Supporting device comprising jointed arms

• US 20040025777A1
• Filed: 04/09/2003
• Published: 02/12/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bosch Rexroth AG (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Bosch Rexroth AG (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Inventors: Werners, Henri Frans Theo, Van Den Oftelaar, Maria Cornelis Wilhelmus Marinus, Fluks, Marten
• Granted Patent: US 7,465,126 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 114/362
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 27/19 Other loading or unloading equipment involving an intermittent action, not provided in groups B63B27/04 - B63B27/18
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 27/30 Arrangement of ship-based loading or unloading equipment for transfer at sea between ships or between ships and off-shore structures

Abstract

There is disclosed a support means, especially for mounting or dismounting an offshore platform, comprising an articulated bracket which is movable by horizontally swinging its two articulated arms. In the case of a rather rough sea a compensating movement in the horizontal direction can be effected by appropriately controlling the articulated arms, wherein the reaction forces acting in the horizontal direction are minimal.

Claims

1. A support means for mounting or dismounting an offshore platform comprising at least one bracket at the free end portion of which a lifting means for acting upon the platform or the supporting structure thereof is arranged, wherein the bracket can be brought out of a home position at the side of the platform into a lifting position, characterized in that the bracket is flexibly linked directly or indirectly to a floating body and has at least one articulated arm linked to a swivel arm which can be swivelled approximately in the horizontal direction between the home position and the lifting position.

2. A support means according to claim 1, wherein the lifting means is arranged to an end portion linked to the articulated arm and the swivelling axles of the support means extend in the vertical direction.

3. A support means according to claim 2, wherein the end portion has a fork-like shape and preferably supports a lifting means on each of its two fork legs.

4. A support means according to claim 2, wherein the arms and/or the end portion are actuated by actuating means.

5. A support means according to claim 4, wherein the actuating means are hydraulic cylinders.

6. A support means according to claim 2, wherein a bearing arrangement is disposed in the area of the swivelling axles which includes at least two bearing means spaced apart from each other one of which includes at least an axial bearing and a radial bearing.

7. A support means according to claim 6, wherein the axial bearing comprises a piston guided in a cylinder with an arm or an end portion being supported on the piston.

8. A support means according to claim 7, wherein a bearing means includes at least two axial bearings the cylinders of which are hydraulically connected.

9. A support means according to claim 7 or 8, wherein both bearing means are provided with axial bearings and the cylinder or cylinders of the one axial bearing are hydraulically connected to the cylinder(s) of the other axial bearing.

10. A support means according to claim 8, wherein the piston surfaces are different.

11. A support means according to claim 7, wherein the piston is an annular piston which encompasses an axle of the bearing.

12. A support means according to claim 2, wherein an arm or the end portion has two joint clips which encompass at least a joint projection of the other arm and/or end portion in the axial direction, wherein a play is provided in this direction.

13. A support means according to claim 1, wherein the arms are actuated by actuating means.

14. A support means according to claim 13, wherein the actuating means are hydraulic cylinders.

15. A support means according to claim 9, wherein the piston surfaces are different.