HINGE SYSTEM AND A PORTABLE GANGWAY USING THE HINGE SYSTEM

Abstract

A hinge system (1, 1a) for use with a lightweight, portable gangway (100), the hinge system (1a) comprising at least three plates (2a,2b,2c), a bar (4) and a washer (6), wherein a first pair of the plates (2a,2b) are attached at either side of a lower surface (106) of a first section (102a) of the gangway (100) and the other plate (2c) is attached at approximately the centre of a second section (102b) of the gangway (100), so that when the sections (102a,102b) are brought towards each other, the first pair of the plates (2a,2b) are aligned with the other plate (2c).

Claims

1. A hinge system (1,1a) for use with a lightweight, portable gangway (100), the hinge system (1a) comprising at least three plates (2a,2b,2c), each plate (2a,2b,2c) having a proximal end (21), a distal end (22) and an edged surface (23); a bar (4) and a washer (6), wherein a first pair of the plates (2a,2b) are attached at either side of a lower surface (106) of a first section (102a) of the gangway (100) and the other plate (2c) is attached at approximately the center of a second section (102b) of the gangway (100), so that when the sections (102a,102b) are brought towards each other, the proximal ends (21) of the first pair of plates (2a,2b) are aligned with the proximal end (21) of the third plate (2c).

2. The hinge system (1a) of claim 1, in which the first pair of the plates (2a,2b) are welded on either side of a proximal end (107) of either one of the sections (102a,102b) and the other plate (2c) is welded to approximately the center of the proximal end (107) of either of the sections (102a,102b).

3. The hinge system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the hinge system (1) comprises at least four plates (2a,2b,2c,2d), wherein a first pair of the plates (2a,2b) are attached at either side of a lower surface (106) of the first section (102a) of the gangway (100) and a second pair of the plates (2c,2d) are attached at either side of the second section (102b) of the gangway (100), so that when the sections (102a,102b) are brought towards each other, the proximal ends (21) of the first pair of the plates (2a,2b) are juxtaposed the proximal ends (21) of the second pair of the plates (2c,2d), respectively.

4. The hinge system (1) of claim 3, in which the first and the second pairs of plates (2a,2b,2c,2d) are welded on either side of a proximal end (107) of the sections (102a,102b).

5. The hinge system (1) according to claim 3, in which when the plates (2a,2b,2c,2d) are juxtaposed each other, the first pair of the plates (2a,2b) are external the second pair of the plates (2c,2d).

6. The hinge system (1,1a) of claim 1, wherein each plate (2a,2b,2c,2d) further comprises a notch (30), and wherein each plate (2a,2b,2c,2d) tapers from the proximal end (21) to the distal end (22).

7. The hinge system (1,1a) according to claim 6, in which the proximal end (21) has a surface area greater than that of the distal end (22) and further comprises an aperture (10).

8. The hinge system (1,a) according to claim 7, wherein the aperture (10) has a circumference that is larger than the circumference of the bar (4).

9. The hinge system (1,1a) according to claim 7, in which when the bar (4) is threaded through the aperture (10) of the first pair of the plates (2a,2b) and the other plate (2c) or through the first (2a,2b) and the second (2c,2d) pairs of plates, the washer (6) is welded to the plates (2a,b) and the bar (4), securing the bar (4) in place.

10. The hinge system (1,a) according to claim 9, in which when the bar (4) is threaded through the aperture (10) of the plates (2a,2b,2c,2d), the first pair of plates (2) and the second pair of plates (2) attached to sections (102) pivot around the bar (4).

11. The hinge system (1,1a) according to claim 1, wherein each plate (2) is constructed from a lightweight material selected from aluminum, carbon steel, graphene, titanium, nylon, fiberglass, aluminum steel, carbon fiber and plastic.

12. The hinge system (1,1a) according to claim 1, wherein each plate (2) is constructed from abrasion resistant steel or stainless steel.

13. The hinge system (1,1a) according to claim 1, wherein each plate (2) is between about 100 mm to about 400 mm in length and about 50 mm to about 150 mm in height at the proximal end (21).

14. The hinge system (1,1a) according to claim 1, wherein the plate (2) is between about 12 mm to 20 mm thick.

15. The hinge system (1,1a) according to claim 1, wherein the bar (4) is constructed from stainless steel, abrasion resistant steel, carbon steel, nylon, graphene or titanium.

16. The hinge system of claim 1 further comprising a portable gangway (100) for a ship or a boat, the gangway (100) comprising at least two gangway sections (102a,102b), wherein each of the gangway sections (102a,102b) comprise a body (103) having an upper surface (104) and a lower surface (106), a distal end (105) and a proximal end (107), wherein the proximal end (107) of each section (102) is formed at an angle dimensioned to cooperate with the proximal end (107) of another section (107) to form a hinged section.

17. The hinge system of claim 16 wherein said portable gangway (100), in which the angle is an oblique angle of between 0.1 and 4.9 relative to the vertical axis.

18. The hinge system of claim 16 wherein said portable gangway (100) comprises the hinged section of the gangway (100) is at a pitch of about 5 relative to the horizontal plane X.

19. The hinge system of claim 16 wherein said portable gangway (100) comprises the upper surface (104) which further comprises a plurality of steps (108) integrated into the body (103) of the section (102a,102b).

20. The hinge system of claim 16 wherein said portable gangway (100) comprises the upper surface (104) which further comprises a plurality of stanchions (110) that are adapted to accommodate a handrail (150).

21-37. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0048] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the hinge system of the invention fitted to the underside of two sections of a gangway.

[0049] FIG. 2 illustrates components of the hinge system of the invention.

[0050] FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the hinge system of the invention fitted to the underside of two sections of a gangway.

[0051] FIG. 4 illustrates a gangway incorporating the hinge system of FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and/or FIG. 3.

[0052] FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of the hinged section of the gangway of FIG. 4 using the hinge system of FIGS. 1 and 3, where the hinged section is at a 5 pitch, relative to the horizontal plane X.

[0053] FIG. 6 illustrates (A) a perspective view in a working position, (B) a perspective view in a folded position and (C) a further perspective view in a working position of a rail bracket used to attach the gangway to a rail of a vessel or a structure such as a pier.

[0054] FIG. 7 illustrates (A) a perspective view in a working position, (B) a perspective view in a folded position and (C) a further perspective view in a working position of a rail bracket used to attach the gangway to a rail of a vessel or a structure such as a pier.

[0055] FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of the gangway of FIG. 4 with a handrail and the rail bracket of FIG. 6 and FIG. 7.

[0056] FIG. 9 illustrates a view of the gangway of FIG. 8 in a semi-folded position, wherein the handrail is collapsed and secured to the gangway sections.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0057] The present invention provides a hinge system for use with a lightweight, portable and foldable/collapsible gangway. The gangway can be secured in an area of a vessel, for example, alongside the boats rail, behind the wheelhouse, on top of the gantry or even on the wheelhouse roof. When the vessel lands at port, two crew members will be able to lift and position the gangway alongside the vessel's railings and open it out to its fully extended state.

[0058] Referring now to the figures, where FIG. 1 illustrates a general embodiment of a hinge system of the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a hinge system of the present invention attached to an example of a lightweight, portable gangway, and is generally referred to by reference numeral 1. FIG. 3 illustrates the components of the hinge system 1. The hinge system 1 comprises two pairs of plates 2a,2b,2c,2d at opposite sides of a gangway section 102a,102b, respectively. The plates 2a,2b,2c,2d are connected together by a bar 4 that traverses the distance across the width of the gangway section 102a,102b. The bar 4 is accommodated within an aperture 10 (see FIG. 3) in each of the plates 2a,2b,2c,2d. The bar 4 is secured in place by placing a washer 6 on each of an end 12 of the bar 4 (see FIG. 3 also). The washer 6 is welded to the plate 2a,2b and the ends 12 of the bar 4 to secure the bar 4 in place.

[0059] Referring now to FIG. 2, which illustrates a further embodiment of the hinge system 1 of the present invention and in which parts or steps described with reference to the previous embodiment are assigned the same numerals. Specifically, FIG. 2 illustrates that the hinge system 1a can comprise three plates, with two plates 2a,2b at opposite sides of the gangway section 102a, and one plate 2c located approximately in the centre of the gangway section 102b. The plates 2a,2b,2c are connected together by the bar 4 that traverses the distance across the width of the gangway section 102a,102b. The bar 4 is accommodated within the aperture 10 (see FIG. 3) in each of the plates 2a,2b,2c. The bar 4 is secured in place by placing the washer 6 on each of the ends 12 of the bar 4 (see FIG. 3 also). The washer 6 is welded to the plate 2a,2b and the ends 12 of the bar 4 to secure the bar 4 in place. It should be understood that the two plates 2a,2b can also be positioned at opposite sides of the gangway section 102b, and the one plate 2c located approximately in the centre of the gangway section 102a.

[0060] Each plate 2 is cut from a sheet of metal and comprises a proximal end 21 and a distal end 22. The proximal end 21 accommodates the aperture 10. In this embodiment, the plate 2 tapers from the proximal end 21 to the distal end 22. The plate 2 further comprises an edged surface 23. Where the proximal end 21 and the edged surface 23 meet, there is a notch 30 cut out of the plate 2. The notch 30 allows the plate 2 to be welded completely onto the section 102 of the gangway 100. The notch 30 allows for a fully penetrated fillet weld completely around the plate 2, thus providing a secure attachment to the gangway 100.

[0061] FIG. 4 shows an example of a lightweight and portable gangway 100 that incorporates the hinge system 1,1a. The gangway of the present invention is generally referred to by reference numeral 100. The gangway 100 comprises at least two gangway sections 102a,102b that are connected together by the hinge system 1,1a. Each gangway section 102a,102b comprises a body 103 having an upper surface 104 and a lower surface 106, a distal end 105 and a proximal end 107. The upper surface 104 further comprises a plurality of steps 108 integrated into the body 103 of the sections 102a,102b and a plurality of stanchions 110 that are adapted to accommodate a handrail 150 and are removable or foldable to permit folding and storage of the gangway 100. The distal end 105 further comprises a pair of wheels 109 adapted to permit the user to roll the gangway 100 along a surface. The proximal end 107 of each section 102a,102b are aligned with each other to accommodate the hinge system 1,1a.

[0062] In one aspect, the stanchions 110 are attached to the sections 102a,102b by means of a bracket and bolt system 200 (see FIG. 8 and FIG. 9). The bracket and bolt system 200 comprise a bracket 202 having an aperture 204, the bracket 202 secured to the section 102a,102b and juxtaposed the stanchion 110 where the stanchion 110 also is secured to the section 102a,102b. A bolt 206 is threaded through the aperture 204 in the bracket 202 and through a further aperture 205 in the stanchion 110. The base of each stanchion 110 of the handrail 150 is linked to the bracket and bolt system 200. A locking bolt 208 is used in place of the bolt 206 in the system 200 used to connect the stanchion 110 with the section 102a,102b at the end distal to where a rail bracket 300 is connected to the gangway 100. When the locking bolt 208 is removed from the system 200, the handrail 150 collapses down to a folded position. Once in the folded position, the locking bolt 208 is reinserted into the apertures 204,205 to lock the handrail 150 in the folded position with the gangway 100.

[0063] The stanchions 110 are also attached to the horizontal handrail 150 using a collapsible system 400. The collapsible system 400 comprises a hinge 402 connecting an underside 152 of the handrail 150 with a proximal end 120 of the stanchion 110. The handrail 150 further comprises a link bar 160 linking two stanchions 110 together. The link bar 160 is connected to the two stanchions 110 by the bracket and bolt system 200 with the locking bolt 208 used on one end, and the bolt 206 used on the other end, as described above.

[0064] To fold or collapse the handrail 150 down for storage, the bracket and bolt system 200 is dismantled by removing the locking bolt 208 connecting the link bar 160 to the stanchions 110 and connecting the stanchions 110 to the sections 102a,102b. Once dismantled, the link bar 160 is removed, and the handrail 150 collapses down through the hinging of the collapsible system 400. The handrail 150 and stanchions 110 store flat with the sections 102a,102b of the gangway 100 (see FIG. 9). As described above, the locking bolt 208 is reinserted into the apertures 204,205 of the bracket and bolt system 200 to lock the handrail 150 (and the link bar 160) in the folded position on the gangway 100. This procedure is done to both handrails 150 when two are present on the gangway 100.

[0065] In order to construct the hinge system 1, the edged surface 23 of the plate 2 is placed on the lower surface 106 at the proximal end 107 of the section 102a,102b. The proximal end 21 of the plate 2 extends outwards and away from the proximal end 107. The positioning of the proximal ends 21 extending outward and way from the proximal end 107 is to ensure that the bar 4, when engaged with the plates 2a,2b,2c,2d, is centred over the meeting of the sections 102a,102b. The centring of the bar 4 allows the sections 102a,102b rotate or hinge in a 1800 range of motion. The plate 2 is welded in place on the lower surface 106 of the gangway section 102a,102b. One plate 2a,2b is placed on either side of the proximal end 107 of the section 102a (and likewise for plates 2c,2d on section 102b), forming a pair of plates 2a,2b and 2c,2d on each section 102a,102b, respectively. To create the gangway 100, the at least two sections 102a,102b are brought together at their proximal ends 107, and the proximal ends 21 of the plates 2a,2b,2c,2d are juxtaposed each other to allow the bar 4 to traverse the width of the sections 102a,102b. The bar 4 is accommodated within the apertures 10 of the plates 2a,2b,2c,2d, which are lined up to create a uniform aperture between the four plates 2a,2b,2c,2d on the lower surface 106 of the sections 102a,102b.

[0066] As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1, when the plates 2a,2b,2c,2d are juxtaposed each other, the first pair of plates 2a,2b are positioned external the second pair of plates 2c,2d. It should be understood that the second pair of plates 2c,2d could also be positioned external the first pair of plates 2a,2b; or the plates 2a,2b,2c,2d could be positioned so that the plates 2 alternate, for example, 2a outside 2c and 2d outside 2b or 2c outside 2a and 2b outside 2d, and so on in an alternating fashion.

[0067] When referring to the construction of the hinge system 1a, the plates 2a,2b are welded in place on the lower surface 106 of the gangway section 102a (or 102b). One plate 2a,2b is placed on either side of the proximal end 107 of the section 102a (or of the section 102b), forming a pair of plates 2a,2b on section 102a (or 102b). The plate 2c is welded in place in approximately the centre of the lower surface 106 of the gangway section 102b (or 102a). To create the gangway 100, the at least two sections 102a,102b are brought together at their proximal ends 107, and the proximal ends 21 of the plates 2a,2b,2c are brought in line with each other to allow the bar 4 to traverse the width of the sections 102a,102b. The bar 4 is accommodated within the apertures 10 of the plates 2a,2b,2c, which are lined up to create a uniform aperture between the four plates 2a,2b,2c on the lower surface 106 of the sections 102a,102b.

[0068] Each of the plates 2 in the hinge system 1,a are further welded in place by providing multiple passes of, for example, ARC welding, metal inert gas (MIG) welding, Gas tungsten ARC welding (GTAW or tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding), flux-cored ARC welding (FCAW), Gas metal ARC welding (GMAW), Plasma ARC welding (PAW), Shielded metal ARC welding (SMAW) and Submerged ARC welding (SAW). The washer 6 is then welded in place on the bar 4. Once this is completed, the sections 102a,102b can fold over on themselves. It should be noted that 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or any number of sections 102 can be put together to form the gangway 100.

[0069] When the gangway 100 is opened out and in use, a locking means 140 is engaged to secure the proximal ends 107 of the sections 102 together (see FIG. 1). The locking means 140 is typically found towards the upper surface 104 of the body 103. A typical locking mechanism that can be used with the invention is any suitable locking means known to the skilled person, such as a nut and bolt arrangement, a lock and key arrangement, a cam lock, a cabin hook (a hooked bar that engages into a staple), a toggle latch, a padlock and the like. A nut and bolt locking means is illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0070] The proximal ends 107 of each section 102 are cut or molded at an oblique angle (relative to the vertical axis) dimensioned to cooperate with a similarly dimensioned proximal end 107 of other sections 102 to form a hinged section. When in cooperation with each other, the hinged section that is formed has a pitch of about 5 relative to the horizontal plane X. FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of the hinge system 1,1a on the gangway 100 of FIG. 4 and the hinged system that is formed. When the sections 102a,102b are folded out and locked in position using the locking means 140, the oblique angle of the proximal ends 107 of the sections 102a,102b prevents the sections 102 of the gangway 100 from reaching a fully horizontal position, and the hinged section is kept at a 5 pitch relative to the horizontal plane X. The advantage of having this pitched gangway 100 is that is can be subjected to a high capacity load. The gangway 100 using the hinge system 1,1a is capable of a high load capacity of at least 1600 kg/m.sup.2 and upwards to about 2500 kg/m.sup.2. The increased load capacity of the gangway 100 is, in part, due to the 5 pitch of the hinged section of the gangway when in use.

[0071] A typical gangway 100 is 6.2 meters long when in use, and 3 meters in length in storage on board a vessel. When the gangway 100 is in use the locking means 140 is accommodated within an aperture 142 located on the upper surface 104 of the proximal end 107 of the sections 102a,102b. The locking means 140, such as a safety bolt, passes through the aperture 142 on the adjoining sections 102a,102b to secure the sections 102a,102b in place when in use and prevent the gangway 100 from collapsing. Once secured, the user(s) will lift the gangway 100 onto the railing of the vessel with the wheels 109 first and lower the gangway 100 onto a pier and rest it on the vessels railing. At that point, locking pins will be put into place so as to keep the gangway 100 from lifting of the hand rail. The locking pins can be any locking pins known to the person skilled in the art. Further, the locking pins can also be used to keep the gangway in a folded/collapsed state when in storage.

[0072] Turning now to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, there is illustrated a rail bracket 300 suitable for attaching to the gangway 100 and which will be secured to a vertical frame under a horizontal rail on a vessel to accommodate attachment of the gangway 100 to the vessel. The rail bracket 300 comprises a first pair of plates 302a,302b positioned apart and connected to a base 304, and a second pair of plates 303a,303b. The base 304 being perpendicular to the first pair of plates 302a,302b. The plates 302a,302b and the base 304 each comprise at least one aperture 310 adapted for use in attaching the rail bracket 300 to the gangway 100.

[0073] The second pair of plates 303a,303b are pivotally connected to the first pair of plates 302a,302b, respectively, via a pivot pin 314 that securely engages with the plates through an aperture in each (not shown in the figures). The second pair of plates 303a,303b are typically bolted or secured to the vertical frame of the horizontal rail on the vessel or to a vertical frame on a pierhead or other structure to allow the gangway 100 to be secured thereto. The rail bracket 300 allows the gangway 100 to pivot about 360 degrees.

[0074] In one aspect, the plates 302a,303a and 302b,303b can be locked together in a working or folded position by engagement of a locking pin 316 (see FIG. 7). The locking pin 316 prevents to the rail bracket 300 from moving about its pivoting axis. When the locking pin 316 is engaged the rail bracket 300 is in position to connect the gangway 100. The purpose of the locking pin 316 is if there is a direct push on the bracket 300, the locking pin 316 keeps the gangway 100 from lifting off the rail or vertical frame it is secured to.

[0075] The plates 302a,302b are hingedly connected to the vertical frame and the base 304 will be hingedly connected to the vertical frame. This arrangement permits the rail bracket 300 to hinge or swivel 180 degrees. When not in use, the rail bracket 300 is adapted to be store under the horizontal rail of the vessel. When in use, the rail bracket 300 will swivel up onto the top of the horizontal rail, at which point the gangway 100 will be attached to the rail bracket 300 with a suitable pin or bolt (for example, a 30 mm stainless steel pin).

[0076] The advantages of the gangway 100 described herein can be stored in confined spaces on board a boat; it is lightweight for manoeuvrability and can be lifted by a two people; it is foldable/collapsible; the hinge system 1 also has advantages in that it can withstand heavy loads and the structure of the channel is also designed to withstand heavy loads; the components of the hinge system 1 and the locking pins are integrated within the body 103 of the sections 102a,102b of the gangway 100, so there are no loose components that can easily be lost; and the gangway 100 can be stored easily. The rail bracket can be removed from the gangway 100 without unbolting or disconnecting. It can be fitted to any rail around the vessel making the attachment of the gangway 100 to the vessel very versatile. The gangway 100 is also versatile in that it can be used from vessel to shore, vessel to vessel, and vessel to a structure such as a pier head, a transom swivel or gunwale steps. Other advantages include the manual folding mechanism for easy storage; collapsible handrails; adjusts accordingly with the tide; has a tread plate steps for maximum strength and safety; and drainage perforation incorporated into steps to prevent pooling of liquid on the gangway sections.

[0077] In the specification the terms comprise, comprises, comprised and comprising or any variation thereof and the terms include, includes, included and including or any variation thereof are considered to be totally interchangeable and they should all be afforded the widest possible interpretation and vice versa.

[0078] The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described but may be varied in both construction and detail.