Importance

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Abstract

A gangway to accommodate passage to and from a boarding structure includes first and second longitudinal frame members each having an elongate housing with a wall structure surrounding an interior thereof and a pair of longitudinal elongate rails extending through a length of the housing in parallel relation to each other and terminating at opposite distal ends; the pair of rails including a fixed rail and a moving rail. A series of step members, each including top bottom step surfaces, are rotatably supported between the first and second longitudinal frame members in pivotal interconnection with the pair of rails of each frame member. Mounting platforms attach to the distal ends of the rails and enable one end of the gangway to move through an arc of movement relative to an opposite fixedly mounted end, thereby causing movement of the moving rails relative to the fixed rails, within each frame member, resulting in synchronized rotation of the step members so that the top and bottom step surfaces of the step members remain horizontal and level upon a change in an upward or downward angle of the gangway. Handrails are removably attachable to the gangway along the outboard sides of the longitudinal frame members and include articulating joints to permit angular movement of the handrails with the gangway.

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First Claim