Launch and Recovery Apparatus and Method

Abstract

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.