Gangway and method for manufacturing same

• US 7,950,095 B2
• Filed: 12/08/2008
• Issued: 05/31/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Safe Rack LLC
• Original Assignee: Safe Rack LLC
• Inventors: Mefferd, Thomas A., Honeycutt, Robert W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Addie; Raymond W
• Application Number:
  US12/329,883
• Publication Number:
  US 20090144916A1
• Time in Patent Office: 904 Days
• Field of Search: 14/695, 182 21- 22, 182/21
• US Class Current: 14/69.5
• CPC Class Codes: B21D 35/00 Combined processes according to or processes combined with methods covered by groups B21D1/00 - B21D31/00 B21D21/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B21D 5/00 Bending sheet metal along straight lines, e.g. to form simple curves B21D11/06 - B21D11/18 take precedence; corrugating sheet metal B21D13/00; as edge treatment B21D19/00
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 27/14 of ramps, gangways or outboard ladders ; Pilot lifts
• CPC Class Codes: E01D 21/00 Methods or apparatus specially adapted for erecting or assembling bridges
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A gangway comprises at least one component formed from a continuous piece of metal. The at least one component formed from the continuous piece of metal may be a support structure or an underbody, a platform, a ramp, a step, or other support surface. A method for manufacturing such a gangway comprises forming the at least one component from the continuous piece of metal.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a gangway, wherein the gangway comprises a plurality of tread supports and an underbody, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a first tread support of the plurality of tread supports from a first continuous piece of metal such that the first continuous piece of metal defines a left flange area and a right flange area, connected to a tread area, wherein the left flange area and the right flange area are opposite one another with respect to the tread area, the left flange area and the tread area define a first fold line, and the right flange area and the tread area define a second fold line;

folding the left flange area with respect to the tread area at the first fold line;

folding the right flange area with respect to the tread area at the second fold line;

providing the underbody from a second continuous piece of metal, wherein the second continuous piece of metal defines a first side area opposite a second side area with respect to a middle area located between the first and second side areas, the first side area and middle area define a first side fold line, and the second side area and middle area define a second side fold line;

folding the first side area with respect to the middle area at the first side fold line so that the first side area becomes a left support of the underbody;

folding the second side area with respect to the middle area at the second side fold line so that the second side area becomes a right support of the underbody; and

connecting one side of the first tread support to the left support and an opposite side of the first tread support to the right support.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of providing a first tread support comprises the first continuous piece of metal defining a front area and a back area connected to the tread area, wherein the front area and the back area are opposite one another with respect to the tread area, the front area and the tread area define a third fold line, and the back area and the tread area define a fourth fold line;

and wherein the method further comprises the steps of;

folding the front area with respect to the tread area at the third fold line; and

folding the back area with respect to the tread area at the fourth fold line.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising the steps of:

providing the first continuous piece of metal being configured such that the left flange area defines a first left flange portion and a second left flange portion, wherein the first left flange portion and the second left flange portion define a left flange fold line;

providing the first continuous piece of metal being configured such that the right flange area defines a first right flange portion and a second right flange portion, wherein the first right flange portion and the second right flange portion define a right flange fold line;

folding the second left flange portion with respect to the first left flange portion at the left flange fold line such that a portion of the first left flange portion comes in contact with a portion of the second left flange portion; and

folding the second right flange portion with respect to the first right flange portion at the right flange fold line such that a portion of the first right flange portion comes in contact with a portion of the second right flange portion.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising the steps of:

providing the first continuous piece of metal being configured such that the second left flange portion define at least one left tab and the second right flange portion define at least one right tab;

connecting a left handrail to the left support;

connecting a right handrail to the right support;

connecting the at least one left tab to the left handrail; and

connecting the at least one right tab to the right handrail.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

forming a second tread support of the plurality of tread supports from a third continuous piece of metal; and

connecting the second tread support to the left support and to the right support.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of forming the second tread support from the third continuous piece of metal further comprises:

defining an intermediary tread area and an intermediary front area from the third continuous piece of metal, wherein the intermediary tread area and the intermediary front area define an intermediary fold line; and

folding the intermediary front area with respect to the intermediary tread area at the intermediary fold line;

whereby the second tread support results in a configuration different from the first tread support.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising the steps of:

providing the third continuous piece of metal being configured such that the intermediary front area defines a left area and a right area opposite a center area, wherein the left area and the center area define a first intermediary front area fold line and the right area and the center area define a second intermediary front are fold line;

folding the left area with respect to the center area at the first intermediary front area fold line; and

folding the right area with respect to the center area at the second intermediary front area fold line.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising the steps of:

providing the third continuous piece of metal being configured such that the center area defines a first center area and a second center area, wherein the first center area is adjacent to the intermediary fold line and the second center area is opposite the intermediary fold line with respect to the first center area, the first center area and the second center area defining a center area fold line; and

folding the second center area with respect to the first center area at the center area fold line.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising the steps of:

providing the third continuous piece of metal being configured such that the intermediary tread area defines a first intermediary tread area and a second intermediary tread area, wherein the first intermediary tread area is adjacent to the intermediary fold line and the second intermediary tread area is opposite the intermediary fold line with respect to the first intermediary tread area, the first intermediary tread area and the second intermediary tread area defining an intermediary tread area fold line;

folding the second intermediary tread area with respect to the first intermediary tread area at the intermediary tread fold line.

10. The method of claim 5 for manufacturing a gangway, wherein the gangway further comprises a third tread support of the plurality of tread supports, said method further comprising the steps of:

forming the third tread support from a fourth continuous piece of metal; and

connecting the third tread support to the left support and to the right support.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

providing the second continuous piece of metal being configured such that the first side area defines a first left wing area and a second left wing area, wherein the second left wing area is opposite the first side fold line with respect to the first left wing area, and the first left wing area and the second left wing area define a left wing area fold line;

providing the second continuous piece of metal being configured such that the second side area defines a first right wing area and a second right wing area, wherein the second right wing area is opposite the second side fold line with respect to the first right wing area, and the first right wing area and the second right wing area define a right wing area fold line;

folding the second left wing area with respect to the first left wing area at the left wing area fold line to form the left support; and

folding the second right wing area with respect to the first right wing area at the right wing area fold line to form the right support.

12. A method for manufacturing a gangway, wherein the gangway comprises at least one tread support and an underbody having a left support and a right support, said method comprising the steps of:

providing the underbody from a continuous piece of metal such that the continuous piece of metal defines a left wing area and a right wing area connected to a center area, wherein the left wing area is opposite the right wing area with respect to the center area, the left wing area and the center area define a left wing fold line, and the right wing area and the center area define a right wing fold line;

folding the left wing area with respect to the center area at the left wing fold line to form the left support;

folding the right wing area with respect to the center area at the right wing fold line to form the right support; and

pivotally connecting one side of the at least one tread support to the left support of the underbody and an opposite side of the at least one tread support to the right support of the underbody.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising the steps of:

the continuous piece of metal being configured such that the left wing area defines a first left wing area and a second left wing area, wherein the second left wing area is opposite the left wing fold line with respect to the first left wing area and the first left wing area and the second left wing area define a left wing area fold line;

the continuous piece of metal being configured such that the right wing area defines a first right wing area and a second right wing area, wherein the second right wing area is opposite the right wing fold line with respect to the first right wing area and the first right wing area and the second right wing area define a right wing area fold line;

folding the second left wing area with respect to the first left wing area at the left wing area fold line to form the left support; and

folding the second right wing area with respect to the first right wing area at the right wing area fold line to form the right support.

14. A method for manufacturing a gangway, wherein the gangway comprises a ramp and an underbody having a left support and a right support, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a first continuous piece of metal such that the first continuous piece of metal defines a left area and a right area connected to a tread area such that the left area is opposite the right area with respect to the tread area, wherein the left area and the tread area define a first fold line and the right area and the tread area define a second fold line;

folding the left area with respect to the tread area at the first fold line;

folding the right area with respect to the tread area at the first fold line;

forming the ramp from the first continuous piece of metal such that the left area defines a first left area and a second left area such that the first left area is adjacent the first fold line and the second left area is opposite the first fold line with respect to the first left area, wherein the first left area defines a first left hole, the second left area defines a second left hole, and the first left area and the second left area define a third fold line;

folding the second left area with respect to the first left area at the third fold line such that the first left hole aligns with the second left hole;

forming the ramp from the first continuous piece of metal such that the right area defines a first right area and a second right area such that the first right area is adjacent the second fold line and the second right area is opposite the second fold line with respect to the first right area, wherein the first right area defines a first right hole, the second right area defines a second right hole, and the first right area and the second right area define a fourth fold line;

folding the second right area with respect to the first right area at the fourth fold line such that the first right hole aligns with the second right hole; and

connecting the ramp to the left support and to the right support.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the step of connecting the ramp to the left support and to the right support further comprises:

passing a first mechanism through the first and second left holes and connecting the first mechanism to the left support; and

passing a second mechanism through the first and second right holes and connecting the second mechanism to the right support.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the first and second mechanisms are comprised of a bar.

17. The method of claim 14 further comprising the steps of:

folding the second left area with respect to the first left area at the third fold line such that the second left area extends beyond the first left area to create a first foot rail; and

folding the second right area with respect to the first right area at the fourth fold line such that the second right area extends beyond the first right area to create a second foot rail.

18. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of forming the underbody from a second continuous piece of metal.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the step of forming the underbody from the second continuous piece of metal further comprises:

defining a left wing area and a right wing area connected to a center area from the second continuous piece of metal, wherein the left wing area is opposite the right wing area with respect to the center area, the left wing area and the center area define a left wing fold line, and the right wing area and the center area define a right wing fold line;

folding the left wing area with respect to the center area at the left wing fold line; and

folding the right wing area with respect to the center area at the right wing fold line.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising the steps of:

forming the underbody from the second continuous piece of metal such that the left wing area defines a first left wing area and a second left wing area, wherein the second left wing area is opposite the left wing fold line with respect to the first left wing area and the first left wing area and the second left wing area define a left wing area fold line;

forming the underbody from the second continuous piece of metal such that the right wing area defines a first right wing area and a second right wing area, wherein the second right wing area is opposite the right wing fold line with respect to the first right wing area and the first right wing area and the second right wing area define a right wing area fold line;

folding the second left wing area with respect to the first left wing area at the left wing area fold line to form the left support; and

folding the second right wing area with respect to the first right wing area at the right wing area fold line to form the right support.

21. The method of claim 14 for manufacturing a gangway, wherein the gangway further comprises a telescoping ramp, said method further comprising the step of forming the telescoping ramp from a second continuous piece of metal.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the step of forming the telescoping ramp from a second continuous piece of metal further comprises:

defining a telescoping left area and a telescoping right area connected to a telescoping tread area from the second continuous piece of metal, such that the telescoping left area is opposite the telescoping right area with respect to the telescoping tread area, the telescoping left area and the telescoping tread area define a first telescoping fold line, and the telescoping right area and the telescoping tread area define a second telescoping fold line;

folding the telescoping left area with respect to the telescoping tread area at the first telescoping fold line; and

folding the telescoping right area with respect to the telescoping tread area at the second telescoping fold line.

23. The method of claim 21 further comprising the step of configuring the ramp to define a storage area underneath the ramp to store the telescoping ramp when the telescoping ramp is in the non-extended position.

24. A method for manufacturing a gangway, wherein the gangway comprises an underbody and at least one tread support connected to the underbody, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a first continuous piece of metal configured to be made into the underbody;

folding the first continuous piece of metal into the underbody so that the first continuous piece of metal defines a left support of the underbody and a right support of the underbody opposite one another with respect to and interconnected by a middle portion of the underbody, wherein the left and right supports are relatively parallel to one another and perpendicular to the middle portion;

providing a second continuous piece of metal configured to be made into the at least one support;

folding the second continuous piece of metal into the at least one support; and

connecting one side of the at least one support to the left support of the underbody and an opposite side of the at least one support to the right support of the underbody.

25. The method of claim 24 for manufacturing a gangway, wherein the gangway further comprises a telescoping ramp, said method further comprising:

providing a third continuous piece of metal configured to be made into the telescoping ramp;

folding the third continuous piece of metal into the telescoping ramp; and

connecting the telescoping ramp to the at least one support.

26. The method of claim 24 for manufacturing a gangway, wherein the gangway further comprises a base support, said method further comprising:

providing a third continuous piece of metal configured to be made into the base support;

folding the third continuous piece of metal into the base support; and

connecting the base support to the underbody.

27. The method of claim 24 for manufacturing a gangway, wherein the gangway further comprises a top support, said method further comprising:

providing a third continuous piece of metal configured to be made into the top support;

folding the third continuous piece of metal into the top support;

connecting the top support to a support structure; and

connecting the underbody to the support structure.

28. A gangway providing a path of travel comprising:

a first continuous piece of metal forming an underbody; and

a second continuous piece of metal forming a tread support, wherein two opposite sides of the tread support are connected to the underbody,

wherein the underbody is configured to connect to a structure in a manner that allows the underbody to rotate in a vertical manner with respect to the path of travel about an axis defined by the connection of the underbody to the structure and allows the tread support to rotate in the vertical manner with the underbody.

29. A gangway comprising:

a first continuous piece of metal forming an underbody, the first continuous piece of metal having a planar center portion and first and second flange portions located on respective sides of the planar center portion, the first and second flange portions extending integrally from the planar portion and being defined by first and second respective underbody fold lines; and

a support, wherein one side of the support is connected to the first flange of the first continuous piece of metal and an opposite side of the support is connected to the second flange of the first continuous piece of metal.

30. The gangway of claim 29 wherein the support is rotatably connected to the underbody.

31. The gangway of claim 29 wherein the support is affixed to a support structure;

and the underbody is rotatably connected to the support.

32. The gangway of claim 29 wherein the support is formed of a second continuous piece of metal, the second continuous piece of metal having a planar middle portion and first and second side portions located on respective left and right sides of the planar middle portion, the first and second side portions extending integrally from the planar middle portion and being defined by first and second respective support fold lines.

33. The gangway of claim 32 wherein the second continuous piece of metal having third and fourth side portions located on respective fore and aft sides of the planar middle portion, the third and fourth side portions extending integrally from the planar middle portion and being defined by third and fourth respective support fold lines.

34. The gangway of claim 33 wherein:

the third side portion having a third side end portion extending integrally from the third side portion and being defined by a fifth support fold line; and

the fourth side portion having a fourth side end portion extending integrally from the third side portion and being defined by a sixth support fold line.

36. The gangway of claim 34 wherein:

the at least one support is formed by the process of;

providing a second continuous piece of metal configured to be made into the at least one support; and

folding the second continuous piece of metal into the at least one support.

37. The gangway of claim 36 further comprising:

a base support connected to the underbody and formed by the process of;

providing a third continuous piece of metal configured to be made into the base support; and

folding the third continuous piece of metal into the base support.

35. A gangway comprising:

an underbody formed by the process of;

providing a first continuous piece of metal configured to be made into the underbody;

folding the first continuous piece of metal into the underbody, thereby defining a left side and a right side of the underbody separated by a middle section of the underbody; and

at least one support, wherein one side of the at least one support is connected to the left side of the underbody and an opposite side of the at least one support is connected to the right side of the underbody.