Man overboard rescue system

Abstract

A man over board rescue system 100 may comprise a main body 200 with the main body quickly and easily being attached and detached to a ship's bitt. Thus, the system may be quickly set up prior to departing and quickly put away at the end of a voyage. The system allows for the fast and efficient rescue of a person overboard without need for a rescuer to enter the water or to risk bodily injury in retrieving a person in the water. The system provides secure mechanical means allowing for a winch to be used in the support of a person which is a significant departure from the prior art.

Claims

1. A man over board rescue system comprising: a) a main body (100), the main body comprising a tube channel (210) the tube channel attached to an upper spindle block (273) and an lower spindle block (270) with a spindle (267) disposed between the upper spindle block and the lower spindle block; the spindle attached to a spindle gear (265) with the spindle gear in geared attachment to a worm gear (260) with the worm gear attached to a handle (263); the spindle having a top end attached to a winch plate (225) with the winch plate attached to a winch (220) and the winch plate supporting a rope clutch 230; the spindle having a lower end attached to a spindle connector (275); b) a lift line (290) attached to the winch and the lift line in contact with a distal end of a davit (300); and c) a proximal end of the davit attached to the spindle connector.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of latch clamps (250) attached to the tube channel (210).

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of feet (240) attached to the tube channel (210).

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising a distal end of the lift line attached to a stopping element.

5. They system of claim 1 further comprising a distal end of the lift line attached to a strap to rope connector (560), the strap to rope connector attached to a strap (540) and the strap retained within a lower pole assembly (500).

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the distal end of the lift line comprises a loop.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the loop is deposed below the stopping element.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein a plurality of back angles (215) are attached to a back end of the tube channel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 depicts a disclosed embodiment

(2) FIG. 2 depicts a disclosed embodiment

(3) FIG. 3 depicts a main body

(4) FIG. 4 depicts a main body

(5) FIG. 5 depicts a main body

(6) FIG. 6 depicts a main body

(7) FIG. 7 depicts a main body

(8) FIG. 8 depicts a main body

(9) FIG. 9 depicts an exploded view of a main body

(10) FIG. 10 depicts an exploded view of a main body

(11) FIG. 11 depicts an exploded view of a main body

(12) FIG. 12 depicts an exploded view of a main body

(13) FIG. 13 depicts a lower pole system

(14) FIG. 14 depicts an exploded view of a lower pole system

(15) FIG. 15 depicts an lower pole attached to an upper pole

(16) Reference Numerals in the Drawings

(17) 100 a disclosed embodiment in general

(18) 200 main body

(19) 210 tube channel

(20) 215 back angle

(21) 220 winch

(22) 222 winch handle

(23) 225 winch plate

(24) 227 clutch support

(25) 230 rope clutch

(26) 240 foot

(27) 250 latch clamp

(28) 252 adjustable slide buckle attached to latch clamp 250

(29) 260 worm gear

(30) 263 handle for worm gear

(31) 265 spindle gear

(32) 267 spindle

(33) 270 lower spindle block

(34) 271 flange sleeve bearing of spindle block

(35) 273 upper spindle block

(36) 275 spindle connector, or spindle to boom connector

(37) 277 boom to spindle connector nut

(38) 290 lift line

(39) 292 loop to secure lifting strap

(40) 295 tension line

(41) 300 davit

(42) 310 davit sheave

(43) 400 latch or strap system

(44) 410 strap

(45) 413 strap mount

(46) 430 latch clamp

(47) 500 lower pole assembly

(48) 510 reach frame

(49) 515 pole adapter

(50) 517 distal reach frame member

(51) 520 frame bar

(52) 522 distal storage void, defined between distal reach frame member 517 and frame bar 520

(53) 540 strap

(54) 545 strap holder

(55) 550 buckle

(56) 555 buckle holder

(57) 560 strap to rope connector

(58) 600 upper pole assemble

(59) 610 pole

(60) 620 V cleat

(61) 630 wire pin

(62) 640 lanyard

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

(63) The following detailed description is directed to certain specific embodiments of the invention. However, the invention can be embodied in a multitude of different ways as defined and covered by the claims and their equivalents. In this description, reference is made to the drawings wherein like parts are designated with like numerals throughout.

(64) Unless otherwise noted in this specification or in the claims, all of the terms used in the specification and the claims will have the meanings normally ascribed to these terms by workers in the art.

(65) Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in a sense of “including, but not limited to.” Words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number, respectively. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below,” and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application.

(66) The above detailed description of embodiments of the invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed above. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. For example, while steps are presented in a given order, alternative embodiments may perform routines having steps in a different order. The teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to other systems, not only the systems described herein. The various embodiments described herein can be combined to provide further embodiments. These and other changes can be made to the invention in light of the detailed description.

(67) Any and all the above references and U.S. patents and applications are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions and concepts of the various patents and applications described above to provide yet further embodiments of the invention.

(68) FIG. 1 depicts a disclosed embodiment 100 in general which may comprise a main body 200 having a tension line 295 that supports a davit 300 to boom assembly with the davit moved laterally by use of a worm gear 260 (See FIG. 2). While the davit may be moved laterally, a lift line 290 may be lowered or raised, with the lift line connected to a rescue strap or other system which may secure a person in the water in need of rescue.

(69) A main body 200 may be secured to a ship bitt by use of a latch or strap system 400, the strap system may comprise a plurality of straps 410 with the straps reaching around a bitt and the straps secured to the main body by a plurality of latch lamps 250 with the latch clamps having an over centered pivot point and or an over center lock position.

(70) A boom or davit 300 may comprise rotational means of supporting a lift line 290 and or may ride upon or pivot about a davit sheave 310 or pivot wheel.

(71) Referring to FIG. 2 a winch 220 may pull or control a lift line 290, with the winch attached to a rotating winch plate 225. The use of the winch plate 225 and attached spindle 267 and the artful and secure manner of attachment of the main body to a bitt and the artful and secure manner of the spindle 267 disposed between two spindle blocks 273 and 270 overcome shortfalls in the related art by, inter alia, providing the only means in the market place for a winch to be rated or approved for the support and/or transport of a human being. In the related art, a winch without further means of safety or support, is not rated for the movement of a human being. The presently disclosed embodiments have achieved unexpectedly excellent results in obtaining approval from a winch manufacturer to allow or approve of said winches to be used with the disclosed embodiments for use in human transport or human support.

(72) The safety of the disclosed embodiments is achieved, inter alia, by use of a rectangular main body 210, the main body having four vertical members and the main body securing or secured to two an upper spindle block 273 and a lower spindle block 275 with a spindle 267 disposed between the two spindle blocks and with the spindle in rotational attachment within the two spindle blocks. The spindle may be attached to a winch plate 225 and a spindle to boom connector 275 such that the lift line 290 and boom 300 may move laterally in unison to increase product utility and safety. The spindle 267 may be rotated by use of a worm gear 260 in geared attachment to a spindle gear 265 with the spindle gear having an inner circumference fixedly attached to spindle 267. The worm gear may be rotated by use of a handle 263.

(73) The efficacy and safety of the disclosed embodiments is also increased by the artful use of feet 240 with each foot defining a plurality of voids, the voids configured to retain one or more straps 410 with the straps being secured around a ship bitt and the straps further secured to the main body by the disclosed latch clamps 250.

(74) Added product utility and efficiency is also achieved by use of a plurality of back angles 215, the back angles providing an needed offset between the main body 200 and a ship's bitt.

(75) Referring to FIG. 3, the disclosed embodiments overcome shortfalls in the related art by providing means and methods for an artfully placed and artfully shaped winch plate 225 such that the winch plate allows for horizontal or near horizontal rotation in unison with the boom and the winch plate enables a clutch support 227 to support a rope clutch 230 with the rope clutch being adjacent to the winch. The winch plate overcomes shortfalls in the art by keeping the winch near the rope clutch while keeping the lift line in the same plane as the boom or davit.

(76) To further keep the lift line, wench and davit in the same plane, FIG. 3 depicts a spindle connector 275 attached to the spindle 267 with the spindle connector 275 having a boom or davit to spindle connector nut 277.

(77) FIG. 4 highlights the positioning of the two latch clamps 250 as well as the spindle system used to keep the davit and lift line aligned. The synchronized horizontal movement of the lift line and davit overcomes shortfalls in the art as the lift line can be moved horizontally by mechanical means, allowing a rescuer to stay on board the ship and out of the water.

(78) FIG. 5 depicts feet 240 used to keep the main body from twisting or otherwise coming out of position due to the forces exerted upon the davit and/or lift line.

(79) FIG. 6 depicts the artful position of the winch plate 225.

(80) FIG. 7 depicts geared relationship between the worm gear 260 and the spindle gear 265.

(81) FIG. 8 depicts an altered angle from FIG. 7.

(82) FIG. 9 depicts an exploded view of a main body. The lift line 295 is shown removed from the winch.

(83) FIG. 10 depicts an exploded view of a main body. The relationship between the lower spindle block 275 and upper spindle block 273 are shown.

(84) FIG. 11 depicts the shapes of the winch plate 225, clutch support 227 and rope clutch 230 and related components.

(85) FIG. 12 depicts an altered angle from FIG. 11.

(86) FIG. 13 depicts a lower pole assembly 500 sometimes used to secure a lifting strap to a person in need of rescue. A lower pole assembly may comprise a reach frame 510, with the reach frame having a distal reach frame member 517. A distal reach frame member 517 and a frame bar 520 may define a distal storage void 522, with the distal storage void sometimes used to store webbing, rope or other means of securing a person in the water.

(87) A lower pole assembly 500 may include means of securing a strap 540 within the perimeter of the reach frame and frame bar 520 by use of a plurality of strap holders 545.

(88) The strap 540 may be secured by use of a buckle 550, with the buckle retained in a buckle holder 555.

(89) FIG. 14 depicts the components of FIG. 13 in an exploded view.

(90) FIG. 15 depicts a lower pole assembly 500 in attachment to an upper pole assembly 600.

(91) A distal end of the lift line may be attached to a ball or other stopping element. A stopping element may be defined as any object attached to the lift line that will not pass through the davit sheave. A stopping element or ball attached to a distal end of the lift line will cause the davit to rise when the lift line if fully retracted. Thus, the tension line will sag, allowing the davit to be raised to a higher level, giving a rescue worker more room to maneuver a swimmer on to the deck of the ship. Such a feature helps to compensate for ship biffs that are disposed at an angle upon a ship deck.

(92) At a yet more distal position on a lift line, a loop may be attached, just behind a ball or stopping element. The loop may be attached to strap to rope connector 560.

(93) Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, after a person over board is placed within the loop, the handle or upper pole may be pressed toward the person, causing the one way bracket or bracket holder to chinch the strap 540 around the person. The strap holders may then disengage, causing the strap to be freed from the pole and hoop system. Thus, the person may then be retrieved from the water. In some instances, the hoop and pole system may not break free from the strap, and the pole may be simply retained as the person is hoisted back into the boat.

(94) The disclosed embodiments are well suited for use anywhere water is present and are useful at docks and poolside.