Gangway having self-raising assembly

A gangway comprising:

• a fixed platform;
• a support structure connected to the fixed platform in a manner that allows the support structure to rotate with respect to the fixed platform between a raised stowed position and a lowered deployed position;
• and
• a raising assembly operative to rotate the support structure from the deployed position to the stowed position, said raising assembly including:
• at least one fluid actuated cylinder connected to the support structure;
• a raising actuator operative to cause operation of the cylinder in a manner that rotates the support structure toward the stowed position while the raising actuator is continuously activated by an operator;
• and
• a lowering actuator operative to cause operation of the cylinder in a manner that rotates the support structure toward the deployed position while the lowering actuator is continuously activated by the operator,
• wherein the raising assembly is configured to maintain the support structure at a current position between the stowed position and the deployed position if the operator does one of ceasing to activate the raising actuator while raising the support structure or ceasing to activate the lowering actuator while lowering the support structure.

A gangway comprising:

• a base tread structure adapted to be attached to fixed structure, said base tread structure including a housing;
• a support structure connected to the base tread structure in a manner that allows the support structure to rotate with respect to the base tread structure between a raised stowed position and a lowered deployed position;
• and
• a raising assembly operative to rotate the support structure from the deployed position to the stowed position, said raising assembly including:
• at least one fluid actuated cylinder connected between the base tread structure and a distal end of the support structure;
• and
• fluid handling components operative to supply fluid to and from said fluid actuated cylinder, said fluid handling components including at least one actuator operative to cause operation of the fluid actuated cylinder in a manner that rotates the support structure between the stowed position and the deployed position, a hydraulic pump, and a motor for driving the hydraulic pump,
• wherein the at least one actuator, the hydraulic pump, and the motor are contained in the housing.

A raising assembly for use with a gangway having a support structure connected to a fixed platform in a manner that allows the support structure to rotate with respect to the fixed platform between a raised stowed position and a lowered deployed position, said raising assembly comprising:

• at least one fluid actuated cylinder for connection to the support structure;
• a raising actuator operative to cause operation of the cylinder in a manner that rotates the support structure toward the stowed position while the raising actuator is continuously activated by an operator;
• a lowering actuator operative to cause operation of the cylinder in a manner that rotates the support structure toward the deployed position while the lowering actuator is continuously activated by the operator;
• a hydraulic pump;
• and
• a motor for driving the hydraulic pump;
• wherein the raising assembly is configured to maintain the support structure at a current position between the stowed position and the deployed position if the operator does one of ceasing to activate the raising actuator while raising the support structure or ceasing to activate the lowering actuator while lowering the support structure.