WO2020094957A1

WO2020094957A1 - Safety device for rescue at sea

Info

Publication number: WO2020094957A1
Application number: PCT/FR2019/052603
Authority: WO
Inventors: Fabien LE SCIELLOUR; Tristan PODER
Original assignee: Outils Oceans
Priority date: 2018-11-06
Filing date: 2019-11-04
Publication date: 2020-05-14
Also published as: FR3088056B1; FR3088056A1

Abstract

Safety device (1) for rescue at sea, comprising: - a housing (2) comprising a first facade (3a) and a second facade (3b), the housing comprising two side walls (4a, 4b) substantially positioned facing each other, and a bottom (5) closing the housing (2) on one side, the side walls (4a, 4b) and the bottom (5) extending between the two above-mentioned facades; - a flexible ladder (12) attached at the first end thereof to the bottom (5) of the housing, comprising at least three rungs; - a discharge opening (9) for the flexible ladder arranged in the housing; and the safety device being intended to switch from a folded configuration, in which the flexible ladder (12) is folded in the housing (2), to a deployed configuration in which the flexible ladder (12) extends via the discharge opening (9) while remaining attached to the bottom of the housing (2); characterised in that the discharge opening (9) comprises a ramp comprising a curved partition (10) which extends from the first facade (3).

Description

Title of the invention: Safety device to enable rescue at sea

The present invention is in the field of safety devices, and relates more particularly, but not exclusively, to safety equipment in the field of boating, and more particularly relates to pleasure boating. The present invention relates in particular to a safety device to enable rescue at sea.

Among the safety equipment whose presence is imposed by the standards and / or regulations of the nautical field (in particular the standard EN / ISO 15085 and the European directive 94/25 / EC), and in particular within the framework of boating, it is known to use ancillary equipment to recover people who have fallen overboard while sailing. To this end, the safety ladders which equip pleasure vessels generally consist of a flexible ladder, of the rope ladder type, which is linked to the railing or the railing which surrounds the deck of the boat.

Different ladder models are known, the flexible ladder being able to be fixed to a carabiner, as described in application W087G3328, and it is possible to set up the ladder in a bag. The bag allows the storage and the provision of the ladder at any time on the part of the ship where it can be used for the aforementioned purposes. The bag must be attached to the railing and the deployment of the flexible ladder from the bag is carried out to release the ladder and allow a person overboard to go up on the deck of the ship. Although reliable and very practical to implement, this type of device is not compatible with all ships, because not all of them have suitable guardrails in terms of configuration and strength.

Among the systems implemented with ladders of the rope ladder type, it is known to use housings inserted in a part of a building and which can be used in order to release the ladder. Such systems are complicated by their conformation, and they impose the use of thrust elements for the expulsion of the ladder, as for example the device described in application GB 2 444 499 In addition, the scales integrated in these housings in the building sector are not configured with the appropriate slats and ropes to meet the practices and regulations in force in the world of boating .

The present invention aims to remedy the drawbacks of the prior art.

To this end, according to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a safety device for enabling sea rescue comprising:

- A housing comprising a first facade and a second facade, the housing comprising two walls qualified as side walls substantially positioned opposite, and a wall called bottom and closing the housing on one side, the side walls and the bottom s 'extend between the two above facades;

- a flexible ladder fixed to one of its two ends, called the first end, on the bottom of the case comprising at least three steps;

- an outlet for the flexible ladder provided in the housing and preferably positioned substantially facing the bottom;

the safety device being designed to pass from a folded configuration in which the flexible ladder is folded back into the housing, to a deployed configuration in which the flexible ladder extends by the discharge mouth while remaining fixed on the bottom of the housing,

characterized in that the discharge mouth comprises a ramp comprising a curved partition which extends from the first facade. Such a device is used for rescue at sea and climbing back on board a nautical boat. The ladder is a flexible ladder, for example made from an arrangement of materials which give it flexibility at the level of the links which separate the rungs and rigidity at the level. Each rung comprises a slat made of piastic material (s), preferably a composite, inserted in a flexible sheath, the flexible sheath being sewn with ties which laterally hold the rungs integral with each other. The plastic batten is advantageously a flexible batten which can be deformed, folded by simple manipulation by a user. The curved partition makes it possible to guide the exit of the flexible ladder fixed in the housing and to evacuate it by pulling it from below in the configuration of use of the device according to the invention when it is integrated into the hull of a ship.

The inventors have demonstrated that such an arrangement not only makes it possible to have a device which can be built into a ship's hull, but also to be able to offer the following advantages:

- no longer having to position the security system on a balcony (railing), which avoids having equipment on the deck of the ship and improves the reliability of the ladder attachment;

- the device is always present without risk of deterioration or removal and is therefore always available when needed;

- integration in a housing reduces the risk of rust and sagging

- such a device is easily built into many nautical supports such as sailboats, motor boats, monohulls or multihulls (catamarans ...), and requires no particular maintenance;

- the installation of the box in a hull by the boat builder or on a site is very simple.

The invention is advantageously implemented according to the embodiments and the variants set out below, which are to be considered individually or in any technically operative combination.

Advantageously, the housing has two lateral recesses, respectively a first lateral recess and a second lateral recess, which open laterally on the bottom of the housing opposite one another, the lateral recesses cooperating with the ends of a step of the flexible scale. Advantageously, the first end of the flexible ladder comprises a rung, qualified as a fixing rung, preferably of greater length than the other rungs, comprising a first end embedded in the first lateral recess and a second end embedded in the second recess lateral. Thus, the ladder is securely and reliably attached to the bottom of the housing. Such an assembly allows easier maintenance and to be able to position or remove the ladder precisely without damaging it.

The ladder discharge mouth advantageously comprises two lateral notches, a first lateral notch and a second lateral notch, positioned opposite one another and located substantially on the junction between the curved partition and the first facade. Such a configuration of the discharge mouth makes it possible to offer fixing means in order to be able to clip ends of slat steps from the flexible ladder inside the discharge mouth. The flexible ladder advantageously comprises at the other of its two ends, called the second end, a rung, qualified as a locking rung, integrating at each end a first conformation tongue adapted to cooperate by clipping in the first lateral notch and a second shaping tongue adapted to cooperate by clipping into the second lateral notch. The locking rung advantageously comprises a flexible slat which bends under the effect of a pull exerted on the ladder to release the tabs from the ratchet locking ratchet, or to allow repositioning of the rung tabs locking in these notches. The actuation of the flexible ladder is very simple to implement from the outside, both for the ejection of the ladder into the housing or for its storage. This mechanism using clipping is very simple to perform and does not risk causing seizure. In addition, such a flexible ladder that can be clipped into its housing allows both use for safety, that is to say rescue at sea, as well as for pleasure, since it can be used easily when bathing occupants of the ship.

Advantageously, the flexible ladder comprises a traction cord fixed on a fraction rung, the traction rung is preferably the rung which directly follows the fixing rung, that is to say which is placed adjacent to the fixing rung. The pull cord is advantageously inserted into a bore in the housing, but can also pass through the discharge mouth, and makes it possible to deploy the flexible ladder by exerting a pull on the cord. Thus, a person at sea can activate the ladder by pulling the slat not attached to the case closest to the bottom of the case, and cause the descent and instantaneous unwinding of the flexible ladder. Advantageously, the second facade includes a cover comprising at least one ventilation means. Thus, the device can be mounted on the hull of a boat at an area integrating the machines and the engines of the boat, which requires ventilation. The ventilation means advantageously includes two air vents, for optimal ventilation of the technical room which incorporates the motors and which is preferably positioned on the transom of pleasure craft. Said air vents are advantageously connected to the ship's ventilation ducts. Thanks to this configuration, the device according to the invention has an additional ventilation function, the exhaust outlet then being an air intake - for example for the ventilation of a technical room - which also makes it possible to minimize the openings in the hull of the boat.

The present invention also relates to a ship hull comprising a slot and the safety device as described above in the context of the invention which is fixed on the internal part of the hull and the discharge outlet of the flexible ladder opens into the slot light. The machining or molding of the slot can be carried out simultaneously with the manufacture of the shell. The device is advantageously fixed by gluing to the internal part of the shell, which makes it possible to have only one slot visible from the outside, and no visible part, which reduces the risk of deterioration. The hull of the ship being considered in its position of use, the safety device is fixed on the hull such that the fixing rung is positioned substantially upwards, the locking rung is fixed by its two tabs towards the low in the side notches. To release the ladder, a man overboard pulls on the cord and releases the flexible ladder that descends through the vent and the slot in the hull.

The slot and the security device are advantageously located on the rear panel of said shell. The term "transom" within the meaning of the present invention, sometimes referred to as "aft balcony", defines the area aft of the ship which includes in particular the engines or ventilation systems of the ship. Such positioning is advantageous because it makes it possible to connect to the security device comprising the flexible grid one or more ventilation ducts which use the opening made in the shell (slot) to suck in air. In addition, the transom is more accessible for a man overboard and gripping the cord at this level is therefore easier.

The present invention also relates to a method of using the safety device according to the invention integrated into the hull of a ship, comprising the following steps:

- unfold the ladder by traction;

- use the ladder to go back on board the ship; and

- store the ladder in the box by folding it up and exerting a push from the bottom up for the insertion of the rungs in the evacuation mouth The method according to the invention advantageously comprises an additional step consisting in exerting pressure on the locking rung to clip the first tab and the second tab into the first lateral notch and the second lateral notch.

The ladder is triggered by pulling the cord suddenly. The action on the cord makes it possible to compress the ladder and therefore to exert pressure on the locking rung. Under the effect of this pressure, the lath of the locking rung which is advantageously flexible bends and / or the tongues bend in the lateral notches and unclip from said notches to release the locking rung. As a result, by gravity, the entire ladder deploys along the hull and dives into the water by its own weight. It is therefore possible for a man overboard to go back on board.

To store the flexible ladder in its case after use, the user folds the rungs one by one and pushes them into the slot.

When the ladder is fully folded back into the housing, a simple press on the locking rung clips the tabs into the side notches.

Other advantages, aims and characteristics of the present invention emerge from the description which follows, made for an explanatory and detrimental purpose, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: [Fig. 1] Figures 1 and 2 show an exploded view of a security device according to the invention in use configuration;

[Fig. 2] Figures 1 and 2 show an exploded view of a security device according to the invention in use configuration;

[Fig. 3] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the same device through the second facade, without the cover;

[Fig. 4] Figure 4 shows another perspective view of the same device by the first facade;

[Fig. 5] Figure 5 shows a detailed view of Figure 4, at the outlet of the device according to the invention;

[Fig. 6] Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the safety device with a cover fixed to the inner wall of the hull of a ship;

[Fig. 7] Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the safety device with another type of cover fixed on the inner wall of the hull of a ship, said cover comprising equipment for connecting air outlets;

[Fig. 8] FIG. 8 represents a perspective view of the slot made on the hull of the ship with the discharge opening of the safety device placed opposite the slot, according to an embodiment for which the cord passes through a drilling of shell ; and

[Fig. 9] FIG. 9 represents another perspective view of the slot made on the hull of the ship with the discharge mouth of the safety device placed opposite the slot, according to an embodiment for which the cord passes through the mouth evacuation.

Figure 1 shows the safety device 1 according to the invention in an exploded view to better view its different elements, including a housing 2 closed on one side by a first facade 3a on which extend two side walls 4a and 4b and a bottom 5. A first lateral recess 6a and a second lateral recess 6b, open laterally on the bottom 5 on the side of each side wall 4a and 4b. According to this advantageous embodiment, the housing 2 has a second facade 3b facing the first facade 3a integrating a flange 8 which stretches both on the bottom, the side walls, and the side recesses by closing part of a discharge mouth 9. The discharge mouth 9 comprises a curved partition 10 which extends from the first facade on the flange 8. On the other hand, the discharge mouth 9 comprises two lateral notches, a first lateral notch 11a and a second lateral notch 11b, positioned facing one another and located substantially on the junction between the curved partition 10 and the first facade 3.

The safety device 1 incorporates a flexible ladder 12, comprising rungs 13. A fixing bar integrated into the ladder and designated fixing rung 14 makes it possible to fix the flexible ladder 12 to the housing by the two lateral recesses 6a and 6b. A locking rung 15 located on the opposite end of the end of the ladder which includes the fixing rung 14, makes it possible to maintain the ladder in the housing by the lateral notches 11a and 11b in which are inserted a first tongue 16a of conformation adapted to cooperate by clipping in the first lateral notch, and, a second tongue 16b of conformation adapted to cooperate by clipping in the second lateral notch.

The locking rung 15 comprises a flexible slat 18 either to release the locking rung 15 by traction by folding the slat 18 and releasing the tabs 16a, 16b from the side notches 11a, 11b - which has for effect of unfolding the flexible ladder 12, that is to store the flexible ladder 12 after its use by folding the slat 18 and engaging the tabs 18a, 16b in the lateral notches 11a, 11b.

The flexible ladder 12 also includes a traction cord 19 fixed on a traction rung 20, which is the first rung which follows the fixing rung 14. The traction cord 19 is passed through an orifice outlet 21 positioned on a finger 22 provided on the lower part of the rim 8 which communicates with the discharge mouth 9.

The housing 2 is closed on one side by the second facade 3b which has a cover 24 incorporating holes 25 for mounting by screwing on the flange 8 of the second facade 3b. The cover 24 comprises a ventilation means which, in the context of the embodiment shown in the figures, consists of two air vents 26a and 26b. These air vents 26a and 26b make it possible to ventilate a technical area or equipment by connecting two ducts to it, the air is taken from the discharge mouth 9 (and the slot described below) which then fulfills an additional function of ventilation. A seal 27 is placed between the flange 8 and the cover 24 to improve the seal.

The safety device 1 according to the invention is fixed to the transom 28 of the hull of a ship (see Figure 6 and 7). The device 1 is fixed on the internal part of the hull and the evacuation opening 9 of the flexible ladder opens into the lumen of a slot 29 formed in the hull, shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. According to a mode of realization, the pull cord

19 descends through the slot 29, and it is neither useful to provide the outlet orifice 21, nor the finger 22 (FIG. 9).

The ladder is triggered by pulling "sharply" on the cord which must be less than 50 cm from the waterline.

The action on the traction cord 19 which is fixed on the traction rung

20 makes it possible to compress the ladder and therefore to exert pressure on the locking rung. Under the effect of this pressure, the flexible slat 18 of the locking rung 15 bends and / or the tabs 16a, 16b bend in the lateral notches 11a, 11b and unclip from said notches to release the rung of locking.

As a result, by gravity, the entire flexible ladder 12 deploys along the hull and plunges into the water by its own weight. It is therefore possible for a man overboard to go back on board.

To store the flexible ladder in its housing after use, the user folds the rungs one by one and pushes them into the slot 29.

When the ladder is fully folded back in the housing, a simple pressure on the locking rung allows the tongues 11a, 11b to be pinched in the lateral notches, so that the safety ladder is again in place and ready for later use.

Claims

Claim 1. Safety device (1) to enable rescue at sea comprising:

- a housing (2) comprising a first facade (3a) and a second facade (3b), the housing comprising two side walls (4a, 4b) substantially positioned opposite, and a bottom (5) closing the housing (2) on one side, the side walls (4a, 4b) and the bottom (5) extending between the two above facades;

- a flexible ladder (12) fixed at its first end to the bottom (5) of the housing, comprising at least three steps;

- an evacuation opening (9) of the flexible ladder provided in the housing; and

the safety device being designed to pass from a folded configuration in which the flexible ladder (12) is folded back in the housing (2), to a deployed configuration in which the flexible ladder (12) extends through the mouth evacuation (9) while remaining attached to the bottom of the housing (2); characterized in that the discharge mouth (9) comprises a ramp comprising a curved partition (10) which extends from the first facade (3)

Claim 2. Device according to claim 1, in which the housing (2) comprises a first lateral recess (6a) and a second lateral recess (6b) which open laterally on the bottom (5) of the housing opposite one of the other, said first lateral recess and second lateral recess cooperating with the ends of a rung (13) of the flexible ladder (12)

Claim 3. Device according to claim 2, in which the first end of the flexible ladder (12) comprises a fixing step (14) comprising a first end embedded in the first lateral recess (6a) and a second end embedded in the second lateral recess (6b)

Claim 4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, in which the discharge mouth (9) of the ladder comprises a first lateral notch (11a) and a second lateral notch (11b), positioned in look at each other and located substantially on the junction between the curved partition (10) and the first facade (3).

Claim 5. Device according to claim 4, in which the flexible ladder

(12) has at its second end a locking rung (15) integrating at each end a first tongue (16a) of conformation adapted to cooperate by clipping into the first lateral notch (1 1 a) and a second tongue (16b) of conformation adapted to cooperate by clipping into the second lateral notch (1 1 b).

Claim 6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, in which the flexible ladder (12) comprises a traction cord (19) fixed on a traction rung (20).

Claim 7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, in which the second facade comprises a cover (24) comprising at least one ventilation means (26a, 26b).

Claim 8. Ship hull comprising a slot and the safety device according to one of claims 1 to 7, the device is fixed on the internal part of the hull and the evacuation mouth (9) of the flexible ladder opens out. in the slot light (29).

Claim 9. The ship hull according to claim 8, wherein the slot

(29) and the safety device (1) are located on the rear panel (29) of said hull.

Claim 10. Method for using the safety device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7 integrated into the hull of a ship, comprising the following steps:

- unfold the ladder by traction;

- use the ladder to go back on board the ship; and

- store the ladder in the housing (2) by folding it up and exerting a push from the bottom up for the insertion of the rungs in the evacuation mouth (9).