Ramp
A bow ramp for a boat is described; the bow ramp has a first part hinged to the boat at a first end; a second part hinged to the first part at a second end of the first part. The ramp also has raising and lowering means comprising: a wire on at least one side of the ramp. The wire is connected to both the first and second parts, and a motor for winding the wire is provided. The wire controls both the first and second parts during raising and lowering of the ramp. A method utilizing the ramp is also described.
The present application claims the benefit of Singapore Patent Application No. 200508576-6 filed Dec. 29, 2005, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe invention relates to the field of ship bow ramps and to a method of raising and lowering a bow ramp.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONShips with bow ramps typically have a multi piece bow ramp. Such ramps require a multitude of cables to raise and lower each piece of the bow ramp. Each cable requires a motor, so that in total four or more motors are required. If the small piece at the front of the bow ramp is not raised and lowered by cables it tends to move about.
It would be desirable to have a bow ramp that is multi piece yet only requires one cable per side to raise and lower or at least provides industry or the public with an alternative.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccordingly in a first embodiment the invention is directed to a bow ramp for a boat comprising:
a first part hinged to said boat at a first end;
a second part hinged to said first part at a second end of said first part;
raising and lowering means for raising and lowering said ramp, said raising and lowering means comprising:
at least a wire on one side of said ramp, connected to both said first and second parts, and
a motor for winding said wire,
wherein said wire controls both said first and second parts during raising and lowering said ramp.
Preferably said motor is electric.
Preferably said motor is diesel or petrol.
Preferably said wire is anchored to said first part.
Preferably said second part is hingable about 270 degrees.
Preferably said ramp further includes a wire and motor on both sides of said ramp.
Accordingly in a second embodiment the invention can be said to consist in a method of lowering a secured bow ramp as described above comprising the steps of:
tightening said wire to control said second part; and
releasing said wire to lower said first part, said second part lowering on completion of the lowering of said first part.
Accordingly in a first embodiment the invention can be said to consist in a method of raising a lowered bow ramp as described above comprising the steps of:
tightening said wire to control said second part;
tightening said wire to raise said first and second parts, said second part remaining fixed relative to said first part as said ramp is raised;
securing said first part when fully raised; and
releasing said wire to lower said second part to a secure position, within said boat.
With reference to
With reference to
While in the preferred embodiment a motor 110 and wire 170 is used on each side of the ramp 109, in the case of a lightweight ramp 109 on a small ship 120 or in case of a breakdown of a motor 110 or wire 170 on one side of the ramp 109, a motor 110 and wire 170 on one side of the ship is sufficient to control the multi-part ramp.
In the preferred embodiment the motor 110 used for winding the wire 170 or cable is an electric, petrol or diesel motor.
Referring to
Referring to
The wire winding that allows for this is seen clearly in
The wire then passes through a pulley 4 on a cantilever 150 connected to the second ramp part 102. Instead of being straight the cantilever is angled at an angle 179 to allow gravitational forces to work on the second part 102 when the first part 101 is fully raised. Referring to
The wire 170 then passes back through the first part pulley 3 up to the bow pulley 2, back through the first part pulley 3, through the second part pulley 4 and is secured to the first part 101. While described with a double loop, if the bow ramp 109 was sufficiently light a single loop could be used. Likewise if the bow ramp 109 was heavier further loops could be used.
Raising the ramp 109 is the reverse of lowering the ramp 109. As the cable 170 is wound up the second part 102 of the ramp 109 is moved into a secure position as seen in
Referring to
The foregoing describes the invention including preferred forms thereof. Alterations and modifications as will be obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be incorporated in the scope hereof as defined by the accompanying claims.
Claims
1. A bow ramp for a boat comprising: wherein said wire controls both said first and second parts during raising and lowering said ramp.
- a. a first part hinged to said boat at a first end;
- b. a second part hinged to said first part at a second end of said first part; and
- C. a raising and lowering means comprising at least a wire on one said of said ramp connected to both said first and second parts and a motor for winding said wire,
2. A bow ramp according to claim 1, wherein said second part is smaller and lighter than said first part.
3. A bow ramp according to claim 2, wherein said motor is an electric motor.
4. A bow ramp according to claim 2, wherein said motor is a diesel or petrol motor.
5. A bow ramp according to claim 2, wherein said wire is anchored to said first part.
6. A bow ramp according to claim 2, wherein said second part is hingable about 240 degrees.
7. A bow ramp according to claim 2, wherein said raising and lowering means comprises a wire and motor on both sides of said ramp.
8. A method of lowering a secured bow ramp as claimed in claim 2 comprising the steps of:
- a. tightening said wire to control said second part; and
- b. releasing said wire to lower said first part, said second part lowering on completion of the lowering of said first part.
9. A method of raising a lowered bow ramp as claimed in claim 2 comprising the steps of:
- a. tightening said wire to control said second part;
- b. tightening said wire to raise said first and second parts, said second part remaining fixed relative to said first part as said ramp is raised;
- c. securing said first part when fully raised; and
- d. releasing said wire to lower said second part to a secure position within said boat.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 22, 2006
Publication Date: Jul 19, 2007
Applicant: SINGAPORE TECHNOLOGIES MARINE LIMITED (Singapore)
Inventors: Tan Ching Eng (Singapore), Bian Lixin (Singapore)
Application Number: 11/615,222
International Classification: B63B 17/00 (20060101);