Launch and Recovery Apparatus and Method
Apparatus for the launch and recover of boats ( 48 ), submersibles and the like includes a support ( 132 ) surface and a mounting means for attachment to a fixed structure. The apparatus is rendered buoyant in the water, for example by including inflatable and deflatable members ( 130, 132 )
1 . Apparatus for transfer of an entity to or from water, the apparatus comprising:
i. a support surface, along which the entity being launched or recovered is operatively moveable;
ii. a supporting body, at least part of an upper surface of which defines at least a portion of the support surface;
iii. at least one buoyant component operative to render the apparatus buoyant in water, at least one said buoyant component being disposed within the supporting body; and
iv. mounting means disposed at a first end of the apparatus, for pivotally mounting the apparatus on a fixed structure.
2 . (canceled)
3 . (canceled)
4 . Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprising a plurality of longitudinally extensive buoyant members arranged within the supporting body.
5 . Apparatus as claimed in 1 wherein the at least one buoyant component comprises first and second longitudinally extensive side members operatively arranged in substantially co-planar spaced apart relation.
6 . Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 further comprising spacing means operative to maintain the side members in co-planar spaced apart relation.
7 . Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the spacing means comprise or include inflatable and deflatable members.
8 . Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the side members are disposed within the supporting body.
9 . Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the side members are external to the supporting body and attached to the supporting body at respective sides thereof.
10 . Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the side members each comprise or include at least one longitudinally extensive buoyant member.
11 . Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the longitudinally extensive buoyant members are operatively transformable from a compact state suitable for transport and/or storage of the apparatus to an expanded operative state.
12 . Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein the buoyant members comprise a low density buoyant material.
13 . Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein the buoyant members comprise a foam material.
14 . Apparatus as claimed in claims 13 wherein the buoyant members comprise a compressible resilient foam material.
15 . Apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein the buoyant members are operatively inflatable and deflatable.
16 . Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein the buoyant members are operatively inflatable and deflatable.
17 . Apparatus as claimed in claim 16 wherein the buoyant members comprise one or a plurality of inflatable bladders or chambers.
18 . (canceled)
19 . (canceled)
20 . (canceled)
21 . Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein the support surface includes a portion of the outer surface of the side members.
22 . Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the support surface comprises, or includes, a portion of the outer surface of the spacing means.
23 . Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the support surface extends between the respective first and second side members.
24 . Apparatus as claimed in claim 23 wherein the support surface comprises, or includes, a web of supporting material disposed between the side members.
25 . Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein each side member comprises a pair of buoyant members.
26 . Apparatus as claimed in claim 25 wherein each side member comprises longitudinally extensive buoyant members having a length substantially equal to that of the side members.
27 . (canceled)
28 . (canceled)
29 . (canceled)
30 . (canceled)
31 . (canceled)
32 . (canceled)
33 . (canceled)
34 . Apparatus as claimed in claim 26 wherein, when the buoyant members are inflated, the respective side members are resiliently deformable and have sufficient resistance to bending and/or distortion to allow the apparatus to carry a boat, submersible or the like.
35 . (canceled)
36 . Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the respective side members comprise at least two inflatable members.
37 . Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising at least one walkway traversable by user.
38 . Apparatus as claimed in claim 37 wherein the walkway comprises non-slip means.
39 . Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the walkway is defined by an upper surface of a side member.
40 . Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the walkway is supported by an upper surface of a side member.
41 . Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein one or both of the side members, has safety rails attached.
42 . Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the supporting body has safety rails attached.
43 . A vessel including an apparatus as claimed in claim 1 .
44 . A motor vehicle configured to carry an apparatus as claimed in claim 1 .
45 . A trailer for towing by a motor vehicle and configured to carry an apparatus as claimed in claim 1 .
46 . (canceled)
47 . Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the spacing means operatively maintain the side members in substantially parallel relation.