Gangway with self adjusting steps for bridging variable height differences

Abstract

An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences has a framework consisting of two lateral longitudinal supports (VN), between which two or more steps are clamped, where one step is a top fixed step (STF) at a fixed end of the longitudinal supports of the gangway (M) and this step is firmly mounted on a top board of a pier (Pop), or in an alternative implementation example, on a deck of a vessel (PL), and where the two longitudinal supports rotate around a transverse axis (5) of this step, and where the second step is a rotating intermediate step (STV) or where there are several such steps (STV), rotatably connected along its lateral sides with the left and right longitudinal support (VN) of the gangway. The intermediate rotating step rotates around its transverse axis (y) with a mechanism of a chain drive of the gangway, so that a walking board of the intermediate rotating step (STVp) always takes a horizontal position regardless of the angle of inclination of the gangway (M) and its longitudinal supports against the vertical wall of the pier (Pov). The chain drive of the gangway is in at least one of the two longitudinal supports of the gangway.

Description

GANGWAY WITH SELF ADJUSTING STEPS FOR BRIDGING VARIABLE HEIGHT DIFFERENCESDescription of inventionTechnical field

[0001] A subject matter of a present invention is a gangway or footbridge which enables the bridging of height differences that change between a vessel floating on the water and a pier or a bank due to changes in the level of the water surface. A gangway according to the present invention enables a vessel, which is a boat, barge, ship, pontoon platform or other similar vessel, to be boarded from a pier or bank, and disembarked or exited from such a vessel to the pier or bank, whereby the gangway ensures that walking boards (treads) of the steps of the gangway always occupy a horizontal position of a step walking board (tread) regardless of the angle of inclination of the gangway and its framework against a horizontal plane of a walking board (deck) of the pier / bank or against a vertical wall of the pier / bank or against a plane of a deck of the vessel.Description of a technical problem and state of the art

[0002] Key to the present invention is to ensure the horizontal position of the walking board (tread) or the walking surface of the steps of the gangway, which is placed between the vessel on one side and the pier or bank on the other side, despite the fact that the body of the gangway is inclined by a certain angle of inclination against the horizontal plane of the walking board (tread) of the pier / bank or against the vertical wall of the pier or bank or against the plane of the vessel's deck, and at the same time to bridge the height difference and the change in the height difference between the walking surface of the vessel and the walking surface of the pier / bankas well as to bridge the horizontal distance between the walking surface of the vessel and the walking surface of the pier or bank.

[0003] A difference in height between the vessel floating on the water and the pier or bank occurs due to the difference in the height of the water surface and the height of the pier / bank, which is a result of the construction of the pier or bank. A change in the difference in height between the vessel and the pier / bank occurs due to a change in the height level of the water surface, for example at sea due to fluctuations in the water level due to tides, when high tide (increase in the level of the water surface) and low tide (decrease in the level of the water surface) alternate, or on rivers and lakes due to changes in the water level that occur due to an increase in the water level due to rains or new inflows of water into rivers (also due to the opening of dams on rivers) or lakes, or due to dry periods when there is no rain.

[0004] In the known state of the art, gangways or footbridges for bridging these height differences between the vessel and the pier most often have a walking surface of the gangway that has the same inclination against the horizontal plane of the top surface (walking board / deck) of the pier or against the vertical wall of the pier, as the gangway itself has and as its framework and longitudinal sides and its longitudinal axis have. This is disadvantageous for users of the gangway, because they have to move on an inclined walking board (deck), which is occasionally very steep. In addition, the direct proximity of water and the fluctuation or undulation of the water surface cause the walking board and the surface to become wet, which makes them slippery and sliding. This also happens due to water condensation and other environmental elements. All of this increases the possibility that the user may slip on the walking board of the gangway / footbridge and fall on it, or that the user may fall from the gangway into the water.

[0005] Gangways that do not have steps and have a walking board or surface in the plane and in inclination of the hypotenuse, which is determined by the leg of the vertical height difference between the fixed pier and the walking surface of the vessel and the leg of the horizontal distance from the walking surface of the vesselto the walking surface of the pier, are described, for example, by the Slovenian patents SI 22002 (ship gangway that can be disassembled and assembled across the width), 22630 (ship gangway with built-in lights) and SI 23828 (reinforced ship gangway).

[0006] There are some gangways or ladders known that have steps, the walking boards of which take a horizontal position at different angles of inclination of the gangway framework and the gangway longitudinal sides toward the horizontal walking surface (walking deck) of the pier or another similar object or against the vertical wall of the pier or another similar object.

[0007] It is characteristic of these known gangways or ladders with steps that they have a rather complicated construction, which complicates the process of their production and makes it more expensive, and that their installation is also complicated and their maintenance more demanding.

[0008] Patents GB 430188, US 1944159, and US 5794292 describe gangways or ladders that have steps that are self-leveling so that they have a walking board (tread) of the steps in a horizontal position regardless of the inclination of the gangway toward the pier or toward a horizontal walking deck of the pier.

[0009] Patent GB 430188 with grant date June 14, 1935, describes an improved gangway or ladder with self-levelling steps for use on ships, floating landing platforms, docks (piers), which enables the stepping / walking boards (treads) of the steps to remain in a horizontal plane when the gangway or ladder is inclined at an angle relative to a controlling platform (e.g. on a pier or ship) and is located above the controlling platform or below it. This is made possible by a special construction of the steps and gangway / ladder. On the sides, the gangway has two side walls (stringboards), between which a set of steps with a shape of rectangular plates is clamped. Each step has on each of its two side walls at the side walls of the gangway a bracket mounted that has the shape of a letter T in a side view with a longer vertical leg, that extends downwards and is located in the middle of the side wall of the step, and with two shorter horizontal arms on the side wall of the step. Inthe vertical leg, each bracket has one hole (aperture) at the bottom where it is pivotally (rotatably) coupled by a pin to an elongated controlling bar that runs on the inner side of each side wall of the gangway and along it, and a second hole (aperture) at the top below the level of the step board where it is pivotally (rotatably) coupled to the gangway side wall by a pin, where the said two holes (apertures) are in a vertical line, and the same on the other side of the step side wall and the gangway side wall. At the top clamped end of the gangway, each side wall (stringboard) of the gangway and each controlling bar is pivotally coupled to a cross shaft, which is mounted on the controlling platform via supports. The cross shaft represents an axis of rotation of the gangway relative to the controlling platform by an angle of 45 degrees above or below it. When changing the angle of inclination of the gangway from a horizontal plane in relation to the controlling platform, the controlling bar rotates around the cross shaft and, via the pivoting (rotating) assembly in the lower leg of the bracket of each step, rotates each step in its top pivoting (rotating) assembly, so that its stepping / walking board is in a flat plane, that is parallel to the controlling platform. When the gangway tilts, the controlling bar blocks against the pins in the top rotating (pivoting) assembly of the step bracket, and thereby blocks the step in a level position of the stepping / walking board (tread). With the controlling bar, the parallelism of the stepping / walking boards (treads) of the steps with the plane of the controlling platform is achieved. Alternatively, the controlling platform is fixed at the other end of the gangway instead of at its first end.

[0010] A similar solution for maintaining a horizontal position of a set of step (stair) walking treads (boards) is described in patent US 1944159, issued on January 23, 1934, where the walking treads (boards) of the steps (stairs) maintain the horizontal position in various positions of the stairway with respect to a fixed platform, on which the stairway is mounted at one of its ends and where the stairway fluctuates to compensate a movement upwards and downwards of a floating deck on which the other, free end of the stairway rests. In this solution, the stairway is constructed with an angle in stringboards (side walls) of the stairway, so that the stairway has an upper leg and further from the angle, a lower leg, and where the stairway is attached at the end of the upper leg to a pedestal on the fixed (immovable) platform, while a bottom end of the lower leg of the stairway is free and fluctuates (swings) with theplate on which it rests and which floats on the surface of a fluid the level of which changes.

[0011] The walking boards (treads) of the stairs are also rectangular in shape and have a flange on each shorter side, via which the treads are rotatably (pivotally) attached to the adjacent stringboard (side wall) of the stairway with an intermediate spacing washer approximately in the longitudinal middle of the tread. Approximately in the transverse middle of the tread (walking board) on its bottom side, one or two levers (arms) hang downwardly, that are rotatably (pivotally) attached to the tread, and which are rotatably (pivotally) clamped at the bottom into a link bar that connects via these levers (arms) all the treads (walking boards) together in one leg of the stairway. A set of treads (walking boards) of the stairs is thus rotatably (pivotally) clamped at the sides between two parallel stringboards (side walls) of the stairway, and is rotatably (pivotally) clamped at the bottom under each tread (walking board) approximately in the transverse middle of the tread into the link bar via downwardly hanging levers (arms), that hang down from each tread.

[0012] The stairway, unlike the construction in patent GB 430188, (where the treads (walking boards) of the steps are rotatably connected to each other on their lateral sides with one controlling (connecting) bar at each side), has a rotatable connection at a bottom leg of the downwardly hanging lever (arm) approximately in the middle of the stair and at the same time with the stringboard (side wall) of the stairway, wherein the stairs are rotatably mounted in the middle of a top leg of the downwardly hanging lever (arm). In patent US 1944159 there is a similar rotatable (pivotable) connection of the stair treads (walking boards) on the side of the stairs with the side wall (stringboard) of the stairway. In addition, the treads (walking boards) of the stairs are connected at the approximate transverse middle of the stair treads (walking boards), where they are pivotally (rotatably) connected to each other by the link bar, which is pivotally (rotatably) connected to each tread (walking board) via one or two arms (levers) that extend downwardly from the transverse middle of each stair tread (walking board).

[0013] Thus, in patent GB 430188, the movement of the gangway due to a change in inclination with respect to the fixed platform, on which it (the stairway / gangway) is mounted, is transmitted to the walking boards (treads) of the steps along the lateral sides of the step walking boards (treads), and in patent US 1944159 along the lateral sides and along the transverse middle of the treads (walking boards) of the stairs. Each tread (walking board) of the step (stair) in patent GB 430188 and in patent US 1944159 rotates around its longitudinal axis, which is in the longitudinal bisector of the tread (walking board) (in patent US 1944159) or slightly below it (in patent GB 430188), and in addition to this, also around a longitudinal axis, which is below the longitudinal bisector of the tread (walking board) and fluctuates (swings) relative to it depending on the movement of the link bar (US 1944159) or the controlling bar (GB 430188).

[0014] The solution in patent US 1944159 also enables the treads (walking boards) of the stairs in the upper leg of the stairway (as well as in the lower leg of the stairway) to maintain a horizontal position all the time when the bottom free end of the stairway swings (fluctuates) with the deck on the fluctuating fluid level and when, as a result of this swinging, the angle of the stairway relative to the fixed platform changes, wherein the upper leg of the stairway rotates around two pivot points through which it is pivotally connected to the pedestal on the fixed platform, namely, in a pivot joint between a top end of the upper leg of the stringboard (side wall) of the stairway, and in a pivot joint between a top end of an upper link bar of the upper leg of the stairway. By changing the angle of the upper leg of the stairway with respect to the fixed platform, the rotation in both pivot joints by the same angle of inclination is transmitted via the lateral stringboards (side walls) of the stairway to the pivot joint of each stair tread (walking board) at its longitudinal middle in the lateral part of the tread (walking board), where the tread (walking board) is rotatably (pivotally) clamped into the side wall (stringboard) of the stairway, and via the link bar, which lies under the treads (walking boards) and connects together via the pivot joint the pedestal on the fixed platform with each stair and its tread (walking board) via the arms (levers), which is one, or which are two and which extend (extends) downwardly from an approximately transverse middle of the bottom side of the tread (walking board), where the arm (lever) is or the arms (levers) are rotatably mountedto the link bar. With these pivot joints, the treads (walking boards) of the stairs are rotated in such a way, that they are always in the horizontal position. The described stairway has a railing with posts and handles installed on each side wall (stringboard).

[0015] Patent US 5794292, published on August 18, 1998, describes a portable gangway with leveling steps. A construction of the gangway has a framework with two longitudinal members of the gangway frame, on which a railing with handles can be installed. Between the two longitudinal members of the frame, transversely to the frame, transverse axles are rotatably clamped, which are the axes of the steps, that (the axles) lie transversely to the longitudinal axis of the gangway and are actually transverse axles and at the same time axes along the width of the steps, around which the steps rotate. A body of one step is rotatably mounted on each transverse axle of the step. The individual transverse axle of the step passes through the body of the individual step, which is hollow and has a flat plate at the top and a semi- cylindrical wall at the bottom. All the steps together rotate in coordination with each other, each step around its axis of rotation, so that by changing the angle of inclination of the gangway, the steps always rotate in such a way, that the top flat surface of the steps is in a horizontal plane and provides a flat stepping (walking) surface. This is achieved by gear transmission of the rotation of the gangway around a main axis of rotation, which is at the top end of each longitudinal member of the frame, through a mechanism of gears and gear racks inside a gear chamber, which is formed by the walls of the longitudinal member of the frame. A bottom end of the gangway frame is free and follows the surface of a boat deck or other similar surface. The top end of the gangway frame is rotatably clamped to the landing surface via a pivot arm, which, together with the gangway frame and the rotating gear in it, is rotatably mounted on a main pivot transverse axle, which represents the main axis of rotation of the gangway. When the angle of inclination of the gangway is changed, a pivot gear in the top part of the gear chamber of each longitudinal member of the frame rotates and engages an inverted (oppositely oriented) gear rack, which is laid on this gear with the help of a roller, and drives it into a longitudinal motion, so that this inverted gear rack engages and drives into a longitudinal motion an elongate gear rack, which is connected to each gear of theindividual step via an intermediate gear and is laid on the intermediate gear with the help of a roller. The elongate gear rack, thus, with its longitudinal movement, simultaneously drives the gear of each step into rotation, where this gear is mounted on the step transverse axle, and each individual step into rotation around the step transverse axle. By this, the elongate gear rack simultaneously drives into rotation all the steps in such a way, that the top flat surface of each step is in a horizontal plane. For buoyancy, the gangway has a built-in foam below the steps, which follows the cylindrical shape of the underside of the step body. The top end of the gangway is clamped at the top to the landing platform via the arm which is clamped to the main pivot axle around which the gangway rotates. The bottom end of the gangway is free, and when the angle of inclination of the gangway changes relative to the landing platform, which depends on the fluctuation of the height of the surface on which the free end of the gangway rests, this free end moves through an arc around the main pivot (rotation) axis.

[0016] Regarding the described problem and the known state of the art, the present invention sets itself a task to construct a gangway or footbridge for bridging variable differences in height, which has two or more steps, where, with the exception of the top step, the steps level themselves into a horizontal position depending on the change of the angle of inclination of lateral sides or longitudinal supports of the gangway relative to a horizontal plane of a top walking deck of the pier or relative to a vertical wall of the pier or relative to a plane of the deck of the vessel, and which enables a simple construction for simple manufacturing and simple and safe use of the gangway.Description of drawings of the invention

[0017] Figure 1 is a schematic presentation of an adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences according to one of the implementation examples (embodiments) of the present invention, showing the gangway from the front and from the side when it is attached to a pier with its top fixed step and to a vessel with its insert.

[0018] Figure 2 is a schematic presentation of an intermediate rotating step of a gangway according to one of the implementation examples (embodiments) of the present invention, showing the intermediate rotating step from above and from the side.

[0019] Figure 3 is a schematic presentation of the intermediate rotating step of the gangway according to one of the implementation examples of the present invention, showing this step from below and from the side.

[0020] Figure 4 is a schematic presentation of a cross-section of the intermediate rotating step with two longitudinal supports of the gangway according to one of the implementation examples of the present invention, where the cross-section is made at an outer tube of this step and where a chain drive is installed in both longitudinal supports of the gangway. In this figure, reinforcements of the step are not shown for clarity.

[0021] Figure 5 is a schematic presentation of a top fixed step of the gangway according to one of the implementation examples of the present invention, showing this step from above and from the side.

[0022] Figure 6 is a schematic presentation of the top fixed step of the gangway according to one of the implementation examples of the present invention, showing this step from below and from the side.

[0023] Figure 7 is a schematic presentation of a rear side of the top fixed step of the gangway according to one of the implementation examples of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 8 is a schematic presentation of a cross-section of the top fixed step with two longitudinal supports of the gangway according to one of the implementation examples of this invention, where the cross-section is made at the outer tube of this step and where a chain drive is installed in both longitudinal supports of the gangway.

[0025] Figure 9 is a schematic presentation of a gangway with steps according to one of the implementation examples of this invention with a view from the side, in which, for the purpose of clear illustration of component parts of a chain drive of the gangway, the component parts of the chain drive of the gangway are schematically shown, which are otherwise not visible from the outer side of the gangway (sprocket wheels, chain tensioners and chain), because they are in a hollow space inside a longitudinal support of the gangway, and those parts of the gangway (parts of the steps) that are hidden by the longitudinal support of the gangway when viewed from the side. The figure shows a detail A, which schematically shows an intermediate rotating step with a sprocket wheel of the step, an adjacent sprocket wheel, a chain tensioner and a chain.

[0026] Figure 10 is a schematic presentation of an enlargement of the detail A in Figure 9 of the gangway according to this invention and its chain drive, showing the intermediate rotating step on the longitudinal support of the gangway with adjacent parts of the chain drive of the gangway, which are the sprocket wheel of the step, the adjacent sprocket wheel, the chain tensioner, and the chain.

[0027] Figure 11 is a schematic presentation of a plan of the intermediate rotating step according to one of the implementation examples of this invention, with a view from above. Straight inner lines are folding lines, outer lines are edges of the intermediate rotating step, two round shapes indicate a cut-out for the course of the outer tube.

[0028] Figure 12 is a schematic presentation of a plan of a reinforcement for the intermediate rotating step according to one of the implementation examples of this invention, with a view from above. Straight inner lines are folding lines, outer lines are edges of the reinforcement of the intermediate rotating step, a round shape indicates a cut-out for the course of the outer tube.

[0029] Figure 13 is a schematic presentation of a plan of a top (upper) part of the top fixed step according to one of the implementation examples of this invention,with a view from above. Straight inner lines are folding lines, outer lines, and two II- cut-outs are edges of the top fixed step, a round shape indicates a cut-out for inserting a lock, the two U-cut-outs indicate the course of the outer tube of the step.

[0030] Figure 14 is a schematic presentation of a plan of a bottom part of the top fixed step according to one of the implementation examples of this invention, with a view from below. Straight inner lines are folding lines, outer lines are edges of the top fixed step, a larger elliptical shape indicates a cut-out for mounting the top fixed step on the walking deck of the pier, or in an alternative implementation example of the invention, on the deck of the vessel, two round shapes indicate a cut-out for the course of the outer tube of this step.

[0031] Figure 15 is a schematic presentation of an external longitudinal support of the gangway according to one of the implementation examples of this invention, with a view on its outer side, which forms an external wall of the longitudinal support of the gangway, and is visible from the outside. A left external longitudinal support is shown.

[0032] Figure 16 is a schematic presentation of an internal longitudinal support of the gangway according to one of the implementation examples of this invention, with a view on its inner side, which forms an internal wall of the longitudinal support of the gangway, and is visible from the inside in a hollow space of the longitudinal support. A left internal longitudinal support is shown.Description of solution to the technical problem

[0033] An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences according to this invention has a frame that is formed by two lateral longitudinal supports VN that run along the length of the gangway, between which two or more steps are clamped, where one step is a top fixed step STF, that is installed at a fixed end of the longitudinal supports VN of the gangway, where the gangway with the top fixed step STF is firmly installed on the pier Po, or in an alternative implementationexample of the invention, on the vessel PL, so that the top fixed step STF extends over the fixed ends of both lateral longitudinal supports VN, and is fixed to a top board of the pier Pop, or in an alternative implementation example of the invention, to a deck of the vessel PL, and where the second step is a rotating intermediate step STV or where there are several other rotating intermediate steps STV, which is pivotally (rotationally / rotatably) connected or that are pivotally (rotationally / rotatably) connected along their lateral sides to the left and to the right longitudinal support VN of the gangway.

[0034] In one implementation example of this invention, the gangway according to this invention is firmly installed with a fixed top step to the pier Po, namely to a post (pillar) or a pillar-like protrusion on the top board or walking board (deck) of the pier Pop, as schematically shown in figure 1 . Then, on a movable end of the gangway, where a gangway insert VST is, the gangway is installed on the vessel PL with the insert VST, namely into a hole, which is made in the deck of the vessel PL.

[0035] In the second, alternative implementation example of this invention, the gangway according to this invention is firmly installed with a fixed top step to the vessel PL, namely to a post (pillar) or a pillar-like protrusion, which is made on the deck of the vessel PL. Then, on a movable end of the gangway, where a gangway insert VST is, the gangway is installed on the pier Po with the insert VST, namely into a hole, which is made in the top board or walking board (deck) of the pier Pop.

[0036] The intermediate step STV, that is pivotally (rotatably) connected with the two longitudinal supports VN, or several intermediate steps STV, that are pivotally (rotatably) connected with the two longitudinal supports VN, according to this invention rotates or rotate around its / their transverse axis y, which runs in the transverse middle of the step transversely to the length or depth of the step and parallelly to the width of the step from the left lateral side to the right lateral side of the step, so that a walking board (tread) of the intermediate rotating step STVp always takes a horizontal position regardless of the angle of inclination a of the gangway and its lateral longitudinal supports against a vertical wall of the pier Pov, or of the angle of inclination of the gangway against the walking board (deck) of thepier Pop, or of the angle of inclination of the gangway against a plane of the deck of the vessel PL, when the gangway M bridges the distance and height difference between the vessel PL and the pier Po.

[0037] The adjustable gangway M with steps for bridging variable height differences according to this invention has, in addition to the top fixed step STF, at least one intermediate rotating step STV or several intermediate rotating steps STV pivotally (rotatably) connected to the two longitudinal supports of the gangway VN, where this number of the intermediate rotating steps STV is depending on the length of the gangway M. Due to this, these rotating steps are called intermediate rotating step STV or intermediate rotating steps STV, to differentiate it / them from the top fixed step STF, which is firmly or rigidly installed on the top board of the pier Pop, or in an alternative implementation example of the invention, on the deck of the vessel PL and does not rotate around its transverse axis 5, where this axis runs transversely to the length or the depth of the step in direction parallelly to the width of the step from the left lateral side to the right lateral side of the top fixed step STF.

[0038] Due to the construction of the gangway, the top fixed step STF does not rotate around the transverse axis 5 of the top fixed step STF, but the two longitudinal supports of the gangway VN rotate around the axis 5.

[0039] The intermediate rotating steps STV are installed in the gangway M in the direction from the top fixed step STF, which rests on the pier Po, or in an alternative implementation example of the invention, on the vessel PL, or from the fixed end of the gangway, where the top fixed step STF is, towards a movable end of the gangway, where an insert VST of the gangway is, with which the gangway is installed on the vessel PL, or in an alternative implementation example of the invention, on the pier Po.

[0040] In one implementation example of this invention, the gangway has the top fixed step STF and one intermediate rotating step STV clamped between the two longitudinal supports. In the second implementation example of this invention, the gangway has the top fixed step STF and two intermediate rotating steps STVclamped between the two longitudinal supports. In the third implementation example of this invention, the gangway has the top fixed step STF and three intermediate rotating steps STV clamped between the two longitudinal supports. In the implementation example of this invention, shown in Figure 1 , the gangway M has the top fixed step STF and four intermediate rotating steps STV clamped between the two longitudinal supports VN, and at the movable end of the gangway it has a tube with an insert VST for mounting the gangway on the vessel PL, or in an alternative implementation example of the invention, on the pier Po.

[0041] In further implementation examples of the invention, the gangway has the top fixed step STF and a larger number of intermediate rotating steps STV clamped between the two longitudinal supports, where this number of steps depends on the length of the gangway.

[0042] The framework of the gangway carries the gangway and its building blocks (components). The framework of the gangway is formed by two parallel longitudinal supports VN, that are parallel to each other, or by two parallel shafts, the left and right longitudinal support VN, which are made of stainless solid material, resistant to salt and similar corrosive agents. Preferably, the material of the longitudinal supports VN is stainless steel for marine applications with grade 316 (marine grade stainless steel 316).

[0043] In one of the implementation examples of the gangway according to this invention for a load capacity of 100 kg, stainless steel for marine applications 316 is used, which has a thickness of 1 mm for the two longitudinal supports VN and intermediate rotating steps STV and their reinforcements, and a thickness of 1 .5 mm for the top fixed step STF. For a higher load capacity of the gangway the marine grade stainless steel 316 has a thickness in the range from 1 mm to 3 mm and in special cases up to 10 mm or more.

[0044] For a higher load capacity of the rotating steps STV and the gangway, a material is used for the rotating steps STV and their reinforcements STVo and for the fixed top step STF and for the longitudinal supports VN that has a thicknessgreater than 1 mm, where the thickness of such a material is in the range from 1 .5 mm to 10 mm or more.

[0045] Each longitudinal support VN consists of two C profiles with a cross-section in the shape of an angular letter C, namely, it consists of an external longitudinal support VNz, which is slightly higher, wider, and longer in dimensions, and of an internal longitudinal support VNn, which is slightly lower, narrower, and shorter in dimensions, so that the internal longitudinal support VNn, consisting of the C profile, abuts (fits and rests) inside the external longitudinal support VNz, consisting of the C profile. The internal longitudinal support VNn, consisting of the C profile, forms an internal wall of the longitudinal support NSVN, and the external longitudinal support VNz, consisting of the C profile, forms an external wall of the longitudinal support ZSVN.

[0046] The cross-section of the angular C profile has a flat, longer vertical part, at the ends of which it has, perpendicularly to the vertical part, a shorter horizontal part at the top and at the bottom, and it has at the end of each horizontal part, a vertical part extending perpendicularly downwards to it, which forms a flange Pr at each of the ends of the C profile.

[0047] The internal longitudinal support VNn abuts (fits and rests) inside the external longitudinal support VNz so that its flat, longer vertical part forms the internal vertical wall of the longitudinal support, its top shorter horizontal part forms the internal top horizontal wall of the longitudinal support, and its bottom shorter horizontal part forms the internal bottom horizontal wall of the longitudinal support, as shown schematically in Figures 4 and 8.

[0048] The external longitudinal support VNz abuts (fits and rests) on the internal longitudinal support VNn so that its flat, longer vertical part forms the external vertical wall of the longitudinal support, its top shorter horizontal part forms the external top horizontal wall of the longitudinal support, and its bottom shorter horizontal part forms the external bottom horizontal wall of the longitudinal support, as shown schematically in Figures 4 and 8.

[0049] Due to such abutment (fitting) of the internal VNn and the external longitudinal support VNz, the longitudinal support VN of the gangway has, in a cross-section, the shape of an upright (erect) rectangle with a single internal vertical wall and a single external vertical wall, and with a double top and bottom wall, as can be seen from Figures 4 and 8.

[0050] The double top horizontal wall of the longitudinal support is formed externally by the top shorter horizontal part of the external longitudinal support VNz, and internally below it, by the top shorter horizontal part of the internal longitudinal support VNn. Similarly, the double bottom horizontal wall of the longitudinal support is formed externally by the bottom shorter horizontal part of the external longitudinal support VNz, and internally above it, by the bottom shorter horizontal part of the internal longitudinal support VNn.

[0051] The two flanges Pr of the internal longitudinal support VNn reinforce from the inside the external top corner and the external bottom corner of the external vertical wall of the longitudinal support, where these corners are part of the external longitudinal support VNz, as can be seen from Figures 4 and 8.

[0052] The two flanges Pr of the external longitudinal support VNz, which face the lateral sides of the steps, reinforce from the outside the top corner and the bottom corner of the internal vertical wall of the longitudinal support, which is formed by the inner longitudinal support VNn.

[0053] The internal longitudinal support serves to reinforce the longitudinal support of the gangway and to form a hollow space VPVN inside the longitudinal support VN.

[0054] The internal VNn and the external longitudinal support VNz, joined together in this way, form the longitudinal support of the gangway VN, and inside it a hollow space of the longitudinal support VPVN of the gangway with the shape of the upright rectangle in the cross-section or vertical section.

[0055] The hollow inner space of the longitudinal support VPVN is closed by the external ZSVN and the internal wall of the longitudinal support NSVN so that the longitudinal support VN has, in the cross-section / vertical section, the shape of an upright rectangle, which has a double narrow horizontal top and bottom wall, and a single taller vertical external and internal wall. Each narrow horizontal wall of the longitudinal support, that is, the top or bottom wall, is reinforced because the bottom wall is formed by the bottom wall of the internal VNn and the bottom wall of the external longitudinal support VNz, and because the top wall is formed by the top wall of the internal VNn and the top wall of the external longitudinal support VNz.

[0056] The internal longitudinal support VNn and the external longitudinal support VNz are connected together. This is done by bolting (by using bolts) or in another similar way, and by placing ending elements at each end of the longitudinal support, at the fixed end and at the movable end of the longitudinal support, where the ending element is either welded to the end of the longitudinal support, or bolted or fastened in another similar manner as it is known in the state of the art, so that the ending element covers the opening of the inner hollow space of the longitudinal support. In this way, each of the longitudinal supports VN is closed at its fixed end and at its movable end with a suitable ending element, which covers the fixed end and the movable end of the longitudinal support. In some implementation examples of the invention, the longitudinal support has at its ends a flat side at the fixed end of the gangway and a flat side at the movable end of the gangway, where these flat sides are perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal support VN.

[0057] Due to the shape of the C profile, the internal wall of the longitudinal support NSVN on the side of the steps is flat, and the external wall of the longitudinal support ZSVN is flat. The shorter top and bottom horizontal walls / sides of the longitudinal support are also flat, and the vertical flanges Pr of the longitudinal support are also flat, both in the internal wall NSVN and in the external wall ZSVN of the longitudinal support.

[0058] Due to the shape of the C profile, each longitudinal support has, in the vertical cross-section, the shape of an upright rectangle and inside a hollow space VPVN, which is closed by the internal wall of the longitudinal support NSVN towards the intermediate part between the two longitudinal supports, and is closed on the outer lateral side by the external wall of the longitudinal support ZSVN. In the intermediate part between the two longitudinal supports, the intermediate rotating steps STV and the top fixed step STF at the fixed end of the gangway are installed, which are clamped into the two longitudinal supports.

[0059] For each intermediate rotating step STV and for the top fixed step STF of the gangway, one outer tube of the step ZCS for the intermediate rotating step STV and one outer tube ZCSf for the top fixed step STF abuts (fits and rests) on the internal wall of the longitudinal support NSVN, where inside each outer tube of the step ZCS, an inner tube of the step NCS of the intermediate rotating step STV runs, and where inside the outer tube ZCSf of the top fixed step STF, an inner tube NCSf of the top fixed step STF runs.

[0060] Said inner tube, either the inner tube NCS of the intermediate rotating step STV or the inner tube NCSf of the top fixed step STF, is by so much longer than said outer tube, that it reaches and runs all the way to the external wall of the longitudinal support ZSVN, and is bolted to the external wall of the longitudinal support ZSVN.

[0061] The outer tube of the step abuts (fits and rests) in an adjacent round hole in the internal wall of the longitudinal support. The inner tube of the step is inserted into the outer tube of the step and runs inside it, and the inner tube of the step is so much longer than the outer tube, that it extends to and reaches the external wall of the longitudinal support, and is bolted into it in an adjacent hole. A connection between the outer and inner tube of the step is rotatable (pivotable), and is made by placing the outer tube of the step on the internal wall of the longitudinal support of the gangway, and by bolting (fastening by a bolt) the inner tube of the step into the external wall of the longitudinal support.

[0062] In the inner hollow space of the longitudinal support VPVN, a chain drive of the gangway is installed. In some implementation examples of the gangway according to this invention, the chain drive is installed in only one longitudinal support, either in the left or only in the right. In the implementation examples for higher load capacity of the gangway according to this invention, the chain drive is installed in both longitudinal supports of the gangway, in the left and in the right.

[0063] It is essential for this invention that a chain drive of the gangway is installed in at least one gangway's longitudinal support VN of the two longitudinal supports, namely, in the inner (internal) hollow space VPVN of the longitudinal support VN.

[0064] The chain drive is installed in the hollow space VPVN inside the longitudinal support VN and comprises a chain, sprocket wheels, chain tensioners, and connecting elements, which are the inner and outer tube of the step for the individual step, where each of these two tubes runs with its end in the hollow space VPVN.

[0065] The chain drive of the gangway according to the present invention comprises:- a sprocket wheel of the top fixed step Vv, which is welded to the outer tube of the top fixed step ZCSf;- one sprocket wheel of the step Vs for each intermediate rotating step STV, which is welded to the outer tube ZCS of the individual intermediate rotating step STV;- one adjacent sprocket wheel Vp for each sprocket wheel Vs of the intermediate rotating step STV, which places a chain Ve on the sprocket wheel Vs of the intermediate rotating step;- one chain tensioner Vn for each adjacent sprocket wheel Vp;- a spacer sprocket wheel Vd at a sprocket wheel Vs of a bottom intermediate rotating step of the gangway, which is the closest to the movable end of the gangway, where the gangway insert VST is;- a chain Ve, which runs along these sprocket wheels, namely, over teeth at a circumference of the individual sprocket wheel, and between the sprocket wheels, where the chain connects the sprocket wheels together; and- connecting elements, which are for said individual step said inner tube of the step and said outer tube of the step, where each of these tubes runs with its end in the hollow space VPVN of the longitudinal support.

[0066] The chain drive of the gangway is installed in the inner hollow space of the longitudinal support VPVN of the gangway M, as shown schematically in Figures 4 and 8 for the implementation example of the gangway with the chain drive in both longitudinal supports VN of the gangway for a higher load capacity of the gangway. The hollow inner space of the longitudinal support VPVN is closed by the external ZSVN and the internal wall of the longitudinal support NSVN so that the longitudinal support has the shape of an upright rectangle in a cross-section.

[0067] The chain drive of the gangway is a mechanism for moving the intermediate rotating steps STV, which enables each intermediate rotating step STV, with the exception of the top fixed step, to rotate around its axis y and thereby, to take a horizontal position of a top walking board (tread) of the step STVp.

[0068] At the same time, the construction of the gangway M with the firm (fixed) clamping (fastening) of the top fixed step STF to the top board (deck) of the pier Pop, or in an alternative implementation example of the invention, to the deck of the vessel PL, in connection with the chain drive of the gangway enables, that the rotation of the two longitudinal supports VN of the gangway around the axis 5, which (the axis 5) is represented by the inner tube of the top fixed step NCSf, initiates the movement of the chain Ve in the chain drive, where this chain initiates the rotation of the individual sprocket wheel Vs of the intermediate rotating step STV, and together with it (with the individual sprocket wheel Vs), the rotation of the outer tube ZCS of the intermediate rotating step STV, and together with it (with the outer tube ZCS), the rotation of the intermediate rotating step itself in such a way and by so much,that the individual intermediate rotating step STV always places itself in a horizontal position with its top walking board (tread) STVp.

[0069] At the top fixed step STF, on the left and right side of this step, the outer tube of this step ZCSf abuts (fits and rests) in a round hole 2 (shown schematically in Figures 8 and 16) in the internal wall of the longitudinal support NSVN at the fixed end of the longitudinal support of the gangway. The inner tube NCSf of the top fixed step STF is inserted into the outer tube ZCSf of the top fixed step STF, as shown schematically in Figure 8 and also in Figures 5, 6, and 7. The inner tube NCSf runs inside this outer tube ZCSf of the top fixed step STF, and is so much longer than the outer tube, that it extends to and reaches the external wall of the longitudinal support ZSVN and is bolted into it in an adjacent hole 2.1 , which is shown schematically in Figures 8 and 15.

[0070] Inside the outer tube of the top fixed step ZCSf, that is inside and along the outer tube ZCSf of the top fixed step STF, the inner tube of the top fixed step NCSf is installed and runs, which is longer than the outer tube ZCSf by so much, that it extends with its left or right end to the external wall of the longitudinal support ZSVN, where it abuts (fits and rests) in the adjacent hole 2.1 , having a smaller round shape, in the external wall of the longitudinal support ZSVN, and is clamped into it (the external wall) by bolting (by using a bolt), or is bolted into it in the hole 2.1 with a bolt M6, as schematically shown in Figure 8.

[0071] The top fixed step STF is, thus, on each of its side walls / lateral sides STFst, that is, on the left and right, clamped into the two longitudinal supports VN of the gangway in the hole 2, having a larger round shape, in the internal wall of the longitudinal support NSVN via the outer tube ZCSf of the top fixed step STF, and via the inner tube of the step NCSf, which is bolted into the hole 2.1 , having a smaller round shape, in the adjacent external wall of the longitudinal support ZSVN of the gangway.

[0072] The outer tube ZCSf of the top fixed step STF is fastened by bolting (by a bolt) to a bottom part STFsd of the top fixed step STF, wherein the outer tube is attached to the said bottom part of the step firmly and adjustably with a bolt, so that it (the outer tube) can only be slightly rotated by an angle from 0° to a maximum of 10°, which enables, in the event of loosening of the chain Ve and of slight sagging of the intermediate rotating steps STV, to additionally adjust the tension of the chain and the position of the intermediate rotating steps with this bolt, so that these steps take a 100% horizontal position.

[0073] On the outer tube of the top fixed step ZCSf, at the end of this outer tube, the sprocket wheel of the top fixed step Vv is welded on that side of the top fixed step STF, where the longitudinal support with an installed chain drive is located.

[0074] Therefore, the sprocket wheel of the top fixed step Vv can also be rotated by an angle of maximally up to 10°, just like the outer tube of the top fixed step ZCSf.

[0075] In the top fixed step STF, the outer tube ZCSf of the top fixed step STF is rigidly installed, where the outer tube of the step ZCSf is bolted with a bolt into the bottom part of the top fixed step STFsd in a hole, having a larger round shape, LO on each side wall STFst, that is, the left and right side wall / lateral side of the step STF, so that it (the outer tube) can be rotated in this hole by an angle of maximally up to 10°.

[0076] Since the outer tube of the step ZCSf of the top fixed step is rigidly fastened with the bolt to the bottom part of the top fixed step STFsd at a hole LO, this tube ZCSf and the sprocket wheel of the top fixed step Vv, that is welded on it (the outer tube), can rotate together by an angle of maximally up to 10°.

[0077] Due to the rigid clamping (fastening) of the outer tube of the top fixed step ZCSf in the bottom part of the top fixed step STFsd with a bolt with the possibility of adjusting the rotation up to an angle of maximally 10°, and due to a welding connection of the sprocket wheel of the top fixed step Vv with the outer tube ZCSf, the outer tube ZCSf and the sprocket wheel of the top fixed step Vv do not rotate,but the longitudinal support rotates on the outer tube ZCSf, where this outer tube abuts (fits and rests) in the hole 2 of the internal wall of the longitudinal support NSVN, and the longitudinal support rotates around the axis of rotation 5, which is represented by the inner tube NCSf.

[0078] Due to the clamping (fastening) of both longitudinal supports VN via the outer tube ZCSf and the inner tube NCSf of the top fixed step on the top fixed step STF, both longitudinal supports VN of the gangway rotate around the axis of rotation 5, even in cases where the chain drive is only in one longitudinal support, and therefore, the gangway according to this invention also rotates around the axis of rotation 5. The angle of rotation of the longitudinal support VN around the axis of rotation 5 is 360°.

[0079] The outer tube ZCSf of the top fixed step STF runs along the entire width of the step and through a hole LO in an internal (inner) lateral side STFstn in the bottom part of this step STFsd, where the outer tube ZCSf is bolted into the bottom part of the top fixed step STFsd, and then (the outer tube) passes through a hole LU in an external (outer) lateral side STFstz in a top part of the top fixed step STFzd, and (the outer tube) laterally sticks out and away from a lateral side of the step STFst, and runs to the internal wall of the longitudinal support NSVN of the gangway, and through an adjacent hole 2, having a larger round shape, in this wall NSVN, and abuts (fits and rests) on the edges of the hole 2, and (the outer tube) ends slightly beyond the internal wall of the longitudinal support NSVN inside the hollow space of the longitudinal support VPVN, wherein at the end of the outer tube ZCSf, the sprocket wheel of the top fixed step Vv is welded on the outer tube ZCSf, on that side of the top fixed step STF, where the longitudinal support with an installed chain drive is located.

[0080] The other end of the outer tube ZCSf, which is on the side of the top fixed step STF, where the longitudinal support without an installed chain drive is located, ends freely inside the hollow space of the longitudinal support VPVN without a sprocket wheel of the top fixed step.

[0081] The inner tube NCSf of the top fixed step STF represents an axis of rotation 5 of the longitudinal supports of the gangway.

[0082] At the lateral end of the outer tube ZCSf of the top fixed step STF, which (the outer tube) sticks out from the lateral side of the step STFst and passes through the hole 2 in the internal wall of the longitudinal support NSVN, where the outer tube abuts (fits and rests) on the edges of this hole 2, and (the outer tube) runs inside the hollow space of the longitudinal support VPVN, on the side of the longitudinal support with the installed chain drive, a sprocket wheel of the top fixed step Vv is welded on the outer tube ZCSf at the end of this tube. From the sprocket wheel of the top fixed step Vv, the outer tube ZCSf runs further laterally and ends slightly sideways and towards the external wall of the longitudinal support ZSVN.

[0083] In the implementation examples of the invention with a chain drive in one longitudinal support of the gangway, the top fixed step STF has a sprocket wheel of the top fixed step Vv welded on its outer tube ZCSf at the end of this tube ZCSf, on that side of the tube ZCSf and the side of the top fixed step STF, where the longitudinal support with the chain drive is located.

[0084] In the implementation examples of the invention with a higher load capacity of the gangway, where the chain drive is in both longitudinal supports, the top fixed step STF has one sprocket wheel of the top fixed step Vv welded on its outer tube ZCSf at both ends of this tube ZCSf, one sprocket wheel at the left end and the other sprocket wheel at the right end of the outer tube ZCSf of the step STF.

[0085] In the longitudinal support VN with the installed chain drive, the sprocket wheel of the top fixed step Vv is connected with the chain in the chain drive, where the chain drive is installed in the hollow space VPVN inside the longitudinal support VN of the gangway. The chain Ve of the chain drive connects the sprocket wheel of the top fixed step Vv, which is welded on the outer tube ZCSf of the top fixed step STF, with the sprocket wheels Vs of the intermediate rotating steps STV.

[0086] Figure 8 schematically shows a top fixed step STF, clamped between two longitudinal supports VN of the gangway, in a cross-section at an outer tube of the top fixed step ZCSf, where a chain drive is installed in both longitudinal supports VN of the gangway, and where at each end of the outer tube of this step ZCSf a sprocket wheel of the top fixed step Vv is welded. In each of the two longitudinal supports, a chain drive with a chain Ve is installed, where the chain connects the sprocket wheel of the top fixed step Vv with sprocket wheels of intermediate rotating steps Vs, with their adjacent sprocket wheels Vp and chain tensioners Vn, as schematically shown in Figure 9.

[0087] At each intermediate rotating step STV, on the left and on the right side of this step, the outer tube of this step ZCS abuts (fits and rests) in a round hole 1 (shown schematically in Figures 4 and 16) in the internal wall of the longitudinal support NSVN. In the outer tube ZCS of the intermediate rotating step STV the inner tube NCS of this step is inserted, as shown schematically in Figure 4 and also in Figures 2 and 3. The inner tube NCS runs inside this outer tube ZCS of the intermediate rotating step STV, where the inner tube is so much longer than the outer tube, that it extends to and reaches the external wall of the longitudinal support ZSVN, and is bolted into it in an adjacent hole 1.1 , which is shown schematically in Figures 4 and 15.

[0088] Each of the intermediate rotating steps STV is, on each of its lateral sides STVst, clamped in the two longitudinal supports VN of the gangway in the hole 1 , having a larger round shape, in the internal wall of the longitudinal support NSVN via the outer tube of the step ZCS, where the outer tube abuts (fits and rests) on the edges of the hole 1 , and via the inner tube of the step NCS, where the inner tube is bolted into the hole 1.1 , having a smaller round shape, in the adjacent external wall of the longitudinal support ZSVN, where the inner tube is bolted with a bolt M6, as shown schematically in Figure 4.

[0089] Each rotating step STV is welded to its outer tube of the step ZCS, where the outer tube of the step ZCS is welded to an underside of the top walking board(tread) STVp of the intermediate rotating step STV. The outer tube of the step ZCS runs in the middle of the length of the step STV, where this middle is a transverse middle of the intermediate rotating step with respect to the length or depth of the step, and the outer tube runs through a hole LST in the middle of a side wall / lateral side STVst of the step, and through a hole LSTo in the middle of a reinforcement of the step STVo in the direction from the left lateral side of the step STVst to the right lateral side of the step STVst, and with its left and right end sticks out from the lateral sides of the step STVst, as shown schematically in Figures 2, 3, and 4.

[0090] The outer tube of the step ZCS, which with its end sticks out from the lateral side of the step STVst, then runs laterally to the internal wall of the longitudinal support NSVN, and passes through the hole 1 , having a larger round shape, in the internal wall of the longitudinal support NSVN, where the outer tube abuts (fits and rests) on the edges of this hole 1 .

[0091] From the internal wall of the longitudinal support NSVN, the outer tube ZCS of the intermediate rotating step STV runs further laterally into the inner hollow space VPVN of the longitudinal support VN of the gangway, wherein a sprocket wheel of the intermediate rotating step Vs is welded on the outer tube ZCS, at the end of the outer tube ZCS, on that side of the intermediate rotating step STV, where the longitudinal support with an installed chain drive is located, and wherein the other end of the outer tube ZCS on the side of the intermediate rotating step STV, where the longitudinal support without an installed chain drive is located, ends freely without a sprocket wheel of the step. The inner tube of the step NCS represents an axis of rotation y of the intermediate rotating step STV, of its outer tube ZCS and of the sprocket wheel of the step Vs, that is welded on the outer tube.

[0092] In this way it is in the implementation examples of the gangway according to this invention, where the chain drive is installed in only one longitudinal support of the gangway, where the outer tube ZCS of the intermediate rotating step STV has the sprocket wheel of the step Vs welded onto it on that side of the intermediate rotating step STV, where the longitudinal support with the chain drive is located. Inthese implementation examples of the gangway, the sprocket wheel of the step Vs for the intermediate rotating step STV is welded on the outer tube ZCS, at that lateral end of the outer tube of the step ZCS, where the lateral end sticks out through the hole 1 in the internal wall of the longitudinal support NSVN into the hollow space of the longitudinal support VPVN, in which the chain drive is installed. From the sprocket wheel of the step Vs, the outer tube ZCS runs further a little laterally and ends slightly sideways and towards the external wall of the longitudinal support ZSVN.

[0093] In the implementation examples of the invention, where the chain drive is installed only in the left longitudinal support, the sprocket wheel of the step Vs is welded to the outer tube ZCS on the left side of the intermediate rotating step STV and is connected with the chain in the chain drive in the hollow space VPVN of the left longitudinal support VN of the gangway.

[0094] In the implementation examples of the invention, where the chain drive is installed only in the right longitudinal support of the gangway, the sprocket wheel of the step Vs is welded to the outer tube ZCS on the right side of the intermediate rotating step STV and is connected with the chain in the chain drive, where the chain drive is installed in the hollow space VPVN of the right longitudinal support VN of the gangway.

[0095] In the longitudinal support VN of the gangway with the installed chain drive, the chain Ve of the chain drive connects the sprocket wheels Vs of the intermediate rotating steps STV with the sprocket wheel of the top fixed step Vv, where this sprocket wheel is mounted on the outer tube ZCSf of the top fixed step STF, where the top fixed step is attached to the pier Po, or in alternative implementation example of the invention, to the vessel PL.

[0096] In the implementation examples of this invention for the higher load capacity of the gangway, where the chain drive is installed in both longitudinal supports, in the left and right longitudinal support, the outer tube ZCS of the intermediate rotatingstep STV has at each end of the tube, which sticks out through the hole 1 in the internal wall of the longitudinal support NSVN into the hollow space VPVN of the longitudinal support, the sprocket wheel of the step Vs for the intermediate rotating step STV welded onto it (on the outer tube), that is, on the left and right end of the tube ZCS. In these implementation examples of the gangway, the sprocket wheel Vs on the left side of the step STV is connected with the chain in the chain drive in the left longitudinal support VN of the gangway, and the sprocket wheel Vs on the right side of the step STV is connected with the chain in the chain drive in the right longitudinal support VN of the gangway.

[0097] Figure 4 schematically shows the intermediate rotating step STV, clamped between the two longitudinal supports VN of the gangway, in a cross-section at the outer tube of the intermediate rotating step ZCS, where the chain drive is installed in both longitudinal supports VN of the gangway, and where the sprocket wheel of the intermediate rotating step Vs is welded on each end of the outer tube of this step ZCS. In each of the two longitudinal supports, a chain drive with a chain Ve is installed, which connects the sprocket wheel of the intermediate rotating step Vs with the sprocket wheel of the top fixed step and, in the case of a gangway with several intermediate rotating steps, with sprocket wheels of other intermediate rotating steps Vs, with their adjacent sprocket wheels Vp and chain tensioners Vn, as shown schematically in Figure 9.

[0098] Figure 4 shows the outer tube ZCS of the intermediate rotating step STV, where inside and along this outer tube the inner tube of the step NCS is installed and runs. The inner tube of the step NCS is longer than the outer tube of the step ZCS by so much, that its left or right end abuts (fits and rests) in the adjacent hole 1.1 , having a smaller round shape, in the external wall of the longitudinal support ZSVN. In this way it is on the right and left side of the step STV, and in the right and left longitudinal support of the gangway VN. The inner tube NCS of the intermediate rotating step STV represents the shaft or axis y of rotation of the intermediate rotating step STV, of its outer tube ZCS, and of both sprocket wheels of the step Vs that are welded on the outer tube, as shown schematically in Figure 4.

[0099] When the gangway according to this invention has two intermediate rotating steps STV clamped in the two longitudinal supports or several intermediate rotating steps STV clamped in them (in the two longitudinal supports), the axes of rotation y of the intermediate rotating steps STV are arranged at equal distances from each other.

[0100] Each of the intermediate rotating steps STV of the gangway has an approximately square shape in the floor plan of the stepping / walking surface, which is the walking board (tread) of the step STVp. Alternatively, this walking board can have a rectangular shape.

[0101] A front edge (closer to the movable end of the gangway, where the gangway insert VST is), and a rear edge (away from the movable end of the gangway and closer to the fixed end of the gangway, where the top fixed step STF is) of the walking board STVp of the rotating step STV have a low elongated front side STVs (closer to the movable end of the gangway) or a low elongated rear side STVz (away from the movable end of the gangway and closer to the fixed end of the gangway, where the top fixed step STF is), that extend on the underside of the walking board downwardly at the right angle. Each of these (the low elongated front side STVs and the low elongated rear side STVz) has additionally a narrower flange PrST at its bottom edge, which extends on the bottom side of the walking board perpendicularly towards the middle of the step and along the entire width of the step, as shown schematically in Figures 2 and 3, and in the plan of this step in Figure 11 .

[0102] A left and a right edge of the walking board of the step have a lateral side STVst that extends downwardly at the right angle, that is, a left and a right pentagonal lateral side STVst with two side edges that are equal to the height of the front STVs and the rear side STVz, and with a triangular edge of the pentagon pointing downwardly. In the middle of the left and right pentagonal lateral side STVst, a hole LST, having a round shape, is cut out, where through this hole the outer tube of the step ZCS, and inside it, the inner tube of the step NCS pass.

[0103] Each intermediate rotating step STV has at least three or more reinforcements of the step STVo welded to the underside of the walking board STVp, where each reinforcement STVo has a central shape of the pentagonal lateral side STVst of the intermediate rotating step STV with a hole LSTo, having a round shape, cut out in the middle, where through this hole the outer tube of the step ZCS, and inside it, the inner tube of the step NCS pass. Each step reinforcement STVo has additionally a narrower flange Pro on the longest straight edge for welding the reinforcement to the underside of the walking board of the step STV, as shown schematically in Figure 11 of the plan of the reinforcement of the intermediate rotating step, and a narrower flange Pro on each beveled edge of the triangular edge of the pentagon of the reinforcement STVo to reinforce the walking board of the step STVp, as shown schematically in Figures 3 and 11 .

[0104] Approximately in the middle of the width of the step, one reinforcement of the step STVo is mounted / welded on the underside of the walking board of the step STVp, of the other two reinforcements STVo each is placed on the underside of the walking board of the step STVp slightly away from the lateral side of the step STVst and towards the middle of the width of the step.

[0105] When the widths of the intermediate rotating steps STV are longer and the load capacity of the gangway is higher, then more than three reinforcements STVo are mounted on one intermediate rotating step STV, preferentially symmetrically with respect to the middle of the width of the step STV and at equal distances between them.

[0106] The outer tube ZCSf of the top fixed step STF runs approximately in the front quarter to the front third of the length of the top fixed step STF, that is, on the side of the top fixed step that faces towards the movable end of the gangway, and slightly up from the bottom edge of the lateral side STFst, and that is, in the direction from the left lateral side of the step STFst to the right lateral side of the step STFst and with its left and right end sticks out from the lateral sides / walls of the step STFst.

[0107] A top walking board STFp of the top fixed step STF is formed by the top part of the step STFzd, as shown schematically in Figure 5 and also in Figure 13 of the plan of the top part STFzd of the top fixed step STF. Its bottom plate STFsp (of the top fixed step), which abuts (rests) on the top or the walking board of the pier Pop, or in an alternative implementation example of the invention, on the deck of the vessel PL, is formed by the bottom part of the step STFsd, as shown schematically in Figure 6. The bottom plate of the step STFsp has a hole LE cut out, where the hole has the shape of an elongated ellipse, which extends from about 1 / 20 of the length of the bottom plate STFsp of the top fixed step from the rear edge (the edge facing away from the movable end of the gangway) of the bottom plate and to about 2 / 5 of the length of the bottom plate STFsp of the top fixed step from the front edge (the edge facing towards the movable end of the gangway) of the bottom plate of the step. This elliptical hole LE serves for mounting the top fixed step STF on the post (pillar) that is on the top (walking) board of the pier Pop, or in an alternative implementation example of the invention, on the post (pillar) that is on the deck of the vessel PL. This is shown schematically in Figure 6 and also in Figure 14, which schematically shows the plan of the bottom part STFsd of the top fixed step STF.

[0108] A front wall STFs of the top fixed step STF, that looks towards the movable end of the gangway, is formed by the front side of the bottom part of the step STFsd, where the front wall runs perpendicularly upwards from the front edge of the bottom plate STFsp of the top fixed step STF, which is shown schematically in Figure 6 and also in the plan of the bottom part STFsd of the top fixed step in Figure 14.

[0109] The two lateral sides STFst of the top fixed step STF, that is, the left and right lateral side, are reinforced and consist of two adjacent sides STFstn and STFstz. Each lateral side STFst of the top step STF is formed by an inner (internal) side STFstn and an outer (external) side STFstz, where the outer side abuts over the inner side, as can be seen from the schematic presentations in Figures 5, 6, and 8.

[0110] The inner side STFstn of the lateral side STFst of the top fixed step STF is a part of the bottom part STFsd of this step (shown in Figures 8 and 5), and runs perpendicularly upwards from the side edge of the bottom plate STFsp of the topfixed step and has a low flange PrSTFsd on its top edge (shown in Figure 8), where this flange runs perpendicularly to the inner side STFstn of the lateral side STFst of the step and into the inside of the step, and where this flange supports the top walking board STFp of the top fixed step STF along the top side edge of the step. At approximately to 1 / 3 of the length of the top step STF and the length of its lateral side STFst, the inner side STFstn of the lateral side of the step STFst has a hole LO, having a larger round shape, where this hole serves for abutting and mounting the outer tube ZCSf of the top step STF (shown in Figures 5 and 6). In this way, the inner side STFstn of the left and right lateral side STFst of the top step STF is made.

[0111] The outer side STFstz of the lateral side STFst of the top fixed step STF is a part of the top part STFzd of this step and runs perpendicularly downwards from the side edge of the top walking board STFp of the top fixed step STF and has a low flange PrSTFzd on its bottom edge, where this flange runs perpendicularly to the outer side STFstz and the inner side STFstn of the lateral side of the step STFst and towards the longitudinal middle of the step, and where this flange supports the bottom plate STFsp of the top fixed step STF along the bottom side edge of the step and lies below it (below the bottom plate STFsp). This is shown schematically in Figures 5, 6, and 8.

[0112] At approximately to 1 / 3 of the length of the top step STF and the length of its lateral side STFst, the outer side STFstz of the lateral side of the step STFst has a hole LU with an elongated shape of the letter U with the elongated arms, where the rounded or semicircular part of this hole follows the semicircle of the hole LO, having a larger round shape, of the inner side STFstn of the lateral side of the step STFst, and where this hole serves for abutting the outer tube ZCSf of the top step STF in its semicircular part, and where in the part of the elongated arms of the hole LU with a gap slightly larger than the diameter of the inner tube of the top step, it serves to mount the top part STFzd of the top fixed step STF on the bottom part STFsd of the top fixed step STF. In this way, the outer side STFstz of the left and right lateral side STFst of the top step STF is made. This is shown schematically in Figures 5 and 6.

[0113] A rear wall STFz of the top fixed step, that looks away from the movable end of the gangway, is formed by the side of the top part STFzd of the step STF, where this side runs perpendicularly downwards from the rear edge of the top walking board STFp of the top fixed step STF, what is schematically shown in the plan of the top part STFzd of the top fixed step in Figure 13. This side of the top part of the step has at its bottom edge a narrower flange PrSTFzd (shown in Figure 13), where this flange runs perpendicularly to the rear wall of the step and in a horizontal plane and abuts (rests) along and below the bottom rear edge of the bottom plate of the step STFsp, and where this flange reinforces this bottom rear edge from below (shown in Figure 6). At the same time, the bottom rear edge of the rear wall STFz of the top fixed step is reinforced additionally by a narrower flange PrSTFsd of the bottom plate of the step STFsp (shown in Figure 14), where this flange runs in a vertical plane perpendicularly upwards from the bottom rear edge of the bottom plate STFsp of the top step, and where this flange abuts (rests) inside the step at the rear wall of the step and along its bottom rear edge (not visible in the figures). In the rear wall of the step STFz, in the middle of the width of this wall slightly upwards from the bottom rear edge, there is a hole LK for the installation of a lock with a tongue, where the tongue of the lock locks against the vertical flange PrSTFsd inside the rear wall of the step STFz.

[0114] The top fixed step STF of the gangway consists of the top part STFzd and the bottom part STFsd of the step, as shown schematically in Figures 5 and 6.

[0115] In the implementation example of the invention, where the top fixed step STF of the gangway M is firmly mounted on the pier Po, first the bottom part STFsd of the top fixed step STF, where the bottom part comprises a bearing, is mounted on the pier by attaching it to the pier pillar or to the pillar-like protrusion on the pier Po.

[0116] In the alternative implementation example of the invention, where the top fixed step STF of the gangway M is firmly mounted on the vessel PL, first the bottom part STFsd of the top fixed step STF, which comprises a bearing, is mounted on thedeck of the vessel PL by attaching it to the pillar or to the pillar-like protrusion on the deck of the vessel PL.

[0117] Then, on the bottom part STFsd of the top fixed step at the rear bottom edge of the step and according to the two lateral sides STFstn of the bottom part STFsd of the step (described above as the two inner sides STFstn of the two lateral walls of the step), the front edges and the two lateral sides STFstz of the top part of the step STFzd are set and aligned (described above as the two outer sides STFstz of the two lateral walls of the step), and the top part of the step STFzd is pulled forwards along the lateral sides STFstn of the bottom part of the step STFsd and with the cutout / hole LU with the shape of the letter U over the outer tube of the step ZCSf, so that the rear side of the top part STFzd of the top step STF, where this rear side forms the rear wall STFz of the step STF, stops at the rear edge of the bottom part of the step STFsd, and so that the front top edge (facing the movable end of the gangway) of the top part of the step STFzd abuts on the front top edge of the front side of the bottom part STFsd of the top step, where this front side forms the front wall STFs of the top step STF. When the top part STFzd of the top fixed step is smoothly joined to the bottom part STFsd of the top fixed step, the two parts are fastened together by locking with the tongue of the lock at the hole LK on the rear wall / side STFz of the top fixed step STF.

[0118] The bottom part of the step STFsd has the bottom plate STFsp (which forms the bottom plate STFsp of the step STF) in the shape of an elongated rectangle with a longer length or depth of the step and with a shorter width of the step. The bottom plate STFsp of the bottom part STFsd of the top step STF is slightly shorter in length and width than the top plate STFp of the top part STFzd of the step (which forms the top plate STFp of the step STF), so that the top plate STFp of the top part STFzd of the step covers from above the bottom plate STFsp of the bottom part STFsd of the step. The top plate STFp of the top part STFzd of the step has a similar shape of an elongated rectangle.

[0119] The bottom part STFsd of the top step STF has on its rear side (facing away from the movable end of the gangway) and on its rear bottom edge (facing awayfrom the movable end of the gangway) of the bottom plate STFsp and along this rear bottom edge a narrower flange standing perpendicularly upwards (not visible in the figures), where on this flange the rear side STFz of the top part STFzd of the step abuts (rests), where this rear side has the height of the entire height of the rear wall STFz of the top step and has a narrower flange PrSTFzd on its bottom edge, where this flange trims the rear bottom edge of the bottom plate ZTFsp of the bottom part STFsd of the top step from below (shown in Figure 6).

[0120] The rear side (wall) STFz of the top step (looking away from the movable end of the gangway) has a hole (perforation) LK in the middle of its width and near the bottom edge for the installation of the lock with the tongue, wherein with this lock the top part of the step STFzd is locked together with the bottom part STFsd of the step, where the tongue of the lock turns down and locks against the flange PrSTFsd of the bottom part STFsd of the top step (shown in Figure 14).

[0121] The bottom part of the step STFsd has, along its two elongated lateral edges of the bottom plate STFsp, the left and right edge, an upwards perpendicularly standing lateral side STFstn (which forms the inner side STFstn of the lateral side (wall) STFst of the step), where this lateral side is slightly lower than the height of the top step STF, where the height of the top step is determined by the height of the two lateral sides STFstz of the top part STFzd of the step (individual lateral side forms the outer lateral side STFstz of the lateral side (wall) STFst of the step). Both lateral sides STFstn of the bottom part STFsd of the step have a flange PrSZFsd at their bottom edge, where this flange runs perpendicularly in a horizontal plane inside the step and supports the top lateral longitudinal edge of the top plate STFp of the top part STFzd of the step STF, as shown in Figure 8.

[0122] In the implementation example of the invention, where the top fixed step STF of the gangway is firmly mounted on the pier Po, the top fixed step STF of the gangway at the fixed end of the gangway is attached to the pier Po, or to the top board of the pier, or to the walking board of the pier Pop with the bottom part of the step via a bearing, where this bearing rotates by 360° and enables the gangway tobe attached to the pier Po via the bearing or to be detached from the pier so that the gangway is removed from the pier.

[0123] A connection (joint) of the top step STF and the pillar-like protrusion on the top board of the pier Pop is carried out via a hole LE with an elliptical shape in the bottom plate STFsp of the top step STF, where this hole embraces the pillar-like protrusion of the pier, and where the top step is attached to this protrusion with a bearing that is rotatable by 360° and where this bearing comprises springs of stainless steel. Said springs in the joint of the fixed top step STF with the pier Po dampen the fluctuations (swinging) of the top step due to the fluctuation of the vessel PL on the water surface Vo, where this fluctuation is transmitted to the top step STF of the gangway via the framework of the gangway and its longitudinal supports.

[0124] When attaching the gangway M to the pier Po, the top walking / stepping surface STFp of the top fixed step STF of the gangway lies in a plane that is parallel to the plane of the top surface or board Pop of the pier Po. The top step of the gangway STF is thus fixed and abuts attached on the pier Po.

[0125] After the gangway is attached to the pier Po, the intermediate rotating steps STV, which are one, two, or more, are rotated together with the chain drive in the longitudinal support VN with the installed chain drive, so that these steps take a horizontal position with their walking board STVp. This happens when the gangway is tilted (inclined) relative to the plane of the pier or the top board of the pier Pop. It happens in this way due to the rotatable engagement (clamping / fastening) of these steps in the two lateral longitudinal supports VN of the gangway.

[0126] In the implementation example of the invention, where the top fixed step STF of the gangway is firmly installed on the pier Po, the gangway is attached at its movable end to the vessel PL (barge, ship, pontoon vessel) with an insert or pin VST, with which it is inserted and installed into a hole on the vessel, where this hole is made or built-in in the deck of the vessel PL. A vessel within the meaning of thisinvention can be a barge, boat, sailboat, yacht, ship, pontoon vessel, or pontoon bridge, or pontoon platform.

[0127] In an alternative implementation example of the invention, where the top fixed step STF of the gangway is firmly installed on the vessel PL (barge, ship, pontoon vessel), the top fixed step STF of the gangway at the fixed end of the gangway is attached to a pillar-like protrusion on the deck of the vessel PL with the bottom part of this step via a bearing, where this bearing rotates by 360° and enables the gangway to be attached to the deck of the vessel PL via the bearing or to be detached from the deck of the vessel so that the gangway is removed from the vessel. A vessel within the meaning of this invention can be a barge, boat, sailboat, yacht, ship, pontoon vessel, or pontoon bridge, or pontoon platform.

[0128] A joint (connection) of the top fixed step STF and the pillar-like protrusion on the deck of the vessel PL is made via a hole LE, having an elliptical shape, in the bottom plate STFsp of the top step STF, where this hole embraces the pillar-like protrusion on the deck of the vessel, and where the top step is attached to this protrusion with a bearing that is rotatable by 360° and where this bearing comprises springs of stainless steel. Said springs in the joint of the fixed top step STF with the vessel PL dampen the fluctuations (swinging) of the top step due to the fluctuation of the vessel PL on the water surface Vo.

[0129] When attaching the gangway M to the vessel PL, the top walking / stepping surface STFp of the top fixed step STF of the gangway lies in a plane that is parallel to the plane of the top surface of the deck of the vessel PL. The top step of the gangway STF is thus fixed and abuts attached on the vessel PL.

[0130] After the gangway is attached to the vessel PL, the intermediate rotating steps STV, which are one, two, or more, are rotated together with the chain drive in the longitudinal support VN with the installed chain drive, so that these steps take a horizontal position with their walking board STVp. This happens when the gangway is tilted (inclined) relative to the plane of the deck of the vessel PL. It happens in thisway due to the rotatable engagement (clamping / fastening) of these steps in the two lateral longitudinal supports VN of the gangway.

[0131] In the implementation example of the invention, where the top fixed step STF of the gangway is firmly installed on the vessel PL, the gangway is attached at its movable end to the pier Po with an insert or pin VST, with which it is inserted and installed into a hole on the top or the walking board of the pier Pop, where this hole is made or built-in in the walking board of the pier Pop.

[0132] The insert or pin VST for placing the movable end of the gangway on the vessel PL, or in an alternative implementation example of the invention, on the pier Po, is welded on a transverse outer tube of the insert in the middle of the distance between the two longitudinal supports VN, where the outer tube of the insert VST is rotatably (pivotally) clamped into the two longitudinal supports VN at the movable end of the gangway. The insert VST with the outer tube of the insert is shown schematically in Figure 1 . The outer tube of the insert, together with its inner tube, where the inner tube runs inside the outer tube, is clamped into both longitudinal supports VN of the gangway, the left and right longitudinal support, wherein the outer tube of the insert abuts (rests) at its lateral ends on the edges of a hole, having a larger round shape, in the internal wall of the longitudinal support NSVN, and wherein the inner tube of the insert reaches at its lateral ends the external wall of the longitudinal support ZSVN and is bolted to it (the external wall). The gangway rotates and swings (fluctuates) around the insert VST when the vessel moves to the left or right due to fluctuation of the water surface.

[0133] In the hollow space VPVN inside the longitudinal support VN with the installed chain drive, there is also an adjacent sprocket wheel Vp, that abuts (rests) on the sprocket wheel Vs of the individual step STV, with the exception of the top fixed step STF, where the adjacent sprocket wheel directs and enables the corresponding abutting of the chain Ve of the gangway on the sprocket wheel Vs of the intermediate rotating step STV. The adjacent sprocket wheel Vp is rotatably (pivotally) clamped in the internal wall NSVN and the external wall of the longitudinalsupport ZSVN by bolting at the location PVp, as shown schematically in Figures 15 and 16. There is no adjacent sprocket wheel next to the sprocket wheel of the top fixed step Vv.

[0134] In the hollow space VPVN inside the longitudinal support VN with the installed chain drive, there is also a chain tensioner Vn installed next to each adjacent sprocket wheel Vp, where this chain tensioner, among other things, tensions the chain in the chain drive. The chain tensioner Vn is clamped in the internal wall NSVN and the external wall of the longitudinal support ZSVN by bolting at the location PVn, as shown schematically in Figures 15 and 16. The tensioner is installed so that it tensions the looser part of the chain. The tensioner is set in such a way, that it tensions the chain appropriately with regards to the selected chain.

[0135] In addition, in the hollow space VPVN inside the longitudinal support VN with the installed chain drive, in the bottom part of the longitudinal support VN near the adjacent sprocket wheel Vp and the sprocket wheel Vs of a bottom rotating step STV, where, in the gangway, this step is the closest to the movable end of the gangway, there is also a spacer sprocket wheel Vd installed for the chain Ve of the chain drive. This spacer sprocket wheel is rotatably (pivotally) clamped in the internal wall NSVN and the external wall of the longitudinal support ZSVN by bolting at the location PVd, as shown schematically in Figures 15 and 16.

[0136] A welding connection between the outer tube of the step ZCS and the sprocket wheel of the step Vs of the intermediate rotating step STV enables the outer tube of the step ZCS to rotate together with the sprocket wheel of the step Vs, and that together with them also the step STV itself and the walking board STVp of the step rotate.

[0137] The welding connection of the outer tube ZCS of the intermediate rotating step STV with the sprocket wheel of the step Vs enables the movement of the chain Ve of the gangway to be transmitted to a rotational movement or a rotation of thesprocket wheel Vs of each individual rotating step STV synchronously with the rotation of the longitudinal support VN of the gangway with the installed chain drive and thus to a rotation of the intermediate rotating steps in a certain direction by so much, that the intermediate rotating step STV rotates around its axis of rotation y by such an angle, where this angle of rotation of the intermediate rotating step compensates the angle of inclination of the gangway with respect to the top board of the pier, or the angle of inclination a of the gangway with respect to the vertical wall of the pier, or in the alternative implementation example of the invention, where the top fixed step is firmly installed on the deck of the vessel PL, this angle of rotation of the intermediate rotating step compensates the angle of inclination of the gangway with respect to the plane of the deck of the vessel PL. In this way, each of the intermediate rotating steps STV rotates in such a way and by so much, that it takes a horizontal position with its top walking board STVp. During this transmission of the movement, the chain of the gangway is set in motion by the rotation of the two longitudinal supports VN of the gangway around the axis of rotation 5 at the top fixed step STF. This rotation of the longitudinal supports of the gangway occurs due to a change in the angle of inclination of the gangway relative to the top board of the pier Pop or in the angle of inclination a of the gangway relative to the vertical wall of the pier Po, or in the alternative implementation example of the invention, where the top fixed step is firmly installed on the deck of the vessel PL, this rotation of the longitudinal supports VN of the gangway occurs due to a change in the angle of inclination of the gangway relative to the plane of the deck of the vessel PL.

[0138] This transmission of the movement of the longitudinal supports VN to the individual sprocket wheels Vs of the intermediate rotating steps STV is enabled by the chain Ve of the chain drive, where this chain drive is installed in one longitudinal support of the gangway, or in the case of the implementation of the gangway for the higher load capacity, where this chain drive is installed in both longitudinal supports VN of the gangway M. The chain Ve of the chain drive along the longitudinal support or along both longitudinal supports VN of the gangway connects with each other all the sprocket wheels Vs of the intermediate rotating steps STV, the adjacent sprocket wheels Vp, the chain tensioners Vn, the sprocket wheel of the top fixed step Vv, and the spacer sprocket wheel Vd.

[0139] On the sprocket wheel Vv of the top fixed step STF, the chain Ve of the chain drive turns from a working branch of the chain, where the working branch of the chain runs along the sprocket wheels Vs of the intermediate rotating steps STV and their adjacent sprocket wheels Vp and among them, into a free branch of the chain, where the free branch of the chain runs from the sprocket wheel Vv of the top fixed step STF at the fixed end of the gangway to the spacer sprocket wheel Vd at the movable end of the gangway. This is shown schematically in Figure 9. The sprocket wheel of the top fixed step Vv is installed in the top fixed step STF of the gangway by being welded to the outer tube of the top fixed step ZCSf at the end of this outer tube, wherein the outer tube ZCSf is fastened by being bolted to the bottom part STFsd of the top fixed step STF. The sprocket wheel Vv of the top fixed step STF can be rotated by a maximum of 10° and does not rotate. Inside the outer tube of the top fixed step ZCSf runs the inner tube of the top fixed step NCSf, where this inner tube is so much longer than the outer tube ZCSf that it reaches the external wall of the longitudinal support ZSVN, where the inner tube is bolted into this external wall in the hole 2.1 with a bolt M6. This is shown schematically in Figures 5, 6, 7, and 8. The inner tube of the top fixed step NCSf is the axis of rotation 5 of the longitudinal support VN. The longitudinal support VN can rotate around this axis of rotation by an angle of 360°.

[0140] In some implementation examples of this invention, either one sprocket wheel of the top fixed step Vv is mounted on the left side of the top fixed step STF, where the chain drive is only in the left longitudinal support of the gangway VN, or one sprocket wheel of the top fixed step Vv is mounted on the right side of the top fixed step STF, where the chain drive is only in the right longitudinal support VN of the gangway, and in other implementation examples of this invention for the higher load capacity of the gangway, as shown schematically in Figure 8, one sprocket wheel of the top fixed step Vv is installed on the left side of the top fixed step and one sprocket wheel of the top fixed step on the right side of the top fixed step STF, where the chain drive is in both longitudinal supports VN of the gangway.

[0141] The sprocket wheel of the top fixed step Vv is welded to the outer tube of the top fixed step ZCSf approximately in the front quarter of the lateral side STFst of this step.

[0142] At the same time, the outer tube of the top fixed step ZCSf is attached by being bolted to the bottom part STFsd of the top fixed step STF. Therefore, the sprocket wheel of the top fixed step Vv rotates by a maximum of 10°. The outer tube of the top fixed step ZCSf abuts (fits and rests) into the adjacent perforation / hole 2 with the round shape in the internal wall of the longitudinal support NSVN, as shown schematically in Figure 8.

[0143] A connection between the longitudinal support VN of the gangway and the outer tube ZCSf and the inner tube NCSf of the top fixed step STF is movable, so that the two longitudinal supports of the gangway can rotate around the axis 5, where the inner tube of the top fixed step NCSf represents this axis, as shown schematically in Figure 8, while the position of the top fixed step is fixed (rigid), where in one implementation example of the invention, the top fixed step STF is firmly installed on the pier Po, as schematically shown in Figure 1 , or where in the alternative implementation example of the invention, the top fixed step STF is firmly installed on the vessel PL.

[0144] Therefore, in one implementation example of the invention, where the top fixed step STF is firmly installed on the pier Po, the two longitudinal supports VN of the gangway rotate around the plane in which the top fixed step STF rests on the top walking board of the pier Pop.And therefore, in the alternative implementation example of the invention, where the top fixed step STF is firmly mounted on the vessel PL, the two longitudinal supports VN of the gangway rotate around the plane in which the top fixed step STF rests on the deck of the vessel PL.This applies to the left or right longitudinal support VN of the gangway or to both longitudinal supports VN.

[0145] The sprocket wheel Vs of the intermediate rotating step STV is welded to the outer tube ZCS of the individual rotating step STV. Similarly, the sprocket wheel Vvof the top fixed step STF is welded to the outer tube ZCSf of the top fixed step STF The chain Ve abuts on the teeth at the circumference of the sprocket wheel, as shown schematically in Figures 4, 8, and 10. At the end of the outer tube of the individual step, where the step is either the intermediate rotating step STV or the top fixed step STF, one sprocket wheel of the step Vs or one sprocket wheel of the top fixed step Vv is welded, respectively.

[0146] In some implementation examples of this invention, where the chain drive is in only one longitudinal support of the gangway, each step, either the intermediate rotating step STV or the top fixed step STF, has one sprocket wheel of the step Vs or one sprocket wheel of the top fixed step Vv, respectively, on the right end of its outer tube, where the chain drive is in the right longitudinal support, or one sprocket wheel of the step on the left end of its outer tube, where the chain drive is in the left longitudinal support.

[0147] In implementation examples for the higher load capacity of the gangway, where the chain drive is in both longitudinal supports VN of the gangway, each step, either the intermediate rotating step STV or the top fixed step STF, has one sprocket wheel of the step on the right end of its outer tube and one sprocket wheel of the step on the left end of its outer tube, as shown schematically in Figures 4 and 8.

[0148] By abutting the outer tube ZCSf of the top fixed step STF into the hole 2 in the internal wall of the longitudinal support NSVN and by bolting the inner tube NCSf of the top fixed step STF into the adjacent hole 2.1 in the external wall of the longitudinal support ZSVN with a bolt M6, as shown schematically in Figure 8, the longitudinal support VN of the gangway is rotatably clamped on the top fixed step STF, so that this longitudinal support VN on one side of the gangway and also the longitudinal support VN on the other side of the gangway can rotate around the axis of rotation 5, and in this way around the inner tube NSCf and the outer tube ZCSf of the top fixed step STF, and thus also around the top fixed step STF.

[0149] By abutting the outer tube ZCS of the intermediate rotating step STV into the hole 1 in the internal wall of the longitudinal support NSVN and by bolting the innertube NCS of the intermediate rotating step STV into the adjacent hole 1 .1 in the external wall of the longitudinal support ZSVN with a bolt M6, as schematically shown in Figure 4, the intermediate rotating step STV is, at each of its sides, rotatably clamped in the longitudinal support VN of the gangway, so that the intermediate rotating step STV can rotate around the axis of rotation y, and thus around its inner tube NCS.

[0150] In this way, the individual step of the gangway, either the intermediate rotating step STV or the top fixed step STF, is clamped and placed between both longitudinal supports VN of the gangway, the left and right longitudinal support, via its outer tube and its inner tube. The intermediate rotating step STV rotates around its axis Y- Concerning the top fixed step STF, where in one implementation example of the invention this step is firmly mounted on the top board of the pier Pop, or where in the alternative implementation example of the invention this step is firmly mounted on the deck of the vessel PL, the two longitudinal supports VN of the gangway rotate around the axis 5 of the step STF and thus, the gangway M rotates.

[0151] The sprocket wheel Vs of the intermediate rotating step STV rotates either by a certain angle to the left or by a certain angle to the right depending on the direction of movement of the chain Ve in the chain drive. When the sprocket wheel of the step Vs is rotated by a certain angle, the outer tube of the step ZCS is also rotated by this certain angle, equally as the sprocket wheel of the step Vs, due to the welded connection of this sprocket wheel with the outer tube of the step ZCS, and together with the outer tube the step STV and the top walking board of the step STVp are rotated by this certain angle, because the outer tube of the step ZCS is welded to the underside of the top walking board of the step STVp. The movement of the chain Ve is transmitted to the rotation of the sprocket wheel of the step Vs and in this way, to the rotation of the outer tube of the step ZCS, of the step STV itself, and of the top walking board of the step STVp.

[0152] The adjacent sprocket wheel Vp is installed next to the sprocket wheel Vs of the intermediate rotating step STV at each individual step STV, as shown schematically in Figures 9 and 10, with the exception of the fixed top step. Theadjacent sprocket wheel Vp places the chain Ve on the sprocket wheel of the step Vs, and enables the chain Ve to embrace a greater part of the circumference of the sprocket wheel of the step Vs. One adjacent sprocket wheel Vp is installed next to each sprocket wheel of the step Vs of the intermediate rotating step STV, and is bolted to the corresponding location PVp on the external wall of the longitudinal support ZSVN of the gangway, and to the corresponding location PVp on the internal wall of the longitudinal support NSVN of the gangway, where these two corresponding locations are shown schematically in Figures 15 and 16.

[0153] In the implementation example of the gangway that has a chain drive in only one of the two longitudinal supports, there is only at one lateral side STVst of the individual step STV, with the exception of the top fixed step, one adjacent sprocket wheel Vp next to the sprocket wheel of the step Vs in the longitudinal support VN of the gangway with the chain drive.

[0154] In the implementation example of the gangway with the higher load capacity, which has a chain drive in each of the two longitudinal supports, there is at each lateral side STVst of the individual step STV, with the exception of the top fixed step, one adjacent sprocket wheel Vp next to the sprocket wheel of the step Vs, where one adjacent sprocket wheel is in the left longitudinal support and the other one is in the right longitudinal support VN of the gangway.

[0155] The chain tensioner Vn or the chain tensioning device or the tension sprocket is installed next to the adjacent sprocket wheel Vp, as shown schematically in Figure 10 and also in Figure 9. The chain Ve runs along the circumference of the tensioner Vn in an arc on the circumference, where this arc is formed by an angle of 10° to 15°. The chain tensioner tensions the chain and ensures that the chain does not come off the adjacent sprocket wheel Vp and also not off the sprocket wheel of the step Vs. One chain tensioner Vn is installed next to each adjacent sprocket wheel Vp, as shown schematically in Figure 10. The chain tensioner is bolted to the corresponding location PVn on the external wall of the longitudinal support ZSVN of the gangway, and to the corresponding location PVn on the internal wall of the longitudinal support NSVN of the gangway, where these two correspondinglocations are shown schematically in Figures 15 and 16. By adjusting a nut on the tensioner, the tension of the chain loosens or increases. By moving the nut to the left, the chain tension is reduced and the step STV is lowered slightly. By moving the nut to the right, the chain tension is increased and the step STV is slightly risen upwards.

[0156] In the implementation example of the gangway that has a chain drive in only one of the two longitudinal supports, there is only at one lateral side STVst of the individual step STV, with the exception of the top fixed step, one chain tensioner Vn installed next to the adjacent sprocket wheel Vp next to the sprocket wheel of the step Vs in the longitudinal support VN of the gangway with the chain drive.

[0157] In the implementation example of the gangway with the higher load capacity, which has the chain drive in each of the two longitudinal supports, there is at each lateral side STVst of the individual step STV, with the exception of the top fixed step, one chain tensioner Vn installed next to the adjacent sprocket wheel Vp, where one chain tensioner is installed in the left longitudinal support VN and the other one is installed in the right longitudinal support VN of the gangway.

[0158] The spacer sprocket wheel Vd guides the chain into the reactive (idle) or free branch of the chain, at the same time, it tensions the chain and maintains the distance between the working branch and the free branch of the chain in the chain drive. The spacer sprocket wheel is installed next to the sprocket wheel Vs of the bottom rotating step STV in the gangway, where this step is the first step of the gangway and is the closest to the movable end of the gangway, and is installed next to the movable end of the gangway, as shown schematically in Figure 9. The spacer sprocket wheel Vd is bolted to the corresponding location PVd on the external wall of the longitudinal support ZSVN of the gangway, and to the corresponding location PVd on the internal wall of the longitudinal support NSVN of the gangway, where these two corresponding locations are shown schematically in Figures 15 and 16.

[0159] In the implementation example of the gangway that has the chain drive in only one of the two longitudinal supports VN, the spacer sprocket wheel Vd is installed in the longitudinal support VN of the gangway with the chain drive.

[0160] In the implementation example of the gangway with the higher load capacity, which has the chain drive in each of the two longitudinal supports VN, one spacer sprocket wheel Vd is installed in each of the two longitudinal supports VN of the gangway, that is, in the left longitudinal support and the right longitudinal support of the gangway.

[0161] The chain transmits its movement, which occurs due to the rotation of the longitudinal support of the gangway VN around the axis 5, to the sprocket wheels in the chain drive, and to the sprocket wheels Vs of the intermediate rotating steps STV, and via the sprocket wheel of the intermediate rotating step Vs to the individual intermediate rotating step STV, so that this step STV rotates around its axis y together with the sprocket wheel of the step Vs, and that this step takes a horizontal position with its top walking board STVp at any inclination of the gangway and of the longitudinal supports of the gangway against the horizontal walking board of the pier Pop, or against the vertical wall of the pier, or against the plane of the deck of the vessel PL. The chain Ve is mounted on the circumferences of all sprocket wheels of the chain drive of the gangway and of all chain tensioners. A part of the chain Ve, which runs along the sprocket wheel Vv of the top fixed step STF via the sprocket wheels of the steps Vs, their adjacent sprocket wheels Vp and chain tensioners Vn, and via the spacer sprocket wheel Vd, is the working or pulling branch of the chain. A part of the chain Ve, which runs directly between the spacer sprocket wheel Vd and the sprocket wheel Vv of the top fixed step STF, is the reactive (idle) or free branch of the chain.

[0162] The chain of the chain drive is a single-row (single-strand) chain. In the implementation examples of this invention for the higher load capacity of the gangway, the chain is a double-row (double-strand) or a triple-row (triple-strand) chain; in these examples, the sprocket wheels of the chain drive have two paralleladjacent sprockets for the double-row chain and three parallel adjacent sprockets for the triple-row chain.

[0163] When the gangway in the implementation example, where the top fixed step is installed on the pier, inclines (tilts) or descends with its movable end by a certain inclination angle downwards from a certain starting position, the gangway moves closer to the vertical wall of the pier with its front end or movable end, where this end is the end of the gangway, where the insert or pin of the gangway VST is, with which the gangway is installed on the vessel. The gangway then takes an angle of inclination with this vertical wall of the pier, where this angle of inclination is smaller (sharper angle of inclination) than the angle in the starting position. This occurs when the level of the water surface drops relative to a certain initial level of the water surface, for example, at a low tide or at a lower water level on a river or lake.

[0164] While the gangway M descends with its movable end downwards by a certain angle, the longitudinal support VN of the gangway rotates downwards by this certain angle with its movable end, and moves the working branch of the chain Ve of the chain drive, where the working branch of the chain Ve connects with each other the sprocket wheels of the intermediate rotating steps Vs and the sprocket wheel of the top fixed step Vv, in an upward movement towards the fixed end of the gangway, so that the intermediate rotating step STV rotates with its front side STVs, where this front side is closer to the movable end of the gangway, upwards by so much, that the step takes the horizontal position of its top walking board of the step STVp. In this way, the movement of the chain Ve is transmitted to the rotation of all the sprocket wheels Vs of the intermediate rotating steps STV in the chain drive of the gangway. In this way, each sprocket wheel Vs of the individual intermediate rotating step STV rotates in such a way and by so much, that the intermediate rotating step STV rotates with its front side STVs, where this front side is closer to the movable end of the gangway, upwards and takes the horizontal position of its top walking board of the step STVp. In this way, the top walking board of the step STVp of each intermediate rotating step STV of the gangway lies in a horizontal plane, eventhough the longitudinal supports VN of the gangway are inclined (tilted) by a certain angle against the vertical wall of the pier, as schematically shown in Figure 1.

[0165] When the gangway M in the implementation example, where the top fixed step is installed on the pier, inclines (tilts) or rises with its movable end by a certain inclination angle upwards from a certain starting position, the gangway moves further away from the vertical wall of the pier with its front end or movable end, where this end is the end of the gangway, where the insert or pin of the gangway VST is, with which the gangway is installed on the vessel. The gangway then takes an angle of inclination with this vertical wall of the pier, where this angle of inclination is larger (a less sharp angle of inclination) than the angle in the starting position. This occurs when the level of the water surface rises relative to a certain initial level of the water surface, for example, at a high tide at sea or at a higher water level due to rain on a river or lake.

[0166] While the gangway M rises with its movable end upwards by a certain angle, the longitudinal support VN of the gangway rotates by this certain angle upwards with its movable end, and moves the working branch of the chain Ve of the chain drive, where the working branch of the chain Ve connects with each other the sprocket wheels of the intermediate rotating steps Vs and the sprocket wheel of the top fixed step Vv, in a downward movement towards the movable end of the gangway, so that the intermediate rotating step STV rotates with its front side STVs, where this front side is closer to the movable end of the gangway, downwards by so much, that the step takes the horizontal position of its top walking board of the step STVp. In this way, the movement of the chain Ve is transmitted to the rotation of all the sprocket wheels Vs of the intermediate rotating steps STV in the chain drive of the gangway. In this way, each sprocket wheel Vs of the individual intermediate rotating step STV rotates in such a way and by so much, that the intermediate rotating step STV rotates with its front side STVs, where this front side is closer to the movable end of the gangway, downwards and takes the horizontal position of its top walking board of the step STVp. In this way, the top walking board of the step STVp of each intermediate rotating step STV of the gangway lies in a horizontalplane, even though the two longitudinal supports of the gangway are inclined (tilted) by a certain angle against the vertical wall of the pier.

[0167] If in the implementation example of the gangway M, where the top fixed step is installed on the pier, the level of the water surface rises so much, that the movable end of the gangway rises from the initial lower position to the plane of the fixed end of the gangway and that the gangway takes the horizontal position, then the longitudinal support of the gangway rises upwards with its movable end and moves the working branch of the chain Ve of the chain drive in a downward movement towards the movable end of the gangway, so that the intermediate rotating step STV with its front side STVs, where this front side is closer to the movable end of the gangway, is rotated downwards by so much, that the step takes the horizontal position of its top walking board of the step STVp. Then the two longitudinal supports VN of the gangway are in the horizontal position, and all the intermediate rotating steps STV are also in the horizontal position.

[0168] Under the operation of the chain Ve of the chain drive, all the sprocket wheels Vs of the intermediate rotating steps STV are rotated in the direction of movement of the working branch of the chain by so much, that all the intermediate rotating steps STV are rotated with them (with the sprocket wheels Vs) in this direction by so much, that they (the intermediate rotating steps) take the horizontal position of the top walking board of the step STVp.

[0169] When in the implementation example of the gangway M, where the top fixed step is installed on the pier, the movable end of the longitudinal support of the gangway, wherein the movable end is where the insert VST of the gangway is, rises or descends when the level of the water surface rises or decreases and, in this way, the vessel rises or descends, where the movable end of the gangway is clamped to this vessel, the chain Ve of the chain drive begins to move and thereby regulates via the sprocket wheels of the steps Vs of the intermediate rotating steps STV the rotation of these intermediate rotating steps STV in such a way and by so much,that these steps take the horizontal position of the top walking board of the step STVp.

[0170] A length of the longitudinal support VN of the gangway, that is, the longitudinal dimension of the longitudinal support VN of the gangway from the movable end to the fixed end of the longitudinal support of the gangway, according to this invention, is in the range from 0.5 m to 25 m, preferably in the range from 0.5 m to 20 m, even more preferably in the range from 0.5 m to 18 m and most preferably in the range from 0.5 m to 15 m. The gangway itself in the leveled position, when all the components are aligned in one plane, from its movable end to the fixed end is slightly longer than the longitudinal supports of the gangway due to the top fixed step, namely by about 2 / 3 to % of the length of the top fixed step. In special cases, the gangway can also be longer, but in such cases, the gangway is made of thicker materials to withstand the load forces and load capacity on the longer length of the gangway.

[0171] A width of the gangway, that is, the transverse dimension from the external (outer) wall of the left longitudinal support ZSVN to the external (outer) wall of the right longitudinal support ZSVN, according to this invention, is in the range from 35 cm to 3 m, preferably in the range from 40 cm to 2 m, even more preferably in the range from 50 cm to 1 m and most preferably in the range from 60 cm to 80 cm.

[0172] The individual intermediate rotating step STV of the gangway, and also the top fixed step STF, has a width, that is, the dimension from the left side to the right side of the step STVst or the step STFst, respectively, in the range from 30 cm to 2.9 m, preferably in the range from 45 cm to 1.9 m, even more preferably in the range from 55 cm to 90 cm and most preferably in the range from 65 cm to 75 cm.

[0173] The individual intermediate rotating step STV of the gangway has a length or depth, that is, the dimension from the front side STVs to the rear side STVz of the step, in the range from 30 cm to 50 cm, preferably in the range from 30 cm to 45 m and most preferably in the range from 30 cm to 40 cm.

[0174] The top fixed step STF of the gangway has a length or depth, that is, the dimension from the front side STFs to the rear side STFz of the step, in the range from 60 cm to 100 cm, preferably in the range from 60 cm to 90 cm and most preferably in the range from 60 cm to 80 cm.

[0175] A distance between the two adjacent intermediate rotating steps STV in the gangway, that is, the distance from the rear side STVz, which is closer to the fixed end of the gangway, of the intermediate rotating step STV to the front side STVs, which is closer to the movable end of the gangway, of the adjacent intermediate rotating step STV, or to the front side STFs, which is closer to the movable end of the gangway, of the adjacent top fixed step STF, is in the range from 2 cm to 10 cm, preferably in the range from 3 cm to 7 cm and most preferably in the range from 3 cm to 5 cm. The axes of rotation y of the intermediate rotating steps STV are arranged at equal distances from each other.

[0176] The step according to this invention, either the intermediate rotating step STV or the top fixed step STF, has a walking or stepping board STVp or STFp, respectively, on its top side, which provides a walking / stepping surface, on which the user of the gangway walks, additionally coated with materials that prevent slipping. These materials are selected from materials, which are cork, rubber, stainless metal, PVC teak, real teak, wood, or plastic. If the material itself does not provide sufficient roughness, its walking surface is textured appropriately, that is, with grooves or channels, so that it has a rough texture that prevents sliding.

[0177] In the implementation example shown here, the gangway is made of a stainless solid material, that is resistant to salt and similar corrosive agents, where this material is stainless steel for marine applications with grade 316. In an alternative implementation example, it is made of stainless steel for marine applications with grade 304. The longitudinal supports of the gangway, and the steps themselves, the reinforcements of the intermediate rotating steps and the tubes of the steps, the inner (internal) tube and the outer (external) tube, are made of this material. Similarly, the sprocket wheels, the chain and chain tensioners of thechain drive, and other elements of the gangway are made of stainless solid material, that is resistant to salt and similar corrosive agents, preferably of stainless steel and of suitable stainless, solid and load-bearing materials, so that they (the gangway and its elements) are resistant to salt and similar corrosive agents.

[0178] In alternative implementation examples of this invention, the gangway is made of a stainless solid material, namely of aluminum, carbon fiber reinforced plastic materials, glass fiber reinforced plastic materials, glass fiber reinforced polymer composite materials, and of similar materials, which are solid enough, loadbearing and at the same time resistant to corrosion, especially to salt and other elements of the environment, and which are used for the construction of ships, yachts and boats. In certain implementation examples, the gangway according to this invention is made of iron that is painted with an anti-corrosion paint.

[0179] The load capacity of the gangway, or the weight of the load that the gangway according to this invention carries is in the range from 100 kg to 500 kg or more.

[0180] For heavier loads or higher load capacity of the gangway, the height and width of both longitudinal supports of the gangway and of both C profiles of the longitudinal supports of the gangway, of the internal and external longitudinal support, are increased, and also the sizes of the sprocket wheels, their width, height, and diameter of the sprocket wheels, as well as the dimensions of the chain are increased.

[0181] In other implementation examples of this invention, a toothed drive with a toothed belt, drive pulley, driven pulleys, and tensioner pulleys can be used in the gangway according to this invention instead of the chain drive. Furthermore, the drive can be implemented by transmission of the movement from the rotating axis to a connecting rod with bolts.

[0182] Furthermore, the gangway according to this invention can also have a railing installed that has handles and posts. In such an implementation example, thegangway has on each longitudinal support one post of the railing clamped at the fixed end of the gangway and another railing post at the movable end of the gangway, so that the railing can be attached to the gangway or removed from it selectively, optionally or when needed. In this case, two posts are installed on the left longitudinal support of the gangway and two posts on the right longitudinal support of the gangway. A railing handle is installed between the top ends of the railing posts on one longitudinal support of the gangway, so that one railing handle connects the two railing posts on the right longitudinal support of the railing, and the other railing handle connects the two railing posts on the left longitudinal support of the railing. A railing with a handle can be installed only on one longitudinal support of the gangway.

[0183] The railing can have one or more handles, which are installed at different heights of the railing posts. In addition to the two railing posts, the railing of the gangway has additional railing posts installed on the longitudinal support of the gangway between the top railing post and the bottom railing post.

[0184] Furthermore, the gangway according to this invention is constructed so that it can be folded. In doing so, the gangway is completely aligned in one plane, so that all the building blocks (components) are in one plane, and the gangway thus aligned is leaned against the side of the vessel or in another place on the vessel.

Claims

Claims1 . An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences has a framework that is formed by two lateral longitudinal supports (VN) that run along the length of the gangway (M), where two or more steps are clamped between the two longitudinal supports, where one step is a top fixed step (STF), that is installed at a fixed end of the longitudinal supports (VN) of the gangway, where the gangway with the top fixed step (STF) is firmly installed on a pier (Po), so that the top fixed step (STF) extends over the fixed ends of both lateral longitudinal supports (VN), and is fixed to a top board of the pier (Pop), and where the second step is a rotating intermediate step (STV) or where there are several other rotating intermediate steps (STV) that is pivotally (rotatably) connected or that are pivotally (rotatably) connected along their lateral sides to the left and to the right longitudinal support (VN) of the gangway, wherein the intermediate rotating step (STV), which is pivotally (rotatably) connected with the two longitudinal supports (VN), rotates around its transverse axis (y), which runs in the transverse middle of the step transversely to the length or depth of the step, so that a walking board of the intermediate rotating step (STVp) always takes a horizontal position regardless of the angle of inclination of the gangway (M) and its lateral longitudinal supports against a vertical wall of the pier (Pov), or the angle of inclination of the gangway against a walking board (deck) of the pier (Pop), or the angle of inclination of the gangway against a plane of a deck of a vessel (PL), when the gangway (M) bridges the distance and height difference between the vessel (PL) and the pier (Po),where one or more intermediate rotating steps (STV) are installed in the gangway (M) in the direction from the top fixed step (STF), which rests on the pier (Po), or from the fixed end of the gangway, where the top fixed step (STF) is, towards a movable end of the gangway, where an insert (VST) of the gangway is, with which the gangway is installed on the vessel (PL), where each of the two said longitudinal supports (VN) consists of two C profiles with a cross-section in the shape of an angular letter C, namely, it consists of an external longitudinal support (VNz), that is slightly higher, wider and longer in dimensions, which forms an external wall of the longitudinal support (ZSVN), and of an internal longitudinal support (VNn), that is slightly lower, narrower and shorter in dimensions, which forms an internal wall of the longitudinal support (NSVN), where the internal longitudinal support (VNn), consisting of the C profile, abuts (fits and rests) inside the external longitudinal support (VNz), consisting of the C profile, so that the longitudinal support (VN) of the gangway has, in a cross-section, the shape of an upright rectangle with a single internal vertical wall and a single external vertical wall, and with a double top and bottom wall, and a hollow space (VPVN) inside the longitudinal support (VN), characterized by that for each intermediate rotating step (STV) and for the top fixed step (STF) of the gangway, one outer tube of the step (ZCS) for the intermediate rotating step (STV) and one outer tube (ZCSf) for the top fixed step (STF) abuts (fits and rests) on the internal wall of the longitudinal support (NSVN), where inside each outer tube of the step (ZCS) runs an inner tube of the step (NCS) of the intermediate rotating step (STV), and where inside the outer tube (ZCSf) of the top fixed step (STF) runs an inner tube (NCSf) of the top fixed step (STF), where the said inner tube is by so much longer than the said outer tube, that it reaches andruns to the external wall of the longitudinal support (ZSVN) and is bolted to the external wall of the longitudinal support (ZSVN), that in the hollow space (VPVN) inside at least one longitudinal support (VN) of the two longitudinal supports, a chain drive of the gangway is installed, which comprises:- a sprocket wheel of the top fixed step (Vv), which is welded to the outer tube of the top fixed step (ZCSf);- one sprocket wheel of the step (Vs) for each intermediate rotating step (STV), which is welded to the outer tube (ZCS) of the individual intermediate rotating step (STV);- one adjacent sprocket wheel (Vp) for each sprocket wheel (Vs) of the intermediate rotating step (STV), which places a chain (Ve) on the sprocket wheel (Vs) of the intermediate rotating step;- one chain tensioner (Vn) for each adjacent sprocket wheel (Vp);- a spacer sprocket wheel (Vd) at a sprocket wheel (Vs) of a bottom intermediate rotating step of the gangway, which is the closest to the movable end of the gangway, where the gangway insert (VST) is;- a chain (Ve), which runs along these sprocket wheels, namely over teeth at a circumference of the individual sprocket wheel, and between the sprocket wheels, where the chain connects the sprocket wheels together, and- connecting elements, which are for said individual step said inner tube of the step and said outer tube of the step, where each of these tubes runs with its end in the hollow space (VPVN) of the longitudinal support; that at the top fixed step (STF) on the left and right side of this step, the outer tube of this step (ZCSf) abuts (fits and rests) in a round hole (2) in the internal wall of the longitudinal support (NSVN) at the fixed end of the longitudinal support of the gangway and that into the outer tube(ZCSf) of the top fixed step (STF) the inner tube (NCSf) of the top fixed step is inserted, where this inner tube runs inside this outer tube (ZCSf) and is so much longer than the outer tube, that it reaches the external wall of the longitudinal support (ZSVN) and is bolted into it in an adjacent hole (2.1 ), where the said outer tube (ZCSf) of the top fixed step (STF) is fastened by bolting to a bottom part (STFsd) of the top fixed step (STF), wherein the outer tube is attached to the said bottom part of the step firmly and adjustably with a bolt, so that it can only be rotated slightly by an angle from 0° to a maximum of 10°, wherein the outer tube (ZCSf) of the top fixed step (STF) runs along the entire width of the step and through a hole (LO) in an internal (inner) lateral side (STFstn) in the bottom part of this step (STFsd), where the outer tube (ZCSf) is bolted into the bottom part of the top fixed step (STFsd), and then the outer tube passes through a hole (LU) in an external (outer) lateral side (STFstz) in a top part of the top fixed step (STFzd) and the outer tube laterally sticks out and away from a lateral side of the step (STFst) and runs to the internal wall of the longitudinal support (NSVN) of the gangway and through the adjacent hole (2), having a larger round shape, in this wall (NSVN) and abuts (fits and rests) on the edges of this hole, and the outer tube ends slightly beyond the internal wall of the longitudinal support (NSVN) inside the hollow space of the longitudinal support (VPVN), wherein at the end of the outer tube (ZCSf) on that side of the top fixed step (STF), where the longitudinal support with an installed chain drive is, the sprocket wheel of the top fixed step (Vv) is welded to the outer tube (ZCSf), and wherein the other end of the outer tube (ZCSf) on the lateral side of the top fixed step (STF), where the longitudinal support without an installed chain drive is, ends freely without a sprocket wheel of the step,wherein the inner tube (NCSf) of the top fixed step (STF) represents an axis of rotation (5) of the longitudinal supports (VN) of the gangway, that at each intermediate rotating step (STV), on the left and right side of this step, the outer tube of this step (ZCS) abuts (fits and rests) in a round hole (1) in the internal wall of the longitudinal support (NSVN) and that in the outer tube (ZCS) of this step (STV) the inner tube (NCS) of this step is inserted, where this inner tube runs inside this outer tube (ZCS) of the intermediate rotating step (STV) and is longer than the outer tube by so much, that it reaches the external wall of the longitudinal support (ZSVN) and is bolted into it in an adjacent hole (1 -1 ), wherein the said rotating step (STV) is welded to its outer tube of the step (ZCS), where the outer tube of the step (ZCS) is welded to an underside of the top walking board (STVp) of the intermediate rotating step (STV) and where at least three reinforcements (STVo) of the intermediate rotating step (STV) are welded to the underside of the top walking board (STVp) of the intermediate rotating step (STV), where the outer tube (ZCS) runs in the middle of the length of the step (STV) and through a hole (LST) in the middle of a lateral side (STVst) of the step, and through a hole (LSTo) in the middle of the reinforcement of the step (STVo) in the direction from the left lateral side of the step (STVst) to the right lateral side of the step (STVst), and with its left and right end sticks out from the lateral sides of the step (STVst), and then runs laterally to the internal wall of the longitudinal support (NSVN) and passes through the hole (1 ), having a larger round shape, in the internal wall of the longitudinal support (NSVN), where the outer tube abuts (fits and rests) on the edges of this hole (1 ), and runs further laterally into the inner hollow space (VPVN) of the longitudinal support (VN) of the gangway,wherein at the end of the outer tube (ZCS) on that side of the intermediate rotating step (STV), where the longitudinal support with an installed chain drive is, a sprocket wheel of the intermediate rotating step (Vs) is welded on the outer tube (ZCS), and wherein the other end of the outer tube (ZCS) on the side of the intermediate rotating step (STV), where the longitudinal support without an installed chain drive is, ends freely without a sprocket wheel of the step, wherein the inner tube (NCS) of the intermediate rotating step (STV) represents an axis of rotation (y) of the intermediate rotating step (STV), of its outer tube (ZCS) and of the sprocket wheel of the step (Vs), that is welded on the outer tube.

2. An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences has a framework that is formed by two lateral longitudinal supports (VN) that run along the length of the gangway (M), where two or more steps are clamped between the two longitudinal supports, where one step is a top fixed step (STF), that is installed at a fixed end of the longitudinal supports (VN) of the gangway, where the gangway with the top fixed step (STF) is firmly installed on a vessel (PL), so that the top fixed step (STF) extends over the fixed ends of both lateral longitudinal supports (VN), and is fixed to a deck of the vessel (PL), and where the second step is a rotating intermediate step (STV) or where there are several other rotating intermediate steps (STV) that is pivotally (rotatably) connected or that are pivotally (rotatably) connected along their lateral sides to the left and to the right longitudinal support (VN) of the gangway, wherein the intermediate rotating step (STV), which is pivotally (rotatably) connected with the two longitudinal supports (VN), rotates around its transverse axis (y), which runs in the transverse middle of the step transversely to the length or depth of the step, so that a walking boardof the intermediate rotating step (STVp) always takes a horizontal position regardless of the angle of inclination of the gangway (M) and its lateral longitudinal supports against a vertical wall of a pier (Pov), or the angle of inclination of the gangway against a walking board (deck) of the pier (Pop), or the angle of inclination of the gangway against a plane of the deck of the vessel (PL), when the gangway (M) bridges the distance and height difference between the vessel (PL) and the pier (Po), where one or more intermediate rotating steps (STV) are installed in the gangway (M) in the direction from the top fixed step (STF), which rests on the vessel (PL), or from the fixed end of the gangway, where the top fixed step (STF) is, towards a movable end of the gangway, where an insert (VST) of the gangway is, with which the gangway is installed on the pier (Po), where each of the two said longitudinal supports (VN) consists of two C profiles with a cross-section in the shape of an angular letter C, namely, it consists of an external longitudinal support (VNz), that is slightly higher, wider and longer in dimensions, which forms an external wall of the longitudinal support (ZSVN), and of an internal longitudinal support (VNn), that is slightly lower, narrower and shorter in dimensions, which forms an internal wall of the longitudinal support (NSVN), where the internal longitudinal support (VNn), consisting of the C profile, abuts (fits and rests) inside the external longitudinal support (VNz), consisting of the C profile, so that the longitudinal support (VN) of the gangway has, in a cross-section, the shape of an upright rectangle with a single internal vertical wall and a single external vertical wall, and with a double top and bottom wall, and a hollow space (VPVN) inside the longitudinal support (VN), characterized by thatfor each intermediate rotating step (STV) and for the top fixed step (STF) of the gangway, one outer tube of the step (ZCS) for the intermediate rotating step (STV) and one outer tube (ZCSf) for the top fixed step (STF) abuts (fits and rests) on the internal wall of the longitudinal support (NSVN), where inside each outer tube of the step (ZCS) runs an inner tube of the step (NCS) of the intermediate rotating step (STV), and where inside the outer tube (ZCSf) of the top fixed step (STF) runs an inner tube (NCSf) of the top fixed step (STF), where the said inner tube is by so much longer than the said outer tube, that it reaches and runs to the external wall of the longitudinal support (ZSVN) and is bolted to the external wall of the longitudinal support (ZSVN), that in the hollow space (VPVN) inside at least one longitudinal support (VN) of the two longitudinal supports, a chain drive of the gangway is installed, which comprises:- a sprocket wheel of the top fixed step (Vv), which is welded to the outer tube of the top fixed step (ZCSf);- one sprocket wheel of the step (Vs) for each intermediate rotating step (STV), which is welded to the outer tube (ZCS) of the individual intermediate rotating step (STV);- one adjacent sprocket wheel (Vp) for each sprocket wheel (Vs) of the intermediate rotating step (STV), which places a chain (Ve) on the sprocket wheel (Vs) of the intermediate rotating step;- one chain tensioner (Vn) for each adjacent sprocket wheel (Vp);- a spacer sprocket wheel (Vd) at a sprocket wheel (Vs) of a bottom intermediate rotating step of the gangway, which is the closest to the movable end of the gangway, where the gangway insert (VST) is;- a chain (Ve), which runs along these sprocket wheels, namely over teeth at a circumference of the individual sprocket wheel, and between the sprocket wheels, where the chain connects the sprocket wheels together, and- connecting elements, which are for said individual step said inner tube of the step and said outer tube of the step, where each of these tubes runs with its end in the hollow space (VPVN) of the longitudinal support; that at the top fixed step (STF) on the left and right side of this step, the outer tube of this step (ZCSf) abuts (fits and rests) in a round hole (2) in the internal wall of the longitudinal support (NSVN) at the fixed end of the longitudinal support of the gangway and that into the outer tube (ZCSf) of the top fixed step (STF) the inner tube (NCSf) of the top fixed step is inserted, where this inner tube runs inside this outer tube (ZCSf) and is so much longer than the outer tube, that it reaches the external wall of the longitudinal support (ZSVN) and is bolted into it in an adjacent hole (2.1 ), where the said outer tube (ZCSf) of the top fixed step (STF) is fastened by bolting to a bottom part (STFsd) of the top fixed step (STF), wherein the outer tube is attached to the said bottom part of the step firmly and adjustably with a bolt, so that it can only be rotated slightly by an angle from 0° to a maximum of 10°, wherein the outer tube (ZCSf) of the top fixed step (STF) runs along the entire width of the step and through a hole (LO) in an internal (inner) lateral side (STFstn) in the bottom part of this step (STFsd), where the outer tube (ZCSf) is bolted into the bottom part of the top fixed step (STFsd), and then the outer tube passes through a hole (LU) in an external (outer) lateral side (STFstz) in a top part of the top fixed step (STFzd) and the outer tube laterally sticks out and away from a lateral side of the step (STFst) and runs to the internal wall of the longitudinal support (NSVN) of the gangway and through the adjacent hole (2), having a larger round shape, in this wall (NSVN) and abuts (fits and rests) on the edges of this hole, and the outer tube ends slightly beyond the internal wall of the longitudinal support (NSVN) inside thehollow space of the longitudinal support (VPVN), wherein at the end of the outer tube (ZCSf) on that side of the top fixed step (STF), where the longitudinal support with an installed chain drive is, the sprocket wheel of the top fixed step (Vv) is welded to the outer tube (ZCSf), and wherein the other end of the outer tube (ZCSf) on the lateral side of the top fixed step (STF), where the longitudinal support without an installed chain drive is, ends freely without a sprocket wheel of the step, wherein the inner tube (NCSf) of the top fixed step (STF) represents an axis of rotation (5) of the longitudinal supports (VN) of the gangway, that at each intermediate rotating step (STV), on the left and right side of this step, the outer tube of this step (ZCS) abuts (fits and rests) in a round hole (1) in the internal wall of the longitudinal support (NSVN) and that in the outer tube (ZCS) of this step (STV) the inner tube (NCS) of this step is inserted, where this inner tube runs inside this outer tube (ZCS) of the intermediate rotating step (STV) and is longer than the outer tube by so much, that it reaches the external wall of the longitudinal support (ZSVN) and is bolted into it in an adjacent hole (1 -1 ), wherein the said rotating step (STV) is welded to its outer tube of the step (ZCS), where the outer tube of the step (ZCS) is welded to an underside of the top walking board (STVp) of the intermediate rotating step (STV) and where at least three reinforcements (STVo) of the intermediate rotating step (STV) are welded to the underside of the top walking board (STVp) of the intermediate rotating step (STV), where the outer tube (ZCS) runs in the middle of the length of the step (STV) and through a hole (LST) in the middle of a lateral side (STVst) of the step, and through a hole (LSTo) in the middle of the reinforcement of the step (STVo) in the direction from the left lateral side of the step (STVst) to the right lateral side of the step (STVst), and with its left and right end sticks out from the lateral sides of the step (STVst), and thenruns laterally to the internal wall of the longitudinal support (NSVN) and passes through the hole (1 ), having a larger round shape, in the internal wall of the longitudinal support (NSVN), where the outer tube abuts (fits and rests) on the edges of this hole (1 ), and runs further laterally into the inner hollow space (VPVN) of the longitudinal support (VN) of the gangway, wherein at the end of the outer tube (ZCS) on that side of the intermediate rotating step (STV), where the longitudinal support with an installed chain drive is, a sprocket wheel of the intermediate rotating step (Vs) is welded on the outer tube (ZCS), and wherein the other end of the outer tube (ZCS) on the side of the intermediate rotating step (STV), where the longitudinal support without an installed chain drive is, ends freely without a sprocket wheel of the step, wherein the inner tube (NCS) of the intermediate rotating step (STV) represents an axis of rotation (y) of the intermediate rotating step (STV), of its outer tube (ZCS) and of the sprocket wheel of the step (Vs), that is welded on the outer tube.

3. An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that in both longitudinal supports (VN) of the gangway, a chain drive of the gangway is installed in the inner hollow space (VPVN) of each of the longitudinal supports, that is, in the left and in the right longitudinal support (VN) of the gangway.

4. An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences according to any preceding claim, characterized by that the internal longitudinal support (VNn) and the external longitudinal support (VNz) are connected together by bolting and by placing ending elements at each end of the longitudinal support, at the fixed and at the movable end of the longitudinal support, where the ending element is either welded to the end ofthe longitudinal support or bolted, so that the ending element covers the opening of the inner hollow space of the longitudinal support.

5. An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences according to any preceding claim, characterized by that the intermediate rotating step (STV) has a rectangular or square shape in the floor plan of the top walking board (STVp).

6. An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences according to any preceding claim, characterized by that the intermediate rotating step (STV) has a low elongated front side (STVs), closer the movable end of the gangway, and a low elongated rear side (STVz), away from the movable end of the gangway and closer to the fixed end of the gangway, that extend on the underside of the walking board (STVp) downwardly at the right angle, where each of these sides has additionally a narrower flange (PrST) at its bottom edge, which extends on the bottom side of the walking board perpendicularly towards the middle of the step and along the entire width of the step, and laterally a lateral side (STVst), extending downwardly at the right angle, that is, a left and a right pentagonal lateral side (STVst) with two side edges, that are equal to the height of the front (STVs) and the rear side (STVz), and with a triangular edge of the pentagon pointing downwardly, where in the middle of the left and right pentagonal lateral side (STVst) a hole (LST), having a round shape, is cut out, where through this hole the outer tube of the step (ZCS) and, inside this tube, the inner tube of the step (NCS) pass.

7. An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences according to claim 6, characterized by that the intermediate rotating step (STV) has three reinforcements of the step (STVo) welded to the underside of the walking board (STVp), where each reinforcement (STVo) has a central shape of the pentagonal lateral side (STVst) of the intermediate rotating step (STV) with a hole (LSTo), having a round shape, cut out in the middle, where through this hole the outer tube of the step (ZCS), and inside it, the inner tubeof the step (NCS) pass, where each reinforcement of the step (STVo) has additionally a narrower flange (Pro) on the longest straight edge for welding to the underside of the walking board of the step (STV), and a narrower flange (Pro) on each beveled edge of the triangular edge of the pentagon of the reinforcement (STVo) to reinforce the walking board of the step (STVp).

8. An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences according to preceding claim 7, characterized by that the intermediate rotating step (STV) has more than three reinforcements of the step (STVo) welded to the underside of the walking board (STVp).

9. An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences according to preceding claim 7 or 8, characterized by that the intermediate rotating step (STV) has one reinforcement of the step (STVo) welded on the underside of the walking board of the step (STVp) approximately in the middle of the width of the step, and the other reinforcements (STVo) are welded on the underside of the walking board of the step (STVp) slightly away from the lateral side of the step (STVst) and towards the middle of the width of the step.

10. An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences according to any preceding claim, characterized by that the top fixed step (STF) of the gangway consists of a top (STFzd) and of a bottom part (STFsd) of the step, where a top walking board (STFp) of the top fixed step (STF) is formed by the top part of the step (STFzd), and where a bottom plate (STFsp) of the top fixed step (STF), which according to preceding claim 1 abuts (rests) on the top or walking board of the pier (Pop), or which according to preceding claim 2 abuts (rests) on the deck of the vessel (PL), is formed by the bottom part of the step (STFsd), where the bottom plate of the step (STFsp) has a hole (LE)cut out, having the shape of an elongated ellipse, where this hole extends from about 1 / 20 of the length of the bottom plate (STFsp) of the top fixed step from the rear edge of the bottom plate and to about 2 / 5 of the length of the bottom plate (STFsp) of the top fixed step from the front edge of the bottom plate of the step, where this elliptical hole (LE) serves for mounting the top fixed step (STF) on a post (pillar), where according to the preceding claim 1 this post is on the top walking board of the pier (Pop), or on a post (pillar), where according to the preceding claim 2 this post is on the deck of the vessel (PL), where a front wall (STFs) of the top fixed step (STF), that looks towards the movable end of the gangway, is formed by a front side of the bottom part of the step (STFsd), where two lateral sides (STFst) of the top fixed step (STF), that is, a left and a right lateral side, are reinforced and consist of two adjacent sides (STFstn) and (STFstz), where each lateral side (STFst) of the top fixed step (STF) is formed by an inner side (STFstn) and an outer side (STFstz), where the outer side abuts over the inner side, wherein the inner side (STFstn) of the lateral side (STFst) of the top fixed step (STF) is a part of the bottom part (STFsd) of this step, and runs perpendicularly upwards from the side edge of the bottom plate (STFsp) of the top fixed step (STF), and where the inner side (STFstn) has at approximately 14 to 1 / 3 of the length of the top step (STF) and of the length of its lateral side (STFst) a hole (LO), having a larger round shape, where this hole serves for abutting and mounting the outer tube (ZCSf) of the top step (STF), wherein the outer side (STFstz) of the lateral side (STFst) of the top fixed step (STF) is a part of the top part (STFzd) of this step and runs perpendicularly downwards from the side edge of the top walking board (STFp) of the top fixed step (STF), and where the outer side(STFstz) has at approximately to 1 / 3 of the length of the top step (STF) and of the length of its lateral side (STFst) a hole (LU) with an elongated shape of the letter U with the elongated arms, where the rounded or semicircular part of this hole follows the semicircle of the hole (LO), having a larger round shape, of the inner side (STFstn) of the lateral side of the step (STFst), and where this hole serves for abutting the outer tube (ZCSf) of the top step (STF) in its semicircular part, and where in the part of the elongated arms of the hole (LU) with a gap slightly larger than the diameter of the inner tube of the top step, it serves to mount the top part (STFzd) of the top fixed step (STF) on the bottom part (STFsd) of the top fixed step (STF), where a rear wall (STFz) of the top fixed step, that looks away from the movable end of the gangway, is formed by a side of the top part (STFzd) of the step (STF), where this side runs perpendicularly downwards from the rear edge of the top walking board (STFp) of the top fixed step (STF), wherein this side of the top part of the step has at its bottom edge a narrower flange (PrSTFzd), where this flange runs perpendicularly to the rear wall of the step and in a horizontal plane and abuts (rests) along and below the bottom rear edge of the bottom plate of the step (STFsp) and reinforces this bottom rear edge from below, and where, at the same time, the bottom rear edge of the rear wall (STFz) of the top fixed step is reinforced additionally by a narrower flange (PrSTFsd) of the bottom plate of the step (STFsp), where this flange runs in a vertical plane perpendicularly upwards from the bottom rear edge of the bottom plate (STFsp) of the top step, and abuts (rests) inside the step at the rear wall of the step and along its bottom rear edge, where in the rear wall of the step (STFz), in the middle of the width of this wall slightly upwards from the bottom rear edge, there is a hole (LK) for the installation of a lock with a tongue, where the tongue of the lock locks against the said vertical flange (PrSTFsd) inside the rear wall of the step (STFz), and in this way, thetop part of the step (STFzd) locks together with the bottom part (STFsd) of the step.11 . An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences according to any preceding claim, characterized by that a number of the said intermediate rotating steps (STV) depends on the length of the gangway.

12. An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences according to any preceding claim, characterized by that the gangway with two intermediate rotating steps (STV) or with several intermediate rotating steps (STV), that are clamped in the two longitudinal supports (VN), has the axes of rotation (y) of the intermediate rotating steps (STV) arranged at equal distances from each other.

13. An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences according to preceding claim 1 , 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12, characterized by that the top fixed step (STF) of the gangway at the fixed end of the gangway is attached to the pier (Po), or to the top board of the pier or to the walking board of the pier (Pop) with the bottom part of the step via a bearing, where this bearing rotates by 360° and enables the gangway to be attached to the pier (Po) via the bearing or to be detached from the pier so that the gangway is removed from the pier, wherein a joint of the top step (STF) and a pillar-like protrusion on the top board of the pier (Pop) is carried out via the hole (LE) with the elliptical shape in the bottom plate (STFsp) of the top step (STF), where this hole embraces the pillar-like protrusion of the pier and where the top step is attached to this protrusion with the bearing, that is rotatable by 360° and where this bearing comprises springs of stainless steel, where said springs in the joint of the fixed top step (STF) with the pier (Po) dampen the fluctuations of the top step due to the fluctuation of the vessel (PL) on the water surface (Vo), where this fluctuation istransmitted to the top step (STF) of the gangway via the framework of the gangway and its longitudinal supports (VN), whereby when attaching the gangway (M) to the pier (Po), the top walking / stepping surface (STFp) of the top fixed step (STF) of the gangway lies in a plane that is parallel to the plane of the top surface or board (Pop) of the pier (Po), and the top step of the gangway (STF) is thus fixed and abuts attached on the pier (Po), wherein after the gangway is attached to the pier (Po), the intermediate rotating steps (STV), which are one, two, or more, are rotated together with the chain drive in the longitudinal support (VN) with the installed chain drive, so that these steps take a horizontal position with their walking board (STVp), wherein this happens due to the rotatable engagement (clamping) of these steps in the two lateral longitudinal supports (VN) of the gangway when the gangway is tilted relative to the plane of the pier or the top board of the pier (Pop).

14. An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences according to preceding claim 1 , 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 , 12 or 13, characterized by that the gangway is attached at its movable end to the vessel (PL) with the insert or pin (VST), with which it is inserted and installed into a hole on the vessel, where this hole is made or built-in in the deck of the vessel (PL), wherein the insert or pin (VST) for placing the movable end of the gangway on the vessel (PL) is welded on a transverse outer tube of the insert in the middle of the distance between the two longitudinal supports (VN), where the outer tube of the insert is rotatably clamped into the two longitudinal supports at the movable end of the gangway, and the outer tube of the insert, together with its inner tube, which runs inside the outer tube, is clamped into both longitudinal supports (VN) of thegangway, the left and right longitudinal support, wherein the outer tube of the insert rests at its lateral ends on the edges of a hole with a larger round shape in the internal wall of the longitudinal support (NSVN) and the inner tube of the insert reaches at its lateral ends the external wall of the longitudinal support (ZSVN) and is bolted to it, wherein the gangway rotates and swings around the insert (VST) when the vessel moves to the left or right due to fluctuation of the water surface.

15. An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences according to preceding claim 1 , 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 , 12, 13 or 14, characterized by that when the gangway (M) inclines or descends with its movable end downwards from a certain starting position by a certain angle of inclination, when the level of the water surface drops relative to a certain initial level of the water surface, while the gangway (M) descends downwards with its movable end by a certain angle, the longitudinal support (VN) of the gangway rotates downwards by this certain angle with its movable end, and moves a working branch of the chain (Ve) of the chain drive, where the working branch of the chain (Ve) connects with each other the sprocket wheels of the intermediate rotating steps (Vs) and the sprocket wheel of the top fixed step (Vv), whereby the working branch of the chain moves in an upward movement towards the fixed end of the gangway, so that the intermediate rotating step (STV) rotates with its front side (STVs), which is closer to the movable end of the gangway, upwards by so much, that the step takes the horizontal position of its top walking board of the step (STVp), whereby the movement of the chain (Ve) is transmitted to rotation of all the sprocket wheels (Vs) of the intermediate rotating steps (STV) in the chain drive of the gangway, and each sprocket wheel (Vs) of the individual intermediate rotating step (STV) rotates in such a way and by so much, that the intermediate rotating step (STV) rotates with its front side (STVs), which is closer to the movable end of the gangway, upwards and takes the horizontal position of its top walking board of the step (STVp), so that the top walking board of the step (STVp) of each intermediate rotating step (STV) of the gangway lies in a horizontal plane, even though the two longitudinalsupports (VN) of the gangway are inclined by a certain angle against the vertical wall of the pier.

16. An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences according to preceding claim 1 , 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 , 12, 13 or 14, characterized by that when the gangway (M) inclines or rises with its movable end upwards from a certain starting position by a certain angle of inclination, when the level of the water surface rises relative to a certain initial level of the water surface, while the gangway (M) rises upwards with its movable end by a certain angle, the longitudinal support (VN) of the gangway rotates upwards by this certain angle with its movable end, and moves a working branch of the chain (Ve) of the chain drive, where the working branch of the chain (Ve) connects with each other the sprocket wheels of the intermediate rotating steps (Vs) and the sprocket wheel of the top fixed step (Vv), whereby the working branch of the chain moves in a downward movement towards the movable end of the gangway, so that the intermediate rotating step (STV) rotates with its front side (STVs), which is closer to the movable end of the gangway, downwards by so much, that the step takes the horizontal position of its top walking board of the step (STVp), whereby the movement of the chain (Ve) is transmitted to rotation of all the sprocket wheels (Vs) of the intermediate rotating steps (STV) in the chain drive of the gangway, and each sprocket wheel (Vs) of the individual intermediate rotating step (STV) rotates in such a way and by so much, that the intermediate rotating step (STV) rotates with its front side (STVs), which is closer to the movable end of the gangway, downwards and takes the horizontal position of its top walking board of the step (STVp), so that the top walking board of the step (STVp) of each intermediate rotating step (STV) of the gangway lies in a horizontal plane, even though the two longitudinal supports of the gangway are inclined by a certain angle against the vertical wall of the pier.

17. An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences according to preceding claim 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12, characterizedby that the top fixed step (STF) of the gangway at the fixed end of the gangway is attached to a pillar-like protrusion on the deck of the vessel (PL) with the bottom part of the step via a bearing, where this bearing rotates by 360° and enables the gangway to be attached to the deck of the vessel (PL) via the bearing or to be detached from the deck of the vessel so that the gangway is removed from the vessel, wherein a joint of the top fixed step (STF) and the pillar-like protrusion on the deck of the vessel (PL) is made via the hole (LE) with the elliptical shape in the bottom plate (STFsp) of the top step (STF), where this hole embraces the pillar-like protrusion on the deck of the vessel and where the top step is attached to this protrusion via the bearing, that is rotatable by 360° and where this bearing comprises springs of stainless steel, where said springs in the joint of the fixed top step (STF) with the vessel (PL) dampen the fluctuations of the top step due to the fluctuation of the vessel (PL) on the water surface (Vo), whereby when attaching the gangway (M) to the vessel (PL), the top walking / stepping surface (STFp) of the top fixed step (STF) of the gangway lies in a plane that is parallel to the plane of the top surface of the deck of the vessel (PL), and the top step of the gangway (STF) is thus fixed and abuts attached on the vessel (PL), whereby after the gangway is attached to the vessel (PL), the intermediate rotating steps (STV), which are one, two, or more, are rotated together with the chain drive in the longitudinal support (VN) with the installed chain drive, so that these steps take a horizontal position with their walking board (STVp), wherein this happens due to the rotatable engagement (clamping) of these steps in the two lateral longitudinal supports (VN) of the gangway when the gangway is tilted relative to the plane of the deck of the vessel (PL).

18. An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences according to preceding claim 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 , 12 or 17, characterized by that the gangway is attached at its movable end to the pier (Po) with the insert or pin (VST), with which it is inserted and installed into a hole on the top or walking board of the pier (Pop), where this hole is made or built-in in the walking board of the pier (Pop), wherein the insert or pin (VST) for placing the movable end of the gangway on the pier (Po) is welded on a transverse outer tube of the insert in the middle of the distance between the two longitudinal supports (VN), where the outer tube of the insert (VST) is rotatably clamped into the two longitudinal supports (VN) at the movable end of the gangway, and the outer tube of the insert, together with its inner tube, which runs inside the outer tube, is clamped into both longitudinal supports (VN) of the gangway, the left and right longitudinal support, wherein the outer tube of the insert rests at its lateral ends on the edges of a hole with a larger round shape in the internal wall of the longitudinal support (NSVN) and the inner tube of the insert reaches at its lateral ends the external wall of the longitudinal support (ZSVN) and is bolted to it, wherein the gangway rotates and swings around the insert (VST) when the vessel moves to the left or right due to fluctuation of the water surface.

19. An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences according to any preceding claim, characterized by that the two longitudinal supports (VN) of the gangway, the intermediate rotating steps (STV) and their reinforcements (STVo), the top fixed step (STF) and the tubes of the steps, and the sprocket wheels, the chain and chain tensioners of the chain drive of the gangway, and other elements of the gangway are made of a stainless solid material, that is resistant to salt and similar corrosive agents.

20. An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences according to claim 19, characterized by that said stainless solid material, thatis resistant to salt and similar corrosive agents, is stainless steel for marine applications with grade 316.21 . An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences according to claim 19, characterized by that said stainless solid material, that is resistant to salt and similar corrosive agents, is stainless steel for marine applications with grade 304.

22. An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences according to claim 19, characterized by that said stainless solid material, that is resistant to salt and similar corrosive agents, is selected from materials that are aluminum, carbon fiber reinforced plastic materials, glass fiber reinforced plastic materials, glass fiber reinforced polymer composite materials, and iron that is painted with an anti-corrosion paint.

23. An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences according to claim 20, characterized by that the gangway has a load capacity of 100 kg, wherein the stainless steel for marine applications 316 is used with a thickness of 1 mm for the manufacture of the longitudinal supports (VN), the intermediate rotating step (STV) or several intermediate rotating steps (STV) and their reinforcements (STVo), and with a thickness of 1 .5 mm for the manufacture of the top fixed step (STF).

24. An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences according to claim 20, characterized by that for a higher load capacity of the gangway the stainless steel for marine applications 316 has a thickness in the range from 1 mm to 3 mm and in special cases up to 10 mm or more.

25. An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences according to any preceding claim, characterized by that the load capacity of the gangway, or the weight of the load that the gangway carries is in the range from 100 kg to 500 kg.

26. An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences according to any preceding claim, characterized by that for heavier loads or higher load capacity of the gangway, a height and width of both longitudinal supports of the gangway and of both C profiles of the longitudinal supports of the gangway, of the internal and external longitudinal support, are increased, and also the sizes of the sprocket wheels, their width, height, and diameter of the sprocket wheels, as well as the dimensions of the chain are increased.

27. An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences according to any preceding claim, characterized by that a length of the longitudinal support (VN) of the gangway, that is, the longitudinal dimension of the longitudinal support (VN) of the gangway from the movable end to the fixed end of the longitudinal support of the gangway, is in the range from 0.5 m to 25 m.

28. An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences according to preceding claim 27, characterized by that the length of the longitudinal support (VN) of the gangway is in the range from 0.5 m to 20 m, even more preferably in the range from 0.5 m to 18 m and most preferably in the range from 0.5 m to 15 m.

29. An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences according to any preceding claim, characterized by that a width of the gangway, that is, the transverse dimension from the external wall of the left longitudinal support (ZSVN) to the external wall of the right longitudinal support (ZSVN), is in the range from 35 cm to 3 m, preferably in the range from 40 cm to 2 m, even more preferably in the range from 50 cm to 1 m and most preferably in the range from 60 cm to 80 cm.

30. An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences according to any preceding claim, characterized by that the individual intermediate rotating step (STV) of the gangway, and also the top fixed step (STF) of the gangway has a width, that is, the dimension from the left side tothe right side of the step (STVst) for the intermediate rotating step (STV), or from the left side to the right side of the step (STFst) for the top fixed step (STF), in the range from 30 cm to 2.9 m, preferably in the range from 45 cm to 1 .9 m , even more preferably in the range from 55 cm to 90 cm and most preferably in the range from 65 cm to 75 cm.31 . An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences according to any preceding claim, characterized by that the individual intermediate rotating step (STV) of the gangway has a length or depth, that is, the dimension from the front side (STVs) to the rear side (STVz) of the step, in the range from 30 cm to 50 cm, preferably in the range from 30 cm to 45 m and most preferably in the range from 30 cm to 40 cm.

32. An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences according to any preceding claim, characterized by that the top fixed step (STF) of the gangway has a length or depth, that is, the dimension from the front side (STFs) to the rear side (STFz) of the step, in in the range from 60 cm to 100 cm, preferably in the range from 60 cm to 90 cm and most preferably in the range from 60 cm to 80 cm.

33. An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences according to any preceding claim, characterized by that a distance between the two adjacent intermediate rotating steps (STV) in the gangway, that is, the distance from the rear side (STVz), which is closer to the fixed end of the gangway, of the intermediate rotating step (STV) to the front side (STVs), which is closer to the movable end of the gangway, of the adjacent intermediate rotating step (STV), or to the front side (STFs), which is closer to the movable end of the gangway, of the adjacent top fixed step (STF), is in the range from 2 cm to 10 cm, preferably in the range from 3 cm to 7 cm and most preferably in the range from 3 cm to 5 cm.

34. An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences according to any preceding claim, characterized by that the intermediaterotating step (STV) has the walking board (STVp), and that the top fixed step (STF) has the walking board (STFp) on the top side, which provides a walking or stepping surface, on which a user of the gangway walks, additionally coated with materials that prevent slipping.

35. An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences according to claim 34, characterized by that the said materials, which prevent slipping, are selected from materials, which are: cork, rubber, stainless metal, PVC teak, real teak, wood, or plastic.

36. An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences according to claim 34 or 35, characterized by that the said walking surface is textured with grooves or channels so that it has a rough texture, which prevents sliding.

37. An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences according to any preceding claim, characterized by that the gangway has a railing with handles and posts installed on at least one of the two longitudinal supports (VN).

38. An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences according to any preceding claim, characterized by that it can be folded, whereby the gangway is completely aligned in one plane, so that all building blocks (components) are in one plane, and the gangway thus aligned is leaned against the side of the vessel or in another place on the vessel.

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