GB753056A - Improvements in collapsible metal panels forming a rigid surface when spread - Google Patents

Abstract

753,056. Hatch covers; gangways. CAILLET, R. April 12, 1954, No. 10737/54. Class 113 [Also in Groups X and XXX] In a collapsible metal panel for a gangway or a ship's hatch cover, consisting of rectilinear hingedly interconnected elements 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, each comprising at least one main wall coplanar with the surface formed by the panel in its spread condition and a reinforcing wall along one longitudinal edge of the element and forming an angle with the main wall, the dimensions of the elements are such that the panel may be wound spiralwise, each clement fitting over and substantially enclosing a predetermined previously wound element. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, each element has a main wall 6 (Fig. 5) with reinforcing walls 7 and 8 at right angles thereto, and is connected to the next by hinges 10. The first element 1 is connected by a link 12 to a drum 11, on the four sides of which the elements may be wound in succession as shown in Fig. 2. In other embodiments the reinforcing walls are at less than 90 degrees to the main wall, the winding drum being polygonal. One reinforcing wall may be omitted and/or the panel may be modified to be wound in the opposite direction. To obtain fluid tightness between elements, adjacent walls 7, 8<SP>1</SP> may have a flexible membrane 15 secured thereto. Water-tightness between the lateral edges of the panel and a hatch coaming 20 is obtained as shown in Fig. 4 by means of a flexible membrane 16 which is secured to an element and has its free edge secured to a member 17 adjustable by means of bolts 18 through notches on bars 19 welded to the coaming, a hinged member 21 being movable by screw jacks 22 to stretch the membrane in its joint-closing position.