FR2815932A1 - AUTOMATED BOAT PARKING DEVICE WITH DRYING AND BUILDING - Google Patents

Abstract

The motor boat dry docking handling system has a motorized trolley (6) lifting boats out of water to storage positions (22), using a transfer position (16). The boats are guided (4,12), with a microprocessor used to control loading. The operations are remotely controlled. Boat users are identified by the system.

Description

The invention relates to the field of parking of pleasure boats

motor.

  The manufacture of pleasure boats is permanent and the old boats have a lifespan of several decades. This results in a permanent need for new parking spaces. The increase in traditional "afloat" berths being almost impossible for reasons other than technical, we will not consider this possibility. Another possibility is to park the boats out of the water, in "dry ports", on simple or stepped supports up to 4 levels. In this case the boat must be lifted by a forklift

forks and not by crane.

  At the request of the yachtsman, an employee grasps the boat, generally lengthwise from behind, perpendicular to the berth. It uses a diesel self-propelled machine with a capacity of at least ten tonnes, specially

  team. It thus carries out the afloat or the grounding.

  However, the "dry port" encounter several problems.

  You should know that a boater wants to use his boat, at all hours of the day or night, as if it were afloat, and without waiting. The constraints of the dry port opening hours prevent the owner from disposing of his boat as he pleases. The wait to get a boat afloat is often too long, especially if several people arrive

at the same time.

  Noise and odor nuisance due to diesel engines is painful for everyone, and

  hardly accepted by the neighborhood.

  The physical or material risks due to human error are permanent, seen

  the size of the machine / boat, the fragility and the price of the load.

  The size of the traffic lanes essential for large vehicles, and the limitation of storage elevation due to the difficulty of sighting and the lack of visibility, requires a

very high land use.

  Normally the boat docked parallel to the pontoon. It must then be positioned perpendicular to it so that it can be grasped from the rear with the machine. The

  maneuvering to rotate it 90 is tricky and dangerous.

  Difficulties in gripping afloat due to differences in tide height are

difficult to control.

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  The present invention consists of an automated machinery, having the main functions of: - taking a pleasure boat afloat regardless of the water level, - lifting it, moving it, rotating it and possibly rinsing it , - store it in its place on terrestrial parking structures stepped on several levels,

  - be able to put it afloat immediately from this place.

  All these operations are carried out quickly and safely, without any personnel, several times a day or night. They are controlled by the user using a

coded.

  The invention therefore makes it possible to use a boat with as much pleasure as if it were afloat in a traditional port, without the schedule or waiting constraints of "dry ports", but to take advantage of the advantages of these the latter, such as not applying specific anti-fouling paints against algae and shellfish every year. This contributes to limiting pollution of the aquatic environment, and eliminates the risks of osmosis of polyester hulls, and of corrosion or electrolysis of the engines. The owner achieves significant savings, on cleaning products, handling, and

  possibly on shore parking during its wintering periods.

  In addition, the invention provides many other advantages: The exclusive use of electric motors for all handling eliminates

noise and odor nuisance.

  By eliminating human intervention in delicate handling, the risks

  physical and material disappear.

  Without the problems of human aiming at several meters in height, this machinery makes it possible to reach great parking heights, and considerably reduces

  the occupation of the floor space, in relation to the number of places created.

  The absence of major landscaping and earthworks for the circulation of heavy equipment, and the use of the maximum elevation reduce their costs

installation.

  The absence of staff reduces operating costs. Electric motors

reduce maintenance costs.

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  The various automated handling operations are entrusted to two complementary trolleys. This principle significantly reduces the wait for a

  afloat or parking, relative to the dry port.

  This machinery makes it possible to automatically rotate the boat in order to orient it at 90 relative to the docking pontoon, and eliminates the danger of intervention.

  human afloat for this delicate maneuver.

  This machinery is removable and movable. It does not create real estate. It is simply placed on the ground and on running rails, on the edge of an existing quay or on

  the bank of a navigable watercourse.

  The general shape of the various self-supporting metal structures can be straight or circular. The circular shape allows to use the aspect of maritime lighthouse,

  and thus promotes an almost natural integration in a navigable environment.

  The structure can be embellished with a decorative cover, flexible or rigid, which will have

  also a role of protection against bad weather and various aggressions.

  This machinery is controlled on site by microcomputer, but can be managed remotely, by telephone line. It increases the

  performance, quality and reliability of service.

  The rails which bring the boat to the storage structures can be placed several meters high; this makes it possible to overcome various obstacles and to maintain

  the parking enclosure is permanently closed to increase intrusion security.

  During its displacement the boat can be rinsed by sprinklers placed on its passage.

  Automated machinery consists of several complementary elements.

  A microcomputer controls and organizes: the logic of all the maneuvers, the operation of the electric motors, the various positioning probes, the mechanical detection and safety systems. It identifies the user by a code, linked to the parking space, to be typed on a keyboard or written on a card using

  barcode, magnetic stripe, computer chip, or other technology.

  This code is assigned, validated or invalidated by another computer management system, which can be external, linked by telephone line, which can group several other PLCs remotely. Cameras can be connected to this system for monitoring.

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  The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention.

  Figure l shows a top view of the entire machine mounted in

circular storage structure.

  Figure 2 shows a side view of the whole machine with the storage structure in section. FIG. 3 represents a detailed front view of the electric forklift truck FIG. 4 represents a detailed side view of the electric forklift truck FIG. 5 represents an elevation view of a storage structure possible in

form of maritime lighthouse.

  Figure 6 shows a top view of a straight storage structure.

  The practical and technical execution logic is as follows: The removal pontoon (2) and the floating pontoon (3) are arranged on the side and

  on the other side of the vertical lifting ramp (4) and held at the bank.

  To park a boat, the yachtsman docks at the removal pontoon

  (2), and is identified by the code reader dedicated to the removal (5).

  On this code and according to the recordings, the microcomputer (1) controls the

  lifting carriage (6) which is positioned under the surface of the water.

  The yachtsman manually advances his boat over this carriage (6).

  This carriage has rollers (7) and centering pads (8), plus water surface level contacts (9), gauge safety devices (10), and boat advance sensors ( 11). It detects the progress of the hull, and immobilizes the boat by slowly climbing a few centimeters, to allow lateral centering. This carriage (6) then rises more quickly, parallel to the quay. It negotiates the change between the vertical ramp (4) and the horizontal rails (12) without changing the horizontality of the boat support (13), thanks to the specific junction of the rails (14) and

the arrangement of its wheels (15).

  A ramp fitted with sprinklers (19) positioned on either side of the rails can rinse

the boat.

  In its approach movement towards the transfer point (16), and according to the arrangement of the selected places, the support of the boat of the carriage (6) pivots (17) in order to present

  the stern of the boat to the second carriage (18).

  The second cart (18) is dedicated exclusively to parking storage.

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  At the transfer point (1 6) connecting the tracks of the two carriages, the storage cart (18) takes the boat placed on the lifting cart (6) by advancing its horizontal sliding arms (25) under the boat, and by lifting it slightly to release it. It includes safety and reference probes. Its slave electric motors are controlled by the same computer (1) as the lifting trolley. It mounts the boat to the desired level thanks to a cage (21) of the elevator type, which pivots 360 (20), thus making it possible to place the boat whatever the shape of the storage structure. The horizontal sliding arms (25) advance the boat inside the storage structures (22). They descend slightly, place the boat on its support,

  retract to disengage and leave to wait at the transfer point (16).

  The parking storage structures can be stepped on several rectilinear levels (fig6) or circular in the shape of a maritime lighthouse (fig5), open or protected from the weather. If the structure is straight (fig6), the elevator cage (2 1) is

  moves on longitudinal, lower (26) and upper (27) rails.

  Conversely, to put a boat afloat, the boater is identified by the code reader dedicated to the afloat (23), and the system performs the maneuver in the reverse order to that described above. As soon as his boat floats, the yachtsman advances it manually and leaves the pontoon as soon as possible so as not to disturb other users. It could possibly go docking nearby for a few moments at a pontoon

  boarding / disembarking (24), located nearby.

  For safety, switches of the "punch" type, allow the machine to be stopped manually at any time. Information on abnormal operations is systematically transmitted to the manager. A telephone set directly connected

  at the management center helps to answer the possible problem of the yachtsman.

  For very large installations, and in order to make the system even faster, another line of rails can be installed to connect the transfer point (16) and the floating pontoon (3). In this case, a carriage similar to the carriage (6) but simplified, borrows

  this line and drops boats afloat only.

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  Optionally, the rails connecting the transfer station (16) to the lifting / floating stations (2, 3) can be arranged in an inclined plane, for example close to 45, instead of the

  successively vertical and horizontal rails (4) and (12).

  In summary, the invention relates to a port device for the mechanical movement of craft, in particular pleasure craft, between a lifting / afloating station and a storage location within an out-of-water parking assembly, characterized in that it comprises: a) a first electric carriage (6) for gripping and moving a boat between said lifting station (2) and an intermediate transfer station (16); b) a second electric carriage (18) for gripping and moving said boat between said intermediate transfer station (16) and said location (22); c) means for gripping and immobilizing the boat, and means for controlling the correct positioning of the boat, disposed on each of said carriages; d) guide means (4, 12, 26, 27) for the movement of said first and second carriages; e) means for detecting and managing the free / occupied situation of the locations within the parking assembly, capable of determining the choice of a free location and of directing the second carriage from the transfer station to said station location, the said means being able to memorize and display the agreement between the reference assigned to a boat and the reference of the location which receives it. According to another characteristic, the first lifting carriage (6) comprises a U-shaped frame (10 ); the lower branches of the U being able to penetrate below the flow of water, said frame being able to receive the boat and comprising for this purpose guiding and centering means, such as skids (8) and rollers ( 7), probes or probes

positioning of the boat.

  The guide means of the first lifting carriage here consist of rails (4, 12) cooperating with rolling means and capable of successively ensuring the vertical movement of the carriage (6) supporting the boat from the flotation position of the boat at the lifting station, (2) to a high position corresponding to the level of the quay supporting the parking unit, then the movement of the carriage and the boat in horizontal translation to the transfer station (16),

  the boat remaining constantly horizontal.

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  And according to an alternative embodiment of the previous device, the guide rails of the first lifting carriage follow a rectilinear course in inclined plane from the station.

  lifting / floating to the level of the quay supporting the parking unit.

  In its approach movement towards the transfer point (16), and according to the arrangement of the chosen places, the support of the boat of the carriage (6) pivots (17) in order to present the rear of the boat to the second carriage (18) The second trolley or storage trolley (18) comprises gripping means constituted by parallel, telescopic horizontal arms (25) mechanically operated and able to pass from a retracted position to an active position of engagement under the sides of the boat for gripping and immobilizing the latter then supported by said second carriage, said arms then being suitable, the storage carriage having arrived opposite the desired free location, to be carried

  the boat up to and above its receiving cradle.

  And in addition, this second trolley or storage trolley (18) cooperates with displacement means along a horizontal plane, such as rails receiving rolling means coming from said trolley, with a view to its horizontal translation from the transfer station to a free space located on the same level as the transfer station, in particular in the case of a straight parking unit with two rows of boxes facing each other

each side of a central aisle.

  The second storage trolley (18) may also include vertical displacement means (21), capable of raising the said trolley and the supported boat to a level higher than that of the transfer station., In the case, the most common , of staged boxes. This storage trolley (18) will be provided with means (20) allowing its angular pivoting over 360, in the case of a tower-shaped parking unit, the boxes being in radial position with centripetal opening, allowing the orientation of the boat facing

the desired radial location.

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  The device will advantageously include logic means for the management of the locations and movements of parked boats, in particular a microprocessor capable of memorizing from free movements the free locations for directing arriving boats and memorizing the location of each boat parked for later release; the microprocessor being further able to store the codes corresponding to the identification of a user or

of a boat.

  And the said microprocessor will include a program for managing and controlling the movement of the carriages (6, 18) from the reception and recording of the orders entered from a user, the microprocessor is also associated with identification members. of said user, so that the user is able, after his identification, to initiate operations either to park the boat, from the lifting station, or to float from the location, momentary or permanent, of parking of the corresponding boat. Transmission of order

  recorded by the microprocessor which can come from any wired or wireless means.

  According to a development, the device will also include a third carriage assigned to the sole launching and able to grasp, immobilize and take charge of the outgoing boat at the transfer station and to transport it to a floating station, by suitable rolling and guiding means descending therefor

down to the water level.

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Claims (4)

claims   1 - Port device for the mechanical movement of pleasure craft in particular between a lifting / afloating station and a storage location within an out-of-water parking assembly, characterized in that it comprises: a) a first electric cart (6) for gripping and moving a boat between said lifting station (2) and an intermediate transfer station (16); b) a second electric carriage (18) for gripping and moving said boat between said intermediate transfer station (16) and said location (22); c) means for gripping and immobilizing the boat, and means for controlling the correct positioning of the boat, disposed on each of said carriages; d) guide means (4, 12, 26, 27) for the movement of said first and second carriages; e) means for detecting and managing the free / occupied situation of the locations within the parking assembly, capable of determining the choice of a free location and of directing the second carriage from the transfer station to said station location, said means being able to memorize and display the agreement between the reference assigned to a boat and the reference of the location which receives it 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first lifting carriage (6) comprises a U-shaped frame (10); the lower branches of the U being able to penetrate below the flow of water, said frame being able to receive the boat and comprising for this purpose guiding and centering means, such as skids (8) and rollers ( 7),   Position sensors or boat positioning probes.   3. Device according to claim 1, further characterized in that the guide means of the first lifting carriage consist of rails (4, 12) cooperating with rolling means and capable of successively ensuring the vertical movement of the carriage (6 ) supporting the boat from the floating position of the boat at the lifting station, (2) to a high position corresponding to the level of the quay supporting the parking unit, then the movement of the carriage and the boat in horizontal translation to the transfer station (16), the boat remaining constantly horizontal.   4 - variant of the device of claim 3, characterized in that the guide rails of the first lifting carriage follow a straight path in plan 2815932   inclined from the lifting / floating station to the level of the platform supporting the unit of parking.   - Device according to claim 3 or claim 4, further characterized that, in its approach movement towards the transfer point (16), and according to the arrangement of the chosen places, the support of the boat of the carriage (6) pivots (17) in order to   present the stern of the boat to the second carriage (18) waiting at said station.   6.- Device according to one of claims 1 to above, characterized in that the   second trolley or storage trolley (18) comprises gripping means constituted by parallel and telescopic horizontal arms (25) mechanically operated and able to pass from a retracted position to an active position of engagement under the sides of the boat for gripping and immobilization of the latter then supported by said second carriage, said arms then being able, the storage carriage having arrived opposite the desired free location, to be carried   the boat up to and above its receiving cradle.   7. Device according to claim 6 further characterized in that the second trolley or storage trolley (18) cooperates with displacement means in a horizontal plane, such as rails receiving rolling means coming from said trolley, for the purpose of its horizontal translation from the transfer station to a free location located at the same level as the transfer station, in particular in the case of a parking unit   straight with two rows of boxes along a central aisle.   8. Device according to claim 6, further characterized in that the second storage carriage (18) comprises vertical displacement means (21), capable of bringing said carriage and the supported boat to a level higher than that of transfer station. 9. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the storage trolley (18) is provided with means (20) allowing its angular pivoting over 360 o, in the case of a tower-shaped parking unit, the boxes being in radial opening position   centripetal, allowing the orientation of the boat facing the desired radial location. l l2815932   10. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9 above, characterized in that it   includes logical means for managing the locations and movements of parked boats, in particular a microprocessor capable of memorizing from free movements the free locations for directing arriving boats and memorizing the location of each parked boat in view of its subsequent release; the microprocessor being further able to memorize the codes   corresponding to the identification of a user or a boat.   11. Device according to claim 10, further characterized in that said microprocessor comprises a program for managing and controlling the movements of the carriages (6, 18) from the reception and recording of the orders entered from a user , the microprocessor is further associated with identification members of said user, so that the user is able, after his identification, to initiate either the parking operations of the boat, from the lifting station, or the afloat from the location, momentary or   permanent, to park the corresponding boat.   12. Device according to claim 1, further characterized in that it further comprises a third carriage assigned to the sole release afloat and capable of grasping, immobilizing and taking charge of the outgoing boat at the transfer station and at the convey to a float station, by rolling and guiding means   suitable for this purpose down to the water level.