Search

EP-4735328-A1 - GANGWAY WITH SELF ADJUSTING STEPS FOR BRIDGING VARIABLE HEIGHT DIFFERENCES

EP4735328A1EP 4735328 A1EP4735328 A1EP 4735328A1EP-4735328-A1

Abstract

An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences has a framework consisting of two lateral longitudinal supports (VN), between which two or more steps are clamped, where one step is a top fixed step (STF) at a fixed end of the longitudinal supports of the gangway (M) and this step is firmly mounted on a top board of a pier (Pop), or in an alternative implementation example, on a deck of a vessel (PL), and where the two longitudinal supports rotate around a transverse axis (5) of this step, and where the second step is a rotating intermediate step (STV) or where there are several such steps (STV), rotatably connected along its lateral sides with the left and right longitudinal support (VN) of the gangway. The intermediate rotating step rotates around its transverse axis (y) with a mechanism of a chain drive of the gangway, so that a walking board of the intermediate rotating step (STVp) always takes a horizontal position regardless of the angle of inclination of the gangway (M) and its longitudinal supports against the vertical wall of the pier (Pov). The chain drive of the gangway is in at least one of the two longitudinal supports of the gangway.

Inventors

  • RUZIC, Bostjan

Assignees

  • Var Storitve, Posredovanje Delovne Sile In Storitve d.o.o.

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20250303

Claims (20)

  1. 1 . An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences has a framework that is formed by two lateral longitudinal supports (VN) that run along the length of the gangway (M), where two or more steps are clamped between the two longitudinal supports, where one step is a top fixed step (STF), that is installed at a fixed end of the longitudinal supports (VN) of the gangway, where the gangway with the top fixed step (STF) is firmly installed on a pier (Po), so that the top fixed step (STF) extends over the fixed ends of both lateral longitudinal supports (VN), and is fixed to a top board of the pier (Pop), and where the second step is a rotating intermediate step (STV) or where there are several other rotating intermediate steps (STV) that is pivotally (rotatably) connected or that are pivotally (rotatably) connected along their lateral sides to the left and to the right longitudinal support (VN) of the gangway, wherein the intermediate rotating step (STV), which is pivotally (rotatably) connected with the two longitudinal supports (VN), rotates around its transverse axis (y), which runs in the transverse middle of the step transversely to the length or depth of the step, so that a walking board of the intermediate rotating step (STVp) always takes a horizontal position regardless of the angle of inclination of the gangway (M) and its lateral longitudinal supports against a vertical wall of the pier (Pov), or the angle of inclination of the gangway against a walking board (deck) of the pier (Pop), or the angle of inclination of the gangway against a plane of a deck of a vessel (PL), when the gangway (M) bridges the distance and height difference between the vessel (PL) and the pier (Po), where one or more intermediate rotating steps (STV) are installed in the gangway (M) in the direction from the top fixed step (STF), which rests on the pier (Po), or from the fixed end of the gangway, where the top fixed step (STF) is, towards a movable end of the gangway, where an insert (VST) of the gangway is, with which the gangway is installed on the vessel (PL), where each of the two said longitudinal supports (VN) consists of two C profiles with a cross-section in the shape of an angular letter C, namely, it consists of an external longitudinal support (VNz), that is slightly higher, wider and longer in dimensions, which forms an external wall of the longitudinal support (ZSVN), and of an internal longitudinal support (VNn), that is slightly lower, narrower and shorter in dimensions, which forms an internal wall of the longitudinal support (NSVN), where the internal longitudinal support (VNn), consisting of the C profile, abuts (fits and rests) inside the external longitudinal support (VNz), consisting of the C profile, so that the longitudinal support (VN) of the gangway has, in a cross-section, the shape of an upright rectangle with a single internal vertical wall and a single external vertical wall, and with a double top and bottom wall, and a hollow space (VPVN) inside the longitudinal support (VN), characterized by that for each intermediate rotating step (STV) and for the top fixed step (STF) of the gangway, one outer tube of the step (ZCS) for the intermediate rotating step (STV) and one outer tube (ZCSf) for the top fixed step (STF) abuts (fits and rests) on the internal wall of the longitudinal support (NSVN), where inside each outer tube of the step (ZCS) runs an inner tube of the step (NCS) of the intermediate rotating step (STV), and where inside the outer tube (ZCSf) of the top fixed step (STF) runs an inner tube (NCSf) of the top fixed step (STF), where the said inner tube is by so much longer than the said outer tube, that it reaches and runs to the external wall of the longitudinal support (ZSVN) and is bolted to the external wall of the longitudinal support (ZSVN), that in the hollow space (VPVN) inside at least one longitudinal support (VN) of the two longitudinal supports, a chain drive of the gangway is installed, which comprises: - a sprocket wheel of the top fixed step (Vv), which is welded to the outer tube of the top fixed step (ZCSf); - one sprocket wheel of the step (Vs) for each intermediate rotating step (STV), which is welded to the outer tube (ZCS) of the individual intermediate rotating step (STV); - one adjacent sprocket wheel (Vp) for each sprocket wheel (Vs) of the intermediate rotating step (STV), which places a chain (Ve) on the sprocket wheel (Vs) of the intermediate rotating step; - one chain tensioner (Vn) for each adjacent sprocket wheel (Vp); - a spacer sprocket wheel (Vd) at a sprocket wheel (Vs) of a bottom intermediate rotating step of the gangway, which is the closest to the movable end of the gangway, where the gangway insert (VST) is; - a chain (Ve), which runs along these sprocket wheels, namely over teeth at a circumference of the individual sprocket wheel, and between the sprocket wheels, where the chain connects the sprocket wheels together, and - connecting elements, which are for said individual step said inner tube of the step and said outer tube of the step, where each of these tubes runs with its end in the hollow space (VPVN) of the longitudinal support; that at the top fixed step (STF) on the left and right side of this step, the outer tube of this step (ZCSf) abuts (fits and rests) in a round hole (2) in the internal wall of the longitudinal support (NSVN) at the fixed end of the longitudinal support of the gangway and that into the outer tube (ZCSf) of the top fixed step (STF) the inner tube (NCSf) of the top fixed step is inserted, where this inner tube runs inside this outer tube (ZCSf) and is so much longer than the outer tube, that it reaches the external wall of the longitudinal support (ZSVN) and is bolted into it in an adjacent hole (2.1 ), where the said outer tube (ZCSf) of the top fixed step (STF) is fastened by bolting to a bottom part (STFsd) of the top fixed step (STF), wherein the outer tube is attached to the said bottom part of the step firmly and adjustably with a bolt, so that it can only be rotated slightly by an angle from 0° to a maximum of 10°, wherein the outer tube (ZCSf) of the top fixed step (STF) runs along the entire width of the step and through a hole (LO) in an internal (inner) lateral side (STFstn) in the bottom part of this step (STFsd), where the outer tube (ZCSf) is bolted into the bottom part of the top fixed step (STFsd), and then the outer tube passes through a hole (LU) in an external (outer) lateral side (STFstz) in a top part of the top fixed step (STFzd) and the outer tube laterally sticks out and away from a lateral side of the step (STFst) and runs to the internal wall of the longitudinal support (NSVN) of the gangway and through the adjacent hole (2), having a larger round shape, in this wall (NSVN) and abuts (fits and rests) on the edges of this hole, and the outer tube ends slightly beyond the internal wall of the longitudinal support (NSVN) inside the hollow space of the longitudinal support (VPVN), wherein at the end of the outer tube (ZCSf) on that side of the top fixed step (STF), where the longitudinal support with an installed chain drive is, the sprocket wheel of the top fixed step (Vv) is welded to the outer tube (ZCSf), and wherein the other end of the outer tube (ZCSf) on the lateral side of the top fixed step (STF), where the longitudinal support without an installed chain drive is, ends freely without a sprocket wheel of the step, wherein the inner tube (NCSf) of the top fixed step (STF) represents an axis of rotation (5) of the longitudinal supports (VN) of the gangway, that at each intermediate rotating step (STV), on the left and right side of this step, the outer tube of this step (ZCS) abuts (fits and rests) in a round hole (1) in the internal wall of the longitudinal support (NSVN) and that in the outer tube (ZCS) of this step (STV) the inner tube (NCS) of this step is inserted, where this inner tube runs inside this outer tube (ZCS) of the intermediate rotating step (STV) and is longer than the outer tube by so much, that it reaches the external wall of the longitudinal support (ZSVN) and is bolted into it in an adjacent hole (1 -1 ), wherein the said rotating step (STV) is welded to its outer tube of the step (ZCS), where the outer tube of the step (ZCS) is welded to an underside of the top walking board (STVp) of the intermediate rotating step (STV) and where at least three reinforcements (STVo) of the intermediate rotating step (STV) are welded to the underside of the top walking board (STVp) of the intermediate rotating step (STV), where the outer tube (ZCS) runs in the middle of the length of the step (STV) and through a hole (LST) in the middle of a lateral side (STVst) of the step, and through a hole (LSTo) in the middle of the reinforcement of the step (STVo) in the direction from the left lateral side of the step (STVst) to the right lateral side of the step (STVst), and with its left and right end sticks out from the lateral sides of the step (STVst), and then runs laterally to the internal wall of the longitudinal support (NSVN) and passes through the hole (1 ), having a larger round shape, in the internal wall of the longitudinal support (NSVN), where the outer tube abuts (fits and rests) on the edges of this hole (1 ), and runs further laterally into the inner hollow space (VPVN) of the longitudinal support (VN) of the gangway, wherein at the end of the outer tube (ZCS) on that side of the intermediate rotating step (STV), where the longitudinal support with an installed chain drive is, a sprocket wheel of the intermediate rotating step (Vs) is welded on the outer tube (ZCS), and wherein the other end of the outer tube (ZCS) on the side of the intermediate rotating step (STV), where the longitudinal support without an installed chain drive is, ends freely without a sprocket wheel of the step, wherein the inner tube (NCS) of the intermediate rotating step (STV) represents an axis of rotation (y) of the intermediate rotating step (STV), of its outer tube (ZCS) and of the sprocket wheel of the step (Vs), that is welded on the outer tube.
  2. 2. An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences has a framework that is formed by two lateral longitudinal supports (VN) that run along the length of the gangway (M), where two or more steps are clamped between the two longitudinal supports, where one step is a top fixed step (STF), that is installed at a fixed end of the longitudinal supports (VN) of the gangway, where the gangway with the top fixed step (STF) is firmly installed on a vessel (PL), so that the top fixed step (STF) extends over the fixed ends of both lateral longitudinal supports (VN), and is fixed to a deck of the vessel (PL), and where the second step is a rotating intermediate step (STV) or where there are several other rotating intermediate steps (STV) that is pivotally (rotatably) connected or that are pivotally (rotatably) connected along their lateral sides to the left and to the right longitudinal support (VN) of the gangway, wherein the intermediate rotating step (STV), which is pivotally (rotatably) connected with the two longitudinal supports (VN), rotates around its transverse axis (y), which runs in the transverse middle of the step transversely to the length or depth of the step, so that a walking board of the intermediate rotating step (STVp) always takes a horizontal position regardless of the angle of inclination of the gangway (M) and its lateral longitudinal supports against a vertical wall of a pier (Pov), or the angle of inclination of the gangway against a walking board (deck) of the pier (Pop), or the angle of inclination of the gangway against a plane of the deck of the vessel (PL), when the gangway (M) bridges the distance and height difference between the vessel (PL) and the pier (Po), where one or more intermediate rotating steps (STV) are installed in the gangway (M) in the direction from the top fixed step (STF), which rests on the vessel (PL), or from the fixed end of the gangway, where the top fixed step (STF) is, towards a movable end of the gangway, where an insert (VST) of the gangway is, with which the gangway is installed on the pier (Po), where each of the two said longitudinal supports (VN) consists of two C profiles with a cross-section in the shape of an angular letter C, namely, it consists of an external longitudinal support (VNz), that is slightly higher, wider and longer in dimensions, which forms an external wall of the longitudinal support (ZSVN), and of an internal longitudinal support (VNn), that is slightly lower, narrower and shorter in dimensions, which forms an internal wall of the longitudinal support (NSVN), where the internal longitudinal support (VNn), consisting of the C profile, abuts (fits and rests) inside the external longitudinal support (VNz), consisting of the C profile, so that the longitudinal support (VN) of the gangway has, in a cross-section, the shape of an upright rectangle with a single internal vertical wall and a single external vertical wall, and with a double top and bottom wall, and a hollow space (VPVN) inside the longitudinal support (VN), characterized by that for each intermediate rotating step (STV) and for the top fixed step (STF) of the gangway, one outer tube of the step (ZCS) for the intermediate rotating step (STV) and one outer tube (ZCSf) for the top fixed step (STF) abuts (fits and rests) on the internal wall of the longitudinal support (NSVN), where inside each outer tube of the step (ZCS) runs an inner tube of the step (NCS) of the intermediate rotating step (STV), and where inside the outer tube (ZCSf) of the top fixed step (STF) runs an inner tube (NCSf) of the top fixed step (STF), where the said inner tube is by so much longer than the said outer tube, that it reaches and runs to the external wall of the longitudinal support (ZSVN) and is bolted to the external wall of the longitudinal support (ZSVN), that in the hollow space (VPVN) inside at least one longitudinal support (VN) of the two longitudinal supports, a chain drive of the gangway is installed, which comprises: - a sprocket wheel of the top fixed step (Vv), which is welded to the outer tube of the top fixed step (ZCSf); - one sprocket wheel of the step (Vs) for each intermediate rotating step (STV), which is welded to the outer tube (ZCS) of the individual intermediate rotating step (STV); - one adjacent sprocket wheel (Vp) for each sprocket wheel (Vs) of the intermediate rotating step (STV), which places a chain (Ve) on the sprocket wheel (Vs) of the intermediate rotating step; - one chain tensioner (Vn) for each adjacent sprocket wheel (Vp); - a spacer sprocket wheel (Vd) at a sprocket wheel (Vs) of a bottom intermediate rotating step of the gangway, which is the closest to the movable end of the gangway, where the gangway insert (VST) is; - a chain (Ve), which runs along these sprocket wheels, namely over teeth at a circumference of the individual sprocket wheel, and between the sprocket wheels, where the chain connects the sprocket wheels together, and - connecting elements, which are for said individual step said inner tube of the step and said outer tube of the step, where each of these tubes runs with its end in the hollow space (VPVN) of the longitudinal support; that at the top fixed step (STF) on the left and right side of this step, the outer tube of this step (ZCSf) abuts (fits and rests) in a round hole (2) in the internal wall of the longitudinal support (NSVN) at the fixed end of the longitudinal support of the gangway and that into the outer tube (ZCSf) of the top fixed step (STF) the inner tube (NCSf) of the top fixed step is inserted, where this inner tube runs inside this outer tube (ZCSf) and is so much longer than the outer tube, that it reaches the external wall of the longitudinal support (ZSVN) and is bolted into it in an adjacent hole (2.1 ), where the said outer tube (ZCSf) of the top fixed step (STF) is fastened by bolting to a bottom part (STFsd) of the top fixed step (STF), wherein the outer tube is attached to the said bottom part of the step firmly and adjustably with a bolt, so that it can only be rotated slightly by an angle from 0° to a maximum of 10°, wherein the outer tube (ZCSf) of the top fixed step (STF) runs along the entire width of the step and through a hole (LO) in an internal (inner) lateral side (STFstn) in the bottom part of this step (STFsd), where the outer tube (ZCSf) is bolted into the bottom part of the top fixed step (STFsd), and then the outer tube passes through a hole (LU) in an external (outer) lateral side (STFstz) in a top part of the top fixed step (STFzd) and the outer tube laterally sticks out and away from a lateral side of the step (STFst) and runs to the internal wall of the longitudinal support (NSVN) of the gangway and through the adjacent hole (2), having a larger round shape, in this wall (NSVN) and abuts (fits and rests) on the edges of this hole, and the outer tube ends slightly beyond the internal wall of the longitudinal support (NSVN) inside the hollow space of the longitudinal support (VPVN), wherein at the end of the outer tube (ZCSf) on that side of the top fixed step (STF), where the longitudinal support with an installed chain drive is, the sprocket wheel of the top fixed step (Vv) is welded to the outer tube (ZCSf), and wherein the other end of the outer tube (ZCSf) on the lateral side of the top fixed step (STF), where the longitudinal support without an installed chain drive is, ends freely without a sprocket wheel of the step, wherein the inner tube (NCSf) of the top fixed step (STF) represents an axis of rotation (5) of the longitudinal supports (VN) of the gangway, that at each intermediate rotating step (STV), on the left and right side of this step, the outer tube of this step (ZCS) abuts (fits and rests) in a round hole (1) in the internal wall of the longitudinal support (NSVN) and that in the outer tube (ZCS) of this step (STV) the inner tube (NCS) of this step is inserted, where this inner tube runs inside this outer tube (ZCS) of the intermediate rotating step (STV) and is longer than the outer tube by so much, that it reaches the external wall of the longitudinal support (ZSVN) and is bolted into it in an adjacent hole (1 -1 ), wherein the said rotating step (STV) is welded to its outer tube of the step (ZCS), where the outer tube of the step (ZCS) is welded to an underside of the top walking board (STVp) of the intermediate rotating step (STV) and where at least three reinforcements (STVo) of the intermediate rotating step (STV) are welded to the underside of the top walking board (STVp) of the intermediate rotating step (STV), where the outer tube (ZCS) runs in the middle of the length of the step (STV) and through a hole (LST) in the middle of a lateral side (STVst) of the step, and through a hole (LSTo) in the middle of the reinforcement of the step (STVo) in the direction from the left lateral side of the step (STVst) to the right lateral side of the step (STVst), and with its left and right end sticks out from the lateral sides of the step (STVst), and then runs laterally to the internal wall of the longitudinal support (NSVN) and passes through the hole (1 ), having a larger round shape, in the internal wall of the longitudinal support (NSVN), where the outer tube abuts (fits and rests) on the edges of this hole (1 ), and runs further laterally into the inner hollow space (VPVN) of the longitudinal support (VN) of the gangway, wherein at the end of the outer tube (ZCS) on that side of the intermediate rotating step (STV), where the longitudinal support with an installed chain drive is, a sprocket wheel of the intermediate rotating step (Vs) is welded on the outer tube (ZCS), and wherein the other end of the outer tube (ZCS) on the side of the intermediate rotating step (STV), where the longitudinal support without an installed chain drive is, ends freely without a sprocket wheel of the step, wherein the inner tube (NCS) of the intermediate rotating step (STV) represents an axis of rotation (y) of the intermediate rotating step (STV), of its outer tube (ZCS) and of the sprocket wheel of the step (Vs), that is welded on the outer tube.
  3. 3. An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that in both longitudinal supports (VN) of the gangway, a chain drive of the gangway is installed in the inner hollow space (VPVN) of each of the longitudinal supports, that is, in the left and in the right longitudinal support (VN) of the gangway.
  4. 4. An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences according to any preceding claim, characterized by that the internal longitudinal support (VNn) and the external longitudinal support (VNz) are connected together by bolting and by placing ending elements at each end of the longitudinal support, at the fixed and at the movable end of the longitudinal support, where the ending element is either welded to the end of the longitudinal support or bolted, so that the ending element covers the opening of the inner hollow space of the longitudinal support.
  5. 5. An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences according to any preceding claim, characterized by that the intermediate rotating step (STV) has a rectangular or square shape in the floor plan of the top walking board (STVp).
  6. 6. An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences according to any preceding claim, characterized by that the intermediate rotating step (STV) has a low elongated front side (STVs), closer the movable end of the gangway, and a low elongated rear side (STVz), away from the movable end of the gangway and closer to the fixed end of the gangway, that extend on the underside of the walking board (STVp) downwardly at the right angle, where each of these sides has additionally a narrower flange (PrST) at its bottom edge, which extends on the bottom side of the walking board perpendicularly towards the middle of the step and along the entire width of the step, and laterally a lateral side (STVst), extending downwardly at the right angle, that is, a left and a right pentagonal lateral side (STVst) with two side edges, that are equal to the height of the front (STVs) and the rear side (STVz), and with a triangular edge of the pentagon pointing downwardly, where in the middle of the left and right pentagonal lateral side (STVst) a hole (LST), having a round shape, is cut out, where through this hole the outer tube of the step (ZCS) and, inside this tube, the inner tube of the step (NCS) pass.
  7. 7. An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences according to claim 6, characterized by that the intermediate rotating step (STV) has three reinforcements of the step (STVo) welded to the underside of the walking board (STVp), where each reinforcement (STVo) has a central shape of the pentagonal lateral side (STVst) of the intermediate rotating step (STV) with a hole (LSTo), having a round shape, cut out in the middle, where through this hole the outer tube of the step (ZCS), and inside it, the inner tube of the step (NCS) pass, where each reinforcement of the step (STVo) has additionally a narrower flange (Pro) on the longest straight edge for welding to the underside of the walking board of the step (STV), and a narrower flange (Pro) on each beveled edge of the triangular edge of the pentagon of the reinforcement (STVo) to reinforce the walking board of the step (STVp).
  8. 8. An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences according to preceding claim 7, characterized by that the intermediate rotating step (STV) has more than three reinforcements of the step (STVo) welded to the underside of the walking board (STVp).
  9. 9. An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences according to preceding claim 7 or 8, characterized by that the intermediate rotating step (STV) has one reinforcement of the step (STVo) welded on the underside of the walking board of the step (STVp) approximately in the middle of the width of the step, and the other reinforcements (STVo) are welded on the underside of the walking board of the step (STVp) slightly away from the lateral side of the step (STVst) and towards the middle of the width of the step.
  10. 10. An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences according to any preceding claim, characterized by that the top fixed step (STF) of the gangway consists of a top (STFzd) and of a bottom part (STFsd) of the step, where a top walking board (STFp) of the top fixed step (STF) is formed by the top part of the step (STFzd), and where a bottom plate (STFsp) of the top fixed step (STF), which according to preceding claim 1 abuts (rests) on the top or walking board of the pier (Pop), or which according to preceding claim 2 abuts (rests) on the deck of the vessel (PL), is formed by the bottom part of the step (STFsd), where the bottom plate of the step (STFsp) has a hole (LE) cut out, having the shape of an elongated ellipse, where this hole extends from about 1/20 of the length of the bottom plate (STFsp) of the top fixed step from the rear edge of the bottom plate and to about 2/5 of the length of the bottom plate (STFsp) of the top fixed step from the front edge of the bottom plate of the step, where this elliptical hole (LE) serves for mounting the top fixed step (STF) on a post (pillar), where according to the preceding claim 1 this post is on the top walking board of the pier (Pop), or on a post (pillar), where according to the preceding claim 2 this post is on the deck of the vessel (PL), where a front wall (STFs) of the top fixed step (STF), that looks towards the movable end of the gangway, is formed by a front side of the bottom part of the step (STFsd), where two lateral sides (STFst) of the top fixed step (STF), that is, a left and a right lateral side, are reinforced and consist of two adjacent sides (STFstn) and (STFstz), where each lateral side (STFst) of the top fixed step (STF) is formed by an inner side (STFstn) and an outer side (STFstz), where the outer side abuts over the inner side, wherein the inner side (STFstn) of the lateral side (STFst) of the top fixed step (STF) is a part of the bottom part (STFsd) of this step, and runs perpendicularly upwards from the side edge of the bottom plate (STFsp) of the top fixed step (STF), and where the inner side (STFstn) has at approximately 14 to 1/3 of the length of the top step (STF) and of the length of its lateral side (STFst) a hole (LO), having a larger round shape, where this hole serves for abutting and mounting the outer tube (ZCSf) of the top step (STF), wherein the outer side (STFstz) of the lateral side (STFst) of the top fixed step (STF) is a part of the top part (STFzd) of this step and runs perpendicularly downwards from the side edge of the top walking board (STFp) of the top fixed step (STF), and where the outer side (STFstz) has at approximately to 1/3 of the length of the top step (STF) and of the length of its lateral side (STFst) a hole (LU) with an elongated shape of the letter U with the elongated arms, where the rounded or semicircular part of this hole follows the semicircle of the hole (LO), having a larger round shape, of the inner side (STFstn) of the lateral side of the step (STFst), and where this hole serves for abutting the outer tube (ZCSf) of the top step (STF) in its semicircular part, and where in the part of the elongated arms of the hole (LU) with a gap slightly larger than the diameter of the inner tube of the top step, it serves to mount the top part (STFzd) of the top fixed step (STF) on the bottom part (STFsd) of the top fixed step (STF), where a rear wall (STFz) of the top fixed step, that looks away from the movable end of the gangway, is formed by a side of the top part (STFzd) of the step (STF), where this side runs perpendicularly downwards from the rear edge of the top walking board (STFp) of the top fixed step (STF), wherein this side of the top part of the step has at its bottom edge a narrower flange (PrSTFzd), where this flange runs perpendicularly to the rear wall of the step and in a horizontal plane and abuts (rests) along and below the bottom rear edge of the bottom plate of the step (STFsp) and reinforces this bottom rear edge from below, and where, at the same time, the bottom rear edge of the rear wall (STFz) of the top fixed step is reinforced additionally by a narrower flange (PrSTFsd) of the bottom plate of the step (STFsp), where this flange runs in a vertical plane perpendicularly upwards from the bottom rear edge of the bottom plate (STFsp) of the top step, and abuts (rests) inside the step at the rear wall of the step and along its bottom rear edge, where in the rear wall of the step (STFz), in the middle of the width of this wall slightly upwards from the bottom rear edge, there is a hole (LK) for the installation of a lock with a tongue, where the tongue of the lock locks against the said vertical flange (PrSTFsd) inside the rear wall of the step (STFz), and in this way, the top part of the step (STFzd) locks together with the bottom part (STFsd) of the step.
  11. 11 . An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences according to any preceding claim, characterized by that a number of the said intermediate rotating steps (STV) depends on the length of the gangway.
  12. 12. An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences according to any preceding claim, characterized by that the gangway with two intermediate rotating steps (STV) or with several intermediate rotating steps (STV), that are clamped in the two longitudinal supports (VN), has the axes of rotation (y) of the intermediate rotating steps (STV) arranged at equal distances from each other.
  13. 13. An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences according to preceding claim 1 , 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12, characterized by that the top fixed step (STF) of the gangway at the fixed end of the gangway is attached to the pier (Po), or to the top board of the pier or to the walking board of the pier (Pop) with the bottom part of the step via a bearing, where this bearing rotates by 360° and enables the gangway to be attached to the pier (Po) via the bearing or to be detached from the pier so that the gangway is removed from the pier, wherein a joint of the top step (STF) and a pillar-like protrusion on the top board of the pier (Pop) is carried out via the hole (LE) with the elliptical shape in the bottom plate (STFsp) of the top step (STF), where this hole embraces the pillar-like protrusion of the pier and where the top step is attached to this protrusion with the bearing, that is rotatable by 360° and where this bearing comprises springs of stainless steel, where said springs in the joint of the fixed top step (STF) with the pier (Po) dampen the fluctuations of the top step due to the fluctuation of the vessel (PL) on the water surface (Vo), where this fluctuation is transmitted to the top step (STF) of the gangway via the framework of the gangway and its longitudinal supports (VN), whereby when attaching the gangway (M) to the pier (Po), the top walking/ stepping surface (STFp) of the top fixed step (STF) of the gangway lies in a plane that is parallel to the plane of the top surface or board (Pop) of the pier (Po), and the top step of the gangway (STF) is thus fixed and abuts attached on the pier (Po), wherein after the gangway is attached to the pier (Po), the intermediate rotating steps (STV), which are one, two, or more, are rotated together with the chain drive in the longitudinal support (VN) with the installed chain drive, so that these steps take a horizontal position with their walking board (STVp), wherein this happens due to the rotatable engagement (clamping) of these steps in the two lateral longitudinal supports (VN) of the gangway when the gangway is tilted relative to the plane of the pier or the top board of the pier (Pop).
  14. 14. An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences according to preceding claim 1 , 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 , 12 or 13, characterized by that the gangway is attached at its movable end to the vessel (PL) with the insert or pin (VST), with which it is inserted and installed into a hole on the vessel, where this hole is made or built-in in the deck of the vessel (PL), wherein the insert or pin (VST) for placing the movable end of the gangway on the vessel (PL) is welded on a transverse outer tube of the insert in the middle of the distance between the two longitudinal supports (VN), where the outer tube of the insert is rotatably clamped into the two longitudinal supports at the movable end of the gangway, and the outer tube of the insert, together with its inner tube, which runs inside the outer tube, is clamped into both longitudinal supports (VN) of the gangway, the left and right longitudinal support, wherein the outer tube of the insert rests at its lateral ends on the edges of a hole with a larger round shape in the internal wall of the longitudinal support (NSVN) and the inner tube of the insert reaches at its lateral ends the external wall of the longitudinal support (ZSVN) and is bolted to it, wherein the gangway rotates and swings around the insert (VST) when the vessel moves to the left or right due to fluctuation of the water surface.
  15. 15. An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences according to preceding claim 1 , 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 , 12, 13 or 14, characterized by that when the gangway (M) inclines or descends with its movable end downwards from a certain starting position by a certain angle of inclination, when the level of the water surface drops relative to a certain initial level of the water surface, while the gangway (M) descends downwards with its movable end by a certain angle, the longitudinal support (VN) of the gangway rotates downwards by this certain angle with its movable end, and moves a working branch of the chain (Ve) of the chain drive, where the working branch of the chain (Ve) connects with each other the sprocket wheels of the intermediate rotating steps (Vs) and the sprocket wheel of the top fixed step (Vv), whereby the working branch of the chain moves in an upward movement towards the fixed end of the gangway, so that the intermediate rotating step (STV) rotates with its front side (STVs), which is closer to the movable end of the gangway, upwards by so much, that the step takes the horizontal position of its top walking board of the step (STVp), whereby the movement of the chain (Ve) is transmitted to rotation of all the sprocket wheels (Vs) of the intermediate rotating steps (STV) in the chain drive of the gangway, and each sprocket wheel (Vs) of the individual intermediate rotating step (STV) rotates in such a way and by so much, that the intermediate rotating step (STV) rotates with its front side (STVs), which is closer to the movable end of the gangway, upwards and takes the horizontal position of its top walking board of the step (STVp), so that the top walking board of the step (STVp) of each intermediate rotating step (STV) of the gangway lies in a horizontal plane, even though the two longitudinal supports (VN) of the gangway are inclined by a certain angle against the vertical wall of the pier.
  16. 16. An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences according to preceding claim 1 , 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 , 12, 13 or 14, characterized by that when the gangway (M) inclines or rises with its movable end upwards from a certain starting position by a certain angle of inclination, when the level of the water surface rises relative to a certain initial level of the water surface, while the gangway (M) rises upwards with its movable end by a certain angle, the longitudinal support (VN) of the gangway rotates upwards by this certain angle with its movable end, and moves a working branch of the chain (Ve) of the chain drive, where the working branch of the chain (Ve) connects with each other the sprocket wheels of the intermediate rotating steps (Vs) and the sprocket wheel of the top fixed step (Vv), whereby the working branch of the chain moves in a downward movement towards the movable end of the gangway, so that the intermediate rotating step (STV) rotates with its front side (STVs), which is closer to the movable end of the gangway, downwards by so much, that the step takes the horizontal position of its top walking board of the step (STVp), whereby the movement of the chain (Ve) is transmitted to rotation of all the sprocket wheels (Vs) of the intermediate rotating steps (STV) in the chain drive of the gangway, and each sprocket wheel (Vs) of the individual intermediate rotating step (STV) rotates in such a way and by so much, that the intermediate rotating step (STV) rotates with its front side (STVs), which is closer to the movable end of the gangway, downwards and takes the horizontal position of its top walking board of the step (STVp), so that the top walking board of the step (STVp) of each intermediate rotating step (STV) of the gangway lies in a horizontal plane, even though the two longitudinal supports of the gangway are inclined by a certain angle against the vertical wall of the pier.
  17. 17. An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences according to preceding claim 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12, characterized by that the top fixed step (STF) of the gangway at the fixed end of the gangway is attached to a pillar-like protrusion on the deck of the vessel (PL) with the bottom part of the step via a bearing, where this bearing rotates by 360° and enables the gangway to be attached to the deck of the vessel (PL) via the bearing or to be detached from the deck of the vessel so that the gangway is removed from the vessel, wherein a joint of the top fixed step (STF) and the pillar-like protrusion on the deck of the vessel (PL) is made via the hole (LE) with the elliptical shape in the bottom plate (STFsp) of the top step (STF), where this hole embraces the pillar-like protrusion on the deck of the vessel and where the top step is attached to this protrusion via the bearing, that is rotatable by 360° and where this bearing comprises springs of stainless steel, where said springs in the joint of the fixed top step (STF) with the vessel (PL) dampen the fluctuations of the top step due to the fluctuation of the vessel (PL) on the water surface (Vo), whereby when attaching the gangway (M) to the vessel (PL), the top walking/ stepping surface (STFp) of the top fixed step (STF) of the gangway lies in a plane that is parallel to the plane of the top surface of the deck of the vessel (PL), and the top step of the gangway (STF) is thus fixed and abuts attached on the vessel (PL), whereby after the gangway is attached to the vessel (PL), the intermediate rotating steps (STV), which are one, two, or more, are rotated together with the chain drive in the longitudinal support (VN) with the installed chain drive, so that these steps take a horizontal position with their walking board (STVp), wherein this happens due to the rotatable engagement (clamping) of these steps in the two lateral longitudinal supports (VN) of the gangway when the gangway is tilted relative to the plane of the deck of the vessel (PL).
  18. 18. An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences according to preceding claim 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 , 12 or 17, characterized by that the gangway is attached at its movable end to the pier (Po) with the insert or pin (VST), with which it is inserted and installed into a hole on the top or walking board of the pier (Pop), where this hole is made or built-in in the walking board of the pier (Pop), wherein the insert or pin (VST) for placing the movable end of the gangway on the pier (Po) is welded on a transverse outer tube of the insert in the middle of the distance between the two longitudinal supports (VN), where the outer tube of the insert (VST) is rotatably clamped into the two longitudinal supports (VN) at the movable end of the gangway, and the outer tube of the insert, together with its inner tube, which runs inside the outer tube, is clamped into both longitudinal supports (VN) of the gangway, the left and right longitudinal support, wherein the outer tube of the insert rests at its lateral ends on the edges of a hole with a larger round shape in the internal wall of the longitudinal support (NSVN) and the inner tube of the insert reaches at its lateral ends the external wall of the longitudinal support (ZSVN) and is bolted to it, wherein the gangway rotates and swings around the insert (VST) when the vessel moves to the left or right due to fluctuation of the water surface.
  19. 19. An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences according to any preceding claim, characterized by that the two longitudinal supports (VN) of the gangway, the intermediate rotating steps (STV) and their reinforcements (STVo), the top fixed step (STF) and the tubes of the steps, and the sprocket wheels, the chain and chain tensioners of the chain drive of the gangway, and other elements of the gangway are made of a stainless solid material, that is resistant to salt and similar corrosive agents.
  20. 20. An adjustable gangway with steps for bridging variable height differences according to claim 19, characterized by that said stainless solid material, that is resistant to salt and similar corrosive agents, is stainless steel for marine applications with grade 316.

Description

GANGWAY WITH SELF ADJUSTING STEPS FOR BRIDGING VARIABLE HEIGHT DIFFERENCES Description of invention Technical field [0001] A subject matter of a present invention is a gangway or footbridge which enables the bridging of height differences that change between a vessel floating on the water and a pier or a bank due to changes in the level of the water surface. A gangway according to the present invention enables a vessel, which is a boat, barge, ship, pontoon platform or other similar vessel, to be boarded from a pier or bank, and disembarked or exited from such a vessel to the pier or bank, whereby the gangway ensures that walking boards (treads) of the steps of the gangway always occupy a horizontal position of a step walking board (tread) regardless of the angle of inclination of the gangway and its framework against a horizontal plane of a walking board (deck) of the pier/ bank or against a vertical wall of the pier/ bank or against a plane of a deck of the vessel. Description of a technical problem and state of the art [0002] Key to the present invention is to ensure the horizontal position of the walking board (tread) or the walking surface of the steps of the gangway, which is placed between the vessel on one side and the pier or bank on the other side, despite the fact that the body of the gangway is inclined by a certain angle of inclination against the horizontal plane of the walking board (tread) of the pier/ bank or against the vertical wall of the pier or bank or against the plane of the vessel's deck, and at the same time to bridge the height difference and the change in the height difference between the walking surface of the vessel and the walking surface of the pier/ bank as well as to bridge the horizontal distance between the walking surface of the vessel and the walking surface of the pier or bank. [0003] A difference in height between the vessel floating on the water and the pier or bank occurs due to the difference in the height of the water surface and the height of the pier/ bank, which is a result of the construction of the pier or bank. A change in the difference in height between the vessel and the pier/ bank occurs due to a change in the height level of the water surface, for example at sea due to fluctuations in the water level due to tides, when high tide (increase in the level of the water surface) and low tide (decrease in the level of the water surface) alternate, or on rivers and lakes due to changes in the water level that occur due to an increase in the water level due to rains or new inflows of water into rivers (also due to the opening of dams on rivers) or lakes, or due to dry periods when there is no rain. [0004] In the known state of the art, gangways or footbridges for bridging these height differences between the vessel and the pier most often have a walking surface of the gangway that has the same inclination against the horizontal plane of the top surface (walking board/ deck) of the pier or against the vertical wall of the pier, as the gangway itself has and as its framework and longitudinal sides and its longitudinal axis have. This is disadvantageous for users of the gangway, because they have to move on an inclined walking board (deck), which is occasionally very steep. In addition, the direct proximity of water and the fluctuation or undulation of the water surface cause the walking board and the surface to become wet, which makes them slippery and sliding. This also happens due to water condensation and other environmental elements. All of this increases the possibility that the user may slip on the walking board of the gangway/ footbridge and fall on it, or that the user may fall from the gangway into the water. [0005] Gangways that do not have steps and have a walking board or surface in the plane and in inclination of the hypotenuse, which is determined by the leg of the vertical height difference between the fixed pier and the walking surface of the vessel and the leg of the horizontal distance from the walking surface of the vessel to the walking surface of the pier, are described, for example, by the Slovenian patents SI 22002 (ship gangway that can be disassembled and assembled across the width), 22630 (ship gangway with built-in lights) and SI 23828 (reinforced ship gangway). [0006] There are some gangways or ladders known that have steps, the walking boards of which take a horizontal position at different angles of inclination of the gangway framework and the gangway longitudinal sides toward the horizontal walking surface (walking deck) of the pier or another similar object or against the vertical wall of the pier or another similar object. [0007] It is characteristic of these known gangways or ladders with steps that they have a rather complicated construction, which complicates the process of their production and makes it more expensive, and that their installation is also complicated and their maintenance more demanding. [0008] Patents GB 430