A temporary working platform, a transport system, a vessel, and a method

Abstract

A temporary working platform for removable attachment to a column of an offshore structure. The platform comprises a frame for carrying a working structure such as a working surface. Further, the platform comprises a mounting mechanism for releasably mounting the working platform to said column, from a side of the column. The mounting mechanism may include a clamping mechanism supporting the frame. The clamping mechanism may be arranged for at least partially surrounding a column of an offshore structure and for releasably clamping said column.

1 . A temporary working platform for removable attachment to a column of an offshore structure, comprising a frame for carrying a working structure, in particular a working surface, and a mounting mechanism for releasably mounting the working platform to said column, from a side of the column. 
     
     
         2 . The temporary working platform according to  claim 1 , wherein the mounting mechanism includes at least one of a unit for disposing a non-permanent adhesive, an electromagnetic device and a clamping mechanism. 
     
     
         3 . The temporary working platform according to  claim 2 , wherein the clamping mechanism supports the frame and is arranged for at least partially surrounding the column and for releasably clamping said column. 
     
     
         4 . The temporary working platform according to  claim 3 , wherein the clamping mechanism includes a pair of clamping jaws having respective free ends, the jaws being mutually removable between a releasing state wherein the jaw free ends are relatively remote from each other and a clamping state wherein the jaw free ends are relatively close to each other. 
     
     
         5 . The temporary working platform according to  claim 4 , wherein the pair of clamping jaws are pivotably mounted to each other such that the clamping jaws are pivotable between the releasing state and the clamping state. 
     
     
         6 . The temporary working platform according to  claim 3 , further comprising an actuator for controllably driving the clamping mechanism. 
     
     
         7 . The temporary working platform according to  claim 3 , wherein the frame includes a pair of frame elements, each frame element being supported by a corresponding clamping jaw. 
     
     
         8 . The temporary working platform according to  claim 7 , wherein the clamping jaws and/or the frame elements are mainly shaped as curved portions for at least partially surrounding the column of an offshore structure. 
     
     
         9 . The temporary working platform according to  claim 4 , wherein the clamping jaws include an elastic layer mounted on a clamping side of said clamping jaws. 
     
     
         10 . The temporary working platform according to  claim 7 , wherein the clamping jaws and/or the frame elements are located at mutually opposite locations. 
     
     
         11 . The temporary working platform according to  claim 1 , wherein the working structure includes a grating or another working surface, and/or a working device such as a hoist. 
     
     
         12 . The temporary working platform according to  claim 1 , further comprising a first coupling element for releasable coupling to a second coupling element mounted on a transport system transporting the platform to and from the column of the offshore structure. 
     
     
         13 . The temporary working platform according to  claim 12 , wherein the transport system is a telescopic gangway. 
     
     
         14 . The temporary working platform according to  claim 12 , wherein the first or second coupling element includes a guiding structure for guiding the first and second coupling elements towards each other. 
     
     
         15 . The temporary working platform according to  claim 12 , further comprising a locking element for locking the first coupling element to the second coupling element. 
     
     
         16 . The temporary working platform according to  claim 2 , wherein the clamping mechanism clamps a column of an offshore construction. 
     
     
         17 . A transport system, in particular a telescopic gangway, comprising a second coupling element for releasable coupling to a first coupling element of the temporary working platform according to  claim 12 . 
     
     
         18 . The transport system according to  claim 17 , wherein the second coupling element is mounted to a free end or tip of the transport system. 
     
     
         19 . The transport system according to  claim 17 , coupled to the temporary working platform. 
     
     
         20 . A vessel, comprising a transport system, such as a telescopic gangway, according to  claim 17 . 
     
     
         21 . A telescopic gangway and a temporary working platform, wherein the telescopic gangway comprises first and second gangway parts which are telescopable relative to each other in a longitudinal direction, as well as a primary coupling element for removably coupling the telescopic gangway to the temporary working platform, and wherein the temporary working platform comprises a secondary coupling element for removably coupling the temporary working platform to the telescopic gangway, as well as an actuated clamping mechanism suitable for removably attaching the working platform to a column of an offshore construction by at least partially surrounding said column with said actuated clamping mechanism. 
     
     
         22 . A method of handling a temporary working platform according to  claim 2 . 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 22 , comprising a step of controllably driving the clamping mechanism to a clamping state wherein the clamping mechanism clamps a column of an offshore construction. 
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 23 , further comprising a step of decoupling the temporary working platform from a transport system, after the step of controllably driving the clamping mechanism to the clamping state. 
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 22 , comprising a step of coupling the temporary working platform to a transport system, the temporary working platform being removably attached to a column of an offshore construction. 
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 25 , further comprising a step of driving the clamping mechanism to a releasing state wherein the clamping mechanism releases the column of the offshore construction, after the coupling step.