Device for aiding the handling of boat tenders

Abstract

A device for aiding the handling of boat tenders (A), which comprises at least one track (2) which can be installed on board a boat and is configured to support and guide the tender (A) along a predefined movement direction (B), during its launching and its recovery on board. The track (2) is of the telescopic type and comprises a first member (2a), which can be anchored to the boat, and at least one extensible member (2b), which can move along the movement direction (B) with respect to the first member (2a) in order to vary the length of the track (2).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for aiding the handling of boat tenders.

[0002] As is known, a tender is a small boat carried on a larger boat, which is used to provide various forms of support to the passengers of the larger boat, for example as a transport to and from dry land, or even as a rescue vehicle or indeed for other uses.

[0003] Several methods are known for launching such a tender and, vice versa, hoisting it (or in nautical slang, hauling it in) on board when its use is not required, and, in particular, it is known that larger boats have garages (or other dedicated stalls) designed to accommodate the tender, and handling means, which facilitate the transfer of the tender from the garage to the sea and / or vice versa.

[0004] In one very widespread solution, a winch is placed at the end of an arm, which is installed on a structure that is able to rotate (about a vertical axis) placed on the boat: thus, it is possible to bring the winch above the tender (when the tender is in the water) and then attach it using straps or other affixing elements, and then lift it and return it to the garage or in any case to its dedicated stall on board.

[0005] In another known solution, the winch is located inside the garage, to which a kind of fixed track leads which is provided with rollers and which at the other end extends right down into the water. In this case, the operations to recover the tender involve bringing the tender to the end of the track and aligning the tender with the track; then, the cable of the winch is unwound and coupled to the tender, and is then rewound so as to pull the tender inside the garage.

[0006] These solutions however have drawbacks, deriving in particular from the limited handling space that is normally available on board the boat and which complicates operations to couple the tender to the winch and / or to the cable.

[0007] Furthermore, during the transfer of the tender toward the garage it is still necessary to have two or more persons to load the tender on the free end of the track and to keep the tender balanced, until it reaches the final position.

[0008] The aim of the present invention is to solve the abovementioned problems, by providing a device that effectively aids the movement of a tender associated with a boat, during operations to launch the tender and haul it on board.

[0009] Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a device that offers practical methods for the movement of a tender, during operations to launch the tender and haul it on board.

[0010] Another object of the invention is to provide a device that enables the launch of the tender and its hauling on board in safety, in tight spaces, and with a minimum of human assistance.

[0011] Another object of the invention is to provide a device that ensures a high reliability of operation.

[0012] Another object of the invention is to propose a device that adopts a technical and structural architecture alternative to those of conventional solutions.

[0013] Another object of the invention is to provide a device that can be easily obtained using elements and materials that are readily available on the market.

[0014] Another object of the invention is to provide a device that is low cost and safely applied.

[0015] This aim and these and other objects which will become more apparent hereinafter are achieved by a device according to claim 1.

[0016] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the device according to the invention, which is illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device according to the invention, with the track in the retracted configuration; Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the telescopic movement of the track of the device of Figure 1, to bring it to the extended configuration; Figures 3 and 4 are views from above of the device according to the invention, respectively in the configurations of Figures 1 and 2; Figures 5 and 6 are longitudinal cross-sectional views of an end portion of the device according to the invention, respectively in the configurations of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 5, taken along the line VII-VII; Figures 8 to 10 are longitudinal cross-sectional views showing the device being used to haul in a tender.

[0017] With reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a device for aiding the movement of tenders A of boats, where by "tender" A what is meant is any dinghy, pinnace or other small vessel intended to be carried by the (larger) boat, for the purpose of providing various forms of support to the passengers of the larger boat, for example as a transport to and from dry land, or even as a rescue vehicle or for other uses.

[0018] It should be emphasized from this point onward that the protection claimed herein relates to the device 1 sold separately from the boat (and from the tender A) for which it is intended, but also a boat that comprises the device 1 itself (with the tender A which may optionally be sourced separately).

[0019] The scope of protection furthermore extends to any type of boat 100 capable of carrying a tender A.

[0020] The device 1 comprises first of all at least one track 2 which can be installed on board the boat and which is configured to support and guide the tender A along a predefined movement direction B (typically but not necessarily straight), during its launching and its recovery (or hauling) on board.

[0021] At one end, the track 2 leads to the stall on board in which the tender A is to be stowed: it can be a garage (especially in larger boats) or a platform or another dedicated area.

[0022] At the opposite end, and with features that will be explained below, the track 2 leads to and faces the water: thus, the tender A can be loaded and therefore moved on the track 2, in both launching and hauling-in operations.

[0023] Once loaded onto the track 2, the movement can be effected manually (in some circumstances it can also be done by gravity), but preferably use will be made of a winch or other dedicated contrivance, in any case according to methods that are in and of themselves known, which will not be discussed further herein.

[0024] According to the invention, the track 2 is telescopic and comprises a first member 2a, which can be anchored to the boat, and at least one extensible member 2b, which can move (telescopically) along the movement direction B with respect to the first member 2a in order to vary the (overall) length of the track 2 (as measured along the movement direction B).

[0025] It is the extensible member 2b that is directed toward the water.

[0026] Thus, by varying the length of the track 2 at will, it is possible to pass from a compacted configuration, of minimum space occupation (as in Figures 1-3 for example) to a (fully) extended configuration (Figure 4 for example), which can be obtained, in a manner in and of itself known, with abutment or elements for arresting the sliding of the extensible member 2b.

[0027] The compacted configuration can be assumed and maintained for example when use of the device 1 is not required. Conversely, the track 2 can be brought to the (fully) extended configuration or to any intermediate configuration to make the track 2 protrude closer to the water, bringing it as close as possible with its free end to the tender A (if the latter is already in the water, obviously), and so facilitating the operations of hauling-in and launching (something that, in some circumstances, is also possible even when the track 2 is in the configuration of minimum space occupation).

[0028] Therefore the set aim is achieved from this point onward.

[0029] The track 2 can comprise only the first member 2a and the extensible member 2b, as in the accompanying figures, or it can be provided with further intermediate members, which in turn can be moved telescopically.

[0030] In particular, the track 2 comprises two mutually adjacent telescopic rails (parallel to the movement direction B); each rail comprises a fixed beam 3a, which belongs to the first member 2a, and at least one extensible beam 3b, which belongs to the extensible member 2b and which has a transverse cross-section that is complementary to the transverse cross-section of the fixed beam 3a, in order to be accommodated in the latter so that it can slide.

[0031] For example, as in the accompanying figures, the fixed beams 3a are C-shaped in transverse cross-section and accommodate respective extensible beams 3b which are rectangular in cross-section (with dimensions complementary to those of the transverse cross-section of the fixed beams 3a), so that they can slide.

[0032] The beams 3a, 3b can be connected by cross-members 4, which in turn form part of the respective member 2a, 2b.

[0033] The device 1 can comprise a plate 5 which can be applied to a deck C or other reference plane of the boat: from the plate 5 two supports 6 protrude for respective fixed beams 3a.

[0034] Usefully, in the preferred embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures for the purposes of non-limiting example of the invention, the device 1 can comprise a slider 7 which is configured for the guided passage of the tender A from the track 2 to the water, and vice versa. The slider 7 is coupled to the extensible member 2b, substantially at the end of the track 2 (the end intended to be directed toward the water), and has the possibility to freely rotate (or tilt) about an axis of rotation D which is transverse (preferably perpendicular) with respect to the movement direction B.

[0035] As clearly shown in Figures 8-10, the possibility of the slider 7 to freely rotate facilitates the operations of hauling-in (and correspondingly of launching): by bringing the tender A to the track 2 until it rests against the slider 7 and then proceeding to push it toward the boat, the slider 7 progressively rotates about the axis of rotation D (under the weight of the tender A), so accompanying and facilitating the movement of the tender A in the more delicate and complex operations of loading onto the track 2 (or launching into the water).

[0036] In particular, in the embodiment in the accompanying figures, which is illustrative and not limiting of the invention, the slider 7 is hinged to the extensible member 2b at a pair of pivots 8, which are aligned along the transverse axis of rotation D and which protrude (inward) from respective extensible beams 3b.

[0037] With further reference to the preferred embodiment, the slider 7 can comprise at least one frame 10, which is rotatably coupled to the extensible member 2b at the aforesaid end of the track 2.

[0038] More specifically, the frame 10 can be arranged between the rails of the track 2 and comprise two longitudinal bars 10a (parallel to the movement direction B and identified only in Figures 3 and 4 in order not to excessively over-complicate the drawings) connected by transverse connecting ribs 10b (also identified only in Figures 3 and 4).

[0039] The frame 10 supports a plurality of axially symmetrical elements 11, aligned along the movement direction B and preferably free to rotate about their axes of symmetry (parallel to the axis of rotation D). For example, as in the accompanying figures the axially symmetrical elements 11 can be supported in a cantilevered manner (preferably rotatably) by the ribs 10b.

[0040] The free rotation of the axially symmetrical elements 11 favors the sliding of the tender A which will be rested upon them, when it is loaded onto the slider 7 from the water.

[0041] In particular, in the preferred embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures, each axially symmetric element 11 comprises two (outer) conical portions, which are connected by an intermediate cylindrical portion and oriented with their respective end faces directed outward. The shape of the axially symmetric element 11 is therefore effectively that of an hourglass.

[0042] Advantageously, the slider 7 comprises a pair of mutually opposing conical elements 12, supported by the frame 10 at the sides of the slider 7, preferably with the possibility to freely rotate about their axis of symmetry; the elements 12 are configured for the guided positioning (the centering) of the tender A above the axially symmetrical elements 11.

[0043] Advantageously, the device 1 comprises an actuator 13 which is configured for the movement of the extensible member 2b along the movement direction B.

[0044] In particular, as in the accompanying figures, the actuator 13 can be a jack, comprising a cylinder 14 which is fixed to the first member 2a (to a cross-beam 4 of the latter) and a stem 15, which can slide with respect to the cylinder 14 and is fixed to the extensible member 2b (to a cross-beam 4 of the latter).

[0045] In any case, it is possible to entrust the movement of the extensible member 2b to actuators 13 or contrivances of another type, just as it is possible for this movement to be effected manually.

[0046] As mentioned above, the subject matter of the protection claimed herein (in addition to the device 1) includes a boat (whether or not it already has a tender A), which comprises a device 1 according to what has been described up to this point.

[0047] The operation of the device 1 according to the invention has already been explained, but a brief summary is also given below.

[0048] When it is desired to bring the tender A back on board (a maneuver which is also called "hauling-in"), first of all the boat, and therefore the device 1, needs to be brought to the tender A (or vice versa).

[0049] In an entirely particular and innovative manner, the device 1 comprises a telescopic track 2, which can be extended toward the water in order to bring the free end of the extensible member 2b as close as possible to the tender A (even until it touches or brushes against it), when the latter is at anchor in the water.

[0050] In this way, it is a much simpler matter to load the tender A onto the track 2, which then supports it and guides it during its movement toward the garage or other dedicated stall on the boat (to which at the other end the track 2 leads).

[0051] In fact, the movement of the tender A is followed and accompanied for as long as the latter is in the water, and this simplifies the task of the users or of the sailors who are responsible for the hauling-in (thus making it likewise safer and less prone to risk of accident).

[0052] Basically, the movement along the track 2 can be performed manually or, preferably, by using contrivances of various types, including conventional, and for example by using a winch installed on board and provided with a cable, which can be coupled to the tender A in order to pull it.

[0053] By virtue of the device 1, it is possible to effectively place the tender A on board, in safety, even if the space available is minimal, since it is not necessary for one or more persons to keep the tender A balanced during the movement.

[0054] The possibility to provide the track 2 with a rotating slider 7, coupled to the extensible member 2b at the free end of the track 2, increases the practicality of use of the invention, in that it makes it possible to maneuver the tender A in perfect balance even in the initial (most critical) phase of loading onto the track 2, with the ability to locate the slider 7 exactly at the center of gravity of the tender A.

[0055] The possibility to easily locate the slider 7 at the center of gravity of the tender A is found to be of maximum practical interest, in that it keeps the vertical space occupation of the tender A extremely contained and thus it makes it possible to easily insert it in the garage, even when, as often occurs, the height of the garage is limited.

[0056] The operations described above can be performed, in the opposite order but with similar benefits, to launch the tender A.

[0057] In practice it has been found that the device 1 and the boat according to the invention fully achieve the set aim and objects, in that the use of a telescopic track 2 effectively aids the movement of the tender A, during operations to launch the tender and haul it on board.

[0058] The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.

[0059] In the embodiments illustrated, individual characteristics shown in relation to specific examples may in reality be substituted with other, different characteristics, existing in other embodiments.

[0060] In practice, the materials employed, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

[0061] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. 102024000018286 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

[0062] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. A device for aiding the handling of boat tenders (A), which comprises at least one track (2) which can be installed on board a boat and is configured to support and guide the tender (A) along a predefined movement direction (B), during its launching and its recovery on board, characterized in that said track (2) is of the telescopic type and comprises a first member (2a), which can be anchored to the boat, and at least one extensible member (2b), which can move along said movement direction (B) with respect to said first member (2a) in order to vary the length of said track (2).

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that said track (2) comprises two mutually adjacent telescopic rails, each of said rails comprising a fixed beam (3a), belonging to said first member (2a), and at least one extensible beam (3b), belonging to said extensible member (2b) and having a transverse cross-section that is complementary to the transverse cross-section of said fixed beam (3a), for its sliding accommodation in said fixed beam (3a).

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a slider (7) configured for the guided passage of the tender (A) from said track (2) to the water, and vice versa, said slider (7) being coupled to said extensible member (2b), substantially at the end of said track (2), with the possibility to freely rotate about a transverse axis (D) of rotation with respect to said movement direction (B).

4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that said slider (7) is hinged to said extensible member (2b) at a pair of pivots (8), which are aligned along said axis of rotation (D) and protrude from respective said extensible beams (3b).

5. The device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that said slider (7) comprises at least one frame (10), which is rotatably coupled to said extensible member (2b) at the end of said track (2) and supports a plurality of axially symmetrical elements (11), which are aligned along said movement direction (B) and are preferably free to rotate about their axis of symmetry.

6. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that each of said axially symmetrical elements (11) comprises two conical portions connected by an intermediate cylindrical portion and oriented with their respective end faces directed outward.

7. The device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that said slider (7) comprises a pair of mutually opposing conical elements (12) supported by said frame (10) at the sides of said slider (7), preferably with the possibility to freely rotate about their axis of symmetry and configured for the guided positioning of the tender (A) above said axially symmetrical elements.

8. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an actuator (13) configured for the movement of said at least one extensible member (2b) along said movement direction (B).

9. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that said actuator (13) is a jack, comprising a cylinder (14) which is fixed to said first member (2a) and a stem (15), which can slide with respect to said cylinder (14) and is fixed to said extensible member (2b).

10. A boat, characterized in that it comprises a device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims.

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