Abstract: A bracket for being mounted to a flotation device such as a drum is manufactured as a single piece which includes spaced apart parallel sidewalls having a curved bottom edge for mating with the curvature of the periphery of a floating drum and has end walls spanning between the sidewalls at opposite ends of the sidewalls and a top wall opposite of the lower curved edges of the sidewalls in which top wall there is a central opening on opposite sides of which there are flat load bearing surfaces. A clamping device having the properties of a turnbuckle connects between the ends of strap which wraps around the drum and hooks to opposite ends of the turnbuckle so that turning of the body of the turnbuckle holds the ends of the strap together to effect frictional gripping of the bracket to the drum.

Abstract: A stabilized float drum is shown having interlocking side and end walls and an upper compartment filled with a flotation medium such as closed cell foam and a lower member with a selected number and size of holes in the surfaces thereof to admit water which then acts as a stabilizing force when the float is subjected to upsetting wave action or eccentric loads. The degree of stabilization or damping is controlled by the relative size of the lower member and the size, placement and number of holes.

Abstract: A composite camel structure includes an elongate hollow, rigid cylindrical core, opposite ends of the core having respective caps sealingly connected thereto, a buoyant material of cured urethane foam substantially filling the core and being sealingly enclosed therein. A cushion is thermally bonded to and sealingly surrounds the core, the cushion having a substantially unbroken outside surface, being formed of a polymeric component consisting of polyethylene being at least 80 percent low-density polyethylene, and a process additive component including an effective amount of an ultraviolet inhibitor. A pair of parallel-spaced, transversely oriented guides extend between opposite sides of the cushion in axially spaced relation to the core, each guide defining a guide opening through the cushion for receiving hawser chains whereby the camel structure rides up and down with the tide.

Abstract: A cross-shaped float platform for use at sea watching and fishing, including 4 long trunk buoys having a plurality of columns connected to form in a cross-shaped float, a structural suspension frame mounted on the columns, decks suspendedly disposed on the lower part of the suspension frame at the middle part of the columns and stretching between the two sides (port and starboard) and along the longitudinal direction, a central connecting member pivotedly connected to each of the buoys, reinforcing elements provided at each connecting portion of the buoys, and a sun canopy mounted on the suspension frame for covering the deck. The cross-shaped fishing float platform can be separated out from the connecting member and folded up to form a dual composite float to facilitate its entry or leave from small harbors or ports.

Abstract: A floating dock made from a plurality of float elements and the float elements. Each float element is hollow and open to the water on the bottom. On the top of each float element are slots for attaching beams from which to construct the dock. These slots may be at different levels to allow the beams to cross in different planes. The float elements also have flanges at their bottom edges which provide an additional means of connection between elements.

Abstract: The method, operated in the manner of a production line involving fabrication of a plurality of modules, includes, as to each module, the steps of preparing a bed having the desired module shape and size; preparing a galvanized welded wire fabric or mesh; fitting said wire fabric along the floor and sidewall interior surfaces of the bed to begin building an infrastructure; installing and tying epoxy coated reinforcing bars, inserts, reinforcing plates, post-tensioning tubes and other reinforcing steel within said infrastructure; installing pre-stressing strand along floor and sidewall interior surfaces; applying tensile loading to the pre-stressing strands with a hydraulic jack and deadhead apparatus; pouring a layer of concrete on the floor of the bed; seating foam billets within billet receiving sections adjacent to the wire fabric and between the post-tensioning tubes; fitting wire fabric along said interior deck to build the remainder of the infrastructure; installing and tying epoxy coated reinforcing ba

Abstract: Frames for flotation devices are described with integrally incorporated attachment sites for the air tight attachment of recycled plastic bottles, aluminum beverage cans, or other bouyant containers. Several embodiments of flotation devices made with such frames are described including floating mattresses, a raft, a baby seat, a bouy, a pool pillow, and a bumper. The devices discussed are easy to transport and to stow. Further, they are inexpensive and provide an incentive to recycle used bouyant bottles and cans for making the flotation devices of this invention.

Abstract: A pier unit includes a float having substantially a box shape with an opening at the top and including a flange extending outward along a top peripheral edge thereof; a rectangular frame attached to the float; a deck provided on the frame; and a connecting member secured to at least one of four corners of the frame for connecting the pier unit to another pier unit.

Abstract: An artificial reef structure includes a floating platform formed by a number of buoy units combined together and a large number of vertically extending rows of waste tires secured to an under side of the platform to extend to any desired depth and assume any desired configuration. The resiliency of the tires allows the artificial reef structure to be used as a fender, the ring or donut shape of the tires provides cavities in which fish and other sea creatures may breed and feed, and the bulky volume of the reef structure that is formed by the great number of waste tires serves to break up tides and waves and thus protect the seashore and pier and jetty from being damaged by strong tides and waves.

Abstract: An artificial floating island is disclosed. The includes a floating structure formed from a plurality of hollow bottomless cells created by a plurality of hexagons and triangular cells. The resulting geometry creates a straight line for pre-stressing of reinforcing. The island is additionally composed of a primary cell, balance cells and secondary cells. The primary cell permits wave and swell action to travel under the structure with little disruption. The top of the secondary cells are polygonal domes for efficient containment of pressure.

Abstract: The floating structure 1 includes a sheet held at a predetermined position by a column 2 which is positioned at the bottom of the water or a cable body 8 in which one end thereof is fixed to the bottom, and a levee wall which is projected from the water surface at a marginal portion. A rigid member can be fixed to the sheet for improving rigidity. Furthermore, a floating body for weakening the wave 70 can be installed at the marginal portion of the floating structure 1.

Abstract: A float or floats for use with a marine dock structure in which a body in the form of a hollow rectangular block formed of resinous plastic material is provided with a bottom slot in which a board or other mechanism is inserted to space the float bottom wall from the supporting surface when the floats or dock structures in which the floats are a part of are dragged or otherwise moved across the ground to facilitate repair or storage and in which fasteners are provided for attaching the floats to such dock structure.

Abstract: A floating breakwater structure that can be positioned adjacent to a boat dock or other area to be shielded from the effect of waves, the structure having a framework supported by floating members to maintain the framework above the water's surface and a plurality of adjacently positioned weighted rectangular concrete slabs pendulously supported into the water from the framework at least along one side of the structure, the concrete slabs being from about 8 to 12 feet in length, from 3 to 6 feet wide and 3 to 8 inches thick.

Abstract: A floating dock includes a surface having top and a bottom, a hollow paperboard tube secured to the bottom of the surface, foam applied to the bottom of the surface to encase the tube, and a coating which encapsulates the surface and the foam.

Abstract: A large floating platform assembly is assembled from a plurality of identical, relatively small modules each comprising a tubular member which is open at one end and has a flat head at the opposite end. The modules are secured together in a side-by-side arrangement at their headed ends to form a continuous flat platform of the desired area with the tubular members projecting downwardly from the platform into the water to receive water into their lower ends and form trapped pockets of compressed air beneath the entire area of the platform on which the platform is supported. The trapped air chambers may be interconnected to increase stabilization of the platform.

Abstract: Controlled-heave floating oil platform comprising a deck and a floatation assembly. According to the invention, in order to control platform response to sea movement, the floating assembly comprising a rising and falling compartment open to the sea and connected to a gas reservoir by means of a circulation pipe provided with a restriction.

Abstract: A multipurpose aquatic float has a molded shell of plastic resin. The float has a generally rectangular base part with a set of integral mounting flanges on its top surface. The mounting flanges are arranged to provide a longitudinal center channel for accepting a framing member of standard dimension lumber. Transverse flanges support the longitudinal flanges and provide a cross channel at the center and end notches to accommodate cross bracing in the frame on which the float is mounted. The longitudinal flanges have molded-in fastener receivers for receiving fasteners that secure the float in place on the framework of the support structure.

Abstract: An exclusively dry-land based modular housing unit intended for construction in floodwater-prone areas is factory built, utilizing wooden post-tension-frame construction for superior unit rigidity, and a sheathed, modular, solid foam whole-house float resides at the underside of the housing unit. A series of wooden piers serve as the housing unit fixed foundation preceding floodwater conditions. Additionally, a series of lubricated, oscillation damping, telescoping piers reside below the housing unit perimeter, and are securely and permanently connected to the perimeter beams, to serve as station keeping anchors for the housing unit during floatation and floodwater conditions. The housing unit is provided with integral water purification, septic, heating, and electrical backup systems for use during extended floodwater conditions.

Abstract: A floating dock that includes one or more box-like elements, each defined by a pair of spaced-apart, elongate, rigid beams between which extend top and bottom plates and end walls. The chamber so formed is partially filled with blocks of closed-cell EPS foam, the lower portion of the chamber being adapted to receive water from the body on which the float is positioned to act as ballast. Tie rods extend between the beams to retain them in engagement with the top and bottom plates.

Abstract: A float assembly for buoying ropes, cables, pipelines, or any other type of line, completely surrounds the line to which it is attached. The assembly is formed from a plurality of preferably identical circumferentially adjacent float pieces. The pieces attach to one another along radial planes which contain semipermanent attachment means. As each chamfered circumferential piece is added to the last the line is gradually surrounded by the whole of all the pieces. This allows the float to be attached or removed to an existing long line without the need to thread the line through the float assembly. Bands or straps are used to permanently secure the individual float pieces in place upon the line. The line passage hole may be sized or shimmed so as to firmly secure the float assembly on the line.

Abstract: A modular environmental mooring system generally of star shaped configuration accommodates a plurality of boats at circumferentially spaced, radially extending positions with respect to a central dock member. The central dock member is of generally annular configuration which includes a plurality of segments, each having a planar outwardly facing endwall and a pair of planar sidewalls lying in spaced apart angularly disposed planes. The segments are arranged with their sidewalls in a contiguous relationship. The boats float alongside a plurality of elongated finger dock members which extend radially outwardly from associated endwalls of the segments. Each segment and each finger dock member includes a plastic foam core member having planar structural sheet members which coterminously underlie and overlie the plastic foam core and are bonded to the plastic foam core.

Abstract: A floating construction includes a first box-shaped floating unit having a contact plane, a second box-shaped floating unit having a contact plane, a first connecting block having a bore therein and being connected to the contact plane of the first floating unit, a second connecting block having a first bore therein and being connected to the contact plane of the second floating unit, a connecting rod, and an intermediate element. The connecting rod extends through the first bores of the first and second connecting blocks such that a clearance exist between the a respective inner surface of said first bores of said first and second connecting blocks and the connecting rod, thereby allowing relative movement between the first bores of the first and second connecting blocks and the connecting rod.

Abstract: A docking system is disclosed in which modules that are of integral, unitary structure may be joined to form a floating dock. Each module is made up of a deck and side walls to form a hollow chamber within which is disposed a flotation unit of a large-scale honeycomb made by joining plastic containers to each other and to the deck and side walls. A substantially isotropic tension member or system of tension members is joined to the bottom of the walls and cells to complete a module in which applied forces are shared by all elements. Apparatus for aligning and joining modules to form dock structures are described as are apparatus to ballast the structure and determine freeboard.

Abstract: A method for fabricating and installation of a floating bridge or the like provides that a bridge superstructure is supported by a number of pontoons and has opposite ends anchored to shore fundaments. Prefabricated pontoons are positioned successively at mutually spaced locations on the water surface along a center line of a part of the bridge superstructure being formed. Such pontoons are suitably ballasted. Further bridge superstructure is fabricated successively in sections in a production unit positioned on a barge or on a platform stationarily positioned by the shore. Such sections are being pushed outwardly of the production unit one after the other, with a new section being made as a continuation of a preceding section. The fabricated part of the bridge superstructure, formed of several interconnected sections which gradually are protruded from the barge or platform, is slid or pushed out onto the pontoons that are positioned one after the other, and are mounted thereon.

Abstract: A floating structure which comprises (a) a plurality of floats, each having a flat, polygonal or irregularly polygonal shape, with the upper and lower half parts staggered horizontally a given distance relative to each other, at least one edge forming an overhanging upper extension and the opposite edge a steplike lower extension, said upper and lower extensions being formed with connecting holes which, when the float is arranged to overlap with floats of the same construction in a mutually complementary manner, come in alignment with connecting holes of the lower and upper extensions of the neighboring floats so that said connecting pins are inserted through the aligned holes, and (b) connecting pins adapted to be fitted into the connecting holes formed in the floats.

Abstract: An interconnecting water platform composed of a plurality of buoyant units. The buoyant units have digitated interleaved edges for joining the units, and links attached to the sides of the units bridging the edges for interconnecting the units.

Abstract: A floating dock system which comprises a plurality of locatable floats and interlockable deck sections overlying and supported by the floats. For interlock, the deck sections are arranged with interlapping ends for over or underlying next longitudinally adjacent sections with attachment receiving passages along such edges for positive connection therebetween. The deck sections are connectable to the floats to provide a dock of various, desired configurations. The float sections and the deck sections are hollow with the deck sections selectively fillable with expanded foam material. Selectively spaced and located connective passages are provided in the float and deck sections for combining the same into desired configurations and to meet various flotation requirements. Spanning and supporting members to extend between floats are available for particular installations.

Abstract: A deck structure for a floating dock is comprised of a rectangular frame having opposite sides and opposite ends defined by interconnected C-shaped channel members facing inwardly of the frame and a plurality of cross members between and interconnected with the sides of the frame and constructed from C-shaped metal channel. The cross members have upper flanges spaced below the upper flanges of the side and end members of the frame, and deck units of wood material rest on the flanges of the cross members between the upper flanges of the side and end members of the frame which restrain displacement of the deck units relative to the frame in the directions between the opposite sides and opposite ends of the frame. The deck units have upper surfaces coplanar with the upper flanges of the frame, and the deck units are movable as such from the frame to provide access to passageways provided in the frame beneath the decking to accommodate utility lines and the like.

Abstract: The present invention entails a fastener unit for coupling two or more rafts together. In one embodiment the fastener unit is comprised of a pair of deformable closed walls, each having a central opening and designed to lock one in another. Each closed wall includes a connector extending therefrom for connecting to a raft. In a second embodiment, the fastener unit is comprised of a pair of fasteners, each having an eyelet with a flexible hook extending therefrom. The hook is extended from one eyelet and is connected to a second eyelet, and a hook from the second eyelet is extended back to the first eyelet to form a coupled relationship between the two fasteners. Each hook and eyelet fastener having a connector extending therefrom for connecting to a raft.

Abstract: A floating structure suitable for use as a breakwater is composed of at least two displacing units have an elongated shape arranged in series. Each unit is a conventional box-like structure of reinforced concrete. The units are linked together by means of wires passing through channels provided at the top of the longitudinal sides of the units. Bodies of resilient material are fitted into recesses at the ends of the channels, and the wires also pass through these bodies. During erection of the structure the wires will be subjected to straining, and the length of the blocks and the resiliency of the material is selected so a margin will remain between meeting edges of two juxtaposed units.

Abstract: A float having a substantially prismatic and preferably parallelepipedic body, which has corner edge portions provided with corner-connecting elements having eyes and recesses for receiving and interlocking with connecting bolts for connecting a plurality of identical floats in an assembly. In order to increase the strength and stability of the joints between such floats in an assembly consisting of a plurality of layers of such floats, the body of the float is formed at its center with a vertical retaining opening. The opening is adapted to receive a connecting bolt and contains a recessed bearing surface that is engageable by such bolt, a plurality of identical ones of said floats are adapted to be arranged in a plurality of layers in an assembly.

Abstract: A block of expanded polystyerene (EPS) foam is encapsulated with one or more plastic strips within a resilient shell of high molecular weight plastic such as polyethylene. The method and process utilizes heat and pressure (e.g., one hundred fifty tons) to seal and bond the foam in a protective cover with the seam fused together with all the strength and integrity of the original material. The units may be used as part of a dock flotation system.

Abstract: A floation device includes a molded outer shell defining a hollow interior. The hollow interior is filled with recycled plastic bottles of the type used conventionally for soft drink containers which are molded from a plastic material and include a generally cylindrical body and a neck at one end of the body which is closed by a cap. The outer container is shaped with wall portions having a curvature equal to the outside curvature of the bottles and indentations for receiving the necks of the bottles which are aligned neck to neck in rows. The recycled bottles provide a filling for the rotational molded shell which prevent loss of buoyancy if the shell is perforated and prevent expansion and contraction problems due to temperature changes.

Abstract: A floating dock section is attachable to adjacent sections to provide floating dock structures of various configurations. The sections are formed by coating polymer foam with a polyurethane elastomer so as to seal the polymer foam. A decking is affixed to the coated foam with an adhesive which may be a polyurethane elastomer and extending downwardly from the decking are edge members that tightly grip the polymer foam. The entire structure is coated when assembled by applying a polyurethane elastomer of somewhat denser material and the decking itself may be suitably roughened to avoid slippage.

Abstract: A concrete dock section has a polyfoam billet coating having sides and bottom coated with a fiberglass-cement mixture, and a top surface having a plurality of transverse channels. A concrete dock surface is poured over the channels which have a steel through rod centered in each. The top surface of the billet extends slightly over the billet sides and the concrete deck edges extend downward to engage the extended top surface. The deck section is made by coating the billet in an inverted position, placing the billet in a pouring collar the top surface of the billet, installing the through rods, and pouring concrete to the top of the pouring collar.

Abstract: A buoyant module which is useful in the construction of modular docks, marinas and the like is fabricated by providing a buoyant member and appling a protective sheet over a portion of the member, and pumping a fiber-reinforced concrete layer over one face of the buoyant member. Structural rods extending through the layer are interconnected with peripheral whalers, which in turn permit the buoyant member - concrete layer combination to be joined together with similar modules in a unitary, low cost and facile construction.

Abstract: What has been created is the fastest sail boat that can act as a tugboat or industrially used to pull a water turbine for the production of electricity or compressed air, as compared to the capabilities of the prior arts of equal size and form.

Abstract: A pontoon log is formed by welding the upper flanged edges of a U-shaped hull member to the side edges of a flat top plate. At points at which the deck beams are to be attached to the log, the log top plate is notched and the weld is continued around the perimeter of each notch. The deck beams are bolted to the pontoon log with the bolts passing only through the hull flange in the region of the notches and hence outboard of the weld line. The modified embodiments, various types of spacers and clips are provided to reinforce the hull flange in the region of deck beam attachment.

Abstract: A pontoon float has a flexible collapsible structure which may be extended by interlinking pontoon float platforms to form an elongated platform as for a dock or pier. Each pontoon float platform is supported by a rectilinear array of removable, stackable hollow floats, removably fastened to permanently affixed lid sections, forming an air tight seal. The individual floats are secured to the platform only by removable upper ends, and are otherwise free. The floats may be readily removed and stacked, reducing each pontoon platform to a planar section and a stacked, compact array of float members. The pontoon sections are reinforced by a grid of stringers, providing adequate rigidity without undue stiffness. Preferably, each pontoon sections is provided with interlocking extension plates on an end and a side and a mating pattern of interlocking holes on a second end and side so that they can be adjoined to form complex large floating structures as required.

Abstract: A column belt is between upper and lower reduced-diameter columns and is only in the vicinity of and across the water surface so that the heave resonant period is increased which is due to the effect of the shape of the column belt.

Abstract: An improved polyethylene float drum for marine structures has a preformed polystyrene core which is configured to dimensionally conform to the interior surfaces of the polyethylene walls of the drum. Because the preformed core fills the entire enclosure of the float drum, a dimensionally controlled float drum is provided with superior strength characteristics.

Abstract: A buoyant module which is useful in the construction of modular docks, marinas and the like is fabricated by providing a buoyant member and applying a protective sheet over a portion of the member, and pumping a fiber-reinforced concrete layer over one face of the buoyant member. Structural rods extending through the layer are interconnected with peripheral whalers, which in turn permit the buoyant member--concrete layer combination to be joined together with similar modules in a unitary, low cost and facile construction.

Abstract: A floating dock includes a plurality of float modules comprised of containers having opposing walls, a deck with opposing edges mounted in spaced relationship above the float modules, and a pair of wales extending along opposing walls of the float modules and opposing edges of the deck. Compression rods extend between the wales and act on the pair of wales such that the compression rods exert compression force on the float modules and deck. A compression beam or plywood panel extends between the opposing walls of the container below the compression rod to create a box beam in combination with the wales and deck, therefore rigidifying the dock to enhance its portability on land and wave resistance properties in water. The float modules are spaced apart longitudinally of the dock to allow wave transparency and wash space for debris. The space between the deck and float modules forms a passageway for utility conduits.

Abstract: A construction transportation system comprises at least one transport assembly having gross dimensions generally corresponding to those of a standard freight container. The transport assembly comprises at least two construction components. Each of the two construction components has a first gross dimension whose maximum value is generally equal to C.sub.1 /x, where C.sub.1 is the width of a standard freight container, and x is greater than or equal to 1. Each of the two components has a second gross dimension perpendicular to the first dimension whose maximum value is generally equal to C.sub.2 /y, where C.sub.2 is the length of a standard freight container, and y is greater than 1. Each of the two components has a third gross dimension perpendicular to the first and second dimensions. At least a first side of each of the two components extends in the directions of that components' first and third dimensions, and that first side is provided with connectors.

Abstract: Polyethylene float drums are constructed as modules, in various configurations, and then assembled into various modular systems to float a variety of structures. All float drum modules utilize at least one flat, perpendicular side wall to insure accurate assembly of the float drum modules into a flanged load bearing modular float assembly having desired float characteristics.

Abstract: This invention is directed at a buoy which includes a body portion having a handle portion extending from one end and an engagement means extending from the other. The body portion of the buoy may be hollow and may be filled with flotation material. The handle portion may include teeth or annular ribs which are engagable by lock rings. The lock ring for engaging the teeth has an inwardly extending tab and the lock ring for engaging the annular ribs may have biased inner surfaces or inwardly extending tabs. The lock rings hold a second body portion in circumscribing relation to the handle portion.

Abstract: A modular marine flotation collar for aquaculture applications is disclosed. Component collar segments are sealed by bulkheads including a connecting flange. Standard component collar segments may be assembled into a desired configuration by flange-to-flange connection of adjacent collar segments. A plurality of elongate tubular members having arcuate recesses conforming to the outer perimeters of supporting collar segments are arranged transversely atop the collar assembly so as to provide for the construction of an elevated walkway. The invention provides for a pen divider which is movable within the perimeter of the flotation collar for partitioning an area within the assembly.

Abstract: A method for restoring and maintaining buoyancy for floatplane floats by inserting an inflatable air bag into the leaking compartment in the float and inflating the air bag until the water in the float is expelled from the float and the air bag seals the leak. A puncture resistant air bag also may be permanently installed in a floatplane float at the time of manufacture in order to prevent leaks.

Abstract: A buoy (10) carries a light (16) at the upper end of a mast (14). The lower end of the mast (14) is connected to a buoyant body (12) which is weighted to present a maximum diameter zone (20) slightly below the water level when the buoy (10) is at rest in the water. The body (12) tapers inwardly both above and below the maximum diameter zone 20. A towing bar assembly (18) is provided on one side of the buoy (10). It includes an upwardly and outwardly sloping guide bar (30) connected at its upper end to a tow bar (36). An eye (50) at an end of a control line (46) is slidably received on the guide bar (30). An initial tug on the control line (46) causes the eye (50) to slide upwardly along the guide bar (30) until it engages a bight (38) of the tow bar (36). The bight (38) is positioned radially outwardly from the maximum diameter zone (20). Then, when the control line (46) is pulled upon, it pulls the buoy (10) into the water.

Abstract: A floating dock includes a plurality of float modules comprised of containers having opposing walls, a deck with opposing edges mounted in spaced relationship above the float modules, and a pair of wales extending along opposing walls of the float modules and opposing edges of the deck. Compression rods extend between the wales and act on the pair of wales such that the compression rods exert compression force on the float modules and deck. A compression beam or plywood panel extends between the opposing walls of the container below the compression rod to create a box beam in combination with the wales and deck, therefore rigidifying the dock to enhance its portability on land and wave resistance properties in water. The float modules are spaced apart longitudinally of the dock to allow wave transparency and wash space for debris. The space betwen the deck and float modules forms a passageway for utility conduits.