Launching platform for a ship tender

Abstract

Platform (1) for moving a ship's tender between a so-called high position and a so-called low position, along a so-called vertical axis, the platform comprising: a fixed arm (4, 4a); a movable arm (3, 3a) articulated on said fixed arm; a tender support interface articulated on the movable arm; a tender support (2, 2a), called cradle, mounted on the interface; a connecting rod, functionally arranged between the tender support interface and the fixed arm, forming with the movable arm a deformable parallelogram between the tender support interface and the fixed arm, the tender support having a horizontal orientation;a control cylinder (24) for the angular position of the deformable parallelogram moving a positioning sheave (23) of a cable housed in the fixed arm, said positioning sheave being movable along a longitudinal axis, between a so-called rear position defining the low position of the annex and a so-called front position defining the high position of the annex. Summary figure: figure 1;

Description

Title of the invention: Launching platform for a ship tender Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device comprising a platform supported by one or two arms of variable inclination articulated on a carrier vessel. The inclination of the platform relative to the horizontal plane is automatically maintained constant, whatever its vertical position. Its height above a reference plane such as the water level or a horizontal ground is controlled by an operator between two extreme values ​​such as, in the case of a ship, the deck of the ship and approximately 60 cm below the water level. The platform can, in particular, support a tender of the support vessel, place it on the water while floating from the deck level and lift it out of the water while it is floating to a position where it can be securely secured to the carrier vessel. State of the prior art

[0002] There are models of mobile platform whose movement of the platform is obtained by the simultaneous and coordinated actions of at least two hydraulic cylinders which ensure on the one hand the vertical movement of the platform and on the other hand the maintenance of the horizontality of said platform during its vertical movement. Presentation of the invention

[0003] One aim of the invention is in particular to remedy all or part of the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0004] To this end, according to a first aspect of the invention, there is proposed a platform for moving a ship's tender between a so-called high position and a so-called low position, along a so-called vertical axis, the platform comprising: • a fixed arm (extending along a longitudinal axis), • a mobile arm articulated on said fixed arm, • an interface for an articulated annex support on the mobile arm, • an annex support, called a ber, fixed to the interface, • a connecting rod, functionally arranged between the interface for the annex support and the fixed arm, forming with the mobile arm a deformable parallelogram between the interface for the annex support and the fixed arm, the annex support maintaining a horizontal orientation, • a control cable (C) for the angular position of the deformable parallelogram passing through the movable arm, one end of which is in the fixed arm, said end being movable between a so-called rear position defining the low position of the annex and a so-called front position defining the high position of the annex • a deformable parallelogram formed by a movable arm and a connecting rod, functionally arranged between an interface for an annex support (ber) and the fixed arm, the orientation of the interface being horizontal, • a cylinder for controlling the angular position of the deformable parallelogram moving a positioning sheave of a cable housed in the fixed arm, said positioning sheave being movable along a longitudinal axis, between a so-called rear position defining the low position of the annex and a so-called front position defining the high position of the annex.

[0005] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the platform may further comprise: • a second fixed arm (4b) (extending along a longitudinal axis), • a second mobile arm (3b) articulated on said fixed arm, • a second interface for annex support, articulated on the mobile arm, • a second annex support (2b), called ber, mounted on the second interface, • a second connecting rod (5b), functionally arranged between the interface for the annex support and the fixed arm, forming with the movable arm a deformable parallelogram between the interface for the annex support and the fixed arm, the annex support having a horizontal orientation.

[0006] The cable for controlling the angular position of the deformable parallelogram can then pass through the two movable arms, the other end of the cable being fixed in the second fixed arm.

[0007] Preferably, the movable arm(s) are formed of 2 flanks parallel to each other and spaced apart by spacers. The flanks make it possible to obtain a movable arm having high inertia and a weight saving. Preferably, the connecting rod and the fixed arm are integrated, in a navigation position, in the volume created by the flanks. Description of the figures

[0008] Other advantages and particularities of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description of implementations and embodiments which are in no way limiting, with regard to the appended drawings in which: • [Fig.l] represents, in a perspective view, an example of a launching platform for a ship tender, in a low position; • [Fig.2] represents the platform shown in [Fig.l], in a position bass; • [Fig.3] represents the platform shown in [Fig.l], in a position high ; • [Fig.4] illustrates a structure comprising an annex support interface) and a cradle; • [Fig.5] illustrates a platform 1 tray. • [Fig.6] illustrates the drive system 20 of platform 1. Description of embodiments

[0009] The embodiments described below being in no way limiting, it will be possible in particular to consider variants of the invention comprising only a selection of characteristics described, subsequently isolated from the other characteristics described, if this selection of characteristics is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention compared to the state of the prior art. This selection comprises at least one characteristic, preferably functional without structural details, or with only a part of the structural details if this part only is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention compared to the state of the prior art.

[0010] In the figures, an element appearing in several figures retains the same reference.

[0011] Three planes, two by two orthogonal, are used for the description of the platform. These planes are respectively called horizontal plane, sagittal plane (also called longitudinal plane) and frontal plane (also called transverse plane). These three planes correspond respectively to the horizontal plane, the sagittal plane, the frontal plane of the boat when the platform is mounted on the ship.

[0012] Three axes, two by two orthogonal, are used in the description of the platform. These axes are respectively called vertical axis, longitudinal axis and transverse axis. These axes correspond respectively to the vertical axis, the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis of the ship when the platform is mounted on the ship. More precisely, a vertical axis is an intersection of a sagittal plane and a frontal plane, a transverse axis is an intersection of a horizontal plane and a frontal plane, a sagittal axis is an intersection of a horizontal plane and a sagittal plane.

[0013] [Fig.l] illustrates a perspective view of a platform 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. In this view, the transverse axis X, the sagittal axis Y and the vertical axis Z are illustrated.

[0014] The platform 1 is designed to be able to support and move a tender (not shown) of a ship (not shown) between a high position shown in [Fig.3], called navigation, and a low position, called launching, shown in [Fig.2].

[0015] For this purpose, platform 1 comprises: • two fixed arms 4, 4a 4b; • two movable arms 3, 3a, 3b mounted for rotation around an axis B on the respective fixed arm; • two interfaces for annex support 6, 6a, 6b, mounted to rotate around of an axis A on the respective movable arm, an annex support 2, 2a, respectively 2b being fixed on each of the annex support interfaces; • two connecting rods 5, 5a, 5b, each of the connecting rods being functionally arranged between the interface for annex support 6a, 6b and the fixed arm 3a, 3b, forming with the movable arm a deformable parallelogram between the interface for annex support and the fixed arm, the annex support having a horizontal orientation; • two control cables 11, 11a, 11b of the angular position of the deformable parallelogram passing through the movable arm, one end of which is in the fixed arm, said end being movable between a so-called rear position defining the low position of the annex and a so-called front position defining the high position of the annex.

[0016] It should be noted that the forces taken up by the annex supports are directly taken up by the interfaces for annex support 6 which are mounted on the movable arms 3. As will be explained below, this makes it possible to lighten the design of a plate 7.

[0017] The interface for annex support 6a, respectively 6b, is rotatably mounted on the connecting rod 5a, respectively 5b, around an axis C.

[0018] The connecting rod 5a, respectively 5b, is rotatably mounted on the fixed arm 4a, respectively 4b around an axis A.

[0019] As is better understood in [Fig.4], by choosing to arrange the axes B and D in the vertical direction, the axes A and C then also move while remaining in a vertical direction, thus ensuring an orientation, called horizontal, of the cradle, that is to say ready to accommodate an annex in a horizontal plane.

[0020] Thus, the platform 1 comprises two interfaces for supporting the annex 6a, respectively 6b, each of the interfaces being mounted directly on a deformable parallelogram formed by the movable arm 3a, respectively 3b and the connecting rod 5a, respectively 5b, the orientation of each of the cradles being horizontal between a high navigation position and a low launching position.

[0021] As illustrated in [Fig.5], the interface 1 can advantageously include a tray 7. The tray can be used as additional living space when the annex is no longer in place.

[0022] The platform 7 can also have a bathing or bathing beach function when the platform is in the launching position and the tender is no longer in place. This platform also performs a safety function by allowing boarding from a low position.

[0023] According to the prior art,

[0024] According to the present invention, the forces undergone by the annex supports 2 are directly taken up by the interfaces for annex support 6 which are mounted on the movable arms 3. This is an advantage over a solution in which the forces are taken up by the plate 7.

[0025] In other words, the tray 7 does not take up the forces undergone by the annex supports 2. It is thus possible to propose a tray whose weight is reduced.

[0026] Another induced possibility is to propose an openwork plate, allowing water to pass through. This avoids a significant Archimedes thrust on the plate which would have the effect of raising the mobile arm and thus preventing its immersion.

[0027] In the example shown in [Fig.l], each of the arms, 3a, respectively 3b is formed of two flanks 3al and 3a2, respectively 3bl and 3b2, which extend parallel to each other in longitudinal planes and spaced apart by spacers in the axial direction. The flanks make it possible to obtain a mobile arm having a high inertia and a weight saving. In addition, the connecting rod and the fixed arm are integrated, in a navigation position, in the volume created by the flanks.

[0028] In the example shown, the two movable arms 3a 3b are spaced apart by two connecting arms 8, 9, the function of which is on the one hand to stiffen the structure thus formed, but also to connect the two parallelograms in rotation. The connecting arm number 9 provides a bracing function which is mainly manifested in the locked position.

[0029] Still in the example shown, the platform 1 comprises a pair of metal cables 11, 11a, 11b, each of the cables having one end fixed, via a turnbuckle, to the fixed part of one of the arms and the other end fixed to the movable part of the other of the two arms. The metal cables 11a and 11b thus form bracing systems.

[0030] In another example not shown, the platform 1 could have only one cradle, or even have more than two.

[0031] Each of the fixed arms comprises a cylinder for controlling the angular position of the associated mobile arm.

[0032] [Fig.6] illustrates the drive system 20 of the platform 1.

[0033] Each of the lifting arms comprises an arm drive system.

[0034] The drive system comprises a cable 11a, respectively 11b, one of the ends is fixed to the fixed arm and the other to the corresponding movable arm by means of a transverse axis pivot connection.

[0035] The drive system further comprises a return sheave 22a, respectively 22b, fixed at a rear end of the corresponding fixed arm.

[0036] The angular position of the movable arm relative to the fixed arm is controlled by the length of cable between the return sheave 22a, respectively 22b, of a fixed arm and the pivot of the associated movable arm.

[0037] To vary the length of the aforementioned cable, the drive system comprises in in addition to a positioning sheave 24a, respectively 24b, housed in the fixed arm, said positioning sheave being movable, along the longitudinal axis, between a so-called rear position defining the low position of the annex and a so-called front position defining the high position of the annex.

[0038] For this purpose, each of the fixed arms houses a jack 21 formed of a jack body 21c, the jack body being fixed to the fixed arm, and a jack rod.

[0039] The cylinder rod is connected by a pivot to the end of the cable.

[0040] The low position corresponds to the extended jack rod which releases the length of cable and thereby the descent of the plate.

[0041] The passage to the high position passes by the retraction of the cylinder rod. The high position is a locked position.

[0042] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described and numerous adjustments can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, the various characteristics, forms, variants and embodiments of the invention can be associated with each other in various combinations to the extent that they are not incompatible or exclusive of each other.

Claims

Claims

1. Platform (1) for moving a ship's tender between a so-called high position and a so-called low position, along a so-called vertical axis, the platform comprising: a fixed arm (4, 4a), a movable arm (3, 3a) articulated on said fixed arm, an interface for tender support articulated on the movable arm, a tender support (2, 2a), called cradle, mounted on the interface, a connecting rod, functionally arranged between the interface for tender support and the fixed arm, forming with the movable arm a deformable parallelogram between the interface for tender support and the fixed arm, the tender support having a horizontal orientation, a control cylinder (24) for controlling the angular position of the deformable parallelogram moving a positioning sheave (23) of a cable housed in the fixed arm, said positioning sheave being movable along a longitudinal axis,between a so-called rear position defining the low position of the annex and a so-called front position defining the high position of the annex.,

2. Platform according to claim 1 comprising a second fixed arm (4b) (extending along a longitudinal axis), a second movable arm (3b) articulated on said fixed arm, a second interface for annex support, articulated on the movable arm, a second annex support (2b), called cradle, mounted on the second interface, a second connecting rod (5b), functionally arranged between the interface for annex support and the fixed arm, forming with the movable arm a deformable parallelogram between the interface for annex support and the fixed arm, the annex support having a horizontal orientation, the control cable (C) of the angular position of the deformable parallelogram passing through the two movable arms (3a, 3b), the other end of the cable being fixed in the second fixed arm (4b).

3. Platform according to claim 1, in which the forces undergone by the annex support (2) are directly taken up by the movable arm (3).

4. Platform according to claim 1, in which the movable arm is formed of sides parallel to each other (3al, 3a2) and spaced by spacers.

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