TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure is drawn to floating systems, and modular floatation systems in particular.
BACKGROUND
The presence of microplastics in aquatic environments is a growing concern. Microplastics are particles of predominantly synthetic polymeric composition in the micro scale, under 5 mm in size, and generally in the range between 1 pm and 5 mm. Different mechanisms have been employed in order to combat the existence of microplastics in aquatic environments (e.g., lakes, rivers, streams, reservoirs, etc.). Efforts to remove microplastics from dynamic aquatic environments face stability challenges in currents beyond speeds of 2 m/s. This currently limits the application of such mechanisms in active bodies of water, as most rivers typically reach speeds beyond 6 m/s, especially during storm surges.
BRIEF SUMMARY
In various aspects, a device, including a first floatation element and a second floatation element may be provided. The first floatation element and the second floatation element may have a top surface. The top surface may be configured to be disposed above a surface of water. The bottom surface may be configured to be disposed below a surface of water. A plurality of parallel connector bars may also be included. The plurality of parallel connector bars may be removably coupled to a top surface of the first floatation element and a top surface of the second floatation element. Each parallel connector bar may include a plurality of attachment points. Each attachment point may be configured to be removably coupled to one or more attachments. Each attachment point may be configured to be held over at least partially in the water.
In some embodiments, the device may further include a plurality of attachments. The plurality of attachments may be removably coupled to one of the plurality of attachment points.
In some embodiments, the plurality of attachments of the device may be one of an individual filter, a sensor, or an electric system.
In some embodiments, the individual filter of the device may be made of natural or synthetic materials. The natural or synthetic materials may be configured to filter microplastics from the water.
In some embodiments, the first floatation element and second floatation element of the device may be comprised of a plurality of subcomponents. Each subcomponent may be a standalone floatation element and may be coupled to at least one other subcomponent.
In some embodiments, the subcomponents of the device may be coupled to another subcomponent via a locking mechanism. In yet another embodiment, the locking mechanism may be a puzzle joint or a bolt attachment.
In various aspects, a kit including a first floatation element, and a second floatation element may be included. The first and second floatation element may have a top surface. The top surface may be configured to be disposed above a surface of water. The first and second floatation element may have a bottom surface. The bottom surface may be configured to be disposed below a water surface. A plurality of connector bars may be included. The plurality of connector bars may be configured to be removably coupled to a top surface of the first floatation element and a top surface of the second floatation element.
In some embodiments, the kit may further include a first support bar. The first support bar may be configured to be removably coupled to the top surface of the first floatation element. The kit may further include a second support bar. The second support bar may be removably coupled to the top surface of the second floatation element.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present invention and, together with a general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the present invention.
FIG. 1 shows a top view of an embodiment of a floatation device without any attachments coupled to the parallel connecting bars.
FIG. 2 shows a side view of an embodiment of a floatation device without any attachments coupled to the parallel connecting bars.
FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a floatation device floating on an aquatic surface with an exemplary dimension.
FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a floatation device floating on an aquatic surface, with attachments coupled to parallel connecting bars.
FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of a device with attachments coupled to parallel connecting bars floating on an aquatic surface.
FIG. 6 shows uncoupled components of an embodiment of a floatation device.
FIG. 7 shows uncoupled subcomponents of a floatation element.
FIG. 8 shows a side view of a floatation element resting on a table.
FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of a device floating on an aquatic surface with no attachments.
FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of a device floating on an aquatic surface with a plurality of attachments.
FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of a device with attachments removably coupled to parallel connector bars.
FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of a device with attachments removably coupled to parallel connecting bars.
FIG. 13 shows an individual cleaning an attachment after removal from a connector bar.
FIG. 14 shows a top view of an embodiment of a floatation device with attachments coupled to parallel connecting bars.
FIG. 15 shows a side view of an embodiment of a floatation device with attachments coupled to parallel connecting bars.
It should be understood that the appended drawings are not necessarily to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of various features illustrative of the basic principles of the invention. The specific design features of the sequence of operations as disclosed herein, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes of various illustrated components, will be determined in part by the particular intended application and use environment. Certain features of the illustrated embodiments have been enlarged or distorted relative to others to facilitate visualization and clear understanding. In particular, thin features may be thickened, for example, for clarity or illustration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The following description and drawings merely illustrate the principles of the invention. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the invention and are included within its scope. Furthermore, all examples recited herein are principally intended expressly to be only for illustrative purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor(s) to furthering the art and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Additionally, the term, “or,” as used herein, refers to a non-exclusive or, unless otherwise indicated (e.g., “or else” or “or in the alternative”). Also, the various embodiments described herein are not necessarily mutually exclusive, as some embodiments can be combined with one or more other embodiments to form new embodiments.
The numerous innovative teachings of the present application will be described with particular reference to the presently preferred exemplary embodiments. However, it should be understood that this class of embodiments provides only a few examples of the many advantageous uses of the innovative teachings herein. In general, statements made in the specification of the present application do not necessarily limit any of the various claimed inventions. Moreover, some statements may apply to some inventive features but not to others. Those skilled in the art and informed by the teachings herein will realize that the invention is also applicable to various other technical areas or embodiments.
Disclosed is a versatile device 1 for floating on the surface of a body of water, such as a lake, ocean, river, or stream. See, e.g., FIGS. 3-4. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the device 1 may include multiple floatation elements (such as, e.g., one or more pontoons). In some embodiments, the device may include a first floatation element 2 and a second floatation element 3, each having a top surface 4 configured to be disposed above a surface of water, and a bottom surface 5 configured to be disposed below a surface of water. In some embodiments, the floatation elements are a single material. In some embodiments, the floatation elements are a composite structure. In some embodiments the floatation elements may utilize fiberglass, carbon fiber, a cross laminated timber, an inflatable bladder, or a combination thereof.
In some embodiments, the top surface 4 of the first or second floatation element 2, 3 may be chosen to be a flat surface. In this manner, the support bars 7 may rest flush against the body of the top portion 4 of the floatation elements.
In some embodiments, the floatation elements may be defined by an outer portion 22, central portion 23, and an inner portion 24. The inner portion 24 of the floatation elements may be defined by a smooth flat surface. In some embodiments, the inner portion 24 may also be characterized as a round structure. In other embodiments, the inner portion 24 may be defined by multiple surfaces. In some embodiments, the surface of the inner portion 24 is chosen to optimize the floatation ability of the device 1.
In some embodiments, the outer portion 22 may be characterized as a round surface. In some embodiments, the outer portion 22 may be defined as a flat surface. In other embodiments, the outer portion 22 may be defined by multiple surfaces. In some embodiments, the surface of the outer portion 22 is chosen to optimize the floatation ability of the device 1.
The device 1 may include a plurality of parallel connector bars 6 removably coupled (either directly or indirectly) to a top surface 4 of the first floatation element 2 and a top surface 4 of the second floatation element 3. In some embodiments, the device 1 may include a support bar 7 coupled (either removably or permanently) to a top surface 4 of the first floatation element 2 and a top surface 4 of the second floatation element 3. The parallel connector bars 6 may also be removably coupled to the support bar 7.
In some embodiments, each floatation element may include an eyelet 10. The eyelet 10 may be configured to receive a support bar 7. In some embodiments, the support bar 7 may be coupled to the first or second floatation element 2, 3 by a pin, screw, or other locking mechanism. In some embodiments, a pin, screw, or other locking mechanism may enter the eyelet from the outer portion 22 of the floatation element, extend through the support bar 7, and exit through the eyelet of the inner portion 24 of the floatation element.
Referring to FIG. 3, an exemplary embodiment of a floatation device 1 is shown. The exemplary embodiment of the device 1 is shown with a top portion being partially disposed above a surface of water and having an exemplary width 18 of 850 mm and length 19 of 1200 mm. As will be appreciated, the width 18 (distance between the first floatation element 2 and the second floatation element 3), length 19 (distance between the front and back of the first or second floatation element 2, 3), and depth 21 (the maximum distance between the top surface 4 and the bottom surface 5) of the device 1 may be chosen to optimize the device's floatation ability and the ability to filter microplastics. Referring to FIG. 4, an exemplary embodiment of a device 1 is shown with a bottom portion 5 being partially disposed beneath the surface of water.
Referring to FIG. 5, each parallel connector bar 6 may include a plurality of attachment points 8. The plurality of attachment points 8 may be adjustably positioned on the parallel connector bars 6 such that the distance between attachment points 8 may be a variable position which may change according to a measurement (such as the water flow rate) in order to optimize the filtration potential of the device 1.
Referring again to FIG. 1, in some embodiments, parallel connector bars 6 may have four sides. In some embodiments, each side of the parallel connector bar may have a slit 25 running along the horizontal axis of the parallel connector bar 6. The slit 25 of the parallel connector bar may be configured to receive an attachment point 8. The attachment point may be removably coupled to the parallel connector bar 6 and the slit 25 through a 90-degree connector bracket (as seen in FIGS. 3-4) or other suitable locking mechanism.
Each attachment point 8 may be configured to be removably coupled to one or more attachments 11 configured to be held over or at least partially in the water. The attachment points 8 may be configured to receive an attachment 11. Non-limiting examples of attachment points 8 may include a carabiner (as shown in FIG. 11), a screw, zip-tie, or other suitable configuration. In some embodiments, the attachments 11 may be coupled to the parallel connector bars 6 by a tether. In some embodiments, the attachment points 8 may be chosen in order to vary the depth of the attachments 11. In some embodiments, the depth of the attachments 11 is chosen to avoid attachment 11 contact with the bottom of an aquatic surface. The depth of the attachments 11 may further be chosen to reduce the drag of the device 1 and thus to increase the speed of the device 1 on the water surface. Note, in FIG. 5, the attachments 11 are partially submerged in the water, but those of skill in the art will recognize that an appropriate attachment 11 could be positioned above the water, below the water, or a combination thereof.
As seen in FIG. 5, the device may include a plurality of attachments 11, each removably coupled to one of the plurality of attachment points 8. There are no substantive limitations on what attachments 11 could be included. Non-limiting examples of attachments 11 include an individual filter (as shown in FIG. 5), a sensor, or an electric system. In some embodiments, each individual filter may be made of natural or synthetic materials configured to filter microplastics from the water.
Although the embodiment in FIG. 5 shows only a device 1 having uniform attachments 11 (all individual filtration attachments), it is envisioned that the device 1 may have a plurality of attachments 11, wherein each attachment point 8 may have one of a sensor, individual filter, or an electric system. This arrangement may result in a formation such that one attachment point 8 may have an electric system, an adjacent attachment point 8 may have an individual filter, and another adjacent attachment point 8 may have a sensor. Similarly, although FIG. 5 displays each attachment point 8 coupled with an attachment 11, it is envisioned that the device may have attachment points 8 without an attachment 11. Such that one attachment point 8 may have an individual filter, while an adjacent attachment point 8 does not have an attachment 11.
Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the device can be shown having a plurality of subcomponents 12. The plurality of subcomponents 12 may be coupled with one another to construct a first floatation element 2, or a second floatation element 3. The plurality of subcomponents 12 may be coupled together by a puzzle joint via any suitable locking mechanism. The locking mechanism may be a puzzle joint.
Referring to FIG. 7, a kit can also be seen showing components of a device. The components of the device may include a first floatation element 2, a second floatation element 3, a parallel connector bar 6, and a support bar 7. The components of the device 1 can further be disassembled into subcomponents 12 of the device 1. As seen in FIG. 7, subcomponents 12 of the device 1 may include a plurality of floatation elements. As seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, in some embodiments, each floatation element may be composed of multiple parts coupled together. That is, each floatation element may be composed of a plurality of subcomponents 12, where each subcomponent 12 is a standalone floatation element coupled to at least one other subcomponent 12. In this fashion, the standalone floatation element may be coupled to another standalone floatation element.
In FIG. 8, a side view of a device 1 is shown on a table. As seen, each subcomponent 12 of the floatation element may have one or more protrusions 14 extending in the upwards or downward direction. The protrusions 14 can be configured to receive the support bar 7. For instance, the protrusions 14 may contain an eyelet 10. The eyelet 10 may be configured to receive a pin, screw or other locking mechanism, such that the support bar 7 is firmly coupled to the protrusions 14. In some embodiments, the top surface of the floatation element has more protrusions 14 than the bottom surface. In some embodiments, these subcomponents 12 may or may not have end units 13 (as indicated in by the part(s) labelled “01-b”), wherein one of the sides 15, 16 can be connected with another unit. In some embodiments, these subcomponents may or may not have middle units 17 (as indicated by the part(s) labelled “01-a”), wherein both sides 15, 16 can be coupled with another unit. In some embodiments, each floatation element may include at least one end unit 13 and at least one middle unit 17. In some embodiments, each floatation element may include two end units 13. In some embodiments, each floatation element may include two end units 13 and a plurality of middle units 17.
FIG. 9 shows a device 1 floating on water near a shoreline. As will be understood, the device 1 may be designed to have a very low draught, and therefore can still be deployed even in very shallow water. FIG. 10 shows a device 1 in use in a deeper portion of a body of water. While FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 show the device 1 on a portion of still aquatic water, it is envisioned that the device 1 may also be suitable for a dynamic, moving water (e.g., a stream or river).
FIG. 11 shows a person beginning to remove an attachment 11 from a device 1. As seen, in some embodiments, the attachment 11 may be clipped (e.g., with a carabiner 20) onto an attachment point 8 of one of the parallel connector bars 7. Here, the attachment 11 is shown as an individual filter, but other attachments 11 and attachment methods are envisioned. FIG. 12 shows the person having just removed the attachment from the device.
FIG. 13 shows a person cleaning a single attachment 11 using a cleaning bottle (which may contain, e.g., a cleaning solution). In some embodiments, after cleaning, the attachment 11 may be recoupled to the device 1, or stored for future use.
FIG. 14 shows a top view of an embodiment of a device. The device may include a first floatation element 2 and a second floatation element 3. The device may include a plurality of parallel connector bars 6. The device may further include a support bar 7. In some embodiments, the floatation elements may include a top surface 4 and a bottom surface 5. In some embodiments, the device may include an outer portion 22, central portion 23, and inner portion 24. In some embodiments the floatation elements may include an eyelet 10. In some embodiments, the floatation elements may include an eyelet 10. In some embodiments, the device may include a plurality of attachments 11. FIG. 15 shows a side view of an embodiment of a device.
Patent Application
20250100657
