RAMP FOR FERRY BERTHS OR THE LIKE

Abstract: A ramp for a ferry berth or the like, one end (13) of which is elastically connected to a quay structure (14) and the opposite end thereof (16), which is vertically adjustable relative to the water surface, is supported by a floating element (17). The ramp is pivotably connected to a flap (15) on the quay side. This is supported in a lineary displaceable manner in the longitudinal direction of the ramp in guides (28), fixedly connected to the quay structure (14). At some distance from the pivot (21) common to the ramp (11) and the flap (15) there is provided on the ramp (11) and on the flap at least one actuator (25) intended for pivoting the ramp relative to the flap about said pivot.

Description: RAMP FOR FERRY BERTHS OR THE LIKE The present invention refers to a ramp for a ferry berth or t like, one end of which is connected to a quay structure and t opposite end thereof, which is vertically adjustable relative the water surface, is supported by a floating member and whi ramp on the quay side is pivotably connected to a flap. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The conventional type of ramps for ferry berths, at its inte connection with and disconnection from the ferry, is raised a lowered by means of heavy hydraulic piston-cylinder arrangemen provided at the edge of the quay. The ramp is generally a cant lever structure, which in view of local circumstances must designed with an overhang over the edge of the quay, and t hydraulic system therefore must be very extensive like t mechanism controlling and guiding the ramp. This mechanism furthermore must be able to absorb the forces arising when t ferry lands, which means that the ramp must be able to mo relative to the quay structure. Landing ramps have also been proposed, where the quay side the ramp is elastically supported, whereas its opposite end i supported by a pontoon float, but these landing ramps either mus be equipped with an additional section, which can be raised a lowered thus that the ramp can be adapted to the height level o the ferry, or the float must be designed in such a manner tha its displacement may be altered. PURPOSE AND MOST ESSENTIAL FEATURES OF THE INVENTION The purpose of the present invention is to provide a ramp havin a structurally simple, balanced design, which on one hand may b vertically adjusted by means of small hydraulic appliances and o the other hand may absorb big horizontal forces from the ferry which forces are not transferred to the hydraulic appliances These tasks have been solved in that the flap is supported i guides fixedly connected to the quay structure in order to b lineary displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the ram and that at some distance from the pivot common to the ramp an the flap there is provided on the traffic access ramp and on th flap at least one actuator intended for pivoting the ram relative to the flap about said pivot. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention hereinafter will be further described wit reference to the accompanying drawings, which show tw embodiments. Fig. 1 shows the ramp according to the invention in a view fro above. Fig. 2 is a section along line II-II in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 shows in bigger scale a portion of the quay structure an the ramp in a view from above in accordance with a slightl modified embodiment. Fig. 4 shows a section along line IV-IV in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a view analogous with Fig. 3 showing a further embodi ment of the device according to the invention. Fig. 6 is a section along line VI-VI in Fig. 5. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS The ramp according to the invention, in the drawings designate 11, at one of its ends, the end 13 facing the quay 12, on on hand is elastically connected to two quay structures 14 and o the other hand is articulatedly connected to a flap 15. At th end 16 of the ramp facing away from the quay is provided floating element 17, which via a stand 18 supports the foremos end of the ramp. The floating element 17 may be trimmed with suitable ballast for level adjustment of the ramp 11. The quay structures 14, which are firmly connected to the qu 12, are equipped with heavy energy absorbing shock absorbers 1 e.g. made from a rubber material, which in turn are connected transverse beams 20 attached to the ramp 11. The shock absorbe 19 may be arranged beside the ramp or below the same. The flap is articulatedly connected to the ramp 11 via a pivot 21. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 and 2, and Fig. 3 and attachments 24 for a hydraulic actuator 25 are provided besi the carriage-way 22 on the ramp at longitudinal side beams 23 the ramp, the opposite end of said actuator being connected to attachment 26 provided on the flap 15. The flap 15, which wedge-shaped, is losely arranged upon the quay 12, thus that may make the movements caused by sea and by the forces to whi the ramp is subjected during landing of the ferry. In order prevent the flap 15 from being lifted from the quay 12, the fl cooperates with guides 28 firmly connected to the quay parallel with the side edges 29 of the flap 15, force absorbi members 30, preferably in form of sliding blocks, rollers or t like being provided on said guides. The floating element 17 is provided at such a depth, that t water swell does not influence it or has only an insignifica influence thereon. The ramp 11 and its floating element 17 a furthermore so balanced that only comparatively weak actuato 25 are required for lifting the free front end of the ramp much, that the attachment console of the ferry (not shown) can moved below the raised ramp, which is thereupon lowered towar the ferry. The fixed guides 28 on both sides of the flap 15 pr vent the flap from lifting when the ramp is swung upwards abo the pivot 21, but at the same time it makes it possible for t ramp 11 and the flap 15 to make the horizontal movements occuri at swell and when the ferry is landing. The embodiment shown in Fig. 5 and 6 differs from the previou embodiment in that each one of the hydralic actuators 25 i directed mainly vertically downward from the attachment 24 of th ramp towards one beam 31 each, which beams form an extension o the flap which is parallel to the ramp. When in this embodimen the ramp 11 is swung upwardly, the front part of the flap, i.e mainly the beams 31, will press against the quay 12, whereas th flap 15 is prevented from raising from the quay due to its co¬ operation with the guides 28. The energy absorbing members 1 can be positioned at a distance from each other, thus that th force couple created makes it possible to refrain from additiona side anchoring of the ramp. When more broad ramps are desired, it is possible to interconnec several ramps of the type described above in parallel, thus tha a multi-ferry bearth is created. Two adjacent ramps preferabl can share a common floating element.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A ramp for a ferry berth or the like, one end (13) of which i elastically connected to a quay structure (14) and the opposit end thereof (16), which is vertically adjustable relative to th water surface, is supported by a floating element (17), and whic ramp on the quay side is pivotably connected to a flap (15), c h a r a c t e r i z e d t h e r e i n, that the flap (15) in the longitudinal direction of the ramp i supported in a lineary displaceable manner in guides (28) fixedly connected to the quay structure (14), and that at som distance from the pivot (21) common to the ramp (11) and the fla (15) there is provided on the ramp (11) and on the flap at leas one actuator (25) intended for pivoting the traffic access ram relative to the flap about said pivot. 2. A ramp as claimed in claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d t h e r e i n, that the flap (15) is displaceable along a plane (32) slopin towards the water surface. 3. A ramp as claimed in claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d t h e r e i n, that the flap (15) is provided with at least a couple of slidin members (30), e.g. in form of rollers, which are provided fo cooperating with the guides (28). 4. A ramp as claimed in claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d t h e r e i n, that energy absorbers (19) are provided at the spaced apart qua structures (14) outside the ramp. 5. A ramp as claimed in claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d t h e r e i n, that several ramps (11) are connected in parallel for creating multi-ferry berth.

Inventors: IVARSSON TORE, IVARSSON, TORE
Applicants: IVARSSON TORE, IVARSSON, TORE
Application year: 1989
Main classification: E01D15
IPC codes: B65G69, E01D15