Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a locking mechanism for a rope on a vessel, comprising a number of jaw parts that are arranged to be driven from an open position and to a position where the jaw parts at least partially envelope the rope from respective sides. The jaw parts are arranged to rotate about a longitudinal axis which runs in the same longitudinal direction as the rope, where a number of the jaw parts are arranged to rotate in a clockwise direction while a number of jaw parts are arranged to rotate in a counterclockwise direction, and where the jaw parts, when they are in the position where the jaw parts at least partially envelope the rope from respective sides, collectively form a continuous opening for the rope.

Background of the invention

In traditional anchor handling, the chain is locked in a shark jaw, but there are currently no known solutions for how one can lock ropes in the same way. In the aquaculture industry, chains are used to a small extent, so the need for a locking mechanism has been around for a long time. The challenge is that such a locking mechanism should have 120% of the maximum traction of the winch.

Description of prior art

A known locking mechanism for locking a chain on board a vessel is called the aforementioned "shark jaw". Such wire stoppers and chain stoppers are specifically designed to secure, lock and quickly release a chain during anchor handling operations. A shark jaw is used on many types of boats, from aquaculture catamarans, service vessels, anchor handling vessels and tugboats.

The shark jaw normally consists of two jaw parts that are pushed towards each other to hold the chain and are often combined with towing pins that guide the chain towards the shark jaw. Shark jaws can, just like towing pins, be driven up and down in the deck of the vessel. Likewise, fibre rope locks, where the rope is held between two rotating parts that are clamped together so that the rope is prevented from going out, are known. These usually consist of rollers or wheels which are rotatable under the influence of the tow rope, and which, by being eccentrically mounted thereon, are clamped against the rope.

From the publication N020012294A, a locking mechanism for rope on a vessel is known. The rope is locked in that several jaw parts are swung about the pivot axes, so that the jaw parts are closed, at least partially, around the rope by means of a pressure device. The jaw parts are swung from their respective sides and from an open position.

US 5279020 A describes a locking mechanism that has several clamping elements which can flip, with apertures that grip or release a rope which is going through the apertures. The clamping elements are mounted so that they can flip about axes, which are transverse to the longitudinal direction of the rope.

Objects of the present invention

It is an object of the invention to provide a solution which results in better locking of the rope than the known solutions, and which possibly achieve greater holding force than the winch.

The invention will also be able to capture and centre the rope when it is activated.

It is at least an object to provide an alternative locking mechanism for rope on board a vessel.

Summary of the invention

The above objects are achieved with a gripping- or locking mechanism for a rope on a vessel, comprising several jaw parts which are arranged to be driven from an open position and to a position where the jaw parts at least partially envelope the rope from respective sides, wherein

- the jaw parts are arranged to rotate about a longitudinal axis which runs in the same longitudinal direction as the rope, where a number of jaw parts are arranged to rotate in a clockwise direction while a number of jaw parts are arranged to rotate in a counterclockwise direction, - in that the jaw parts, when they are in the position where the jaw parts at least partially envelope the rope from respective sides, collectively form a through-running aperture for the rope, and

-the jaw parts are tiltable mounted about an axis which is transverse to the longitudinal direction of the rope, and the jaw parts are arranged to be tilted synchronously about said axis which is transverse to the longitudinal direction of the rope with the help of one or more actuators, whereby the rope is locked securely in respective jaw parts.

Each jaw part can comprise a mouth aperture for receiving the rope, and where the mouth apertures of paired, side-by-side jaw parts face each other and overlap each other when the jaw parts envelope the rope.

Respective jaw part can be tiltable attached to or be integrated with a tiltable arm, said arm, with the help of a shaft, is mounted in a frame, and where a lower part of the tiltable arm is connected to an actuator. Preferably, the shaft runs through the frame in a direction which is transverse to the longitudinal direction of the rope.

Several jaw parts can be mounted in a frame, said frame is connected to a rotating mechanism or motor to rotate the frame about a longitudinal axis running in the same longitudinal direction as the rope.

A first frame with several jaw parts can be arranged to rotate in a clockwise direction while a second frame with several jaw parts can be arranged to rotate in a counterclockwise direction, with the help of the respective rotating mechanisms.

In one embodiment, the jaw part can comprise a mouth aperture formed as a replaceable insert. In a second embodiment, the jaw part can comprise an embedded mouth aperture.

Further, the jaw part and the arm may be cast in one piece.

In an alternative embodiment, multiple jaw parts can be driven by a first actuator and be tiltable mounted in a first direction about the axis which is transverse to the longitudinal direction of the rope, and several jaw parts can be driven by a second actuator and be tiltable mounted an opposite direction about the axis which is transverse to the longitudinal direction of the rope. Description of the figures

Preferred embodiments of the invention shall be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein:

Figure 1 shows a stern deck for a vessel equipped with the present invention. Figure 2 shows the locking mechanism according to the invention mounted in a box.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the locking mechanism according to the invention in a non-activated position.

Figure 4 is an end view of the locking mechanism shown in figure 3.

Figure 5 shows the locking mechanism shown in figure 3 in a partially activated position.

Figure 6 shows in perspective the locking mechanism according to the invention in a first activated position.

Figure 7 shows an end view of the locking mechanism shown in figure 6. Figure 8 shows in perspective the locking mechanism according to the invention in the first activated position and fitted with a through-running rope.

Figure 9 shows in perspective the locking mechanism according to the invention in a second activated position.

Figure 10 shows a side view of the locking mechanism shown in figure 9. Figure 11 shows the locking mechanism folded down and with a slack rope at the leading edge.

Description of preferred embodiments of the invention

The invention relates to a locking mechanism 10 for locking a rope 30 on a vessel and which can be placed on a deck at the stern of the vessel. A known locking mechanism for locking a chain is often referred to as a "shark jaw", and the invention has as an aim to lock a rope 30 in a corresponding way and can thus also be referred to as a shark jaw for a rope. By "rope" is meant, as far as possible, all types of ropes, but the invention is particularly suitable for fibre ropes.

Figure 1 shows a stern deck 38 for a vessel in which the locking mechanism 10 is sunk into the deck, while figure 2 shows that the locking mechanism 10 according to the invention can comprise a box 36, which can be mounted in the deck 38 of the vessel. The box 36 can be mounted in the same manner as shark jaws and towing pins 40 or other equipment which is mounted to the deck of a vessel. Furthermore, the box 36 can be fitted with a covering lid. The box 36 can be a separate box for the locking mechanism 10, or the box can be a divided box which accommodates both the locking mechanism 10 and the shark jaws/towing pins 40.

The locking mechanism 10 basically comprises two halves which, by means of a respective rotating mechanism 26 or a motor, are led to or rotated towards a centre point so that the rope 30 is enveloped. The rotating mechanism 26 is preferably attached to a motor mount 28 and is connected to a frame 16 or holder which extends in a longitudinal direction in the locking mechanism 10, i.e. in the same longitudinal direction or axis as the rope 30 extends in.

Furthermore, each frame 16 is fitted with multiple jaw parts 12 attached to an arm 14 or plate. The respective jaw part 12 has a mouth opening 12a with a U-shape or U- formed recess/bottom and is initially permanently mounted in the arm 14. The shape of the jaw parts12 is preferably adapted to the fibre rope 30 which shall be used and can therefore be replaced on different locking mechanisms which shall be fitted on different vessels. Therefore, the arm 14 can have a corresponding U-shaped groove 14a to adjustably house a respective jaw part 12.

The respective jaw part 12 is, as mentioned initially, permanently mounted in the arm 14, but it is conceivable that a solution can be made in which the jaw parts can be run in or out in the groove 14a of the arm 14 for adapting to ropes of different diameters.

The arm 14 and the jaw part 12 are shown in the figures as two parts but can, of course, be formed as an integral part. The mouth opening 12a can be formed as a replaceable insert. Alternatively, the mouth opening 12a can be cast together with the jaw part 12 and the arm 14.

The arms 14, and hence the jaw parts 12, are tiltable mounted in the frame 16 by means of a shaft 24 or bolt which extends in the transverse direction through the frame 16. Accordingly, the jaw parts 12 can tilt about an axis transverse to the longitudinal direction or axis of the rope 30, i.e., an axis that extends mainly in the transverse direction of the vessel. To control the tilting movement of the jaw parts 12, the lower portion of each arm 14 is connected to an actuator 18, such as a hydraulic or pneumatic locking cylinder, which, on a signal, can synchronously flip or tilt the jaw parts 12 in a respective frame 16 by means of a common connection 32. In the embodiment shown, the frame 16 to the left in figure 3 has three jaw parts 12 which are activated by a first actuator 18 while the frame 16 to the right has two jaw parts 12 which are activated by a second actuator 18. The number of jaw parts 12 per frame 16 can possibly vary depending on the circumstances.

Figures 3 and 4 show the locking mechanism 10 according to the invention in a non- activated state where each frame 16 is located sunk into, for example, the box 36. In figure 5, the rotating mechanisms 26 or the motors are activated in a first actuation to rotate the frames 16 with the jaw parts 12 to an active position, i.e. , turn the frames 16 so that the arms 14 with the jaw parts 12 are run upwardly through an opening 20 in the deck 38 of the vessel or the lid 22 in the box 36 in which the locking

mechanism 10 is mounted. The jaw parts 12 are thereby swung on an axis that runs in the same longitudinal direction as the axis or the rope 30. The frame 16 to the left is rotated clockwise, while the frame 16 to the right is rotated counterclockwise.

Figures 6-8 show that the jaw parts 12 are raised and so that the jaw parts 12 together envelope the rope 30 (figure 8) in that the jaw parts 12 form a through- running channel or opening 34 (figures 6 and 7) which can accommodate the rope 30. Each alternative mouth opening 12a of the jaw part 12 (figure 4) oppositely faces its neighbour, such as, for example, as shown in figures 6 and 8. In this way, the locking mechanism 10 can catch and centre the rope 30 when it is activated. In figures 6 and 7, the rope is not shown, but it will naturally run correspondingly to that shown in figure 8.

The through-running opening 34 can have a "diameter" which is approximately equal to or not much larger than the rope 30, or it can be substantially larger, as shown in the figures.

Figures 9 and 10 show that the actuators 18 in the frames 16 are activated for a second activation so that the jaw parts 12 are tilted about an axis which is transverse to the longitudinal direction of the rope 30. The oblique jaw parts 12 thus form a gripping enclosure about the rope 30 and lie down such that the rope is given an S shape (the S shape does not appear in the figures) and so that a frictional force is formed between the rope 30 and the jaw parts 12. The rope 30 is thus both clamped and locked in place.

The folded jaw parts 12 shown in figures 10 and 11 will thus create such a high holding force that the rope 30 can be slackened off at one end with a suitable device, and the original rope tautness is maintained at the other end. The operation can also be opposite, in that a slackened rope 30 is enveloped by the jaw parts 12 and a force is applied from one or more actuators, something which causes the rope 30 to be taut at one end by suitable means and remain slack at the other end.

Figure 11 shows that the jaw parts 12 are tilted against the towing pins 40, i.e.

against the stern of the vessel, and in this way hold the rope 30 taut over the stern of the vessel. The jaw parts 12 can, of course, be tilted the other way too, i.e. inwardly towards the deck.

The entire locking mechanism 10, or alternatively the box 36, can be lifted and flipped/rotated (not shown) in order to adjust itself with regard to the horizontal angle of the rope 30 along the vessel.

With the present invention, a solution is achieved that locks the rope 30 due to frictional force between the rope 30 and the tiltable jaw parts 12 in several longitudinal positions. The jaw parts 12 are mounted in a frame 16 are tiltable synchronously by means of actuators 18.

Thus, the jaw parts 12 are rotated in a first activation about an axis running parallel to the rope 30, and after the jaw parts 12 are rotated so as to envelope the rope 30 from respective sides, a second activation is performed wherein the jaw parts 12 are tilted about an axis which runs transversely to the rope 30, to lock the rope 30.

It can be conceivable that there can be a need to use both tilting directions to lock, and lock against load from one side or the other, respectively (sea/deck). In such an embodiment, several jaw parts 12 can be driven by a first actuator 18 and are tiltable mounted in a first direction, while several jaw parts 12 are driven by a second actuator 18 and are tiltable mounted in an opposite direction.

For example, at least two pairs of jaw parts 12 can be synchronously tilted in opposite directions about the axis which is transverse to the longitudinal direction of the rope 30.