FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention in general, relates to an apparatus for launching and recovering boats from and onto a mother vessel or a ship. Particularly, the present invention relates to handling of daughter boats on a mother vessel, which apparatus can, accommodate, a substantially large number of daughter boats on the deck of the mother vessel and can launch and retrieve substantially large number of daughter boats, applying only a limited number of davits, making the overall arrangement very simple.

More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus for handling daughter boats on a mother vessel according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a methodology for launching and retrieving daughter boats from and onto a mother vessel, according to the preamble of claims 7 and 8 respectively.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Apparatuses/devices for launching and recovery of daughter boats from and onto a mother vessel/ship are already known.

Such mother boats may be lifeboats or rigid inflatable boats (commonly termed RIBs) and other designs of boats or vessels, often deployed by the navy or by maritime rescue operators.

For launching daughter boats from a mother vessel, davits are connected to a line at each end of the boat and the boat is hoisted into water. This is time consuming and leaves the chances of detachment of the boats wide open. Similar chances exist during recovery of the mother boat as well. Hence, this traditional method and similar such methods have potentialities of causing loss of life and material.

Deployment of ramp to avoid the problem in the aforesaid paragraph is known but then chances of collision exist in such ramp technology, which is nonetheless dangerous. Slightly more advanced technology for launching and recovery of daughter boats are also known. Davit assemblies on each side of the mother vessel are known, which are placed above a stationary cradle. Several transversely movable cradles carry these boats below the davit assemblies on the stationary cradle along rails for launching. However, the existence of too many transversely movable cradles limit the total space available for handling the daughter boats on the deck of the mother vessel. Further, too many davit assemblies have to be deployed for picking up the boats from the transversely moving cradles and for launching and retrieving the boats.

Japanese patent publication JP2002087376, discloses a simplified construction of a davit type boat-lifting device comprising a pair of hydraulically drivable columnar cradles turnably connected to a mother ship. A pair of wire ropes are delivered from the turnable ends of the cradle. The cradles are turned and a mounted boat lifted via wire ropes is lifted into and out of the mother ship. WO 20122069853, discloses a cradle for launching and recovering a boat. The cradle is shaped to have an axis and to support a boat. A moving mechanism moves the cradle in a first stowed position and to a second ramp position.

US 1 1 18499 A describes an apparatus for launching lifeboats from ships, comprising a series of frames pivotally mounted on the side of the ship, where each frame having a horizontal boat supporting member, said members being arranged out of horizontal alinement, and rollers carried by said horizontal members.

US 2319855 A describes a motor torpedo boat carrier having upper and lower decks, a compartment between the decks for stowing motor torpedo boats, a hatch in the upper deck communicating with said compartment, a movable cradle in said compartment for supporting a motor torpedo boat, vertical guide rails in said compartment adjacent and supported by said hatch, upstanding arms on said cradle adapted to interlock with said guide rails for guiding the vertical movement of the cradle, a travelling carriage om the upper deck for carrying said cradle across the upper deck, depending guide rails carried by said carriage adapted to align with the guide rails in said compartment for co-acting with the arms on said cradle.

NO 1361236 B describes a device for launching lifeboats from a ship, where the lifeboats are stored in a room in the aft part of the ship, from which room to a location close to the ship's water line a glide path in the form of a downward inclined tunnel to convey the lifeboats, is provided.

The prior art documents acknowledged in the preceding paragraph and similar such documents not only have a complicated construction, but also fail to teach a simple mechanism by means of which a large number of daughter boats can be handled on and from the mother vessel, using a fewer number of davits. Further, prior art technology does not specifically teach how a single davit can handle a substantially large number of daughter boats.

The present invention solves the drawbacks of prior art as recited in the preceding paragraph and meets other associated needs by applying a very simple apparatus having a plurality of longitudinally movable cradles which can securely hold, receive, lift and lower daughter boats and can simultaneously interact with a single transversely movable cradle. A single davit can pick up or deliver on the transversely movable cradle, a large number of daughter boats one after another.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and methodology for handling daughter boats on a mother vessel, which can accommodate, a substantially large number of daughter boats on the deck of the mother vessel and can launch and retrieve substantially large number of daughter boats, applying only a limited number of davits.

Another object with present invention is to provide an apparatus of the above- mentioned kind, avoiding crossing of rails in order to achieve a substantially flushed deck.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and methodology for handling daughter boats on a mother vessel such that a single davit can launch and retrieve a substantially large number of daughter boats one after another.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for handling daughter boats on a mother vessel which has a simple construction and is cost effective and boats can be launched selectively and also parked in desired locations.

All through the specification including the claims, the words "vessel", "ship", "daughter boat" "life boat", "cradle", "davit/davit assembly", "deck", to be interpreted in the broadest sense of the respective terms and includes all similar items/devices/methods in the field known by other terms, as may be clear to persons skilled in the art. Restriction/limitation, if any, referred to in the specification, is solely by way of example and understanding the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Present invention relates to an apparatus for handling daughter boats on a mother vessel comprising one davit assembly positioned atop a stationary cradle, each of which is located near a side edge of a deck of the vessel for launching and retrieving the boats from and onto the stationary cradle wherein the apparatus has a plurality of longitudinally movable cradles on the deck of the vessel for securely holding plurality of boats thereon and that the longitudinally movable cradles can move back and forth longitudinally and lift up vertically to transfer a boat onto or to receive a boat from, one transversely movable cradle which can transversely move back and forth for placing a boat onto or for receiving a boat from, the longitudinal cradles and any one stationary cradle.

The invention also relates to a method for launching boats by applying the above apparatus according, wherein the method comprises the following steps: a) moving the transversely movable cradle along the transverse rail and positioning it selectively in line with the longitudinal cradle on which a boat desired to be launched is positioned;

b) applying the lifting device to lift up the boat on the longitudinal cradle and moving the boat and the longitudinally movable cradle along longitudinal rail (3b) towards the transverse cradle;

c) on reaching a suitable location very near the transverse cradle, placing the boat on the transverse cradle by lowering the lifting device;

d) moving back the longitudinally cradle along the deck back to its original position on the deck;

e) moving the transverse cradle near any one stationary cradle along the transverse rail;

f) on reaching a suitable position, placing the boat on the stationary cradle; g) lifting the boat by a davit to allow the transversely movable cradle to move away from the stationary cradle for bringing further boats, using the davit to place the boat on the stationary cradle and launching the boat on sea applying the davit;

h) repeating steps (a) to (g) as many times as required.

Further preferred features of the invention are presented in the dependant claims BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having described the main features of the invention above, a more detailed and non-limiting description of an exemplary embodiment, with reference to the drawings is provided below.

Figure 1 a is a perspective view of the apparatus of the present invention according to a preferred embodiment when the launching operation has not begun. Figure 1 b is an exploded view of the apparatus shown in figure 1 a but without the daughter boats for the sake of simplicity and understanding.

Figure 1 c is a side view of the apparatus shown in figure 1 a.

Figure 1 d is a front view of the apparatus shown in figure 1 a. Figures 2a, 3a, 4a, 5a, 6a, 7a, 8a, 9a and 10a are perspective views of the apparatus shown in figure 1 a, at various stages of launching operation in that order.

Figures 2b and 2c are side views and front views respectively of the perspective shown in figure 2a. Similarly, figures 3b, 3c, 4b, 4c, 5b, 5c, 6b, 6c, are side views and front views respectively of the perspective views 3a, 4a, 5a and 6a in that order. Figures 7b, 8b, 9b and 10b are front views of the corresponding perspective views 7a, 8a, 9a and 10a.

Figure 3d is an enlarged view of the front view shown in figure 3c just as figure 5d is that of figure 5c.

Figure 1 1 a is an enlarged side view of a longitudinally movable cradle with lifting units moved up to lift the daughter boat.

Figure 1 1 b is an enlarged side view of a longitudinally movable cradle with lifting device moved down and the daughter boat is lowered on the transversely movable cradle.

Figures 12a and 12b are corresponding front views respectively of figures 1 1 a and

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following describes a preferred embodiment of the present invention which is purely exemplary for the sake of understanding the invention and non-limiting.

In all the figures, like reference numerals represent like features. Further, when in the following it is referred to "top", "bottom", "upward", "downward", "above" or "below" , "right hand side " or "left hand side" and similar terms , this is strictly referring to an orientation with reference to the deck is considered to be horizontal with the sea bed, where the sea bed is considered to be horizontal and at the bottom.

It should also be understood that the orientation of the various components might be otherwise than shown in the drawings, without deviating from the principle of the invention. Furthermore, the vessel/ship in detail, davits/davit assemblies and other related units are not shown in detail, as those are not consequential to the present invention and should be understood by persons skilled in the art.

The number of components shown in the figures can also vary within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the description refers to lifeboats on a ship and similarly the figures also illustrate lifeboats. This is for the sake of simplicity. It should be understood that other daughter boats/vessels as may be known, also fall within the scope of the present invention.

Figure 1 a is a perspective view of the basic structure of the apparatus 1 . It comprises of a transverse rail 3a at a slightly elevated height above the deck 1 1 of a vessel (not shown as confirmed at the outset of detailed description of the invention). A single transversely movable cradle 4 moves back and forth along this rail 3a, on wheels(not shown) along both sides of the vessel, such that it can rest atop a stationary cradle 5, each of such stationary cradle 5, being ideally located at the two lateral ends 1 1 a of the deck 1 1 . However, there can be more than two stationary cradles 5. In that event, a single transversely movable cradle 4 would interact with every two such stationary cradles 5, one each on either side of the vessel. This would be further clear, on perusing the description of functioning of the invention, a little later. The transversely movable cradle 4 can move along the transverse rail 3a by rack and pinion arrangement (not shown) or by other means. The movement is transverse to the normal direction of propelling of the vessel. This is again explained with reference to the exploded view in figure 1 b a little later.

Referring again to figure 1 a, the deck 1 1 also has a plurality of longitudinally movable cradles 7, which can move in longitudinal direction back and forth along the longitudinal rail 3b, on wheels 7b (best shown in figure 1 b). The longitudinal cradles 7 have a hydraulic cylinder 6 arrangement for moving back and forth, but other methods are also within the scope of the present invention. It would clear from figure 1 b which is discussed a little later that these cradles 7 move longitudinally along the normal direction of propulsion of the vessel. Each longitudinally movable cradle 7 can securely hold a lifeboat 2. In the figure 1 a only four longitudinal cradles 7 parking four lifeboats 2 are shown by way of example. So there is a dedicated longitudinally movable cradle 7 for each lifeboat 2, which can be parked on such cradle 7. A life boat 2 can be parked on fixed keel rests 10(best shown in figure 1 b) along a transverse hanger (not shown) on the vessel and as it would be clear from the subsequent description of functioning of the invention a little later, the longitudinally movable cradles 7 can move such a life boat 2 from the hanger (not shown) to the davit assembly.

Figure 1 b is an exploded view of the apparatus 1 without the lifeboats 2. It shows the transversely movable cradle 4 which can move along the transverse rail 3a. It can move in either direction 8 which is always transverse to the normal direction of propulsion of the vessel. This figure also shows the longitudinally movable cradles 7 which can move back and forth in a direction 9 parallel to the direction of movement of the vessel along the longitudinal rail 3b, on wheels 7b. The hydraulic cylinder arrangement 6 facilitates such movement. The fixed keel rests 10 can also be seen which can park the lifeboats 2.

The figure 1 b will be taken up again while explaining the functioning of the invention.

Referring again to figure 1 a it would be clear that the transversely movable cradle 4 has a rail 3a and wheels only at one end. The other end is free from which end it receives lifeboats 2 as it would be clear from the functioning explained a little later.

Figure 1 c is a side view of the apparatus shown in figure 1 a. From side, only one lifeboat 2 is visible which rests on the longitudinally movable cradle 7. This figure also shows the transversely movable cradle 4 atop the stationary cradle 5. The difference in height between the transversely movable cradle 4 and the stationary cradle 5 is evident from this figure 1 c.

The front view of the apparatus 1 is shown in figure 1 d. All the four lifeboats 2 can be seen which are parked on respective dedicated longitudinally movable cradle 7. A the left side of the figure 1 d there is a stationary cradle 5 without any transverse cradle 4 atop it. However, on the right side of the figure 1 d it is worth noticeable that a transversely movable cradle 4 is atop the stationary cradle 5. For every two stationary cradle 5 on either side 1 1 a, 1 1 b(best shown in figure 1 a) there is a single transversely movable cradle 4, which can move along both sides for launching and retrieving life boats 2 at both sides 1 1 a, 1 1 b of the vessel. These are explained in more detail a little later.

Figures 2a, 3a, 4a, 5a, 6a, 7a, 8a, 9a and 10a are different stages of launching operation of lifeboats. The corresponding side views and front views respectively of figures 2a, 3a, 4a, 5a, 6a, in that order are 2b and 2c, 3b and 3c, 4b and 4c, 5b and 5c, 6b and 6c. Figures 7b, 8b, 9b and 10b are front views of the corresponding perspective views 7a, 8a, 9a and l Oa.These shall be referred to again while explaining the functioning of the apparatus.

Referring to figure 1 1 a, an enlarged side view of a longitudinal cradle 7 is shown. It has a telescopic lifting device 7a which is hydraulically operable. Figure 1 1 a is a position where, the lifting device 7a has moved vertically up to lift the cradle 7 along with the lifeboat 2 for placing it on the transversely movable cradle 4. This would be clear from the corresponding front view in figure 12a which corresponds to the position shown in figure 1 1 a. It can be seen clearly from figure 12a that the longitudinally movable cradle 7 has lifted the boat 2 and moved along the rail 3b(best shown in figure 1 a) to very near the transversely movable cradle 4.

The figure 12a shows that the boat 2 is now atop the transversely movable cradle 4.

Figure 12b is a view where the lifting device 7a has now come down so that the lifeboat 2 rests on the transversely movable cradle 4. Figure 1 1 b is just a side view of this position which is shown in figure 1 1 b. Referring again to figure 1 b in this context, the two extreme positions 7c, 7d to which the longitudinally movable cradles 7 can rise and fall back have been shown.

Having described elaborately the basic structure of the apparatus and the working interrelations of the various components now the functioning of the apparatus is described. For that purpose, all the above figures are again referred, of course without detailing the structural aspects again.

Referring to figures 1 a, 1 c and 1 d again, these figures show a stage when the launching operation has not begun and the lifeboats 2 are all parked on the respective longitudinally movable cradles 7. From figures 1 a and 1 d in particular it would be clear that the transversely movable cradle 4 now rests atop a stationary cradle 5 at one side 1 1 a of the deck 1 1 . It could have rested on the stationary cradle 5 at the other side 1 1 b as well and it is within the scope of the present invention, that the operation could have begun from the other side 1 1 b as well.

In any event, referring now to figure 2a, the transversely movable cradle 4 has now moved along the transverse rail 3a and aligned itself with the longitudinal cradle 7, which is the first one from the right. The first lifeboat 2 from the right is selected to be launched, according to the exemplary method described and illustrated. Referring to figure 2b, the lifeboat 2 selected for launching can be seen resting on the corresponding cradle 7. Figure 2c shows that as described with reference to figure 2b, the transverse cradle 4 has aligned with the longitudinally movable cradle 7, on which the lifeboat 2 selected for launching rests. Now referring to figure 1 d again, it would be clear how, the transverse motion of the cradle 4 takes place, away from the stationary cradle 5. Further, it would be now further clear with reference to figures 1 a, 1 b, 1 c, 1 d and 2a that the transversely movable cradle 4 has a transverse rail 3a and wheels (not shown) at only the end which is opposite to the end from where it receives life boats 2. Figure 3a, is the next stage, when the lifting device 7a of the longitudinally movable cradle 7 has started to rise up and reached its maximum vertical position 7c as shown in figure 1 d. The side view of this stage in figure 3b further explains this aspect. This would be particularly clear from the front view in figure 3c of this stage. The enlarged view in figure 3d, which corresponds to the extreme right lifeboat position 2 in figure 3c clearly illustrates, that the lifeboat 2 is now at a height, which is above the transversely movable cradle 4. However, at this stage, as it would be particularly clear from figure 3b, the cradle 7 has not started to move along the rail 3b. Hence, only one lifeboat 2 can be seen in the side view in figure 3b, which is the one selected to be launched.

Figure 4a is the next stage when the longitudinally movable cradle 7, along with the boat 2 selected for launching has moved very near to the transversely movable cradle 4. This would be clear in particular from figures 4a and 4b, the latter clearly showing that the boat 2 selected for launching has moved very near the transversely movable cradle 4 ahead of the other boats. It would be clear from figure 4a, that the selected boat 2 and the respective longitudinally movable cradle 7 cannot move further beyond Figures 1 1 a and 12a also illustrate this position when the lifeboat 2 is just atop the transversely movable cradle 4. The stage described in the preceding paragraph, is also corroborated by the position shown in the front view in figure 4c. Figures 5a, 5b and 5c show the next stage when the lifting device 7a of the longitudinal cradle 7 has gone down to its lower most position 7d(best shown in figure 1 b) and placed the life boat 2 to be launched on the transversely movable cradle 4. Figures 1 1 b and 12b also clearly show this position. The enlarged view in figure 5d of the front view of the boat 2 selected for launching and the corresponding transversely movable cradle 4 further make this stage clear. The enlarged view in figure 5d clearly shows that the lifting device 7a has now come down and the lifeboat 2 rests on the transversely movable cradle 4.

Figure 6a shows the next stage when the longitudinal cradle 7 has moved back along the rail 3b to its original position. This stage is particularly clear from figure 6a. Figures 6b and 6c also corroborate this.

Figure 7a illustrates the next stage, when the transversely movable cradle 7 has moved atop the stationary cradle 5. The front view in figure 7b makes this further clear. The longitudinally movable cradle 7 is seen empty. The lifeboat 2 rests on the transversely movable cradle 4 and the latter rests on the stationary cradle 5.

Figure 8a illustrates the next stage when the davit (not shown) has lifted the boat 2 so that the transversely movable cradle 4 can slide back along the rail 3a for bringing the next boat. The front view 8b in particular clearly illustrates that the lifeboat 2 has been lifted above the transversely movable cradle 4, the latter being still atop the stationary cradle 5.

Figure 9a illustrates the next stage when the transversely movable cradle 4 has moved away from the stationary cradle 5, towards the interior of the vessel for bringing another lifeboat 2. This would be particularly clear from the front view in figure 9b.

Figure 10a is the next stage when the davit (not shown) has again lowered the lifeboat 2 on the stationary cradle 5. This position is also clear from figure 10b which is the front view. This is the launching position. The lifeboat 2 is now ready to be lowered on the sea. The next stage involves lowering of the lifeboat 2 on the sea by the davit.

The retrieval operation is just opposite to the launching opposition as explained with reference to the figures in the preceding description and it is not elaborated for the sake of brevity particularly as it would be clear to persons skilled in the art. In brief, it involves, lifting the boat 2 from the sea by a davit on a longitudinally movable cradle 4 atop a stationary cradle 5; moving the transversely movable cradle 4 along the transverse rail 3a and positioning it selectively in line with the longitudinal cradle 7 which is empty and on which the boat 2 is desired to be positioned.

Thereafter, the retrieving operation involves, applying the lifting device 7a to lift up the longitudinally movable cradle 7 to receive the boat 7 on the longitudinal cradle 7 and moving the longitudinally movable cradle 7 along longitudinal rail 3b towards the transversely movable cradle 4.

Then the retrieving operation involves, on reaching a suitable location by the longitudinally movable cradle 7, placing the boat 2 on the longitudinally movable cradle 7 by the transversely movable cradle 4 and lowering the lifting device 7a by the longitudinally movable cradle 7; moving back the longitudinally movable cradle 7 along the rail 3b back to its original position on the deck1 1 ; moving the transverse cradle 4 towards any one stationary cradle 5 along the transverse rail 3 a and placing it on the stationary cradle 5.

The launching and retrieval steps can be repeated as many times as required. Thus it would be clear that a multiplicity of mother boats can be handled on the deck of the mother vessel easily and conveniently and that too with a very limited number of davits. One davit can launch and retrieve a substantially large number of boats. The in-built lifting mechanism of the longitudinally movable cradles makes the operation simple and yet cost effective. This is true in respect of using only one transversely movable cradle for launching retrieving daughter boats from either side of the mother vessel, which cradle has a rail and wheels only at one of its ends which is opposite to the end, that receives daughter boats. It is also possible to selectively launch lifeboats and retrieve lifeboats and park them on selected cradles on the deck. From the description with reference to the drawings, it would be clear to persons skilled in the art that all objectives of the invention have been achieved.

The present invention has been described with reference to some preferred embodiments and some drawings for the sake of understanding only and it should be clear to persons skilled in the art that the present invention includes all legitimate modifications within the scope of what has been described hereinbefore and claimed in the appended claims.