Abstract: A concrete marine float having a deck plate which is substantially wider than the width of the underlying casing in order to form overhanging flanges on opposite sides of the float. The flange is supported by longitudinally spaced gussets which extend from the sidewalls of the float to the underside of the deck. Utility conduits extending along the float beneath the flanges pass through the gussets and are thereby supported. The utility conduits pass upwardly through the deck to communicate with conventional utility outlets mounted on the deck.

Abstract: A system for connecting a row of concrete marine floats to each other by fastening elongated wales along the upper side edges thereof. Post-tensioned tendons having fastening members mounted on their ends extend transversely through the float. The tendons are relatively thin so that their elongation responsive to tensioning is sufficient to maintain the force of the wales against the float as the wales shrink. However, the tendons, being relatively thin, do not have sufficient strength to withstand the shear forces generated between the float and wales. Consequently, rigid shear-reinforcing sleeves, preferably surrounding the tendons, project from the float into the wales. The tendons may be either rigid rods having threaded ends or flexible wire cables having an anchor mounted at each end.

Abstract: A floating mooring device adapted to be used with one or more piles projecting upwardly in a body of water. The device includes a float which is fastened to a cylindrical collar loosely surrounding the piles so that the float can move upwardly or downwardly along the pile in response to tidal action. A conventional mooring cleat or ring is carried by either the float or collar to which a line extending from a moored vessel may be fastened. Since vertical movement of the vessel responsive to tidal action is matched by the vertical movement of the float, the line may be tautly fastened to the float in order to prevent excessive movement of the vessel, yet tension of the line remains constant responsive to tidal action. The embodiment of the device used with a single pile includes a cylindrical float extending around a cylindrical inner sleeve which loosely surrounds the pile.

Abstract: A marine float having a concrete casing surrounding a core of buoyant foam. The casing includes conventional side walls, end walls and a bottom along with a specially constructed deck. The deck includes at least one longitudinally extending utility trench which is easily accessible by removing a cover which is releasably secured to the deck. Elongated wales extend along the upper edges of the side walls, and tie rods loosely surrounded by through-tubes extend from one side wall to the other beneath the utility trench. The ends of the tie rods project through the wales, and fastening members are secured thereto thereby securing the wales to the casing and compressively loading the deck. Utility conduits positioned in the utility trench are connected to utility outlets mounted along the side edges of the deck by either transverse utility trenches or transversely extending tubular conduit embedded in the deck.

Abstract: A system for anchoring a large number of interconnected mooring floats in either deep or shallow bodies of water. The system includes a grid of post-tensioned cables positioned beneath the floats and a number of anchoring lines extending between the grid and attachment fixtures forming part of the floats. The anchoring lines are symmetrically secured to the floats so that a force exerted by a line in one direction is opposed by an equal force exerted by another line in the opposite direction. Further, the angles of the anchoring lines with respect to the horizontal are maintained relatively small to minimize the downward force on the float exerted by the tension in the lines. A plurality of spaced apart weights are secured to the anchoring lines to maintain the tension of the lines as the floats rise and fall responsive to tidal changes. The attachment fixtures are formed by tubes extending vertically through the floats adjacent their edges receiving a chain connected to an anchoring line.

Abstract: A pair of marine floats are interconnected end-to-end by a pair of tubular conduits embedded in the floats along opposite sides thereof. The conduits extend from one float to the other and their ends are connected to respective junction boxes embedded in the floats. The conduits pass through respective resilient cushions positioned between the floats to allow the floats to pivot with respect to each other. The tension in the conduits increases as the floats pivot, and this increase in tension is compensated for by resiliently securing the conduits to the junction boxes so that the conduits can move axially with respect to the junction boxes. The junction boxes may be secured to reinforcing bars embedded in the floats, particularly where a conduit extends from only one side of the junction box. Conventional utility conductors are routed through the conduits which may be connected to utility outlets mounted on the junction boxes.

Abstract: A pile hoop for slidably securing the end of a mainwalk or finger float to a marine pile. The pile hoop includes a cylindrical pipe forming a semicircular portion terminating in a pair of parallel legs. A rub shoe extending between the legs allows the semicircular portion and legs to completely surround the pile. The legs are inserted into respective tubes imbedded in the ends of the mainwalk or finger float. Tie rods extending transversely through the float pass through at least a portion of each tube and leg to secure the hoop to the float.

Abstract: A fastening system for interconnecting a row of marine floats while allowing relative movement of the floats resulting from wave action. One or more chains, cables or other securing lines extend through the floats from one end of the row to the other. The securing lines pass through recesses formed in adjacent end walls of the floats. A resilient member having a central bore is inserted into the recesses with the securing line passing through the bore. The resilient member absorbs longitudinal forces imparted to the floats. It also restricts transverse vertical and horizontal movement of the floats with respect to each other while allowing pivotal movement of the floats. A metal tube preferably lines the bore to prevent the securing line from abrading the resilient member and to increase the shear strength of the resilient member. The recesses may also be lined with a frame, and the frames of two or more recesses in a given end wall may be interconnected for additional strength.

Abstract: A lightweight concrete float having a concrete shell surrounding either a hollow or buoyant foam core. The shell includes a deck surrounded by integrally formed, downwardly projecting side walls of sturdy but relatively heavy standard aggregate concrete and a bottom surrounded by integrally formed, upwardly projecting uniform or tapered side walls of lightweight but relatively weak foam aggregate concrete. Reinforcing rods are embedded along the edges of the deck, and a reinforcing mesh extends around the reinforcing rods and through the deck, side walls and bottom. The float may be formed by first pouring a layer of foam aggregate concrete into a form having a rectangular bottom surrounded by four sides. A block of buoyant foam is then placed on the bottom layer of concrete with the sides of the block spaced apart from the sides of the form. The space between the sides of the form and the sides of the block is partially filled with foam aggregate concrete.

Abstract: A plurality of relatively narrow finger piers project perpendicularly from mainwalk floats at spaced-apart locations. The finger piers are secured to the floats in cantilever fashion using a variety of fastening structures. Since loads carried by the finger pier are not supported by the buoyancy of the pier, the width and thickness of the pier can be substantially less than comparable floating finger piers. In one embodiment the pier is principally formed by a triangular frame which is secured to the mainwalk floats by either a mounting bracket or rods extending transversely through the mainwalk floats and longitudinally through upper corner pipes of the triangular frame. A deck is then fastened across the upper pipes. The vertical angle of each pier may be adjusted by rotating an adjusting nut which abuts the lower pipe of the triangular frame. In a second embodiment pairs of parallel beams are secured to the mainwalk floats by a bracket, and a deck is mounted on the upper surface of the beams.

Abstract: A float movable along a ramp for launching trailerable boats so that the float remains adjacent the water line of the ramp responsive to changes in water level. The float is moved by a line extending from the deep water end of the float, downwardly to a stationary underwater sheave, upwardly to a shore mounted powered drive mechanism and downwardly to the shallow water end of the float. The drive mechanism is controlled by a water level sensor to move the float along the ramp as the water level changes so that the float remains in the water near the water line of the ramp as the water level fluctuates. The water level sensor includes an ultrasonic level detector mounted in a vertical tube communicating with the water through an equalizing tube. The float moves along a guide mechanism running alongside one end of the ramp to prevent transverse movement of the float.

Abstract: A concrete float having a buoyant foam core surrounded by a concrete shell. The deck of the shell has integrally formed therewith a plurality of transverse ribs and longitudinal ribs which strengthen the deck. Consequently, the necessary strength for the deck can be achieved by utilizing a substantially reduced quantity of concrete. A tubular conduit extends beneath at least some of the transverse ribs. The conduits are provided in order to receive tie rods having their ends projecting from the sides of the float and through elongated wales which serve to secure the floats to each other. The concrete is preferably reinforced with conventional concrete reinforcing bars. The float is formed by placing a rectangular block of foam in a rectangular form after a layer of concrete has been poured in the form with the foam core being positioned apart from the sides of the form.

Abstract: A system for distributing utility service such as electrical power, telephone service and water to a plurality of spaced apart finger floats extending angularly from a floating mainwalk. The floats are formed by rectangular concrete shells filled with a buoyant material and having a plurality of tie rods extending transversely through the floats with their ends projecting from the sides. The floats are typically fastened to each other by elongated wales extending along the sides of the floats which bridge the joints between adjacent floats. In one embodiment the wales include inner and outer wale members separated from each other by a plurality of rectangularly shaped spacers. The spacers as well as the gap between the wale members are preferably covered by an elongated cover. Utility conduits extend along the gap between the inner and outer wale members and are supported by the spacers.

Abstract: A concrete float having a buoyant foam core surrounded by a concrete shell. The deck of the shell has integrally formed therewith a plurality of transverse ribs and longitudinal ribs which strengthen the deck. Consequently, the necessary strength for the deck can be achieved by utilizing a substantially reduced quantity of concrete. A tubular conduit extends beneath at least some of the transverse ribs. The conduits are provided in order to receive tie rods having their ends projecting from the sides of the float and through elongated wales which serve to secure the floats to each other. The concrete is preferably reinforced with conventional concrete reinforcing bars. The float is formed by placing a rectangular block of foam in a rectangular form after a layer of concrete has been poured in the form with the foam core being positioned apart from the sides of the form.

Abstract: A marine float having a concrete casing surrounding a core of buoyant foam. The casing includes conventional side walls, end walls and a bottom along a specially constructed deck. The deck includes at least one longitudinally extending utility trench which is easily accessible by removing a cover which is releasably secured to the deck. Elongated wales extend along the upper edges of the side walls, and tie rods loosely surrounded by through-tubes extend from one side wall to the other beneath the utility trench. The ends of the tie rods project through the wales, and fastening members are secured thereto thereby securing the wales to the casing and compressively loading the deck. Utility conduits positioned in the utility trench are connected to utility outlets mounted along the side edges of the deck by either transverse utility trenches or transversely extending tubular conduit embedded in the deck.