GB2319014A

GB2319014A - Tender lifting apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2319014A
Application number: GB9623220A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Boat Supplies Limit Inflatable; Roy Douglas Haynes
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-11-07
Filing date: 1996-11-07
Publication date: 1998-05-13
Also published as: GB9623220D0

Abstract

Tender lifting apparatus which secures and raises a tender (10, Figs 1-6) out of the water. The tender is first positioned over an apron. A rope 32 attached to the apron is then pulled to move the tender against a semicircular frame 21,22 and to secure the apron 11 against and around the opposite outside edge of the tender. The inner tube of the tender is gripped between the semicircular frame 21,22 and the apron 11. A second rope 40 is then pulled to lift and pivot the tender about brackets 23, out of the water. Lowering and release of the tender is a reversal of the procedure. In a further embodiment (Fig 7), an upper arcuate frame 57 grips the tender inner tube and the tender is secured downwardly facing.

Description

TENDER LIFTING APPARATUS The present invention relates to tender lifting apparatus and a method of lifting a tender.

In one known method of lifting tenders a frame is attached to the rear of the boat or vessel by pivots and the boat is located beneath the frame. The frame has arms at each end which extend under the tubes of an inflatable tender. The frame can then be lifted about the pivot to raise the tender. However, the arms are of a narrow dimension and can damage the tender. Furthermore if the tubes of the inflatable tender deflate slightly the tender can fall off. In addition, in heavy weather, the frame can be thrown up into the face of a person attempting to fasten and lift the frame.

In another method of lifting tenders devices are glued to the side tubes of an inflatable tender. The devices at one side are connected to the rear of a vessel and the devices at the other side are connected to a rope which is then pulled upwardly to cause the tender to pivot up on to the vessel. The glued attachments can tend to come off the tender and furthermore considerable stress is placed on the tender at the locations where the attachments are fixed.

In a further method of lifting tenders permanent davits overhang the back of a vessel. Ropes extending down from the davits are then attached to the tender and pulling of the ropes causes the tender to be lifted.

These davits however get in the way at marinas as they overhang the gangways and furthermore they get in the way of the platform used for swimming off the back of the vessel.

It is an object of the present invention to attempt to overcome at least some of the above described disadvantages.

According to one aspect of the present invention tender lifting apparatus comprises support means arranged, in use, to be connected to a vessel with the support means, prior to lifting, extending away from the vessel beneath the tender and from one side of the tender to the other, the tender being arranged to be lifted by pulling the support means upwardly from the opposite side of the tender to that which the support means is attached to the vessel.

In use, the support means may be arranged to move about its connection to the vessel during lifting and that movement may be pivotal movement.

Part of the support means comprise a ladder. Part of the support means may be rigid and that rigid part may be comprised by the ladder. The ladder may be arranged to be pivotally connected to the vessel. The ladder may comprise two portions that are pivotally connected to each other. Part of the ladder may be arranged to extend beneath the tender, in use, during initial lifting of the tender.

The support means may include a flexible portion, which flexible portion may be detachable from the remainder of the support means. The flexible portion may comprise a plastics portion and may comprise a plastics portion surrounding foam.

The support means may be arranged to be connected to the swimming platform of a vessel.

The support means may be arranged to be pulled upwardly by a person located on a vessel.

The tender may be arranged to be floated on to the support means prior to lifting.

The support means may be arranged to extend at least partially around the side or sides of a tender.

The lifting apparatus may include clamping means arranged to hold the tender at each side. The clamping means may be arranged to cause opposed portions of the support member to move towards each other to effect the clamping of a tender.

The support means may include grip means arranged to grip the tender at one side. The grip means may be urged to lock on to the tender at one side. The grip means may comprise a pair of jaws movable from a first position in which the jaws are able to receive a portion of a boat and a second position in which the boat is constrained from leaving the jaws. The jaws may be biased into the first, or alternatively or additionally, the second position, for instance by spring means such as a spring that moves over centre during movement of the jaws between the two positions.

The lifting apparatus may include holding means arranged to urge a tender on to the support means.

The lifting apparatus may include a guide which is arranged to alter the angle of a pulling means in order to more effectively transfer the lifting force to the opposite side of the tender to that which the support means is attached to the vessel.

The guide may be arranged to be movably connected to a boat, for instance by a pivotal connection. Movement in one or more relative directions may be arranged to be restricted.

The guide may be arranged to be moved as a tender is being raised, for instance by abutment by a tender.

According to another aspect of the present invention a method of lifting a tender on to a vessel comprises locating support means that are attached to the vessel beneath the tender with the support means extending from one side to the other side of the tender and lifting the support means at its extent away from the vessel in order to lift the tender on to the vessel.

The method may comprise causing the support means to move about its connection during the movement and the method may comprise causing the support means to pivot about its connection to the vessel during lifting.

The method may comprise lifting the tender on to the vessel such that the centre of gravity of the tender passes over the connection of the support means to the vessel thereby allowing the tender to continue further movement on to the vessel under its own weight.

The method may comprise lifting the vessel such that the normally upwardly facing surface of the tender extends at least partially downwardly.

The method may comprise holding the sides of the tender during lifting and the method may comprise clamping the sides of the vessel during lifting. The method may comprise holding the tender on to the support means during lifting.

The method may comprise a single person lifting the tender.

The present invention includes any combination of the herein referred to features or limitations.

The present invention may be carried into practice in various ways but two embodiments will now be described, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1 to 4 are sequential views showing the raising of a tender or boat from the water to a storage position according to a first embodiment; Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the parts of the lifting apparatus in Figures 1 to 4 in an exploded orientation; Figure 6 is a schematic side view showing a part only of the lifting apparatus in Figures 1 to 5; Figure 7 is an exploded view of a second embodiment of a lifting apparatus; Figure 8 is a detailed view of part of the apparatus shown in Figure 7; and Figure 9 is a side view of a stanchion 72 incorporated with a tender lifting apparatus, and Figure 10 is a perspective view of the stanchion shown in Figure 9.

In order to secure and raise a boat 10 out of the water the boat is first floated into the position shown in Figure 1 in which the boat is over an apron 11 and part of a ladder 12. A rope 13 is then pulled tight to move the boat or apron into the position shown in Figure 2 in which one outside edge 14 of the boat is against a rounded portion 15 of the ladder and the apron 11 is against and around the opposed outside edge 16 of the boat. The rope 13 is attached to the free end 17 of the apron and may either be tightened by a person from inside the boat or by a person standing on a swim deck 18 to which the ladder 12 is attached by a pivot 19.

The rope 13 is then made fast thus holding the opposite edges of the boat in the position shown at either side and also holding the top of the boat down and urging the boat against the apron 11 and ladder 12. Thus should any waves buffet the boat the boat will remain firmly in position. Furthermore, any such buffeting will be accommodated by the ladder and the apron swaying up and down about the pivot 19.

Once secured, a further rope 20 is then pulled to urge the boat up out of the water past the position shown in Figure 3, over top dead centre, to the position shown in Figure 4. During this movement the ladder and apron move about the pivot 19 initially under the tension of the rope 20 and then, after the centre of gravity of the lifted parts has moved over the pivot, under the weight of the boat 10. The rope 20 is then made fast and other ropes can then be attached to the boat or apron and the mother craft in order to hold the boat firmly in position.

Lowering and release of the boat is a reversal of the above procedure.

In the storage position the boat is not able to build up any significant water on its flooring as that faces forwardly and downwardly. Thus there is no need to secure a cover over the boat. Furthermore, the boat will be held securely both during the initial lifting and subsequently even if some deflation of the boat has occurred as the cradle or apron pulls the boat into the ladder. As the apron is flexible and adjustable the apparatus can accommodate different sized boats and some deflation of the boats. Additionally the complete undersurface of the boat is supported during initial engagement and raising of the boat thereby reducing the stress placed on the boat.

When the apron is not required, that part can be detached from the ladder and the ladder can be used in its conventional swim position, as shown in Figure 6.

The parts of the lifting apparatus are shown in more detail in Figure 5.

The ladder 12 is comprised of an arcuate section 21 and a straight section 22. The arcuate section includes, at either side, forwardly projecting brackets 23 that are attached to openings 24 in channel members 25 that are secured at either side of the swimming platform or deck 18. The ladder pivots about the openings 24. The straight section 22 of the ladder is pivotally connected to the section 21 at 26. This allows the ladder to wrap itself securely against the boat when the rope 13 is pulled to bring in the apron. The ladder may have a tube 27 of rubber located around one of the rings in order to avoid any damage of the underside of the boat. If desired the ladder, at least at those parts that come into contact with the boat may be coated with plastics such as glass reinforced plastics.

The apron 11 is attached to the extreme end of the ladder section 22 by a cross bar tube 28 that extends through an opening 29 in the apron. Bolts 30 then pass into either end of the tube 28, through openings 31 at either side of the ladder in order to hold the apron pivotally on to the ladder.

The apron 11 may be fabricated from coated plastics embracing an inner floating foam sandwich.

The other end of the apron has the lifting and securing ropes secured thereto.

The rope 13 in fact comprises stainless steel cable strop 32 that is attached to either side of the apron and that leads forwardly to an eyelet 33. A rope 34 is secured to that eyelet and extends forwardly around a pulley block 35 that is secured to a rung third from the top of the ladder and which can be fastened around a cleat 36 on the top rung of the ladder.

The rope 20 also comprises a stainless steel cable strop 37 that is attached to either side of the apron and that leads forwardly to an eyelet 38. A pulley 39 is attached to that eyelet and a rope 40 passes around the pulley. One end of the rope 40 is secured to the rear of the boat at a fastening 41 and the other end extends up into the boat from where it can be pulled or released and fastened to a cleat (not shown) on the boat.

The lifting apparatus may be fitted to a motor boat or yacht and is suitable for use with a life raft boat, an inflatable boat or a rigid inflatable boat or any tender that will fit in the space provided.

A single person is able to use the lifting apparatus.

As no attachments have to be secured to the boat, any boat can be lifted without modification to the boat and without damage to the boat.

With the apron removed, fenders can be lashed to the ladder.

The apron is easy to detach and store and easy to reattach.

In the embodiment described in Figures 7 and 8, the lifting apparatus may have any of the features of that described in relation to the other figures and may be used in any of the ways or applications previously described.

The method of lifting a tender is the same as that described in relation to Figures 1 to 4. What is of importance in Figures 7 and 8 is the way in which a tender is engaged by the lifting apparatus.

As seen in Figures 7 and 8 the portion of the apparatus that engages the inner tube of a tender nearest the boat comprises a first semicircular frame 50 that is pivotally connected to a swim board bracket 51 by pins 52.

An upper arcuate frame 57 is pivotally connected to the top of the semicircular frame 50 about a pivot 53. Two springs 54 (only one of which is shown) act between pins 55 and 56 on the respective frames. When the line between the pins 55 and 56 is radially inwards of the pivot 53 between the frames then the free edges of the frame 57 is biased towards the free end of the frame 50 to grip and lock the tube of an inflatable boat. When that line is the other side of the pivot 53 then the frame 53 is biased to an open position. Thus the frames 50 and 57 act as a pair of snap action clamping jaws. As there is no inwards limit of the upper "jaw" or frame, an inflatable tube will always be gripped by those jaws even if the tube is slightly deflated or if tubes of different sizes are to be engaged.

To assist in the engagement and to ensure an even grip of a tender four rollers 58 (only one of which is shown) are provided across the jaws between aligned holes 59, 60, 61 and 62 respectively. These rollers project inwards of the frames to ensure that they engage with the side walls of the boat.

The apron 63 is not directly connected to the frame 50. Instead two ropes 64 extend from eye bolts 66 at each side of a cross bar 65 to connections 67 at each side of the apron.

The other end of the apron 63 includes a bar 68 that extends through a pocket in the apron. A first rope 69 is connected to each end of the bar 68 and can be pulled to bring the tender up against the jaws and to hold the boat down on the apron. Alternatively the tender may simply be manoeuvred into the jaws without the use of the rope 69 assisting. That rope can be secured to a cleat (not shown). A second rope 70 can be pulled to lift and pivot a tender on to a boat with the roller 58 of the frame 50 resting on the platform 71, as shown in Figure 8.

The embodiment shown in Figures 9 and 10 will now be described. In these drawings a stanchion 72 is shown that assists in the lifting force applied to the outside of a boat during initial lifting. The lifting apparatus for the boat, apart from the stanchion, is similar to that illustrated in Figures 7 and 8 and like parts have been given the same reference numeral. However, it will be appreciated that the stanchion could be used in any of the embodiments described herein.

The stanchion 72 comprises an upper roller 73 that is supported at both sides by arms 74 that extend downwardly towards the swim deck where each arm is connected to the swim deck by a pivot 75 that is offset from the arms 74 by a leg 76.

When it is desired to lift a tender, the tender is manoeuvred into the position shown in Figure 9. However, the inner inflatable tube rests against the semicircular frame without there being any snap fit of that tube. The arms 74 of the stanchion 72 are then pivoted rearwardly to raise part of the legs 70 away from the deck to locate the roller in the position shown at 73A. A restraining link 77 that is connected to the swim deck and a pivot hole 78 towards the bottom of each leg 74 restricts the extent to which the roller can be moved.

The rope 70 that can be pulled to raise the boat passes from the apron over the rollers 73 and into the main boat. Pulling of the rope 70 causes the tender to be raised. The pulling force is applied to the tender along a line 79 at an angle of approximately 60 to the horizontal which applies a greater lifting force to the tender than if that line were to extend in a straight direction from the pulled part to the apron.

As the tender rises and piyots the inner tube 80 of the tender will abut the legs 74 of the stanchion to cause the stanchion to move to the position shown by the roller 73B in which the roller is located within the tender, as are part of the arms 74, and the legs 76 abut the swim platform. In this position the stanchion can act as a stand-off stop.

The stanchion can be folded to half its height, when not in use.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. Tender lifting apparatus comprising support means arranged, in use, to be connected to a vessel with the support means, prior to lifting, extending away from the vessel beneath the tender and from one side of the tender to the other, the tender being arranged to be lifted by pulling the support means upwardly from the opposite side of the tender to that which the support means is attached to the vessel.

2. Tender lifting apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 in which, in use, the support means is arranged to move about its connection to the vessel during lifting.

3. Tender lifting apparatus as claimed in Claim 2 in which that movement is pivotal movement.

4. Tender lifting apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which part of the support means comprises a ladder.

5. Tender lifting apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which part of the support means is rigid.

6. Tender lifting apparatus as claimed in Claim 5, in which that rigid part is comprised by the ladder.

7. Tender lifting apparatus as claimed in Claim 4 or 6, in which the ladder is arranged to be pivotally connected to the vessel.

8. Tender lifting apparatus as claimed in any of claims 4, 6 or 7 in which the ladder comprises two portions that are pivotally connected to each other.

9. Tender lifting apparatus as claimed in any of claims 4, 6, 7 or 8 in which part of the ladder is arranged to extend beneath the tender, in use, during initial lifting of the tender.

10. Tender lifting apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the support means includes a flexible portion.

11. Tender lifting apparatus as claimed in Claim 10, in which the flexible portion is detachable from the remainder of the support means.

12. Tender lifting apparatus as claimed in Claim 10 or 11, in which the flexible portion comprises a plastics portion.

13. Tender lifting apparatus as claimed in any of claims 10, 11 or 12 in which the flexible portion comprises a plastics portion surrounding foam.

14. Tender lifting apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the support means is arranged to be connected to the swimming platform of a vessel.

15. Tender lifting apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the support means is arranged to be pulled upwardly by a person located on a vessel.

16. Tender lifting apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a tender is arranged to be floated on to the support means prior to lifting.

17. Tender lifting apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the support means is arranged to extend at least partially around the side or sides of a tender.

18. Tender lifting apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the lifting apparatus includes clamping means arranged to hold the tender at each side.

19. Tender lifting apparatus as claimed in Claim 18, in which the clamping means is arranged to cause opposed portions of the support member to move towards each other to effect the clamping of a tender.

20. Tender lifting apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the support means includes grip means arranged to grip the tender at one side.

21. Tender lifting apparatus as claimed in Claim 20, in which the grip means is urged to lock on to the tender at one side.

22. Tender lifting apparatus as claimed in Claim 20 or 21 in which the grip means comprises a pair of jaws movable from a first position in which the jaws are able to receive a portion of a boat and a second position in which the boat is constrained from leaving the jaws.

23. Tender lifting apparatus as claimed in Claim 22 in which the jaws are biased into the first position.

24. Tender lifting apparatus as claimed in Claim 22 or 23, in which the jaws are biased into the second position.

25. Tender lifting apparatus as claimed in Claim 23 or 24 in which the jaws are biased by spring means.

26. Tender lifting apparatus as claimed in Claim 25 in which the spring means comprises a spring that moves over centre during movement of the jaws between the two positions.

27. Tender lifting apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the lifting apparatus includes holding means arranged to urge a tender on to the support means.

28. Tender lifting apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the lifting apparatus includes a guide which is arranged to alter the angle of a pulling means in order to more effectively transfer the lifting force to the opposite side of the tender to that which the support means is attached to the vessel.

29. Tender lifting apparatus as claimed in Claim 28, in which the guide is arranged to be movably connected to a boat.

30. Tender lifting apparatus as claimed in Claim 29 in which the guide is arranged to be movably connected to a boat by a pivotal connection.

31. Tender lifting apparatus as claimed in Claim 28 or 29, in which the movement in one or more relative directions is arranged to be restricted.

32. Tender lifting apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 28 to 31 in which the guide is arranged to be moved as a tender is being raised.

33. Tender lifting apparatus as claimed in Claim 32 in which the guide is arranged to be moved by abutment by a tender.

34. Tender lifting apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in any of Figures 1 to 6, or Figure 7 and 8 or Figures 9 and 10 of the accompanying drawings.

35. A method of lifting a tender on to a vessel comprising locating support means that are attached to the vessel beneath the tender with the support means extending from one side to the other side of the tender and lifting the support means at its extent away from the vessel in order to lift the tender on to the vessel.

36. A method as claimed in Claim 35 comprising causing the support means to move about its connection during the movement.

37. A method as claimed in Claim 36 comprising causing the support means to pivot about its connection to the vessel during lifting.

38. A method as claimed in any of Claims 35, 36 or 37 comprising lifting the tender on to the vessel such that the centre of gravity of the tender passes over the connection of the support means to the vessel thereby allowing the tender to continue further movement on to the vessel under its own weight.

39. A method as claimed in any of Claims 35 to 38 comprising lifting the vessel such that the normally upwardly facing surface of the tender extends at least partially downwardly.

40. A method as claimed in any of Claims 35 to 39 comprising holding the sides of the tender during lifting.

41. A method as claimed in any of Claims 35 to 40 comprising clamping the sides of the vessel during lifting.

42. A method as claimed in any of Claims 35 to 41 comprising holding the tender on to the support means during lifting.

43. A method as claimed in any of Claims 35 to 42 comprising a single person lifting the tender.

44. A method of lifting a tender on to a vessel substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in any of Figures 1 to 6 or 7 and 8 or 9 and 10 of the accompanying drawings.

45. A method of lifting a tender onto a vessel when using tender lifting apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 34.