DE20021841U1 - Device for a watercraft for picking up and launching swimming or diving objects - Google Patents

Description

Bremen, 22 December 2000

Our reference: M 6211 JK/SOl/spO

Applicant/Owner: MACOR NEPTUN GMBH

Official reference number: New registration

MACOR NEPTUN GmbH , Hans-Böckler-Straße 50, 28217 Bremen

Device for a watercraft for picking up and launching floating or diving objects

The invention relates to a device for a watercraft for picking up and launching floating or diving objects, with a transport device that can be at least partially submerged in the water for picking up and transporting the object from the water onto the watercraft and vice versa.

Such a device is known and is used in particular on private yachts and is mainly used for picking up and launching tender boats or seaplanes. However, it is also conceivable that such a device could be used on commercially used ships such as cruise ships, but also on all other types of ships to pick up objects from the water or launch them into the water, whereby objects such as diving bells could also be considered.

A known device of the type mentioned above is provided with a rail-shaped boom which is permanently installed at the stern of a private yacht and projects into the water at an angle to the horizontal. A carriage is arranged to be movable along the rail-shaped boom and is provided with a holding device for receiving a seaplane.

US 5,664,516 A discloses a similar device which has a rail-shaped ramp which is arranged on the rear deck and the transom of the stern of a motorboat, extends beyond the stern and ends just above the design waterline. The rail-shaped ramp serves for the direct sliding pick-up of a dinghy or jet ski by pulling it along the rail-shaped ramp onto the motorboat, but in this known design a carriage or the like is not provided, which creates greater friction, which is disadvantageous for handling.

Another device is described in DE 195 00 182 A1, which differs from the previously mentioned device in that one end of the boom is hinged to the watercraft so that it can pivot freely around a horizontally aligned axis that the boom extends at an acute angle to the water surface and the free end of the boom floats in the water. Accordingly, in this known device, the boom is not fixed to the watercraft, but is pivoted around the axis mentioned. In heavy seas, the end hinged to this axis follows the movements of the watercraft, but not the free end, which lies on the water surface. The free pivoting of the boom therefore compensates for the movements of the watercraft in rough seas.

EP 0 362 722 A1 discloses a device for picking up and launching floating or diving objects, which has a chamber that can be extended and retracted from the hull of the ship and at least partially submerged in the water for

Holder for the objects, which can be at least partially opened like a gripper.

DE 36 35 238 A1 and DE 37 32 507 A1 each describe a ship which is provided with a lockable stern opening, whereby the space behind the stern opening and intended for dinghies, lifeboats and the like is closed off by a floor which can be moved downwards.

The design of the previously mentioned known devices is hydrodynamically unfavorable and/or technically complex and thus costly in terms of manufacture, operation and maintenance.

It is an object of the present invention to propose a device of the type mentioned at the outset with a technically simple and at the same time hydrodynamically favorable construction.

This object is achieved in that, in a device of the type mentioned at the outset, the transport device can be moved between a working state in which it is at least partially immersed in the water and a rest state in which it is arranged outside the water.

The solution according to the invention offers the advantage that when not in use, i.e. when at rest, the hydrodynamics of the watercraft remain completely unaffected, since in this state the transport device is moved to a location on the watercraft outside of the water and thus does not form an obstacle that increases the flow resistance of the watercraft. The invention makes use of the fact that experience has shown that when the watercraft is in operation, the device for picking up and releasing floating or diving objects remains unused for the vast majority of the time and is only used for relatively short periods of time.

Accordingly, the invention has an extremely beneficial effect on the speed and fuel consumption of the watercraft.

In addition, the solution according to the invention offers a technically relatively simple construction, since with the aid of the transport device according to the invention the floating or diving objects can be brought onto the deck or into a chamber or garage above the waterline, so that the formation of underwater spaces that require complex partitioning and sealing can be dispensed with.

A particularly technically advantageous construction can be achieved by making the transport device telescopic. This leads to a particularly space-saving and technically not very complex solution.

The transport device expediently has a frame and a support element that can be moved along the frame to accommodate the floating or submerged body. The frame should preferably be designed to be telescopic.

The frame expediently has at least one rail and at least one carriage that can be moved along the rail to hold the support element. Usually, two parallel rails are provided that are spaced apart from one another and extend at an angle to the horizontal.

The rail preferably consists of several telescopic sections, whereby these sections are expediently arranged so that they can be moved into one another. The rail can thus be shortened when it is put into the resting state by pulling the telescopic sections out of the water and sliding them into one another above the water line. In the working state, however, the rail with its telescopic sections is extended to its full length and its free end protrudes into the water in order to be able to slide over the carriage.

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to pick up the floating or diving object from the water or to place it in the water.

In a further embodiment which is particularly preferred at present, the support element for receiving the floating or diving objects is arranged on the frame and, in the case of the arrangement of a rail and a carriage which can be moved along it, is arranged so as to be decoupled from the carriage.

In a particularly preferred development of the aforementioned embodiment, the support element can be held to a section of the hull of the watercraft when uncoupled from the frame, which provides a particularly simple storage option for the support element when not in use.

Conveniently, the support element forms a platform, preferably substantially horizontally aligned, which is particularly advantageous for accommodating tender boats or seaplanes.

The above-mentioned design can be implemented, for example, on a watercraft which has a flap for closing an opening in the hull, whereby the support element can be held on the flap when it is uncoupled from the frame. This creates a very clever storage option for the support element.

A further development of the above-mentioned design of a watercraft is characterized in that the flap and the device are designed and arranged adjacent to one another in such a way that, in the open position of the flap, the support element can be uncoupled from the frame and held on the flap and/or removed from the flap and coupled to the frame. In the case of the arrangement of at least one rail, the carriage should be positioned approximately at the height of the flap for coupling and uncoupling the support element; if the flap can be pivoted about a substantially horizontal axis of rotation,

For coupling and uncoupling the support element, the slides are positioned approximately at the height of the axis of rotation of the flap. Furthermore, the flap can have a recess for receiving the support element, which creates a particularly simple and visually particularly unobtrusive storage option for the flap. Finally, the flap and the support element should be arranged essentially parallel and closely adjacent to one another for uncoupling the support element from the frame and receiving the support element on the flap, and essentially in the same arrangement for transferring and coupling the support element to the frame.

The previously described embodiment is particularly suitable for an arrangement of a so-called transom flap between two rails, wherein the transom flap serves to close off a space located behind it and the two rail parts of the device according to the invention are provided in the manner described above, so that in this embodiment the device for picking up and releasing floating or diving objects transports them to a deck above the space that can be worn by the transom flap.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show:

Figure 1 the stern of a ship in the completely closed state.

Figures 2 to 9 show the opening of the stern and the provision of a transport device for accommodating a seaplane.

As can be seen in particular in Figure 1, the stern section 2 of a ship 1 is shown. The ship 1 can preferably be a private yacht.

In the illustrated embodiment of the ship 1, the stern section 2 has a walkable upper outer deck 4, at the rear end of which there is a first

The stern section 6 is connected to the stern section 6, which is inclined backwards and downwards in the manner of a negative mirror of a modern yacht. This first stern section 6 has a rectangular opening in the middle, which is closed by a transom flap 8. The transom flap 8, which is shown in the closed state in Figure 1 and extends over the entire height of the first stern section 6, can be pivoted about a rotation axis 9 which runs horizontally and at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the ship 1 and which is arranged adjacent to the rear end of the upper outer deck 4, as can be seen in Figure 1.

As Figure 1 also shows, a platform 10 rests on the outer surface of the transom flap 8 (visible in Figure 1), which is designed as a plate and has a T-shape in the exemplary embodiment shown. For this purpose, the transom flap 8 is provided on its outer surface with a corresponding recess (not shown in more detail in the figures) for at least partially offset accommodation of the platform 10, wherein the depth of the recess should preferably correspond to the thickness of the platform 10 in order to form a visually clean finish. The platform 10 is part of a transport device for transporting a floating or diving object such as a seaplane from the water to the outer deck 4 and vice versa.

On both sides of the transom flap 8 and thus on its starboard and port edge sections, the first stern section 6 is provided with a cover flap 12 and 13. Like the transom flap 8, the two cover flaps 12 and 13 are shown in their closed state in Figure 1 and are essentially flush with the adjacent hull section and the transom flap 8. Rails are stowed behind the cover flaps 12, 13, which are described in more detail below and are also part of the transport device already mentioned.

In the illustrated embodiment of the ship 1, a second stern section 14 adjoins the lower end of the inclined first stern section 6,

the top of which forms a substantially horizontal surface in the manner of a platform and is walkable. This second stern section 14 can serve various purposes. In private yachts or cruise ships, such a stern section 14 is usually used as a bathing platform or so-called sea terrace. However, it can also be used for boarding or leaving the ship, both at sea, for example by mooring a transfer boat to the second stern section 14, or in the harbor, by using the second stern section 14 as an aid for boarding and disembarking.

As Figure 1 also shows, in the embodiment shown, the second rear section 14 is provided with two fold-out so-called step sections 16, 17, which are folded into their rest position shown in Figure 1 so that they are flush with the outer contour of the second rear section 14. The two step sections 16, 17 are each arranged in alignment with one of the two cover flaps 12, 13 and, in their rest position shown in Figure 1, each close off a recess formed in the first rear section (not shown in Figure 1).

The two stair sections 16, 17 can be pivoted by approximately 180° about a common axis of rotation (not shown in detail in the figures) that runs horizontally and at right angles to the ship's longitudinal axis. In Figure 2, the two stair sections 16, 17 are shown in their folded-out working position, in which they expose the corresponding recesses 18, 19 formed in the second stern section 14. The stair sections 16, 17 and the associated recesses 18, 19 are configured in such a way that a continuous staircase is formed in the folded-out operating position, as can be seen in Figure 2. In their unfolded operating position, the two stair sections 16, 17 are immersed in the water at least with their lower end - the water surface is not shown in the figures for reasons of clarity - so that the stairs thus formed allow access from the surface of the second stern section 14 into the water and vice versa from the water to the second stern section 14.

However, the folding out of the two staircase sections 16, 17 and the resulting opening or exposure of the two recesses 18, 19 is also important for the commissioning of the aforementioned transport device for picking up and releasing floating or diving objects.

In order to put this device into operation, the two cover flaps 12, 13 must also be opened. This is indicated in Figure 3. For this purpose, a mechanism (not shown in the figures) is provided which is arranged concealed within the rear section and causes a lateral movement of the cover flaps 12, 13 in a direction away from the transom flap 8 in order to open them.

After the two cover flaps 1 2, 1 3 are fully opened, as shown in Figure 4, two rails 20, 22 are exposed, which are arranged on either side of the transom flap 8 and extend parallel to one another and in the longitudinal direction of the inclined first stern section 6. Both rails 20, 22, which, as already mentioned, are also part of the transport device, can each be pivoted in a vertical plane about a common horizontal axis of rotation 23, which runs at right angles to the ship's longitudinal axis and parallel to the axis of rotation 9 of the transom flap 8 and just below the rear end of the outer deck 4. For this purpose, corresponding hinges are arranged in a concealed manner just below the outer deck 4, to which the rails 20, 22 are hinged at their upper end. The rails 20, 22 exposed by the opened cover flaps 12, 13 are pivoted upwards by a few degrees from their rest position into their working position until they are aligned with the recesses 18, 19 exposed by the unfolded staircase sections 16, 17. This state is also shown in Figure 4.

When the cover flaps 12, 13 are opened, not only the two rails 20, 22 are exposed, but also two slides 24, 26, each of which can be moved along a rail 20 or 22. The slides 24, 26 can be folded together in order to

pens 1 2, 13 can be stored behind them in a space-saving manner. In the resting state, the slides 24, 26, which are also part of the transport device mentioned, are located at the upper end of the rails 20, 22. With or after opening the cover flaps 12, 13, the slides 24, 26 are folded out. The slides 24, 26 are shown in this position in Figure 4.

While the cover flaps 12, 13 are opened, the rails 20, 22 are swung up and the slides 24, 26 are unfolded, or after this has taken place, the transom flap 8 is swung upwards about its axis of rotation 9 so that a chamber 28 located in front of the transom flap 8 and below the outer deck 4 - viewed in the direction of travel of the ship - is opened, as can be seen in Figure 5. In the embodiment shown, the bottom of this chamber 28 is flush with the surface of the second stern section 14, as can also be seen in Figure 5. Accordingly, in order to completely close this chamber 28, the transom flap 8 extends in its closed position to the second stern section 14 and seals against its surface (see Figures 1 to 4).

When the transom flap 8 is opened, the platform 10 lying on it is also taken along. The transom flap 8 is pivoted up until it assumes a substantially horizontal position. In this way, the platform 10 lying on it is also aligned horizontally. The two slides 24, 26 are arranged and designed in such a way that the platform 10 with its two lateral projections 10a, 10b engages with the slides 24, 26. For this purpose, the slides 24, 26 are each provided with a corresponding engagement section 30 or 32, which establish a detachable, rigid connection or coupling with the platform 10. In this way, the platform 10 is coupled to the two slides 24, 26, so that the platform 10 is now supported in its horizontal position by the slides 24, 26. This state is also shown in Figure 5.

The transom flap 8 is then pivoted back into its closed position so that the chamber 28 behind it is closed again, while the platform 10, now held by the slides 24, 26, remains in its horizontal position. In this way, the platform 10 is released from the transom flap 8 and is therefore moved from its stowed position on the transom flap into its working position on the slides 24, 26. This state is shown in Figure 6.

The two rails 20, 22 are telescopic and in the illustrated embodiments each consist of three sections which are fully retracted in the state shown in Figures 4 to 6.

In Figure 7, the three telescopic sections 20a, 20b, 20c and 22a, 22b, 22c of the rails 20 and 22 are shown in their fully extended state. As can be seen from Figure 7, the individual telescopic sections 20a, 20b, 20c and 22a, 22b, 22c in the embodiment shown have approximately the same length, which corresponds approximately to the length of the first stern section 6. The rails 20, 22 are hinged to the ship's hull with their upper sections 20a and 22a, while the telescopic sections 20c and 22c form their free ends. In the embodiment shown, the rails 20, 22 are thus extended by approximately three times, with the rails 20, 22 extending through the recess 18, 19 in the second rear section 14 and over the unfolded stair sections 16, 17. The total length of the rails 20, 22 is dimensioned such that their lower telescopic sections 20c, 22c are sufficiently immersed in the water (not shown in the figures).

The platform 10 is then moved with the aid of the carriages 24, 26 supporting it from its upper position (see Figures 5 to 7) along the rails 20, 22 to a lower position at the free end of the lower telescopic sections 20c, 22c of the rails 20, 22, in which the platform 10 is immersed in the water. This

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Condition is shown in Figure 8.

As an example of a floating or diving object to be picked up by the platform 10, Figure 8 shows a seaplane 40 that has already landed on the water and is in a waiting position behind the stern of the ship. The seaplane 40 is then brought floating onto the platform 10 located under the water surface and picked up by it, as shown in Figure 9.

The seaplane 40 is then lifted out of the water by the platform 10 by moving the platform 10 upwards along the rails 20, 22. In this context, it should be noted that a suitable drive device is provided for the movement of the carriages 24, 26 along the rails 20, 22, although this is not shown in detail in the figures. This drive device expediently has a cable drive which is installed below the upper outer deck 4 inside the ship's hull and winds up and unwinds cables via cable drums driven by it, to the free ends of which the carriages 24, 26 are attached.

The seaplane 40 picked up by the platform 10 is now transported to the upper outer deck 4 by moving the platform 10 to the upper end of the rails 20, 22, where it is aligned with the surface of the outer deck 4; in this position the platform 10 is already shown in Figure 7.

After the seaplane 40 has been pulled onto the outer deck 4, the transport device can be returned to its resting state by carrying out the steps previously described and shown in Figures 1 to 7 essentially in reverse order. First, the telescopic rails 20, 22 are retracted. Then the transom flap 8 is opened and takes over the already in its upper position

located platform 10 by releasing it from the carriages 24, 26, picking it up from the transom flap into its stowed position and taking it along into its closed position. The carriages 24, 26 are then folded together and the rails 20, 22, which have already been retracted to their minimum length, are swung back before the cover flaps 12, 13 are closed so that the state shown in Figure 2 is restored. If the stair sections 16, 17 are not required for any other purpose, they are also folded back so that the initial state according to Figure 1 is then achieved again, in which the entire device is visually completely concealed.

Claims (16)

1. Device for a watercraft for picking up and launching floating or diving objects ( 40 ), with a transport device ( 10 , 20 to 26 ) which can be at least partially submerged in the water for picking up and transporting the object ( 40 ) from the water to the watercraft ( 1 ) and vice versa, characterized in that the transport device ( 10 , 20 to 26 ) can be moved between a working state in which it is at least partially submerged in the water and a rest state in which it is arranged outside the water. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the transport device is telescopic. 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the transport device has a frame ( 20 to 26 ) and a support element ( 10 ) movable along the frame for receiving the floating or diving object ( 40 ). 4. Device according to claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the frame is telescopic. 5. Device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the frame has at least one rail ( 20 , 22 ) and at least one carriage ( 24 , 26 ) movable along the rail ( 20 , 22 ) for holding the support element ( 10 ). 6. Device according to claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the rail ( 20 ; 22 ) consists of several mutually telescopic sections ( 20 a, 20 b, 20 c; 22 a, 22 b, 22 c). 7. Device according to at least one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the support element ( 10 ) is arranged on the frame ( 20 to 26 ) in a decoupleable manner. 8. Device according to claims 5 and 7, characterized in that the support element ( 10 ) is arranged on the carriage ( 24 ; 26 ) so that it can be decoupled. 9. Device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the support element ( 10 ) can be held on a section ( 8 ) of the hull ( 2 ) of the watercraft ( 1 ) when uncoupled from the frame ( 20 to 26 ). 10. Device according to at least one of claims 3 to 9, characterized in that the support element ( 10 ) forms a platform, preferably substantially horizontally alignable. 11. Watercraft with a flap ( 8 ) for closing an opening in the hull ( 2 ) and with a device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the support element ( 10 ) can be held on the flap ( 8 ) when uncoupled from the frame ( 20 to 26 ). 12. Watercraft according to claim 11, characterized in that the flap ( 8 ) and the device are designed and arranged adjacent to one another in such a way that in the open position of the flap ( 8 ) the support element ( 10 ) can be uncoupled from the frame ( 20 to 26 ) and held on the flap ( 8 ) and/or can be removed from the flap ( 8 ) and coupled to the frame ( 20 to 26 ). 13. Watercraft according to claims 8 and 12, characterized in that for coupling and uncoupling the support element 10, the carriage ( 24 ; 26 ) can be positioned approximately at the height of the flap ( 8 ). 14. Watercraft according to claim 13, in which the flap ( 8 ) is pivotable about a substantially horizontal axis of rotation ( 9 ), characterized in that for the coupling and uncoupling of the support element ( 10 ) the carriage ( 24 ; 26 ) can be positioned approximately at the height of the axis of rotation ( 9 ) of the flap ( 8 ). 15. Watercraft according to at least one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the flap ( 8 ) has a recess for receiving the support element ( 10 ). 16. Watercraft according to claims 14 and 15, characterized in that the flap ( 8 ) and the support element ( 10 ) can be brought into a substantially parallel and closely adjacent arrangement to one another for the decoupling of the support element ( 10 ) from the frame ( 20 to 26 ) and the reception of the support element ( 10 ) on the flap ( 8 ) and for the transfer and coupling of the support element ( 10 ) to the frame ( 20 to 26 ) in substantially the same arrangement.