Abstract: The present invention concerns marine platforms designed for carrying out drilling operations at sea. More precisely, it concerns platforms equipped with a number of retractable pads, which, in the retracted position, allow the platform to be moved by flotation, and, in the support position on the sea bottom, allow the platform to be raised above the surface of the sea by means of elevator devices, consisting of at least a pair of pinions for each pad, these pinions engaging with racks provided for the purpose. According to the invention, the safety device includes, for each pinion-equipped pad (1), at least one pair of pinions (8-9) mounted on a support chassis (12) attached to the platform, together with a brake on each pinion axle (10-11) engaging the same side of the rack. The preferred manner of attaching the support chassis to the platform is by means of a joint mounted on an eccentric (14) which allows for horizontal displacement to compensate for lateral play using a cam, for example.

Abstract: A device for seizing and handling a load which has a given inclination includes a frame which is adapted to be suspended at a point of the frame from a handling machine. The frame is adapted to be locked to the load. A device is provided for shifting the suspension point in a reference direction relative to the frame. A level detector is mounted on the frame to pivot in a vertical plane parallel to the reference direction and produces a signal when it deviates from a horizontal position. The device for shifting the suspension point is responsive to the signal and shifts the suspension point, upon the hoisting of the load, to a position in which the load cancels out the deviation from horizontality of the level detector. Regulating apparatus regulate the relative angular position of the detector relative to the frame in the vertical plane so as to bring the detector to a horizontal position in which it stores the given inclination of the load.

Abstract: The device comprises a frame adapted to be brought by a handling machine into a position of coincidence defined by at least one locating element, for example an edge of a container, and at least two arms disposed along a side of the frame. The arms are adapted to be placed against the locating element in the position of coincidence. The two arms are interconnected by a flexible and elongated guiding element which is adapted to cooperate with the locating element so as to guide the frame toward the position of coincidence.