Temporary platform for attachment to an offshore structure
OwnerMervin Hale Wilkinson, Jr.inventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Temporary platforms and methods of securing such platforms to an offshore structure include a plurality of clamps secured to an existing portion of the offshore structure at a selected height. A receiver member can be secured to the clamps at a selected horizontal position, and a temporary platform structure can be secured to the receiver member, thereby providing a temporary platform that can be installed, removed, and repositioned, as needed, for a variety of purposes. Such platforms are usable in place of elevating boats and similar vessels, enabling operations to be conducted independent of the depth of the water.
Claims20
A method for using a temporary platform in conjunction with an offshore structure, the method comprising the steps of:
- securing a plurality of clamps to an existing portion of the offshore structure at different vertical heights;
- securing a receiver member to the plurality of clamps at a selected horizontal position;
- securing the temporary platform to the receiver member, wherein an entire weight of the receiver member and the temporary platform is supported by the plurality of clamps;
- and
- moving the temporary platform by:
- unlocking the plurality of clamps from the offshore structure or the receiver member:
- repositioning the receiving member and the temporary platform at a differing height or on a different portion of the offshore structure;
- and
- locking the plurality of clamps about the offshore structure or the receiver member.
A temporary platform for use with an offshore structure, the temporary platform comprising:
- a plurality of clamps removably secured to a portion of the offshore structure at a selected height;
- a receiver member removably engaged with the plurality of clamps at a selected horizontal position, wherein the receiver member comprises:
- a first elongate horizontal portion;
- a second elongate horizontal portion, wherein the plurality of clamps connect the first and the second elongate horizontal portions to the offshore structure;
- a plurality of central support members connecting the first elongate horizontal portion with the second elongate horizontal portion;
- and
- a platform removably engaged with the receiver member.
A platform assembly for removable engagement with an offshore structure, the platform assembly comprising:
- a plurality of connectors, wherein each of said connectors comprises a first portion adapted for removably engaging a support member of the offshore structure and a second portion;
- a structural member comprising:
- an upper horizontal member;
- a lower horizontal member, wherein the upper and lower horizontal members removably engage the second portion of the plurality of connectors;
- a plurality of central support members connecting the upper horizontal member with the lower horizontal member;
- an upper plurality of lateral members extending from the upper horizontal member;
- and
- a lower plurality of lateral members extending from the lower horizontal member, wherein at least a portion of the upper and lower plurality of lateral members are positioned generally parallel relative to each other,
- a platform surface;
- and
- a plurality of fasteners removably connecting the structural member and the platform surface, wherein the entire weight of the platform surface is supported by the structural member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.