Launching platform for a ship's tender

Abstract

Platform (1) for moving a tender of a ship 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 disposed 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 pilot cylinder (21) of the angular position of the deformable parallelogram moving a positioning sheave (24a, 24b) 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 lower position of the annex and a so-called front position defining the upper 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 articulated arms with variable tilt, mounted on a carrier vessel. The platform's inclination relative to the horizontal plane is automatically maintained constant, regardless of its vertical position. Its height above a reference plane, such as the water surface or a horizontal surface, is controlled by an operator between two extreme values, such as, in the case of a vessel, the ship's deck and approximately 60 cm below the water surface. The platform can, in particular, support a tender from the support vessel, lower it onto the water while floating from deck level, and raise it out of the water while floating to a position where it can be securely lashed to the carrier vessel. Prior art

[0002] There are models of mobile platforms in which the platform's movement is achieved 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 platform's horizontality during its vertical movement. Description of the invention

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

[0004] To this end, according to a first aspect of the invention, a platform is proposed 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 movable arm articulated on said fixed arm, • an interface for supporting an articulated annex on the mobile arm, • an annex support, called a ber, fixed to the interface, • a connecting rod, functionally arranged between the dinghy support interface and the fixed arm, forming with the movable arm a deformable parallelogram between the dinghy support interface and the fixed arm, the dinghy 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 lower position of the annex and a so-called forward position defining the upper position of the annex • a deformable parallelogram formed by a movable arm and a connecting rod, functionally arranged between an interface for supporting an annex (cradle) and the fixed arm, the orientation of the interface being horizontal, • a pilot cylinder for 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 lower position of the annex and a so-called front position defining the upper 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 movable arm (3b) articulated on said fixed arm, • a second interface for supporting an annex, hinged on the movable arm, • a second annex support (2b), called ber, mounted on the second interface, • a second connecting rod (5b), functionally arranged between the interface for dinghy support and the fixed arm, forming with the moving arm a deformable parallelogram between the interface for dinghy support and the fixed arm, the dinghy 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 two parallel sides separated by spacers. The sides allow for a movable arm with high inertia and a weight reduction. Preferably, the connecting rod and the fixed arm are integrated, in a sailing position, within the volume created by the sides. Description of the figures

[0008] Other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent upon reading the detailed description of implementations and embodiments, which are by no means limiting, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: • [Fig.1] 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.1], in a low position; • [Fig.3] represents the platform shown in [Fig.1], in a high position; • [Fig.4] illustrates a structure including an appendix support interface) and a cradle; • [Fig.5] illustrates a platform of platform 1. • [Fig.6] illustrates the drive system 20 of platform 1. Description of implementation methods

[0009] The embodiments described below are not in any way limiting; variants of the invention may, in particular, be considered comprising only a selection of the features described, hereinafter isolated from the other features described, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the prior art. This selection includes at least one feature, preferably a functional one without structural details, or with only a portion of the structural details if this portion alone is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

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

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

[0012] Three axes, two of which are orthogonal, are used in the description of the platform. These axes are respectively called the vertical axis, the longitudinal axis, and the 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 the intersection of a sagittal plane and a frontal plane, a transverse axis is the intersection of a horizontal plane and a frontal plane, and a sagittal axis is the intersection of a horizontal plane and a sagittal plane.

[0013] [Fig. 1] 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 on [Fig.3], called navigation, and a low position, called launching, shown on [Fig.2].

[0015] To this end, platform 1 comprises: • two fixed arms 4, 4a 4b; • two movable arms 3, 3a, 3b mounted to rotate around an axis B on the respective fixed arm; • two interfaces for support of annex 6, 6a, 6b, mounted to rotate around an axis A on the respective movable arm, an annex support 2, 2a, respectively 2b being fixed on each of the interfaces for support of annex; • two connecting rods 5, 5a, 5b, each of the connecting rods being functionally arranged between the interface for support of annex 6a, 6b and the fixed arm 3a, 3b, forming with the movable arm a deformable parallelogram between the interface for support of annex and the fixed arm, the support of annex having a horizontal orientation; • two control cables 11, lia, 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 lower position of the annex and a so-called front position defining the upper position of the annex.

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

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

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

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

[0020] Thus, the platform 1 has 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 may advantageously include a platform 7. The platform 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 swimming beach function when the platform is in the launching position and the tender is no longer in 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 exerted on the support of Annex 2 are directly absorbed by the interfaces for support of Annex 6 which are mounted on the movable arms 3. This is an advantage compared to a solution in which the forces are absorbed by the plate 7.

[0025] In other words, the platform 7 does not take over the stresses suffered by the supports of annex 2. It is therefore possible to propose a platform whose weight is reduced.

[0026] Another possible solution is to use a perforated platform that allows water to pass through. This avoids a significant Archimedes' force on the platform, which would cause the movable arm to rise and thus prevent its immersion.

[0027] In the example shown in [Fig. 1], each of the arms, 3a and 3b respectively, is formed of two flanges, 3a1 and 3a2, and 3b1 and 3b2 respectively, which extend parallel to each other in longitudinal planes and are spaced by struts along the axial direction. The flanges make it possible to obtain a movable arm with high inertia and a weight reduction. Furthermore, the connecting rod and the fixed arm are integrated, in a navigation position, within the volume created by the flanges.

[0028] In the example shown, the two movable arms 3a and 3b are separated by two connecting arms 8 and 9, whose function is both to stiffen the structure thus formed and to rotationally link the two parallelograms. Connecting arm number 9 provides a bracing function that is mainly evident in the locked position.

[0029] Still in the example shown, the platform 1 comprises a pair of metal cables 11, lia, 11b, each cable 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 lia and 11b thus form bracing systems.

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

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

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

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

[0034] The drive system comprises a cable lia, respectively 11b, of which a One end is fixed on the fixed arm and the other on the corresponding moving arm by means of a pivot joint with a transverse axis.

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

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

[0037] To vary the aforementioned cable length, the drive system further includes 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 lower position of the annex and a so-called front position defining the upper position of the annex.

[0038] For this purpose, each of the fixed arms houses a cylinder 21 consisting of a cylinder body 21c, the cylinder body being fixed on the fixed arm, and a cylinder rod.

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

[0040] The lower position corresponds to the extended cylinder rod which releases the length of cable and thereby allows the platform to descend.

[0041] The transition to the upper position is achieved by retracting the cylinder rod. The upper position is a locked position.

[0042] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples just described, and many modifications can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the various features, forms, variants, and embodiments of the invention can be combined in various ways, provided they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive.

Claims

Demands

1. Platform (1) for moving a tender of a ship 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), said cradle, mounted on the interface, a connecting rod, functionally disposed 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 piloting jack (21) of the angular position of the deformable parallelogram moving a positioning sheave (24a, 24b) 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 lower position of the dinghy and a so-called forward position defining the upper position of the dinghy.

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 dinghy support, articulated on the movable arm, a second dinghy support (2b), referred to as ber, mounted on the second interface, a second connecting rod (5b), functionally disposed between the interface for dinghy support and the fixed arm, forming with the movable arm a deformable parallelogram between the interface for dinghy support and the fixed arm, the dinghy 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, wherein the forces experienced by the annex support (2) are directly taken up by the movable arm (3).

4. Platform according to claim 1, wherein the movable arm is formed of parallel sides (3al, 3a2) spaced apart by spacers.

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