FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns an adjustable pedestrian stair device to connect to each other a vertically mobile platform and a fixed plane of embarkation and disembarkation towers which are usually used to allow access for people to cruise liners, merchant ships or suchlike.

In particular, the mobile platform can be selectively positioned vertically with respect to a fixed structure of the tower, in order to bring it to the same height as the opening of the ship, in cooperation with a walkway or passageway for embarking/disembarking the ship, and the present invention allows to connect the mobile platform and the fixed plane of emergency stairs, which the embarkation tower is usually provided with, in order to allow the passage of persons through them.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Embarkation and disembarkation towers are known, particularly for cruise liners and suchlike, suitable to allow access to a ship.

In particular known embarkation towers comprise a bearing structure which rests on wheels which slide on tracks, or on sliders disposed on the ground.

Moreover, known embarkation towers comprise a platform which can be selectively positioned vertically with respect to the bearing structure, to bring it to the same height as the opening of the ship which is reached by a gangway which is usually associated with the platform and which allows access to the opening of the ship. To reach the opening of the ship precisely and to follow the rocking and the movements of the ship due to the tide, the gangway is typically inclined with respect to the platform, which generally remains horizontal.

Known towers also comprise at least an elevator to transport persons from the ground to the platform.

Known embarkation and disembarkation towers have the merit of being compact, easily movable and with the mobile platform which can be positioned vertically at different heights corresponding to the height where the opening of the ship is disposed.

Known embarkation and disembarkation towers are also provided with pedestrian accesses, generally equipped with one or more emergency stairs solidly associated with the support structure and having a plurality of landings which must be accessible from the mobile platform, for service reasons or in emergencies.

To make the landings of the emergency stairs accessible with the platform it is necessary to dispose the platform of the tower at a height corresponding to one of the landings which have access to the emergency stair. This has the disadvantage that it is necessary to dispose the platform at reasonable heights.

Moreover, the platform must be brought to a height which makes it possible to access the ship using the gangway of the platform itself. In particular the gangway must first be adaptable to variations in heights due, for example, to the tide.

Document WO-A-01/87702 describes a pedestrian stair of the known type associated with a fixed platform.

One purpose of the present invention is to obtain an adjustable device to connect a mobile platform to a fixed plane, for example a landing of the emergency stairs, for embarkation towers.

Another purpose of the present invention is to allow continuous access to the fixed emergency stairs, from any operating height assumed by the mobile embarkation and disembarkation platform.

Another purpose is to obtain an adjustable device to connect a mobile platform to a fixed plane which has reduced bulk and not invasive for the embarkation tower and which at the same time is safe and reliable.

The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claim, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

In accordance with the above purpose, an adjustable pedestrian stair device to connect and allow the passage between a mobile platform and a fixed plane, for embarkation and disembarkation towers particularly for cruise liners and suchlike, comprises support means, comprising a fixed frame which can be passed through, suitable to be constrained in a fixed way to said mobile platform, which supports at the lower part a plurality of steps configured to be moved sliding in concertina fashion one with respect to the other, that is, between a compact position and an extended position possibly inclined according to needs, using displacement means driven by actuator means associated to the fixed frame, to selectively define in a first condition of use a descending stair, in a second condition of use an ascending stair, or in a third condition of use a substantially horizontal walkway in a coordinated way to the position assumed on each occasion by the mobile platform, reciprocally varying their vertical position, the corresponding lying planes, associated with the supporting planes of the steps, remaining always parallel to each other and, during normal use, horizontal.

Advantageously therefore, the steps are vertically mobile, although the horizontal supporting planes remain horizontal and close up to each other at a fixed safety distance, even if their reciprocal position can be staggered in height to be coordinated with the position of the mobile platform.

In some variants, a set of mobile frames is located sliding on the fixed frame, each carrying a step in its lower part.

The mobile frames are, in their turn, able to slide one on the other, moved by means to displace them by means of which said first, second or third condition of use is determined on each occasion.

In other variants, no mobile frame is provided for the steps, and the steps are supported and moved by lever means, associated with the fixed frame, which determine their reciprocal sliding, and also the lifting and lowering thereof. In this variant, it is advantageous to provide to associate to the present invention a cover structure for the steps, which can be removable or not, to define a safe and protected tunnel for the passengers to pass through.

In some variants, the steps are movable in a proportional manner and connected to each other.

In other variants, the steps or the mobile frames according to the variants can be driven in a non-proportional manner, that is, autonomous and independent from each other, that is, providing all those variant embodiments in which the steps or the mobile frames move with respect to each other in a non-proportional manner, and substantially in an autonomous manner, for example by means of independent displacement means for each of the steps or mobile frames.

This can be advantageous in the case where the difference in level to be overcome is equal to or less than the height of the step, inasmuch as it is possible to slide a single step, and therefore activate it for the passage, instead of activating all the steps in a proportional manner, which could lead to define supporting planes very close to each other and therefore dangerous for passengers.

It is clear that within the framework of the present invention, "step" means both the whole of the horizontal supporting plane and the riser, and also, in a simpler configuration, only the supporting plane or ledge, in which case suitable holding and safety means are advantageously provided to prevent objects or persons from falling.

The present invention perfects a pedestrian stair device for connection and passage between a mobile platform and a fixed plane, for embarkation and disembarkation towers, particularly for cruise ships and suchlike, capable of allowing access to the fixed emergency stairs, from any operating height assumed by the mobile platform for embarkation and disembarkation, thanks to the mobile frames which slide, either independently one from the other, or coordinately and proportionally one on the other, to define an ascending or descending stairway, the overall height of which is adaptable according to the difference in level between the mobile platform and the fixed plane with which the mobile platform is put into connection.

Moreover, with two pedestrian stair devices, made according to the invention and applied so as to respectively connect the fixed landings on one side and the other of the flight of steps of the emergency stairway, a system of pedestrian stair devices is perfected which is capable of allowing access to the fixed emergency stairs from any operating height assumed by the mobile platform for embarkation and disembarkation and without interrupting the flow of passengers. This is because the connection between the mobile platform and the fixed landings of the emergency stairway is always active, using one or the other or both devices according to the invention, applied as described as above.

Moreover, the invention obtains a pedestrian stair device with a limited bulk, so it is therefore easy to make a rising and descending compartment in the embarkation tower of which it is a part.

Furthermore, the variant with the frames according to the present invention is safe and reliable, since the frames, both rimmed and U-shaped, contribute to form a gate which allows a safe transit from the mobile platform to the fixed plane.

In a variant, the steps are mobile in a kinematically dependent manner on each other.

In another variant, the steps are mobile in a kinematically independent manner from each other.

It comes within the spirit of the present invention to provide that the steps are mobile with respect to each other in a proportional or non-proportional manner, according to necessity.

In one form of embodiment, the displacement means comprise lever means driven by actuator means and able to connect and support steps configured as independent ledges; the lever means are suitable to keep the steps adjacent, in an orthogonal direction with respect to the direction of vertical sliding, and allow the vertical translation thereof so that they protrude. This solution, advantageously without mobile frames, is simplified in its construction, yet obtains the purposes set by the present invention.

In a variant, the mobile frames and/or steps are movable with respect to each other in a coordinated and proportional manner, by displacement means driven by actuator means common for all the steps.

In another variant, the mobile frames and/or steps are movable with respect to each other autonomously and independently by displacement means driven by actuator means independent for each step.

Moreover, in another variant, the mobile frames and/or steps are able to move one with respect to the other in a non-proportional manner, substantially autonomously, by displacement means driven by actuator means independent for each of the mobile frames.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferential form of embodiment, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

- fig. 1 is a schematic lateral view of an embarkation tower according to the present invention operating on a quay;

- fig. 2 is a plan view of fig. 1 ;

- fig. 3 is a perspective view of an adjustable device according to the present invention;

- fig. 4 is a perspective view of a variant of fig. 3;

- fig. 5 is a perspective view of two devices in fig. 3, in an operating condition associated with a stairway;

- fig. 6 is a lateral view of fig. 3 in a first operating configuration;

- fig. 7 is a lateral view of fig. 3 in a second operating configuration;

- fig. 8 is a lateral view of fig. 3 in a third operating configuration;

- fig. 9 is a schematic representation of a detail of fig. 3, according to a variant, in this case with proportional movement of the steps;

- fig. 10 is a lateral view of a variant of fig. 9, with independent movement of the steps;

- fig. 1 1 is a plan view of fig. 10.

To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one form of embodiment can conveniently be incorporated into other forms of embodiment without further clarifications.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME PREFERENTIAL FORMS OF

EMBODIMENT

With reference to the attached drawings, an adjustable pedestrian stair device according to the present invention, to connect a mobile platform and a fixed plane for embarkation and disembarkation towers, is indicated in its entirety by the reference number 10.

Fig. 1 shows for example a mobile platform 1 1 which is part of an embarkation tower 13, extended to reach a generic ship 14.

The mobile platform 1 1 is configured to be moved vertically, in a known manner, along the height of the embarkation tower 13, and to be stopped at a suitable height to reach the entrance to the ship 14 where the passengers can transit in safety from and to the fixed planes of the embarkation tower 13, which are made available on each occasion. The mobile platform 1 1, like the quay B, is served by one or more vertical elevators 13a, 13b, 13c. Generally, an encoder is provided, associated with the movement means of the mobile platform 1 1 , by means of which the level can be accurately determined at which the mobile platform 1 1 is situated, for the purposes of controlling the elevators 13a, 13b, 13c as will be described in more detail hereafter in the description.

In the example described, the embarkation tower 13 is provided with elevators 13a, 13b, 13c, connecting the mobile platform 1 1 and, for example, the quay B.

In this case, the elevators 13a, 13b, 13c are disposed on one side with respect to the central mobile platform 1 1 , while on the other side the emergency stairs are provided, in this case one in number. By emergency stairs we do not exclude that, for different needs, the stairs may also be used in normal conditions by the passengers and/or staff responsible for maintenance or embarkation.

With reference to figs. 2 and 5, two devices according to the invention 10 and 10a respectively are interposed between the mobile platform 1 1 and a corresponding fixed plane, in this case two landings 12 and 12a respectively, of an emergency stairs which is also part of the embarkation tower 13. The two devices 10 and 10a are configured to be always at the same reciprocal height with respect to the mobile platform 1 1 : one is associated to the landing 12 and the other to the landing 12a, depending on the height reached by the mobile platform 1 1.

If the mobile platform is in at an intermediate height with respect to the fixed landings 12 and 12a, the two devices 10 and 10a are both connected respectively to landing 12 and landing 12a. With this configuration of the two devices 10 and 10a attached to the mobile platform, continuity is obtained in the stream of passengers, from the mobile platform to the fixed emergency stairs, through the devices themselves, because whatever the position in height of the mobile platform the device 10 or the device 10a or both devices are connected to the fixed landing. This continuity in the stream of passengers is important when the mobile platform frequently changes its vertical position to follow the variations in height of the embarkation/disembarkation door of the ship, due to quick changes in the level of the tide.

In one form of embodiment the device 10, like 10a, (fig. 3), comprises a frame 15, solidly attached with known attachment means to the mobile platform 1 1. In particular, the frame 15 is attached to the side of the mobile platform 11 , facing toward the respective compartment of the landings 12, 12a.

A first, second and third mobile frame 16, 17 and 18 are respectively associated with the frame 15. In other forms of embodiment it is possible to provide that the number of mobile frames is other from three, for example two or four or more. Each of the mobile frames 16, 17 and 18 (figs. 3 and 5 to 8) is conformed in this case substantially rimmed and, in its lower part, comprises a step, respectively 19, 20 and 21.

In other forms of embodiment, it may be provided that the frames shown in fig. 4 with the reference numbers 1 16, 1 17, 1 18 are substantially open at the upper part, that is, substantially U-shaped.

In particular, each of the three mobile frames 16, 17, 18 and 1 16, 1 17, 1 18 is able to slide vertically with respect to the adjacent one by means of sliding means 23, which will be described hereafter, to define between them a stairway.

The sliding means 23 also provide to keep the three frames 16, 17 and 18 adjacent to each other in the direction transverse to the direction of sliding.

In particular the three mobile frames 16, 17 and 18 can assume the configurations of ascending stairway (fig. 6), descending stairway (fig. 7), or a substantially horizontal walkway (fig. 8).

The devices 10 and 10a in fig. 5 alternately serve the landings 12, 12a at different heights, laterally adjacent, where the distance between one landing 12 and the landing 12a, laterally adjacent, is normally half the distance between two successive landings 12 disposed one above the other.

As can easily be seen in fig. 5, if the mobile platform 1 1 reaches the height of the landing 12a, the device 12a is driven, since the other device 10 is at an intermediate height, not usable, and vice versa if the mobile platform 1 1 reaches the height of the landing 12, only device 10 will be driven.

In this way we guarantee that, for each landing 12, 12a, and also for intermediate heights between one landing and the other, there is always a device 10, 10a that can be activated and used by the passengers. In other words, at whatever height the mobile platform 1 1 stops, even unexpected intermediate heights, there is always a device 10, 10a available which allows the passengers to transit to the landings 12, 12a.

The mobile platform 11 reaches a determinate height, either desired or unexpected, which is determined by means of the encoder associated with the movement means of the mobile platform 1 1 , and also by cooperation with suitable position sensor means, such as mechanical sensors, sensitive edges, pressure sensors, optical sensors or other, which intervene, when a determinate height is reached, transmitting a suitable signal to a central command and control unit, not shown, so as to influence the functioning of one device or the other 10, 10a.

The sliding means 23 (figs. 3, 4, 6, 7, 8) provide to move reciprocally, in a coordinated manner, the first, second and third mobile frame 16, 17 and 18.

In particular, on opposite sides of the mobile frame 16, 17 and 18,the sliding means 23 comprise a pair of actuators 26, each attached with a first end to a flank of the fixed frame 15 and at the other end to the flank of the first mobile frame 16.

Slider elements 27 are associated with each of the mobile frames 16, 17 and 18, in this case four elements for each mobile frame 16, 17 and 18, disposed respectively one above and one below for each of the two flanks, and each of which is suitable to slide in corresponding guides 28.

In particular, for the first mobile frame 16, the guides 28 are attached to the frame 15 and the slider elements 27 are associated to the first mobile frame 16 and slide in the guides 28.

For the sliding of the second frame 17, instead, the guides 28 are attached to the first mobile frame 16 and the slider elements 27 are directly associated to the second frame 17. There is an identical application for the third mobile frame 18, the guides of which are attached to the second mobile frame 17.

As can easily be seen in figs. 6 to 8, to obtain the coordinated and proportional movement of the second 17 and third 18 mobile frames to define an ascending or descending stairway or a level walkway, the sliding means 23 comprise for each flank of the set of frames, two levers 30 and 31, operating substantially in parallel to each other, a first lever 30 of the interpotent type, with its fulcrum 32 on the flank of the fixed frame 15, and a second lever 31, with its fulcrum 35 on the flank of the third mobile frame 18.

The first lever 30 comprises a flat bar having two seatings conformed substantially as eyelets 33 and 34 (fig. 8), made coaxially on the same axis having a radial direction with respect to the first fulcrum 32 of the first lever.

A first attachment element 36 (fig. 8), protruding laterally from the flank of the first mobile frame 16 and shaped substantially cylindrical, couples with the first lever 30 by means of a first eyelet 33.

In the same way, a corresponding second attachment element 37 (fig. 8), protruding laterally from the flank of the second mobile frame 17, is shaped substantially cylindrical to slide inside the second eyelet 34, so as to also couple with the first lever 30.

Like the first lever 30, the second lever 31 also comprises a flat bar having two eyelet-type apertures 38 and 39 (fig. 8), made coaxially on a same axis having a radial direction with respect to the second fulcrum 35 of the second lever 31.

A first eyelet 38 is passed through by a corresponding first attachment element 40 (fig. 8), protruding laterally from the flank of the first mobile frame 16, and shaped substantially cylindrical to slide inside the first eyelet 38.

In the same way, the second eyelet 39 is passed through by a corresponding second attachment element 41 (fig. 8), protruding laterally from the flank of the second mobile frame 17, and shaped substantially cylindrical to slide inside the second eyelet 39.

When the actuators 26 extend, as in fig. 6, the first mobile frame 16 is lowered, due to the sliding of the sliders 27 and guides 28 with respect to the fixed frame 15, so as to define a first step 44.

Lowering the first mobile frame 16 entails the rotation of the first lever 30, thanks to the interaction between the attachment element 36 and the first lever 30 by means of the first eyelet 33.

The second mobile frame 17, which substantially hangs on the first 16 by means of the attachment element 37 inserted into the second eyelet 34 of the first lever 30, and made to slide on the first mobile frame 16 by means of the corresponding sliders 27a and guides 28a, precisely due to the coupling of the first lever 30 with the respective attachment element 37 by means of the second eyelet 34, is lowered with respect to the first mobile frame 16 by a height proportional to the rotation of the first lever 30.

At the same time, the movement of the attachment elements 40 and 41 in relation to the second lever 31, which each move solidly respectively with the first attachment element 36 and with the second attachment element 37 in relation to the first lever 30, determines the analogous rotation of the second lever 31 ; the latter, carrying at its end, with the fulcrum 35, the third mobile frame 18, determines a lowering thereof which is proportional to the distance between the second fulcrum 35 and the first attachment element 40, similar to what was described above for the first lever 30.

Fig. 7 shows schematically the device 10 according to the invention in a condition defining an ascending stair.

In its passage from one condition to the other, and while a selected condition is maintained, the overall bulk protruding horizontally of the device 10 remains constant, as can be seen in figs. 6-8.

In another form of embodiment (fig. 9) of the present invention, instead of providing to use the first, second and third mobile frames 16, 17 and 18, the device 10 may comprise a plurality of ledges, in this case for example a first, second and third step, respectively 60, 61, 62, which are connected with each other and supported by support means, in this case lever means 63 able to be selectively actuated by a hydraulic actuator 65.

In this case, the support means, in this case levers 63, function both as a constraint solid with the fixed frame 15 on the mobile platform 1 1 , and also as a support for moving the steps 60, 61, 62.

Specifically, the lever means 63 are suitable to keep the first, second and third step 60, 61, 62 adjacent to each other, in the direction orthogonal to the direction of vertical sliding, and allow to translate vertically all the steps 60, 61, 62 so that they all protrude by the same height H. On the possible lateral vertical walls or in any case on the lateral edges of the support plane, each step 60, 61 comprises slider or shoe means 68 which cooperate with vertical guides 71. As will be described in more detail hereafter with regard to figs. 10 and 1 1, it is not excluded that the height H can be varied differently between the steps, as needed.

The lever means 63 comprise a first rod 66 that is hinged around the fulcrum 32 solid with one flank of the fixed support frame 15 in an intermediate position. The first rod 66 is also hinged near one end to the actuator 65.

A second rod 67 is pivoted near its center line to the second step 61 and a first connection element 69 and a second connection element 70 are pivoted respectively to the first step 60 and the third step. In a variant, the first connection element 69 and the second connection element 70 are telescopic rods or tubes. The first connection element 69 and the second connection element 70 provide to kinematically connect the first and second rod 66 and 67, in this case with telescopic sliding.

In another form of embodiment (figs. 10 and 1 1), it may be provided that the height H of the steps is variable independently of each other.

With reference to figs. 10 and 1 1, the device comprises for example two steps

160 and 161, not excluding that there may be three or more, each of which is supported and is moved by support means, in this case more lever means 163 comprising respectively a pair of first rods 166 and a pair of second rods 167 both pivoting in fulcrums 32 associated with the flanks of the fixed frame 15 and with respective ends pivoted in fulcrums 132 (figs. 10 and 1 1) on opposite sides of the step 160 and step 161. In particular, the fulcrums 132 slide linearly in suitable eyelets 173 provided along the rods 166, 167. The opposite ends of the first rods and the second rods are pivoted to the ends of respective actuators 165 which in turn are attached to the fixed frame 15. In this case too, each step 160,

161 comprises, on the possible lateral vertical walls or in any case on the lateral edges of the support plane, slider or shoe means 168 which cooperate with vertical guides 171.

In this solution too, the mobile frames 16, 17, 18 may not be provided, and their functions are performed by the support means as above, in this case lever means 163 that determine both the solid constraint to the mobile platform 1 1 and also the support for moving the steps 160, 161.

In this way it is possible to obtain an independent positioning of the two steps which can protrude by different heights, in some cases preventing the danger of people falling.

The possibility of combining the form of embodiment in fig. 9 and the form of embodiment in figs. 10 and 1 1 is not excluded. Other displacement means may also be provided, suitable to vary the height of the steps in a non-proportional or proportional manner.

The independent displacement means may be of the electric or fluid-dynamic type, such as hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders, or the mechanical type, or other type with equivalent functionality.

The solution with independent movement means may be preferable if the difference in level to be overcome, between the fixed plane and mobile platform, is equal to or less than the height of a step, since it is possible to make only one step move, and therefore activate it for the passage of passengers, instead of activating all the steps proportionally, which could lead to define support planes not very distant from each other vertically, and therefore dangerous for passengers.

It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the adjustable pedestrian stair 10 as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention.

It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of adjustable pedestrian stair, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.