EP4691902A1

EP4691902A1 - Stern platform provided with sliding gate

Info

Publication number: EP4691902A1
Application number: EP23929026.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Luciana Christina Manfrinato CAMBRIA
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2023-03-31
Filing date: 2023-03-31
Publication date: 2026-02-11
Also published as: WO2024197365A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a stern platform (100) comprising at least one sliding gate (300), at least two rails (110), at least one central recess (220), at least two side recesses (210), wherein the sliding gate (300) can be slid on the rails (110) into the side recesses (210) during its opening. Additionally, the stern platform (100) comprising a sliding gate (300) further comprises backrest elements (400) having a sliding movement enabled via traction devices.

Description

Technical Field

The present invention belongs to the field of mechanical and nautical engineering, as well as architecture, more specifically of reservoirs, tanks, swimming pools, bathtubs, and the like intended for use on vessels.

Introduction

The present invention relates to a stern platform comprising a sliding gate, in which the sliding gate for recreation opening is movable and capable of being opened or closed, depending on the user's need.

Background

Submersible stern platforms are widely used on vessels for various purposes, including assisting in the entry and exit of water, forming small platforms for bathing, using cooking equipment, assisting in launching, collecting, or raising accessories, diving tanks, and even other smaller vessels, among other applications.
As swimming pools and other recreational and leisure elements are also highly appreciated on vessels, especially speedboats, yachts, and the like, there are several devices and systems that form reservoirs to be filled with water.
These devices are often fixed and require special attention as to how they will be stored/hidden. Therefore, having an easy and practical way to store/hide these recreational elements is essential.

Prior Art

Known prior art solutions for stern platforms of the nature discussed herein can be verified in prior art documents such as Brazilian document BR 112022005975-2 , titled "Stern platform provided with openings for recreation" ("Plataforma de papa dotada de aberturas para recreação"), which relates to a stern platform provided with openings for recreation, comprising an opening arranged in any position on the platform, comprising at least one gate provided with at least one removable element and/or at least one folding element.
Document BR 112022005975-2 , despite having a stern platform with openings for recreation, lacks a solution with a sliding gate for a water tank with an opening for feet with at least one sliding element that completely closes or opens the tank.
Furthermore, document BR112022005975-2 fails to offer comfort and convenience to the user, given that it does not disclose an opening for recreation, wherein the height of the side walls allows creating a water reservoir. This reservoir allows the user to use the side walls as back support.
Another patent document with a noteworthy solution is document BR 112021024323-2 , titled "Extendable container for fluids with variable containment volume and dimensions" ("Contentor extensível para fluidos com volume de contenção e dimensões variáveis"), which refers to an extensible container for fluids with containment volume and variable dimensions, which comprises one or more independent elements capable of relative movement with one another.
However, document BR 112021024323-2 does not describe an object formed with a sliding gate for a water tank with an opening for feet having at least one sliding element which completely closes or opens the tank, but rather an extendable container for fluids with containment volume and variable dimensions, the main elements of which are prevented from moving. Furthermore, the present invention discloses a solution which is simpler and easier to install when compared to document BR 112021024323-2 .
Finally, note that several prior art solutions can be verified in other patent documents such as, for instance, US 20210047005 and US2022169341A1 . Such documents lack efficient and safe solutions for sliding gates for a water tank with a foot opening which completely closes or opens the tank. Indeed, the solutions found in documents such as foregoing rely on retractable steps which project into the water.
The prior art lacks robust, simple, and low-cost solutions for a sliding gate for a water tank with a foot opening which completely closes or opens the tank.
There is thus space for a stern platform comprising a sliding gate which:

a) allows good versatility in terms of use both as a water tank and as a movable stern on the upper part;
b) ensures a high-quality, lower-cost product, with lower raw material consumption and high robustness for the designated application;
c) enables a simple installation;
d) ensures a durable product with lower maintenance costs; and
e) enables an product that is efficient and space efficient on the vessel.

Objects of the Invention

The aim of the invention is thus to provide a stern platform comprising a sliding gate according to the features of claim 1 of the appended set of claims.
Additional features and details thereof are presented in the dependent claims.

Description of the Drawings

For better understanding and visualization of the object of the present invention, it will now be described with reference to the appended drawings, representing the technical effect obtained by exemplary embodiments without limiting the scope of the present invention, which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a submersible stern platform comprising a sliding gate for vessels, according to the present invention, showing the sliding gate in a closed position;
Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the submersible stern platform of Figure 1, demonstrating the sliding gate in a semi-open position;
Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the submersible stern platform of Figure 1, demonstrating the sliding gate in an open position with a user seated in the reservoir;
Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the submersible stern platform of Figure 1, with a submerged platform, sliding gate, and user;
Figure 5 shows a perspective view with a partial upper cross-section of the submersible stern platform of Figure 2, demonstrating a platform track and gap of the recreation device;
Figure 6 shows a perspective view with a top section of the submersible stern platform of Figure 5, demonstrating the platform track and gaps;
Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a submersible stern platform comprising a sliding gate and sliding backrests, according to an embodiment of the present invention, demonstrating the recreation device in an open position and the sliding backrests in a retracted position; and
Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the submersible stern platform of Figure 7, demonstrating the recreation device in an open position and the sliding backrests in an extended position.

Detailed Description of the Invention

A stern platform (100) comprising a sliding gate (300), according to the invention, comprises at least two side recesses (210), at least one central recess (220), wherein the sliding gate (300) slides on rails (110) into the side recesses (210) during its opening.
The platform (100), according to the invention, comprises a plurality of side walls (101), at least one front wall (102), a rear wall (103), an upper cover (104), a lower cover (105), and rails (110).
The side walls (101) are the side walls of the stern platform (100), wherein lateral support is provided in conjunction with the front wall (102) and the rear wall (103). The upper cover (104) and the lower cover (105) close the upper and lower parts of the stern platform (100).
The side walls (101) are parallel to one another and form a 90° angle with the front wall (102) and the rear wall (103) of the stern platform (100). The present invention provides that the height of the side walls (101), front wall (102), and rear wall (103) should preferably be equal.
The rails (110) are installed on the front (102) and rear (103) walls. Their installation must be carried out from end to end, so that the sliding gate (300) can slide between the rails (110) and be stored in its opening, in the side recesses (210).
The side (101), front (102), and rear (103) walls form a frame for the set of side (210) and central (220) recesses.
The installation of the rails (110) must be carried out close to the upper edge of the front (102) and rear (103) walls, so that the installation height of the rails (110) allows creating water reservoir which allows the user to use the two intermediate walls of the central recess (221), front wall (102), and rear wall (103), as back support.
The upper cover (104) and the lower cover (105) close the upper and lower parts of the stern platform (100). The lower cover (105) comprises the opening (222).
The rails (110) are arranged on a front wall (102) and on a rear wall (103) of the side (210) and central (220) recesses, having at least one rail (110) for each front wall (102) and rear wall (103) of the side (210) and central (220) recesses.
The central recess (220) of the platform (100) comprises the front wall (102), the rear wall (103), the lower cover (105), and two intermediate walls of the central recess (221), and may have any suitable shape adaptable to the intended vessel's geometry, but preferably being polygonal. Thus, the platform (100) can be used on small, medium, and large vessels.
The side recesses (210) comprise the front wall (102), the rear wall (103), the side wall (101), and the intermediate wall of the central recess (221), upper cover (104), and lower cover (105).
Both side recesses (210) are hollow and covered by the upper cover (104) of the platform (100), allowing the sliding gate (300) to slide and providing a hollow region which ensures that the platform (100) has good flotation and lower weight.
The central recess (220) comprises at least two rails (110), with positions and dimensions preferably equal to one another, with the rails (110) preferably arranged on the front (102) and rear (103) walls, with at least one rail (110) for each front (102) and rear (103) wall. The preferably two rails (110) have positions and dimensions that are preferably equal to one another. Additionally, the rails (110) of the front (102) and rear (103) walls are shaped as a straight line parallel to the level of the front (102) and rear (103) walls of the side (210) and central (220) recesses.
Note that the side (210) and central (220) recesses must have appropriate dimensions and be consistent with the dimensions of the platform (100).
The lower cover (105) comprises the opening (222) of the central recess (220) which can be used as a seat, allowing the user to use the opening (222) inserting their feet while remaining seated, providing a stable and reliable surface even at high seas.
The openings (222) and the sliding gate (300) may have any shape, and may be, but are not limited to polygonal, round, oval, oblong and the like.
Sliding gates (300) are covers that can exist individually or be part of a group of combined sliding gates (300). Sliding gates (300) slide from one side to the other within the platform (100), so that they enter and leave the region of the side recesses (210).
The sliding gate (300) of the invention is a suitable closing element, which may be fitted and lifted manually and/or slid and retracted into side recesses (210), divided into one or more and/or be integral and/or a combination thereof alternatives, in any configuration and construction suitable for opening and closing the central recess (220).
Removing the sliding gate (300) open a massive range of possibilities for use, activities, and accessories, significantly expanding the possibilities for using a platform (100) of the nature discussed herein, given that the opening (222) allows the entry of water to fill a water reservoir in the central recess (220).
In an alternative embodiment, the platform (100) may comprise backrest elements (400) which are preferably walls performing the function of backrest support for the back of a user (500). Note that the height of said backrest elements (400) is less than or equal to the height of the front walls (102), rear walls (103), and two intermediate walls of the central recess (221) for which it is intended, meaning that the backrest (400) can thus be fully stored inside the central recess (220) without hindering the movement of the sliding gate (300).
Note also that the backrest elements (400) may pivot and/or slide and/or fit and/or a combination thereof onto the front walls (102), rear walls (103), and the two intermediate walls of the central recess (221) comprised by the platform (100), allowing the backrest to increase in height for the user (500).
More specifically, the sliding movement of the backrest elements (400) is possible by means of any suitable traction device. Suitable traction devices include, but are not limited to manual traction, gears, spindles, levers, ratchets, and the like, electric, hydraulic or pneumatic motors, gravitational systems, capillary and/or communicating vessel systems and any other suitable for the vessel and the conditions of use and application, individually or possibly in combination.
In another alternative embodiment of the present invention, the movement of the backrest elements (400) may be carried out in a pivoting manner and is possible by means of hinges of the following types: common, strap, spring, hidden, overlapping, winged, offset or any type of hinge, as long as it allows the pivoting movement of the backrest elements (400). The backrest elements (400) may be fitted through secondary openings or rails, specific for this purpose, present on the platform (100).
It should be noted that the platform (100) can also comprise complementary elements such as covers, drains, grids, screens, or a combination thereof options, according to the desired application.
The movement and/or handling of the sliding gates (300) is possible by means of any suitable traction device. Suitable traction devices include, but are not limited to manual traction, gears, spindles, levers, ratchets, and the like, electric, hydraulic or pneumatic motors, gravitational systems, capillary and/or communicating vessel systems and any other suitable for the vessel and the conditions of use and application, individually or possibly in combination.
Whether hollow, solid or combined, the elements of the platform (100) may have built-in piping and wiring, enabling the direct internal or indirect external installation of pumps and nozzles for hydromassage, lighting, massagers, heating, cooling, etc.
Furthermore, the stern platform (100) may be used normally by a user (500) without the sliding gate (300) and the rails (110), given that the lower cover (105) and the opening (222) are comprised by the stern platform (100) regardless of whether the sliding gate (300) and the rails (110) are present or not.

Final remarks

One skilled in the art will understand that the platform (100), according to the present invention, solves several prior art problems by providing a stern platform (100) comprising a sliding gate (300) for the stern platform of vessels capable of overcoming the deficiencies of the above-described prior art.

Conclusion

As can be inferred from the above description, the object, according to the present invention, overcomes the prior art solutions, being an novel, non-obvious object perfectly susceptible to industrial application.

Claims

Stern platform (100), characterized in that it comprises at least two side recesses (210), at least one central recess (220), and at least one sliding gate (300);
wherein each of the side recesses (210) and central recesses (220) comprises at least two rails (110); and

wherein the rails (110) receive the sliding gate (300); and

wherein the sliding gate (300) is movable with respect to the side recesses (210) and the central recess (220) of the stern platform (100).
Stern platform (100), according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the rails (110) is arranged on a front wall (102) and on a rear wall (103) of the recesses (210, 220).
Stern platform (100), according to claim 1, characterized in that the sliding gates (300) slide from one side to the other within the platform (100).
Stern platform (100), according to claim 1, characterized in that the sliding gates (300) are arranged separately or are part of a group of combined sliding gates (300).
Stern platform (100), according to claim 1, characterized in that the central recess (220) of the platform (100) comprises a front wall (102), a rear wall (103), a lower cover (105), and two intermediate walls of the central recess (221).
Stern platform (100), according to claim 5, characterized in that the lower cover (105) comprises an opening (222).
Stern platform (100), according to claim 1, characterized in that each side recess (210) comprises a side wall (101), a front wall (102), a rear wall (103), an upper cover (104), a lower cover (105), and an intermediate wall (221) of the central recess (220).
Stern platform (100), according to claim 1, characterized in that the rails (110) of the central recess (220) preferably have a height and dimensions equal to one another.
Stern platform (100), according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises backrest elements (400).
Stern platform (100), according to claim 9, characterized in that the backrest elements (400) have a height less than or equal to the height of the front walls (102), rear walls (103), and the two intermediate walls of the central recess (221).