Patent Application
20100186309
Not Applicable.
Not Applicable
1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to a collapsible shed for, but not limited to, covering both a launch valve trough pit and the water brake assembly pit on an aircraft carrier while engaging in repairs and maintenance to the launch tube valve assembly or the water brake. Note: The term shed is used in its broadest sense and is not intended to be limiting to the inventions uses.
2. Prior Art
Conventional launch valve trough covers consisting of a frame and covered with a light weight plastic or aluminum sheeting which are erected and used to cover an area of the launch valve trough, such as the launch valve or the water brake, while engaging in repairs and maintenance are well recognized by those skilled in the art.
The square footage area under which repairs and maintenance can be preformed to the launch tube valve assembly or the water brake are defined by the size of the shed which can be erected. Repairs and maintenance are a normal routine and are preformed in various weather conditions. The current said sheds are not constructed to be used in weather where winds exceed 20 mph or 23 knots. The current sheds are not weatherized thereby work stops in unfavorable weather conditions. I.e.: Cold, heat, rain, sleet or snow. Current sheds are not self contained in that they require many of the tools i.e.: pneumatic wrenches, welding leads, lighting as well as the ventilation to be pulled in through the door which are both cumbersome and block the means of ingress and egress. The prior sheds are neither easily transported nor easily stored and they lack a means to fasten them safely to the flight deck of the ship.
The invention described herein is a structure improving, but not limited to, the safety of the launch valve maintenance personnel while engaging in removal & installation or routine maintenance of the launch valve in all weather conditions. It is quickly installed or removed. It is, but not limited to, rectangle in shape. In the retracted form, the end and door panels fold upward and inside, locking to the roof. In the raised position and once unlocked, the end and door panels swings down to form an end panel and a door for an entrance and exit. The side panels are hinged to fold inward in the retracted position and unfold as the invention is raised. Neither end panel nor side panel or the door panel is a structural member of supporting the roof section. The roof section is supported by the arms that raise and lower the invention.
Embodiment One of the Invention is illustrated in
A Continuation of the Embodiment One of the Invention is illustrated in
Shown in the
The invention is set over an aircraft carriers launch tube valve or water brake assembly by a crane. The invention is connected to the deck, air and electricity are connected to the invention at control panel (1) and an operator raises or retracts the invention by engaging a handle which sends a signal to the rams (6) which are connected to the arms (4 & 5). There are two bottom arms “female” sandwiching one upper arm “male” that rotates at a pivoting point to form an X. The arms are contiguous. As the ram contracts, the slidable end of the female arm (4) and travels inside the track and arm housing (18), along the lower guide rail (3) and the upper guide rail (7) while the opposite ends of the said arms remain fixed in the fixed journal boxes (9 & 10) causing the roof section (16) to be pushed upwards. As the said roof section is raised, the folding side panel (19) unfolds into place. Once the said roof section is at its full height the operator disengages the end panel and door panel locks (8) and swings the end and door panel down until vertical then locks them into place. The said bottom section having an underside has a rubber seal (17) along its perimeter. The invention also houses, but not limited too, heaters, fans, electrical outlets, ac & dc lighting, medical supplies, beds, communication & radio equipment. The roof section has a storage area.
Advantages
From the descriptions above, a number of advantages of the embodiment of the collapsible shed can be interpreted and are listed below:
Accordingly, the reader will see that the improved collapsible shed embodiment can be used as both a collapsible shed as well as protection against adverse environmental conditions while it allows for safely working over the launch tube valve assembly and the water brake assembly. Many outdoor deck, but not limited to, flight deck processes that have historically been restricted by climatic change can be a continuous process whereby reducing down time. Also the collapsible shed will improve the voyage repair teams' safety in many industries.
