US 4,590,634 AGranted

Marine transfer device

AssigneeThe Boeing Company

InventorJohn W. Williams

Life of this patent

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Abstract

Disclosed is a marine transfer device (10) having a ramp (18) which is connected at its inboard end to a stationary offshore platform (14) by a mount assembly (28) that allows the ramp to pivot about horizontal and vertical axes and restrains torsional ramp movement. The outboard end of the ramp (18) includes a landing pad (22) and support frame (26) which support the outboard end of the ramp on a ship's deck or similar surface when the transfer device is lowered into position by a crane or service derrick. A movable carriage assembly (20), which is located between the support frame (26) and the outboard end of the ramp (18), extends and retracts as the movement of the ship causes the support frame (26) to move away from and toward the ramp. Stairs (24) extend from the support frame to the ship's deck. The carriage assembly (20) provides a continuous, stable surface for the passage of personnel from the stairs to the ramp. A ball and socket joint (114 ), which connects the landing pad 22 to the support frame (26) eliminates the transfer of rolling and pitching motions from the deck to the carriage assembly (20) and ramp (18).

Claims7

Dependent claims

A marine transfer device for transferring personnel or material between a stationary object, such as an offshore platform, and a moving object, such as a ship's deck, the device comprising:

(a) a ramp positionable to extend between the platform and near the ship's deck, the ramp including:
(i) an inboard end pivotally attached to the platform;
(ii) an outboard end positionable near the ship's deck;
(iii) a walkway between the inboard end and the outboard end;
(b) ramp support means attached to the outboard end of the ramp for supporting the outboard end of the ramp when the outboard end of the ramp is positioned near the ship's deck, the ramp support means including:
(i) a landing pad, the landing pad resting on the deck when the outboard end of the ramp is positioned near the ship's deck;
and
(ii) a movable frame interconnected between the landing pad and the ramp;
(c) a carriage assembly having an inboard end, an outboard end and a floor, the inboard end of the carriage assembly being in movable contact with the walkway of the ramp, the outboard end of the carriage assembly being hingedly attached to the frame;
and
(d) stairs extending from the outboard end of the carriage assembly to the deck of the ship for allowing personnel to step from the deck to the floor of the carriage assembly.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 06/684,267Filed 20 Dec 1984
Granted: 27 May 1986
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

E01D 15/24
Movable or portable bridges; Floating bridges: bridges or similar structures, based on land or on a fixed structure and designed to give access to…
B63B 27/14
Arrangement of ship-based loading or unloading equipment for cargo or passengers: of ramps, gangways or outboard ladders ; Pilot lifts
B63B 27/30
Arrangement of ship-based loading or unloading equipment for cargo or passengers: arrangement of ship-based loading or unloading equipment for…
E01D
Construction of bridges, elevated roadways or viaducts