GB1273035A - Vertical load transfer apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

1,273,035. Transhipping; lifting and lowering. CANADA, MINISTER OF NATIONAL DEFENCE. 12 Aug., 1969, No. 40221/69. Headings B8B and B8E. Means for vertically transferring a load carrier 9 between a helicopter 1 and a ship 5 which are subject to vertical relative movements comprises a constant tension guide cable 3 which laterally stabilizes the carrier 9 by extending therethrough, a load cable 71 detachably attached to the carrier 9 for controlling movement thereof, and a receiving post 11 on the ship adapted to receive and laterally stabilize the carrier 9 on the ship. When a load carrier 9 is to be picked up from the ship's deck, the load cable 71 depending from its winch in the helicopter, is coupled to the carrier 9 by a fitting on the end of the cable 71 engaging lock bolts in a central passage in the carrier, whereafter the carrier can be lifted from the post 11 on the deck. When the carrier 9 is to be lowered on to a ship, a messenger cable is payed out from its own winch in the helicopter and extends through the carrier passage until a coupling on the cable end can be attached to an end fitting on the constant tension cable 3 extending up through the post 11, the messenger cable being thereafter wound up to the helicopter where the end fitting on the cable 3 is held by locking catches. The carrier 9 may then be lowered by the load cable 71 down the guide cable 3 which is maintained at a constant tension by a winch system in the ship, until the central passage in the carrier engages the post 11 which includes a fluid and spring shock absorbing arrangement. This latter engagement causes the lock bolts between the carrier 9 and cable 71 to be released through lever and fluid system on the carrier, whereafter the guide cable 3 is released from the messenger cable coupling. The carrier further includes a fluid shock absorbing buffer between portions supporting the lock bolts and the load. In the embodiment of Fig. 8 (not shown) a fitting is provided on the helicopter for engagement with the receiving post whereby the helicopter may be winched down on to the deck of the ship. In another embodiment, Fig. 9 (not shown), the receiving post is mounted on a boom which extends outwardly from the ship.