Multi cradle apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus (1) for handling daughter boats (2) on a mother vessel comprising one davit assembly positioned atop a stationary cradle (5), each of which is located near a side edge (11a, 11b) of a deck (11) of the vessel for launching and retrieving the boats (2) from and onto the stationary cradle (5) characterised in that the apparatus has a plurality of longitudinally movable cradles (7) on the deck (11) of the vessel for securedly holding plurality of boats thereon and in that the longitudinally movable cradles can move back and forth longitudinally and lift up vertically to transfer a boat (2) onto or to receive a boat (2) from, one transversely movable cradle (4) which can transversely move back and forth for placing a boat (2) onto or for receiving a boat (2) from, the longitudinal cradles (7) and any one stationary cradle (5). The invention also relates to a method for launching and retrieving boats from a mother vessel.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising: a stationary cradle located at a side edge of a deck of a mother vessel for launching and retrieving a daughter boat; a longitudinally movable cradle on the deck of the mother vessel for securedly holding the daughter boat thereon, the longitudinally movable cradle being movable longitudinally and comprising a telescopic lift to vertically lift the daughter boat and transfer the daughter boat; and a transversely movable cradle which can transversely move to align with the longitudinally movable cradles for placing the daughter boat onto or for receiving the daughter boat from at least one the longitudinal cradle and the stationary cradle.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein there are at least two stationary cradles on either side of the deck for launching and retrieving the daughter boat from both sides of the vessel.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the longitudinally movable cradle moves along longitudinal rails on wheels by means of a hydraulic cylinder arrangement; and the transversely movable cradle has a single transverse rail at one end of the transversely movable cradle and moves along the single transverse rail.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the telescopic lift is hydraulically operated.

5. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the daughter boat has a dedicated longitudinally movable cradle for parking.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the daughter boat is parked along a transverse hangar and is placed on fixed keel rests and longitudinally movable cradle can dislodge and move the daughter boat from the hangar and hold the daughter boat securedly for moving along longitudinal rails.

7. A method for launching boats by applying the apparatus according to claim 1, said method comprising: (a) moving the transversely movable cradle along transverse rail and positioning it selectively in line with the longitudinal cradle on which the daughter boat desired to be launched is positioned; (b) lifting the daughter boat on the longitudinal cradle and moving the daughter boat and the longitudinally movable cradle along longitudinal rail towards the transverse cradle; (c) placing the daughter boat on the transverse cradle by lowering the longitudinally movable cradle; (d) moving back the longitudinally movable cradle along the deck back to an original position of the longitudinally movable on the deck; (e) moving the transverse cradle near any one stationary cradle along the transverse rail; (f) placing the daughter boat on the stationary cradle; (g) lifting the daughter boat to allow the transversely movable cradle to move away from the stationary cradle for bringing further daughter boats, placing the daughter boat on the stationary cradle and launching the daughter boat on sea; and (h) repeating steps (a) to (g) as many times as required.

8. A method for retrieving boats by applying the apparatus according to claim 1, said method comprising: (a) lifting the daughter boat onto a longitudinally movable cradle atop a stationary cradle; (b) moving the transversely movable cradle along transverse rail and positioning the transversely movable cradle selectively in line with the longitudinally movable cradle which is empty and on which the daughter boat is desired to be positioned; (c) lifting the longitudinally movable cradle to receive the daughter boat on the longitudinally movable cradle and moving the longitudinally movable cradle along a longitudinal rail towards the transversely movable cradle; (d) placing the daughter boat by the transversely movable cradle on the longitudinally movable cradle and lowering the longitudinally movable cradle; (e) moving back the longitudinally movable cradle along the rail back to an original position of the longitudinally movable cradle on the deck; (f) moving the transversely movable cradle towards any one stationary cradle along the transverse rail and placing it on the stationary cradle; and (g) repeating steps (a) to (f) as many times as required.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Having described the main features of the invention above, a more detailed and non-limiting description of an exemplary embodiment, with reference to the drawings is provided below.

(2) FIG. 1a is a perspective view of the apparatus of the present invention according to a preferred embodiment when the launching operation has not begun.

(3) FIG. 1b is an exploded view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1a but without the daughter boats for the sake of simplicity and understanding.

(4) FIG. 1c is a side view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1a.

(5) FIG. 1d is a front view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1a.

(6) FIGS. 2a, 3a, 4a, 5a, 6a, 7a, 8a, 9a and 10a are perspective views of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1a, at various stages of launching operation in that order.

(7) FIGS. 2b and 2c are side views and front views respectively of the perspective shown in FIG. 2a.

(8) Similarly, FIGS. 3b, 3c, 4b, 4c, 5b, 5c, 6b, 6c, are side views and front views respectively of the perspective views 3a, 4a, 5a and 6a in that order. FIGS. 7b, 8b, 9b and 10b are front views of the corresponding perspective views 7a, 8a, 9a and 10a.

(9) FIG. 3d is an enlarged view of the front view shown in FIG. 3c just as FIG. 5d is that of FIG. 5c.

(10) FIG. 11a is an enlarged side view of a longitudinally movable cradle with lifting units moved up to lift the daughter boat.

(11) FIG. 11b is an enlarged side view of a longitudinally movable cradle with lifting device moved down and the daughter boat is lowered on the transversely movable cradle.

(12) FIGS. 12a and 12b are corresponding front views respectively of FIGS. 11a and 11b.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(13) The following describes a preferred embodiment of the present invention which is purely exemplary for the sake of understanding the invention and non-limiting.

(14) In all the figures, like reference numerals represent like features. Further, when in the following it is referred to top, bottom, upward, downward, above or below , right hand side or left hand side and similar terms , this is strictly referring to an orientation with reference to the deck is considered to be horizontal with the sea bed, where the sea bed is considered to be horizontal and at the bottom.

(15) It should also be understood that the orientation of the various components might be otherwise than shown in the drawings, without deviating from the principle of the invention. Furthermore, the vessel/ship in detail, davits/davit assemblies and other related units are not shown in detail, as those are not consequential to the present invention and should be understood by persons skilled in the art.

(16) The number of components shown in the figures can also vary within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the description refers to lifeboats on a ship and similarly the figures also illustrate lifeboats. This is for the sake of simplicity. It should be understood that other daughter boats/vessels as may be known, also fall within the scope of the present invention.

(17) FIG. 1a is a perspective view of the basic structure of the apparatus 1. It comprises of a transverse rail 3a at a slightly elevated height above the deck 11 of a vessel (not shown as confirmed at the outset of detailed description of the invention). A single transversely movable cradle 4 moves back and forth along this rail 3a, on wheels(not shown) along both sides of the vessel, such that it can rest atop a stationary cradle 5, each of such stationary cradle 5, being ideally located at the two lateral ends 11a of the deck 11.

(18) However, there can be more than two stationary cradles 5. In that event, a single transversely movable cradle 4 would interact with every two such stationary cradles 5, one each on either side of the vessel. This would be further clear, on perusing the description of functioning of the invention, a little later.

(19) The transversely movable cradle 4 can move along the transverse rail 3a by rack and pinion arrangement 20 or by other means. The movement is transverse to the normal direction of propelling of the vessel. This is again explained with reference to the exploded view in FIG. 1b a little later.

(20) Referring again to FIG. 1a, the deck 11 also has a plurality of longitudinally movable cradles 7, which can move in longitudinal direction back and forth along the longitudinal rail 3b, on wheels 7b (best shown in FIG. 1b). The longitudinal cradles 7 have a hydraulic cylinder 6 arrangement for moving back and forth, but other methods are also within the scope of the present invention. It would clear from FIG. 1b which is discussed a little later that these cradles 7 move longitudinally along the normal direction of propulsion of the vessel.

(21) Each longitudinally movable cradle 7 can securely hold a lifeboat 2. In the FIG. 1a only four longitudinal cradles 7 parking four lifeboats 2 are shown by way of example. So there is a dedicated longitudinally movable cradle 7 for each lifeboat 2. which can be parked on such cradle 7. A life boat 2 can be parked on fixed keel rests 10 (best shown in FIG. 1b) along a transverse hanger 22 on the vessel and as it would be clear from the subsequent description of functioning of the invention a little later, the longitudinally movable cradles 7 can move such a life boat 2 from the hanger (not shown) to the davit assembly.

(22) FIG. 1b is an exploded view of the apparatus 1 without the lifeboats 2. It shows the transversely movable cradle 4 which can move along the transverse rail 3a. It can move in either direction 8 which is always transverse to the normal direction of propulsion of the vessel. This figure also shows the longitudinally movable cradles 7 which can move back and forth in a direction 9 parallel to the direction of movement of the vessel along the longitudinal rail 3b, on wheels 7b. The hydraulic cylinder arrangement 6 facilitates such movement. The fixed keel rests 10 can also be seen which can park the lifeboats 2.

(23) The FIG. 1b will be taken up again while explaining the functioning of the invention.

(24) Referring again to FIG. 1a it would be clear that the transversely movable cradle 4 has a rail 3a and wheels only at one end. The other end is free from which end it receives lifeboats 2 as it would be clear from the functioning explained a little later.

(25) FIG. 1c is a side view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1a. From side, only one lifeboat 2 is visible which rests on the longitudinally movable cradle 7. This figure also shows the transversely movable cradle 4 atop the stationary cradle 5. The difference in height between the transversely movable cradle 4 and the stationary cradle 5 is evident from this FIG. 1c.

(26) The front view of the apparatus 1 is shown in FIG. 1d. All the four lifeboats 2 can be seen which are parked on respective dedicated longitudinally movable cradle 7. A the left side of the FIG. 1d there is a stationary cradle 5 without any transverse cradle 4 atop it. However, on the right side of the FIG. 1d it is worth noticeable that a transversely movable cradle 4 is atop the stationary cradle 5.

(27) For every two stationary cradle 5 on either side 11a, 11b (best shown in FIG. 1a) there is a single transversely movable cradle 4, which can move along both sides for launching and retrieving life boats 2 at both sides 11a, 11b of the vessel. These are explained in more detail a little later.

(28) FIGS. 2a, 3a, 4a, 5a, 6a, 7a, 8a, 9a and 10a are different stages of launching operation of lifeboats. The corresponding side views and front views respectively of FIGS. 2a, 3a, 4a, 5a, 6a, in that order are 2b and 2c, 3b and 3c, 4b and 4c, 5b and 5c, 6b and 6c. FIGS. 7b, 8b, 9b and 10b are front views of the corresponding perspective views 7a, 8a, 9a and 10a. These shall be referred to again while explaining the functioning of the apparatus.

(29) Referring to FIG. 11a, an enlarged side view of a longitudinal cradle 7 is shown.

(30) It has a telescopic lifting device 7a which is hydraulically operable. FIG. 11a is a position where, the lifting device 7a has moved vertically up to lift the cradle 7 along with the lifeboat 2 for placing it on the transversely movable cradle 4. This would be clear from the corresponding front view in FIG. 12a which corresponds to the position shown in FIG. 11a. It can be seen clearly from FIG. 12a that the longitudinally movable cradle 7 has lifted the boat 2 and moved along the rail 3b (best shown in FIG. 1a) to very near the transversely movable cradle 4.

(31) The FIG. 12a shows that the boat 2 is now atop the transversely movable cradle 4.

(32) FIG. 12b is a view where the lifting device 7a has now come down so that the lifeboat 2 rests on the transversely movable cradle 4. FIG. 11b is just a side view of this position which is shown in FIG. 11b. Referring again to FIG. 1b in this context, the two extreme positions 7c, 7d to which the longitudinally movable cradles 7 can rise and fall back have been shown.

(33) Having described elaborately the basic structure of the apparatus and the working interrelations of the various components now the functioning of the apparatus is described. For that purpose, all the above figures are again referred, of course without detailing the structural aspects again.

(34) Referring to FIGS. 1a, 1c and 1d again, these figures show a stage when the launching operation has not begun and the lifeboats 2 are all parked on the respective longitudinally movable cradles 7. From FIGS. 1a and 1d in particular it would be clear that the transversely movable cradle 4 now rests atop a stationary cradle 5 at one side 11a of the deck 11. It could have rested on the stationary cradle 5 at the other side 11b as well and it is within the scope of the present invention, that the operation could have begun from the other side 11b as well.

(35) In any event, referring now to FIG. 2a, the transversely movable cradle 4 has now moved along the transverse rail 3a and aligned itself with the longitudinal cradle 7, which is the first one from the right. The first lifeboat 2 from the right is selected to be launched, according to the exemplary method described and illustrated.

(36) Referring to FIG. 2b, the lifeboat 2 selected for launching can be seen resting on the corresponding cradle 7. FIG. 2c shows that as described with reference to FIG. 2b, the transverse cradle 4 has aligned with the longitudinally movable cradle 7, on which the lifeboat 2 selected for launching rests. Now referring to FIG. 1d again, it would be clear how, the transverse motion of the cradle 4 takes place, away from the stationary cradle 5. Further, it would be now further clear with reference to FIGS. 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d and 2a that the transversely movable cradle 4 has a transverse rail 3a and wheels (not shown) at only the end which is opposite to the end from where it receives life boats 2.

(37) FIG. 3a, is the next stage, when the lifting device 7a of the longitudinally movable cradle 7 has started to rise up and reached its maximum vertical position 7c as shown in FIG. 1d. The side view of this stage in FIG. 3b further explains this aspect. This would be particularly clear from the front view in FIG. 3c of this stage. The enlarged view in FIG. 3d, which corresponds to the extreme right lifeboat position 2 in FIG. 3c clearly illustrates, that the lifeboat 2 is now at a height, which is above the transversely movable cradle 4. However, at this stage, as it would be particularly clear from FIG. 3b, the cradle 7 has not started to move along the rail 3b. Hence, only one lifeboat 2 can be seen in the side view in FIG. 3b, which is the one selected to be launched.

(38) FIG. 4a is the next stage when the longitudinally movable cradle 7, along with the boat 2 selected for launching has moved very near to the transversely movable cradle 4. This would be clear in particular from FIGS. 4a and 4b, the latter clearly showing that the boat 2 selected for launching has moved very near the transversely movable cradle 4 ahead of the other boats. It would be clear from FIG. 4a, that the selected boat 2 and the respective longitudinally movable cradle 7 cannot move further beyond FIGS. 11a and 12a also illustrate this position when the lifeboat 2 is just atop the transversely movable cradle 4.

(39) The stage described in the preceding paragraph, is also corroborated by the position shown in the front view in FIG. 4c.

(40) FIGS. 5a, 5b and 5c show the next stage when the lifting device 7a of the longitudinal cradle 7 has gone down to its lower most position 7d (best shown in FIG. 1b) and placed the life boat 2 to be launched on the transversely movable cradle 4. FIGS. 11b and 12b also clearly show this position. The enlarged view in FIG. 5d of the front view of the boat 2 selected for launching and the corresponding transversely movable cradle 4 further make this stage clear. The enlarged view in FIG. 5d clearly shows that the lifting device 7a has now come down and the lifeboat 2 rests on the transversely movable cradle 4.

(41) FIG. 6a shows the next stage when the longitudinal cradle 7 has moved back along the rail 3b to its original position. This stage is particularly clear from FIG. 6a. FIGS. 6b and 6c also corroborate this.

(42) FIG. 7a illustrates the next stage, when the transversely movable cradle 7 has moved atop the stationary cradle 5. The front view in FIG. 7b makes this further clear. The longitudinally movable cradle 7 is seen empty. The lifeboat 2 rests on the transversely movable cradle 4 and the latter rests on the stationary cradle 5.

(43) FIG. 8a illustrates the next stage when the davit (not shown) has lifted the boat 2 so that the transversely movable cradle 4 can slide back along the rail 3a for bringing the next boat. The front view 8b in particular clearly illustrates that the lifeboat 2 has been lifted above the transversely movable cradle 4, the latter being still atop the stationary cradle 5.

(44) FIG. 9a illustrates the next stage when the transversely movable cradle 4 has moved away from the stationary cradle 5, towards the interior of the vessel for bringing another lifeboat 2. This would be particularly clear from the front view in FIG. 9b.

(45) FIG. 10a is the next stage when the davit (not shown) has again lowered the lifeboat 2 on the stationary cradle 5. This position is also clear from FIG. 10b which is the front view. This is the launching position. The lifeboat 2 is now ready to be lowered on the sea. The next stage involves lowering of the lifeboat 2 on the sea by the davit.

(46) The retrieval operation is just opposite to the launching opposition as explained with reference to the figures in the preceding description and it is not elaborated for the sake of brevity particularly as it would be clear to persons skilled in the art. In brief, it involves, lifting the boat 2 from the sea by a davit on a longitudinally movable cradle 4 atop a stationary cradle 5; moving the transversely movable cradle 4 along the transverse rail 3a and positioning it selectively in line with the longitudinal cradle 7 which is empty and on which the boat 2 is desired to be positioned.

(47) Thereafter, the retrieving operation involves, applying the lifting device 7a to lift up the longitudinally movable cradle 7 to receive the boat 7 on the longitudinal cradle 7 and moving the longitudinally movable cradle 7 along longitudinal rail 3b towards the transversely movable cradle 4.

(48) Then the retrieving operation involves, on reaching a suitable location by the longitudinally movable cradle 7, placing the boat 2 on the longitudinally movable cradle 7 by the transversely movable cradle 4 and lowering the lifting device 7a by the longitudinally movable cradle 7; moving back the longitudinally movable cradle along the rail 3b back to its original position on the deck 11; moving the transverse cradle 4 towards any one stationary cradle 5 along the transverse rail 3a and placing it on the stationary cradle 5.

(49) The launching and retrieval steps can be repeated as many times as required. Thus it would be clear that a multiplicity of mother boats can be handled on the deck of the mother vessel easily and conveniently and that too with a very limited number of davits. One davit can launch and retrieve a substantially large number of boats. The in-built lifting mechanism of the longitudinally movable cradles makes the operation simple and yet cost effective. This is true in respect of using only one transversely movable cradle for launching retrieving daughter boats from either side of the mother vessel, which cradle has a rail and wheels only at one of its ends which is opposite to the end, that receives daughter boats. It is also possible to selectively launch lifeboats and retrieve lifeboats and park them on selected cradles on the deck.

(50) From the description with reference to the drawings, it would be clear to persons skilled in the art that all objectives of the invention have been achieved.

(51) The present invention has been described with reference to some preferred embodiments and some drawings for the sake of understanding only and it should be clear to persons skilled in the art that the present invention includes all legitimate modifications within the scope of what has been described hereinbefore and claimed in the appended claims.