Anchor point for floating structure

ES 2 655 895 T3

DESCRIPTION

Anchor point for floating structure

The present invention relates to the field of modular floating blocks intended to constitute floating structures by assembly.

The assembly of such modular blocks has been the subject of numerous patents, such as: US 4,604,962 GUIBAULT dated January 28, 1985; document Fr. 2,699,495 VEYRIERES dated December 23, 1992; US 5931113 EVA of September 12, 1997; US 6,431,106 EVA dated July 8, 1999; WO 2006/075831 HAN et al. from May 25, 2005; document EP 2,138,393 PAKSZYS et al, devices that all present behavior problems at sea, when it is rough, in particular these structures are not placed in the shelter of a port.

Document JP-A-9183399 describes a modular floating structure whose assembly of the floating blocks is carried out by means of the upper part of the metallic anchor pillars, while the indicated lower part of these anchor pillars is planted firmly on the ground. underwater to immobilize the structure at its target location.

According to patent FR 2,699,495, a structure is made up of parallelepipedic or cubic modular floating blocks whose vertical edges are provided at their upper end with a conical recess that extends 90 ° and, below this recess, lugs arranged at different levels; in such a way that, when four blocks are joined together, a conical housing is formed under which said lugs are aligned, said blocks being assembled to each other by a connection key having a conical upper part, which engages in the conical housing and, a cylindrical lower part, which engages in the overlapping holes of the lugs.

According to this patent, the anchoring or fixing of the structures constituted in this way is carried out by horizontal bars provided with lugs that cooperate with the lugs of said blocks to be crossed by keys, these bars are arranged on the side of said structures.

It turns out that, during use, this way of fixing the floating structures carried out in this way is not satisfactory.

Document JP-H01-123995-U discloses a floating structure constituted by floating, modular, parallelepipedic blocks whose vertical edges are provided with lugs in which connecting elements are inserted. Certain connection elements between the floating blocks serve to fix a cable arranged on the periphery of the floating structure and on which a second cable is fixed that serves to anchor the floating structure.

A first objective of the present invention is to provide an improvement in the stability of such structures in the event of rough seas and, more particularly, the improvement of the stability of the structures described in the French patent 2,699,495 VEYRIERES cited above.

To this end, according to claim 1, a floating structure of the type constituted by floating, modular, parallelepipedic blocks, whose vertical edges are provided with lugs in which connecting elements are inserted that ensure their assembly, is characterized by the fact that said The structure comprises one or more anchoring points, which are located below and inside said structure.

According to some embodiments of this first object, the floating structure can also comprise one or more of the following characteristics:

- the other end of the cable is fixed to an anchor line connected to a dead body or an anchor.

- The floating structure consists of a buoy arranged between the cable and the anchor line.

- The stop member consists of a stop rod that rests on a washer, said washer resting on one of the lugs of a block.

- The stop member is arranged substantially horizontally.

- The stem of the anchor key is arranged substantially vertically.

- The anchor key comprises a conical upper part that exceeds the stem, said conical part engaging in a conical housing, said conical housing being formed, at the interface of four assembled blocks, by a cut corner of each of the assembled blocks.

- Each block is provided on each of its four edges with a lug, said lugs being positioned at different levels and each time presenting a hole suitable for receiving the shank of the anchor key.

A second objective that is not covered by the present invention is to enhance the functionality and applicability of a modular floating structure.

For this, a floating structure of the type constituted by floating, modular, parallelepipedic blocks, whose vertical edges are provided with lugs in which connecting elements are inserted to assemble said blocks, is characterized by the fact that the connecting elements consist of a support key, which carries

ES 2 655 895 T3 in its upper part a candlestick that extends over an upper surface of the floating structure, said candlestick being provided with an eyelet capable of constituting a fixing point for a net.

A basic idea is the modification of the connection keys so that they can, in addition to their connection function, have a support function for various devices, such as railings, aquaculture nets or nets to maintain diesel stains.

According to some examples, the floating structure can also consist of one or more of the following characteristics:

- the support key consists of a cylindrical lower part inserted in the lugs of several adjacent blocks, said cylindrical lower part being provided with locking means to block the support key in rotation with respect to said lugs, as well as a conical upper part that it engages in a conical housing formed, at the interface of the adjacent blocks, by a cut corner of each of the adjacent blocks.

- The cylindrical bottom of the support key consists of a threaded end portion adapted to receive a nut to securely fix the support key to the lugs of the blocks.

- At least one wedge attached to the lower cylindrical part of the support key in a position selected from the group consisting of a lower position between the nut and a lug, an intermediate position between two lugs and an upper position between a lug and the conical top.

- A block is provided in each of its four edges with a lug, said lugs being placed at different levels and each time presenting a hole suitable for receiving the cylindrical lower part of the support key.

- A plurality of support keys are arranged along one edge of the floating structure, said stanchions of said support keys carrying a network fixed to the eyelets, said network extending below a lower surface of the blocks and ballasting to the level of its lower edge.

- Said stanchions keep an upper part of the net below the upper surface of the blocks.

- The stanchion of the support key is provided with a plurality of eyelets arranged at regular intervals along its height.

- An anchor point of the floating structure is located below and inside said structure, said anchor point being connected by a cable to a fixed point, preferably by means of a float.

A floating structure can be used as a water plane pollution control dam. According to some embodiments, the characteristics can also be combined.

The invention will be better understood and other purposes, details, characteristics and advantages thereof will be shown more clearly in the course of the following description of several particular embodiments of the invention, given solely by way of illustration and not limitation, with reference to the attached drawings. In these drawings:

Figure 1 represents the fixing of the floating structure of the patent 2,699,495 by means of side bars.

Figure 2 represents a connecting key that forms an anchoring means, usable in a floating structure.

Figure 3 schematically illustrates a floating structure anchored by the key of figure 2.

Figure 4 depicts a support key carrying a usable stanchion on a floating structure.

Figure 5 is a side elevation view of a structure according to an embodiment of the invention provided with stanchions according to Figure 4 carrying a net, usable as an anti-pollution dam.

Figure 6 is a top view of the structure of Figure 5.

Figures 7 to 10 are four perspective views representing the four lugs of a block that can be used to make floating structures, arranged on four different levels.

Figure 11 illustrates an assembly of the support key of Figure 4 on lugs I and II.

Figure 12 illustrates an assembly on lugs I and IV.

Figure 13 illustrates the assembly on lugs II and III.

Figure 14 illustrates the assembly at lugs III and IV.

These blocks, made up of parallelepipedic structures with a square base, are generally made of hollow synthetic material and are assembled to form a structure that allows the movement of people or materials. These structures have many applications such as floating docks, aquaculture ponds, recreational surfaces, or even the possibility of carrying out work in water planes. Due to its modular structure it is possible to create multiple geometric shapes according to the nature of its use.

In figure 1 it can be seen that the floating structure is made up of blocks 1, which are modular, floating, parallelepipedic, whose vertical edges are provided with lugs 3 in which connection keys 2 are inserted, which ensures their assembly with each other. . The fixing of such assemblies to a fixed point, for example, to mooring devices, spring or anchor, is ensured by bars such as the bar 4 which is provided with lugs 5 that cooperate with the lugs 3 of the blocks 1 located in the edges of the structure, to be traversed by fixing bolts 12. The floating structure, therefore, is fixed on its four sides to a fixed point, such as a dock, a ship, or even an anchor.

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This way of lateral fixation presents the disadvantage that when the sea is very rough, the edges of the structure submerge, passing the water over it, or that it adversely affects its resistance.

To remedy this serious drawback, in an embodiment represented in Figures 2 and 3, it is proposed to fix the floating structure by providing anchoring points inside and below said structure. This can be done without modifying your assembly system.

For this purpose, one or more modified connecting keys are used to provide anchor points, as depicted in Figure 2.

Returning to this figure, an anchor key 20 is seen that has the same shape as the connection key 2, its stem 21 consisting of the same tabs 22 or grooves as those described in patent 2,699,495, which cooperate with the lugs. 3 to ensure the assembly of the blocks 1; but the shank 21 of this anchoring key 20 is hollow from a hole 23 open at its lower end 32 opposite the surface 33, which emerges at the level of the upper surface of the blocks 1.

A cable 24, preferably made of synthetic material, is inserted into the hole 23 of the stem 21, the terminal loop 25 of which is traversed by a stop stem 26, preferably made of stainless steel, which passes through two hollow holes 13 transversely to the stem 21 near the bottom 14 of hole 23.

At its other end, the cable 24 is attached by a shackle 27 to a mooring line 28, which can be a chain, which is fixed to a dead body 29 or to an anchor (figure 3).

It is seen in figure 3 that the stop rod 26 arranged through the hole 23 and the cable 24 provide an anchoring point of the structure 10, formed by the assembly of the blocks 1, which is arranged inside and below of said structure 10.

This arrangement provides numerous advantages. It allows the anchoring point to be placed inside and below the floating structure without modifying the operating system, since the anchor key 20 has the same fixing role as the connection keys 2. The anchor works on four lugs 3 and not just two, as in the previous arrangement, which is a significant advantage in bad weather.

The fixing bars 4 of figure 1, placed on the periphery of the floating structure, have the effect, when they approach a fixed point, either in bad weather, or due to current, to submerge the edge of the structure. in the water, which offers resistance to the flow of waves and water. With the arrangement of Figure 3, on the contrary, the traction exerted under the floating structure 10 makes the edges of the blocks 1 located in front of the anchor point rise, which facilitates the passage of waves and the flow of water, at the same time that it prevents the water from passing over the floating structure.

Furthermore, the metal parts such as the shackles 27 are submerged all the time, while the bar 4 and the lugs 5 are both in the open air and in the water, which accelerates their oxidation.

With reference to figure 2, it is seen that the stop rod 26 works vertically on a washer 30, which, in turn, rests on one of the lugs 3 of block 1: this results in that these lugs 3 they are no longer stressed in traction as in the device known from FIG. 1. In figure 2, the superposition of four lugs 3 belonging to four blocks 1 whose anchoring key 20 ensures the assembly at the level of their adjacent corners is sketched in broken line.

It is very obvious that one or more anchoring points can be arranged by means of one or more anchoring keys 20. The rest of the structure 10 can be assembled by means of connection keys 2 and / or support keys 50 which will be described below.

This new method of anchoring, which has the advantage of preventing the floating structure from sinking with waves or bad weather, allows it to be used effectively for uses such as aquaculture or even to form floating dams and, in particular, floating dams to contain a slick.

Figure 4 represents a stanchion 40, carried by a support key 50, which has the same function of connecting the parallelepiped blocks 1 as the connection key 2 of Figure 1 and the anchoring key 20 of Figure 2, and which has an analogous shape. The support key 50 can be made in one piece with the stanchion 40, for example, in high-density polyethylene resistant to exposure to ultraviolet rays and hydrocarbons. A bright color can be used to improve visibility and safety, eg bright yellow.

The support key 50 consists of a conical upper part 99, which engages in the conical housing formed by the assembly of four blocks, as the conical part 51 of the anchor key 20. The support key 50 also consists of a cylindrical lower part 52 and 53, the part 52 consisting of the rotating locking means and the part 53 being screwed to receive a nut 98, visible in figure 7.

The candlestick 40 consists at regular intervals of the eyelets 41 to 44, which are attachment points for various devices, such as a net.

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Figure 5 represents a floating structure 100 made from an assembly of floating blocks such as the blocks 1 of Figures 1 and 3.

As seen in figure 6, these blocks 1 are aligned three by three to make a structure of length.

In this floating length structure 100 there are provided stanchions 40, each carried by a key such as the support key 50 of FIG. 4.

A net 45 is attached to these stanchions. Because there are eyelets 41, 42, 43 and 44, this net can be attached at different heights. A lead rope 46 maintains the submerged net 45 in a substantially vertical position.

For an anti-pollution dam, the stanchions can be arranged at will: in all blocks or, every two blocks or, every three blocks, or any desired interval.

As the eyelets 41, 42, etc. are, at various levels it is possible to adapt the height of the net 45 depending on the sea conditions and the pollutants in order to avoid their passage over the floating structure 100 .

In this way, the size of the upper part 95 of the net 45, which rises above the surface 94 of the blocks 1 and, consequently, the size of the lower part of said net 45, which is sinks below the lower face 96 of said blocks 1.

These stanchions 40 also make it possible to easily lift the net 45 to put it in a rest position, for example, folded on the surface 94, in order to preserve the ecosystem, when this is possible, for example, during the movement and the implementation of the anti-pollution dam.

The stanchions 40 can be arranged, at choice, along the edge 97 of the floating structure 10 or, inside this structure, between two rows of blocks 1 or, any other desired position, in particular, at level of an outer corner of the floating structure 100. This last possibility is illustrated in Figures 7 to 10.

Blocks 1 that do not present sharp angles prevent tearing of the net 45. The implementation is easy because the personnel can easily walk and move on the floating structure; To improve safety, a safety rail 90 can be attached to the higher eyelets 44.

The advantages of this arrangement are numerous: the net 45 is fixed by means of a snap hook or carabiners, which is very easy; the mesh of the network can be adapted to the type of pollutants; the height of the net can be adapted to sea conditions; the weight of the rope 46 can be adapted to the conditions of the place; the depth to which the net is submerged can be adapted; the length and shape of the floating structure 100 can be adapted at will.

Preferably, as already represented in Figures 5 and 6, a buoy 93 can be added to the anchor lines 28, which dampens the variations in tension of the lines 28 when the sea is rough.

Figures 7 to 10 are four perspective views of the four lugs I, II, III and IV, arranged at different levels.

Figure 7 represents lug I. As can be seen, this lug I is arranged on a vertical edge of block 1, this edge being rounded, and it is placed approximately halfway up this edge.

The shank 52, 53 of the support key 50 crosses the hole in the lug I and is held in position by means of wedges 54: one wedge 54 above the lug I and two wedges 54 below.

Figure 8 represents lug II. It is arranged on another edge of block 1, at a level slightly lower than that of lug I. The stem 52/53 that crosses this lug II is held in position by two wedges 54: two wedges 54 above and one below below.

Figure 9 represents lug III. It is arranged on a third edge of block 1, at a level slightly lower than that of lug II. To hold the stem 52/53 there are four wedges 54, three above and one below.

Figure 10 represents lug IV. It is arranged on the fourth edge of block 1, at a level slightly lower than that of lug III. To hold the stem 52/53 there are five wedges 54, four above and one below.

Figure 11 represents the assembly of two blocks 1 by means of a support key 50 that crosses the lugs I and II. Figure 12 represents the assembly of two blocks by means of a support key 50 that crosses the lugs I and IV. Figure 13 represents the assembly of two blocks 1 by means of a support key 50 that crosses the lugs II and III. Figure 14 represents the assembly of two blocks by means of a support key 50 that crosses the lugs III and IV.

In all Figures 7 to 14 the wedges 54 are clamped between and on both sides of the lugs I, II, III, IV by tightening the

ES 2 655 895 T3 nut 98 on the threaded part 53 of the stem, which allows to firmly fix the support keys 50 to the floating structure 100.

Although the invention has been described in relation to several particular embodiments, it is more than evident that it is not limited in any way to them and that it comprises all the technical equivalents of the described means, as well as their combinations if they fall within the framework of the invention. In particular, the connection keys 2, the anchor keys 20 and the support keys 50 can be used together, according to all possible combinations, to make a floating structure that combines the advantage of stability provided by the anchor keys 20 and the functionality of the support keys 50, in particular, to make an anti-pollution dam. These keys 2, 20 and 50 can also be used independently.

The use of the verb consist of, understand or include and its conjugated forms does not exclude the presence of other elements or of other stages than those stated in a claim. The use of the indefinite article un for an element does not exclude, unless otherwise mentioned, the presence of a plurality of such elements.

In the claims, any reference signs in parentheses are not to be construed as limiting the claim.