DESC:FORM 2

THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENT RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10 and Rule 13)

Title of invention:
ADJUSTABLE GANGWAY AND METHOD OF USING THEREOF

Applicant:
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited
A company Incorporated in India under the Companies Act, 1956
Under Ministry of Defence,
(A Govt. of India Undertaking)
Having address:
Dockyard Road, Mazagon,
Mumbai - 400010, Maharashtra, India

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which is to be performed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND PRIORITY
[001] The present application claims priority from Indian provisional application no. 201921025358 filed on 26th June 2019.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[002] The present subject matter described herein, in general, relates to a gangway and more specifically relates to an adjustable gangway.
BACKGROUND
[003] Generally, gangways are used by passengers and crew members of a ship to enter or exit the ship. However, a distance of the ship from a jetty is not fixed. Conventionally used gangways may fall short or too long to use. Hence, there is a need to improve the gangway such that the gangway can be adjusted according to the distance of jetty from the ship.
SUMMARY
[004] Before the present system and method are described, it is to be understood that this application is not limited to the particular machine or an apparatus, and methodologies described, as there can be multiple possible embodiments that are not expressly illustrated in the present disclosures. It is also to be understood that the terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing the particular versions or embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present application. This summary is provided to introduce aspects related to an adjustable gangway, and the aspects are further elaborated below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the proposed subject matter nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the scope of the proposed subject matter.
[005] The present subject matter relates to an adjustable gangway used generally in ships or pontoons to enter or exit the ship or pontoon. The adjustable gangway of the present subject matter comprises a central platform and configured to accommodate a pair of extendable platforms wherein each extendable platform extends from each end of the central platform. The adjustable gangway may be extended by operating the extendable platforms wherein the entire length of the extendable platforms may be extended or retracted. Further, a pair of first longitudinal members of the predefined sections may configured to be mounted on right bottom and left bottom side of the central platform. In an embodiment, an opening of the pair of first longitudinal members of the predefined section may faces inwards. A pair of second longitudinal members of the predefined section may configured to be mounted on right bottom and left bottom side of each extendable platform wherein the opening of the pair of second longitudinal members of the predefined sections may faces outwards. Further, a sliding mechanism may be used for sliding of the extendable platforms and configured to be mounted on the pair of first and second longitudinal members of the predefined section. In an embodiment, the sliding mechanism may configured to be of a rack and pinion mechanism. The sliding mechanism may configured to be provided with a locking means to lock the extended platforms to a desired length. In an embodiment, the sliding mechanism may be electrically operated and configured with a manual sliding of the extendable platforms on failure of electrically operated mechanism. Further, a plurality of holding means may configured to be mounted on right side and left side of the adjustable gangway for providing support to the passengers, wherein the plurality of holding means may configured to be tied with a wire rope.
[006] A method of using the adjustable gangway comprises the steps of mounting the gangway in between the ship and the jetty, extending the pair of extendable platforms from both ends of the central platform, mounting one of the extendable platforms to the ship and other extendable platform to the jetty and mounting the plurality of holding means on the left and right side of the adjustable gangway wherein the plurality of holding means may be configured to tie with the wire rope.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[007] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawing. For the purpose of illustrating the disclosure, there is shown in the present document example constructions of the disclosure, however, the disclosure is not limited to the specific methods and apparatus disclosed in the document and the drawing:
[008] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figure. In the figure, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the drawing to refer like features and components.
[009] Figure 1 illustrates a top view of an adjustable gangway, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0010] Figure 2 illustrates a front view of an adjustable gangway, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0011] Figure 3 illustrates a side view of an adjustable gangway, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0012] Figure 4 illustrates a sliding mechanism for an adjustable gangway, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0013] The figure depicts various embodiments of the present disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following discussion that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] Some embodiments of this disclosure, illustrating all its features, will now be discussed in detail. The words "comprising", “having”, and "including," and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items. Although any systems and methods similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the present disclosure, the exemplary, systems and methods are now described. The disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the disclosure, which may be embodied in various forms.
[0015] Various modifications to the embodiment will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the generic principles herein may be applied to other embodiments. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments illustrated but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein.
[0016] An adjustable gangway may be configured to fit in provided distance to embark or disembark passengers and crew members. The adjustable gangway has a fixed length platform at the center with two sliding extensions provided one on the either side of fixed platform wherein the gangway uses simple sliding mechanism. The two sliding aluminum extension mechanism are mounted on predefined sections and can be completely retracted or extended based on a user requirement. The sliding mechanism can be locked at a desirable length of the adjustable gangway. Moreover, the present invention may use electrical means or may be operated manually to adjust the length of the adjustable gangway.
[0017] Referring to figure 1, a top view of the adjustable gangway is shown. The adjustable gangway comprises a central platform (102) and a pair of extendable platforms (104) extending each from ends of the central platform (102). In an embodiment, a length of central platform (102) and the pair of extendable platforms (104) may vary. In retracted position, the pair of extendable platforms (104) may hide below the central platform (102). A sliding mechanism (400) may be used to slide the extendable platform (104) from bottom side of the central platform (102). The sliding mechanism (400) may be mounted on bottom side of the central platform (102) and the pair of extendable platforms (104). In order to mount the adjustable gangway in provided distance, the pair of extendable platforms (104) may be extended and a locking mechanism may be used to lock the extended platform (104) to a desired length.
[0018] Referring now to figure 2, a front view of the adjustable gangway is shown. The pair of extendable platforms (104) may be mounted below the central platform (102) wherein each extendable platform may be operable from right bottom and left bottom end of the central platform (102). The desired length of the gangway may be obtained by sliding and locking the pair of extendable platforms (104). However, the central platform (102) may configured to be fixed. A plurality of holding means (202) may be mounted on the adjustable gangway for supporting the passengers and crew members while walking on the adjustable gangway. The plurality of holding means (202) may be connected to each other by tightening a wire rope (204).
[0019] Referring now to figure 3, a side view of the adjustable gangway with mechanism of sliding is shown. In an embodiment, the sliding mechanism (400) may configured to be a rack and pinion mechanism wherein the mechanism may configured to be mounted on bottom side of the adjustable gangway to enable the sliding of platforms. The central platform (102) may comprise a pair of first longitudinal members of predefined section (302) configured to be mounted on bottom side of the central platform (102). The pair of first longitudinal members of predefined sections (302) may configured to be provided over the length of the central platform (102). Further, a pair of second longitudinal members of predefined section (304) may configured to be mounted on bottom side of the extendable platforms (104) such that an open end of the second predefined sections (304) may faces the open end of the first predefined sections (302). In an embodiment, the first and second longitudinal members of predefined sections (302/304) may configured to be of C-channels. The first and second longitudinal members of the predefined sections (302/304) may be mounted on bottom of the central platform (102) and extendable platforms (104) respectively. In an embodiment, a pinion (404) of the sliding mechanism (400) may be mounted on the fixed C-channel (302) of the central platform (102) and a rack (402) may be mounted on the C-channel (304) of the extendable platform (104). In an embodiment, minimum four pinions may be provided at four bottom corners of the central platform (102) and the rack (402) may be provided on right and left side of each extendable platform (104). Further, a locking pin (306) may be configured to lock the platforms when the desired length of platform is extended. The locking pin (306) may be secured in a hole (406) of the pinion (404) to lock the sliding mechanism (400).
[0020] Referring now to figure 4, the sliding mechanism (400) mounted on bottom side of the adjustable gangway is shown. In the present disclosure, the sliding mechanism may be a rack and pinion mechanism. In an embodiment, the rack (402) may configured to be mounted on second predefined sections (304) of the extendable platforms (104) wherein the rack (402) may be configured to slide on the pinion (404) wherein the pinion (404) may configured to be mounted on first predefined sections (302) of the central platform (102). Further, the hole (406) may be configured for insertion of the locking pin (306) in order to lock the sliding mechanism (400).
[0021] Further, a method of using the proposed invention is described. An adjustable gangway may be mounted in between a ship and a jetty. A pair of extendable platforms (104) may be extended from each end of a central platform (102). One extendable platform (104) may be extended to a desired length and mounted on the ship. And, another extendable platform (104) may be extended to the desired length from another end of the central platform (102) and mounted on the jetty. After extending the desired length of the extendable platforms (104), the locking pin (306) is inserted in hole (406) of each pinion (404), thereby locking the sliding mechanism (400). Further, a plurality of holding means (202) along with a wire rope (204) tied to the holding means (202) may be mounted on the adjustable gangway in order to provide barrier or support on the sides of the adjustable gangway for the passengers or crew members while walking on the adjustable gangway.
[0022] Exemplary embodiments discussed above may provide certain advantages. Though not required to practice aspects of the disclosure, these advantages may include the following.
[0023] Some of the embodiments of the present subject matter enables an extendable gangway.
[0024] Some of the embodiments of the present subject matter enables use of an adjustable gangway based on distance between a ship and a jetty.
[0025] Some of the embodiments of the present subject matter enables the use of variable length of a gangway.
[0026] Some of the embodiments of the present invention enables the use of simple mechanical mechanism to operate.
[0027] Some of the embodiments of the present invention provides ease to passengers and crew members to enter and exit a ship.
[0028] The present invention provides an adjustable gangway which is light is weight and easy to handle.
[0029] Although implementations for the gangway has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methods, it is to be understood that the appended specifications are not necessarily limited to the specific features or methods described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as examples of implementation for the gangway.
[0030] Following is a list of reference numerals used in accordance with the present subject matter.
Part No Part Name
102 Central Platform
104 Extendable Platforms
202 Holding means
204 Wire Rope
302 First Longitudinal members of predefined sections for Central Platform
304 Second Longitudinal members of predefined sections for Extendable Platforms
306 Locking Pin
400 Sliding mechanism
402 Rack
404 Pinion
406 Hole

,CLAIMS:
1. An adjustable gangway comprising:
a central platform (102) configured to accommodate a pair of extendable platforms (104) wherein one extendable platform (104) extends from each end of the central platform (104);
a pair of first longitudinal members of a predefined section (302) configured to be mounted on right bottom and left bottom side of the central platform (102);
a pair of second longitudinal members of a predefined section (304) configured to be mounted on right bottom and left bottom side of the extendable platforms (104);
a sliding mechanism (400), for sliding the extendable platforms (104), configured to be mounted between the first longitudinal members of the predefined section (302) and the second longitudinal members of the predefined section (304).

2. The adjustable gangway, as claimed in claim 1, wherein an open side of the pair of first longitudinal members of the predefined section (302) is configured to face inwards.

3. The adjustable gangway, as claimed in claim 1, wherein an open side of the pair of second longitudinal members of the predefined sections (304) is configured to face outwards.

4. The adjustable gangway, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sliding mechanism (400) is configured to be a rack and pinion mechanism.

5. The adjustable gangway, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rack and pinion mechanism (400) used for sliding the extendable platforms (104) is configured to be provided with locking means to lock the extendable platforms (104) to a desired length.

6. The adjustable gangway, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the entire length of the extendable platforms (104) is extendable and retractable.

7. The adjustable gangway, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pair of extendable platforms (104) is configured to be accommodated below the central platform (102) in retracted position.

8. The adjustable gangway, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sliding mechanism is electrically operated and configured with a manual sliding of the extendable platforms (104) upon failure of electrically operated mechanism.

9. The adjustable gangway, as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of holding means (202) configured to be mounted on right side and left side of the adjustable gangway for providing support to the passengers, wherein the plurality of holding means (202) are configured to be tied with a wire rope (204).

10. The method of using an adjustable gangway comprises the steps of:
mounting the adjustable gangway in between a ship and a jetty;
extending a pair of extendable platforms (104) from both ends of a central platform (102);
mounting one of the extendable platforms (104) to the ship and other extendable platform (104) to the jetty; and
mounting a plurality of holding means (202) on right side and left side of the adjustable gangway wherein the plurality of holding means (202) are configured to be tied with a wire rope (204).