SE539079C2 - A platform which is extendible from a side of a ship or building or other structure - Google Patents

Abstract

14 ABSTRACT Platform 1 is extendible from a side of a ship 2 or a building 3 or other structure 4.The platform 1 is further anchored to a fixed structure on the ship 2 or building 3 orother structure 4, and the platform 1 at least two terrace segments 9, 10, 11, whichare maneuverable between a stored position and a used position. ln the storedposition the terrace segments 9, 10, 11 are attached to each other to form anextended and substantial horizontal deck area which is extending from the side ofthe ship 2 or building 3 or other structure 4. (rig. s)

Description

A PLATFORM WHICH IS EXTENDIBLE FROM A SIDE OF A SHIP OR BUILDINGOR OTHER STRUCTURE.

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a platform according to thepreamble of claim 1.

Background art

[0002] lt is well known that deck area on a ship or cruise vessel has severalapplications fields such as a recreational area for passengers but it may also beused as a storage area for storing of varying necessary bulky equipment.Examples of such equipment may be life boats, life-vests, rescue dresses, andany other necessary equipment. The recreational area is used for many differentactivities which need different equipment. Examples of such recreationalequipment may be restaurant furniture, sun chairs, pools, tennis courts, golf courtsetc. The larger ships, the larger number of passengers and the larger demand foravailable free recreational areas.

[0003] The limited available space on deck is a critical parameter and will limitthe number of available recreational activities that may be performed. Therefore,the more available free areas, the more space for furniture such as sun chairs,tables etc. and the passengers do not need to crowd and be seated in theirneighbors lap.

Summary of invention

[0004] The above mentioned problem has been solved by a platform accordingto the appended claims. An object of the present invention is to make it easy toexpand and create more available free platform area, whenever it is needed, on aship, a building or other structure.

[0005] The present invention relates to a platform which is extendible from aside of a ship or a building or other structure, and anchored to a fixed structure on the ship or building or other structure. The platform comprises at least two terrace segments, which are manoeuvrable between a stored position and a used positionin which the terrace segments are attached to each other to form an extended andsubstantial horizontal deck area which is extending from the side of the ship orbuilding or other structure. The terrace segments are fastened in a horizontalmanner to a common vertical shaft, around which shaft the terrace segments are rotatable between the stored position and the used position.

[0006] ln the stored position, the terrace segments are stored in a recess in anouter side of the ship or the building or other structure. The storage of the platformin the recess has the advantage that the platform is kept out of the weather and the hull of the ship may have a streamlined design.

[0007] ln the stored position, the terrace segments are oriented in a horizontalor vertical direction. ln the stored position, the terrace segments are placed atdifferent height levels, which have the advantage that the platform may be used as a stair case between different floors.

[0008] Stair steps are integrated into one or more of the terrace segments, thisto make the height end depth of each step smaller to make the stair more comfortable when walking up and down.

[0009] One terrace segment which is overlying a subjacent one, in the usedposition, is interacting with a subjacent side of the subjacent terrace segment. Theadvantage of having interacting terrace segments is that the strength and theloadbearing properties of the terrace segments may be increased.

[0010] Each terrace segment may be provided with at least one interactingfitting, which fittings are interacting with each other. Each terrace segment may beprovided with at least one locking device on each terrace segment, which lockingdevices are interacting with each other. Each terrace segment may be providedwith a counter beam which is interacting with a subjacent counter beam on a lower terrace segment.

[0011] The railings may be integrated into the terrace segments and may befolded down into the terrace segments in the stored position and unfolded from the terrace segments in the used position. Integrated railings have the advantage thatthey take up a minor storage area since they are integrated into and may bestored together with the terrace segments.

Brief description of drawinqs

[0012] The invention will be described in detail with reference to the attachedfigures. lt is to be understood that the drawings are designed solely for thepurpose of illustration and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention, for which reference should be made to the appended claims.

[0013] The invention is now described, by way of example, with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

[0014] Fig. 1 shows a top view ofa first embodiment of the invention in a storedposition,

[0015] Fig. 2 shows a side view of a first embodiment of the invention in a usedposition,

[0016] Fig. 3 shows an isometric view of the first embodiment of the invention inthe used position,

[0017] Fig. 4 shows an isometric view of the first embodiment of the invention inthe used position, Description of embodiments

[0018] ln the following, a detailed description of the platform will be given. ln thedescription below, the invention is mainly described in relation to a ship, but the invention may also be applied on buildings and other structures.

[0019] Fig. 1-4 shows a first embodiment of the invention. The platform 1 isanchored to a fixed structure on a ship 2, a building 3 or other structure 4 and isextendible from a side of the ship 2 or the building 3 or other structure 3.

[0020] ln the stored position, shown in fig. 1 the platform 1 is stored in a recess5 in an outer side 6 of the ship 2, building 3 or other structure 4. The recess 5comprises a closing port or door 7, through which the passengers or personal mayenter onto the platform 1 in the used position. The closing port or door 7 is closedand watertight sealed when the platform 1 is in the stored position. The door 7may be provided in an inner wall 8 of the recess 5 or be provided on a terracesegment 9 and seal the recess 5 in line with the outer side 6 of the ship 2, thebuilding 3 or other structure 3. The closing port or door 7 may be provided on oneof the terrace segments 9, preferable on a lowermost horizontal directed terracesegment. ln fig. 1 the recess 5 may be watertight sealed by a closing port or door7 provided in an internal wall of the recess and/or by a closing port or door 7,shown with dashed lines in fig. 1, which is in line with an outer side 6 or the ship 2,building 3 or other structure 4.

[0021] The platform 1 comprises at least two terrace segments 9 which aremaneuverable between the stored position and the used position. ln the firstembodiment shown in fig. 1-4 the platform segments 9 are oriented in a horizontaldirection both in the stored position and the used position. ln the used position theterrace segments 9 are attached to each other to form an extended andsubstantial horizontal deck area which is extending from the side of the ship orbuilding or other structure.

[0022] The terrace segments 9 are placed at different height levels. Theplatform 1 is thus designed as a trailing platform arranged on the outside 6 of theship 2 or the building 3 other the other structure 4. One or more of the terracesegments 9 may be provided with stair steps 13. The stair steps 13 may beintegrated into one or more of the terrace segments 9 or be attached to the terracesegments 9 in a foldable manner. The stair steps 13 may be provided along a partor a whole transverse side of the terrace segments 9. The stair steps 13 arearranged on a side of the terrace segments 9 which is adjacent a side of anadjacent terrace segment.

[0023] One terrace segment 9 is overlying a subjacent terrace segment 9. ln theused position, the overlying terrace segment 9 may rest on a subjacent side of the subjacent terrace segment 9. The side that the overlying terrace segment 9 isresting on is preferable one of the transverse sides of the terrace segments 9which is in contact with an adjacent terrace segment 9.

[0024] A subjacent side of a terrace segment 9 may interact with a side of anoverlying terrace segment 9 this to increase the thickness for the supportingstructure, and thus also increase the strength of the beam and its load bearingcharacteristics. The cooperating sides of the terrace segments 9 distribute the loadfrom the terrace segments 9 along the sides of the terrace segments 9 which mayconstitute a structure with a double thickness of one terrace segment 9.

[0025] The transverse sides 14 of the terraces segment 9 which is abuttingagainst each other in the used position may be provided with at least oneinteracting fitting (not shown) on each terrace segment 9, and the fittings areinteracting with each other. Another alternative is that each terrace segment 9 isprovided with at least one locking device on each terrace segment 9, which lockingdevices are interacting with each other. Yet another alternative is that each terracesegment 9 is provided with a counter beam (not shown) which is interacting with a subjacent counter beam on a lower terrace segment 9.

[0026] To prevent passengers and personnel from falling from an extendedplatform 1 the sides of the platform 1 which are protruding from the side of the ship2 or the building 3 or other structure 4, are surrounded of railings 15. The railings15 may be integrated into the terrace segments 9 and be able to be folded downinto the terrace segments 9 in the stored position and unfolded from the terracesegments 9 in the used position or the railings 15 may be mountable onto theterrace segments 9, in the used position, and demountable from the terracesegments 9 in the stored position.

[0027] The terrace segments 9 may be provided with attachment brackets (notshown) integrated into the terrace segments 9, for furniture, or furniture may beintegrated into the terrace segments 9, which furniture are folded into the terracesegments 9 in the stored position, and unfolded from the terrace segments 9 in the used position. Furniture which is integrated and foldable into the terrace segment will decrease the need of available storage space for the furniture in other areas ofthe ship 2, the building 3 or other structure 4.

[0028] The outermost terrace segment of a platform 1 may be a tender platform,this to facilitate loading and unloading of various deliveries, passengers orpersonnel from a ship. The tender platform may be designed so that tender boatsmay embark.

[0029] The platform 1 may be supported by the top 16 of the railings 15, whichare designed as struts attached to at least the outermost terrace segment and theside 6 of the ship 2 or building 3 or other structure 4. The struts are designed to support the platform 1 in a substantial horizontal manner, in the used position.

[0030] ln the first embodiment, shown in fig. 1-4, the terrace segments 9 arefastened in a horizontal manner to a common vertical shaft 17, around which shaft17 the terrace segments 9 are rotatable. The terrace segments 9 are placed with aminimum distance to each other. Each terrace segment 9 rest on a bearing (notshown) which is arranged between each one of the terrace segments 9. Thebearings are located close to the vertical shaft 17 which is acting as a verticalrotational axis. ln a configuration, the platform 1 comprises nine segments, each ofwhich has an extension angle of 20 degrees, and thus the extension of theplatform 1 in the used position is180 degrees. Any other configuration of theplatform 1 may be possible for example 45, 90, 135, 225 degrees, depending onthe extension angle of each terrace segment 9 and the desired extension of theplatform 1. As an example the platform segment has a radius of approx.12 meters,a vertical thickness of approx. 0,3 meters and a horizontal width in its outerperiphery of approx. 4,5 meters. Due to the size of the terrace segments 9, thetotal weight of the platform 1 is significant. Therefore it is of considerableimportance that the terrace segments 9 rest on bearings to be able to bemaneuvered and rotated around the rotational axis which is constituted by thevertical shaft 17.

[0031] The platform 1, according to the first embodiment, will thus form a spiral staircase which may be used as a stair to transport persons between different floors on the ship 2 or the building 3 or other structure 4. Thus, the firstembodiment of the platform 1 is mainly shaped as a fan.

[0032] The integrated stair steps may be provided along a part or a whole radiusof the terrace segments 9. Preferably the stair steps 13 are provided in the vicinity of the rotational shaft 17, this to imitate a regular stair case.

[0033] The rotation of the terrace segments 9, in the first embodiment, may beachieved with different arrangements. One alternative is that the rotation of theterrace segments 9 is achieved by means of actuators 18, e.g. hydraulic cylindersor electric actuators. Only one of many actuators 18 are shown in fig. 2. Theactuators 18 are mounted onto at least one or more terrace segments 9 which arearranged next to each other and a lever (not shown) will rotate one or more terracesegments 9 due to a turning moment created by the actuators 18. lf more than twoterrace segments 9 are to be rotated by the same actuator 18, a turning device(not shown) is mounted onto the bearing of one terrace segment 9. This turningdevice is arranged to rotate in a track of the next bearing until it locks at an end ofthe track and will rotate the next bearing on an adjacent terrace segment.

[0034] Another alternative is that the rotation of the shaft 17 and the terracesegments 9 may be achieved by a rack- and pinion drive (not shown). The rack-and pinion drive is provided with turning devices (not shown) which are mountedon each bearing on each individual terrace segment 9. The turning device isarranged to rotate in a track of an adjacent bearing until the adjacent bearing willbe locked at an end of a track and will push to rotate the adjacent terrace segment.

[0035] Another alternative is that an engine (not shown) is connected to therotation shaft 17 and is arranged to rotate the rotation shaft 17 and its terrace segments 9 between the stored position and the used position.

[0036] The terrace segments 9 may be shaped as circular sectors which form aplatform 1 shaped as a part circle and the terrace segments 9 are attached in their pointed parts 19 to a shaft 17 around which the terrace segments 9 are arranged to pivot.

[0037] The pointed parts 19 of the terrace segments 9 shaped as circularsectors may be provided with protruding parts 20, which is shown in fig. 2-3. Theprotruding parts 20 may act as counten/veights and as anvils. Each anvi| isarranged to cooperate with a housing 21, fixed attached to the ship 2 or building 3or other structure 4. The protruding parts 20 of the terrace segments 9 arearranged to protrude on the reverse side of the vertical shaft 17.

[0038] Fig. 4 shows an isometric view of the first embodiment of the invention inthe used position. The terrace segments 9 of the platform 1 are provided railings15. The terrace segments 9 may be provided with furniture 34. The stair steps 13may be provided along a part or a whole radius of the terrace segments 9.

[0039] ln one embodiment the recess 5 is arranged to close a gate water tight alternatively spray-proof.

Claims (8)

1. A platform (1) which is extendible from a side of a ship (2) or a building(3) or other structure (4), the platform (1) is further anchored to a fixed structure onthe ship (2) or building (3) or other structure (4), and the platform (1) comprises atleast two terrace segments (9), which are manoeuvrable between a stored positionand a used position in which the terrace segments (9) are attached to each otherto form an extended and substantial horizontal deck area which is extending fromthe side of the ship (2) or building or (3) other structure (4) characterized in thatthe terrace segments (9) are fastened in a horizontal manner to a common verticalshaft (17), around which shaft (17) the terrace segments (9) are rotatable between the stored position and the used position.

2. Platform according to claim 1, wherein, in the stored position, the terracesegments (9,) are stored in a recess (5) in an outer side (6) of the ship (2) or thebuilding (3) or other structure (4).

3. Platform according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, in the stored position, theterrace segments (9,) are oriented in a horizontal I direction.

4. Platform according to any of claims 1-3, wherein, in the stored position,the terrace segments (9,) are placed at different height levels.

5. Platform according to any of claims 1-4, wherein stair steps (13) areintegrated into the one or more of the terrace segments (9).

6. Platform according to any of claims 1-5, wherein one terrace segment(9,) which is overlying a subjacent one, in the used position, is interacting with a subjacent side of the subjacent terrace segment (9).

7. Platform according to any of claims 1-6, wherein each terrace segment(9,) is provided with at least one interacting fitting on each terrace segment (9),which fittings are interacting with each other or each terrace segment (9) is provided with at least one locking device on each terrace segment (9), which {F1o} Iocking devices are interacting with each other or each terrace segment (9) isprovided with a counter beam which is interacting with a subjacent counter beam on a lower terrace segment (9).

8. Platform according to any of claims 1-7, wherein the rai|ings (15) areintegrated into the terrace segments (9) and folded down into the terracesegments (9) in the stored position and unfolded from the terrace segments (9) in the used position.