Handling Apparatus and Method

Abstract

A handling apparatus ( 10 ) for supporting and deploying an object ( 12 ), such as a marine craft, comprises a support frame ( 18 ) and a cradle ( 20 ) upon which the object ( 12 ) to be deployed is disposed. A retaining flap ( 24 ) forms a first portion of the cradle ( 20 ) and is coupled to a deployment ramp ( 26 ) which forms a second portion of the cradle ( 20 ), the retaining flap ( 24 ) being movable between a first position which retains the object ( 12 ) on the cradle ( 20 ) and a second position in which the object ( 12 ) is released for movement relative to the cradle ( 20 ). The handling apparatus ( 10 ) is movable from a first, storage, position to a second, deployment, position in which the object ( 12 ) can be deployed.

1 . A handling apparatus for supporting and deploying an object, the handling apparatus operable between a first, storage, position and a second, deployment, position for deploying the object, the handling apparatus comprising:
 a cradle for supporting the object to be deployed thereon, the cradle comprising a first cradle portion coupled to a second cradle portion, the first cradle portion movable from a first, extended, position relative to the second cradle portion in which the object is retained on the cradle by the first cradle portion to a second, retracted, position in which the object is released for movement relative to the cradle; and   a release arrangement operable to release the object for movement relative to the cradle, the release arrangement configured to move or permit movement of the first cradle portion to the second, retracted, position,   wherein the handling apparatus releasably retains the object and is configured, to move from the first, storage, position to the second, deployment, position to facilitate deployment of the object when the first cradle portion moves to the second, retracted, position.   
     
     
         2 . The handling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the handling apparatus comprises a davit. 
     
     
         3 . The handling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the handling apparatus is configured to move from the first, storage, position to the second, deployment, position as a result of movement of the object to be deployed. 
     
     
         4 . The handling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first cradle portion is pivotably coupled to the second cradle portion and the first cradle portion is pivotable from the first, extended, position to the second, retracted, position. 
     
     
         5 . The handling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first cradle portion comprises a retaining flap. 
     
     
         6 . The handling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second cradle portion comprises a deployment ramp. 
     
     
         7 . The handling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the handling apparatus comprises a support arrangement, the support arrangement comprising a support frame. 
     
     
         8 . The handling apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the support frame is pivotably coupled to a mounting surface, the handling apparatus movable from the first, storage, position to the second, deployment, position by pivoting the support frame. 
     
     
         9 . The handling apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the cradle is disposed on the support frame of the support arrangement. 
     
     
         10 . The handling apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the cradle is integrally formed with the support frame. 
     
     
         11 . The handling apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the support frame is at least partially constructed from a composite material. 
     
     
         12 . The handling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the release arrangement is manually operable. 
     
     
         13 . The handling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the release arrangement in a first configuration is configured to prevent movement of the first cradle portion relative to the second cradle portion and wherein the release arrangement in a second configuration is configured to permit movement of the first cradle portion relative to the second cradle portion. 
     
     
         14 . The handling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the release arrangement comprises a sleeve configured for movement from a first position in which movement of the first cradle portion is prevented to a second position in which the first cradle portion is released for movement relative to the second cradle portion. 
     
     
         15 . The handling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the handling apparatus comprises, or is operated associated with, a deployment arrangement. 
     
     
         16 . The handling apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the deployment arrangement comprises a winch arrangement. 
     
     
         17 . The handling apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising an actuator arrangement. 
     
     
         18 . A method comprising:
 providing a handling apparatus comprising: a cradle for supporting an object to be deployed thereon, the cradle comprising a first cradle portion coupled to a second cradle portion; and a release arrangement operable to release the object for movement relative to the cradle;   operating the release arrangement by moving the first cradle portion from a first, extended, position relative to the second cradle portion to a second, retracted, position relative to the second cradle portion, in which second position the object is released for movement relative to the cradle; and   moving the handling apparatus between a first, storage, position and a second, deployment, position suitable for deploying the object.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , comprising deploying the object. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , comprising operating a deployment arrangement to move the object.