WO2014182173A1

WO2014182173A1 - Device for a transport ramp, and a method to operate same

Info

Publication number: WO2014182173A1
Application number: PCT/NO2013/000022
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gunnstein Soltveit
Original assignee: Tts Ships Equipment As
Priority date: 2013-05-06
Filing date: 2013-05-06
Publication date: 2014-11-13

Abstract

A ramp for forming a temporary transport connection between a vessel and a quay is disclosed. The ramp comprises a frame having a plurality of elements that shifts between a folded position in the vessel, and an extended position, and where the innermost end of the frame is hingedly mounted in the vessel. The ramp comprises means that allow the frame to be tilted. In one embodiment, the ramp has a plurality of telescopic elements which slides in and out of the frame. A method is also disclosed.

Description

DEVICE FOR A TRANSPORT RAMP,

AND A METHOD TO OPERATE SAME.

The present invention relates to a ramp to form a temporary transport connection between a vessel and a foundation such as a pier in connection with the vessel.

The invention also relates to a method for the pulling out and retracting of the ramp.

The present invention is considered to be applied to ramps composed of the type of ramp elements that are mutually hinged together and which can be flipped and folded together about the hinge joints to a compact, folded storage space-saving unit, and be reset into an unfolded position where the elements form the continuous transport connection. A second ramp structure is formed by elements that are telescopically pushed out the one into or over the other for the formation of the compact unit, or are pulled out to form the continuous transport connection.

In the following of this specification, the invention with reference to a such telescopic structure of a transport frame is disclosed.

Prior art

Today ramps for the transfer of goods, vehicles and personnel to and from a pier are standard equipment on ships. The challenge with the construction of such ramps is that they must be stable and safe in use at the same time as the application and handling ought to be flexible and simple. The flexibility is necessary because of the variations in the ocean level at ebb and high tides and also because the pier installations in different harbours vary considerably in height and shape so that gangway ramps that can be adjusted to both different heights and distances are required. However, transport ramps for temporary connection between a vessel and another construction are also used for other vehicles, such as lorry trucks, trains, aircrafts and the like. Today's system for gangway ramps are mainly based on ramp elements that can be folded up to be stored inside the ship, and where the outer part can form a hatch part that covers the gate opening in the side of the ship. The disadvantage with these systems is that they are very inflexible with regard to different angles of the ramp and also that they require much space on board the vessel when in a stored state.

With regard to prior art reference is given to the following patent documents: EP-1 .291 .278, EP-1 .854.715, WO-9729946, WO-9632317 and GB-2.276.592. Object of the invention.

It is an object of the invention to provide a gangway ramp for pedestrians and/or cargo and which forms a connection from a ship to a pier or a corresponding foundation. It is a further object of the invention that it shall be possible to store the ramp in a space-saving way inside the vessel.

It is also an object of the invention that the ramp shall be flexible with regard to its angle position and distance from the pier, in particular to be able to adjust it to the conditions in the harbour where there are great differences between ebb and high tide.

Furthermore, it is an aim of the invention to provide a compact and space saving lifting/lowering construction to flip the innermost frame up and down in front of the hinge joint.

The present invention.

The ramp according to the invention is characterised in that the ramp comprises a frame with a number of joined elements that are reset from a compact put together (folded up) storage position inside the vessel and to an extended position where they form the transport connection, and where the innermost end of the frame is articulatedly fitted inside the vessel, and the device comprises means whereby the frame can be raised and lowered so that the angle a of the ramp can be adjusted to the height of the foundation.

The preferred embodiments can be seen in the dependent claims 2-9.

The method according to the invention is characterised by the features that appear in claim 10.

Description of the figures.

Embodiments of the invention shall now be described with the help of examples, with reference to the following figures:

Figure 1 shows a side outline of a transport ramp according to the invention in two positions, one in extended position before lowering down onto a pier surface and a second position where it rests on the pier surface or another surface after being lowered down.

Figure 2 shows the transport ramp in figure 1 seen from above. Figure 3 shows the transport ramp in figure 1 in perspective seen from above at an angle.

Figure 4 shows a perspective of the device in a preferred embodiment of the invention seen at an angle from the inside of the ship to show the compact winch system that is used with the invention to lift and lower the ramp.

Figure 5 shows the principle of a jigger winch related to the present invention. A jigger winch is driven by a hydraulic cylinder with one or more wire discs placed on a piston rod at the opposite end. A line/wire is placed several times over the discs and is pulled in by the piston being forced out, with a set transmission as preferably given as 1 :2. This type of winch is used instead of a drum winch for short wire movements, for example, for the opening of car gates on ferries etc.

Figure 6 shows the gangway ramp in perspective (at an angle) seen from the outside of the vessel in extended state. Figure 7 shows the gangway ramp in perspective seen from the outside of the vessel (at an angle) in storage position, but where only one unfolded hydraulic flap extends out through a gate opening in the ship. Description of the embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 1 shows a telescopic, extendable ramp 1 such as a gangway ramp for a ship 2 in extended and lowered down state and where an outer end of the ramp has a flap plate 30 which is flipped down to rest on the pier surface 4, or other foundation, either simultaneously with or after the lowering of the main ramp. Thereby, the ramp 1 forms a temporary transport connection between the ship 2 and the pier 4 where the ship 2 has docked to allow passengers to embark and disembark and/or driving on or off of cargo, vehicles and the like.

The ramp 1 comprises a number of telescopic, extendable elements 20a,20b that can be pushed in to and out from the outer end 18 of the outer frame 10 of the telescope parts that are permanent inside the ship. The outer frame 10 itself can rotate with its inner end 16 about a horizontal axis 1 2 in the hull of the ship 2. The opposite (outer) end 18 is connected with a rig construction inside the ship adjoining the side of the ship at the hatch that can be opened, whereby the outer frame 10 can be lifted, with the help of a driving gear, see figures 4 and 5, up and down about the axis 12 and its angle a can be set at any position according to need. As figures 4-5 show the drive gear for this purpose (such as a jigger winch) is fitted on an internal deck 100 in the ship 2. The outer frame 10, and thereby the whole of the ramp 1 , can thus be raised and lowered so that the angle a of the ramp 1 can be adjusted to the height of the pier surface 4 and thereby be adjusted into a rational position against the pier 4 or another foundation such as a building. Figure 4 shows this construction most clearly with the rig construction for raising and lowering of the frame 10 placed immediately inside the side of the ship 2. The outer telescope frame 10 has a frame or box form that the telescopic, extendable frame parts 20a,20b can be stored inside. In the storage the telescope elements 20 are pushed into the outer frame 10 from the end 18 so that the outermost part that rests on the pier 4 lies innermost in the frame 10 during storage, i.e. that the telescope frame 20b is pushed into the frame 20 which is then pushed into the fixed frame 10. This is considered to be optimal with respect to the stability of the ramp and the weight distribution of the individual elements. However, a structure where the outermost, extended, telescope element is pushed on the outer side of the inner frame that is connected to the ship 2 (not shown) can also be imagined. How these three elements make up their telescope form can vary, for example, shaped as U- formed frame beams where the one is pushed in over the other.

The forward (outer) end 16 of the frame 10 is fitted to a rig 8 inside the ship, and to an especially adapted winch as shown in the figures 4/5, so that this end of the outer frame 10 can be lowered and raised whereby the angle a of the ramps can be adjusted to a rational position against the pier 4. The rig 8 in the form of a deflection of the vertical frame beam 8, and tilted beam 40 is mainly there to stabilise the ramp against sideway forces that often occur in the practical use of the ramp. This is carried out in that the inner end is connected to a hinge 12, while the outer end is connected to an engine that can push/flip the ramp end upwards and downwards in guides, such as in guides 40 in arch-formed rails 42, in the ramp housing, such as with the help of piston/cylinder units. These piston/cylinder units, one on either side of the ramp, can be fitted in the deck while the piston is fastened in the frame 10 and is thus set up to lift the ramp up and down.

In the present case, and illustrated in the figures 4 and 5, it is preferred that the ramp is suspended in wires 15 and 152, respectively, with one on either side of the ramp and which run via their own guide discs/pulleys 134 and 144, respectively in an above part of the hull, and in hoops via individual discs 132 and 142, respectively, and 130 and 132 respectively, forward to and around a common disc 122 connected to a single piston rod 121 that is driven by one single pressure cylinder 120.

The structure of discs and the pressure cylinder is arranged in a horizontal plane on the deck 100 in the ship and under the inner ramp 10 itself. Thereby, it takes up little room in an otherwise narrow space in the ship. Such directly acting winch systems are called jigger winches as explained above. In this case the jigger winch can be constructed with a transmission of 1 :2, i.e. if the winch piston 121 is pushed out of the hydraulic cylinder 120 by 1 meter, the line length is pulled in twice as much so that the frame 10 is lifted by two meters. The guiding disc 122 of the cylinder 120 connected to the piston 121 comprises two line grooves, one for each of the two line hoops 150,152 of the frame suspension, so that the tightening-up of the lines 150,152 are in synchrony, which means that the line stretches 15 and 152, respectively, are pulled in and slackened off the same.

In a most preferred embodiment the ramp 1 comprises two extendable, telescopic, elements 20a and 20b, respectively, i.e. a fixed element 18 and two extendable elements 20a,20b. Dependent on the application areas, a construction with only one telescope element (one fixed and one extendable element) can also be relevant, or it can use even more extendable elements 20.

Instead of a jigger winch fitted under the frame plate 10 on the deck 100, another type of winch can of course also be used placed in another location in the ship's hull, and with appropriate guides of wires up to the pulleys 134,144. Piston/cylinder units where the unit with a driving rod (the end of which is fastened to the outer end of the ramp part 10) can also be used and the pressure cylinder takes up room in the deck under or above the space where the ramp itself is fitted.

The telescope elements 20 and the frame 10 preferably comprise plate-formed parts that overlap each other or adjoin each other and thereby form a continuous path 14, 22 for a gangway or transport route out from the vessel 2 to the foundation 4 as shown in the figures 1 ,2 and 3.

With a high angle of ascent a (see fig. 1 ) between the vessel 2 and the pier 4 in relation to the distance between these, it can be advantageous to have a step- formed construction of the bottom elements 14, 22. In this case these ought to be collapsible for storing to make an application possible together with the basic telescope-like structure of the ramp 1 .

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the telescope elements 20, and optionally the frame 10, is fitted with a foldable railing 40. The railing 40 ought to extend along at least one side of the ramp 1 , preferably along both sides when the ramp is used for pedestrians such as in a gangway ramp for a ship. For other applications, such as for transport ramps for a vehicles, other safety and guiding equipment can be used, such as foldable sidewalls and the like, according to need. The end of the outermost extendable element 20 at the end of the ramp 1 that makes contact with/rests on the pier surface 4 can be formed by a hydraulic plate or flap 30 that is fitted to the outermost element 20 so that it can be horizontally flipped at the joint 32.

Other elements of which the ramp is comprised that are preferably controlled hydraulically are the angle of the ramp 10, and also the pulling out of the telescope elements 20. The ramp part 20a is set up to be pushed in guides in the inner frame 18 that can pivot, i.e. that the ramp part 20a can comprise a set of wheels arranged to roll along rails inside in the ramp part 18. Correspondingly, the outermost telescope element 20a can glide internally in the middle telescope element 20b. The movable telescope parts can be pushed out and pulled in with the help of known drive means. A preferred method to pull out the ramp 1 from a vessel 2, whereby a temporary transport connection is formed between the vessel 2 and the pier 4 in connection with the vessel 2 is as follows:

- activation of a ramp operation system

- pulling out of the telescope elements 20 to a sufficient length to form a connection between the pier 4 and the vessel 2

- simultaneous, or subsequent adjustment of the angle a of the ramp 10 until the ramp 1 rests on the pier 4.

The optionally fitted hydraulic flap 30 which is articulatedly 32 fitted in the outer end 18 of the telescope elements 20a,b is folded out before being pulled out, simultaneously with the pulling out or after the elements 20a,b have been pulled out.

If the ramp comprises a further foldable railing this is usually folded after the telescope parts are pulled out.

If the ramp shall be returned to the storage position, this is preferably carried out by the following steps:

- activation of the ramp operation system

- lifting of the ramp so that there is no contact between the pier and the ramp

- the telescope elements are pulled into the outer frame 10

- simultaneous or subsequent adjustment of the frame angle to the final storage position. The ramp according to the present invention can also be suitable for ships, trains, lorry trucks, vehicles for animal transport, aercrafts and the like. The dimensions and manufacturing materials are adjusted according to the application.

It must be understood that the features of the present invention, such as described above, can be modified and be combined without deviating from the extent defined in the claims.

Claims

C L A I M S

1 . Device for a ramp (1 ) to form a temporary transport connection between a vessel (2) and a pier (4)in connection to the vessel (2), characterised in that the ramp comprises a frame with a number of assembled elements that are reset from a compact folded storage position inside the vessel, and an extended position where they form the transport connection, and where the innermost part of the frame is articulatedly fitted inside the vessel, and the device comprises means whereby the frame can be raised and lowered so that the angle a of the ramp can be adjusted to the height of the foundation.

2. Device according to claim 1 , characterised in that the ramp comprises a number of telescopic, extendable elements (20) that are pushed in and out from a frame (10) where the innermost end (16) of the frame (10) is articulatedly (12) fitted inside the vessel (2), or that it comprises ramp elements that are mutually hinged together and which can be flipped and folded together about the hinge joints.

3. Device according to claims 1 -2, characterised in that the telescopic elements (20) and the frame (10) comprise platform parts that overlap each other or adjoin each other and form a base layer (14, 22) for a gangway or transport route out from the vessel (2) to the pier (4).

4. Device according to claims 1 -3, characterised in that the raising and lowering of the frame (10) are provided in that the frame (10) is connected to a rig construction at the outer end (18) and a drive gear that can push/flip the ramp end upwards and downwards in the ramp housing, and, in particular the drive gear is hydraulically driven.

5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the outer end of the frame (10) is connected to drive means suspending in hoisting lines 150,152, one on either side of the frame, said winch is a horizontally positioned jigger winch that operates the hoisting lines via guiding discs, as the hoisting line runs from its fastening in the frame (10) mainly vertically via a guiding disc fastened in a hull construction (2) lying over the frame.

6. Device according to claim 5, characterised in that the jigger winch is constructed with a transmission of 1 :2, i.e. if the winch piston (121 ) is pushed out of the hydraulic cylinder (120) by 1 meter, it tightens line so that the frame is lifted 2 meters.

7. Device according to claim 5, characterised in that the guiding disc (122) of the cylinder (120) connected to the piston (121 ) comprises two line grooves, one for each of the two line hoops (150,152) of the frame suspension so that the tightening in of the lines (150, 152) is in synchrony.

8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the telescopic elements (20) and/or the frame (10) comprise foldable step- formed parts that form a step when in an extended state, and also that each of the telescopic elements (20) is fitted with a foldable railing (40) that runs along at least one side of the ramp (1 ).

9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the outer end of the outermost telescopic element (20) comprises an articulated (32) hydraulic flap (30).

10. Method to pull out a ramp (1 ) from a vessel whereby a temporary transport connection is formed between the vessel (2) and a foundation (4) in connection to the vessel (2), and in which the ramp (1 ) comprises a number of telescopically, extendable elements (20) that are pushed in and out from a frame (10) where the one end of the frame (10) is articulatedly (12) fix in one end (16) inside the vessel (2) and the opposite end (18) of the frame (10), from which the telescopic elements (10) can be pulled out, can be raised and lowered so that the angle a of the ramp (1 ) can be adjusted to the height of the foundation (4), characterised by the following steps

- the ramp operation system is activated

- the telescopic elements (20) are pulled out to a sufficient length to form a connection between the foundation (4) and the vessel (2), and

- simultaneously or subsequently the angle a of the frame (10) is adjusted until the ramp (1 ) rests on the foundation (4), whereupon the flap (30) is put down on the pier, and said steps are carried out in the opposite order when the ramps shall be transferred to a parked position inside the vessel.