System and method for loading and securing equipment modules to a ship

Abstract

A system for connecting equipment to a mounting surface of a sea vessel, such as a ship or submarine or any other marine vessel. The system includes a skidding frame including a frame body having an upper and a lower surface; a mounting footprint secured to the mounting surface and adapted to releasably engage said lower surface of said skidding frame, and one or more equipment modules, wherein the one or more equipment modules are adapted to be attached to the upper surface of the skidding frame, whereby the equipment modules are indirectly connected to the mounting surface via the skidding frame.

1 . A system for connecting equipment to a mounting surface of a sea vessel, such as a ship or submarine or any other marine vessel, said system comprising:
 a skidding frame comprising a frame body, said frame body comprising an upper and a lower surface,   a mounting footprint secured to said mounting surface and adapted to releasably engage said lower surface of said skidding frame, and   one or more equipment modules for containing equipment, wherein said one or more equipment modules are adapted to be attached to said upper surface of said skidding frame, whereby said equipment modules are indirectly connected to said mounting surface via said skidding frame.   
     
     
         2 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said equipment modules are permanently attached to the upper surface of said skidding frame. 
     
     
         3 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said equipment modules are releasably attached to the upper surface of said skidding frame through securing means. 
     
     
         4 . A system according to  claim 3 , wherein multiple equipment modules are releasably attached to the upper surface of said skidding frame. 
     
     
         5 . A system according to  claim 4 , wherein and said multiple equipment modules are releasably attached to each other using securing means. 
     
     
         6 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said mounting footprint comprises a number of anchoring points and said skidding frame comprises a number of engaging anchoring points. 
     
     
         7 . A system according to  claim 6 , wherein and said anchoring points comprises said securing means. 
     
     
         8 . A system according to  claim 3 , wherein said securing means are twist locks. 
     
     
         9 . A system according to  claim 6 , wherein said skidding frame comprises a frame body, having two or more parallel battens and two or more parallel frame beams, said battens being substantially perpendicular to said beams. 
     
     
         10 . A system according to  claim 9 , wherein said frame body comprises a number of said anchoring points arranged at corners of said frame body. 
     
     
         11 . A system according to  claim 9 , wherein said frame body comprises a number of anchoring points arranged on said battens and/or said frame beams between said corners of said frame body. 
     
     
         12 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said skidding frame consists of a multiple of sections, said sections being smaller skidding frames that can be disconnected and connected. 
     
     
         13 . A skidding frame according to  claim 1  wherein said skidding frame comprises:
 a frame body, comprising two or more parallel battens and two or more parallel frame beams, said battens being substantially perpendicular to said beams, and 
 a plurality of anchoring points. 
 
     
     
         14 . A skidding frame according to  claim 13 , wherein said frame body comprises a number of anchoring points arranged at corners of said frame body and a number of anchoring points arranged on said battens and/or said frame beams between said corners of said frame body. 
     
     
         15 . A skidding frame according to  claim 13 , wherein said skidding frame consists of a multiple of sections, being smaller skidding frames, that can be disconnected and connected. 
     
     
         16 . A mounting footprint according to  claim 1  comprising:
 one or more anchoring points, and 
 one or more securing means adapted to be releasably mounted in said anchoring points and adapted for engaging container corners. 
 
     
     
         17 . A method of sideways loading a skidding frame for supporting equipment modules, onto a mounting surface of a sea vessel, such as a ship or submarine or any other marine vessel, and securing it to a mounting footprint of said mounting surface, said method comprising the steps of:
 securing said skidding frame to elevation means, such as a lift,   subsequently raising said elevation means to elevate said skidding frame to a level above said mounting surface,   once said skidding frame is at a level above said mounting surface, sideways conveying said skidding frame onto said mounting footprint,   engaging securing means to secure said skidding frame to said mounting footprint of the mounting surface.