Ramp engagement device

Claim 2

An arrangement for releasably connecting a first structure to a second structure comprising a first arm extending from a free end of said first structure, said arm having attached thereto a first mating structure having a particular circumferential geometry, said first mating structure maintained in a position forward and above said free end of said first structure, said arm also having a first load bearing surface attached thereto, said first load bearing surface being separate from said first mating structure, a first receiving block attachable to said second structure, said first receiving block defining a second mating structure, having a geometry adapted to receive in mated relationship therewith said first mating structure only when said first and said second mating structures are brought into mating relationship from a position substantially perpendicular to the point where said block is attachable to said second structure, said first receiving block defining a second load bearing surface positioned such that when said first mating structure is in mated relationship with said first receiving block said first and second load bearing surfaces are in contact with one another thereby substantially eliminating the transmission of loading forces through said mating structures.

Claim 3

The invention set forth in claim 1 wherein said first mating structure is a pin having a round shaped geometry and wherein said second mating structure defines a slot having its open end facing the direction from which said mating relationship is achieved.

Claim 4

The invention set forth in claim 1 wherein said first structure is a ramp having a top surface and wherein said second structure is a ship having a deck, said first receiving block attachable to said deck at a point of said deck relatively near a side of said ship so that said second mating structure receives said first mating structure at a point where said ramp free end is substantially against said ship side and said ramp top surface is at a level flush with said deck.

Claim 5

The invention set forth in claim 3 further comprising a third load bearing surface and wherein said third load bearing surface is positioned at a leading end of said arm and in a position below said ramp end for contact with said ship side when said first mating structure is in mated relationship with said second mating structure, said third load bearing surface operative in conjunction with said first and said second load bearing surfaces for creating a force moment between said load bearing surfaces.

Claim 6

The invention set forth in claim 1 further comprising a second arm extending from said free end of said first structure and spaced apart from said first arm a distance determined by the width of said free end of said first structure, said second arm having attached thereto a third mating structure having a particular geometry, said arm having a fourth load bearing surface attached thereto, said fourth load bearing surface being separate from said third mating structure, a second receiving block attached to said second structure at a point separated from said first receiving block a distance determined by the width of said free end of said first structure, said second block defining a fourth mating structure having a geometry adapted to receive in mated relationship therewith said third mating structure only when said third and fourth mating structures are brought into mating relationship from said direction from which said mating relationship is achieved, said second receiving block defining a fifth load bearing surface positioned such that when said third mating structure is in mated relationship with said second receiving block said fourth and fifth load bearing surfaces are in contact with one another thereby substantially eliminating the transmission of loading forces through said mating structures.

Claim 9

The invention set forth in claim 6 wherein said crossbeam has a length substantially equal to the width of the free end of said ramp a second arm affixed to said crossbeam on the other end of said crossbeam from a first affixed arm, said second arm having a first section extending upward from said crossbeam and a second section extending forward from said crossbeam, said second seCtion of said second arm having a second mating surface adapted for insertion into a second mating block attached to the ship deck at a point separated from the attachment of said first block by a distance determined by the length of said crossbeam.

Claim 10

The invention set forth in claim 7 wherein each said second section of said arm has affixed thereto a second mating surface adapted for insertion into said mating block and displaced from said first mating surface a distance determined by said load bearing surface of each said arm.

Claim 11

The invention set forth in claim 8 wherein said first mating surface consists of a round pin rigidly affixed to a side of said second section of said arm.

Claim 12

The invention set forth in claim 9 wherein said pin mating deck block defines a slot for receiving said pin only when said pin is presented thereto in a first manner and for releasing said pin only when said pin is removed therefrom in a second manner.

Claim 13

The invention set forth in claim 10 where said first manner presentment comprises the movement of said pin perpendicular to and toward said deck, and said second manner presentment comprises the movement of said pin perpendicular to and away from said deck.