GB2590472A - Lifting device and method for gentle lifting of people - Google Patents

Abstract

A lifting device 10 is attached to a floating installation 12 for the gentle lifting of people and comprises an elongated boom 20, said boom being mounted so that it can rotate about at least one axis with respect to the floating installation and to an extended position. The boom, in use, extends from the floating installation and into an area 16 where a person 18 is located. The device further comprises a folding crib 30 fitted to run along the boom in the longitudinal direction of the boom, and means for moving the crib, in the longitudinal direction of the boom. The body of the person is held in a stable position when the crib moves along the boom. The invention also relates to a method for rescue using the lifting device.

Description

Lifting device and method for gentle lifting of people

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a lifting device attached to a floating installation for the gentle lifting of people and a method for rescue.

Background of the invention

In new regulations, the requirements for the rescue capability of smaller vessels have been tightened. These regulations help to actualise the invention.

When a person falls into the water, it is important to get the person back out of the water as soon as possible. This is to reduce the risk of drowning and to prevent the person from being cooled down. Cooling or hypothermia can and will lead to loss of consciousness, permanent damage and death if the body temperature drops sufficiently. One of the initial reactions of the body to cooling is to draw blood from the extremities of the body (arms and legs) and in towards central parts of the body. This is to prevent further cooling of the blood, since the arms and legs will be more exposed to cooling than the central parts of the body, while at the same time circulation of blood is ensured in vital organs. A person lying and floating in the water will often lie more or less horizontally in the water. If the legs are lower in the water, they will be exposed to pressure applied by the water. When a cold person is to be rescued from the water, it is important that he or she is taken up in a more or less horizontal position. If the person is lifted up by the arms or otherwise lifted out of the water in a vertical orientation with the legs at the bottom, which will often be the simplest and most natural way, then gravity and/or reduction of the pressure on the legs will cause blood from the torso and head to flow out into the legs and partly the arms. This can further lead to circulatory failure and further cooling as the tissues in the arms and legs will have a lower temperature.

Description of prior art

SU765114 Al describes a device for rescuing people from water.

WO 88/03495 Al describes a device for retrieving personnel or objects out of water. The device is for use onboard boats.

Aims of the present invention The object of the invention can be one or more of the following: One object of the invention is to provide a lifting device which can lift and pull in a person who is floating in a body of water out of the water while the body of the person is kept in a more or less horizontal position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lifting device which can lift and pull in a person to a floating installation from a surrounding area which is not necessarily a body of water but can be an islet, a beach or another floating installation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a system for the rescue of people in the water that can be operated from the wheelhouse of a boat.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rescue lifting device that can be 20 manned and operated from a vessel with limited manpower resources.

Another object of the invention is to provide lifting device for rescuing personnel that has as low mass as possible and a geometry which will not affect the stability of the vessel beyond that which is reasonable and/or appropriate.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lifting device that occupies as little deck space as possible.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method and associated lifting device 30 for the gentle rescue of a person who must be lifted from a body of water or from some other surface.

Summary of the Invention

In one aspect the invention relates to lifting device attached to a floating installation for the gentle lifting of people. The lifting device comprises: an elongated boom, said boom is mounted so that it can rotate about at least one axis with respect to the floating installation and to an extended position, where said boom extends from the floating installation and into an area where a person is located, a folding crib fitted to run along the boom in the longitudinal direction of the boom, and means for moving the crib in the longitudinal direction of the boom, the body of the person will be held in a stable position when the crib moves along the boom.

The crib can comprised of a number of crib arms which is movable to transform the crib into a compact storage form.

The crib can comprised of a number of crib arms to which a net can be fastened to respective crib arms, and that the crib arms are moved from a folded position to an unfolded position, in which the net can be stretched between the crib arms.

The crib arms in their unfolded form can together with the net, be set up to provide a stable position for a person.

The crib arms can be fitted with means for movement which can be controlled from a control panel.

The lifting device can be operated remotely from a control panel.

The boom can be formed as a rail, or with a profile, set up to guide a number of wheels or sets of wheels which support the crib along the boom.

In another aspect the invention relates to a method for gentle rescue of a person 30 from a body of water and onto a floating installation. The method comprises the following steps: swinging out a boom with a crib that can be unfolded, move the crib along the boom in the longitudinal direction of the boom, positioning the unfolded crib in the body of water below the person that shall be rescued, capturing the person in the unfolded crib, move the crib back towards the floating installation along the boom, swinging the boom up from the body of water, and move the crib onto the floating installation.

The person can be lifted out of the crib after the crib is moved in on the floating installation.

The crib with the person can be lifted by the boom.

The crib can be unfolded before the person is captured.

The person can be held stable in the unfolded crib during movement along the boom.

The crib can be folded in whole or in part when the person is captured.

Lifting device attached to a floating installation for the lifting of people. The lifting equipment is comprised of: -an elongated boom, -said boom is mounted so that it can rotate about at least one axis with respect to the floating device and to a fully rotated position, -where said boom extends in the rotated position from the floating device and down into an area where the person is located, the lifting equipment further comprises: -a folding crib fitted to run along the boom in the longitudinal direction of the boom, -means for moving the crib in the longitudinal direction of the boom, and -in which the body of the person is set up to be held in a stable position when the 30 crib moves along the boom.

Description of the figures

Preferred embodiments of the invention shall in the following be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: Figure 1 shows the lifting device in its entirety from the side in a possible configuration.

Figure 2 shows the lifting device in its entirety from the side in a possible configuration.

Figure 3 shows the lifting device in its entirety from the side in a possible configuration.

Figure 4 shows the lifting device in its entirety from the side in a possible 15 configuration.

Figure 5 shows the lifting device in its entirety from the side in a possible configuration.

Figure 6 shows a section of the lifting device.

Figure 7 shows a section of the lifting device partially opened to reveal internal details.

Figure 8 shows the lifting device in its entirety at an angle from above in a possible configuration.

Figure 9 shows the lifting device in its entirety at an angle from above in a possible configuration.

Figure 10 shows the lifting device mounted on a vessel.

Figure 11 shows the lifting device mounted on a vessel.

Figure 12 shows the lifting device mounted on a vessel.

Figure 13 shows the lifting device mounted on a vessel.

Description of preferred embodiments of the invention.

In the following, the invention is described with reference to the figures.

Figures 1-5 show a possible embodiment of the lifting device 10 seen from the side.

The lifting device 10 is comprised of an elongated boom 20 with a first end 22 and a second end 24. The first end 22 of the boom 20 is rotary mounted in a housing part 40 by a hinge bracket 42. A crib 30 is fitted in connection to the boom 20. The housing pal 40 is set up to be fitted on a foundation 14, for example the deck of a ship (see figures 10-13).

The figures 1-5 show in sequence how the boom 20 can be rotated or pivoted about a horizontal axis 26 parallel to the foundation 14. The boom is rotated from a more or less vertical position above the housing part 40 to a position where the second end 24 of the boom 20 is in contact with or near to a body of water 16 surrounding a floating installation 12 (see figures 10-13). In figure 5, the crib 30 is also displaced along the boom 20 away from the housing part 40 and towards the water surface 16. A floating installation 12, can for example, be a ship, a boat, a barge or other type of vessel.

Figure 6 shows the crib construction or basket in more detail. For simplicity, it is hereinafter referred to as the crib 30. The crib 30 is comprised of a crib frame 34, which in this embodiment is fitted with four sets of wheels 32, 33. Two of the sets of wheels 32,33 can be seen in figure 6 and two corresponding sets of wheels are not visible in the figure as they are on the other side of the crib frame 34. The sets of wheels 32, 33 are adapted to lock the crib frame to the boom 20 and allow only movement of the crib frame in the longitudinal direction of the boom. The crib frame 34, in other possible embodiments, can be fitted with one or more sets of wheels 32, 33 adapted to the boom profile. Furthermore, the crib 30 is fitted with a first set of crib arms 36 and a second set of crib arms 38. In between the crib arms 36,38, a net, a cloth, or a mesh cloth is arranged, hereinafter referred to for simplicity as a net 31. The crib 30 can be moved along the boom 20 with the help of operating means 35. Examples of operating means can be an electric motor with cog wheels or wheels which further operate a belt drive, a toothed rack, or a chain. Hydraulic motors for operating said mechanisms or hydraulic cylinders with pistons can also be an alternative for operation of the crib 30 along the boom 20.

As can be seen in figures 8 and 9, the boom 20 can be comprised of two beams with a U-profile next to each other with the openings of the U facing away from each other and with a space between the beams. The beams can be joined by welding, bolts or other appropriate joining methods. The space between the beams can be achieved by welding in or bolting in a number of spacers. The use of two beams with a gap in the boom 20, provides a space for any cog wheels and chains protected between the beams in the boom 30.

Figure 7 shows the housing part 40 opened up for inspection and also adjoining details. The housing part 40 is equipped to be able to be fastened to a foundation 14 (see figures 10-13). Said means can be bolts 43, but the method of fastening is to a large extent, dependent on the foundation 14, and, for example can be fastened by welding. The housing part 40 contains means for moving the boom 20. Figure 7 shows a possible configuration comprising a hydraulic pressure cylinder 46 with an associated piston rod 48 with a piston. Hoses for the supply of and draining of a pressurised fluid are not shown in the figure but will be a natural part of the assembly. A control panel for operating the rotation of the boom 20 and driving out of the crib 30 will also be natural to place in connection with the housing part 40.

The hinge bracket 42 is, in this configuration, placed on one of the vertical surfaces of the housing part, but can also be placed on the top plate as in figures 10-13.

Rotation of the boom 20 is achieved by pulling out or retracting the piston rod 48 which pulls in or presses on a rod 44 which is in turn mounted to an arm 41 which creates a torque about the mounting point that constitutes the axis 26 (see figure 7 and 8).

Figure 8 shows the lifting device 10 in a compact configuration in which the crib arms 36, 36', 38, 38' are rotated about their respective fastening points to the crib frame 34. In one possible embodiment, all four crib arms 36,36', 38,38' can be rotated towards the centre of the crib frame 34 so that they are in an orientation parallel to the crib frame 34 and the boom 20. This configuration will be particularly relevant as a storage position for the lifting device 10. In some cases in combination with the boom 20 being rotated over the housing part 40. Figure 9 shows the lifting device 10 seen at an angle from above, with the net 31 stretching between the unfolded crib arms 36, 36', 38, 38'.

The crib arms 36, 36', 38, 38' can be moved between the positions in figure 8 and figure 9 manually or with the use of hydraulics, pneumatics or electrical operating means. The crib arms 36, 36', 38, 38' can be fitted with a mechanism for locking them in the desired position, for example by means of locking bolts. As shown in figure 9, the net 31 can be removed during storage, but preferably it can be available for rapid mobilisation of the lifting device 10. In a possible embodiment, the net 31 can be fitted with elastic elements which reduce the extension of the net 31 when it is not held up by the crib arms 36, 36,38, 38'. In one possible embodiment, each of the crib arms 36, 36', 38, 38' can be rotated 180 degrees about the mounting point to the crib frame 34.

Alternatively, the crib arms 36, 36', 38, 38' can be rotated about an axis parallel to the boom 20, thus extending the net and forming the crib by rotating the individual arms 36, 36', 38, 38' away from each other. The axis of rotation of the arms 36, 36', 38, 38' in other possible embodiments can have any angle with respect to the boom 20 and the crib frame 34.

The net 31 can be fitted with reinforcements in the form of tension wires, which run between fastening points in the crib arms 36,36', 38, 38' and optionally also fastening points in the crib frame 34. In addition to serving as stiffening and reinforcement, the tensioning cables help to form the unfolded crib to the desired geometric shape. The shape of the crib is important to give the person 18 a stable and gentle support during lifting. The shape of the crib 30 will also help guide the person 18 to the desired position in the crib 30 when the person 18 is captured and lifted out of the water 16.

Figures 10-13 show the lifting device 10 mounted on the foundation 14 on a floating installation 12, in this case a smaller vessel. The figures 10-13 show in sequence one possible method for rescuing a person 18 who is floating in the body of water 16. In figure 10, the boom 20 is rotated out and down towards the water surface 16, the crib 30 is driven out towards the second end 24 of the boom 20. The person 18 in the water can be captured by manoeuvring the boat so that parts of the crib 30 are placed in the water 16 below the person 18. When it is confirmed that the person 18 is above or in the crib 30, the boom 20 can be swung up from the water and/or the crib 30 can be moved towards the first end 22 of the boom 20. Then the person 18 will follow the crib up out of the water. Figure 11 shows the person 18 in a position floating in the water above the crib. In figure 12, the crib is driven in towards the first end 22 of the boom 20 and thus out of the water. Due to the geometry of the crib 30, the person will remain in the crib and will not fall out. As the crib 30 is gradually moved in, the force (force x arm) that acts on the boom 20 will decrease and the boom will rise to the vertical position while the crib is driven further, as shown in figure 13. Furthermore, figure 13 shows the person 18 lying in a position where it is possible for the crew of the floating installation 12 to lift the person out of the crib 30 from the foundation 14. The person in figure 13 has moved from lying next to the crib arms 36 to lying at the opposite end of the crib 30 to the crib arms 38. The operator of the lifting device 10, can by swinging the boom to a horizontal position or a position where the second end 24 is higher than the first end 22, cause an unconscious person to roll or slip in a controlled fashion against the crib arms 38, 38' In other possible embodiments, the lifting device 10 as a whole or the boom 20 can be rotated about an axis perpendicular to the foundation 14. As the crib is swung in over the foundation 14, the person can be retrieved from the crib 30 regardless of position in the crib 30 and without the crew on the floating installation 12 needing to crawl into the crib 30.

In one possible embodiment, the sets of wheels 32, 33 can be positioned further towards the centre of the crib frame 34 in the longitudinal direction to make it possible to drive the crib 30 further in over the housing part 40 without the set of wheels 32, 33 reaching the first end 22 of the boom 20 Alternatively, the housing part 40 can be placed further in on the foundation 14 so that the entire crib can be run in over the foundation.

In a possible embodiment, the lifting device can be fitted with a boom 20 which is not straight but has a bent or curved shape. In another possible embodiment, the boom 20 is telescopic In the following, a possible method of rescuing personnel using said lifting device 10 will be described. When the lifting device 10 is not in use, the boom 10 will be rotated to a position where it is, to the least possible extent, a barrier to the daily operations of the floating installation 12. Often there will be a position where the boom 20 is rotated in over the foundation 14 similar to that shown in figure 1. Furthermore, it is natural to collapse the crib 30 by rotating the crib arms 36,36', 38,38'.

If a situation arises where there is a need to use the lifting device 10 to rescue personnel from a body of water 16, it is necessary to perform four initial actions; unfold the crib arms 36, 36', 38, 38' so that the crib 30 gets its intended crib shape, swing the boom 20 so it extends out from the floating installation 12, drive the crib 30 out towards the second end 24 of the boom 20 and maneuver the floating installation 12 so that the crib 30 positions itself in the water below the person 18 that shall be rescued. The order of said actions will vary based on a variety of conditions such as weather, wave height and type of floating installation 12. Often it will be natural to first move the floating installation 12 until it is within reasonable distance from the person 18 that shall be rescued, then unfold the crib 30, thereafter the boom 20 is swung out until it is down in the body of water 16, then the crib 30 is driven out until it is partially submerged in the body of water 16 so that it is possible to delicately maneuver the floating installation 12 to position the crib 30 below the person 18.

When the crib 30 is positioned below the person 18, a possible further method would be to do the following actions in sequence; drive the crib 30 in towards a first end 22 of the boom 20 until the person 18 now lying in the crib 30 is out of the body of water 16, thereafter the boom 20 is swung up to an approximately horizontal position before the crib 30 is run in as far as possible towards the first end of the boom 22. If the person 18 lies adjacent to the crib arms 36, 36' it can be desirable to move the person 18 towards the crib arms 38, 38' to simplify the operation of lifting the person 18 out of the crib 30. Then the boom 20 is gently swung further in one direction where the second end 24 of the boom is lifted over the first end 22 of the boom, then the person 18 will slide and/or roll against the crib arms 38, 38' and thus be more easily accessible for lifting down from the crib 30.

In a possible embodiment of the invention, the crib 30 consists of a detachable part or is fully detachable. For example, such that the crib 30 can be used as a stretcher when the person 18 is brought up from the body of water 16.

It must be mentioned that the lifting device 10 can also be used for rescuing personnel from another floating installation or from an islet or other solid foundations. In such a case, the second end 24 of the boom 20 and/or the crib 30 will rest on a firm surface while personnel move aboard the crib 30. In order to avoid damage to equipment and personnel as a result of wave movements, the boom 20 in such a case could move freely while the boom 20 and/or the crib 30 are in contact with solid ground. It can be solved in that the hydraulics for rotating the boom 20 is disconnected so that the piston rod 48 can slide in and out of the cylinder 46, as the boom 20 will be able to move in rhythm with the wave movements

Claims (13)

13 Claims 1. Lifting device (10) attached to a floating installation (12) for the gentle lifting of people characterised in that the lifting device (10) comprises: -an elongated boom (20), said boom (20) is mounted so that it can rotate about at least one axis with respect to the floating installation (12) and to an extended position, where said boom (20) extends from the floating installation (12) and into an area (16) where a person (18) is located, -a folding crib (30) fitted to run along the boom (20) in the longitudinal direction of the boom (20), and -means for moving the crib (30) in the longitudinal direction of the boom (20), the body of the person (18) will be held in a stable position when the crib (30) moves along the boom (20).

2. Lifting device (10) according to claim 1 characterised in that the crib (30) is comprised of a number of crib arms (36, 36', 38, 38') which is movable to transform the crib into a compact storage form.

3. Lifting device (10) according to claims 1-2 characterised in that the crib is comprised of a number of crib arms (36, 36', 38, 38') to which a net (31) is fastened to respective crib arms, and that the crib arms (36, 36', 38, 38') are moved from a folded position to an unfolded position, in which the net (31) is stretched between the crib arms.

4. Lifting device (10) according to claims 1-3 characterised in that the crib arms (36, 36', 38, 38') in their unfolded form, together with the net (31), are set up to provide a stable position for a person (18).

5. Lifting device (10) according to claims 1-4 characterised in that the crib arms (36, 36', 38, 38') are fitted with means for movement which can be controlled from a control panel.

6. Lifting device (10) according to claims 1-5 characterised in that the lifting device (10) can be operated remotely from a control panel.

7. Lifting device (10) according to claim 1 characterised in that the boom (20) is formed as a rail, or with a profile, set up to guide a number of wheels or sets of wheels (32, 33) which support the crib (30) along the boom (20).

8. Method for gentle rescue of a person (18) from a body of water (16) and onto a floating installation (12) characterized in that the method comprises the following steps: -swinging out a boom (20) with a crib (30) that can be unfolded, -move the crib (30) along the boom (20) in the longitudinal direction of the boom, -positioning the unfolded crib (30) in the body of water below the person (18) that shall be rescued, -capturing the person in the unfolded crib (30), -move the crib back towards the floating installation (12) along the boom (20), -swinging the boom up from the body of water (16), and -move the crib (30) onto the floating installation (12).

9. Method for rescue, according to claim 8 characterised in that the person (18) is lifted out of the crib (30) after the crib (30) is moved in on the floating installation (12).

10. Method for rescue, according to claim 8 characterised in that the crib (30) with the person (18) is lifted by the boom (20).

11. Method for rescue, according to claim 8 characterised in that the crib (30) is unfolded before the person (18) is captured.

12. Method for rescue, according to claim 8 characterised in that the person (18) is held stable in the unfolded crib (30) during movement along the boom (20).

13. Method of rescue, according to claim 8 characterised in that the crib (30) is folded in whole or in part when the person (18) is captured.