Pescription

MOBILE PLATFORM WITH LEVEL SAFETY DEVICE FOR NAVAL SYSTEMS

AND SIMILAR

Object This invention refers to a mobile platform with a level safety device for naval systems and similar, the characteristics of which conform to the pre-characterizing part of the main claim.

The ship, pontoon, boat, craft or platform equipped with at least one said elevator also forms part of this invention. Technical Field

The domain is substantially directed to elevators on ships, boats, crafts, pontoons, platforms and similar, therewith meaning substantially a vertically mobile platform.

By elevator, it is intended in this description and claim any similar system, such as a lift, load hoist, mobile platform which is able to be raised and/or lowered, etc. Background art and respective problems to be solved

It is known that in the current state of the art, naval elevator systems can assume great speeds therefore a fast, effective and secure level alignment is a difficult solution.

Furthermore it is well known that elevator systems use mobile support systems to improve level alignment, which engage them in the vertical movement to the level.

Scope of the invention

The scope of the invention is that of solving the aforementioned problems and disadvantages and furthermore, without greater burdens and without reducing reliability: - improving the functionality and performance; increasing safety, reliability and operative precision both for safety and alignment.

avoiding the transfer of the shock subsequent to an undersea explosion to the platform, when in support.

A further aim of this invention is that of supplying an anti-shock device by means of an automatic deck support device which provides maximum safety, functionality, stability and reliability.

Solution of the problem and identification of the inventive characteristics The problem is solved with the characteristics of the main claim. The sub-claims represent advantageous preferred solutions that supply the best performance. Functioning principle The deck support device consists of a force multiplier leverage, which, by means of a magnetic motor or, in the case small stresses, a spring or a device having the same function, generates the force necessary to sustain the load during normal functioning. In case of an increase in the load above the setting value, the force generated by the magnetic motor is overpowered by the external load allowing the opening of the device and the disengaging from the structure support.

The force multiplier leverage uses the principle of the push rod-crank aligned so that, keeping the angle "α" small between the levers, an outgoing force F2 considerably greater than the incoming force F1 is obtained. Advantages In this way all the desired results are obtained with greater functionality and safety.

A deck support device is obtained in such a way for elevators with anti-shock protection.

The system is able to be disengaged from the structure support in case of strong vertical acceleration of the structure itself, with the aim of preventing damage to the elevator platform and the transported load.

The opening loading of the system is finely adjustable to adapt it to effective loads to be supported. The mechanism is automatically re-armed after use.

Description of the preferred solution

For a better understanding, the invention is described in a preferred solution with the help of the attached figures, wherein:

- Fig.1 .- represents the schematic view in vertical cross section of a platform installation at deck level with the anti-shock device of this invention engaged.

- Fig.2.- represents the schematic view in vertical cross section of a platform installation at deck level as in Fig.1 but with the anti-shock device of this invention disengaged.

- Fig.3.- represents a scheme of the leverage system relative to the functioning principle of the deck support device according to this invention.

- Fig.4.- represents the schematic view in vertical cross section of the anti-shock device of this invention in an engaged position.

- Fig.5.- represents the schematic view in vertical cross section of the anti-shock device of this invention in a disengaged position. Description

As can be seen in the figures the deck support device of this invention is indicated with

(3).

It is fixed on the border under the elevator platform (2) which must be aligned on the deck of the ship, said platform (2) being raised and lowered according to known art by traction cables (21 ) with return pulley (4) and counterweight (22).

The electromotor movement apparatus are not illustrated as they do not concern this invention.

The deck support device of this invention (3) is fixed with fixing means of known art

(for example with a screw 30) at the side and under the platform (2), so that a respective striker-support tooth, protruding or less protruding (31 1 ), when the elevator platform (2) is at deck level (1 ), can be released rotating from a recessed position of non encumbrance to a locking position in the level abutting the appropriate

striker (10) arranged in the deck pit that houses said mobile platform (2). The disappearing support device (3) is substantially made up of a mechanism-support structure (300) fixed under the platform, substantially with a "C" shape which finishes on the upper part with said fixing systems (30) under the mobile platform structure (2) which therefore is moved with it and underneath supports a magnetic attraction means (304), able to be activated.

Said mechanism-support structure with a "C" shape (300) involves on one external edge on the side of said striker support in the pit (10), a hinging (301 ) which supports a rotatable L-square (31 ) the external side of which (31 1 ) forms said striker-support tooth, in order to be abutted in rotation to a horizontal positioning above the level of said striker support in the pit (10), and in a rotated position in the opposite direction (clockwise in the drawing) it is disengaged from said striker. The end of the other wing of said "L" shape includes a hinging (310) to which a first adjustable transmission rod (32) is hinged, the opposite end of which is hinged (320) to an intermediate transmission arm (33) which in turn with the respective end is hinged (330) in an intermediate position to a swing arm (34) which: on the rotatable square side (31 ) is hinged fixed (302) onto said mechanism- support structure (300) and on the other, supports a corresponding magnetic attraction counter-means (340,341 ), in order to coincide and cooperate for attraction with said magnetic attraction means (304) of said mechanism-support structure (300). The moving of said mechanism with articulated leverage is clearly able to be seen from the two positions of left and right, respectively of engaging (armed on the left) and disengaging in separation (disarmed on the right).

The elevator platform (2) is normally engaged to the fixed structure (31 ) when it is in the phase of loading/unloading at the deck. This engagement allows a correct

positioning between the load level (2) and the deck level (1 ), in such a way that possible accelerations undergone by the structure are transmitted also to the platform (2). In the case of applications on ships where functioning conditions are required also in case of strong vertical acceleration, it may be necessary not to transmit such loads to the platform, instead to use said device which allows to release the platform (2) from its deck support (1 -10) making it free, supported only by the handling cables (21 ) which, with their elasticity, allow to damp brusque stress exerted by the shock, as typically occurs on elevators for various uses and more specifically for ammunition on surface vessels and other for the Navy. In Fig.3 the functioning principle is represented in which it is seen that the incoming force F2 is generated by the external load.

The control force F1 is generated by the magnetic group (304-340). The physical characteristics of the magnetic force allow in practice to cancel the component FI as soon as the element contacts the magnet (304) it is detached from it, thus allowing to release all the leverage from the internal forces generated by the magnets themselves and the free opening of the device.

The relation that links FI and F2 is based on the angle "α", on varying this, it is possible to calibrate the detachment force of the element in contact with the magnets and therefore the opening of the device. In Figs.1 ,4 the application point of the force F1 is seen, generated by magnets which keep the leverage in an armed position. By means of adjusting screws, it is possible to vary both the relative distance between the plate (340) and the magnets (304) and the angle "α", consequently modifying the relation between the forces F1

and F2. When force F2 exceeds the fixed setting value, the square support element (31 ) rotates and, by means of the adjustable transmission rod (32), the angle between the force multiplier leverages increases, causing the plate (340) on which the magnets

operate (304) to be moved away from them (Figs.2,5).

Moreover, thanks to the geometry of the system, once force F2 ceases, the device is automatically brought back to the armed position.

In case of particular configurations it is however possible to add appropriate return springs which bring back the armed configuration (1 ,4).