Watering and boat attachement lifting platform incorporating a retractable rotating and drop-sliding gangway

Abstract

The invention relates to a hydraulic platform for launching and lifting a boat tender, the platform (2) comprising a floor (20) and a supporting frame (22) extending, in the floor (20) being made a cutout (15) for receiving a gangway (6) for access to a quay. Advantageously, the platform (2) includes means for moving in translation (7, 28) of the walkway (6) relative to the frame (22) along a direction of translation (X), these means for moving in translation including at least one fixed rail (28), extending in the direction (X) at the cutout (15), and a trolley (7) movable along the rail (28), the platform (2) further including means for moving in rotation (10, 11, 12) of the walkway (6) relative to the frame (22) around an axis of rotation (A), these means for moving in rotation (10, 11, 12) of the walkway (6) are at least partly mounted on the trolley (7).The invention further relates to a vessel, such as a catamaran, comprising such a platform (2) for launching and lifting a tender.

Description

[0001] The present invention falls within the technical field of boat fittings, in particular mechanical devices for launching and unloading a load, such as a tender, to or from a ship.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to an improved launching and lifting platform for a boat tender, designed to be placed at the stern of a vessel and moved vertically by an operator relative to the vessel. The platform of the invention incorporates a retractable, rotating, and sliding gangway for disembarking and / or accessing a dock. The invention also relates to a boat, such as a catamaran, on which such a hydraulic platform is incorporated. Previous art

[0003] It is known to equip the deck of a vessel, such as an ocean-going catamaran, with a hydraulic platform capable of supporting a tender, lowering the tender onto a body of water, and then lifting it out of the water to bring it back to the parent vessel. A "tender" is defined as a secondary craft carried on board the parent vessel, such as a motorized or non-motorized dinghy, an inflatable boat, etc.

[0004] The vertical position of the platform is typically controlled by an operator on board, for example between a position adjacent to the ship's deck and a position below the waterline.

[0005] Typically, the hydraulic dinghy support platform extends horizontally, parallel to the ship's deck. The platform is usually mounted on the boat via at least one mechanical arm (preferably two parallel arms) pivotally attached to the boat.

[0006] The Applicant, for example, designed and implemented a vessel platform control device, described and illustrated in European patent EP 3 279 077 B1, which allows the platform to be raised or lowered relative to the vessel while maintaining it substantially horizontally. The control device described in this document includes, in particular, two angled arms, each equipped with a hydraulic cylinder, connected to a connecting rod mounted at one end on the cylinder's extension rod. The device described in this document also includes flexible means for transmitting tensile force, such as pulley lines. The distances between the articulation and attachment points of the various mechanical elements of the control device are specifically dimensioned to ensure the platform remains horizontal throughout its vertical movement.

[0007] The international patent application published under number WO 2022 / 069595 A1, in the name of the Applicant, describes a functional improvement to the device for launching and unloading cargo from or to a boat. To maintain the lifting platform in a horizontal plane during the rotational movement of the support arms, the device described in this document comprises a single extension rod cylinder, capable of acting on additional means for controlling the rotational movement of the platform, in this case a rotating bar located beneath the platform.

[0008] This allows for a clockwise rotation of the arms and simultaneously a counterclockwise rotation of the platform, which makes it possible to keep the platform horizontal using a single cylinder.

[0009] The vertical movement of the platform at the rear of the ship's deck allows, in particular, for the disembarkation or ascent of people between the ship and a dock. The platform can be equipped with a mobile gangway or a ladder to facilitate this process. The gangway can be vertically tilted.

[0010] However, the adjustable angle of the gangway, essential for adapting it to different quay heights, may require suspending it from one or more davits, which remain permanently on the ship's deck. This creates additional space on the ship's deck, as well as extra weight on board.

[0011] Furthermore, when the ship's deck needs to temporarily pass under a quay higher than the aft platform floor, it is generally necessary to fully retract the tilting gangway. Therefore, conventional tilting gangways generate numerous handling constraints.

[0012] A fixed platform extending from the stern of a vessel and incorporating a gangway is also known from document EP 1 854 715. More precisely, in its folded position, the gangway is inserted into the platform so that its upper walkway face is in the same plane as the platform's upper face. Under the force of lifting means in the form of a hydraulic jack, this gangway can be raised above the platform. A telescopic ladder can extend this gangway at its rear end, opposite the vessel. This ladder is designed to engage under the gangway in the folded position, while in the extended position, it can be tilted by rotating around a horizontal axis, again under the force of a hydraulic jack. Finally, DE 91 03 949 U1 describes another type of hydraulic platform whose floor is equipped with a retractable gangway. General description of the invention

[0013] In view of the above, there is a need for a boat tender launching and lifting platform, equipped with a feature allowing for improved disembarkation and access to a dock from the boat, or allowing access to the boat from the dock.

[0014] In particular, there is a need for a boat platform with a boarding and access gangway that can adapt to various quay heights and configurations, so as to facilitate the disembarkation and re-embarkation of people, regardless of the quay's dimensions. Preferably, the gangway should be able to assume multiple vertical positions, to adapt the elevation of its end to the height of the opposite quay.

[0015] There is an additional need for a boat platform equipped with a landing and dock access element that has a simple mechanical design and is made of relatively lightweight and compact materials. In particular, the mechanical design of the landing and dock access element must not prevent the hydraulic launching and lifting platform from remaining horizontal throughout its vertical movement.

[0016] According to an additional objective, it is desirable that the landing and access element to the quay should not have to be moved when the platform has to temporarily pass under a quay that is higher than the platform floor.

[0017] Finally, it is desirable that the integration of the landing and access walkway to the quay does not require overly significant structural and aesthetic modifications to the hydraulic platform.

[0018] To meet these various needs, the invention relates, in a first aspect, to a hydraulic platform for launching and lifting a boat tender, the platform being intended to be placed at the rear of a vessel and to be moved vertically relative to the vessel, while carrying a load such as a boat tender, the platform comprising a floor for supporting said load, and comprising a support frame extending around the periphery of said floor and in which floor is provided a cutout for receiving a gangway providing access to a quay, configured to allow the passage of a person between the platform and the quay, this platform comprising means for moving the gangway in translation relative to the frame along a translational direction X, these means for moving in translation comprising at least one fixed rail, extending along the direction X at the level of the cutout, and a trolley movable along the rail,the platform further comprising means for rotating the walkway relative to the frame around an axis of rotation, these means for rotating the walkway are at least partially mounted on the carriage, the platform floor comprising a tilting element covering the walkway in a retracted position of the walkway by fitting into the cutout in the floor.

[0019] Advantageously, the landing and access gangway to the quay according to the invention cleverly combines two functions in one, which frees up space in a vessel, in this case a boat, since these two functions were previously provided by two separate products.

[0020] The landing and access gangway to the quay, integrated into the launching and lifting platform according to the invention, is retractable. The gangway is thus virtually invisible when retracted into the platform floor, so as to preserve the platform's aesthetics.

[0021] Furthermore, thanks to the platform's integrated rotational and translational movement mechanisms, the gangway can be easily deployed and accessed a variety of vertical and inclined positions, allowing it to adapt to different platform heights. This facilitates disembarkation and access for personnel.

[0022] In addition, the landing and access gangway to the quay can be easily raised without necessarily operating the controls, so as to be able to absorb the swell and adapt the level of the gangway to variations in sea level.

[0023] Optional features of the hydraulic platform according to the first aspect of the invention, which are not limiting to the scope of the invention, are as follows, taken alone or in any of the technically possible combinations: The means for moving the gangway in translation include at least one fixed rail in the frame's reference frame, the rail extending parallel to the axis of translation, preferably two parallel rails located within the thickness of the floor. The frame includes a front edge intended to be oriented towards the boat and an opposite rear edge, the trolley being movable in translation relative to the frame between the front and rear edges. The trolley can be moved to a position against the front edge of the frame. The trolley can be moved to a position against the rear edge of the frame. The means for moving the gangway in rotation are mounted on the trolley, preferably below a top surface of the trolley. The axis of rotation of the gangway and the axis of translation of the gangway are orthogonal. The means for moving the gangway in rotation include a hydraulic cylinder.The cylinder includes a chamber and an extension rod, and a proximal end of the walkway includes a foot element, the extension rod being configured to push on said foot element during its extension so as to pivot the walkway upwards relative to the frame. The tilting element includes a slatted frame. The tilting element is dimensioned to fit within the floor cutout and to overlap the carriage above it throughout the carriage's travel between the rear edge of the frame and the front edge of the frame.

[0024] The invention further relates, according to a second aspect, to a vessel which may preferably be a nautical vessel such as a catamaran, comprising a hydraulic platform as defined above which includes a rotating and sliding gangway for landing and access to a quay, preferably on a rear side of the nautical vessel.

[0025] Optional features of the vessel according to the second aspect of the invention, which are not limiting to the scope of the invention, are as follows, taken alone or in any of the technically possible combinations: The vessel includes at least one support arm connecting the vessel and the platform, with a proximal end of said arm mounted on the vessel and a distal end of said arm mounted on the platform. The vessel includes two parallel support arms. The platform is movable relative to the vessel between a raised position, in which at least one arm extends parallel to the plane of the platform floor, and a lowered position, in which said arm forms a non-zero angle with the plane of the platform floor. The arm(s) and the platform are configured so that the platform remains generally horizontal throughout its movement between the raised and lowered positions. General description of the figures

[0026] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description below, this description being supplemented by the accompanying figures given by way of illustration and not limitation, among which: [ Fig. 1a] [Fig. 1b ] THE Figures 1a and 1b schematically represent a device for launching and lifting a load, comprising a hydraulic platform according to an example embodiment, the platform being viewed from the side in its raised and lowered positions respectively in these two figures. Fig. 2 ] There Figure 2 is a perspective view from above of a hydraulic launching and lifting device platform according to an exemplary embodiment, in which the access walkway to the quay is shown in the retracted, upright position and is concealed by a tilting floor. Fig. 3 ] There Figure 3 is a top view of the platform of the Figure 2, in which the access gangway to the platform is placed in the raised, retracted position. Fig. 4 ] There Figure 4 is a schematic top view of the access gangway to the platform, placed in an intermediate position, with a tilting floor shown in transparency to partially reveal the gangway and trolley. Fig. 5 ] There Figure 5 is a close-up view of the underside of the access footbridge to the quay of the Figure 4 placed in an intermediate position, on which a jack system is visible. Fig. 6 ] There Figure 6 is a top view of the platform of the Figure 2 , in which the access gangway to the platform is placed in the upright deployed position. Fig. 7 ] There Figure 7 is a top view of the platform of the Figure 2 , in which the access gangway to the platform is placed in the lowered, deployed position. Fig. 8 ] There Figure 8 is a view similar to the Figure 2, in which the cradles appear in their normal position on the platform, with the access walkway to the quay shown in its fully retracted position. Fig. 9 ] There Figure 9 is a view similar to the Figure 6 , in which the cradles appear in an offset position on the platform, the access walkway to the quay being shown in the deployed position. Detailed description of a specific example of implementation

[0027] We have schematically represented, with reference to the Figures 1a and 1b , A hydraulic platform 2 for launching and lifting loads such as a tender, seen from the side in the raised and lowered positions respectively. The tender (not shown in the figures) includes, for example, a motorized or non-motorized boat, an inflatable craft, etc.

[0028] The hydraulic platform 2, preferably extending in a horizontal plane, is configured to integrate with a launching and lifting device 1. The device 1 is preferably located on the aft side of the vessel, for example, in line with a deck. The vessel is preferably a nautical vessel, such as an ocean-going catamaran. The device 1 can be stored inside the vessel when not in use.

[0029] Platform 2 can therefore be moved vertically on command, relative to the boat, for example at the same time as platform 2 is carrying a load such as a boat tender.

[0030] Preferably, platform 2 further comprises a plurality of cradles 18 positioned on its upper surface, said cradles 18 allowing for the positioning and support of a boat tender. As will be detailed below, the cradles 18 are preferably capable of sliding along a Z-axis, so as to horizontally offset the boat tender and clear access to the gangway 6 when the latter is in the deployed position. - General operation of the launching and load-lifting platform

[0031] The launching and lifting device 1, according to the example shown on the Figures 1a and 1b Attached, it comprises two parallel lateral support arms 3. Each arm 3 is designed to connect the platform 2 to the hull of a boat (not shown). Each arm 3 includes a proximal end 30 mounted on the boat, and a distal end connected to the platform 2.

[0032] At the proximal ends 30, each arm 3 is mounted on a clevis 4 allowing its attachment to the hull of the boat. The arms 3 are mounted to rotate relative to the deck of the boat via their proximal ends 30, around a substantially horizontal axis.

[0033] The launching and lifting device 1 also includes means for controlling the rotational movement of the arms 3 (not shown here, for the sake of simplicity in the figures). Such rotational control means include, for example, textile traction elements, preferably stretched around a set of pulleys. The textile traction elements include, for example, traction cables and / or straps and / or lines. Each textile traction element is, for example, attached on one side to the hull of the boat, and secured on the other side to a respective arm 3.

[0034] On the opposite side, preferably, each arm 3 extends along one side of the platform 2 by means of a respective lateral flange 5. Each flange 5 preferably comprises a rigid assembly of fittings.

[0035] In the present example, platform 2 is mounted to rotate about a substantially horizontal axis, relative to each of the said flanges 5. Platform 2 is here mounted to rotate about two attachment points P1.

[0036] Platform 2 is thus vertically mobile between: a high position, in which the arms 3 extend parallel to the plane of the floor of the platform 2, associated with a first length L 0 of the portion of cable extending between the end connected to the hull of the boat and the flange 5, and a low position, in which the arms 3 make a non-zero angle A with the plane of the floor of the platform 2, associated with a second length L 1 of said portion of cable extending between the end connected to the hull of the boat and the flange 5, greater than the first length L 0.

[0037] Device 1 advantageously incorporates means (not shown here) for maintaining platform 2 in a horizontal plane during the rotational movement of arms 3. Preferably, the rotational movement of arms 3 is carried out in the clockwise direction and the rotational movement of platform 2 is carried out simultaneously in the counterclockwise direction, or vice versa, which allows platform 2 to be kept horizontal.

[0038] The means for maintaining the platform's horizontality include, for example, at least one hydraulic cylinder. For a more detailed description of a non-limiting example of a device ensuring the horizontality of the platform 2 during its movement, reference may be made to the international patent application published under number WO 2022 / 069595 A1, describing a specific cylinder arrangement associated with a rotating bar located beneath the platform. Such a cylinder arrangement may optionally be integrated into the device 1. - Retractable, rotating and sliding gangway providing access to the platform

[0039] The following is described with reference to Figures 2 to 9 a hydraulic platform 2 for launching and lifting loads according to a particular example. The platform 2 comprises, according to the invention, a retractable, rotating and sliding gangway 6 for access to a quay.

[0040] Platform 2 here includes a floor 20 (made, for example, of slatted wood) supporting a load, such as a boat tender. The floor 20 is approximately rectangular in shape. In the initial position shown on the Figure 2 The floor 20 is flat and extends continuously without interruption. The platform 2 is supported by a retaining frame 22, extending around the periphery of the floor 20.

[0041] The frame 22, made for example of metallic material, is located in line with the arms 3. The frame 22 includes a front edge 26 intended to be oriented towards the deck of the boat, and includes an opposite rear edge 24 which is oriented towards the sea and / or a quay. Preferably, the front edge 26 and rear edge 24 extend parallel to the width of the boat.

[0042] Gateway 6 is visible on the Figures 3 to 7 And 9The walkway 6 preferably extends perpendicularly to the Y-axis of rotation of the platform 2. The walkway 6 extends across the width of the floor 20 and has, for example, an elongated rectangular shape. More specifically, the floor 20 of the platform has a cutout 15, perpendicular to the Y-axis, with a width and length adjusted to the width and length of the walkway 6 to accommodate it.

[0043] Importantly, the walkway 6 is retractable, meaning that in a horizontally retracted position, it can be retracted into the floor 20 of the platform, in this case into this cutout 15 .

[0044] Note that, optionally, it is possible to incorporate several landing and dock access gangways, similar to gangway 6, on the same platform.

[0045] With reference to the Figure 4The gangway 6 comprises two lateral faces 64 extending between a forward edge 62 of the gangway and a rear module 9 of the gangway. The gangway 6 is preferably closed at the top by a portion of flooring.

[0046] The walkway 6 is fixed by its front edge 62 to a trolley 7 mounted on the platform (see the Figure 4 ). The carriage 7 is mobile in translation along the X direction relative to the frame 22. This X direction is substantially perpendicular to the Y axis of the platform 2.

[0047] Preferably, the rear module 9 includes a profiled element, which can be recessed onto the frame 22, here at the rear edge 24 of the frame. In this example, the rear edge 24 has a recess 25 (see the Figure 3) of complementary shape to the shape of the profiled element forming the rear module 9. When the walkway 6 is moved from its initial retracted right position, the rear module 9 is extracted from the recess 25.

[0048] Gangway 6 is designed to allow at least one person to pass between platform 2 and a quay at the rear of the ship. Gangway 6 therefore supports the weight of at least one person while walking across it.

[0049] Thus, if platform 2 is positioned facing a quay, gangway 6 can be deployed and / or tilted to allow one or more people to pass between the bridge and the quay. Gangway 6 then leaves its retracted position and is deployed, preferably as close as possible to the quay.

[0050] Optionally and advantageously, one or more pairs of wheels or rollers can be integrated at the end of the gangway (forming rollers, not shown in the attached figures) to ensure connection and continuity between the gangway in its deployed position and the platform. Such rollers are, for example, integrated into the rear module 9 of gangway 6. The rollers can be retracted inside gangway 6.

[0051] As will be seen in more detail below, within the framework of the invention according to the present embodiment, the gangway 6 can slide and pivot relative to the boat, to be placed selectively and reversibly in any of the following positions: A horizontally retracted position, aligned vertically with the floor, as illustrated on the Figure 2(initial retracted position); A horizontally retracted position, inclined upwards relative to the floor, as illustrated on the Figure 3 (typically allowing platform 2 to run alongside a quay located higher than the floor, with gangway 6 passing over the quay); A horizontally intermediate position between the retracted and deployed positions, and aligned vertically with the floor (not shown); A horizontally intermediate position between the retracted and deployed positions, inclined upwards relative to the floor, as shown in the Figure 5 A horizontally deployed position extending beyond the floor, and vertically aligned with the floor, as illustrated in the Figure 6 A horizontally deployed position extending off the floor and inclined downwards relative to the floor, as illustrated in the Figure 7, typically allowing the passage of one or more people between platform 2 and a quay located in continuity with the free end of footbridge 6.

[0052] Thus, in order to allow the walkway 6 to slide and pivot relative to the frame 22, the platform 6 according to the invention includes means for driving the walkway 6 in translation relative to the frame 22, supplemented by means for moving the walkway 6 in rotation relative to the frame 22.

[0053] Preferably, the X translation direction of walkway 6 is orthogonal to the Y axis around which walkway 6 is moved in rotation.

[0054] The platform 20 includes a hinged element 8, designed to cover the cutout 15 and, therefore, the walkway 6 when the latter is in its retracted initial position. The hinged element 8 is preferably made of the same material as the platform 22, so that it blends seamlessly with said platform when the walkway 6 is in its retracted initial position. The hinged element 8 preferably includes a slatted frame.

[0055] The tilting element 8 is rectangular here, and its dimensions are preferably similar to those of the walkway 6. It fits within the cutout 15 of the platform 2. The tilting element 8 comprises two lateral edges 84 extending between a rear edge 80 and a front edge 82 (see the Figure 4 ).

[0056] Preferably, the front edge 82 of the tilting element is fixed to the front edge 26 of the frame 22. The rear edge 80 is detached from the frame 22 and thus forms a free edge. Advantageously, the front edge 82 of the tilting element 8 is pivotally mounted on the front edge 26 of the frame 22.

[0057] Furthermore, the lateral edges of the tilting element 8 are situated between the lateral edges 16 and 17, extending along the X direction of the cutout 15 in the floor 20. Thus, when the walkway 6 is retracted into the platform 2, preferably within the thickness of the frame 22, this tilting element 8 is essentially continuous with the floor 20. In this way, the tilting element 8 preferably remains essentially stationary relative to the frame 22 when the walkway 6 is moved only in translation. The carriage 7 then slides beneath the tilting element 8, which remains in place.

[0058] On the other hand, the tilting element 8 is capable of following an upward pivoting movement of the walkway 6, so as to free up the passage for the lifting of the walkway.

[0059] The tilting slatted frame prevents any opening from being left in the floor 20 during the deployment of the gateway 6.

[0060] In the case where platform 2 includes one or more boat tender support cradles 18, as illustrated on the figures 8 and 9 , said cradles 18 are preferably designed to slide along a Z axis, so as to horizontally offset the boat tender and clear access to the gangway 6.

[0061] The platform 2 comprising at least one cradle 18 for supporting an annex mounted sliding along the direction Z parallel to the axis of rotation Y of the gangway, the platform 2 preferably comprising a sliding rail 19 on which said cradle 18 is mounted.

[0062] In particular, the boat tender support cradles 18 are advantageously mounted to slide in translation relative to the frame 22 of the platform 2, along a translational direction Z parallel to the rotational axis Y of the platform 2. The tender support cradle(s) 18 are preferably movable in translation between a normal position visible in the figure 8 and an offset position represented in the figure 9 This movement of the cradles 18 can occur over a maximum range, for example between 50 centimeters and one meter.

[0063] Preferably, platform 2 then includes at least one sliding rail 19 extending in this direction Z, secured in the floor slats 20. Furthermore, platform 2 advantageously includes a hydraulic actuator (not shown in the accompanying figures) to control the sliding of the cradles 18 along the rail(s) 19. Thus, when the landing and access gangway 6 is placed in the intermediate or deployed position, a boat tender supported by the cradles 18 can be offset horizontally as seen in the figure 9 , so as to free up the passage of gangway 6. A landing and access corridor to the quay can thus be created, even in the presence of a boat tender on platform 6. - Moving the footbridge in translation

[0064] The translational movement of the gangway 6 relative to the frame 22 of the platform 6, along the translational axis X, is ensured by means of translational movement controllable by an operator located on board.

[0065] In this example, the means of translational movement include a carriage 7, housed within the thickness of the floor 20, at the cutout 15 in the latter. The carriage 7 is movable in translation along at least one rail 28 integrated into the thickness of the platform 2, extending parallel to the axis of translation X.

[0066] The carriage 7 here has a general parallelepiped shape. It comprises a rear face 70, a front face 72 and two lateral faces 74 extending between the rear and front faces.

[0067] The walkway 6 is mounted for rotation, by its front edge 62, on the rear face 70 of the carriage 7. The mounting of the walkway 6 on the rear face 70 allows a vertical rotational movement around a horizontal axis of the walkway 6 relative to the carriage 7, as will be described below.

[0068] Here, the carriage 7 is associated with two parallel rails 28. Each lateral face 74 of the carriage is guided in translation along a respective rail 28. The rails 28 are fixed relative to the frame 22.

[0069] Optionally, for each side face 74 of the carriage, one or more wheels may be provided to facilitate the sliding of the carriage 7 on a bearing surface of the rail 28. The rails 28 are partially shown on the Figures 3 , 4 and 5 attached. Each rail 28, for example, has a U-shaped cross-section.

[0070] Preferably, the carriage 7 is movable in translation relative to the frame 22 over the entire width of the platform 2. The carriage 7 is movable here between a first position against the front edge 26 of the frame (see the Figure 2 ), in which the walkway is retracted, and a second position against the rear edge 24 of the frame (see the Figure 6 ), in which the gateway is deployed.

[0071] When the walkway 6 is placed in the initial retracted position, the trolley 7 and the rails 28 are preferably concealed under the floor 20 of the platform 6. The slatted tilting element 8 can be dimensioned to cover the trolley 7 above, throughout its translational stroke between the rear edge 24 and the front edge 26. - Moving the rotating walkway

[0072] Platform 2 also includes means for rotating the gangway 6 around an axis of rotation parallel to the Y axis. These means of rotating movement can be remotely controlled by an operator located on board.

[0073] Preferably, the means of rotational movement allow the footbridge 6 to be tilted regardless of its axial position along the translation axis X.

[0074] Here, in a retracted position of the gangway (see the Figure 3 ), the walkway 6 is mobile in rotation around axis A. In an intermediate position of the walkway as illustrated in the Figures 4 and 5 The gateway 6 is mobile and rotates around axis B. Finally, in a deployed position of the gateway (see the Figures 6 and 7 ), the gateway 6 is mobile in rotation around the axis C.

[0075] The means of rotational movement are at least partly mounted on the carriage 7 and follow the translational movements of the carriage 7. Said means of rotational movement are preferably placed in the body of the carriage, under a top surface of the carriage.

[0076] In this example, the means for rotational movement include at least one cylinder 10, such as a single-acting hydraulic cylinder. It should be noted that this cylinder 10 is separate from the cylinder(s) that may be used to maintain the horizontal position of the platform 2 during its vertical movement relative to the boat.

[0077] An example of the configuration of cylinder 10 can be seen with reference to the Figure 5 attached. In this example, a chamber 11 of the cylinder is positioned in a location made in the carriage 7. The extension rod 12 of the cylinder protrudes from the lower surface of the carriage 7.

[0078] The walkway 6 includes here, below its front edge 62, at least one fixed foot 66 relative to the walkway. The foot 66 is oriented in the direction of the rod 12 of the jack.

[0079] The rod 12 is configured to push on the foot 66 when it is extended from the cylinder, resulting in a controlled upward pivoting of the walkway 6 around an axis of rotation parallel to the Y axis.

[0080] Thus, the cylinder 10 placed between the trolley and the walkway allows the walkway 6 to be pushed upwards in a controllable manner.

[0081] The downward pivoting of walkway 6 can be achieved, on the other hand, under the effect of gravity by releasing the pressure in the cylinder.

[0082] This type of gangway, integrated into the launching and lifting platform, can adapt to the height and position of the quay, both axially and at an angle relative to a horizontal plane. The gangway's structure is thus designed to facilitate the descent and ascent of personnel, regardless of the dimensions of the quay opposite the platform.

Claims

1. Hydraulic platform for launching and lifting a boat's tender, the platform (2) being intended to be placed at the stern of a vessel and to be moved vertically relative to the vessel while at the same time carrying a load such as a boat's tender, the platform (2) comprising a floor (20) for supporting said load, and comprising a holding frame (22) extending around the periphery of said floor (20), and in which floor (20) is provided a cut-out (15) for receiving a gangway (6) for accessing a quay, configured to allow a person to pass between the platform (2) and the quay, the platform (2) comprising means (7, 28) for translating the gangway (6) relative to the frame (22) in a translation direction (X), these translation means comprising at least one fixed rail (28), extending in the direction (X) at the level of the cut-out (15), and a carriage (7) movable along the rail (28), the platform (2) also comprising means (10, 11, 12) for rotating the gangway (6) relative to the frame (22) about a rotation axis (A), these means (10, 11, 12) for rotating the gangway (6) being at least partly mounted on the carriage (7), characterized in that the floor (20) of the platform comprises a tilting element (8) covering the gangway (6) in a retracted position of the gangway (6) by fitting into the cut-out (15) in the floor (20).

2. Hydraulic platform according to claim 1, wherein the frame (22) comprises a front edge (26) intended to face the boat and comprises an opposite rear edge (24), the carriage (7) being translatable relative to the frame (22) between the front edge (26) and the rear edge (24).

3. Hydraulic platform according to either of the preceding claims, wherein the rotation means comprise a hydraulic cylinder (10).

4. Hydraulic platform according to claim 3, wherein the cylinder (10) comprises a chamber (11) and an extension rod (12), and wherein a proximal end of the gangway (6) comprises a foot element (66), the extension rod (12) being configured to push on said foot element (66) as it extends, so as to pivot the gangway (6) upward relative to the frame (22).

5. Hydraulic platform according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the rotation axis (A) and the translation axis (X) are orthogonal.

6. Hydraulic platform according to claims 1 and 2, wherein the tilting element (8) is dimensioned to cover the carriage (7) at the top over the entire travel of the carriage (7) between the rear edge (24) of the frame (22) and the front edge (26) of the frame (22).

7. Hydraulic platform according to claim 6, wherein said tilting element (8) comprises a front edge (82) pivotably mounted on the front edge (26) of the frame (22).

8. Hydraulic platform according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the tilting element (8) is continuous with the floor (20) and the side edges of this tilting element (8) fit between side edges (16, 17), extending in the direction (X), of the cut-out (15) in the floor (20) when the gangway (6) is in the stowed position in the platform (2),9. Hydraulic platform according to any of the preceding claims, the platform (2) comprising at least one tender support cradle (18) mounted so as to be able to slide in a direction (Z) parallel to the rotation axis (Y) of the gangway (6), the platform (2) comprising at least one sliding rail (19) on which said cradle (19) is mounted.

10. Vessel, preferably a nautical vessel such as a catamaran, the vessel having a hydraulic platform (2) according to any of the preceding claims, preferably on a rear side of the vessel, the hydraulic platform (2) comprising a rotating and sliding gangway (6) for disembarking and accessing a quay.

11. Vessel according to claim 10, the vessel further comprising at least one support arm (3) connecting the vessel and the platform (2), a proximal end of said arm (3) being mounted on the vessel and the platform (2) being mounted on a distal end of said arm (3).

12. Vessel according to claim 11, wherein the platform (2) is movable relative to the vessel between a raised position, in which the at least one arm (3) extends parallel to the plane of the floor of the platform (2), and a lowered position, in which said arm (3) makes a non-zero angle (A) with the plane of the floor of the platform (2).

Images