SUSPENDED LANDING STAGE

Abstract: This utility model presents two fundamental features: a) telescopic loading bridge; b) ballast tank mounted on motor crawler tracks. Feature a) enables the adjustment of the landing stage to any type of boats and/or coasters, and the appropriate adjustment of the landing stage's length to any littoral, high tide and to any exceptional conditions which might arise during the normal operating time. The retractility function enables the easy removal of the landing stage from its designated location; Feature b) enables to move the whole structure to safer locations when the original location is exposed to particularly strong surges which might endanger the stability and the normal functioning of the landing stage. Once the exceptional condition has ceased, the motor crawler tracks will enable the landing stage to return to its normal functioning. Said feature therefore reduces the eventual "inactivity" of the landing stage.

Description: "SUSPENDED LANDING STAGE" The "SUSPENDED LANDING STAGE" is a nautical ancillary equipment, made of a removable metallic structure allowing an easy landing from small boats or coasters to those tourist littorals where wharves or jetties cannot be permanently installed or simply do not exist. The suspended landing stage is realised using (structural and drawn) metallic material currently available on the market but entirely galvanized in order to resist to the salinity action; the dimensions are the result of a structural calculation based on the landing stages' static system. The complete group of assembling parts enables the equipment assembly in locations under preservation of natural resources or State ownership, without the need of installing any permanent structure whatsoever. The disassembly, which results to be as easy as the assembling process, enables to easily reinstate the locations, especially during the winter time when the equipment is not in use, and also to upkeep the single components. The renewal of the galvanizing process would facilitate the maintenance of all parts. This utility model presents two fundamental features: a) Telescopic loading bridge b) Ballast tank mounted on motor crawler tracks. Feature a) enables the adjustment of the landing stage to any type of boats and / or coasters, and the appropriate adjustment of the landing stage's length to any littoral, tide high and to any exceptional conditions which might arise during the normal operating time. The retractility function enables the easy removing of the landing stage from its designated location. Feature b) enables to move the whole structure to safer locations when the original location is exposed to particularly strong surges which might endanger the stability and the normal functioning of the landing stage. Once the exceptional condition has ceased, the motor crawler tracks will enable the landing stage to return to its normal functioning. Said feature therefore reduce the eventual "inactivity" of the landing stage. The equipment mainly comprises of the following elements: 1. Base tank, formed by at least three prismatic parts assembled with hooks and complete with lids. The front side of the elements or/and any other part exposed to the water are plated in order to defend the base tank from the water's edge erosion. The base tanks will be filled with sand or stones, available on location, and easily removable when necessary. They function as a supporting framework against any rotary stress whom the structure may be subject to. The crawler tracks will be fixed on the outside and consequently comiected to an engine in order to create an up and down movement the structure boot-topping. Such a mechanism together with the retractility function of the loading bridge will enable an easy as well as immediate movement of the structure in case of exceptional surges during the operating time. 2. Shafts pair, functioning as a supporting framework of the tension wires and secured, at their base, with bolts, to the central part of the base tank. Coupling holes for the tension wires will be positioned at the top of the shafts. The different position of the holes enables the use of tension wires having different lengths according to the loading bridge overhang. 3. Loading bridge, comprising of individual components assembled and secured with bolts. Its supporting framework is made of braced longitudinal members, sized and shaped accordingly, on the top of which an anti-slip checkered plate-walkway level is then fixed. Two banisters are then fixed on the sides for both safety and aesthetics purposes. The bridge end towards the littoral can be fixed to the land with an accommodation ladder or ramp, whilst the end towards the sea comprises of a platform hinged to the loading bridge according to the several highs required for the unloading from different boats. The loading bridge is then positioned, over the base tanks, with adjusting overhangs in order to make the most of the maximum draft of each boat, even when the water depth results to be medium or very low. The loading bridge will be provided with a mechanical system enabling the retractility function. This will therefore permit the adjustment of the landing bridge on location according to the requirements of the specific case. 4. Tension wires, which are required to steadily fix the loading bridge to the supporting shafts and to the base tanks. The tension wires have different lengths according to the coupling holes and to the loading bridge overhang. 5. Bolts and nuts

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Suspended landing stage with base ballast tank comprising of prismatic parts assembled with hooks and complete with lids and jettison doors of different shapes and dimensions. The crawler tracks will be fixed on the outside and connected to an engine for the moving up and down along the structure boot-topping. Such a mechanism, together with the retractility function of the loading bridge will enable an easy as well as immediate movement of the structure in case of exceptional surges during the operating time. 2. Shafts pair functioning as a supporting framework of the loading bridge and having tension wires' coupling holes which can be positioned at different highs according to the length of the loading bridge. 3. Loading bridge with anti-slip checkered plate or grate walkway level to be mounted on top of the base ballast tank. The loading bridge will be provided with a mechanical system enabling the retractility function. This will permit the adjustment of the loading bridge on location according to the requirements of the specific case, which may therefore vary. 4. Suspended landing stage as a metallic structure with no hooks whatsoever for its anchoring into the water or fixing to the land. 5. Suspended landing stage as a truss bridge with solid and void sections for its stressed-skin structures (shafts' pair and loading bridge). 6. Suspended landing state made of metal or some other alloy. 7. Suspended landing stage with boats' couplers and adjustable bridge ends for loading / unloading operations.

Inventors: RICCIARDELLO SALVATORE, RICCIARDELLO, SALVATORE
Applicants: RICCIARDELLO SALVATORE, RICCIARDELLO, SALVATORE
Application year: 1998
Main classification: B63B27
IPC codes: B63B27, B63B35, E01D15