RETRACTABLE TELESCOPIC GANGWAY FOR GETTING ON AND/OR GETTING OFF BOATS OF PERSONS

Abstract

 A retractable telescopic gangway (1) for getting on and/or getting off boats of persons comprising a main transit platform (2) that develops predominantly along a longitudinal axis (Z) and defines a first upper floor plan (3), an auxiliary transit platform (4), telescopically coupled with the main platform, operably connected with actuation means (5) suitable to selectively position it between a rest position, in which the auxiliary platform is contained in the overall dimensions defined by the main platform, and an operating position in which the auxiliary platform projects axially from the main platform and defines a second upper floor plan (6) which constitutes an axial appendage of the first upper floor plan together with it is accessible to the user, and a plurality of gripping uprights (7) coupled with one of the side edges (2a, 2b, 4a, 4b) of the main platform and the auxiliary platform and configured to be automatically selectively arranged between a passive position, in which the gripping uprights are in non-operative conditions and arranged along a first linear direction (Z') parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main platform, and an active position, in which the gripping uprights are in operative conditions and protrude upwardly from one of the side edges of the main platform and the auxiliary platform along a second linear direction (Y) which defines a substantially right angle with the longitudinal axis of the main platform in such a way as to be available for the grip of the user's hand and to contribute to provide a safety railing during the passage of the user on the upper floor plans of the transit platforms. In detail, the telescopic gangway includes a control rod (8) operatively connected through fulcrum means (9) with the gripping uprights of one of the side edges of the transit platforms and coupled partly with the main platform and partly with the auxiliary platform in such a way that the actuation means simultaneously position, by means of the control rod and the fulcrum means, the gripping uprights between the active position and the passive position while moving the auxiliary platform (4) between the rest position and the operating position.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the nautical sector and, in particular, concerns a telescopic gangway (or otherwise known as "multi-stage" one, to be understood as walkway platforms telescopically coupled each other), as well as of the retractable (or even re-entrant) type, used for the access (or, in other words, the ascent) and/or the descent of people to/from moored boats.

[0002] The automatic retractable (or re-entrant) telescopic gangway object of the invention presents a safety of use greater than the telescopic gangways of equivalent use of the prior art and is suitable to be installed on a boat so as to remain suitably contained in a housing made in the hull of the boat itself (thus being almost totally hidden from view) when it takes the rest or non-use condition, for example during navigation.

[0003] As known, the pedestrian structures of landing in boats, notoriously known as ascent/descent gangways, are technical accessories (also of removable or transportable type) for boating which, in operating or use conditions, take a horizontal or slightly inclined position and join two separate stations, allowing people to simply walk of ascent or descent with respect to the boat or to transport objects between the boats and the wharf.

[0004] In particular, the telescopic gangways referred to in the present invention, which are currently available on the market, include a walkable transit platform composed of a plurality (generally two or three) of longitudinal support elements, telescopically coupled each other and each having a rectangular profile, according to a top plan view.

[0005] More in detail, the walkable transit platform of a telescopic gangway (as well as of any gangway) presents, as a whole, a width such that to allow the passage of only one person and a length that allows to get on or to get off the boat, when moored at a given distance from wharfs, docks or piers of ports or landing areas to the mainland, in conditions of ample comfort and high and however satisfactory safety. The retractable telescopic gangways of known type present several construction conceptions, different each other by type and mutual coupling of the component elements which in turn are made using increasingly sophisticated and carefully designed materials also in the boating industry both in terms of performance and in terms of aesthetic point of view, and this inevitably as a result of the high value or quality of the boats in which they are intended to be installed.

[0006] Choice of construction materials is based, indeed, on assessments of not only technical and functional but also and increasingly aesthetic profile: particularly, stainless steels, light anti-corrosion alloys, tempered glass, precious woods such as teak and/or technological polymers are more and more used to significantly increase the technical features and aesthetic qualities of the pedestrian landing structures concerned and thus satisfy the notoriously demanding and detailed requirements of the shipowner or in any case of the nautical sector market.

[0007] From an operational point of view, the retractable telescopic gangways of known type are operated in a predominantly automatic manner, meaning that the telescopic movement of the transit platforms and of the metallic vertical gripping and/or support uprights associated therewith (better known in the nautical sector as "candlesticks") takes place through actuation means (of various construction conception and generally of hydraulic type) operated and managed by a central processing and control unit available to the user (the owner, the skipper or another reliable person authorized for the purpose) on board the boat.

[0008] Only in some executive embodiments currently available on the market the manual installation of a vertical tip upright (or candlestick) is provided, i.e. in the front part and/or in the rear part of the telescopic transit platform and of the larger transit platform respectively in which, in non-operative conditions, the other ones are telescopically contained.

[0009] Known examples of this type of gangways are shown in the prior patent documents published with WO2013042157 A1 and EP3075647 A1 and filed in the name of the same applicant of the current patent application.

[0010] Each vertical upright (or candlestick) is connected with the other by a rope, maritime term used to indicate generically a cord or cable made of vegetable or synthetic fiber: the combination of various candlesticks and the various ropes forms a sort of rail on the gangway, that is a kind of railing or parapet protecting from falls during the transit of people.

[0011] From an operating point of view, a typical retractable and automatic telescopic gangway of the prior art thus includes a main transit platform which mainly develops along a longitudinal axis and defines a first upper floor plan, and at least one auxiliary transit platform, telescopically and axially coupled with the main platform, operatively connected with actuation means which, when driven, automatically and selectively position it between a rest position, in which the auxiliary platform is contained in the overall dimensions defined by the main footing, and an operating position in which the auxiliary platform projects axially from the main platform and defines a second upper floor plan, which thus constitutes an axial appendage of the first upper floor plan together with it is accessible to the user.

[0012] Moreover, a retractable and automatic telescopic gangway of the known type comprises a plurality of gripping uprights, coupled with at least one of the side edges of the main platform and of the auxiliary platform and configured to be to be selectively and automatically placed between a passive position, in which the gripping uprights are in non-operative conditions and arranged, generally horizontally, along a first linear direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main platform, and an active position, in which the gripping uprights are in operative conditions and protrude upwardly, generally vertically, from at least one of the side edges of the main platform and of the auxiliary platform along a second linear direction defining a substantially right angle with the longitudinal axis of the main platform, so as to be available for the grip of the user's hand and to help to provide a safety and support railing during the passage of the user on the upper decking surfaces of the transit platforms.

[0013] Under the action of the actuation means which, as said, operate directly on the telescopic components (at least one) of the gangway, the gripping uprights integral with the transit platforms of the same pass from the passive position to the operating position and vice versa due to the presence of the ropes which connect them each other and which, in turn, are attached to at least one of the side edges of the transit platforms.

[0014] Typically, in a retractable and automatic telescopic gangway of known type, when the gripping uprights take the active position, the tensioned ropes (thus ready, for gripping of the persons) are place crosswise so as to form, together with the side edge of the transit platforms, a substantially isosceles perimetrical trapezium.

[0015] In particular, those ropes which define the isosceles sides of such a virtual perimetrical trapezium are placed near the front and rear part of the automatic retractable telescopic gangway and are, therefore, the first ones to be challenged by people during the ascent on board of the boat and the descent from it.

[0016] Clearly, this causes people - not only those ones who have greater ambulatory difficulties - some difficulty and some apprehension when they have to get on board the boat or leave it, since they have to significantly protrude, stretching their arms more, from the dock or the aft cockpit while keeping feet resting on these structures, with all the risks, fears and uncomfortableness that this inevitably provokes in many of them.

[0017] This specific problem have been certainly partly solved by the gangways or pedestrian landing structures in boats described in the prior patent documents WO2013042157 A1 and EP3075647 A1: they provide, indeed, a gripping candlestick mounted, even removably and manually although the fixed solution is always available and preferable, on the tip (or front part) of the telescopic transit platform and connected through a further rope with one of the central chandeliers traditionally provided for years in this kind of nautical items.

[0018] Such a front gripping candlestick allows people to access (and of course leave) the boats themselves in a more practical, safer and more comfortable way than the gangways of the more traditional type, totally devoid of front uprights, thus limiting with respect to the latter the risks of accidental and dangerous fall of people or allowing the walkway of people on the transit platforms of these pedestrian facilities in greater serenity and tranquility, without especially the necessary assistance of the crew and/or of staff present on the quay.

[0019] However, even the retractable and automatic retractable gangways of the prior art, more sophisticated and evolved also in terms of safety for the people who use them to get on and get off boats, just summarily described suffer from some recognized drawbacks.

[0020] In first instance, the fact of delegating the movement of the gripping uprights properly to the ropes or cords determines the need to provide for them a certain thickness (not lower than 15 mm) which impacts on the overall dimensions of the article especially when the gripping uprights themselves are located in passive position and, in return, the gangway is in non-operative conditions.

[0021] Secondly, the presence of a large number of ropes to ensure people the best possible safety conditions while they get on or get off a boat has the contraindication of always negatively impacting on the aesthetic effect of the telescopic gangway, which is always little appreciated by operators, especially shipowners who, also because of the exclusivity and the value of the environment in which they welcome people on board, require the maximum, from an aesthetic point of view, in every kind of component installed or used on the boat.

[0022] Thirdly, the retractable and automatic telescopic walkways of the prior art of the type described above present the drawback that, when the candlesticks take the active position and the auxiliary platform the operating position (such that the gangway, in its complex, take the operative conditions and is available for use), the tensioning of the ropes is not optimal and in any case it is not immediately effective, requiring manual intervention by the operator to reach the maximum achievable, in the tensioning of the ropes.

[0023] A last but not least drawback suffered by the known retractable and automatic telescopic gangways derives from the fact that the gripping uprights, when they are in active position, are not perfectly stable in a substantially vertical position. The last two drawbacks highlighted above, suffered by the retractable and automatic telescopic walkways of the prior art, reflect in the further drawback of providing safety conditions to persons who pass on them which can be however widely improved.

[0024] The present invention therefore intends to overcome the drawbacks of the known art just shown.

[0025] In particular, primary purpose of the present invention is to provide a retractable and automatic telescopic gangway for getting on and/or getting off moored boats of persons which allows to reduce the overall dimensions of the ropes with respect to the equivalent gangways of the prior art.

[0026] A second purpose of the invention is to give substance to a retractable telescopic gangway for getting on and/or getting off moored boats of persons which constitutes a more linear and more harmonious solution, and therefore presents a better aesthetic effect, with respect to similar gangways of known type.

[0027] Within such a purpose, it is task of the invention to design a retractable and automatic telescopic gangway for getting on and/or getting off moored boats of persons which is able to meet the needs of customers in a more complete manner compared to similar gangways of the known art.

[0028] It is another purpose of the present invention to conceive a retractable telescopic gangway for getting on and/or getting off moored boats of persons which allows to get an optimal tensioning of the ropes and anyway better than that one currently found in the prior art, when the uprights (or candlesticks) take the active position. It's a further purpose of the invention to provide a retractable telescopic gangway for getting on and/or getting off moored boats of persons in which the opening, the upward exit or the lifting of the gripping uprights towards the active position causes a simultaneous effective tensioning of the ropes, contrary to what happens in the prior art in which, for the purpose (which is only partly achieved, as mentioned above), the manual intervention of the operator is necessary.

[0029] It is a last but not least purpose of the present invention to create a retractable telescopic gangway for getting on and/or getting off moored boats of persons which allows to achieve excellent stability for the gripping uprights when they are in active, substantially vertical, position.

[0030] In the cognitive sphere of the last two purposes just indicated, it is task of the invention to develop a retractable telescopic gangway for getting on and/or getting off moored boats of persons which provides safety conditions to persons passing on it better than those one ensured by gangways of known type comparable to it. Said purposes are achieved by means of a retractable and automatic telescopic gangway for getting on and/or getting off moored boats of persons according to the attached claim 1, as hereinafter referred for the sake of brevity of exposure. Further technical features of detail of the retractable telescopic gangway for getting on and/or getting off moored boats of persons of the present invention are contained in the related dependent claims.

[0031] The aforementioned claims, specifically and concretely defined below, are integral part of the present description.

[0032] Advantageously, the retractable and automatic telescopic gangway of the present invention comprises ropes of a maximum thickness of 10 mm, thus having overall dimensions smaller than those ones of the ropes installed on retractable telescopic gangways of known type.

[0033] This is due to the fact that, in the invention, the retractable and automatic telescopic gangway comprises a composite control rod, operatively connected through means of fulcrum with the gripping uprights of at least one of the side edges of the main platform and of the auxiliary platform and partly coupled with the main board and partly with the auxiliary plaftomr in such a way that the actuation means simultaneously and indirectly position, by means of the control rod and the fulcrum means, the gripping uprights (or candlesticks) between the active position and the passive position while moving the telescopic auxiliary platform between the rest position and the operating position.

[0034] In the invention, therefore, the handling of the pick-up candlesticks is determined not so much by the ropes, as in the prior art, but by a control rod integral at least to the movable auxiliary telescopic platform coupled with the main transit platform which, preferably, remains fixed as soon as the gangway of the invention comes out from the dedicated room, made in the boat where it is housed when not necessary for use.

[0035] This aspect allows, on one hand, to install less cluttered ropes and, on the other hand, to install even a single rope (connecting it with the upper free end of the gripping uprights), since this presents purely the function of contributing, together with the gripping uprights themselves, to create the safety railing when the telescopic gangway is in operative conditions.

[0036] Still advantageously and also in function of what has just been said, the retractable and automatic telescopic gangway of the invention presents a more linear, more harmonious, more homogeneous aesthetic effect than the retractable telescopic walkways of the prior art, marked by a greater number of ropes variously inter-crossed in order to move the gripping uprights in motion.

[0037] To the achievement of this advantage also contributes the fact that, preferably and in a suitable manner, the telescopic gangway of the invention also comprises a front (or head or peak) gripping upright and/or, even more preferably, also a rear gripping upright (or tail), operatively connected with the control rod.

[0038] Indeed, these front and rear gripping uprights allow to eliminate the inclined and tensioned ropes (as a result of the achievement of the active position by the gripping uprights) to form the typical linear ramps which constitute the oblique sides of the virtual isosceles trapezium previously introduced, typical of the retractable and automatic telescopic gangways of the prior art.

[0039] Equally advantageously, the retractable and automatic telescopic gangway of the present invention tensions the ropes (which contribute to form the safety railing) in an optimal manner and in any case to a greater extent than the known telescopic gangways, when the gripping uprights (or candlesticks) take the active position. Equally advantageously, the retractable and automatic telescopic gangway of the present invention involves the aforementioned optimum and/or ameliorative tensioning of the ropes in an immediate, automatic and controlled manner together with the lifting, exit or rotation opening of the gripping uprights, without requiring no manual intervention by the operator.

[0040] Advantageously, moreover, when they take the active position, the gripping uprights (or candlesticks) installed in the automatic retractable telescopic gangway of the invention are decidedly stable and fixed in position and the task of support elements of the safety parapet is therefore entrusted to them - rather than to the ropes as it traditionally occurs in the known art -, having mechanical resistance to traction and to thrust higher than that one found in the equivalent telescopic gangways of the prior art: this still depends on the innovative and significant presence, in the telescopic gangway of the invention, of the control rod operatively connected through fulcrum means to the gripping uprights of at least one of the side edges of the main platform and of the auxiliary platform, with both of which is coupled.

[0041] Advantageously, the retractable telescopic gangway of the invention allows to effectively guarantee the regulatory height (not less than 1 meter) provided for them by the MCA (Maritime and Coast-Guard Agency) regulations.

[0042] Said purposes and advantages, as well as other ones that will emerge during the present patent script, will appear to a greater extent from the following description, relative to a preferred embodiment of the retractable and automatic telescopic gangway for getting on and/or getting off moored boats of persons of the invention, given by indicative and illustrative, but not limitative, title with reference to the attached drawings in which:

• figure 1 is a simplified and partial assonometric view of the retractable and automatic telescopic passageway of the invention, under operative conditions;
• figures 2 and 3 are two distinct assonometric views of figure 1 without persons' transit platforms;
• figure 4 is a partly exploded view of figure 2;
• figure 5 is an enlarged view of a constructive assembly of figure 4;
• figure 6 is a simplified, partial and truncated assonometric view of the retractable and automatic telescopic gangway of figure 1;
• figure 7 is a view of figure 6 according to a cross-section cutting plane;
• figure 8 is an enlarged assonometric view of a first constructive assembly of figure 6, comprising in particular the primary tubular service rod (or rear rod);
• figure 9 is an enlarged and partly exploded assonometric view of a second constructive assembly of figure 6;
• figure 10 is an enlarged assonometric view of a third constructive assembly of figure 6;
• figure 11 is a simplified, truncated, enlarged and partly exploded assonometric view of figure 10;
• figure 12 is an assonometric view of a first constructive assembly - relative to the front gripping upright (or candlestick) - of figure 1;
• figure 13 is an enlarged and truncated view of figure 12;
• figure 14 is the view of figure 13 from another angle;
• figure 15 is the truncated and exploded view of figure 13;
• figure 16 is a simplified, partial and truncated assonometric view of the retractable and automatic telescopic gangway of the invention under non-operative conditions, showing the front gripping upright in passive position;
• figure 17 is an assonometric view of figure 16 but with the front gripping upright in active position;
• figure 18 is an enlarged and partial view of figure 17;
• figure 19 is an assonometric view of a second constructive assembly - relative to the intermediate gripping upright (or candlestick) - of figure 1 ;
• figure 20 is an enlarged and truncated view of figure 19;
• figures 21 and 22 are two separate views of figure 20 from other angles;
• figures 23 and 24 are two separate axially truncated and exploded assonometric views of the second constructive assembly of figure 19, showing the intermediate gripping upright in passive position;
• figures 25 and 26 are two separate simplified, partial and truncated axonometric views of the retractable and automatic telescopic gangway of the invention under operative conditions, showing the intermediate gripping upright in active position;
• figure 27 is an assonometric view of a third constructive assembly - relative to the rear gripping upright (or candlestick) - of figure 1;
• figure 28 is an enlarged and truncated view of figure 27;
• figures 29 and 30 are two separate, truncated and exploded assonometric views of the third constructive assembly of figure 27;
• figure 31 is the truncated and exploded view of figure 30;
• figures 32 and 33 are two separate simplified, partial and truncated axonometric views of the retractable and automatic telescopic gangway of the invention under operative conditions, showing the rear gripping upright in active position;
• figures 34-41 show the sequence of automatic opening (or in other words, the passage from the passive position - generally horizontal - to the active position - generally vertical) of the gripping uprights in the telescopic gangway of the present invention.

[0043] The retractable and totally automatic telescopic gangway (at least in its essential components) of the invention, used for getting on and/or getting off moored boats (not shown), such as yachts or pleasure yachts, of persons, is illustrated in figure 1 where it is globally numbered with 1.

[0044] In any case, it is presented as a relevant and significant evolution, largely innovative and improving, of the walkable access structure (or gangway) shown in the patent documents published with WO2013042157 A1 and EP3075647 A1, both in the name of the same applicant of the present invention.

[0045] It is observed that the retractable telescopic walkway 1 for getting on and/or getting off moored boats of persons comprises:

• a main transit platform 2 which mainly develops along a longitudinal axis Z and defines a first upper floor plan 3;
• an auxiliary transit platform 4, telescopically and axially coupled with the main platform 2 and operatively connected with actuation means, visible in figures 6 and 10 where they are generally indicated with 5 and adapted to position it automatically and selectively between a rest position, where the auxiliary platform 4 is contained in the overall dimensions defined by the main platform 2, and an operating position in which the auxiliary platform 4 projects axially from the main platform 2 and defines a second upper plan 6 which constitutes an axial appendix (or an extension) of the first upper floor plan 3, together which it is accessible to the user;
• a plurality of gripping uprights (or candlesticks) 7 coupled in this case only with one of the two side edges 2a, 2b, 4a, 4b of the main platform 2 and of the auxiliary platform 4 and configured to be automatically and selectively place between a passive position, in which the gripping uprights 7 are in non-operative conditions and arranged along a first linear direction Z' (generally horizontal) substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis Z of the main platform 2, and an active position, in which the gripping uprights 7 are in operative conditions and protrude upwardly (generally in a vertical direction) from one of the side edges 2a, 2b, 4a, 4b of the main platform 2 and of the auxiliary platform 4 along a second linear direction Y which defines a substantially right angle with the longitudinal axis Z of the main platform 2, so as to be available for the grip of the user's hand and to help to provide a safety railing (however load-bearing and therefore effectively graspable) during the passage of the user on the upper plans 3, 6 of the transit platforms 2, 4.

[0046] According to the invention, the retractable and automatic telescopic walkway 1 includes a composite control rod, as a whole numbered with 8, operatively connected through fulcrum means, generally indicated with 9, with the gripping uprights 7 of one of the side edges 2a, 2b, 4a, 4b of the main platform 2 and of the auxiliary platform 4 and coupled partly with the main platform 2 and partly with the auxiliary platform 4 in such a way that the actuation means 5 position both simultaneously and indirectly, that is through the control rod 8 and the fulcrum means 9, the gripping uprights 7 between the active position and the passive position while the actuation means 5 themselves move the auxiliary platform 4 between the rest position and the operating position.

[0047] First of all, when the auxiliary platform 4 is in the rest position, telescopically contained inside the main platform 2, the telescopic gangway 1 of the invention is suitably housed in a dedicated room usually made at stern of the boat. Particularly, the control rod 8 is hidden from view as it is located below the first floor plan 3 and the second floor plan 6 (thus being contained in the at least partly box-like structure of the transit platforms 2 and 4) and presents a predominantly tubular structure (with a square profile, for example).

[0048] In addition, the control rod 8 presents an axial length lower than the sum of the length of the main transit platform 2 and the length of the auxiliary transit platform 4.

[0049] For their part, the actuation means 5 cooperate, as said, indirectly, that is by means of the movement of the auxiliary transit platform 4, with the control rod 8 so as to make it sliding alternately between a retracted position (for example inside the aforesaid dedicated room made at stern of the boat), defined when the auxiliary platform 4 takes the rest position, and a fully projecting position, defined at least when the auxiliary platform 4 takes the operating position and the telescopic gangway 1 is definitively in the operative conditions of figure 1. Preferably but not necessarily, as already mentioned and as shown in figures 2-4, the control rod 8 is, in this case, of the composite type and includes a primary tubular service rod 10 operatively connected with the main transit platform 2 and a driving tubular running rod 11, operatively connected with the auxiliary transit platform 4 and arranged at least partly superiorly close the primary tubular rod 10 both in the rest position and in the operating position of the auxiliary platform 4, to which correspond, respectively, the retracted position and the fully projecting position of the control rod 8 just defined above.

[0050] The driving tubular rod 11 is axially slidable of relative motion with respect to the primary tubular rod 10 integrally with the auxiliary platform 4 during the axial telescopic motion of exit and return of the auxiliary platform 4 with respect to the main platform 2: in any case, the axial sliding of the driving tubular rod 11 stops before the axial telescopic movement of the auxiliary platform 4 stops, as it will be further explained.

[0051] As already mentioned above, the primary tubular service rod 10 remains fixed in the initial position and this, in particular, at least until the front gripping upright 20 passes from the passive position to the active position, as a result of the thrust exerted by actuation means 5 on the auxiliary transit platform 4, as it will be hereinafter detailed in depth.

[0052] In this specific case, therefore, given the composite constructive conception of the control rod 8, the driving tubular running rod 11 is almost totally superimposed to the primary tubular service rod 10 in the rest position of the auxiliary platform 4 while, followed by its axial sliding along the longitudinal axis Z, the driving tubular running rod 11 almost totally protrudes from the primary tubular service rod 10 in the operating position of the auxiliary platform 4, remaining anyway superimposed to the primary tubular rod 10 for an inner end 11a, as highlighted in figure 4.

[0053] In a preferred but non-binding way, the driving tubular rod 11 is made integral with the primary tubular rod 10 by means of a shaped bracket 12, better visible in figures 5, 8 and 9 and supporting the intermediate fulcrum means 9: such a shaped bracket 12 is provided with folded ends 12a, 12b joined, for instance by welding, to the outer lateral wall 10c of the primary tubular rod 10 at a first end 10a of the primary tubular rod 10 itself.

[0054] Furthermore, due to its constructive design, the shaped bracket 12 defines an axial seat 13 in which the driving tubular rod 11 is slidable.

[0055] More in detail, the shaped bracket 12 presents a substantially U-shaped profile and is provided with a reinforcing insert 14 made of a material with a low friction coefficient (such as for example aliphatic polyamide also known by the commercial name of nylon) contained inside the axial seat 13, where it is arranged superiorly close, in sliding contact, to the outer upper surface 11c of the driving tubular rod 11, and inferiorly close to the inner face 121e of the head wall 12e of the shaped bracket 12, and coupled with two side plates 12c, 12d opposite each other of the shaped bracket 12 through first fastening means, generally indicated with 15.

[0056] The first fastening means 15 are of the type per se known to the ma skilled in the art, consisting for example in a pair of spaced apart and parallel nut screws 18 made in said reinforcing insert 14, in which a pair of screws 16 engages after their passage in a pair of through side holes 17 made in the lateral lamina 12d of the shaped bracket 12 and coaxial to the respective nut screws 18 of the reinforcing insert 14.

[0057] The sliding reinforcing insert 14, having just at preferred title the shape of a parallelepiped with two beveled vertices, presents multiple functions, among which:

• conferring precisely greater mechanical resistance to the shaped bracket 12 in order to keep its structural integrity unchanged;
• easing the axial sliding of the driving rod 11 with respect to the primary rod 10;
• acting as a spacer or separator between the driving rod 11 and the shaped bracket 12;
• supporting the driving rod keeping it fixed in an axial position and as far as possible constantly spaced apart from the inner bottom 4c of the auxiliary platform 4 (generally horizontal).

[0058] Advantageously and appropriately, the telescopic gangway 1 of the invention also comprises first axial end-of-stroke means, generally indicated with 19, cooperating with the driving tubular rod 11 before a front gripping upright 20 passes from the passive position to the active position, in such a way as to:

• arrest the relative motion of the driving tubular rod 11 with respect to the primary tubular rod 10,
• define the aforesaid projecting position of the control rod 8, in which the driving tubular rod 11 protrudes almost totally from the primary tubular rod 10,

and this when the auxiliary platform 4 comes out telescopically from the main platform 2 in order to pass from the rest position to the operating position, making the telescopic walkway 1 available for use.

[0059] Figures 4, 5, 8 and 9 show that, preferably, the first axial end-of-stroke means 19 comprise:

• a locking plug 21, placed at the inner end 11a of the driving tubular rod 11 and protruding from the outer side surface 11d of the driving rod 11 along a first linear axis X₁ orthogonal to the longitudinal axis Z of the main platform 2;
• a rear strike edge 22 of the shaped bracket 12 against which the locking plug 21 counteracts.

[0060] Figure 9 shows in particular how the locking plug 21 is inserted into a first through side opening 23, made in said driving tubular rod 11, as well as in a second through side opening, not visible in the attached figures, made in the driving tubular rod 11 and coaxially opposed to the first through side opening 23: it follows that the locking plug 21 protrudes from symmetrically opposed parts from the driving tubular rod 11.

[0061] According to the preferred embodiment described herein of the invention, the driving tubular rod 11 is coupled with the auxiliary transit platform 4 through first catching means, as a whole numbered with 24 visible partly at figures 4 and 6 and with complete detail to figures 12-18, and cooperating with the front fulcrum means 9 in order to allow to arrange the front gripping upright 19, which belongs to the plurality of firstly defined gripping uprights 7, selectively between the active position and the passive position.

[0062] More specifically, the first catching means 24 are arranged partly at the outer end 11b of the driving tubular rod 11 and partly at the front portion 25a of a bearing tubular element 25 (shown in figure 7) belonging to the auxiliary transit platform 4 and hidden from view as it is positioned beneath the second upper floor plan 6. Preferably but not necessarily, as it is observed in figures 12-18, the first catching means 24 include:

• a pair of spaced fins 26, 27 spaced apart and facing each other, projecting from a spacer block 28 belonging to the front fulcrum means 9 supporting the aforesaid front gripping upright 20 and facing from symmetrically opposite parts to the outer side surface 11d of the driving tubular rod 11 which, therefore, at the outer end 11b, is included between the shaped fins 26, 27;
• a transverse mandrel 29, protruding from the inner side surface 4d of the auxiliary platform 4 along a second linear axis X₂ orthogonal to the longitudinal axis Z of the main platform 2 and inserted into a pair of through holes 30, 31 mutually coaxial made in the driving tubular rod 11 and into a pair of through slots 32, 33 made one for each of the shaped fins 26, 27.

[0063] The transverse mandrel 29 is thus free to slide at least partly inside the through slots 32, 33 in the passage of the front upright 20 from the passive position to the active position and vice versa, remaining close to a first arched wall 34, 35 defined at a first end of each of the through slots 32, 33 either when the front upright 20 takes the passive position or when it takes the active position, due to the rotation of 90° of the front fulcrum means 9 supporting it and, accordingly, of the shaped fins 32, 33 around a first rotation axis X parallel to the second linear axis X₂: what just been said about the active and passive position of the front upright 20 can be derived in detail from figures 16-18.

[0064] In a suitable and advantageous manner, the first catching means 24 cooperate with first angular end-of-stroke means, overall indicated with 36, partly associated with the front fulcrum means 9 and partly with the auxiliary transit platform 4 and suitable to stop the 90° rotation of the front gripping upright 20 in its passage from the passive position to the active position and vice versa.

[0065] In particular, the first angular end-of-stroke means 36 are visible still in figures 12-18 and comprise for example:

• a laminar vane 37 having, for example, a substantially U-shaped profile and projecting from the outer wall 28a of the spacer block 28 of the catching means 24;
• a transverse pin 38 protruding from the outer side face 25c of the bearing tubular element 25 along a third linear axis X₃ parallel to the second linear axis X₂ and orthogonal to the longitudinal axis Z of the main transit platform 2,
• the same shaped fins 26, 27 of the first catching means 24.

[0066] The laminar vane 37 interferes with the transverse pin 38 by means of its own flat face 37a to stop the closing (or re-entering) rotation downwardly of the front gripping upright 20 and to define for the latter the aforesaid passive position (see figure 16), while the shaped fins 26, 27 interfere with the transverse pin 38 by means of their own flat lateral edge 26a, 27a to stop the opening (or exit) rotation upwardly of the front gripping upright 20 and define for the latter the active position (see figures 17 and 18).

[0067] It should be, furthermore, pointed out that conveniently the primary tubular service rod 10 cooperates with pre-loaded elastic recovery means, visible in figures 2-6, 10 and 11 where they are generally marked with 39, coupled with a second end 10b of the primary tubular rod 10 to counteract the thrust exerted by the actuation means 5 on the auxiliary platform 4 and, consequently, on the driving tubular rod 11 and thus keep the primary tubular rod 10 itself fixed at the initial position while the driving tubular rod 11 moves, integrally with the axial telescopic movement of exit of the auxiliary platform 4 from the main platform 2 impressed by the thrust of the actuation means 5, of relative motion with respect to the primary tubular rod 10.

[0068] In the preferred but not limiting example under description, the pre-loaded elastic recovery means 39 comprise a pair of helical springs 40, 41 suitably sized and arranged parallel and spaced apart each other, each of them being provided with:

• a first end 40a, 41a coupled through first hooking means, overall indicated with 42, with second catching means, as a whole indicated with 43, applied to the primary tubular service rod 10 and cooperating with the rear fulcrum means 9 in order to allow to position a rear gripping upright 44, belonging to the plurality of gripping uprights 7, selectively between the active position and the passive position;
• a second end 40b, 41b coupled through second coupling means, generally indicated with 45, with a rear plate 46 belonging to the bearing structure 47 of the main transit platform 2.

[0069] In other embodiments of the telescopic gangway of the invention, not shown in the accompanying drawings, the pre-loaded elastic recovery means could be of different type from that one just described (also a tubular element made of elastomeric material, suitably sawthoothed in its surface performs, indeed, for instance, the same function as an helical spring).

[0070] Furthermore, in further embodiments of the telescopic gangway of the invention, still not shown in the accompanying drawings, the pre-loaded elastic recovery means could include a number of helical springs different from that one indicated above and visible in the following figures, this number being able to vary according to the constructive choices starting from one.

[0071] With regard to the first hooking means 42 and the second hooking means 45, they are of the type per se known to the man skilled in the art and it does not dwell excessively on them, being however their preferred solution clearly visible not only in the figures mentioned above but also in figures 32 and 33.

[0072] Still according the preferred embodiment described herein of the invention, the primary tubular rod 10 is coupled with the main transit platform 2 through axial sliding means, generally indicated with 48 and visible particularly in figures 5, 7-9 and 11, hidden from view since contained into the main platform 2, suitable to make the primary tubular rod 10 movable or sliding along the longitudinal axis Z for a final length lower than the length of axial sliding (or the length of the distance travelled with relative motion with respect to the primary tubular rod 10) of the driving tubular rod 11.

[0073] This final length is within the range of values equal to 90÷150 mm and is travelled by the primary tubular bar 10 when:

• the front gripping upright 20 is already in the active position;
• the auxiliary platform 4 still has to reach the operating position, under the thrust exerted thereon by the actuation means 5;
• the thrust exerted by the actuation means 5 on the auxiliary platform 4 for causing its telescopic exit from the main platform 2 overcomes (or exceeds) the contrast or repulsion force of the pre-loaded elastic recovery means 39.

[0074] As more specifically shown in figures 7, 8 and 9, the axial sliding means 48 are coupled with the inner bottom 2c of the main platform 2 by means of second fastening means, generally numbered with 49.

[0075] In a preferred but non-binding way, the axial sliding means 48 comprise:

• three sliding blocks 50 firmly contained inside the primary tubular service rod 10 (just thanks to its tubular design) and each communicating with the outside by means of a respective through linear groove 51 made, according to an axial development, in the lower wall 10d of the primary tubular rod 10 in such a way as to face the inner bottom 2c of the main platform 2;
• the second fastening means 49 just introduced, such as for example screws, which space the primary tubular rod 10 in height from the auxiliary platform 4, making them fully integral.

[0076] Each of the sliding blocks 50 is advantageously inserted by sliding into the respective through linear groove 51 starting from a through auxiliary groove 52, adjacent to the through linear groove 51 with respect to which it has a greater width and a shorter length, as better illustrated figure 8: this is useful during assembly phase, allowing to ease the coupling system of the sliding blocks 50 with the primary tubular rod 10.

[0077] Figures 9 and 11 also emphasize that each of the sliding blocks 50 is made of polymeric material with a low coefficient of friction and high mechanical strength (for instance POM, acronym of polyoxymethylene) and is stably kept into the primary tubular rod 10 by support and guide means, overall numbered with 53.

[0078] More particularly, these support and guide means 53 include in this case, by way of pure non-limiting example:

• a pair of shaped linear undercuts 54, 55 made in the opposing and adjacent lower edges 50a, 50b of each of said sliding blocks 50;
• a pair of counter-shaped linear ribs 56, 57 made in the inner lower edges 10e, 10f (opposite and adjacent each other of the primary tubular rod 10) and conjugated to the respective shaped linear undercuts 54, 55.

[0079] It has to be understood that further alternative embodiments of the telescopic gangway of the invention, still not accompanied by reference drawings in the following, could provide that the axial sliding means which firmly connect the primary tubular rod with the main transit platform are different from those ones just described and visible in the attached figures.

[0080] In addition, in other optional embodiments of the retractable telescopic gangway of the present invention, not shown, the axial sliding means could provide a number of sliding blocks different from that one previously indicated and visible in the attached figures, such a number being able to vary depending on the design choices starting from one.

[0081] Preferably but not exclusively, the tubular primary rod 10 is coupled with the main transit platform 2 also through third catching means, overall indicated with 58, cooperating with the intermediate fulcrum means 9 in order to allow to position an intermediate gripping upright 59, belonging to the plurality of gripping uprights 7, selectively between the active position and the passive position.

[0082] In particular, the third catching means 58 are arranged partly near a terminal part 12f of the shaped bracket 12 and partly at a first perimetrical edge 60a of an intermediate plate 60 operatively connected with the intermediate fulcrum means 9, as it is derived by combining figures 6, 8 and 9.

[0083] Preferably but not necessarily, as figures 19-24 show, the third catching means 58 include:

• an actuation pin 61 projecting from one of the folded side plates 12d, 12e of the shaped bracket 12 along a fourth linear axis X₄ orthogonal to the longitudinal axis Z of the main platform 2;
• a guide notch 62, having an open profile and passing through the thickness of the intermediate plate 60 in which the guide notch 62 is made 4 starting from the first perimetrical edge 60a.

[0084] Thus, the actuation pin 61 slides inside the guide notch 62 while the intermediate upright 59 passes from passive position to active position and vice versa and is:

• disengaged from the guide notch 62 and axially removed from the intermediate plate 60, when the intermediate upright 59 takes the passive position, shown in figures 23 and 24;
• engaged in the guide notch 62 in such a way as to be placed close to a first inclined outwardly-and-upwardly divergent surface 63 starting from the center 60d of the intermediate plate 60 and delimiting the guide notch 62, when the intermediate upright 59 takes the active position (which can be derived both in figures 19-22 and in figures 25 and 26), due to the 90° rotation, for example in a clockwise direction, upwardly of the intermediate fulcrum means 9 which support it and, consequently, of the intermediate plate 60 around a third rotation axis X" parallel to the linear axis X₂.

[0085] Particularly, figures 19-24 show that the guide notch 62 has a profile substantially in the shape of a rectangular trapezoid, in which the lower base is arched, one of the vertices of the major base is convex and the other vertex of the major base presents a sharp edge 64.

[0086] The actuation pin 61 enters into contrast with the sharp edge 64 (from which the aforesaid first inclined outwardly-and-upwardly divergent surface 63 originates) at exactly the moment when the driving tubular rod 11, nearly totally raised thanks to the action of the first catching means 24, exerts on the driving tubular rod 11 (under the continuous thrust of the actuation means 5 on the auxiliary platform 4) a traction force which exceeds the opposing force exerted by the pre-loaded elastic recovery means 39 on the tubular primary rod 10 and axially drags the intermediate constructive block B formed by

• shaped bracket 12,
• reinforcing insert 14,
• first axial end-of-stroke means 19,
• third catching means 58,

as well as the tubular primary rod 10 and the axial sliding means 48.

[0087] By that moment, still under the thrust exerted by the actuation means 5, the actuation pin 61 progressively enters the guide notch 62 of the intermediate plate 60 by sliding against the first inclined surface 63 and causing the intermediate gripping upright 59 to exit (or open) by counterclockwise rotation upwardly.

[0088] It follows, therefore, that the third catching means 58, as conceived in the invention, act as second axial end-of-stroke means for the primary tubular rod 10 since they stop the axial sliding of the tubular primary rod 10 itself along the longitudinal axis Z (after the latter has travelled the final length of 90÷150 mm), while the auxiliary platform 4 is still telescopically extending from the main platform 2 to pass from the rest position to the operating position, simultaneously with the beginning of rotation of the intermediate upright 59 at the end of which it takes the active position (shown in figures 25 and 26) starting from the passive position (shown in figures 23 and 24).

[0089] Properly and advantageously, the third catching means 58 cooperate with second angular end-of-stroke means, generally indicated with 65, partly associated with the third catching means 58 and partly with the main transit platform 2 and suitable to stop the 90° rotation of the intermediate gripping upright 59 in its passage from the passive position to the active position and vice versa.

[0090] In particular, the second angular end-of-stroke means 65 are still visible in figures 19-26 and comprise for example:

• a squared tooth 66 protruding from one end of a second perimetrical edge 60b, adjacent to the first perimetrical edge 60a, of the intermediate plate 60;
• a flat wall 67 defined at one end of a third perimetrical edge 60c, adjacent to the second perimetrical edge 60b and opposite to the first perimetrical edge 60a, of the intermediate plate 60;
• said inner bottom 2c of the main platform 2.

[0091] Operatively, the squared tooth 66 mechanically interferes (almost by interlocking) with the inner bottom 2c through its own external flat face 66a to stop the closing/re-entering rotation downwardly of the intermediate gripping upright 59 and to define for it the passive position, while the flat wall 67 interferes with the inner bottom 2c to stop the opening/exit rotation upwardly of the intermediate gripping upright 59 and to define the active position for the latter.

[0092] As far as the second catching means 43 already introduced are concerned, they couple the tubular primary rod 10 with the main platform 2 and are arranged partly at the second end 10b of the tubular primary rod 10 and partly at the lower end 44a of the rear gripping upright 44.

[0093] Preferably but not necessarily, as shown in figures 10 and 27-33 (especially in figures 32 and 33), the second catching means 43 include:

• a rotary-translational transverse peg 68 protruding from opposite sides, along a fifth linear axis X₅ orthogonal to the longitudinal axis Z of the main platform 2, from a shaped rear plate 69 coupled above with the second end 10b of the primary tubular rod 10 and having a through loophole 70 extending along the shaped plate 69 according to a curvilinear (partly sinusoidal) profile and in which the rotary-translational transverse peg 68 is received;
• an eccentric body 71 composed of a narrow appendix 72 coupled with a bounded end 68a of the transverse peg 68 and of an enlarged portion 73 formed in a single body with the narrow appendix 72 and coupled with the rear fulcrum means 9 supporting the rear gripping upright 44.

[0094] According to this construction, the rotary-translational transverse peg 68 slides idle and controlled inside the through loophole 70 when the rear gripping upright 44 passes from the passive position to the active position and vice-versa, due to the 90° rotation around a second rotation X' axis parallel to said fifth linear axis X₅.

[0095] As it is shown in figures 27-33, the roto-translational transverse peg 68 is provided with a free end 68b, opposed to the bounded end 68a, projecting laterally from the shaped rear plate 69 on the opposite side of the bounded end 68a and provided with locking means, generally indicated by 74 and comprising, for example, a retaining nut 75 and a thickening washer 86, suitable for stably coupling the transverse peg 68 with the shaped rear plate 69.

[0096] Properly and advantageously, even the second catching means 43 cooperate with third angular end-of-stroke means, as a whole numbered with 76, defined in the second catching means 43 and suitable to stop the 90° rotation around a second rotation X' axis of the rear gripping upright 44 in its passage from the passive position to the active position and vice versa.

[0097] Particularly, as still figures 27-33 show, the third angular end-of-stroke means 76 comprise:

• a first concave wall 77 delimiting the through loophole 70 at a first peripheral portion 70a of the through loophole 70;
• a second concave wall 78, opposed to the first concave wall 77 and delimiting the through loophole 70 at a second peripheral portion 70b of the through loophole 70;
• the aforesaid rotary-translational transverse peg 68 of the second catching means 43.

[0098] Operatively, the roto-translational peg 68 engages, on one side, the first concave wall 77 to stop the closing/re-entering rotation of the rear gripping upright 44 and define for the latter the passive position, while the roto-translational transverse peg 68 engages, on the other side, the second concave wall 78 to stop the opening/exit rotation of the rear gripping upright 44 and define for the latter the active position.

[0099] Figures 32 and 33 show that the shaped rear plate 69 has a substantially rectangular profile in which the lower greater side 69a is totally linear and is welded on the upper wall 10g of the primary tubular rod 10, while the upper greater side 69b is only partly linear, being curvilinear for almost half of its length (where the section of the shaped rear plate 69 is reduced) starting from a lateral height 69c; the through loophole 70 extends in length following such a profile of the upper greater side 69b and in proximity thereof, without affecting the central area 69d of the shaped plate 69.

[0100] The arched, almost sinusoidal (therefore soft and sweet), profile of the through loophole 70 made in the shaped rear plate 69 allows the lifting (or opening) and the controlled return (or closing) of the rear gripping candlestick 44, with the evident advantages that this entails, such as avoiding sudden and noisy impacts between the rear candlestick 44 and the main platform 2.

[0101] At preferred but non-binding basis, the second catching means 43 (in this case, particularly, the shaped rear plate 69) comprise third axial end-of-stroke means, as a whole indicated with 79 and adapted to counteract the relative motion of the driving tubular rod 11 with respect to the primary tubular rod 10 when the front gripping upright 20 is in the passive position and the auxiliary transit platform 4 passes from the operating position to the rest position telescopically returning into the main transit platform 2.

[0102] The third end-of-stroke means 79 are extremely useful in the case where, due to the presence of encrustations, saltiness or other impurities (not unusual in the marine environment) which penetrate into the telescopic gangway 1 of the invention, the driving tubular rod 11 difficulty returns to the retracted position, in which it is totally above the primary tubular rod 10, and moves axially in an irregular manner: in this case, the front candlestick 20 cannot descend or close downwardly and remains still projecting upwardly, in an inclined position.

[0103] The third axial end-of-stroke means 79 are arranged, inside the main platform 2, in a position such that the driving tubular rod 11 interferes with them before the auxiliary platform 4 is completely telescopically retracted into the main platform 2 (for example, when 5 cm still lack to the telescopic complete re-enter of the auxiliary platform 4 into the main platform 2): this is just this interference between the driving rod 11 and the third axial end-of-stroke means 79 that advantageously generates the downwardly remaining rotation of the front candlestick 20 suspended inclined due to the presence of dirt or impurities of various types. More in detail, the third axial end-of-stroke means 79 preferably comprise a front linear (basically vertical) wall 80 (coinciding with the lateral height 69c) of the shaped rear plate 69 and a back strike surface 11e of the driving tubular rod 11 which, in its retracted position, contrasts against such a linear wall 80 of the shaped rear plate 69.

[0104] As it can be seen in figures 32 and 33, the front linear wall 80 belongs to the truncated left height of the substantially (though not completely) rectangular profile of the shaped rear plate 69.

[0105] In many of the figures expounded up to now it is noted that all the fulcrum means 9, arranged at the first catching means 20 (where they've been identified as front fulcrum means), at the second catching means 43 (where they've been identified as rear fulcrum means) and the third catching means 58 (where they've been identified as intermediate fulcrum means), exhibit common technical features. Indeed, the fulcrum means 9 associated with the various gripping uprights (candlesticks) 7 of the telescopic gangway 1 of the invention, namely to the front gripping upright 20, to the intermediate gripping upright 59 and to the rear gripping upright 44, comprise:

• a finishing body 81 integral with the lower end 20a, 44a, 59a of the gripping uprights 20, 44, 59 and remaining in view in the active position of the gripping uprights 20, 44, 59 and in the operating position of the auxiliary platform 4;
• an operating shaft 82 coupled with the finishing body 81 through first key means, overall indicated with 83, and provided with a reduced portion 84 projecting from the finishing body 81 according to a rotation axis, respectively X, X', X", orthogonal to the longitudinal axis Z;
• the previously mentioned spacer block 28, 60 or 71 coupled with the reduced portion 84 of the finishing body 81 through second key means, overall numbered with 85, and arranged axially facing the finishing body 81 in such a way as to almost completely hide to sight the operating shaft 82.

[0106] Therefore, according to the specific construction of the retractable and automatic telescopic gangway 1 described herein of the invention, the intermediate plate 60 and the eccentric body 71 coincide with the spacer block just introduced, also exploiting its function.

[0107] Subsequent figures 34-41 illustrate the operating sequence preferably followed by the automatic retractable telescopic gangway 1 of the invention for positioning in its operative conditions, ready to be used, starting from the non-operative conditions in which it is generally housed in a dedicated room made at aft of a boat.

[0108] As automatic, the retractable telescopic gangway 1 of the present invention presents a functioning managed by a central processing and control unit (not shown in the attached figures) available to the operator, electrically connected with the actuation means 5 which can be indifferently of hydraulic, pneumatic or electric type (such as an electric motor).

[0109] It is pointed out that, first of all, in the non-operative conditions of figure 34 of the telescopic gangway 1 of the invention, the gripping uprights (or candlesticks) 7 are substantially one above the other, in horizontal position, and precisely - following an order of numbering from bottom to top - the intermediate upright 59 is the first, the rear upright 44 is the second and the front upright 20 is the third and last (i.e. that one placed above the other two): therefore, inevitably, the front upright 20 is the first one to be lifted or opened, as well as the last to be lowered or closed.

[0110] In this case, moreover, the rear upright 44 is the second one to be moved in rotation (both in opening and closing) and the intermediate upright 59 is the last one to be lifted or opened, as well as the first one to be lowered or closed. However, in other executive and operating embodiments of the telescopic gangway of the invention, not shown in the attached drawing tables, the second gripping upright which is moved in rotation (both in opening and closing) could be the intermediate upright while the last upright that is raised or opened, as well as the first one that is lowered or closed, could be the rear upright: what remains constant is the opening movement and closing movement of the front upright, which respectively precedes and follows always those ones of the other two. Following the sequence of figures 34-41, therefore, the operation of the telescopic gangway 1 of the present invention, in addition to what can be got from the previous passages of the present description, and starting from its non-operative conditions (shown in figure 34) in which it is totally closed, initially envisages that the actuation means 5, operated by the central processing and control unit, begin to telescopically, axially and progressively push the auxiliary platform 4 out of the main platform 2 which remains instead fixed in position.

[0111] In this first thrust phase of the actuation means 5, if the frictions involved are minimal and the dimensional tolerances are optimal and respected (as it is legitimate to expect during the first cycles of use of the telescopic gangway 1 of the invention), the front gripping upright 20 doesn't rise (doesn't open), by rotating counterclockwise upwardly, and remains in the passive position until the axial sliding motion of the driving tubular rod 11 (which, it is recalled, is integral with the auxiliary platform 4) is not stopped by the first axial end-of-stroke means 19 and thus the first catching means 24, associated with the front part (or tip) 4e of the auxiliary platform 4, start operating.

[0112] If, instead, as it is much easier to happen and as figure 35 shows, the friction involved is significant, due, for example, to encrustations, impurities of various kinds, saltiness, wear and so on, the front gripping upright 20 starts rising (or lifting, opening) together with the telescopic exit of the auxiliary platform 4.

[0113] When the situation subsists where

• the auxiliary platform 4 leaves the main platform 2 for most of its axial stroke and approximately 90÷150 mm are still missing to reach the end-of-stroke of its telescopic exit from the main platform 2 that continues, without interruption until the telescopic gangway 1 of the invention is totally put into in operation,
• the first axial end-of-stroke means 19 have stopped the axial sliding motion of the driving tubular rod 11 with respect to the primary tubular rod 10 (effectively retained in position by the pre-loaded elastic recovery means 39),

the first catching means 20 and first angular end-of-stroke means 36, that allow to position the front upright 20 firmly in the active position of figure 36, thus start operating.

[0114] While the auxiliary platform 4 further exits (for example for another 20 mm) from the main platform 2 and the front upright 20 remains fixed in the active (generally vertical) position, the driving rod 11 begins axially dragging the intermediate construction B block outwardly (as said, formed by shaped bracket 12, reinforcing insert 14, first axial end-of-stroke means 19, third catching means 58) as well as the primary tubular rod 10 and the main platform 2 made integral with it by the axial sliding means 48: in getting this operation, it follows therefore that the thrust of the actuation means 5 exceeds or overcomes the opposing force of the pre-loaded elastic recovery means 39.

[0115] As it can be seen in figure 37, with the beginning of the axial sliding motion of the primary tubular rod 10 and of the intermediate constructive block B, the actuation pin 61 of the third catching means 58 begins to approach the sharp edge 64 of the guide notch 62 made through in the thickness of the intermediate plate 60 and, in this case, the pre-loaded elastic recovery means 39 (whose return force has been overcome by the thrust of the piston 87 of the actuation means 5) has to allow the second catching means 43 (and particularly the eccentric body 71) starts lifting (or opening) the rear gripping upright 44 through a clockwise rotation thereof around the third axis.

[0116] In the continuation of the moving of the telescopic gangway 1 of the present invention in order to make it fully operative and available for use, the progressive exit of the auxiliary platform 4 (for example for further 35 mm) from the main platform 2 continues to cause the dragging of the intermediate constructive block B up to the point where - figure 38 - the actuation pin 61 touches the sharp edge 64 causing the axial sliding of the primary rod 10 (and with it, of the main platform 2) to stop and, in turn, the entry of the actuation pin 61 itself into the guide notch 62 and the counterclockwise rotation not only of the intermediate plate 60 but also of the intermediate gripping upright 59 around the third rotation axis X" defined by the intermediate fulcrum means 9: in this way, also the intermediate gripping upright 59 starts the movement which brings it from the passive position to the active position.

[0117] The further exit (for example for 20 mm) of the auxiliary platform 4 from the main platform 2 causes, on one hand, the almost total elongation of the pre-loaded elastic recovery means 39 and, consequently, the positioning of the rear gripping upright 44 substantially in the active position, always thanks to the second catching means 43 (and particularly, to the combined action of the rotary-translational peg 68 that slides idle in the through loophole 70, and of the eccentric body 71) and, on the other side, the progressive engagement of the actuation pin 61 into the depth of the guide notch 62 and, consequently, the gradual lifting of the intermediate gripping upright 59 towards the active position: what has just been shown is schematically shown (in its inevitable static) in figure 39.

[0118] Figure 40 that follows shows how also the rear candlestick 44 and the intermediate candlestick 59 have reached the definitive active (generally vertical) position as a result of a further exit stroke (equal for example to 15 mm) by the auxiliary platform 4 with respect to the main platform 2: the stop of the upwardly exit rotation of the rear candlestick 44 takes place thanks to the third angular end-of-stroke means 76 (particularly, thanks to the contact of the transverse peg 68 with the second concave wall 78 delimiting the through loophole 70), while the stop of the upwardly exit rotation of the intermediate candlestick 59 takes place thanks to the second angular end-of-stroke means 65 (particularly, thanks to the mechanical interference of the flat wall 67 with the inner bottom 2c of the main platform 2).

[0119] At this point, also the rear support rope (or little row) 88a (up to now indicated dashed and preferably having a thickness of 10 mm) connected with the upper ends 44b, 59b respectively of the rear upright 44 and of the intermediate upright 59 is in the correct position, suitably tensioned and, as schematically shown in figure 40, it simply occurs (and only in this phase) that the operator manually connects the front rope (or litter row) 88b with the upper ends 44b and 20b respectively of the intermediate upright 59 and the front upright 20.

[0120] Likewise, if desired, the operator connects also the accessory and optional support ropes 89 and 90 (up to now indicated dashed too) arranged below the upper rope 88 (formed by the rear rope 88a and the front rope 88b) with the gripping uprights 7: in such a way, the telescopic gangway 1 of the current invention definitively takes the operating conditions, being available to use, shown in figure 41.

[0121] The minor (if not non-existent) interweaving of ropes with respect to the equivalent gangways of the prior art, allowed by the constructive conception of the automatic retractable telescopic walkway 1 of the invention, is evident even only by looking at figure 41: it follows for the telescopic gangway 1 of the invention a more linear and more harmonious aesthetic impact than the known telescopic gangways comparable to it, in addition to the previously highlighted technical advantages that entail greater safety for people passing through it.

[0122] The movement of the components indicated during the description to bring the telescopic gangway 1 of the invention back to the non-operative conditions takes place in the opposite direction to that one described above with the help of figures 34-41.

[0123] On the basis of the description just given, it is understood, therefore, that the retractable and automatic telescopic gangway for getting on and/or getting off moored boats of persons of the present invention achieves the purposes and reaches the advantages previously mentioned.

[0124] The presence of the rear gripping upright, which cannot be found in the equivalent telescopic gangways of known type, also appears of particular relevance in the retractable and automatic telescopic gangway of the present invention: this advantageously allows to provide people with better safety conditions than those ones guaranteed by the telescopic gangways of the current state of the art, even when people pass on the telescopic gangway of the invention to get off the boat and return to the ground, on the quay.

[0125] Upon execution or implementation, changes could be made to the retractable and automatic telescopic gangway for getting on and/or getting off moored boats of persons, object of the invention, consisting, for example, in fulcrum means different than those ones described above and illustrated in the attached drawings. In addition, further embodiments of the retractable telescopic gangway for getting on and/or getting off moored boats of persons which is claimed here by exclusivity, not shown in the following drawing tables, could also include a second composite control rod, coupled with the main platform and with the auxiliary platform (similarly to what has been previously highlighted for the only control rod of the embodiment described in detail in relation to the attached figures) and associated with one of the side edges of the main platform and the auxiliary platform symmetrically opposed to that one to which a first composite control rod is associated, which does not affect the advantage provided by the present invention.

[0126] This implies, in return, that, in these further embodiments of the telescopic gangway of the invention, the gripping uprights could be provided not only on one of the side edges of the transit platforms but on both.

[0127] Beyond this, in other embodiments of the present invention, still not shown, the retractable and automatic telescopic gangway could include a number of auxiliary transit platforms greater than two, each of which, in this case, telescopically coupled with the telescopic and movable transit platform immediately adjacent to it: in non-operative conditions of the telescopic gangway of the invention, each of these auxiliary transit platforms will be pack-contained inside the main transit platform having greater dimensions.

[0128] It is, finally, clear that several other changes could be made to the retractable and automatic telescopic gangway concerned, without departing from the principle of novelty intrinsic in the inventive idea expressed herein, as it is clear that, in the practical implementation of the invention, materials, shapes and sizes of the illustrated details could be changed, as needed, and replaced with others technically equivalent.

[0129] Where the constructive features and techniques mentioned in the following claims are followed by reference numbers or signs, those reference signs have been introduced with the sole objective of increasing the intelligibility of the claims themselves and therefore they have no limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified, by way of example only, by these reference signs.

Claims

1. Retractable telescopic gangway (1) for getting on and/or getting off boats of persons comprising:

- a main transit platform (2) that develops predominantly along a longitudinal axis (Z) and defines a first upper floor plan (3);

- at least one auxiliary transit platform (4), telescopically coupled with said main platform (2), operably connected with actuation means (5) suitable to position it automatically and selectively between a rest position, in which said auxiliary platform (4) is contained in the overall dimensions defined by said main platform (2), and an operating position in which said auxiliary platform (4) projects axially from said main platform (2) and defines a second upper floor plan (6) which constitutes an axial appendage of said first upper floor plan (3) together with it is accessible to the user;

- a plurality of gripping uprights (7) coupled with at least one of the side edges (2a, 2b, 4a, 4b) of said main platform (2) and said auxiliary platform (4) and configured to be selectively automatically place between a passive position, in which said gripping uprights (7) are in non-operative conditions and arranged along a first linear direction (Z') parallel to said longitudinal axis (Z) of said main platform (2), and an active position, in which said gripping uprights (7) are in operative conditions and protrude upwardly from at least one of said side edges (2a, 2b, 4a, 4b) of said main platform (2) and said auxiliary platform (4) along a second linear direction (Y) which defines a substantially right angle with said longitudinal axis (Z) of said main platform (2) in such a way as to be available for the grip of the user's hand and to contribute to provide a safety railing during the passage of said user on said upper floor plans (3, 6) of said transit platforms (2, 4),

characterized in that it comprises at least one control rod (8) operatively connected through fulcrum means (9) with said gripping uprights (7) of at least one of said side edges (2a, 2b, 4a, 4b) of said transit platforms (2, 4) and partly coupled with said auxiliary platform (4) in such a way that said actuation means (5) simultaneously position, by means of said control rod (8) and said fulcrum means (9), said gripping uprights (7) between the active position and the passive position while moving said auxiliary platform (4) between said rest position and said operating position.

2. Gangway (1) according to claim 1), characterized in that said actuation means (5) cooperate indirectly, by means of the moving of said auxiliary transit platform (4), with said control rod (8) in such a way as to make it sliding alternately between a retracted position defined when said auxiliary platform (4) takes said rest position and a fully projecting position defined at least when said auxiliary platform (4) takes said operating position.

3. Gangway (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said control rod (8) includes a primary tubular service rod (10) operatively connected with said main transit platform (2) and a driving tubular running rod (11) operatively connected with said auxiliary transit platform (4) and arranged at least partly above said primary tubular rod (10) both in said rest position and said operating position of said platform (4), said driving tubular rod (11) being sliding of relative motion with respect to said primary tubular rod (10) integrally with said auxiliary platform (4) during the axial telescopic motion of exit and return of said auxiliary platform (4) with respect to said main platform (2).

4. Gangway (1) according to claim 3), characterized in that said driving tubular rod (11) is made integral with said primary tubular rod (10) by means of a shaped bracket (12) supporting said fulcrum means (9), provided with folded ends (12a, 12b) joined to the outer lateral wall (10c) of said primary tubular rod (10) at a first end (10a) of said primary tubular rod (10) rod an defining an axial seat (13) in which said driving tubular rod (11) is received sliding.

5. Gangway (1) according to claim 3) or 4) when dependent on claim 2), characterized in that it comprises first axial end-of-stroke means (19) cooperating with said driving tubular rod (11) before a front gripping upright (20) passes from said passive position to said active position in such a way as to:

- arrest said relative motion of said driving tubular rod (11) with respect to said primary tubular rod (10),

- define said projecting position of said control rod (8), in which said driving tubular rod (11) protrudes almost completely from said primary tubular rod (10),

when said auxiliary platform (4) comes out telescopically from said main platform (2) in order to pass from said rest position to said operating position.

6. Gangway (1) according to claim 5) when dependent on claim 4), characterized in that said first axial end-of-stroke means (16) include:

- a locking plug (21) placed at an inner end (11a) of said driving tubular rod (11) and protruding from the outer side surface (11d) of said driving rod (11) along a first linear axis (X₁) orthogonal to said longitudinal axis (Z) of said main platform (2);

- a rear strike element (22) of said shaped bracket (12) against which said locking plug (21) counteracts.

7. Gangway (1) according to any of the claims 3) to 6), characterized in that said driving tubular rod (11) is coupled with said auxiliary transit platform (4) through first catching means (24) cooperating with said fulcrum means (9) in order to allow to arrange a front gripping upright (20) belonging to said plurality of gripping uprights (7) selectively between said active position and said passive position.

8. Gangway (1) according to claim 7), characterized in that said first catching means (24) are arranged partly at the outer end (11b) of said driving tubular rod (11) and partly at a front portion (25a) of a bearing tubular element (25) belonging to said auxiliary transit platform (4) and hidden to sight as positioned beneath said second upper floor plan (6).

9. Gangway (1) according to claim 8), characterized in that said first catching means (24) include:

- a pair of shaped fins (26, 27) spaced apart and facing each other, protruding from a spacer block (28) belonging to said fulcrum means (9) supporting said front gripping upright (20) and facing from symmetrically opposite parts the outer side surface (11d) of said driving tubular rod (11) which is comprised between said shaped fins (26, 27);

- a transverse mandrel (29) protruding from the inner side surface (4d) of said auxiliary platform (4) along a second linear axis (X₂) orthogonal to said longitudinal axis (Z) of said main platform (2) and inserted into a pair of through holes (30, 31) mutually coaxial made in said driving tubular rod (11) and into a pair of through slots (32, 33) made one for each of said shaped fins (26, 27),

said transverse mandrel (29) sliding inside said through slots (32, 33) in the passage of said front upright (20) from said passive position to said active position and vice versa remaining close to a first arched wall (34, 35) defined at a first end of each of said through slots (32, 33), when said front gripping upright (20) takes either said passive position or said active position, due to the rotation of 90° of said front fulcrum means (9) supporting it and of said shaped fins (32, 33) around a first rotation axis X parallel to said second linear axis (X₂).

10. Gangway (1) according to any of the claims 7) to 9), characterized in that said first catching means (24) cooperate with first angular end-of-stroke means (36), associated partly with said fulcrum means (9) and partly with said auxiliary platform (4) and suitable to stop the 90° rotation of said front gripping upright (20) in its passage from said passive position to said active position and vice versa.

11. Gangway (1) according to claim 10) when dependent on claim 9), characterized in that said first angular end-of-stroke means (36) comprise:

- a laminar vane (37) protruding from the outer wall (28a) of said spacer block (28);

- a transverse pin (38) protruding from the outer side face (25c) of said bearing tubular element (25) along a third linear axis (X₃) parallel to said second linear axis (X₂) and orthogonal to said longitudinal axis (Z) of development of said main platform (2);

- said shaped fins (26, 27) of said first catching means (24),

said laminar vane (37) interfering with said transverse pin (38) by means of its own flat face (37a) to stop the closing/re-entering rotation downwardly of said front gripping upright (20) and define said passive position thereof, and said shaped fins (26, 27) interfering with said transverse pin (34) by means of its own flat lateral edge (26a, 27a) to stop the opening/exit rotation upwardly of said front upright (20) and define said active position thereof.

12. Gangway (1) according to any of the claims 3) to 11), characterized in that said primary tubular rod (10) cooperates with pre-loaded elastic recovery means (39) coupled with a second end (10b) of said primary tubular rod (10) and suitable at least to counteract the thrust exerted by said actuation means (5) on said auxiliary transit platform (4) and said driving tubular rod (11) and thus at least keep said primary tubular rod (10) fixed at the initial position while said driving tubular rod (11) moves, integrally with said axial telescopic motion of exit of said auxiliary platform (4) from said main platform (2) imparted by said actuation means (5), with said relative motion with respect to said primary tubular rod (10).

13. Gangway (1) according to claim 12), characterized in that said pre-loaded elastic recovery means (39) include one or more helical springs (40, 41) arranged parallel each other, each having:

- a first end (40a, 41a) coupled through first hooking means (42) with second catching means (43) applied to said primary tubular service rod (10) and cooperating with said fulcrum means (9) in order to allow to position a rear gripping upright (44), belonging to said plurality of gripping uprights (7), selectively between said active position and said passive position;

- a second end (40b, 41b) coupled through second coupling means (45) with a rear plate (46) belonging to the bearing structure (47) of said main transit platform (2).

14. Gangway (1) according to any of the claims 3) to 13), characterized in that said primary tubular rod (10) is coupled with said main transit platform (2) through axial sliding means (48), hidden to sight since contained into said main platform (2), suitable to make said primary tubular rod (10) movable along said longitudinal axis (Z) for a final length lower than the axial sliding length of said driving tubular rod (11).

15. Gangway (1) according to claim 14), characterized in that said axial sliding means (48) comprise:

- one or more sliding blocks (50) firmly contained inside said primary tubular service rod (10) and communicating with the outside by means of one or more through linear channels (51) made axially in the lower wall (10d) of said primary tubular rod (10) in such a way to face the inner bottom (2c) of said main platform (2);

- second fastening means (49) spacing said primary tubular rod (10) in height from said auxiliary platform (4), making them fully integral.

16. Gangway (1) according to any of the claims 3) to 15), characterized in that said primary tubular rod (10) is coupled with said main transit plane (2) through third catching means (58) cooperating with said fulcrum means (9) in order to allow to position an intermediate gripping upright (59), belonging to said plurality of gripping uprights (7), selectively between said active position and said passive position.

17. Gangway (1) according to claim 16) when dependent on claim 4), characterized in that said third catching means (58) are arranged partly near a terminal part (12f) of said shaped bracket (12) and partly at a first perimetrical edge (60a) of an intermediate plate (60) operatively connected with said fulcrum means (9).

18. Gangway (1) according to claim 17), characterized in that said third catching means (58) include:

- a drive pin (61) projecting from one of said folded side plates (12d, 12e) of said shaped bracket (12) along a fourth linear axis (X₄) orthogonal to said longitudinal axis (Z) of said main platform (2);

- a guide notch (62) having an open profile and passing through the thickness of said intermediate plate (60) in which said guide notch (62) is made starting from said first perimetrical edge (60a),

said drive pin (61) sliding inside said guide notch (62) in the passage of said intermediate upright (59) from said passive position to said active position and vice versa and being:

• free from said guide notch (62) and axially removed from said intermediate plate (60) when said intermediate upright (59) takes said passive position,

• engaged in said guide notch (62) so that to be placed close to a first inclined outwardly-and-upwardly divergent surface (63) starting from the center (60d) of said intermediate plate (60) and delimiting said guide notch (62) when said intermediate upright (59) takes said active position due to the 90° rotation of said fulcrum means (9) supporting it and, consequently, of said intermediate plate 60) around a third rotation axis (X") parallel to said fourth linear axis (X₄).

19. Gangway (1) according to any of the claims 16) to 18), characterized in that said third catching means (58) cooperate with second angular end-of-stroke means (65), partly associated with said third catching means (58) and partly to said main transition platform (2) and suitable to stop the 90° rotation of said intermediate gripping upright (59) in its passage from said passive position to said active position and vice versa.

20. Gangway (1) according to claim 19) when dependent on claim 18), characterized in that said second angular end-of-stroke means (65) comprise:

- a square tooth (66) protruding from one end of a second peripheral edge (60b), adjacent to said first peripheral edge (60a) of said intermediate plate (60);

- a flat wall (67) defined at one end of a third perimetrical edge (60c) adjacent to said second perimetrical edge (60b) and opposed to said first perimetrical edge (60a) of said intermediate plate (60);

- an inner bottom (2c) of said main platform (2),

said square tooth (66) interfering with said inner bottom (2c) by means of its own external flat face (66a) to stop the closing/re-entering rotation downwardly of said intermediate upright (59) and define for said intermediate upright (59) said passive position, and said flat wall (67) interfering with said inner bottom (2c) to stop the opening/exit rotation upwardly of said intermediate upright (59) and define for said intermediate upright (59) said active position.

21. Gangway (1) according to claim 16), characterized in that said second catching means (43) include:

- a rotary-translational transverse peg (68) protruding from opposed parts, along a fifth linear axis (X₅) orthogonal to said longitudinal axis (Z) of said main platform (2), from a shaped rear plate (69) coupled above with said second end (10b) of said primary tubular rod (10) and having a through loophole (70) extending along said shaped plate (69) according to a curvilinear profile and in which said rotary-translational transverse peg (68) is received;

- an eccentric body (71) composed of a narrow appendix (72) coupled with a bounded end (68a) belonging to said transverse peg (68) and protruding laterally from said shaped rear plate (69), and of an enlarged portion (73) coupled with said fulcrum means (9) supporting said rear gripping upright (44), said rotary-translational transverse peg (68) sliding idle inside said through loophole (70) in the passage of said rear upright (44) from said passive position to said active position and vice versa, due to the 90° rotation around a second axis of rotation (X') parallel to said fifth linear axis (X₅) defined by said fulcrum means (9).

22. Gangway (1) according to claim 21), characterized in that said second catching means (43) cooperate with third angular end-of-stroke means (76) defined in said second catching means (43) and suitable to stop the 90° rotation, around said second rotation axis (X'), of said rear gripping upright (44) in its passage from said passive position to said active position and vice versa.

23. Gangway (1) according to claim 22), characterized in that said third angular end-of-stroke means (76) comprises:

- a first concave wall (77) laterally delimiting said through loophole (70);

- a second concave wall (78), opposed to said first concave wall (77) and laterally o delimiting said through loophole (70);

- said rotary-translational transverse peg (68) of said second catching means (43),

said rotary-translational transverse peg (68) engaging said first concave wall (74) to stop the closing/re-entering rotation downwardly of said rear upright (44) and define for said rear upright (44) said passive position, and said rotary-translational transverse peg (68) engaging said second concave wall (75) to stop the opening/exit rotation upwardly of said rear upright (44) and define for said rear upright (44) said active position.

24. Gangway (1) according to claim 21), characterized in that said second catching means (43) comprise third axial end-of-stroke means (79) suitable to counteract said relative motion of said driving tubular rod (11) with respect to said primary tubular rod (10) when said front gripping upright (20) is in said passive position and said auxiliary transit platform (4) passes from said operating position to said rest position by telescopically returning into said main transit platform (2).

25. Gangway (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said fulcrum means (9) include:

- a finishing body (81) integral with the lower end (20a, 44a, 59a) of said gripping uprights (20, 44, 59) and remaining in view in said active position of said gripping uprights (20, 44, 59) and in said operating position of said auxiliary platform (4);

- an operating shaft (82) coupled through first key means (83) with said finishing body (81) and provided with a reduced portion (84) protruding from said finishing body (81) according to a rotation axis (X, X', X") orthogonal to said longitudinal axis (Z);

- a spacer block (28, 60, 71) coupled through second key means (85) with said reduced portion (84) of said finishing body (81) and arranged axially facing said finishing body (81) in such a way as to almost totally hide to sight said operating shaft (82).

Drawing