AU2009202665A1 - Lifting apparatus - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT (ORIGINAL) Name of Applicant: John William Dorrian Actual Inventors: John William Dorrian Address for Service: DAVIES COLLISON CAVE, Patent Attorneys, Level 3, 303 Coronation Drive, Milton, Queensland 4064 Invention Title: "Lifting apparatus" Details of Associated Provisional Application No: Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2008903527, filed 9 July 2008 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: - \ \ 2 011' elr AT III PO lin 1-RI ln - -I 1 0 P:oper\ajs\speci\40133932.dc-1/07/2009 LIFTING APPARATUS Background of the Invention The present invention relates to a lifting apparatus and in particular to a lifting apparatus such as a davit for lifting watercraft, or the like. 5 Description of the Prior Art The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that the prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to 10 which this specification relates. Generally when a watercraft, such as a dinghy or boat, is hoisted onto or deployed from a deck, a lifting apparatus mounted to the deck is used to lower or hoist the watercraft. A number of different types of lifting apparatus, generally referred to as davits, exist. For example, some lifting apparatus include a crane-like mechanism which has an arm that 15 can be swung out over the edge of the deck. This allows a watercraft to be attached and raised to deck level, at which point the arm swings in a plane parallel to the deck, allowing the watercraft to be positioned on the deck. However, these arrangements can be difficult to use, and are often unstable in adverse conditions, such as high winds and rough seas, thereby increasing the chance of an accident or the watercraft being damaged during a lifting 20 operation. Furthermore, as these forms of lifting apparatus swing in a plane parallel to the deck, it is often necessary to provide a large area of deck space to allow the lifted watercraft to be swung onto the deck, thereby again failing to optimise the deck space required by the lifting apparatus. A further issue with arrangements of this form is that rotation of the arm can result in the 25 watercraft entering the water when facing in the wrong direction. In this regard, if the watercraft is launched from the deck of a ship that is in motion, as the davit is rotated to P\operijsspeciMO 133932.doc-/07/2009 -2 position the watercraft over the side of the ship, the watercraft will be positioned so as to enter the water stem to the wind and waves, which is undesirable. An additional problem with such davits is that to support the weight of the watercraft and the davit itself, it is typical to require a support that extends from the below deck and couples to 5 the hull of the ship. This in turn impacts on the space available below deck. Other stowing mechanisms exist. However, these typically involve lowering a cradle at least partially into the water, allowing the watercraft to be positioned on the cradle. However, this arrangement requires that the cradle is lowered into the water, increasing the resulting load that needs to be handled in order to stow the watercraft, which in turn increases the 10 complexity and weight of the winching equipment. Additionally, controlling the combined weight of the cradle and watercraft during the stowing operation is also difficult, again resulting in the stowing of the watercraft being complex operation. An alternative solution is proposed in KR20040016957, which describes a davit system provided to launch a life watercraft. In this example, the davit system comprises a frame 15 support fixed to a bottom of a mother ship; a lifting frame of which one end is coupled to an upper surface of the frame support with a hinge and which rotates around a hinge shaft; a first hydraulic cylinder controlling the rotation angle of the lifting frame, wherein one end of the first hydraulic cylinder is coupled to an upper surface of the frame support with a hinge and the other end to a side of the lifting frame with a hinge; a docking head part which is coupled 20 to a top of the lifting frame and has a plurality of dampers damping the pitching or rolling of the mother ship transmitted to the life watercraft; a winch which is coupled to a side of the lifting frame and winds up a wire connected to the life watercraft; and a cradle unit detachably coupled to the life watercraft to firmly fasten the life watercraft to the mother watercraft. 25 FR2549801 also describes an alternative arrangement for launching small lifesaving craft. The device includes a single davit formed by two articulated arms. A first bent arm is mounted pivotably about a shaft securely fixed to the ship. A cable of predetermined length links the second arm to the ship to allow the deployment of this arm to be controlled. The small craft is linked to the davit by a cable reeled up on a winch.

P:.perajs spei\40133932 doc-107/2009 -3 However, in order to operate these above described systems correctly, the systems require a winch in order to be able to lift the vessel from the water. In use, the winch will lower the watercraft on a single wire, which is attached to the watercraft. The use of the winch can result in a significant length of wire extending from the lifting frame, which can in turn result 5 in significant movement of the watercraft. This in turn requires the provision of a damping system, which is complex thereby rendering the apparatus complex and expensive to construct and maintain. A further problem in the above examples is that the lifting arms extend a significant height above the deck of the mother ship, thereby rendering the arrangement unstable, and prone to 10 failure in adverse conditions. A further issue is that although a cradle is provided, the lifeboat is not generally surrounded by the lifting apparatus, and consequently additional fixing means are generally required to ensure that the life watercraft is adequately retained. This further complicates the process of stowing or deploying the life watercraft. 15 Therefore there is a need for a lifting apparatus which overcomes or ameliorates one or more of the above mentioned problems. Summary of the Present Invention In a first broad form the present invention provides a lifting apparatus mountable to a deck, the lifting apparatus including: 20 a first member pivotally connected to the deck; a second member pivotally connected to the first member; an engagement element coupled to the second member; and an actuator assembly operably connected to the first and second members for causing the first and second members to move between: 25 a deployed position in which the engaging element can selectively engage a load; and, a stowed position in which the load is supported by the first member, with the first and second members at least partially encircling the load to thereby secure the load.

P:\operajs~speci\4013 393 2,doc-/07/2009 -4 Typically the first member includes a cradle located between opposing ends of the first member and shaped for receiving the load. Typically the load is a watercraft and wherein the cradle is shaped to receive a hull of the watercraft. 5 Typically the cradle includes a plurality of adjustable cradle support members for supporting the hull of the watercraft within the cradle. Typically each cradle support member can extend or retract from a respective cradle face to thereby accommodate various profiled watercraft hulls. Typically each cradle support member can be adjustably located at various positions on each [o cradle face to thereby accommodate various profiled watercraft hulls. Typically movement of the first and second members adjusts an elevation and transversal position of the engagement element relative to the deck. Typically in the deployed position the engagement element is positioned outwardly of the deck. 5 Typically in the stowed position the first and second members are located in an overlapping arrangement. Typically in the stowed position the load is supported by a cradle with the second member extending at least partially across an upper surface of the watercraft. Typically in the stowed position the load is substantially encircled by the first member, the zo second member and the engagement element. Typically the actuator assembly includes: a first actuator pivotally connected between the deck and the first member, such that upon actuation of the first actuator, at least the first member pivots relative to the deck; and, a second actuator pivotally connected between the deck and the second member, such that 5 upon actuation of the second actuator, the second member pivots relative to the first member.

P:\oper\ajs\spci\40133932.dc-1/07/2009 -5 Typically the first and second actuators can be individually operated. Typically at least one of the first and second actuators are provided in the form of a hydraulic actuator which is movable between an extended and retracted position. Typically the actuator assembly includes: 5 at least two first members pivotally connected to the deck; at least two second members, each second member being pivotally connected to a respective first member and including an engagement element; and an actuator assembly operably connected to each of the first and second members for causing the first and second members to move between: 10 a deployed position in which each engaging element can selectively engage a load; and, a stowed position in which the load is supported by each first member on the deck, with the first and second members at least partially encircling the load to thereby secure the load. 15 In a second broad form the present invention provides a deck having a lifting apparatus mounted thereon, wherein the lifting apparatus includes: a first member pivotally connected to the deck; a second member pivotally connected to the first member, the second member including an engagement element; and 20 an actuator assembly operably connected to the first and second members for causing the first and second members to move between: a deployed position in which the engaging element can selectively engage a load; and, a stowed position in which the load is supported by the first member on the deck, with the first and second members at least partially encircling the load to thereby 25 secure the load.

P:perajsspeci\40133932.doc.1107/2009 -6 Brief Description of the Drawings The example embodiment of the present invention should become apparent from the following description, which is given by way of example only, of a preferred but non-limiting embodiment, described in connection with the accompanying figures. 5 Figure 1 illustrates a sectional view along section line A-A of an example of a lifting apparatus in a stowed position; Figure 2 illustrates a sectional view along section line A-A of the lifting apparatus of Figure 1 in a deployed position; Figure 3 illustrates a sectional view along section line A-A of the lifting apparatus of Figure 1 10 in an intermediate position; Figure 4 illustrates a sectional view along section line A-A of the lifting apparatus in a stowed position, wherein a watercraft is retained in the cradle; and Figure 5 illustrates a plan view of an example of a deck of a boat including a plurality of lifting apparatus. 15 Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments Referring to Figure 1, there is illustrated a sectional view through section line A-A (see Figure 5) of an example of a lifting apparatus 1 mountable to a deck 100, for example of a vessel, dock or the like. In particular, the lifting apparatus 1 includes a first member 10 pivotally connected to the 20 deck 100, a second member 20 pivotally connected to the first member 10, and an actuator assembly 30 operably connected to the first and second members 10, 20. In use, the actuator allows the first and second members 10, 20 to be moved between a deployed position in which the engaging element can selectively engage a load and a stowed position in which the load is supported by the first member on the deck, with the first and second members at least 25 partially encircling the load to thereby secure the load. The second member 20 generally includes an engagement element 25, such as a hook, or the like, to engage a load such as a watercraft 200. Suitable control of the actuator assembly 30 can be used to move the lifting apparatus 1 between a stowed position and a deployed position, as shown respectively in Figures 1 and 2. In the deployed position the engaging P\opeajs\speci\40133932.doc-./07/2009 -7 element 25 can selectively engage a load 200, whilst in the stowed position the load is supported by the first member 10 on the deck 100. Accordingly, suitable movement of the lifting apparatus 1 from the deployed to the stowed position allows the load to be raised onto the deck. 5 In particular, appropriate operation of the actuator assembly 30 can be used to cause the first member 10 to pivot relative to the deck 100, and independently to allow the second member 20 to pivot relative to the first member 10. The pivotal motion of the first and second members can be used to control an elevation and transversal position of the engagement element 25 relative to the deck 100, thereby allowing the load to be lifted on to the deck 100. 10 In one example, the first member 10 includes a cradle 15 located between opposing ends 12, 13 of the first member 10. The cradle 15 can be shaped for receiving a watercraft hull 210 (see Figure 4), thereby allowing the watercraft to be stowed on the deck 100. As the first member 10 serves the multi-functional task of assisting the adjustment of the elevation and transversal position of the engagement element 25 whilst also capable of 15 receiving the watercraft 200 for stowage within the cradle 15, resources of the lifting apparatus 1 and deck space 100 are more efficiently used. By providing the cradle 15 as part of the lifting apparatus, this avoids the need to lower the cradle into the water to receive the watercraft, thereby reducing load requirements on the actuator assembly. It will also be appreciated that this avoids the need for a davit having an 20 arm that swings in a plane parallel to the deck 100, thereby reducing the risk of damage to loads that can occur during a lifting operation. It will also be appreciated that the above described arrangement typically uses less deck space then other arrangements as in the stowed position the lifting apparatus encompasses little more volume than the stowed watercraft itself. 25 Furthermore, in the stowed position, the second member 20 extends over at least part of an upper surface of the watercraft, thereby at least partially encircling the watercraft. This has a number of benefits, and in particular can be used to help secure the watercraft to the cradle 15, thereby reducing the possibility of the watercraft being accidentally deployed, or P: oper\ajs\spci\40133932,doc-l/07/2009 -8 damaged during rough seas, or the like. In one example, this can be assisted by having the second member 20 engage the watercraft, in which case padding or the like may be provided on the second member 20 to prevent damage to the watercraft. However, it will be appreciated that engagement is not essential. 5 A further benefit of this arrangement is that when the apparatus is in a stowed position, the profile of the lifting apparatus 1 is minimised, thereby reducing the extent to which the lifting apparatus and watercraft project above the level of the deck. This reduces the volume of deck that is taken up by the watercraft, minimising the overall footprint required to carry the watercraft. This helps minimise the impact of the presence of the watercraft on the deck 100, 10 thereby helping to maintain freedom of movement and hence safety. Additionally, this can increase the visual appeal of the lifting apparatus compared to prior art arrangements. Further visual improvements can also be obtained for example by allowing the second members to be used to support covers to thereby cover the watercraft when not in use. The above described arrangement therefore provides a system that is both more secure and 15 visually appealing than prior art arrangements. Further details of one example of a lifting apparatus will now be described. Referring more specifically to Figure 1, the actuator assembly 30 includes a first actuator 40 and a second actuator 50. The first actuator includes a first end 41 pivotally connected to the deck 100, generally via a support bracket 110, and a second end 42 pivotally connected to the 20 first member 10. The second actuator 50 includes a first end 51 pivotally connected to the deck 100 and a second end 52 pivotally connected to the second member 20. The second member 20 may include an elbow 22 having a first arm 23 and a second arm 24 extending therefrom. The second arm 24 borders one end 13 of the first member 10 whilst positioned in the stowed position as shown in Figure 1. The second arm 24 extends 25 substantially perpendicular relative to the first arm 23 of the second member 20. The first member 10 may include a void (not shown) to allow a portion of the second arm 24 to pivot therewithin during rotational movement of the second member 20 relative to the first member 10, as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

P:operajs\speci\40133932.doc-1/07/2009 -9 The first and/or second actuators 40, 50 can be provided in the form of hydraulic actuators, such as a hydraulic cylinder and rod arrangement which are pivotally connected between the members and deck as previously described. As will be appreciated, in an extended state, the hydraulic rod extends from the hydraulic cylinder, and in the retracted state the hydraulic rod 5 is withdrawn within the hydraulic cylinder. However, it will be appreciated that other forms of actuators 30, 40 can also be used interchangeably. When the first actuator 40 moves from a retracted position to an extended position, the first member 10 and second member 20 rotate in an anti-clockwise direction relative to the deck as shown in Figure 2. Upon reverse actuation of the first actuator 40, the first member 10 and 10 second member rotate in an opposite direction, which as illustrated is a clockwise direction. When the second actuator 50 moves from an extended position to a retracted position, the second member 20 pivots, as illustrated, in a clockwise direction relative to the deck 100. When the second actuator 50 moves from a retracted position to an extended position, the second member 20 pivots in an opposite direction which, as illustrated, is in an anti 15 clockwise direction relative to the deck 100. The pivotal movement of the first member 10 can cause the second member 20 to also move in the same rotational direction unless the first and second actuators 40, 50 are actuated simultaneously. It will be appreciated that the first and second actuators 40, 50 can be actuated simultaneously, however each actuator can be operated individually. Actuation of 20 the second actuator 50 does not cause the first member 10 to rotate unless the first actuator 40 is simultaneously actuated. In one form, the engagement element 25 is provided in the form of a coupling 26 extending from a line 27 attached to an end of the second member 20. The engagement element 25 may engage a harness (not shown) supporting the watercraft 200 or may engage a portion of the 25 watercraft 200. However, it will be appreciated that the engagement element 25 can be provided in other forms. The cradle 15 has a recess having a "V" shaped profile to receive the hull 210 of the watercraft 200, wherein cradle faces 16, 17 of the cradle 15 are angled relative to each other.

P:\opcr'njs\speci\40133932.doc-1/07/2009 - 10 However, it will be appreciated that for other shaped hulls 210, the profile of the cradle 15 may have an alternate profile. Each angled cradle face 16, 17 of the cradle 15 includes a cradle support member 18, 19 to support a portion of the hull 210 within the cradle 15. The height of each support member 18, 5 19 may be adjusted accordingly to extend or retract relative to the respective cradle face 16, 17 to thereby accommodate various profiled hulls, as shown in broken lines in Figure 1. The length and position of each cradle support member 18, 19 may also be adjusted on each cradle face 15, 16 to accordingly accommodate variously shaped hulls 210. Referring now to Figures 1 and 4, the lifting apparatus 1 is located in the stowed position. In 10 particular, the second member 20 overlaps the first member 10, wherein the first member 10 is folded upon the second member 20 leaving a cavity between the second member 20 and the cradle 15 for retaining the watercraft 200. In the stowed position, the first and second members 10, 20 are both substantially parallel with the deck 100. Referring specifically to Figure 4, the engagement element 25 can engage a portion of the first member 10 to thereby 15 substantially enclose the cradle 15. In one form, the coupling 26 engages a lower portion of the first member 10 adjacent the deck 100, wherein the line 27 of the engagement element 25 extends between the first member 10 and the second member 20. In the event that a watercraft 200 is located within the cradle 15, as shown in Figure 4, the second member 20 is located adjacent an upper surface 220 of the watercraft 200 so that it 20 extends laterally over and across the deck 220 of the watercraft 200. This arrangement substantially surrounds the watercraft 200, thereby retaining the watercraft 200 within the cradle 15. In particular, the overlapping arrangement of the first and second members 10, 20 in the stowed position restricts the watercraft 200 from dislodging from the cradle 15 when turbulent seas or the like cause the deck 100 to rock, or other similar circumstances where the 25 lifting apparatus may move. The overlapping arrangement of the first and second members 10, 20 in the stowed position additionally create a compact stowing position of the lifting apparatus 1, thereby optimally using the deck area efficiently. Actuation of the second actuator 50 causes the second member 20 to pivotally rotate away from the deck 100 and first member 10 until the lifting apparatus 1 reaches an intermediate P:operiajsspeM40133932.doc- 107/2009 - 11 position as shown in Figure 3. In the intermediate position, the engagement element 25 is aligned substantially vertically above a midpoint of the cradle 15, allowing this to be attached to the watercraft. In one example, the engagement element 25 can be provided on a winch and pulley 5 arrangement, allowing the engagement element 25 to be lifted or lowered relative to the second arm. However, this may not be required, and alternatively, positioning of the engagement element can be achieved solely using the first and/or second actuator 40, 50, to control the position of the second member 20. Once the watercraft 200 is elevated from the cradle 15, the first actuator 40 can be used to 10 cause the first member 10 to pivot such that engagement element 25 extends over an edge of the deck 100, thereby allowing the watercraft 200 to be deployed in the body of water (not shown). This can be achieved either using a winch to lower the engaging element 25, or by appropriate positioning of the first and second members 10, 20. Thus, for example, the first and/or second actuators 40, 50 can be extended or retracted accordingly in order to adjust the 15 transversal position and/or elevation of the engaged watercraft 200 relative to the deck 100. The engagement element 25 can then be operated to release the watercraft 200 into the body of water. As can be seen from Figure 2, during deployment the cradle 15 of the first member 10 is titled relative to the deck 100, wherein the receiving faces 16, 17 of the cradle 15 face 20 substantially outward or downward towards the deck 100. Following deployment, the first and second actuators 40, 50 can then be reversely actuated to withdraw the lifting apparatus from the deployed position, as shown in Figure 2, back to the intermediate position, as shown in Figure 3, and/or the stowed position, as shown in Figure 1. In the situation where a watercraft 200 is to be hoisted from the body of water and located 25 within the cradle 15 for retention, the lifting apparatus I is moved to the deployed position as previously described above. Once the engagement element 25 is located adjacent the watercraft 200 located in the body of water, the engagement element 25 engages the watercraft 200. The first and/or second actuators 40, 50 are then reversely actuated to move P:\opr\ajs.speci\40133932 doc-1/07/2009 -12 the lifting apparatus 1 from the deployed position to the intermediate position, wherein reverse actuation of the first and second actuators 40, 50 pivot the first and second members relative to the deck 100 to gradually locate the engaged watercraft 200 within the cradle 15 at the intermediate position. The engagement element 25 may be disengaged from the 5 watercraft at this point. Continued reverse actuation of the second actuator 50 causes pivotal movement of the second member 20 in an anti-clockwise direction as shown in the figures to thereby locate the lifting apparatus 1 in the stowed position, wherein the second member 20 extends over the upper surface of the watercraft 200. The engagement element 25 can then releasably engage the 10 lower portion of the first member, as shown in Figure 4, to thereby encircle the watercraft 200 within the cradle 15. Figure 5 illustrates a plan view of one example of the lifting apparatus. In this example, the lifting apparatus includes a pair of first and second members 10, 20, provided in a spaced apart parallel arrangement. The use of such an arrangement allows two engagement elements 15 25 to be provided, the position of each of which can be independently controlled. This can be used to provide a greater degree of stability during the lifting process by allowing the watercraft to be independently supported at each end. Similarly, this provides a greater length of cradle 15, allowing the watercraft 200 to be more stably supported in the stowed position. 20 However, this is not essential and a single member could be used for supporting the watercraft supported at a central position only. Additionally and/or alternatively, the lifting apparatus could include two second arms 20, each of which is independently pivotable relative to a single first member 10. An example of this is shown by the dotted lines identified at 1 OA in Figure 5. In this example, the first member 1 OA can extend along a 25 substantially part of the length of the watercraft 200, thereby again providing suitable support in the stowed position, whilst allowing lateral separation of the second arms, again allowing each end of the watercraft to be independently lifted. A further benefit of the above described arrangements is that they are able to distribute the weight of both the lifting apparatus itself, and the boat, over the deck. By distributing the P\operjs\spec\40133932.doc-1/07/2009 - 13 weight in this fashion, this allows the weight to be adequately supported by the deck, without the need for a support structure extending below deck. This in turn ensures that below deck spaces are available for other uses. Although the examples described above have illustrated the watercraft 200 being hoisted 5 from or deployed into a body of water, this is not necessary as the lifting apparatus 1 may be used for securing and deploying a watercraft 200 to any surface which is adjacent to the deck 100. The term deck can therefore refer not only to the deck of a large boat, but also to the deck of a pier or the like. Furthermore, the lifting apparatus could be used to lift a range of different loads, and is not restricted to watercraft, although it will be appreciated that by 10 providing the integrated cradle, the lifting apparatus is ideally suited to use in lifting watercraft. Optional embodiments of the present invention may also be said to broadly consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated herein, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of the parts, elements or features, and wherein 15 specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which the invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth. Although a preferred embodiment has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made by one of ordinary skill in the art 20 without departing from the scope of the present invention.