Patent Grant
9302749
The present invention relates to floating structures, and more particularly to a non-self-propelled floating structure, raft, dock, deck, platform, barge, marine hazard marker, marine navigational marker, life raft, commercial marine craft, recreational marine craft or the like having a bottom perimetric skirt that increases the structure's stability in the water, greatly reducing the risk of the structure tilting excessively, turning over or capsizing, and limiting or preventing lateral or transverse movement of the floating structure along the water.
Floating structures may come in a myriad of shapes and sizes, depending on their function. Some floating structures, such as boats and ships, are self-propelled and thus capable of providing a means of transportation on water. Other floating structures such as floating docks, decks, platforms, rafts, landing crafts or the like, are generally not self-propelled, and are conceived to provide a static horizontal surface on which to carry out a wide variety of tasks or actions, depending on the type of structure. Many non-self-propelled floating structures are either inflatable, or are constructed from durable buoyant materials both of which are designed to support the weight of one or more individuals, heavy machinery or extreme loads, and to remain afloat. Such floating structures come in a variety of shapes, and sizes, and are generally used in recreational and utility activities such as swimming, boating, construction, repair or marine operations. Some floating structures comprise floating rafts or platforms that provide a base structure for swimmers to utilize. Still other floating structures comprise floating docks or decks that are fixedly positioned in one location on the surface of the water, and are used for walking upon, for water sports, or for securely attaching a boat or vessel in place.
Self-propelled floating structures are normally provided with a hull, which is a relatively complex watertight body designed to be arranged partially underwater and to render the structure hydrodynamic, stable, floatable and capable of sustaining a load. Static, non-self-propelled structures need not be as hydrodynamic but, instead, must be as stable and secure as possible to provide a safe environment for the person(s) standing or carrying out an activity on the structure, and for the load that is supported on the structure.
For instance, floating workstations are known in the art that are capable of providing a floating platform near a ship hull for a person to stand on and carry out repair, cleaning or other maintenance operations of the hull surface. Floating workstations are capable of easily changing positions relative to the vessel, allowing the person carrying out maintenance of the vessel to conveniently access and work on different zones of the hull, in comparison to carrying out the maintenance operations from a dock. Floating workstations of the sort must be as stable as possible to ensure safety of the persons and load supported on the workstation. In the event that such floating workstations are not adequately stable, inappropriate movement of the load or persons on the structure could cause the workstation to sway excessively, and even turn over, putting the person at risk of falling and suffering severe or fatal injuries, for instance in the event that the person impacts the ship hull, or marine structures, a seawall, hazardous waters or a hazardous sub-surface (seabed or riverbed).
In order to increase stability, some floating structures are provided with poles that are stuck into the underwater floor surface. While effective, such a solution is cumbersome to carry out, and requires the provision of lengthy and/or bulky hardware. In addition, it is not applicable when the floating structure is floating in deep waters.
The present invention seeks to provide a system for stabilizing a non-self-propelled floating structure, which is effective in preventing that the floating structure turns over relative to the water surface in both deep and shallow waters, and yet presents a reasonable cost that will allow the system to be successfully installed in a wide variety of non-self-propelled floating structures.
The present invention overcomes the deficiencies of the known art and the problems that remain unsolved by providing a non-self-propelled, floatable structure comprising a floatable body designed to float on water, and a retention skirt provided about a perimeter of the floatable body, the retention skirt being configured to extend into the water a predetermined distance and to prevent air from entering in the space delimited by the skirt, the body and the water surface. In the event that, while the structure is floating in water and supporting a load, the floatable structure is unstabilized by an undue movement of the load or an external force, a vacuum effect is created in the aforementioned space that prevents the structure from separating from the water, and thus from eventually turning over. In addition, the skirt also reduces, and in some cases prevents, the lateral or transverse movement of the floatable structure, further increasing stability of the load supported on the structure. The stabilizing retention skirt is equally valid and effective in both deep and shallow waters.
In accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, the present invention consists of a non-self-propelled, floatable structure for supporting a load, comprising:
a floatable body, configured to float on water, said body comprising a first side for remaining over the water, and a second side for contacting the water, wherein said second side is arranged opposite to said first side;
a retention skirt, protruding from said second side of said floatable body and configured to extend underwater, an internal space being delimited between said retention skirt said the second side, wherein
said retention skirt is airtight for air passing in an inward direction, said inward direction corresponding to air passing through the skirt and towards said internal space.
In a second aspect, the skirt protrudes vertically downwards from the second side.
In another aspect, the retention skirt is at least partially flexible.
In another aspect, the retention skirt is at least partially rigid.
In another aspect, the floatable structure comprises at least one one-way air valve mechanism allowing air to exit the internal space and preventing air from entering the internal space.
In another aspect, at least one one-way air valve mechanism is comprised in the floatable body, allowing air to exit the internal space through the floatable body.
In another aspect, the one-way air valve mechanism comprised in the floatable body communicates the internal space with the first side of the floatable body.
In another aspect, the one-way air valve mechanism comprised in the floatable body comprises a one-way check valve.
In another aspect, the one-way air valve mechanism comprises a first end of the skirt and an opposed second end of the skirt, wherein said first end is externally overlapped over said second end, the first end being movable with respect to the second end, said first end being configured to separate from the second end responsive to an increase in air pressure in the internal space, and to rest against the second end responsive to a decrease in air pressure in the internal space.
In another aspect, the retention skirt is an entirely flexible skirt having overlapped first and second ends forming said one-way valve mechanism.
In another aspect, the retention skirt is removably attached to the floatable body.
In another aspect, the height of the retention skirt is manually or mechanically adjustable.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the present invention consists of a non-self-propelled, floatable structure for supporting a load, comprising:
a floatable body, configured to float on water, said body comprising a top surface for supporting a load, and a bottom surface for facing the water;
a retention skirt, protruding downwards from a peripheral edge of said floatable body, an internal space being delimited between said retention skirt and said bottom surface, wherein said retention skirt is airtight for air passing in an inward direction, said inward direction corresponding to air passing through the skirt and towards said internal space;
at least one one-way air valve mechanism allowing air to exit the internal space and preventing air from entering the internal space in the event that the structure is placed on water and the internal space is enclosed between the bottom surface, the retention skirt, and the water.
In another aspect, at least one one-way air valve mechanism is comprised in the floatable body, allowing air to exit the internal space through the floatable body.
In another aspect, the one-way air valve mechanism comprises a first end of the skirt and an opposed second end of the skirt, wherein said first end is externally overlapped over said second end, the first end being movable with respect to the second end, said first end being configured to separate from the second end responsive to an increase in air pressure in the internal space, and to rest against the second end responsive to a decrease in air pressure in the internal space.
In another aspect, the retention skirt is an entirely flexible skirt having overlapped first and second ends forming said one-way valve mechanism.
In another aspect, the retention skirt is removably attached to the floatable body.
In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, the present invention consists of a non-self-propelled, floatable structure for supporting persons, animal or cargo, comprising:
a floatable body, configured to float on water, said body comprising a downward facing side for facing the water;
a retention skirt, protruding from said downward facing side of said body and configured to be arranged inside the water when the floatable structure is placed in the water, said retention skirt encircling an internal space, said internal space being delimited between said retention skirt and said downward facing side, wherein said retention skirt is airtight for air passing in an inward direction, said inward direction corresponding to air passing through the skirt and towards said internal space;
at least one one-way air valve mechanism allowing air to exit the internal space and preventing air from entering the internal space in the event that the structure is placed in the water and the internal space is enclosed between the bottom surface, the retention skirt, and the water.
In another aspect, at least one one-way air valve mechanism is comprised in the floatable body, allowing air to exit the internal space through the floatable body.
In another aspect, the one-way air valve mechanism comprises a first end of the skirt and an opposed second end of the skirt, wherein said first end is externally overlapped over said second end, the first end being movable with respect to the second end, said first end being configured to separate from the second end responsive to an increase in air pressure in the internal space, and to rest against the second end responsive to a decrease in air pressure in the internal space.
In another aspect, the retention skirt is an entirely flexible skirt having overlapped first and second ends forming said one-way valve mechanism.
These and other advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims and appended drawings.
The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views of the drawings.
The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in
One or more embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. It will be understood that the claims and embodiments of the present invention are intended to be coextensive with each other, and that the embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. It is noted that, according to common practice, the various features, elements and dimensions of particular embodiments are not to scale, and may be expanded, exaggerated or minimized for clarity. Thus, specific structural and functional details, dimensions, shapes, or configurations disclosed herein are not limiting but serve as a basis for teaching a person of ordinary skill in the art the described and claimed features of embodiments of the present invention.
Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown in
As shown in
The floatable structure 100 is not self-propelled, i.e., is not designed to provide an autonomous means of transportation, but rather to provide a static support for a person to stand on and carry out an activity (such as repairing a vessel hull outer surface) or for holding cargo.
In accordance with the invention, the floatable structure 100 further comprises a retention skirt 160 that protrudes downwardly from the second side 152 of the floatable body 110. As shown in
The retention skirt 160 forms a continuous wall capable of extending downwardly into a body of water. The retention skirt 160 is airtight for air passing in an inward direction, towards the internal space 170. In other words, the retention skirt 160 material(s) and construction provide inward airtightness. For instance, the retention skirt can be manufactured as a flexible sheet of PVC material. Or, in another non-limiting example, the retention skirt can be manufactured from a metallic sheet.
The illustration of
In addition, the retention skirt 160 provides a dragging or stopping effect for displacement of the floatable structure 100 along the water surface, due to the fact that the retention skirt 160 is submerged in water 500 either vertically or with a strong vertical component, and poses a strong resistance to water moving relative to the retention skirt 160 in a lateral direction (indicated by arrow 190 in
Preferably, the retention skirt 160 protrudes vertically downwards from the second side 152 of the floatable body 110 when the floatable structure 100 is in a rest position as shown in
It is contemplated that the retention skirt can be partially or entirely flexible, or partially or entirely rigid.
As has been mentioned, the retention skirt 160 is inwardly airtight, i.e., prevents air from passing through the retention skirt 160 towards the internal space 170. Optionally, the floatable structure can comprise at least one one-way air valve mechanism allowing air to exit the internal space 170 while also preventing air from entering the internal space 170. Such a solution allows one-way expelling of air from the internal space 170 to outside the retention skirt 160. Thus, when the floatable structure 100 is placed in the water, the floatable body 110 presses the air in the internal space 170 and the compressed air is gradually expelled from the internal space 170 though the at least one one-way air valve mechanism until the bottom surface 144 contacts and rests on the water 500 surface. Thus, having at least one one-way air valve mechanism allowing outward airflow promotes initial stability of the floatable structure 100.
The embodiment shown in
The retention skirt can be provided with a variable number of one-way air valve mechanisms. However, in a preferred embodiment, the retention skirt 160 is an entirely flexible band of flexible material, as shown in
The invention further contemplates that the retention skirt 160 can be removably attached to the floatable body 110, to facilitate displacement of the floatable structure 100 along the water in the event that the structure needs to be transported or pulled to a different location. Thus, a detachable retention skirt 160 not only serves the purpose of the present invention (i.e. stabilizing the floatable body 110) but also does not prevent the floatable body 110 from being pulled along the water 500 if need be.
In addition, it is further contemplated that the retention skirt 160 can be manually or mechanically raised or lowered, in order to adjust the retention skirt height. Vertical adjustability allows regulating the degree to which the skirt penetrates in the water body, and thus regulating the intensity of both the rotational and transverse stabilization effects of the retention skirt. In the event that the floatable structure is to remain static in the body of water, the skirt can be lowered to provide maximum stability; if, however, the floatable body is to be pulled and transported along the water, the retention skirt can be raised to reduce its lateral and transverse drag effect.
The illustration of
In addition, weights 290 can be included along the retention skirt 260 to retain the skirt in a desired configuration, in order to guarantee its stabilizing and braking effect in the event of disturbed waters.
In the embodiments shown, the retention skirt 160, 260 protrudes downwards from a peripheral edge of the floatable body, in order to maximize the internal space 170, 270 enclosed within the retention skirt 160, 260. However, alternative embodiments are contemplated in which the retention skirt 160, 260 is arranged differently, for instance along an intermediate portion of the bottom surface 144, 244 of the floatable body 110, 210, and not along a peripheral edge. In addition, alternative embodiments are contemplated in which the floatable structure comprises more than one retention skirt, in order to include separate internal spaces.
The floatable structure and floatable body could present various configurations other than that of the illustrated embodiment. In general, the floatable structure can be a raft, dock, deck, platform, barge, marine hazard marker, marine navigational marker, life raft, commercial marine craft, recreational marine craft, or the like. In turn, the floatable body may comprise a variety of different shapes and sizes, including square, round, or elliptical. The floatable body may be fabricated from any one of hyperlon, PVC, a plastic, a synthetic, vinyl, rubber, foam rubber, fabric, mesh, or nylon material coated or laminated with a polymer, polymeric, or polyurethane material, wood, fibers, wood derivatives, cork, lightweight metal, heavyweight metal or any combination thereof. It will be noted that the floatable body may include internal beams, supports, ribs or reinforcement materials that are structurally integrated within or about the floatable body to provide structural strength, stability and rigidity.
Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalence.
This application is a Continuation-In-Part claiming benefit of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 13/297,448, filed on Nov. 16, 2011, which is a Continuation-In-Part and claims the benefit of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 12/952,686, filed on Nov. 23, 2010, now abandoned, which is a Continuation-In-Part and claims the benefit of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 12/104,824, filed on Apr. 17, 2008, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,837,526, which is a Continuation-In-Part of and claims priority to U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 12/050,725, filed on Mar. 18, 2008, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,867,049, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/951,491, filed on Jul. 24, 2007, all of which are incorporated herein in their entireties.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60951491 | Jul 2007 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 13297448 | Nov 2011 | US |
| Child | 14257674 | US | |
| Parent | 12952686 | Nov 2010 | US |
| Child | 13297448 | US | |
| Parent | 12104824 | Apr 2008 | US |
| Child | 12952686 | US | |
| Parent | 12050725 | Mar 2008 | US |
| Child | 12104824 | US |
