from the resting position to the use position and vice versa.

It is again understood that in further embodiments of the auxiliary support, stop and/or transit unit of the invention, not shown below, the articulation means can comprise a number of semi-articulated quadrilateral structures different from that just described with reference to the accompanying figures, such a number being capable of varying from one according to design choices.
Another technical feature that differentiates the auxiliary unit 100 being described herein from the auxiliary unit 1 of the invention described earlier in a substantial manner concerns the end-of-stroke means, now indicated by reference numeral 129 as a whole and still configured to stop the horizontal roto-translational movement that causes the transition of the service platform 102 from the resting position to the use position.
Indeed, in this case, the end-of-stroke means 129 comprise a central projecting hook 130, also having a centering function, integral with the main movement means 106 and identifying a front undercut 131 in which, when the service platform 102 takes the use position, a lower edge 110a defined in a rear peripheral portion 110 of the service platform 102 is engaged.
In addition, the end-of-stroke means 129 installed in the auxiliary unit 100 of the invention also comprise a concave upper inner wall 128a of the elongated central through slot 128; one of the transverse pins 126, 127 abuts against such a concave upper inner wall 128a when the service platform 102 takes its use position.
Similarly to the description given for the auxiliary unit 1 of the invention, the auxiliary unit 100 also comprises opposing end-of-stroke means, indicated by reference numeral 132 as a whole, defined in the articulation means 104 and, in this case, also in the load-bearing frame 101, useful for stopping the horizontal roto-translation movement which causes the transition of the service platform 102 from the use position to the resting position.
In essence, such opposing end-of-stroke means 132 consist of the linear end-of-stroke of the actuation means 105 appropriately combined with the abutting action of one of the two transverse pins 126, 127 against the concave lower inner wall 128b of the elongated central through slot 128.
In brief, the first described auxiliary unit solution of the invention (indicated by reference numeral 1, figures 1-16), generally referred to as a "pantograph", is particularly suitable when the loads to be borne are not so excessive and heavy and the required extension of the walkable platform is high; indeed, this embodiment allows increasing the initial surface area of the main front platform 82 to more than double, by virtue of the presence of the service platform 3 moved by the articulation means 5.
In contrast, the second described auxiliary unit solution of the invention (indicated by reference numeral 100, figures 17-26a), generally referred to as "sliding," represents a more performing system because, in the position of use of the service platform 102, it increases the supportable load compared to the resting position (with closed step).
With the opening system of the service platform 102 adopted in the auxiliary unit 100 of the invention, keeping the same width of the support platforms (or steps) as that of the so-called "pantograph" solution results, if using the boarding ladder-gangplank in both the lifted and lowered positions is desired, in an enlargement of the walkable portion slightly less than twice the width.
On the other hand, if only the downward movement is required, the opening length of the service platform 102 reaches the same opening as the so-called pantograph version of the auxiliary unit 1.
Based on the description provided above, it is thus understood that the auxiliary (or ancillary) support, stop and/or transit unit for boats of the present invention achieves the purposes and reaches the advantages previously mentioned.
Upon implementation, modifications can be made to the auxiliary (or ancillary) support, stop and/or transit unit for boats of the instant invention consisting, for example, of articulation means of a different construction design from that obtainable and visible in the accompanying drawings.
Furthermore, there can be further embodiments of the invention, not depicted in the accompanying drawings, in which the claimed auxiliary support, stop and/or transit unit comprises more than one service platform.
Finally, it is apparent that many other variations can be made to the auxiliary (or ancillary) support, stop and/or transit unit for boats in hand, falling within the scope limited by the appended claims, and it is apparent that in the practical implementation of the invention, the materials, shapes, and sizes of the details shown can be any according to the requirements and can be replaced by other technically equivalent details.
Where the constructional features and techniques mentioned in the following claims are followed by reference signs or numerals, such reference signs were introduced for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims themselves, and therefore have no limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified, by way of example only, by such reference signs.

Claims

An auxiliary support, stop and/or transit unit (1; 100) for boats comprising:
- a load-bearing frame (2; 101) configured to be connected to a peripheral installation area (P) of a hull (S) of a boat;

- at least one service platform (3; 102) which mainly extends along a longitudinal direction (X) and which is provided with an upper floor (4) configured to accommodate one or more people, one or more objects and/or one or more boat accessories,
characterized in that it comprises articulation means (5; 104), interposed between said load-bearing frame (2; 101) and said service platform (3; 102) to which they are coupled, operatively cooperating with said service platform (3; 102) so as to roto-translate said service platform (3; 102), by means of a horizontal movement associated with a rotation about one or more horizontal axes (Z) orthogonal to said longitudinal direction (X), alternately between a resting position, in which said service platform (3; 102) is arranged according to a horizontal plane and retracted with respect to said load-bearing frame (2; 101), and a use position, in which said service platform (3; 102) is arranged according to a horizontal plane, projecting and advanced outwards with respect to said load-bearing frame (2; 101) to increase the useful surface area available to said people, said objects and/or said boat accessories.
A unit (1; 100) according to claim 1), characterized in that said articulation means (5; 104) are operatively connected to actuation means (6) adapted to be operated to move said service platform (3; 102) in rotation and horizontal translation, according to a rotation in a first direction which advances said service platform (3; 102) with respect to said load-bearing frame (2) and transfers it from said resting position to said use position, and according to a rotation in a second direction, opposite to said first direction, which retracts said service platform (3; 102) with respect to said load-bearing frame (2) and transfers it from said use position to said resting position.
A unit (1; 100) according to claim 1) or 2), characterized in that said articulation means (5; 104) are coupled directly to said service platform (3; 102) and indirectly, through the interposition of main movement means (7; 106), to said load-bearing frame (2; 101).
A unit (1; 100) according to claim 3), characterized in that it comprises a plurality of main support platforms (8) operatively connected to said main movement means (7; 106) which arrange them side by side at least in said use position of said service platform (3; 102), a rear main support platform (81) being arranged close to said load-bearing frame (2; 101) and a front main support platform (82) being arranged close to said service platform (3; 102) to which it is coupled by said articulation means (5; 104).
A unit (1; 100) according to claim 4), characterized in that, in said resting position, said service platform (3; 102) is vertically aligned to said front main support platform (82) adjacent thereto with respect to which it has a not greater extension in length, measured along said longitudinal direction (X), and, in said use position, said service platform (3; 102) is aligned horizontally, along said longitudinal direction (X), to said front main support platform (82).
A unit (1; 100) according to claim 4) or 5), characterized in that said floor (4) of said service platform (3; 102) is coplanar to a floor (9) of said front main support platform (82), when said service platform (3; 102) takes at least said use position, so as to form a composite floor (10) which extends or lengthens said floor (9) of said front main support platform (82) and increases the useful surface area thereof.
A unit (1; 100) according to claim 6), characterized in that said composite floor (10) consisting of said floor (4) of said service platform (3; 102) and said floor (9) of said front main support platform (82) is arranged at a lower level than a floor (18) of at least one main support platform (83) adjacent thereto when said service platform (3; 102) takes said use position.
A unit (1) according to any one of claims 3) to 7), characterized in that said articulation means (5) comprise one or more articulated quadrilateral structures (12, 13), each of which operatively connected to said service platform (3) through first hinge means (14) and to said main movement means (7) through second hinge means (15).
A unit (1) according to claim 8), characterized in that said articulated quadrilateral structures (12, 13) are two in number, one coupled for each of two lateral flanks (16, 17) of said service platform (3) opposite to each other.
A unit (1) according to claim 8) or 9), characterized in that each of said articulated quadrilateral structures (12, 13) includes a pair of shaped rods (19, 20) mutually spaced apart which describe a rotation arc of about 90° when said service platform (3) transitions from said resting position to said use position and vice versa, and take:
• an initial position identifying a first direction (X') inclined with respect to a horizontal plane and a vertical plane, when said service platform (3) takes said resting position;

• a final position identifying a second direction (X") intersecting said first direction (X') and inclined with respect to a horizontal plane and a vertical plane, when said service platform (3) takes said use position.
A unit (1) according to claim 10), characterized in that said first hinge means (14) include a pair of upper transverse studs (21, 22) placed side by side and spaced apart from each other, each of which identifies one of said horizontal rotation axes (Z) and supports a distal end (19a, 20a) of one of said shaped rods (19, 20) of said articulated quadrilateral structures (12, 13), while said second hinge means (14) include a pair of lower transverse studs (23, 24) placed side by side and spaced apart from each other, each of which identifies one of said rotation axes (Z) and supports a proximal end (19b, 20b), opposite to said distal end (19a, 20a), of one of said shaped rods (19, 20) of said articulated quadrilateral structures (12, 13).
A unit (100) according to any one of claims 3) to 7), characterized in that said articulation means (104) include one or more semi-articulated quadrilateral structures (111, 112), each operatively connected to said service platform (102) through first hinge means (113) and to said main movement means (106) through sliding guide means (114).
A unit (100) according to claim 12), characterized in that said semi-articulated quadrilateral structures (111, 112) are at least two in number, coupled one for each of two lateral flanks (115, 116) of said service platform (102) opposite to each other.
A unit (100) according to claim 12) or 13), characterized in that each of said semi-articulated quadrilateral structures (111, 112) includes a pair of vertical shoes (119, 120) spaced apart from and parallel to each other, sliding horizontally along said longitudinal direction (X) and on said guide means (114) when said service platform (102) transitions from said resting position to said use position and vice versa.
A unit (100) according to claim 14), characterized in that each of said vertical shoes (119, 120) is provided with a free proximal end (119a, 120a) where it has a convex surface (123) in contact with said guide means (114) to facilitate the sliding of said service platform (102).
A unit (100) according to claim 14) or 15), characterized in that said first hinge means (113) comprise a pair of upper transverse studs (121, 122) placed side by side and spaced apart from each other, each of which identifies one of said horizontal rotation axes (Z) and supports a distal end (119b, 120b) of one of said vertical shoes (119, 120) of said semi-articulated quadrilateral structures (111, 112).
A unit (100) according to claim 14), 15) or 16), characterized in that said guide means (114) comprise:
- an inner support track (124) which mainly extends along said longitudinal direction (X), is coupled to an intermediate structure (125) integral with said main movement means (106), and is provided with an upper wall (124a) on which said vertical shoes (119, 120) slide horizontally in the roto-translating movement of said service platform (102) from said resting position to said use position and vice versa;

- a pair of transverse pins (126, 127), each coupled to one of said vertical shoes (119, 120), inserted into an elongated central through slot (128) of each of said vertical shoes (119, 120) in which each of said transverse pins (126, 127) slides vertically in the roto-translating movement of said service platform (102) from said resting position to said use position and vice versa.
A unit (1; 100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises end-of-stroke means (25; 129) defined in said articulation means (5; 104) and/or in said load-bearing frame (2; 101), adapted to stop said horizontal movement which causes the transition of said service platform (3; 102) from said resting position to said use position.
A unit (1) according to claim 18) when dependent on claim 10) or 11), characterized in that said end-of-stroke means (25) comprise:
- a first side surface (26) of a striking plate (27) coupled to said load-bearing frame (2);

- an abutment wall (28) arranged in said proximal end (19b) of a first of said shaped rods (19, 20) of said articulated quadrilateral structures (12, 13) and, in said use position of said platform service (3), abutting against said first side surface (26) of said striking plate (27).
A unit (1) according to claim 19), characterized in that said end-of-stroke means (25) also comprise:
- a second side surface (29) of a shaped projection (30) of a second of said shaped rods (19, 20) of said articulated quadrilateral structures (12, 13), arranged close to said proximal end (20b) of said second shaped rod (20);

- an abutment portion (31) of a side wall (19c) of said first shaped rod (19) of said articulated quadrilateral structures (12, 13), arranged at said distal end (19a) of said first shaped rod (19) and, in said use position of said service platform (3), abutting against said second side surface (29) of said shaped projection (30) of said second shaped rod (20).
A unit (100) according to claim 18) when dependent on claim 14), 15), 16) or 17), characterized in that said end-of-stroke means (129) comprise a central projecting centering hook (130), integral with said main movement means (104) and identifying a front undercut (131) in which, when said service platform (102) takes said use position, a lower edge (110a) defined in a rear peripheral portion (110) of said service platform (102) is engaged.
A unit (100) according to claim 18) when dependent on claim 17), characterized in that said end-of-stroke means (129) comprise an upper concave inner wall (128a) of said elongated central through slot (128), one of said transverse pins (126, 127) abutting against said concave upper inner wall (128a) when said service platform (102) takes said use position.