DESC:FIELD OF INVENTION:
[0001] The present invention generally relates to a device used for ship launching. More particularly, the present invention relates to a trolley that is suitable to place and align the standing / sliding ways on the ship's slipway to support launching.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
[0002] Ship launching is an important event representing the beginning of the ship’s life. Successful launching lays the ship smoothly in the water and launching ends when the ship stops and floats freely. Launching of the ship may be either longitudinal or side launching. Only the former will be considered in this article as longitudinal launching is common in Croatian and many other seaside shipyards.

[0003] One of the main problems that commonly occur during the ship launching is the procedure of standing ways erection. The procedure includes placing the cement blocks using a forklift. Standing ways are further placed on the cement blocks with the help of forklift hydraulic Jacks and PP rope. The presence of shore support makes the process even more difficult to complete. As there is very little space to work, operators have to work in a bend position, which is ergonomically not good, as the same procedure has to be repeated on another side of the ship. Even the number of standing ways erection per day is relatively less. As a result, the launching activity gets delayed, thus delaying the project schedule.

[0004] To overcome the aforesaid problem, a novel device is introduced herein.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION:
[0005] The main object of the present invention is to provide a trolley that can be used to place and align the standing / sliding ways on the ship's slipway to support launching.
[0006] Another object of the present invention is to improve the efficiency of ship launching operations.
[0007] Another object of the present invention is to ensure accurate alignment and placement of the standing/sliding ways on the ship's slipway.
[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a trolley that can be efficiently maneuvered and utilized within the shipyard environment without unnecessary complications.
[0009] The present invention pertains to a trolley designed to effectively position and align standing or sliding ways on a ship's slipway to facilitate the launching process.

[0010] In an aspect of the present invention, the trolley for ship launching comprises a frame body having a top frame, wherein the top frame is configured to receive and support standing and sliding ways and a plurality of caster wheels attached to the frame body to facilitate smooth movement along a ship's slipway.

[0011] In an aspect of the present invention, the method for operating a trolley for ship launching comprising the steps of placing the trolley above cement blocks positioned below the keel of the ship, utilizing a forklift to load the standing/sliding ways onto the trolley, moving the trolley over the cement blocks to a designated location on the slipway of the ship and positioning the standing ways on the cement blocks to provide support for the ship launching.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS:
[0001] The invention has other advantages and features which will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the appended claims, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1: illustrates a trolley of the present invention,
Figure 2: illustrates a flowchart for the method of operation of the trolley.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:
[0012] While the invention has been disclosed with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt to a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope.

[0013] Throughout the specification and claims, the following terms take the meanings explicitly associated herein unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The meaning of "a", "an", and "the" include plural references. The meaning of "in" includes "in" and "on." Referring to the drawings, like numbers indicate like parts throughout the views. Additionally, a reference to the singular includes a reference to the plural unless otherwise stated or inconsistent with the disclosure herein.

[0014] The figures and protocols have been represented where appropriate by conventional representations in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

[0015] The present invention relates to a trolley that effectively positions and aligns standing or sliding ways on a ship's slipway, contributing to the successful launch of ships.

[0016] As shown in Fig.1, the trolley 100 of the present invention comprises a frame body 10 having a top frame 20, wherein the top frame 20 is configured to receive and support standing and sliding ways and a plurality of caster wheels 30 attached to the frame body 10 to facilitate smooth movement along a ship's slipway.

[0017] As illustrated in Fig.2, the method for operating the trolley 100 for launching of the ship comprised of placing the trolley 100 above cement blocks positioned below the keel of the ship, utilizing a forklift to load the standing or sliding ways onto the trolley 100, moving the trolley 100 over the cement blocks to a designated location on the slipway of the ship and positioning the standing ways on the cement blocks to provide support for the ship launching.

[0018] In another embodiment of the present invention, the average length of standing ways is 3 meter and the available working height below the ship is only 1.3 meters.

[0019] Although a particular exemplary embodiment of the invention has been disclosed in detail for illustrative purposes, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that variations or modifications of the disclosed invention, including the rearrangement in the configurations of the parts, changes in steps and their sequences may be possible. Accordingly, the invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as may fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0020] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION:
[0021] The present invention provides a trolley that can be used to align any type of standing way.
[0022] The present invention provides a trolley that can be used across various ship designs and configurations.
[0023] The present invention provides a trolley that increases in the number of standing-way erections per day, enhancing overall productivity.
[0024] The present invention provides a trolley that reduces fatigue on operatives during the erection procedure.
[0025] The present invention provides a trolley that minimizes delays in project schedules, contributing to more timely ship launches.
[0026] The present invention provides a trolley that is easy to use and transport, making it a convenient tool for shipyard operations.
,CLAIMS:1. A trolley 100 for ship launching, comprising:
a frame body 10 having a top frame 20, wherein the top frame 20 is configured to receive and support standing and sliding ways; and
a plurality of caster wheels 30 attached to the frame body 10 to facilitate smooth movement along a ship's slipway.

2. A method for operating a trolley 100 for ship launching, comprising the steps of:
a) placing the trolley 100 above cement blocks positioned below the keel of the ship,
b) utilizing a forklift to load the standing and sliding ways onto the trolley 100,
c) moving the trolley 100 over the cement blocks to a designated location on the slipway of the ship; and
d) positioning the standing ways on the cement blocks to provide support for the ship launching.