Abstract: A port ramp for access to a ship, having a first end supported by a quay and a second end rigidly supported by a float, the float being anchored by blocks to the bottom by a connection of selectively adjustable length, the maximum buoyancy of the float being at least equal to the weight of the ramp added to the maximum load thereon, so that, when the float is submerged, the height of the ramp above the surface is independent of the load on the ramp.

Abstract: An apparatus for operating a hatch cover consisting of at least three pivotally interconnected cover sections foldable vertically accordionwise in a storage space adjacent to one hatch end, with the first lower section pivoted to said hatch end and the last cover section being connected to endless chain means extending along the hatch coaming and selectively engageable with drive means for pulling the hatch cover from open to closing position, said apparatus comprising telescopically extendable and retractable pivot arm means pivoted to said hatch end swingable between an upward vertical position and a downward horizontal position on a level below stud means projecting sidewise from each cover section, whereby said pivot arm means is selectively extendable for engagement with stud means of the cover section nearest to said hatch end.

Abstract: A cover arrangement for a container, for example for a ship's hatchway, has a cover element which is hinged at one side. The hinging includes a lost motion connection, which allows automatic engagement and disengagement of mutually engageable member at that side for cleating. This is achieved by movement of the cover element in its closed position within the scope of the lost motion connection. The cover element may include other automatic cleating member on other sides; the cleating is preferably effected by final closing movement of the cover element under gravity.

Abstract: A container and cover arrangement such as a ship's hold and hatch cover comprises a plurality of cover elements. Hinges are provided for inter-connecting adjacent ones of the cover elements so as to permit pivotal movement of the cover elements outwardly of the container in response to a pulling force. A latching arrangement is provided which comprises an engagement portion on the container and a latch element displaceably mounted on a cover element for co-operating latching engagement with the engagement portion. The latch element is displaceable in response to said pulling force prior to movement of the cover elements to permit release of engagement between the latch element and engagement portion.

Abstract: Gripping and skidding device for skidding modules placed on the platform of a marine drilling rig by a crane. The apparatus is arranged to hydraulically engage the top plate of a girder by at least two opposed gripping units each having gripping faces relatively narrow and short relative to the top plate, and preferably one of which is formed by the surface of a gripping beam mounted for pivoting movement on a universal hinge, thereby ensuring, among other advantages, optimum clamping capacity even if the top plate is warped.

Abstract: An operating device for handling a cover for a hatch of the type composed of at least three successive cover panels hingedly connected to one another comprising first operating means for partially folding the first and second cover panels, and other operating means for folding the third cover panel, constituted by at least one articulated lever located outside the rolling track defined by the coaming rails or bars on which the rollers of the second and third cover panels move.

Abstract: The invention relates to device for retracting and extending a movable, vertically pivoting access ramp comprising at least two successive main sections. At least one intermediate interlinking member is hinged with the main sections of the ramp towards their adjacent ends about a first hinge pin and a second hinge pin, respectively. First operating means are provided for the rotation of one section of the ramp and the intermediate member about the first hinge pin and second operating means are provided for the rotation of the other section of the ramp about the second hinge pin.

Abstract: A hatch cover arrangement comprising cover sections directly hinged together in series and adapted to be pivoted from an active horizontal position above a hatch coaming bounding a hatch opening to an inactive, upwardly swung, vertical position at least partially outside the opening. A cover lifting device is arranged in opposite relation on each exposed longitudinal side of the cover and comprises two lifting cylinders each hinged at one end to a respective one of two adjacent cover sections and at the opposite end to a common hinge arm construction itself separately hinged to these sections. A wheel of the device is mounted for the support of the hinge arm construction between the latter and the longitudinal side of the cover at the junction between the adjacent cover sections. Pivoting of the cover sections to and from the inactive and active positions is accompanied by the rotation of the wheels of the two devices along longitudinal guides towards and away from one end of the hatch coaming.

Abstract: A cover arrangement for a container comprising two cover elements hinged and movable together to open and close the container under the action of pulling means attached to one of the cover elements, the pulling means acting through direction changing means to enable opening of the container to be carried out by an upward pull on the pulling means. A tripping lever provided on the same cover element as the pulling means extends towards the other cover element and a guide ramp cooperating with and guides the tripping lever in a downward direction to pivot the cover element bearing the tripping lever into a substantially vertical position on opening of the cover arrangement by the pulling means.