A SHIP DEVICE

Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement for vessels in the form of a combined ramp and port which in a ramp position is adapted to be lowered down in order to bridge a gap between a hold opening and a quay and adjusted to a covering position, and is adapted to serve as a port in order to cover the hold opening. A first ramp part is in the ramp position connected to a first opening part of the hold opening which leads to a first, lower hold deck (8). A second ramp part (11) is in the ramp position connected to a second opening part (1) of the hold opening, which via an internal, fixed ramp (13) in the vessel leads to an upper hold deck, which is situated on a higher level than the level for the lower hold deck. A movable flap (22) is arranged between the internal, fixed ramp (13) and the second ramp part (11) and follows this in its adjustment movements. In ramp position, it bridges the level difference between the level where the fixed ramp ends and the level for the lower hold deck.

Description: A ship device TECHNICAL FIELD: The present invention relates to an arrangement for vessels in the form of a combined ramp and port which in a ramp position is adapted to be lowered down in order to bridge a gap between a hold opening and a quay and adjusted to a covering position is adapted to serve as a port in order to cover the hold opening, wherein the ramp consists of a first ramp part which in the ramp position is adapted to be connected by means of an inner end to a first opening part of the hold opening which leads to a first, lower hold deck (8), and a second ramp part which in the ramp position is adapted to be connected to a second opening part of the hold opening, which via an internal, fixed ramp in the vessel leads to an upper hold deck, which is situated on a higher level than the level for the lower hold deck, wherein a movable flap is arranged between the internal, fixed ramp and the second ramp part. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION: In order to enable simultaneous loading and unloading of moving cargo, for example vehicles, containers or the like, in so called ro-ro vessels, to and from, respectively, decks on different levels, double ramp parts exist, which in a ramp position form a respective driveway to a respective deck and in a covering position form ports for a respective opening part. In order for the two ramp parts to be adjustable to various quay levels within the largest possible height interval, it is an advantage that the two ramp parts between themselves have an equally large inclination and an articulated mounting in the vessel on essentially the same level. Advantageously, the two ramp parts are integrated so that they form one single unit that jointly is adjusted between a lowered-down ramp position and a raised covering position in which they serve as a port. To the upper deck, a fixed ramp extends which is situated inside the port opening and is limited to a certain maximal inclination in order for the clear height of the vehicles to be able to manage the transition section to another inclination, such as the deck plane. This implies that the fixed ramp requires a considerable length and encroaches upon the cargo space. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION: The object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement for vessels which reduces the above-mentioned disadvantages . Said object is achieved by means of an arrangement according to the invention, which is characterized in that the fixed ramp to the upper hold deck ends on a level above the lower hold deck, that the ramp part to the lower hold deck is pivotably connected on the same level as the lower hold deck and that the flap is pivotably connected with the fixed ramp and bridges the level difference between the level where the fixed ramp ends and the level for the lower hold deck. By means of the arrangement according to the invention, the fixed ramp can be made shorter with preserved inclination than what is the case in conventional solutions, which implies that it to a lesser degree encroaches upon the cargo space. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS: The invention will be further described in the following with reference to a preferred embodiment and to the appended drawings, in which Fig. 1 by means of a perspective view shows the arrangement according to the invention with its movable ramp parts in ramp position by a quay, and Fig. 2 diagrammatically shows a side view, which shows the ramp parts in ramp position at various quay heights, and in covering position where it is intended to serve as a port. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT: Fig. 1 and 2 show an embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention which is constituted by a combined ramp and port which in a ramp position is lowered down from the vessel 2 in order to bridge a gap 3 between the hold opening 4 of the vessel and a quay 5. In a covering position, which is shown in Fig. 2, the ramp serves as a port in order to cover the hold opening. The ramp consists of a first ramp part 6 which in covering position serves as a port in order to close a first opening part 7 of the hold opening, which leads to a lower deck 8 which forms a lower deck level 9, to which the ramp part 6 connects by means of the fact that it is pivotably connected with the vessel at a pivot means 10 at the opening part 8. In the arrangement according to the invention, a second ramp part 11 is included which in ramp position connects to the quay 5 and in a covering position is adapted to close the hold opening 4, more precisely a second opening part 12, which via a fixed, internal inclined ramp 13 leads to an upper deck 14 which forms an upper deck level 15 or deck plane. In the shown example, the ramp is a continuous, integrated unit where the two ramp parts 6, 11 are rigidly connected with each other and are pivoted along the axle means 10 which extends along one and the same geometrical axle, but is in practice divided into several hinge parts. The pivot means is essentially situated on a level which connects to the lower deck level 9 or the lower deck plane or slightly below, so that the inner end 17 of the ramp's driveway 16 or upper side ends at a level which in ramp position adequately connects to the lower deck level 9. In order to additionally improve the connection to the level 18 of the quay in question, the ramp parts are provided with an external, pointed flap 19, which via a pivot means 20 is pivotably connected with the ramp parts 6, 11. The external flap 19 may be a whole flap which extends over the width of the two ramp parts, or it may be divided into several flap sections for a certain adjustment to regional quay conditions. Advantageously, the flap is provided with a device which limits the flap's capacity to close between predetermined angular intervals so that the flap is kept directed upwards in covering position. In the shown example, the opening parts 7, 12 of the hold opening are separated by means of a partitioning 21 or a part of the board, against the interior side of which the two decks may be separated by means of a bulkhead 22 or a partition wall. In the shown example, the arrangement according to the invention is situated in the stern of the vessel 2, but it may also be situated in the side of the vessel or diagonally to the rear in a bevelled stern alternatively in the stem of the vessel, wherein a bow visor is arranged in front of the ramp parts and can be moved aside into loading and unloading position. As is apparent from the drawings, the arrangement according to the invention is provided with a flap 22 which is intended to bridge a gap between the driveway 24 on the second ramp part 11, i.e. the ramp part which leads to the upper deck 14 via the fixed ramp 13. The fact is that this, or at least its active driveway 25, ends some distance inside the opening part 12 associated therewith, wherein the fixed ramp's inclination and level for the driveway is chosen so that its imaginary extension plane outwards intersects the lower deck level outside the opening part and more precisely its opening plane which essentially corresponds to the driveway 24 of the ramp part 11 in covering position, see Fig. 2. In the shown example, the flap 22 is pivotably connected with the vessel in connection with the lower end 26 of the fixed ramp by means of a pivot means 27, which consists of one or more hinge links which are situated so that the flap with its upper side 28 forms an extension part of the ramp on a level which connects to the level of the fixed ramp at its lower end. More precisely, the fixed ramp 13 to the upper hold deck 14 ends on a level above the lower hold deck 8. The ramp part 6 to the lower hold deck and the flap 22 are pivotably connected with the fixed ramp and bridges the level difference between the level where the fixed ramp ends and the level for the lower hold deck. Suitably, the flap 22 is pointed at its external end 29 in order to form a transition section to the ramp part 11 and its driveway 24. Suitably, the flap 28 has a width which essentially corresponds to the width of the ramp part 11 and a driving direction length which is adapted for bridging the gap 23 and overlapping the inner end 17 of the ramp part. Advantageously, in one section at one of its ends, the ramp part 11 is provided with a bevelled section 30, which essentially has such an extension that the point of the flap will be situated in the area for the dividing line 31 of the bevelling. The point 29 of the flap will be situated differently depending upon the inclination of the ramp part 11. The inclination of the bevelling is adapted so that in the lowest position of the ramp part, i.e. a position which allows the lowest possible quay position in relation to the vessel, the under side of the flap does not obtain such inclination that the flap with its point 29 points at a level above the driveway, but that it constantly connects to this. Advantageously, the flap 28 is not driven by a driving device, but rests freely against the upper side of the ramp part 11 and follows its movements between ramp position, in its various inclination positions which are suggested in Fig. 2, and covering position, wherein the flap is raised and it is seen to that the flap does not turn round over its centre of axis 27. This can be provided by means of a safety limitation of the angular interval of the flap, so that a stable lock position is assumed when the ramp part is in covering position. Thus, by means of the arrangement according to the invention, the fixed ramp can be made shorter so that its upper end, which is not shown, reaches the level of the upper deck closer to the port opening with preserved inclination of the fixed ramp. Within a comparatively large angular interval for the ramp part 11 in ramp position, i.e. where its external end rests on the quay 5, the flap 13 forms a continuous transition section between the ramp part 11 and the fixed ramp 13 without any problematical dividing points, which is due to the fact that the point 29 of the flap rests on the driveway 24 of the ramp part 11 and follows this in its adjustment movements between various ramp positions. The ramp according to the invention is driven by a not shown driving device for adjustment between ramp position and covering position against the hold opening. The driving device may be not shown hydraulic devices, a winch mechanism, a cog wheel drive with electric motor drive, etc. Furthermore, the ramp parts and the port opening are provided with not shown sealing devices for providing a sealing against inflowing water and locking devices for locking the ramp parts in covering position in a highly secure manner. The invention is not limited to the embodiments which are described above and shown in the drawings, but may be varied within the scope of the appended claims. For example, it is possible that the two ramp parts 6, 11 are not rigidly connected with each other but are controlled separately from each other, wherein they can disclose individually different connection angles against quay and they also can be opened separately so that only one hold opening at a time is opened. Furthermore, the outer flap 19 is not necessary for the implementation of the invention.

Claims: 111474 CLAIMS: 1. Arrangement for vessels in the form of a combined ramp (1) and port which in a ramp position is adapted to be lowered down in order to bridge a gap between a hold opening (4) and a quay and adjusted to a covering position is adapted to serve as a port in order to cover the hold opening, wherein the ramp consists of a first ramp part (6) which in the ramp position is adapted to be connected by means of an inner end (17) to a first opening part (7) of the hold opening (4) which leads to a first, lower hold deck (8), and a second ramp part (11) which in the ramp position is adapted to be connected to a second opening part (12) of the hold opening (4), which via an internal, fixed ramp (13) in the vessel leads to an upper hold deck (14), which is situated on a higher level than the level for the lower hold deck, wherein a movable flap (22) is arranged between the internal, fixed ramp (13) and the second ramp part (11), c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the fixed ramp (13) to the upper hold deck (14) ends on a level above the lower hold deck ( 8 ) , that the ramp part ( 6 ) to the lower hold deck is pivotably connected on the same level as the lower hold deck and that the flap (22) is pivotably connected with the fixed ramp and bridges the level difference between the level where the fixed ramp ends and the level for the lower hold deck. 2. Arrangement according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the fixed ramp (13) defines an inclined plane (25), the imagined extension of which intersects the extension of the plane of the lower hold deck ( 8 ) outside the hold opening ( 4 ) . 3. Arrangement according to claim 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the flap (22) overlaps the inner end (17) of the second ramp part (11) in the ramp position and is adapted to follow the adjustment movements of the second ramp part. 4. Arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the first and the second ramp part (6, 11) form a continuous, combined ramp and port unit which jointly covers the two opening parts and that the two ramp parts are pivotably arranged on the same relative level.

Inventors: CARLSSON JAN-OVE, CARLSSON, JAN-OVE
Applicants: CARLSSON JAN OVE, MACGREGOR SWE AB, CARLSSON, JAN-OVE, MACGREGOR (SWE) AB
Application year: 2000
Main classification: B63B27
IPC codes: B63B27