CONVOLUTE FOR A BELLOWS OF A GANGWAY AND BELLOWS OF A GANGWAY

Abstract

A convolute for a bellows of a gangway, the convolute comprising a first rim and a second rim arranged next to the first rim; a sheet like convolute material that extends from the first rim to the second rim; whereby in an operational position of the convolute, the convolute material takes up a trough-shaped form between the first rim and the second rim; a drainage hole is defined in the convolute material; and a closure closes the drainage hole. The convolute further comprises a drainage control band, whereby the closure forms part of the drainage control band or is attached to the drainage control band, whereby a first band point of the drainage control band is attached to or rests on a first convolute point, whereby the first convolute point is located on the first rim or on the convolute material, but closer to the first rim than to the second rim, and a second band point of the drainage control band is attached to or rests on a second convolute point, whereby the second convolute point is located on the second rim or on the convolute material, but closer to the second rim than to the first rim. The length L1 of a minimum length band path, the minimum length band path being the path with the shortest length that can be taken from the first band point to the second band point while always staying in contact with or leading through the drainage control band, is smaller than the length L2 of a minimum length convolute path, the minimum length convolute path being the path with the shortest length that can be taken from the first convolute point to the second convolute point while always staying in contact with or leading through the convolute material.

Claims

1-13. (canceled)

14. A convolute for a bellows of a gangway, the convolute comprising: a first rim and a second rim arranged next to the first rim; a sheet like convolute material that extends from the first rim to the second rim, wherein in an operational position of the convolute, the convolute material takes up a trough-shaped form between the first rim and the second rim; a drainage hole in the convolute material; a closure to close the drainage hole; a drainage control band, wherein the closure forms part of the drainage control band or is attached to the drainage control band; wherein a first band point of the drainage control band is attached to or resting on a first convolute point, the first convolute point located on the first rim or on the convolute material, but closer to the first rim than to the second rim; wherein a second band point of the drainage control band is attached to or resting on a second convolute point, the second convolute point located on the second rim or on the convolute material, but closer to the second rim than to the first rim; wherein a length L1 of a minimum length band path, said minimum length band path being the path with the shortest length that can be taken from the first band point to the second band point while always staying in contact with or leading through the drainage control band, is smaller than a length L2 of a minimum length convolute path, said minimum length convolute path being the path with the shortest length that can be taken from the first convolute point to the second convolute point while always staying in contact with or leading through the convolute material.

15. The convolute according to claim 14, wherein in at least one operational position of the convolute, where the convolute material takes a trough-shaped form between the first rim and the second rim, the closure closes the drainage hole and the drainage control band has a bow-shaped or trough-shaped cross-section in a plane that is perpendicular to the first rim.

16. The convolute according to claim 15, wherein in a first operational position of the convolute, the convolute material takes a trough-shaped form between the first rim and the second rim and the closure closes the drainage hole and the drainage control band has a bow-shaped or trough-shaped cross-section in a plane that is perpendicular to the first rim, wherein the shortest distance between the first band point and the second band point in this first operational condition is D1; and in a second operational position the closure does not close the drainage hole and the shortest distance between the first band point and the second band point in this second operational condition is D2; and wherein D2 is larger than D1.

17. The convolute according to claim 14, wherein the drainage control band is made from a sheet like material or is an elastic cord.

18. The convolute according to claim 14, wherein: the drainage control band is arranged on a first side of the convolute material (4) and a return spring is arranged on or attached to a second side of the convolute material (4), the return spring also being attached to the closure; and wherein one of: a) the return spring at least partially reaches through the drainage hole when the closure does not close the drainage hole; and b) a connector that connects the closure to the return spring at least partially reaches through the drainage hole when the closure does not close the drainage hole.

19. The convolute according to claim 14, wherein the closure comprises a plug that is at least partially inserted in the drainage hole when the closure closes the drainage hole.

20. A convolute for a bellows of a gangway, the convolute comprising a first rim and a second rim arranged next to the first rim; a sheet like convolute material that extends from the first rim to the second rim, wherein in an operational position of the convolute, the convolute material takes a trough-shaped form between the first rim and the second rim; a drainage hole in the convolute material; a closure to close the drainage hole; a connection between the first rim and/or the second rim and the closure, wherein increasing the distance between a part of the first rim and a part of the second rim, causes the connection between the first rim and/or the second rim and the closure to at least partially move the closure and to at least partially open the drainage hole.

21. A bellows of a gangway, the bellows comprising a plurality of convolutes, each convolute comprising: a first rim and a second rim arranged next to the first rim; a sheet like convolute material that extends from the first rim to the second rim, wherein in an operational position of the convolute, the convolute material takes up a trough-shaped form between the first rim and the second rim; a drainage hole in the convolute material; a closure to close the drainage hole; a drainage control band, wherein the closure forms part of the drainage control band or is attached to the drainage control band; a first band point of the drainage control band attached to or resting on a first convolute point, wherein the first convolute point is located on the first rim or on the convolute material, but closer to the first rim than to the second rim; and a second band point of the drainage control band attached to or resting on a second convolute point, wherein the second convolute point is located on the second rim or on the convolute material, but closer to the second rim than to the first rim, wherein a length L1 of a minimum length band path, said minimum length band path being the path with the shortest length that can be taken from the first band point to the second band point while always staying in contact with or leading through the drainage control band, is smaller than a length L2 of a minimum length convolute path, said minimum length convolute path being the path with the shortest length that can be taken from the first convolute point to the second convolute point while always staying in contact with or leading through the convolute material; wherein the first rim of each convolute of said plurality of convolutes is connected to the second rim of a neighboring convolute.

22. The bellows according to claim 21, wherein: the bellows further comprises a top part, two side parts and a bottom part; and the drainage hole of the convolute is arranged in the bottom part.

23. A method for draining liquid from a convolute for a bellows of a gangway, the convolute comprising a first rim and a second rim arranged next to the first rim, a sheet like convolute material that extends from the first rim to the second rim, wherein in an operational position of the convolute, the convolute material taking a trough-shaped form between the first rim and the second rim, a drainage hole in the convolute material, a closure to close the drainage hole, a connection between the first rim and/or the second rim and the closure, the method comprising: increasing the distance between a part of the first rim and a part of the second rim, to thereby cause the connection between the first rim and/or the second rim and the closure to at least partially move the closure and to at least partially open the drainage hole.

24. The method according to claim 23, further comprising connecting the first rim and/or the second rim and the closure via a drainage control band.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the closure forms part of the drainage control band or is attached to the drainage control band.

26. The method according to claim 25, further comprising: attaching or resting a first band point of the draining control band onto a first convolute point, wherein the first convolute point is located on the first rim or on the convolute material, but closer to the first rim than to the second rim; and attaching or resting a second band point of the drainage control band onto a second convolute point, wherein the second convolute point is located on the second rim or on the convolute material, but closer to the second rim than to the first rim.

27. The method according to claim 24, further comprising: arranging the drainage control band on a first side of the convolute material and a return spring on a second side of the convolute material; and attaching the return spring to the closure, such that either the return spring at least partially reaches through the drainage hole when the closure does not close the drainage hole, or providing a connector that connects the closure to the return spring at least partially reaches through the drainage hole when the closure does not close the drainage hole.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0067] The invention will now be explained with reference to Figures that only show examples of the invention. In the Figures:

[0068] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view onto the underside of a part of convolute according to the invention according to a first embodiment

[0069] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view from the side unto the part of the convolute of FIG. 1 in a first operational position;

[0070] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view from the side unto the part of the convolute of FIG. 1 in a first operational position;

[0071] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view unto an exemplary arrangement of the parts of three convolutes according to the invention that will form the bottom part of a bellows according to a second embodiment;

[0072] FIG. 5 shows a perspective close-up view from the side unto a detail of a part of one convolute of the convolutes of FIG. 4 in an operational position;

[0073] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view from the side unto a detail of a part of the convolutes of FIG. 4, the convolutes being in the same operational position as the convolute shown in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0074] FIGS. 1 to 3 show a first embodiment of a convolute 1 according to the invention. The convolute 1 has a first rim 2 and a second rim 3 arranged next to the first rim 2. A sheet like convolute material 4 extends from the first rim 2 to the second rim 3. In the operational position of the convolute 1 shown in FIG. 2, the convolute material 4 takes up a trough-shaped form between the first rim 2 and the second rim 3. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the first rim 2 is provided by one end of the sheet like convolute material 4 and the second rim 3 is provided by the opposite end of the sheet like convolute material 4.

[0075] As can be best seen from FIG. 1, a drainage hole is provided in the convolute material 4. As can be seen from FIG. 1, in the operational position taken up by the convolute in FIG. 1, a plug 6 that forms part of a closure 7 is arranged inside the drainage hole 5.

[0076] As can best be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3, a drainage control band 8 is provided. The drainage control band has a first band point 9 and a second band point 10. The first band point 9 is attached to a first convolute point 11 by way of a stitching 13. The first convolute point 11 is on the convolute material 4, but closer to the first rim 2 than to the second rim 3. The second band point 10 is attached to a second convolute point 12 by way of a stitching 14. The second convolute point 12 is located on the convolute material 4, but closer to the second rim 3 than to the first rim 2.

[0077] As highlighted in FIGS. 2 and 3, a minimum length band path 15 (highlighted in FIGS. 2 and 3 by dashed lines) is the path with the shortest length that can be taken from the first band point 9 to the second band point 10 while always staying in contact with or leading through the drainage control band 8. The length of the minimum length band path 15 is L1. As highlighted in FIGS. 2 and 3, a minimum length convolute path 16 (highlighted in FIGS. 2 and 3 by dashed lines) is the path with the shortest length that can be taken from the first convolute point 11 to the second convolute point 12 while always staying in contact with or leading through the convolute material 4. The length of the minimum length convolute path 16 is L2. L1 is smaller than L2.

[0078] The drainage control band in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3 is made from a sheet like material. The closure 7 of the convolute 1 is provided by a part of the sheet like drainage control band 8, namely that part that is located around the drainage hole, and by the plug 6 that like a knob protrudes from the sheet like drainage control band 8. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the plug 6 closes the major part of the drainage hole 5, put is not arranged in the drainage hole 5 in a press-fit way. Hence, a little clearance remains around the plug 6 inside the drainage hole. Because the sheet like drainage control band 8 is, however, arranged to layover the drainage hole 5 in the operational condition seen in FIG. 2, this additional part aids in closing the drainage hole 5 and hence belongs forms part of the closure 7.

[0079] In the operational position of the convolute 1 shown in FIG. 2, where the convolute material 4 takes up a trough-shaped form between the first rim 2 and the second rim 3, the closure 7 closes the drainage hole 5 and the drainage control band 8 in this particular embodiment has a bow-shaped cross-section in a plane that is perpendicular to the first rim 2. The sheet like drainage control band 8 lies on the inward facing surface of the sheet like convolute material 4.

[0080] In the operational position shown in FIG. 2, which could be seen as a first operational position of the convolute 1, the shortest distance (highlighted by the dashed line 17 in FIG. 2) between the first band point 9 and the second band point 10 in this first operational condition is D1.

[0081] In the operational position shown in FIG. 3, which could be seen as a second operational position, the closure 7 does not close the drainage hole 5 and the shortest distance (highlighted by the dashed line 18 in FIG. 3) between the first band point 9 and the second band point 10 in this second operational condition is D2.

[0082] D2 is larger than D1.

[0083] As can be seen from comparing FIG. 2 to FIG. 3 spreading the convolute material 4, which means nothing else than increasing the shortest distance the first band point 9 and the second band point 10 due to the design-rule “L1 smaller than L2” leads to the previously bow-shaped drainage control band 8 being straightened more than the convolute material 4 and hence for the drainage control band 8 to lift of the inward facing surface of the convolute material 4 and hence to open the drainage hole 5.

[0084] Hence if the convolute 1 is brought into an operational position like the one shown in FIG. 3, the drainage hole 5 is automatically opened and liquid that has been collected in the trough-shaped convolute material 4 can be drained. Bringing the convolute 1 back into an operational position shown in FIG. 2 spreads the closure 7 over the drainage hole 5 and inserts the knob-shaped plug 6 back into the drainage hole 5, closing the drainage hole automatically.

[0085] FIGS. 1 to 3 only show a short part of the convolute 1 in order to explain the working principle of the invention.

[0086] The FIGS. 4 to 6 show a second embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3 shows the bottom parts of three convolutes 1 arranged next to eachother. For the left hand convolute 1, the first rim 2 is attached to a frame 19 and the second rim 3 is attached to the first rim 2 of the middle convolute 1. The second rim 3 of the middle convolute 1 is attached to the first rim 2 of the right hand convolute 1. The second rim 3 of the right hand convolute 1 is attached to a frame 20. For each convolute 1 in FIG. 4, cornerpieces 21 are also shown that would provide the connection of the bottom parts of the convolutes 1 shown in FIG. 4 to side parts of the convolutes 1.

[0087] FIG. 4 shows two rods 22. For each rod, a point on the joined second rim 3 of the left hand convolute 1 and first rim 2 of the middle convolute 1 is attached to the rod 22 by a cord 23 to hold up the joined second rim 3 of the left hand convolute 1 and first rim 2 of the middle convolute 1. For each rod, a point on the joined second rim 3 of the middle convolute 1 and first rim 2 of the right hand convolute 1 is attached to the rod 22 by a cord 23 to hold up the joined second rim 3 of the left hand convolute 1 and first rim 2 of the middle convolute 1.

[0088] In the embodiment of FIGS. 4 to 6, the drainage control band 8 is provided by an elastic cord. In the embodiment of FIGS. 4 to 6 two drainage control bands 8 are provided, because each convolute 1 is provided with two drainage holes. In the FIG. 4 the drainage holes 5 of the convolutes 1 are not visible, because each drainage hole 5 is closed by a sheet like closure 7. FIG. 5 shows a raised circular rim 24 that encircles the drainage hole 5. The raised circular rim 24 improves the closure of the drainage hole 5 by the sheet like closure 7.

[0089] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the first band point 9 of the respective drainage control band 8 rests on a first convolute point 11, whereby the first convolute point 11 is located on the first rim 2 of the respective convolute. The second band point 10 of the drainage control band 8 rests on a second convolute point 12, whereby the second convolute point 12 is located on the second rim 3. The length L1 of the minimum length band path 15 is smaller than the length L2 of the minimum length convolute path.

[0090] The sheet like closure 7 in the embodiment of FIGS. 4 to 6 is attached to the drainage control band 8 by a link 25.

[0091] The embodiment of FIGS. 4 to 6 shows two long elastic cord that each from frame 19 to frame 20 and are attached to frame 19 and frame 20. The drainage control band 8 of the respective one of the total of three convolutes 1 shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 is provided by a part of the long elastic cord.

[0092] In the operational position of the convolute 1 shown in FIG. 4, where the convolute material 4 takes up a trough-shaped form between the first rim 2 and the second rim 3, the closure 7 closes the drainage hole 5 and the drainage control band 8 in this particular embodiment has a bow-shaped cross-section in a plane that is perpendicular to the first rim 2. The cord that forms the drainage control band 8 bends downwards.

[0093] In the operational position shown in FIG. 4, which could be seen as a first operational position of the convolute 1, the shortest distance (highlighted by the dashed line 17 in FIG. 2) between the first band point 9 and the second band point 10 in this first operational condition is D1.

[0094] In the operational position shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, which could be seen as a second operational position, the closure 7 does not close the drainage hole 5 and the shortest distance (highlighted by the dashed line 18 in FIG. 3) between the first band point 9 and the second band point 10 in this second operational condition is D2.

[0095] D2 is larger than D1.

[0096] As can be seen from comparing FIG. 4 to FIGS. 5 and 6 spreading the convolute material 4, which means nothing else than increasing the shortest distance the first band point 9 and the second band point 10 due to the design-rule “L1 smaller than L2” leads to the previously bow-shaped drainage control band 8 being straightened more than the convolute material 4 and hence for the drainage control band 8 to lift the sheet like closure 7 partially from the inward facing surface of the convolute material 4 and hence to open the drainage hole 5.

[0097] Hence if the convolute 1 is brought into an operational position like the one shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the drainage hole 5 is automatically opened and liquid that has been collected in the trough-shaped convolute material 4 can be drained. Bringing the convolute 1 back into an operational position shown in FIG. 4 drops the closure 7 over the drainage hole 5 again, closing the drainage hole automatically