Gangway having position locking assembly

1. A gangway comprising:

a fixed platform;

a support structure connected to the fixed platform in a manner that allows the support structure to rotate with respect to the fixed platform between a stowed position and a lowered position; and

a releasable position locking assembly actuatable between a locked state and an unlocked state such that when in the locked state, the releasable position locking assembly inhibits rotation of said support structure in a raising direction from the lowered position toward the stowed position, and, when in the unlocked state, permits the rotation;

wherein the position locking assembly comprises a release actuator disposed so that actuation thereof by an operator at the fixed platform causes the releasable position locking assembly to be in the unlocked state.

2. The gangway of claim 1 , wherein said releasable position locking assembly, when in the locked state, permits rotation of the support structure in a lowering direction.

3. The gangway of claim 2 , further comprising a pedal-actuated foot lock for maintaining said support structure in the stowed position, said release actuator comprising said foot lock, and said position locking assembly being released upon actuation of said foot lock.

4. The gangway of claim 2 , wherein said position locking assembly comprises a pawl that engages an arcuate ratchet.

5. The gangway of claim 4 , wherein engagement of the pawl and the arcuate ratchet when the gangway is in the lowered position will prevent raising of the gangway.

6. The gangway of claim 4 , wherein the pawl is urged into engagement with the arcuate ratchet via a spring.

7. The gangway of claim 6 , wherein said spring is connected between a fixed structure and a pivotal foot lock.

8. The gangway of claim 7 , wherein said pawl is connected to said pivotal foot lock via a linkage.

9. The gangway of claim 7 , wherein disengagement of the pawl and the arcuate ratchet occurs while activating the foot lock from the fixed platform.

10. The gangway of claim 4 , wherein the arcuate ratchet comprises a ratchet wheel coaxial with an axis of rotation of said support structure.

11. The gangway of claim 10 , wherein said ratchet wheel is located around a bearing.

12. A releasable position locking assembly for a gangway having a support structure pivotal with respect to a platform about an axis of rotation between a stowed position and a lowered position, said assembly comprising:

a ratchet wheel coaxial with the axis of rotation of the support structure;

a pawl that engages teeth located on an outer circumference of said ratchet wheel so as to inhibit rotation of said support structure in a raising direction from the lowered position toward the stowed position but permitting rotation of the support structure in a lowering direction;

said pawl being movable out of engagement with said teeth so as to permit rotation of said support structure in a raising direction; and

a release actuator configured to be actuated by an operator at the platform to cause said pawl to be moved out of engagement with said teeth.

13. The releasable position locking assembly of claim 12 , wherein said teeth extend partially around the circumference of said ratchet wheel.

14. The releasable position locking assembly of claim 12 , wherein said teeth extend entirely around the circumference of said ratchet wheel.

15. The releasable position locking assembly of claim 12 , wherein said ratchet wheel is located around a bearing.

16. The releasable position locking assembly of claim 12 , wherein the pawl is urged into engagement with the ratchet wheel via a spring and moved out of engagement with the ratchet wheel against the force of said spring.

17. The releasable position locking assembly of claim 16 , wherein the pawl moves into and out of engagement with the ratchet wheel via pivotal movement.

18. The releasable position locking assembly of claim 17 , wherein the release actuator comprises a pivotal actuator connected to said pawl via a linkage, movement of the pivotal actuator causing pivotal movement of pawl.

19. The releasable position locking assembly of claim 18 , wherein said spring comprises a helical spring.

20. The releasable position locking assembly of claim 19 , wherein said linkage and said spring are located on a same side of a pivot of said pivotal actuator.

21. The releasable position locking assembly of claim 18 , wherein said pivotal actuator comprises a pedal-actuated foot lock for maintaining the support structure in the stowed position, said pawl moving out of engagement with the ratchet wheel upon actuation of said foot lock.

22. A releasable position locking assembly for a gangway having a support structure pivotal with respect to a platform about an axis of rotation between a stowed position and a lowered position, said assembly comprising:

a ratchet situated adjacent to the axis of rotation of the support structure;

a pawl that engages teeth located on said ratchet so as to inhibit rotation of said support structure in a raising direction from the lowered position toward the stowed position but permitting rotation of the support structure in a lowering direction;

said pawl being movable out of engagement with said teeth so as to permit rotation of said support structure in a raising direction; and

a release actuator configured to be actuated by an operator at the platform to cause said pawl to be moved out of engagement with said teeth.