METHOD FOR RAISING OR LOWERING AN OBJECT BY DAVIT APPARATUS WITH HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT FEATURE

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of providing an adjustable arm davit apparatus with height adjustable feature including, a base member, a shock absorber, a boom member, an adjustable arm, a winch assembly and a cylinder assembly. The boom member comprises a first member hingedly mounted on the base member and a second member mounted on the first member to adjust a height of the apparatus via the cylinder assembly disposed at the boom member. The adjustable arm is engaged to frontal ends of the boom member. The winch assembly positioned on the boom member for supplying a cable via a plurality of pulleys to attach the target object. The winch assembly is actuated to raise or lower the target object from the target location.

Claims

1. A method for raising or lowering a target object from a target location, the method is characterized by: providing an adjustable arm davit apparatus with height adjustment feature comprising: a base member, a hydraulic/electrical cylinder hingedly mounted on the base member, a boom member having a first member hingedly mounted on the base member and a second member adjustably mounted on the first member for adjustable vertical movement, wherein the hydraulic/electrical cylinder is positioned between hinged ends and of the boom member, a cylinder assembly at least two cylinders disposed between the first member and second member, wherein the at least two assembly is configured to provide adjustable vertical movement of the second member, an adjustable arm slidably engaged to frontal ends and of the second member through an adjustable arm housing welded to the frontal ends and a winch assembly positioned on the second member for supplying a cable via a plurality of pulleys positioned at predefined positions on the adjustable arm, and a shock absorber hingedly mounted above the winch assembly and between the at least two cylinders; actuating the at least two cylinders to provide adjustable vertical movement to the second member to adjust a height of the adjustable arm davit apparatus, and to compensate for any height of the target object; aligning the at least one adjustable arm directly above an attachment member on the target object; extending the adjustable arm to centrally position over the target object to compensate for any distance of the position of the target object from the adjustable arm davit apparatus, and to compensate for any width of the target object; attaching the target object to ends of the cable via a fastening member actuating a hydraulic actuator to extend or retract the at least one adjustable arm; actuating the shock absorber based on load of the target object to prevent overstretching of the cable, and actuating the winch assembly to raise or lower the target object from the target location.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the target object is a marine vessel.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one adjustable arm is extended and retracted by an electric actuator or a hydraulic actuator.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least two-cylinder assembly comprises at least one of a hydraulic cylinder, mechanical cylinder, electrical cylinder or pneumatic cylinder.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, exemplary constructions of the invention are shown in the drawings. However, the invention is not limited to the specific methods and structures disclosed herein. The description of a method step or a structure referenced by a numeral in a drawing is applicable to the description of that method step or structure shown by that same numeral in any subsequent drawing herein.

[0013] FIG. 1 exemplarily illustrates a perspective view of an adjustable arm davit apparatus, in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 2 exemplarily illustrates a rear perspective view of the adjustable arm davit apparatus.

[0015] FIG. 3 exemplarily illustrates a perspective view of the adjustable arm davit apparatus, showing a second member in an extended position, adjusting the height of the adjustable arm davit apparatus.

[0016] FIG. 4 exemplarily illustrates a side perspective view of the adjustable arm davit apparatus, showing a boom member inclined to the base member with the adjustable arm in retracted position.

[0017] FIG. 5 exemplarily illustrates a side perspective view of the adjustable arm davit apparatus, showing the adjustable arm in an extended position.

[0018] FIG. 6 exemplarily illustrates a method for raising or lowering a target object from a target location.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] FIG. 1 exemplarily illustrates a perspective view of an adjustable arm davit apparatus 100 showing a boom member 104 inclined at an angle to a base member 102. In one embodiment, the boom member 104 comprises a first member 112 and a second member 114. In one embodiment, the first member 112 is H-shaped member. In one embodiment, the H-shaped member is formed of a pair of legs and a connecting piece 116. In one embodiment, the connecting piece 116 is disposed at a central position to connect the pair of legs of the H-shaped member. In one embodiment, the second member 114 is A-shaped member. In one embodiment, the first member 112 is hingedly mounted on a base member 102. In one embodiment, the second member 114 is adjustably mounted on the first member 112 for adjustable vertical movement.

[0020] In one embodiment, the apparatus 100 comprises a cylinder assembly 118 comprises at least two cylinders disposed at the connecting piece 116 of the first member 112. In one embodiment, the cylindrical assembly 118 connects the first member 112 and the second member 114. In one embodiment, the at least two cylinders of the cylinder assembly 118 is configured to provide adjustable vertical movement of the second member 114. In one embodiment, the at least two cylinders is at least one of a hydraulic cylinder, mechanical cylinder or pneumatic cylinder

[0021] FIG. 2 exemplarily illustrates a rear perspective view of the adjustable arm davit apparatus 100. In one embodiment, the shock assembly member comprises a hydraulic/electrical cylinder 103 and a second shock absorber 120. In one embodiment, the hydraulic/electrical cylinder 103 is hingedly mounted on the base member 102. In one embodiment, the boom member 104 is hingedly mounted on the base member 102, and the hydraulic/electrical cylinder 103 is positioned between the hinged ends of the boom member 104. In one embodiment, the shock absorber 120 is hingedly mounted on the connecting piece 116 of the first member 112, and is positioned between at least two cylinders of the cylinder assembly 118. In an embodiment, an adjustable arm 105 is slidably engaged to frontal ends of the second member 114 through an arm housing 105a welded to the frontal ends. In one embodiment, the arm davit apparatus 100 comprises a winch assembly 106 mounted at the connecting piece 116 of the first member 112 for supplying a cable 107 via a plurality of pulleys 108 positioned at predefined positions on the adjustable arm 105. In one embodiment, the winch assembly is mounted to the connecting piece via a bolt assembly.

[0022] FIG. 3 exemplarily illustrates a perspective view of the adjustable arm davit apparatus, showing the second member 114 in an extended position. In one embodiment, the at least two cylinders of the cylinder assembly 118 is configured to provide adjustable vertical movement of the second member 114, thereby adjusting the height of the adjustable arm davit apparatus. FIG. 4 exemplarily illustrates a side perspective view of the adjustable arm davit apparatus, showing a boom member inclined to the base member with the adjustable arm 105 in retracted position. FIG. 5 exemplarily illustrates a side perspective view of the adjustable arm davit apparatus showing the adjustable arm 105 in an extended position.

[0023] FIG. 6 exemplarily illustrates a method for raising or lowering a target object 101 from a target location by means of a davit apparatus. In the method disclosed herein, a multi-arm davit apparatus 100 comprising the base member 102, the hydraulic/electrical cylinder 103, A shock absorber 120, the boom member 104, at least one adjustable arm 105, a winch assembly 106, cylinder assembly 118 and pulleys 108 positioned at predefined positions on the adjustable arm 105, is provided 601. The cylinder assembly 118 comprising at least two cylinders is configured to adjust 604 a height of the adjustable arm davit apparatus 100, and to compensate for any height of the target object 101. The adjustable arm 105 is aligned 606 directly above an attachment member on the target object 101. The adjustable arm 105 is then extended 608 to centrally position over the target object 101 to compensate for any distance of the position of the target object 101 from the adjustable arm davit apparatus 100, and to compensate for any width of the target object 101. The target object 101 is attached 610 to ends 107a of the cable 107 via the fastening members 109. The hydraulic/electrical cylinder 103 is actuated 612 to extend or retract the member 104. The shock absorber 120 is actuated 614 based on load of the target object 101 to prevent overstretching of the cable 107. The winch assembly 106 is actuated 616 to raise or lower the target object 101 from the target location. In one embodiment, the Shock absorber 120 is the small cylinder disposed above the winch assembly 106. in one embodiment, the shock absorber 120 acts like a actuator. If lowering of the target object 101 is abruptly stopped, the shock absorber 120 streched out and the cable 107 is smoothly stopped. In on embodiment, the shock absorber 120 could be a hydraulic, pneumatic, or mechanical shock absorber.

[0024] In one embodiment, the adjustable arm davit apparatus 100 for raising or lowering a target object 101 from a target location comprises the base member 102, a hydraulic/electrical cylinder 103, the shock absorber 120, the cylinder assembly 118, boom member 104, at least one adjustable arm 105, the winch assembly 106, and pulleys 108 as illustrated in FIG. 1-5. In an embodiment, the target object 101 is, for example, a marine vessel, a lifeboat, etc. In an embodiment, the hydraulic/electrical cylinder 103 is hingedly mounted on the base member 102. The hydraulic/electrical cylinder 103 is configured to extend and retract. The shock absorber 120 functions to prevent overstretching of the cable 107. The hydraulic/electrical cylinder 103 is extended or retracted based on the load exerted on the cable 107. The shock absorber 120 is also referred to as a dampening device for stretching the cable 107. The boom member 104 is hingedly mounted on the base member 102. The hydraulic/electrical cylinder 103 is a mechanical actuator that provides a one directional force via a one directional stroke. The hydraulic/electrical cylinder 103 is typically a piston housed in a cylinder that receives power from pressurized hydraulic fluid or electrical fed.

[0025] In an embodiment, a hydraulic pump regulates pressurized hydraulic fluid flow in the hydraulic circuit supplying hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic/electrical cylinder 103. Based on the supply of the hydraulic fluid, for example, oil, etc., to the hydraulic/electrical cylinder 103, the piston either extends or retracts. The hydraulic/electrical cylinder 103 is positioned between hinged ends 104a and 104b of the boom member 104. A retraction of the hydraulic/electrical cylinder 103 actuates the boom member 104 in a position substantially inclined to the base member 102. An extension of the hydraulic/electrical cylinder 103 actuates the boom member 104 in a position substantially perpendicular to the base member 102. The hydraulic/electrical cylinder 103 based on the application requirement of the adjustable arm davit apparatus 100. The adjustable arm 105 is seated in an adjustable arm housing 105a as exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 1-5. The adjustable arm housing 105a is not movable and is welded to frontal ends 104c and 104d of the boom member 104. The adjustable arm 105 is slidably engaged within the adjustable arm housing 105a and retracts as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0026] A hydraulic actuator 110 or an electric actuator 110 is used to retract or extend the adjustable arm 105. The hydraulic actuator 110 or electric actuator 110 is a piston-cylinder arrangement. The piston slides within the cylinder to extend or retract the adjustable arm 105 as exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 4-5. Moreover, the adjustable arm 105 extends from the adjustable arm housing 105a as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 5. The adjustable arm 105 is configured to slide in a forward direction or a reverse direction through an adjustable arm housing 105a welded to the frontal ends 104c and 104d. The forward sliding movement of the adjustable arm 105 allows the adjustable arm 105 to be extended to centrally position over the target object 101, and the extension of the adjustable arm 105 compensates for any distance of the position of the target object 101 from the adjustable arm davit apparatus 100, and compensates for any width of the target object 101. The winch assembly 106 is positioned on the boom member 104 for supplying a cable 107 via a plurality of pulleys 108 positioned at predefined positions on the adjustable arm 105, wherein the pulleys 108 collectively transfer the cable 107 for raising or lowering the target object 101 from the target location. Furthermore, the adjustable arm davit apparatus 100 comprises fastening members 109 attached to ends 107a of the cable 107 for securely fastening the target object 101 to the adjustable arm davit apparatus 100.

[0027] The foregoing examples have been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the adjustable arm davit apparatus 100, disclosed herein. While the adjustable arm davit apparatus 100 has been described with reference to various embodiments, it is understood that the words, which have been used herein, are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Further, although the adjustable arm davit apparatus 100 has been described herein with reference to particular means, materials, and embodiments, the adjustable arm davit apparatus 100 is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the adjustable arm davit apparatus 100 extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the teachings of this specification, may affect numerous modifications thereto and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the adjustable arm davit apparatus 100 disclosed herein in their aspects.