GB480923A - Improvements in devices for removing sea-planes and other similar machines from the water - Google Patents

Abstract

480,923. Launching seaplanes. ETABLISSEMENTS VERBOOM ET DUROUCHARD. April 5, 1937, No. 9655. Convention date, May 23, 1936. [Classes 4, 113 (ii), and 115] Apparatus for launching and landing seaplanes and like machines comprises a fixed platform 1 mounted on piles and furnished with a turntable on which a member 4<11> is slewed. The latter carries an inclined pivoted extension 4<1> furnished with ballast tanks 5 at the outer floating end and with a counterweight 6 which may also act as a rudder. In use for landing a plane, the members 4<1>, 4<11> are slewed to face the wind and the plane is then floated on to the cradle 13, adjustment of the ballast tanks being made as necessary to enable this operation to be performed. The cradle is then drawn up the incline by a winch until the plane occupies the dotted line position, following which the whole apparatus is slewed to bring the plane into line with the approach gangway 12 so that it can be run off. The turntable comprises a ring of rollers 3 on the member 411 running on a circular track on the member 1. In addition a central pivot 8 is provided furnished with a ring of vertical rollers forming a bearing and with a drum for receiving the ropes of the slewing winch. In a modified form the pivot A is omitted and the members 4<1>, 4<11> formed as a rigid structure. The Specification as open to inspection under Sect. 91 comprises also a modification in which the member 16, Fig. 4 (Cancelled), carrying the cradle 13 is pivoted at 17 to a carriage 18 running on rails on a floating structure and also fitted with a lifting-jack 21 so that it can be rotated about the pivot. The loaded carriage 13 is retracted until the plane practically balances the weight of the overhanging portions of the beam, following which the jack is operated to lower the beam to a horizontal position and the carriage 18 drawn inboard until the plane is completely on the vessel. This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.