U.S. patent application number 10/634821 was filed with the patent office on 2005-02-24 for boom or buoy barrier with tube within a tube floatation construction.
Invention is credited to Fong, Mickey L..
Application Number | 20050042033 10/634821 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34135570 |
Filed Date | 2005-02-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050042033 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fong, Mickey L. |
February 24, 2005 |
Boom or buoy barrier with tube within a tube floatation
construction
Abstract
A floatation device and barrier system are provided for use,
among other applications, as a security barrier for preventing
unauthorized entry of watercraft into restricted areas. The basic
building block of the system is the floatation device which
includes an outer elongate tubular member fabricated of metal; an
inner elongate tubular member concentric with the outer tubular
member; a floatation medium within a cavity between the members;
and a floatation medium within the inner tubular member. The
floatation devices can be joined end-to-end to form the barrier
system. One or more of the floatation devices includes a
superstructure carrying warning signage.
Inventors: |
Fong, Mickey L.; (Auburn,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STITES & HARBISON PLLC
1199 NORTH FAIRFAX STREET
SUITE 900
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22314
US
|
Family ID: |
34135570 |
Appl. No.: |
10/634821 |
Filed: |
August 6, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
405/63 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02B 15/08 20130101;
E02B 15/0885 20130101; F41H 11/05 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
405/063 |
International
Class: |
E02B 015/04 |
Claims
1. A floatation device for use as a barrier, said floatation device
comprising: an outer solid water impermeable elongate tubular shell
member; an inner solid water impermeable elongate tubular shell
member concentric with said outer tubular shell member and spaced
therefrom so as to form a cavity therebetween; a floatation medium
within said cavity; and a floatation medium within said inner
tubular shell member.
2. A floatation device according to claim 1 wherein said outer
tubular member is comprised of a metal selected from the group
consisting of steel, stainless steel and aluminum.
3. A floatation device according to claim 1 wherein said inner
tubular member is comprised of a material selected from the group
consisting of steel, stainless steel, aluminum and a polymer
material.
4. A floatation device according to claim 3 wherein said material
comprises a hard plastic polymer material.
5. A floatation device according to claim 4 wherein said plastic
material comprises polyvinylchloride pipe.
6. A floatation device according to claim 1 wherein said floatation
medium comprises a medium selected from the group consisting of a
gas, a liquid and a solid floatation material.
7. A floatation device according to claim 6 wherein said floatation
medium within said inner tubular member comprises a foam.
8. A floatation device according to claim 7 wherein said foam
comprises an epoxy foam.
9. A floatation device according to claim 8 wherein said floatation
medium within said cavity comprises a foam wrapping.
10. A floatation device according to claim 1 wherein said
floatation device includes a connection member at opposite ends
thereof.
11. A floatation device according to claim 1 wherein said
floatation device includes a mounting member for enabling the
mounting of an upwardly projecting superstructure thereon.
12. A floatation device according to claim 1 wherein said
floatation device further comprises a barrier structure depending
downwardly, in use, from the outer tubular member.
13. A floatation device according to claim 12 wherein the depending
barrier structure comprises a fabric barrier for underwater
debris.
14. A floatation device according to claim 1 wherein said
floatation device further includes a plurality of protective
barrier elements projecting outwardly from the outer tubular
member.
15. A floating barrier device comprising: at least one floatation
device comprising a solid outer water impermeable tubular shell
member, an inner solid water impermeable tubular shell member
defining an inner space disposed within, and spaced from, the outer
member so as to define a cavity therebetween, a floatation medium
disposed in said cavity, and a floatation medium disposed in said
inner space, and an upwardly projecting superstructure mounted on
said at least one floatation device.
16. A barrier device according to claim 15 wherein said
superstructure comprises an open framework including at least two
longitudinally extending connector members.
17. A barrier device according to claim 16 further comprising at
least one sign secured to at least one of said connector members of
said superstructure.
18. A barrier device according to claim 15 wherein said at least
one floatation device comprises a plurality of said floatation
devices connected together to form a barrier.
19. A floating barrier device comprising a plurality of elongate
floatation devices each comprising an outer solid water impermeable
tubular shell member, an inner solid water impermeable tubular
shell member defining an inner space and disposed within said outer
member so as to define a cavity therebetween, a floatation medium
in said inner space and a floatation medium within said cavity,
said floatation devices being connected together in serial relation
to form a floating barrier.
20. A barrier device according to claim 19 wherein at least one of
said floatation devices includes a superstructure carrying warning
signage.
21. A barrier device according to claim 19 wherein a pair of said
floatation devices form a barrier unit, wherein a plurality of
barrier units are provided, and wherein said barrier units are
connected together in end to end relation wherein at least one
floatation device of one barrier unit is connected to at least one
floatation device of a further barrier unit.
22. A barrier device according to claim 21 wherein said barrier
units are further connected together end to end by a further said
floatation device.
23. A barrier device according to claim 21 wherein said barrier
units are further connected together end to end by a cable member
interconnecting a further said floatation device of said one
barrier unit and a further said floatation device of said further
barrier unit.
24. A barrier device according to claim 19 wherein said floatation
devices each include a connector element including an upright pivot
tube and adjacent floatation devices are connected together by
connector means comprising a plurality of connector plates received
on the pivot tubes of the connector elements of the adjacent
floatation devices and secured in place by respective bolts
extending through said pivot tubes and tightened by respective
nuts, said connector means further comprising first and second
shackles respectively provided on said adjacent floatation devise
and a link connector interconnecting said shackles.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to floatation devices and
arrangements for use in security barriers for boats and other
watercraft, as well as barriers for water facilities or for
limiting swimming areas, as warning devices for water hazards or
other dangerous areas, and as debris barriers, among other
uses.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
[0002] Although, as is evident from the foregoing, the invention is
not limited to such an application, an important application of the
present invention is for use as a "log boom" or barrier. Such
barriers are used to, for example, protect dams and other sites
accessible by water. Conventional log barriers comprise elongate
cylindrical plastic members which resemble logs and which are
secured together end to end to form a security barrier for
preventing boats and other watercraft from getting too close to the
dam or other structure. A variety of different plastic log booms
have been used, and a major disadvantage of such log booms is that
they frequently crack and/or sink to the bottom over a relatively
short period of time. This has proved to be very costly
particularly in terms of the labor hours needed to repair the
existing commercial log barrier systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] According to the invention, a floatation device is provided
which overcomes or substantially reduces the problems associated
with prior art log booms and other barriers and which can be
adapted for use in all of the various applications mentioned
above.
[0004] In accordance with the invention, there is provided a
floatation barrier or buoy device, as well as floating barrier
systems employing such floatation devices. As indicated above, the
devices and systems can be used in a number of different
applications, including the prevention of unauthorized entry of
watercraft into restricted areas along lakes, harbors and navigable
rivers. The floatation devices are of a "tube within a tube"
construction with two spaced regions each containing a separate
internal floatation medium, and this redundant construction
prevents sinking of the device even if both of the tubes are
pierced or punctured so as to admit water. In addition, the
provision of a metallic outer tube or layer is important in that
the materials of construction therefor last longer than the plastic
outer shells used in conventional log booms. Further, as described
herein, the use of an outer tube or layer permits additional
structures, e.g., a superstructure and/or a depending structure, to
be welded thereto, and enables signage to be carried by the
resulting barrier unit.
[0005] As will appear, in contrast to the prior art, the basic
construction is easily adaptable to a wide range of sizes, lengths
and heights, thus providing a great deal of flexibility in meeting
the needs of users.
[0006] In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is
provided a floatation device for use as a barrier, the floatation
device comprising:
[0007] an outer elongate tubular member fabricated of metal;
[0008] an inner elongate tubular member concentric with said outer
tubular member and spaced therefrom so as to form a cavity
therebetween;
[0009] a floatation medium within said cavity; and
[0010] a floatation medium within said inner tubular member.
[0011] Preferably, the outer tubular member is comprised of a metal
selected from the group consisting of steel, stainless steel and
aluminum.
[0012] Preferably, the inner tube is comprised of a material
selected from the group consisting of steel, stainless steel,
aluminum and a polymer material. In one preferred implementation,
this material comprises a hard plastic polymer material.
Advantageously, the plastic material comprises polyvinylchloride
pipe.
[0013] The floatation medium both within the cavity and within the
inner tubular member preferably comprises a medium selected from
the group consisting of a gas, a liquid and a solid floatation
material. Advantageously, the floatation medium within said inner
tubular member comprises a foam. The foam preferably comprises an
epoxy foam. The floatation medium within the cavity preferably
comprises a foam wrapping.
[0014] Preferably, the floatation device includes a connection
member at opposite ends thereof.
[0015] In an important implementation, the floatation device
includes a mounting member for enabling the mounting of a
superstructure thereon.
[0016] In another important implementation, the floatation device
further comprises a barrier structure depending downwardly, in use,
from the outer tubular member. In one embodiment, the depending
barrier structure comprises a fabric barrier for underwater
debris.
[0017] Advantageously, the device further includes a plurality of
elongate protective barrier elements projecting outwardly from the
outer tubular member.
[0018] In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, there
is provided a floating barrier device comprising:
[0019] at least one floatation device comprising an outer metallic
member, an inner member defining an inner space disposed within,
and spaced from, the outer member so as to define a cavity
therebetween, a floatation medium disposed in said cavity, and a
floatation medium disposed in said inner space, and
[0020] a superstructure mounted on said at least one floatation
device.
[0021] The superstructure preferably comprises an open framework
including at least two longitudinally extending connector
members.
[0022] Preferably, the barrier device further comprises at least
one sign secured to at least one of the connector members of the
superstructure.
[0023] Preferably, the at least one floatation device comprises a
plurality of said floatation devices connected together to form a
barrier.
[0024] According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is
provided a floating barrier device comprising a plurality of
elongate floatation devices each comprising an outer metal member,
an inner member defining an inner space and disposed within the
outer member so as to define a cavity therebetween, a floatation
medium in said inner space, and a floatation medium within said
cavity, said floatation devices being connected together in serial
relation to form a floating barrier.
[0025] Preferably, the at least one of the floatation devices
includes a superstructure carrying warning signage.
[0026] In one important implementation of this aspect of the
invention, a pair of said floatation devices form a barrier unit, a
plurality of barrier units are provided, and the barrier units are
connected together in end to end relation wherein at least one
floatation device of one barrier unit is connected to at least one
floatation device of a further barrier unit. In one embodiment, the
barrier units are further connected together end to end by a
further floatation device. In another embodiment, the barrier units
are further connected together end to end by a cable member
interconnecting a further floatation device of said one barrier
unit and a further floatation device of said further barrier
unit.
[0027] Further features and advantages of the present invention
will be set forth in, or apparent from, the detailed description of
preferred embodiments thereof which follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] FIG. 1 is a broken away, perspective view of a portion of a
barrier floatation device constructed in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the invention;
[0029] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a barrier device or unit
incorporating two floatation devices corresponding to that shown in
FIG. 1, and also including a depending barrier member or skirt;
[0030] FIG. 3 is an end elevation view of the barrier unit of FIG.
2 with the depending skirt omitted and projecting barrier elements
added;
[0031] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the barrier unit of FIG. 3;
[0032] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the barrier unit of FIG.
2, with the depending skirt omitted and with signage added;
[0033] FIG. 6 is a barrier device in accordance with a further
embodiment of the invention which incorporates vertically extending
floatation devices corresponding to that of FIG. 1;
[0034] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a barrier arrangement or
system incorporating a plurality of barrier units and devices
corresponding to those of FIGS. 2 to 5 and of FIG. 1, in accordance
with one embodiment of the invention;
[0035] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a further barrier
arrangement or system which is similar to that of FIG. 7, but is
constructed in accordance with a further embodiment of the
invention;
[0036] FIG. 9 is an exploded, partially broken away perspective
view showing one embodiment of an arrangement for connecting a
superstructure to a floatation device corresponding to that of FIG.
1; and
[0037] FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of a connection
arrangement for connecting two floatation devices together, in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0038] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of a
floating barrier or floatation device broken away to show the basic
construction thereof. The device, which is generally denoted 10,
includes an outer shell or layer 12 which is preferably tubular in
shape and preferably made of a metal. In accordance with a
preferred implementation, the metal is one of either steel,
stainless steel or aluminum. In this regard, for some applications,
such as in the use of floatation device 10 as a log boom, stainless
steel is preferred in some regards in that, for example, it is
estimated that stainless steel should have a life expectancy of at
least 30-40 years. However, the cost of stainless steel is a
disadvantage. Aluminum is also a very good candidate material
because of its very light weight, making the resultant floatation
device 10 relatively easy to handle and install. A very rough
estimate of life expectancy for aluminum is 15-30 years depending
on the reaction thereof to the water in which the device is
employed. Steel, and, in particular, mild steel, is also a good
choice in some applications, although it will be appreciated that
other metals could also be used. Preferably, the outer shell or
tubular member 12 is coated with a corrosion coating to extend the
life thereof. Further, a coating of a color that serves to provide
a warning, i.e., bright red or orange, can also be applied.
[0039] The floatation device 10 further includes an inner member 14
which is preferably tubular and concentric with, and spaced from,
outer member 12. Member 14 can also be made of steel, stainless
steel or aluminum as well as a polymer material such as a hard
plastic (e.g., polyvinylchloride or PVC).
[0040] An annular space or cavity 16 is formed or defined between
tubular members 12 and 14 and this cavity 16 is filled with a
floatation medium preferably selected from the group consisting of
a gas (e.g., a gas at atmospheric pressure), a liquid that provides
floatation, and a solid floatation material such as a closed cell
floatation foam. Such a foam is indicated at 18 in FIG. 1.
[0041] A further space or cavity 20 is formed or defined inside of
inner tubular member 14 and this space is similarly filled with a
floatation medium such as those described. In the illustrated
embodiment, a floatation foam 22 is employed.
[0042] In one preferred embodiment, foam 18 is a foam wrap, and
foam 22 is an epoxy foam, i.e., a polyurethane epoxy foam.
[0043] It will be appreciated that the tube-in-tube construction of
FIG. 1 with two separate (e.g., foam) floatation means 18 and 22
prevents sinking of device 10 even if tubular members 12 and 14 are
pierced or otherwise compromised.
[0044] Although the dimensions of device 10 will, of course, depend
on the application, in an exemplary non-limiting embodiment, outer
shell or tube 12 is formed from 0.109 inch stainless steel tubing
of a 12 inch diameter, foam 18 is a 2 inch foam wrapping, inner
tube 14 is {fraction (3/16)} inch PVC pipe of an 8 inch diameter,
and, as indicated above, foam 22 is an epoxy foam. Again, all of
these parameters, including tube thickness and diameter, are
subject to change depending on the application.
[0045] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 5, there is shown one preferred
embodiment of the invention which incorporates two floatation
devices 10 corresponding to that shown in FIG. 1. Although in
another important embodiment of the invention, a plurality of
floatation devices corresponding to that shown at 10 in FIG. 1 are
simply connected together end-to-end in serial relationship to form
a barrier chain or buoy line, and, to this end, connector elements
24, which are described in more detail hereinbelow in connection
with FIG. 10, are provided at opposite ends thereof. In the
embodiment of FIGS. 2 to 5, the two floatation devices 10 form a
base for a barrier member 26 including an open framework
superstructure 28. As illustrated, and is perhaps best seen in FIG.
2, devices 10 are connected together by transverse struts 30 and
the superstructure 28 includes V-forming members 28a, an upper
longitudinal connector 28b, two intermediate longitudinal
connectors 28c and four short, angled, bottom struts 28d. The
superstructure 28 can be affixed to the floatation devices 10 by
welded brackets described below in connection with FIG. 9.
[0046] As shown in FIG. 5, the longitudinal connectors 28b and 28c
of superstructure 28 can be used to support suitable signage, such
as warning signs 32.
[0047] As indicated in FIG. 2, a depending structure 34, which may
take the form of a durable fabric or mesh, is provided so as to
prevent or deter underwater intrusion or to act as a barrier for
debris. Alternatively, or in addition, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4
one or more of the devices 10 of barrier member 26 may include
protective projecting elements 36, such as spikes or sharp blades,
which act as a deterrent to intruding boats or other watercraft.
Alternatively, or in addition, connectors 28b and 28c may also
include such protective projecting elements.
[0048] Although, again, the size of barrier 26 can vary widely
depending on application, in order to provide an indication of the
scale generally contemplated here, in typical barrier application,
the barrier member 26 can be from about 2-10 feet high and 2-24
feet long.
[0049] Referring to FIG. 6, a further embodiment of the invention
is shown. In contrast to other embodiments wherein the floatation
devices extend horizontally, similarly to a log boom or pontoon,
the floatation devices of FIG. 6 extend vertically, similarly to a
buoy. In the illustrated embodiment, four floatation devices 10
support a superstructure 28 corresponding to that shown in FIGS. 2
to 5 and comprised of corresponding elements. Base or bottom
connectors 38 are provided which are connected to devices 10 and
provide base framework for superstructure 28. A central plate 40 or
other connecting arrangement is used to connect together the four
devices 10 at intermediate points along the height (length) of the
devices.
[0050] As indicated above, a plurality of individual devices
corresponding to that shown at 10 in FIG. 1 can be connected
together end-to-end in series relation to form a barrier chain or
system, and such an embodiment is important for example, when a low
barrier is all that is required. In a variant of this embodiment,
one or more barriers, corresponding to that shown in FIGS. 2 to 5,
can be inserted into the chain at various spaced locations therein
so as to, for example, provide warning signs along the chain or
line.
[0051] In yet another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, a more
robust and impregnable barrier chain or line, indicated generally
at 42, is provided which is formed by a series of barrier units 26
corresponding to that shown in FIGS. 2 to 5. Barrier units 26 are
interconnected by individual floatation devices 10 corresponding to
that of FIG. 1. More specifically, although it will be appreciated
that only a part or portion of barrier 42 is shown, in the portion
thereof illustrated in FIG. 7, a first barrier 26A is connected at
one end to a second barrier 26B and to a lone or individual
floatation device 10A. The latter is connected to a similar device
forming part of a third barrier 26C, while one floatation device of
barrier 26B is also connected to barrier 26C while the other
floatation device thereof is connected to a second individual
floatation device 10B. Finally, in the portion of barrier chain 42
illustrated in FIG. 7, barrier 26C and floatation device 10B are
also connected to a further (fourth) barrier 26D.
[0052] Referring to FIG. 8, an embodiment similar to that of FIG. 7
is shown. The barrier chain or system is denoted 44 in FIG. 8 and
this embodiment differs from that of FIG. 7 in that the four
barriers, which are denoted 26A, 26B, 26C and 26D, are of a
truncated form with trapezoidal end portions in contrast to the
triangular end portions of FIG. 7. More importantly, floatation
devices 10A and 10B are replaced by cables 46A and 46B. It will, of
course, be understood that such cables can also be used with the
embodiment of FIG. 7 to replace floatation devices 10A and 10B.
Cables 46A and 46B are preferably stainless steel cables, although
other cabling can also be used.
[0053] The embodiment of FIG. 8 provides three holding points,
viz., cable, floatation device (barrier), cable. It would be very
difficult to break all three points at once and if one breaks, two
other holding points are still in place.
[0054] It is noted that, with respect to the barrier systems or
barrier chains described above, an arch can be formed by using
shorter and longer barriers or booms, and fencing and lights can
also be added to enhance security.
[0055] Referring to FIG. 9, a detail is shown of one approach to
mounting superstructure 28 on floatation device 10. In this
embodiment, transverse strut element or strut 30 forms part of the
superstructure 28, i.e., an integral framework is provided of which
strut member or element 30 is a part, and element 30 is secured by
suitable means, e.g., connecting bolts or like fasteners (not
shown, although the connection is indicated in dashed lines) to a
mounting bracket 48 which has a curved lower edged matching the
curvature of device 10 and which is secured to, i.e., welded to,
device 10.
[0056] Referring to FIG. 10, there is shown a preferred embodiment
of the connector or connecting arrangement for providing a
connection between adjacent barrier floatation devices 10. As
indicated above, in connecting the devices 10, the barrier devices
are arranged so that the ends thereof are lined up, and thus, so
that the connector elements 24 (also referred to as strength
members) are disposed adjacent to each other. The connection
between strength members 24 is made by an arrangement comprising
connector plates 50, pivot tubes 52, hex bolts 54, hex nuts 56 and
fender washers 58. The plates 50 are preferably made of neoprene.
Advantageously, a plurality of connector plates 50 are used (e.g.,
two, four or six depending on the strength rating).
[0057] In making a connection, a plate 50 is placed on the
corresponding connection pivot tube 52 which is located at the
distal end of the respective strength member 24, and a retaining
hex bolt 54 is inserted through a corresponding fender washer 58
and a pivot tube 56, as illustrated. An anticorrosive thread
lubricant (not shown) is provided on the threads of the bolt 54 to
prevent galling. A further fender washer 58, and a hex nut 56 are
placed on the free end of hex bolt 54, and the nut and bolt
assembly is tightened until the assembly is tight against the pivot
tube 52. The process is then repeated for the adjacent strength
member 24.
[0058] Optionally, U-shackles 60 and a high strength link connector
62 can be used to provide additional holding power. In this
implementation, the shackles 60 are welded or otherwise affixed to
the respective strength members 24.
[0059] It will be appreciated from the foregoing that the barrier
or buoy device of the invention, and the floating barrier systems
created thereby, can be used in a number of different applications,
including the prevention of unauthorized entry of relatively small
watercraft (e.g., of a length less than about 100 feet) into
restricted areas along lakes, harbors and navigable rivers. This
use is particularly important in this new era of increasing
homeland security. Further, as indicated above, the redundant "tube
within a tube" construction with two internal floatation means
(e.g., as indicated at 18 and 22, respectively) prevents sinking
thereof even if both of the tubes 12 and 14 are pierced. In
addition, the provision of the metallic outer tube or layer 12 is
important in that the materials of construction therefor last
longer than the plastic shells used in conventional log booms.
Further, the use of metal provides increased versatility in that it
permits additional structures to be welded to the basic floatation
devices or devices as described above and enables warning signage
to be carried thereby.
[0060] As will be appreciated, the basic construction of the
floatation device is easily adaptable to a wide range of sizes,
lengths and heights, thus providing a great deal of flexibility in
meeting the needs of a user. Competing systems, typically made of
plastic, are typically available in one size with the plastic
components thereof molded to a specific, standard size and
form.
[0061] Although the invention has been described above in relation
to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those
skilled in the art that variations and modifications can be
effected in these preferred embodiments without departing from the
scope and spirit of the invention.
* * * * *