Abstract:
A device for a basket ( 20 ) for scooping up or rescuing objects lying in the sea is described, where the basket, in connection to a landing site, such as onboard a vessel ( 10 ), can be shifted from a parked position to a scooping up position adjoining the sea surface ( 11 ), and vice versa, and a drive gear is arranged to operate the basket via a mounting unit, to provide said position shift. The device is characterised in that the mounting unit is an extended body ( 30 ) which is fastened to the basket ( 20 ), and the shift between the positions occurs in that the body ( 30 ) is displaced axially, and for placing the basket ( 20 ) in the correct rescue position in relation to the object, the body ( 30 ) is subjected to a rotary movement about its longitudinal axis.

Description:
This application claims priority to Norwegian Patent Application No. 20041259, filed Mar. 26, 2004, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a device for a basket (or a stretcher) for scooping up or rescuing objects which lie in the sea and methods for application of the device. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Previously, different methods to scoop objects or persons up from the sea with the help of baskets and similar scooping means are known. Common to such methods is that the rescue vessel encompasses a mechanism, as mentioned above, which is operated by one or more of the crew members. But normally, the mechanisms can not be operated by the pilot of the ship alone. 
   Furthermore, the launching mechanisms are very complex and require equipment which needs a lot of space in order to function. 
   It is an object of the invention to provide a new construction for a rescue system of the abovementioned kind. 
   One of the objects of the invention is to provide a simple mechanical system which offers a simple launching of the rescue basket (or stretcher). 
   It is also an object of the invention that the new construction for launching the rescue basket, scooping up and bringing onboard the rescued person can be operated by one single person onboard the vessel. This means that the rescue vessel can be one-man operated, and still the pilot can operate the rescue equipment according to the invention without having to leave his seat from where he controls the operation of the vessel. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a device for a basket (or a stretcher) for scooping up or rescuing objects which lie in the sea, where the basket, in connection to a landing site, such as onboard a vessel, can be shifted from a parked position to a scooping up position adjoining the sea surface, and vice versa, and a driving gear arranged to operate the basket via a mounting unit to provide the mentioned shift of positions. 
   The invention also relates to methods for application of the device. 
   The term objects can comprise any items which float in the sea, but relates in this regard in particular to a person or persons which shall be brought onboard a rescue vessel from the sea. 
   The scooping up basket is characterised in that the mounting unit is an extended body that is fastened to the basket and the shifting between the positions occurs in that the body is displaced axially and in order to place the basket in a correct rescue position with regard to the object, the body is subjected to a rotational movement about its longitudinal axis. 
   The preferred embodiments of the invention appear in the dependent claims  2 – 15 . 
   According to the invention the device is used according to the preceding claims in connection with a vessel such as a rescue vessel. 
   According to another preferred embodiment of the invention the device is applied in connection to a landing site, such as a quay, where the basket is set up to be shifted between its horizontal position on the quay and its inclined position down in the sea where objects or persons can be rescued ashore. 
   The invention provides for a new and unusual construction in the way one (the pilot) steers and, at the same time may operate the system for rescuing objects (persons) on board. The basket of the system can also be used as a stretcher, in addition to its railing and gangway modes, etc. The scooping up itself, where a net or a wicket scoops the person up from the sea is previously known, but the means of taking onboard persons and storing the construction, and also other mentioned application areas, have not been known previously. The system according to the invention will, to a large extent, overcome the abovementioned disadvantages of the known solutions. 
   In the following description of the various embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration various embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention shall be explained in more detail with reference to the following figures, in which: 
       FIG. 1  shows a rescue vessel with a scooping up basket according to the invention. The basket, as an extended bed or the like, is placed in a by and large horizontal position outside the ship&#39;s railing. 
       FIG. 2  shows the same as  FIG. 1 , but where the basket is tilted with its free end in an inclined position down into the sea. 
       FIG. 3  shows a longitudinal plane diagram of the mechanism with the piston/cylinder unit in withdrawn position. 
       FIG. 4  shows the same elements in pushed out position. 
       FIG. 5  shows the wheel construction in a cross section along the line A—A in  FIG. 3 , but where, in addition, the recesses in the bottom/ceiling further forward are also shown. 
       FIG. 6  shows a perspective diagram, partially in section, of the housing with pipe construction and the stretcher/basket. 
       FIG. 7  shows a corresponding situation as in  FIG. 5 , but where the horizontal position of the basket is included. 
       FIG. 8  shows the same section as in  FIG. 7 , but where the basket is tilted down into the sea. 
       FIG. 9  shows dome-formed extensions of the housing to give room for the wheels so that the basket can be swung up to a vertical position. 
       FIGS. 10–12  illustrate perspective drawings of real embodiments of the invention, with the basket in three main positions. 
       FIG. 10  shows the basket in its upright vertical position. 
       FIG. 11  shows a the basket in its mainly horizontal position. 
       FIG. 12  shows the basket in its downwardly tilted position. 
       FIGS. 13A and 13B  shows plan views of the embodiment where the basket may be released from the mechanism as a stretcher. 
       FIG. 14A  also shows a side view of the pivoting hinge  48  of the basket. The pivot hinge detail is shown in  FIG. 14B . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The new features of the invention relate to all mechanical elements being located and operating inside a closed channel. By means of a free wheel, a guiding wheel and wheel tracks, and the use of one single power source, the special fastening mechanism of the scooping up basket, may displace the basket into different angles/positions. 
   The operational advantages involves that only one steering function to handle is needed, something which ensures that the system can be operated by the same person who is piloting the vessel. 
   Initially, reference shall be made to  FIG. 1  which shows the vessel  10 , with the place of the pilot  15  and the rescue device according to the invention placed at the stern. The figure shows the drive mechanism with the scooping up basket  20 . 
   The basket  20  stands horizontally flat/straight or in a collapsed position outside the railing  13  of the ship. The waterline is shown by  11 . 
   The basket  20  consists of a wicket construction  22  with longitudinal and crosswise beams/pipes and handles  24 . 
   The one end  26  of the longitudinal outer frame part  22  of the basket  20  is fitted to the one end  32  of an extended body or a pipe  30  which constitutes a drive gear, e.g., a section of a piston/cylinder unit in a housing  40 , in the pushing out mechanism to operate for turning the rescue basket. 
   There is a distance (an opening)  29  between the inner, end edge  28  of the basket and the pipe  30  so that the whole unit can be pulled in with the pipe such that the end edge  28  can glide and pass in and along and on the outside of the side wall of the housing  40  when the pipe  30  is pulled back into the housing  40 . 
   During pushing out of the pipe from the position according to  FIG. 1 , the basket tilts downwards so its free end  27  lies down in the water and can catch objects/persons. This is shown in  FIG. 2 . 
   When the pipe  30  is pushed in its axial direction from the position in  FIG. 1  to the position in  FIG. 2 , the pipe  30  is at the same time rotated about its longitudinal axis so that the basket tilts. To explain this tilting of the basket, reference is now made to  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  5 . 
   The pipe  30  runs through a mounting (a bearing/support) and into a guiding channel where the device is guided by a free wheel (or pair of wheels) and a guiding wheel (pair of wheels). The rescue stretcher or the scooping up basket  20  is fastened to the pipe  30  which can be pushed out. It appears that the pipe is fastened to an extension  26  of the one outer longitudinal frame part  22  of the stretcher and which is reinforced. The mechanism, in the form of the pipe  30 , is arranged to be moved on said wheels running freely forwards and backwards inside the housing  40 , and with the one end with the fitted rescue basket extending out of the one end of the housing. The housing is formed by a mainly square, extended box  40  which is closed in one end, while the outer end comprises a circular opening with a gliding and sealing gasket through which the pipe  30  can glide. 
   The forward end of a piston rod  34  is secured inside the pipe  30  in an area at the outer end  32  of the pipe. The other or rear end of the piston rod  34  comprises the piston  36  itself, which is set up to glide inside a second pressure cylinder pipe  41  arranged co-axially inside the pipe  30 . 
   The one end of the pressure cylinder pipe  41  is secured to the rear wall of the housing, while the other end is secured to the pipe  30  at  32  by means of a frame element  33 . The outer (forward) end of the pressure cylinder pipe  41  comprises a pressure-tight penetration (gasket) at  35  for the piston rod  34  which runs further to the anchorage point  32 / 33  in the outer pipe  41 . A slide support element  43  provides a support of the pipe  30  to the housing  40 . 
   By pressurizing the chamber  38  at one side of the piston  36  with hydraulic oil, the pipe  30  will be pushed outwards (forward), while putting the chamber  39  on the other side under pressure, the piston is pulled in, in the opposite direction. Tubing for supplying and carrying away of hydraulic oil and also the pressure aggregate in the construction is not shown. 
   Further details of the pipe  30  that can be pushed out shall now be explained. The pipe is divided into two sections, an outer (forward) rotary pipe section  30 A and an inner (rear) stationary pipe section  30 B. The two sections are joined with the help of a free joint, such as a slew ring  50 , only shown schematic on  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The free joint  50  ensures that the outer pipe  30 A can be rotated while the inner pipe is not rotated. This ensures that the pipes/wheels can move independently of each other, as will be explained more in detail in the following. The free joint/slew ring does not touch the piston/cylinder unit  34 , 36  which is positioned inside the pipe sections  30 A, 30 B. 
   Each pipe section  30 A and  30 B, respectively, is fitted with its own pair of wheels  52 , 54  and  56 , 58 , respectively, both at its shorter distance from the slew ring  50 . Each wheel in the pair stands diametrically on opposite sides of the respective pipe sections as shown in the cross section in  FIG. 5 . The wheel diameter D corresponds approximately to the height H of the extended square box-formed housing  40 , i.e. the wheels fill the height with a sufficient clearance so that the wheels can roll inside the box. There can be a bigger clearance sideways to make it possible for one of the wheel pairs to roll around the longitudinal axis of the pipe. 
   When the pipes are made to be pushed outwards to launch the rescue basket or stretcher, the housing  40  comprises appliances which force the outer pipe  30 A to be rotated in about the axial direction, so that the basket  20  tilts downwards, while the inner pipe  30 B is not rotated. The rotation starts when the inner edge  49  of the basket  20  has come clear of the side  13  of the vessel. 
   In the bottom floor and ceiling, respectively, of the housing, a cut-out  60 , 62  (recess) is formed in the shape of a spiral housing and, as can be seen, the cut-outs are formed mutually diametrically opposite. When the unit of pipes  30 A,  30 B are pushed forward, the wheel  52  will fall down into the recess  60  in the bottom plate, while the wheel  54  is pushed up into the recess  62 . Thus the pipe section  30 A is rotated around its longitudinal axis. 
   It is also possible that respective upward gradients, which ensure that the wheels are forced into the rotational movement, are formed inside the housing on diametrically opposite sides of the recesses. 
   The guiding wheels  52 , 54  will thereby follow the recesses/cut-outs which lie in the guiding channel and be forced into a rotational movement. However, the inner pipe  30 B will not be rotated. 
   According to an alternative solution, the inner pipe can constitute a part of a screw construction, which functions so that the inner pipe can be screwed outwards and inwards. The outer pipe can, at the same time, rotate freely in relation to the inner pipe and can exert its function to swing the basket, as described in the example and shown in the figures. 
   The construction according to the invention is also illustrated directly from above, partially in perspective, in  FIG. 6 . Furthermore, the recesses are also shown in the  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
   The rotation of the rescue basket between the two positions is shown in the  FIGS. 7 and 8 .  FIG. 7  shows the basket tilted downwards so that the end lies down in the sea. In this position the pipe is pushed out all the way to its stop position. 
     FIG. 8  shows the basket in a horizontal position where it is withdrawn into the boat. The basket can be articulated at  48  so that it can be folded.  FIG. 8  also shows that it can be sufficient that the stretcher/basket can be swung in the area of about 30° between horizontal position onboard and tilted position down in the sea. 
   When the curve is in position horizontal with, and on, the deck, it can be swung upwards to a vertical parked position. This position is shown in  FIG. 9 . When the pipe construction stands in inner position, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the wheels  52 ,  54  are directly above and below, respectively, the dome-shaped protuberances  44 , 46  in the bottom and ceiling, respectively, of the housing, so that the basket can be swung upwards. Thus there is space in the upper and lower domes for the wheels to rotate. This means that the wall parts here have a round dome shape. In this way the basket can be placed vertically and collapsed, thus not obstructing the movements onboard the vessel. 
   When the basket is to be used again, it is pivoted down from the position in  FIG. 9  and the pipe movements are initiated. 
     FIG. 10–12  illustrates real embodiments of the movements of the basket in its three main positions:
         its upright vertical position,   its mainly horizontal position, and   its downwardly tilted position.       
     FIGS. 13A and 13B  show how the basket may be released from the tilting mechanism onboard the vessel to be further used as a stretcher. The element  22  includes a bar  70  closely fitted to a hollow shape  72  of the element  26  of the wicket construction  22 . When inserting the bar  70  into the hollow frame  72 , a locking pin or bar  74  is inserted along the end section  28  of the stretcher  20 . When removing the locking bar  74 , the stretcher may be pulled off the mechanism to bring the person on it to a hospital, for example. 
     FIG. 14A  shows the pivoting hinge  48  of the basket. The pivot hinge  48  is shown in more detail in  FIG. 14B . 
   Parking: In this position the basket is fully withdrawn, the free wheels and the guiding wheels are in parked mode. 
   As railings: After parked mode, the basket is raised alongside the vessel. In this case, one has fitted a joint  48  at the fastening end of the basket. 
   Preparing: 
   The basket is laid down in horizontal position, the lower part is set out. 
   Activation of System/Basket, Setting Out and Bringing Onboard: 
   Power sources (for example, a hydraulic cylinder) are activated and push the main pipe outwards. The guiding wheels will move out of the guiding track, something which leads to the basket being lifted out of the parked position and into the walls/track of the channel. The wheels will follow the track of the channel until they meet the outer guiding track. In this position, the basket moves parallel to the side of the ship and out past the railings of the vessel. 
   When the guiding wheels go into the outer guiding track (two pieces, an upper and a lower), the basket rotates/moves into scooping up position until the wheels reach the bottom of the guiding track and the basket has reached its wanted position. 
   When the object is caught by the basket, the system is driven the opposite direction. This involves the power source pulling the main pipe inwards, something that leads to the guiding wheels being pulled out of the guiding tracks, with the result that the basket is lifted up into horizontal position and is pulled sideways onboard the vessel, if necessary, all the way into parked position. 
   Application of the construction according to the invention. 
   As mentioned, the invention can be used to rescue people from the sea, as the basket is pulled onboard in a horizontal position. But it is of course possible to manoeuvre the vessel in towards a quay so that the stretcher/basket can hang over the quay deck such that a rescued person can be taken care of. 
   According to the invention, the device can be fitted in connection to a landing site in the form of a quay, where the basket is arranged to be shifted between its horizontal position on the quay and its tilted position down in the sea where objects or persons can be rescued ashore and onto the quay. 
   The big advantage with the construction according to the invention is that both the pushing outwards and tilting downwards of the basket can be carried out in a continuous, smooth movement, and with a single piston/cylinder unit. Furthermore, the pilot of the vessel can easily control the manoeuvring of the vessel and, at the same time, control the progress of the operation.