Patent Description:
In a process where a large ship is at anchor, generally, the ship may collide against the reef around a harbor, which threatens the safety of the ship, and to prevent such collision, a pilot embarks and disembarks in and from the ship coming into a harbor from sea and setting sail so that he or she safely guides the ship to the harbor. In this case, a pilot ladder is used to embark and disembark the pilot.

In this case, the pilot ladder is generally used for embarkation and disembarkation for the persons concerned, such as pilots or quarantine officers, and since the pilot ladder with a length of <NUM> to <NUM> is installed, it may seriously swing, so that when the pilot embarks and disembarks, safety accidents such as fall from the pilot ladder may frequently happen.

One of conventional pilot ladders is disclosed in <CIT>, and the conventional pilot rope ladder, comprising two pieces of rope joined to each other by a plurality of steps spaced apart from one another at given intervals, is wound onto a rope ladder winding device installed on a deck when it is kept and is unwound from the rope ladder winding device if necessary. In this case, the steps having magnets attached to the outer plates of the hull and the steps having no magnets are arranged alternately, and otherwise, magnetic switch roller magnets are installed on the undersides of both sides of the rope to freely produce or eliminate the magnetic forces of permanent magnets built therein through switch control, so that when the rope ladder is wound from the top of the deck, the magnetic switch roller magnets roll along the outer plates of the hull.

Another conventional pilot ladder is disclosed in <CIT>, and the conventional wire rope ladder, comprising two pieces of wire rope having loops formed on tops thereof and a plurality of steps spaced apart from one another at given intervals in such a way as to be fixed between the two pieces of wire rope. In this case, the both side loops have hooks connected thereto by hinges and thus locked onto the front ends of the hull blocks, and the plurality of steps have electromagnets mounted thereon to attach the wire rope ladder to the hull blocks by the magnetic forces generated from the electromagnets. Further, loop-shaped wire holders are fixed to the entire length of one side wire rope to hold a wire for supplying power to the electromagnets onto the wire rope, and the wire, which is branchedly connected to branch wires for supplying the power to the electromagnets and has the front end connected to a plug, is held onto the wire holders.

In the case of the conventional technologies, the magnetic switch roller magnets (electromagnets) are mounted on the steps to allow the ladder to be fixedly attached to the outer plates of the hull, and otherwise, the magnetic switch roller magnets (electromagnets) are connected to one another by the wire to receive the power supplied thereto. As a result, it is inconvenient to wind and keep the ladder because of the arrangement of the wire, and while the pilot climbs up and down the ladder, the wire may hinder the pilot from climbing up and down the ladder. Besides, if the wire is locked onto the pilot's body and thus damaged, power supply is stopped, and accordingly, the fixed state of the ladder is immediately released to cause safety accidents.

Document <CIT> discloses a rope ladder for a pilot to enter a marine vessel. The ladder comprises a rope and multiple steps. The ladder further comprises a compartment formed on the bottom surface of each of the steps, a magnetic switch magnet module installed in the compartment and provided to be attached to the outer plate of the hull. The magnetic switch magnet module comprises a housing disposed in the compartment, and a magnetic switch magnet is supported against the housing. Further, a driver is provided to control the on/off operations of the magnetic switch magnet.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems occurring in the related art, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a pilot ladder having a remote attachment/detachment function that is capable of allowing magnetic switch magnets to be provided integrally with steps in such a way as to be controlled in on/off operations by a wireless controller, so that since the existing wire configuration for magnet control is omitted, the management required for ladder winding and keeping can be easily performed, and the malfunctions of the magnetic switch magnets due to damage to a wire can be prevented, thereby safely protecting a worker (pilot) from safety accidents.

To accomplish the above-mentioned objects, according to the present invention, a pilot ladder in accordance with claim <NUM> is provided.

According to the invention, a pilot ladder has a remote attachment/detachment function and comprising two pieces of rope (<NUM>) and a plurality of steps (<NUM>) for connecting the two pieces of rope (<NUM>) to each other. The ladder includes: a compartment (<NUM>) formed to the shape of a concave recess on the bottom or side surface of each step (<NUM>); a magnetic switch magnet module (<NUM>) installed in the compartment (<NUM>) in such a way as to be attachable to an outer plate (S) of the hull; and a wireless controller (<NUM>) for controlling on/off operations of the magnetic switch magnet module (<NUM>), wherein the magnetic switch magnet module (<NUM>) includes a housing (<NUM>) disposed in the compartment (<NUM>), a magnetic switch magnet (<NUM>) supported against the housing (<NUM>), a driver (<NUM>) operating with the power of a battery (<NUM>) to control the on/off operations of the magnetic switch magnet (<NUM>), and a communication module connected to the driver (<NUM>) to receive an output signal from the wireless controller (<NUM>).

According to the invention, the driver (<NUM>) includes a motor and a gear assembly, the motor being controlled in on/off operations by means of the communication module receiving the output signal from the wireless controller (<NUM>), and the magnetic switch magnet module (<NUM>) has a ground sensor (<NUM>) disposed on the surface attachable to the outer plate (S) of the hull, the ground sensor (<NUM>) being adapted to detect whether the magnetic switch magnet (<NUM>) comes into close contact with the outer plate (S) of the hull so that the detected value thereof is transmitted to the wireless controller (<NUM>) through the communication module, and after an on signal of the magnetic switch magnet (<NUM>) has been outputted from the wireless controller (<NUM>), if the detected value of the ground sensor (<NUM>) is a contact off signal, a notification signal is outputted.

Further, each step (<NUM>) may have load sensing units (<NUM>) mounted thereon to detect whether a pilot climbs the pilot ladder, and the load sensing units (<NUM>) may include through holes (2a) formed on both ends of each step (<NUM>) to pass the two pieces of rope (<NUM>) therethrough, stoppers (<NUM>) fitted to the rope (<NUM>) with a given gap to support the step (<NUM>), and load sensors (<NUM>) disposed on bottoms of the through holes (2a) corresponding to the stoppers (<NUM>) to detect the load applied to the step (<NUM>), so that if a pilot climbing signal on the step (<NUM>) is detected through the calculation of the detected values of the load sensors (<NUM>), the off operation through which the magnetic force of the magnetic switch magnet (<NUM>) is released is inactivated by the wireless controller (<NUM>).

Furthermore, the protruding distances of the magnetic switch magnets (<NUM>) of the magnetic switch magnet modules (<NUM>) from the steps (<NUM>) may be adjusted by means of extension units (<NUM>), and each extension unit (<NUM>) may include: a rod hole (<NUM>) formed in the housing (<NUM>); a rod (<NUM>) expanding and contracting along the rod hole (<NUM>), having a plurality of rack gears (262a) formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof, and allowing the end portion to be coupled to the magnetic switch magnet (<NUM>) by means of a hinge; attracting means (<NUM>) disposed on the rod (<NUM>) or the magnetic switch magnet (<NUM>) to attract the protruding magnet (<NUM>) toward the step (<NUM>); and a key block (<NUM>) disposed in the housing (<NUM>) to protrude upwardly by a key driver (264a) in such a way as to engage with the corresponding rack gear (262a) to fix the rod (<NUM>) in position.

According to the present invention, the pilot ladder having a remote attachment/detachment function allows the magnetic switch magnets to be provided integrally with the steps in such a way as to be controlled in on/off operations by the wireless controller, so that since the existing wire configuration for magnet control is omitted, the management required for ladder winding and keeping can be easily performed, and the malfunctions of the magnetic switch magnets due to damage to a wire can be prevented, thereby safely protecting the worker (pilot) from safety accidents.

Hereinafter, the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. When it is said that one element is described as being "connected" or "coupled" to the other element, one element may be directly connected or coupled to the other element, but it should be understood that another element may be present between the two elements.

<FIG> is a schematic view showing an overall configuration of a pilot ladder having a remote attachment/detachment function state according to the present invention, and <FIG> is a side view showing the pilot ladder according to the present invention, wherein a magnetic switch magnet module of the pilot ladder is enlarged.

The present invention relates to a pilot ladder having a remote attachment/detachment function, which comprises two pieces of rope <NUM> and a plurality of steps <NUM> and is wound on a winding device <NUM> installed on a hull in such a way as to be unwound when it is necessary. The pilot ladder according to the present invention includes compartments <NUM>, magnetic switch magnet modules <NUM>, and a wireless controller <NUM> so that the magnetic switch magnet modules <NUM> are provided integrally with the steps <NUM> in such a way as to be controlled in on/off operations by the wireless controller <NUM>, thereby being easy to be kept and managed and enabling a pilot to safely embark and disembark.

According to the present invention, each compartment <NUM> is formed to the shape of a concave recess on the underside or side of the corresponding step <NUM> to detachably attach the corresponding magnetic switch magnet module <NUM> thereto.

According to the present invention, the magnetic switch magnet modules <NUM> are disposed on the corresponding compartments <NUM> and thus attached to the outer plates S of the hull.

In this case, a magnetic switch represents a switch that freely produces (on) and eliminates (off) a permanent magnet built therein by means of switching operations.

The magnetic switch magnet modules <NUM> are spaced apart from one another on the plurality of steps <NUM>, and <FIG> and <FIG> show states where the magnetic switch magnet modules <NUM> are spaced apart from one another on the positions of numbers that are multiples of <NUM> of the plurality of steps <NUM>.

Further, the wireless controller <NUM> is provided to control the on/off operations of the magnetic switch magnet modules <NUM>.

The wireless controller <NUM> is provided as a dedicated remote controller. Otherwise, an application is built in a portable terminal and paired with the magnetic switch magnet modules <NUM>, and next, the magnetic switch magnet modules <NUM> are controlled by the wireless controller <NUM>.

Each magnetic switch magnet module <NUM> includes a housing <NUM> disposed in the compartment <NUM>, a magnetic switch magnet <NUM> supported against the housing <NUM>, a driver <NUM> operating with the power of a battery <NUM> to control the on/off operation of the magnetic switch magnet <NUM>, and a communication module (not shown) connected to the driver <NUM> to receive an output signal from the wireless controller <NUM>.

The driver <NUM> comprises a motor and a gear assembly, and the on/off operation of the motor is controlled by means of the communication module receiving the output signal from the wireless controller <NUM>.

Like this, the magnetic switch magnet modules <NUM> are provided integrally with the steps <NUM> in such a way as to be controlled in on/off operations by the wireless controller <NUM>, so that the existing wire configuration for magnet control is omitted to solve the problems of wire twisting or breakage when the pilot ladder is wound and kept, which ensures the pilot ladder according to the present invention can be stably used.

Further, only if some of the steps of the existing pilot ladder are replaced with the steps with which the magnetic switch magnet modules <NUM> are provided integrally, the existing pilot ladder can be stably used, without any swing, and therefore, the pilot ladder according to the present invention has high compatibility.

<FIG> is a sectional view showing a ground sensor of the pilot ladder having a remote attachment/detachment function according to the present invention, and the magnetic switch magnet modules <NUM> have ground sensors <NUM> disposed on the surfaces attached to the outer plates S of the hull.

Each ground sensor <NUM> serves to detect whether the magnetic switch magnet <NUM> comes into close contact with the corresponding outer plate S of the hull. That is, as shown in <FIG>, if the magnetic switch magnet <NUM> comes into close contact with the corresponding outer plate S of the hull, the ground sensor <NUM> is pressurized against the outer plate S of the hull, and in this case, a contact on signal is detected from the ground sensor <NUM>.

Next, the detected value of the ground sensor <NUM> is transmitted to the wireless controller <NUM> through the communication module, and after the on signal of the magnetic switch magnet <NUM> has been outputted from the wireless controller <NUM>, if the detected value of the ground sensor <NUM> is a contact off signal, a notification signal is outputted. The notification signal is any one or more selected from buzzer sounds, warning lights, and vibrations.

Accordingly, the ground sensors <NUM> simply detect whether the magnetic switch magnets <NUM> are attached to the outer plates S of the hull after the on signals of the magnetic switch magnets <NUM> have been outputted from the wireless controller <NUM>, thereby completely preventing a danger in which a pilot climbs the ladder in a state where the magnetic switch magnets <NUM> are not attached to the outer plates S of the hull due to failure or malfunctions of the magnetic switch magnet modules <NUM>.

<FIG> is a sectional view showing load sensing units <NUM> of the pilot ladder having a remote attachment/detachment function according to the present invention, and the load sensing units <NUM> are mounted on each step <NUM> to detect whether the pilot climbs up and down the ladder.

The load sensing units <NUM> include through holes 2a formed on both ends of each step <NUM> to pass the two pieces of rope <NUM> therethrough, stoppers <NUM> fitted to the rope <NUM> with a given gap to support the step <NUM>, and load sensors <NUM> disposed on bottoms of the through holes 2a corresponding to the stoppers <NUM> to detect the load applied to the step <NUM>.

In this case, each load sensor <NUM> is located between the step <NUM> and the stopper <NUM> to detect the load applied to the step <NUM>. That is, the load sensor <NUM> detects the downwardly applied load to the step <NUM> when the pilot using the ladder stands up on the step <NUM> or pulls the step <NUM> with his or her hand.

If a pilot climbing signal on the step <NUM> is detected through the calculation of the detected values of the load sensors <NUM>, the off operation through which the magnetic force of the magnetic switch magnet <NUM> is released is inactivated by the wireless controller <NUM>, thereby preventing the off operation of the magnetic switch magnet <NUM> from occurring due to the control error of the wireless controller <NUM> that may happen during the pilot's climbing.

To allow the step <NUM> to which the load sensing units <NUM> are applied to be mounted on the rope <NUM>, further, both ends of the step <NUM> are dividedly provided with respect to the rope <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, in such a way as to allow the through holes 2a to be cut hemispherically, and the divided ends are detachably coupled to both ends of the step <NUM> by means of fastening members having bolts. Accordingly, the load sensing units <NUM> are simply applicable to the existing pilot ladders.

<FIG> is a side view showing extension units of the pilot ladder having a remote attachment/detachment function according to the present invention, and the protruding distances of the magnetic switch magnets <NUM> of the magnetic switch magnet modules <NUM> from the steps <NUM> are adjusted by means of the extension units <NUM>.

Each extension unit <NUM> includes a rod hole <NUM> formed in the housing <NUM>, a rod expanding and contracting along the rod hole <NUM>, having a plurality of rack gears 262a formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof, and allowing the end portion to be coupled to the magnetic switch magnet <NUM> by means of a hinge, attracting means <NUM> disposed on the rod <NUM> or the magnetic switch magnet <NUM> to attract the protruding magnetic switch magnet <NUM> toward the step <NUM>, and a key block <NUM> disposed in the housing <NUM> to protrude upwardly by a key driver 264a in such a way as to engage with the corresponding rack gear 262a to fix the rod <NUM> in position. <FIG> shows a tension spring as an example of the attracting means <NUM>.

In a state where the pilot climbs down the ladder, the engagement between the key block <NUM> and the rack gear 262a is released through the key driver <NUM>, and if the on operation signal of the magnetic switch magnet <NUM> is outputted from the wireless controller <NUM>, the magnetic switch magnet <NUM> is attached to the hull by means of its magnetic force.

That is, as shown in enlarged portions of <FIG>, the magnetic switch magnets <NUM> mounted onto the ends of the rods <NUM> protrude by distances between the steps <NUM> and the outer plates S of the hull in accordance with the curvature of the outer plates S and are thus attached to the outer plates S of the hull.

After that, the key drivers 264a operate under the control of the wireless controller <NUM> to allow the key blocks <NUM> to protrude, and the protruding key blocks <NUM> engage with the corresponding rack gears 262a of the rods <NUM> to fix the protruding positions of the magnetic switch magnets <NUM>, thereby permitting the pilot to safely embark and disembark.

After the use of the pilot ladder, the magnetic switch magnets <NUM> are first off, and the attracting means <NUM> operate to allow the rods <NUM> to be completely inserted into the rod holes <NUM>. Next, the pilot ladder is wound and stored.

Like this, the protruding lengths of the magnetic switch magnets <NUM> moving along the rods <NUM> are adjustable to allow the magnetic switch magnets <NUM> to be tightly attached to the outer plates S of the hull, irrespective of the curvature of the outer plates S of the hull, so that the installation area of the ladder can extend, and even if the outer plates S of the hull are curved or not flattened on surfaces, the steps <NUM> of the pilot ladder are fixed to the outer plates S of the hull in states of being vertical with respect to the surface of sea by means of the extension units <NUM>, thereby enabling the pilot to safely embark and disembark.

Claim 1:
A pilot ladder having a remote attachment/detachment function, comprising two pieces of rope (<NUM>) and a plurality of steps (<NUM>) for connecting the two pieces of rope (<NUM>) to each other, the pilot ladder comprising:
a compartment (<NUM>) formed to the shape of a concave recess on the bottom or side surface of each step (<NUM>);
a magnetic switch magnet module (<NUM>) installed in the compartment (<NUM>) in such a way as to be attachable to an outer plate (S) of the hull; and
a wireless controller (<NUM>) for controlling on/off operations of the magnetic switch magnet module (<NUM>),
wherein the magnetic switch magnet module (<NUM>) comprises a housing (<NUM>) disposed in the compartment (<NUM>), a magnetic switch magnet (<NUM>) supported against the housing (<NUM>), a driver (<NUM>) operating with the power of a battery (<NUM>) to control the on/off operations of the magnetic switch magnet (<NUM>), and a communication module connected to the driver (<NUM>) to receive an output signal from the wireless controller (<NUM>),
wherein the driver (<NUM>) comprises a motor and a gear assembly, the motor being controlled in on/off operations by means of the communication module receiving the output signal from the wireless controller (<NUM>), and the magnetic switch magnet module (<NUM>) has a ground sensor (<NUM>) disposed on the surface attachable to the outer plate (S) of the hull, the ground sensor (<NUM>) being adapted to detect whether the magnetic switch magnet (<NUM>) comes into close contact with the outer plate (S) of the hull so that the detected value thereof is transmitted to the wireless controller (<NUM>) through the communication module, and after an on signal of the magnetic switch magnet (<NUM>) has been outputted from the wireless controller (<NUM>), if the detected value of the ground sensor (<NUM>) is a contact off signal, a notification signal is outputted.