ES1161659U - Floating modular structure for covering and protecting large areas of water. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Floating modular structure for cover and protection of large water surfaces, characterized by comprising a plurality of floating parts (2) modular, polygonal planar configuration, which have a joining means (3, 4), in all its vertices, to join them together, with a certain tolerance of movement, forming the structure (1), as a compact but flexible mesh, in which said floating pieces (2) are adjoining to each other on all sides, indefinitely expandable in any direction and adopting any form to cover the perimeter of the water containment element whose surface is to be covered. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

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FLOATING MODULAR STRUCTURE FOR COVER AND PROTECTION OF LARGE WATER SURFACES

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The invention, as stated in the present specification, refers to a floating modular structure for covering and protecting large water surfaces, which contributes, to the function to which it is intended, advantages and novelty characteristics that are they will describe in detail later, that they suppose a remarkable improvement of the current state of the art in their field of application.

The object of the present invention lies in a floating structure composed of multiple floating elements that are arranged, on the surface of water (or other liquid) contained in a natural or artificial location, in a sufficient number to cover it totally or partially, being distinguished by the made of understanding as floats some polygonal modular pieces equipped with means of mutual coupling in all their vertices that allow the formation of a compact and flexible surface, as a mesh, of any size and shape, which is adaptable to the buoyancy of the medium and the different containment perimeters.

FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION

The scope of the present invention is part of the industry sector dedicated to the manufacture of floating systems and devices to cover and protect large areas of water or other liquids.

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Floating structures covering and protecting large areas of water are known in the state of the art, intended for different purposes, usually to prevent the formation of microorganisms or evaporation due to the effect of the sun.

However, known covering systems either consist of large tarpaulins that extend over the surface to be protected, by using a roller or similar, which is usually only suitable for medium-sized pools or rafts, or consist of Floating pieces that float loose on the surface of the water in sufficient numbers to be grouped adjacently to cover it, usually completely, this option being the most used for large natural or artificial outdoor surfaces.

However, the biggest problem of this type of structures based on floating parts is that, to be floating they must weigh little and, being loose with each other, they move with the air or the movement of the water itself, which usually tends to accumulate at one end, leaving the opposite uncovered. In addition, if it is an outdoor and unattended location, the parts can easily be subject to theft or misuse. Finally, another of the drawbacks they present is that, since they are not joined together, they do not imply protection against possible falls of objects or people into the water.

The objective of the present invention is therefore to develop an improved covering and floating protection structure that, while maintaining the advantages of systems based on multiple floats, avoids the aforementioned drawbacks.

On the other hand, and as a reference to the current state of the art, it is possible

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indicate that, at least on the part of the applicant, the existence of any other structure for covering and protecting large water surfaces or any other invention of similar application that has the same or similar technical, structural and constitutive characteristics as those presented is unknown which is claimed here.

EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

The floating modular structure for covering and protecting large water surfaces that the invention proposes is thus configured as a remarkable novelty within its field of application, since in accordance with its implementation the aforementioned objectives are satisfactorily achieved, the characterizing details being which make it possible and that distinguish it conveniently included in the final claims that accompany the present description.

Specifically, what the invention proposes, as noted above, is a floating structure formed from multiple floats consisting of modular floating pieces of polygonal plantar configuration, preferably hexagonal, which are joined together, by the respective vertices of said shape. polygonal, through corresponding anchors provided for that purpose, so that an indefinite number of floating pieces can be joined creating different configurations to cover any size and shape of container in which the water is located, constituting a modular structure, expandable in any direction as a mesh, and reminiscent of the articulated shell of an armadillo, and which, advantageously, is homogeneous, compact and, at the same time, flexible, adapting to the conditions of the environment and the containment perimeters.

Additionally, the structure also includes other modular parts

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Complementary terminations, intended to be fixed at the edges to adjust the perimeter of the structure to the perimeter of the containment element, as well as additionally includes anchoring anchors to said element to fix said structure.

With all this, the structure of the invention is configured as a novel, effective and optimal anti-algae system for outdoor water exposed to solar rays, without complementary installation or maintenance.

Its polygonal shape, as stated above, is preferably hexagonal, and its joining system at all vertices in this way allows it to adapt to any surface, and therefore, to any shape and also allows to absorb tolerances in all three work axes (xyz) and, at the same time, constitutes a single float element.

In addition, the substantially flat configuration presented by the modular floating pieces, allows to reduce the storage volume by means of a vertical stacking of the same, which can be carried out both in unitary way and by groups of several pieces coupled together. Preferably said floating parts have their convex curved upper surface while the lower surface is concave curved.

On the other hand, both the floating parts and the anchors are made of materials prepared to withstand extreme temperatures and continuous solar radiation, for a useful life of approximately 25 years, without loss of mechanical properties. These materials, in addition, are inert to chemical products, with protection against ultraviolet rays and harmless to food use.

The continuous union of all modular floating parts, forming the structure, and fixing it to the perimeter of the element of

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containment allows to reduce accidents in the event of people falling.

Advantageously, it does not require short and medium term maintenance, and greatly reduces the added maintenance costs of pumping systems and pipes, thanks to the anti-algae protection it provides, while improving the image in recreational and water treatment facilities , being equally suitable for swimming pools, decanters, water tanks for agricultural use with slopes, irrigation canals, tanks with windy locations and others.

The aforementioned modular floating structure for covering and protecting large areas of water consists, then, in an innovative structure with characteristics unknown until now for the purpose to which it is intended, reasons that, together with its practical utility, provide it with a sufficient foundation to obtain the privilege of exclusivity that is requested.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the description that is being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, a descriptive set of drawings is attached as an integral part thereof, with an illustrative character and non-limiting the following has been represented:

Figure number 1.- Shows a top perspective view of a part of the floating modular structure for covering and protecting large water surfaces, object of the invention, showing the general configuration thereof and the main parts and elements comprising ;

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Figures 2 and 3.- They show paths, in perspective and on the upper floor, of an example of the modular floating piece that, in variable number, forms the structure of the invention;

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the detail of the joint between modular floating parts, showing, before coupling, an example of anchoring element used for said joint between pieces, according to the invention;

Figure 5 shows a view of a perimeter anchoring mode of the structure of the invention to the container;

Figure number 6.- Shows a view of an example of a floating end piece for the adjustment of the structure to the perimeter of the container; Y

Figure 7 shows an example of the stacking mode of the modular floating parts comprising the structure, according to the invention, saving storage space.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In view of the aforementioned figures, and in accordance with the numbering adopted therein, a non-limiting example of the floating modular structure for covering and protecting large water surfaces of the invention can be seen, which comprises the parts and elements which are indicated and described in detail below.

Thus, as can be seen in Figure 1, the structure (1) in question comprises, at least, a plurality of modular floating pieces (2), of polygonal plantar configuration, preferably of hexagonal plan, which have joining means ( 3, 4), in all its vertices, that

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they allow them to be joined together with a certain tolerance of movement, forming a compact but flexible mesh in which they are adjacently adjoined with each other on all sides, being able to expand indefinitely in any direction and adopt any shape to cover the perimeter of the containment element (not shown) of the water whose surface is to be covered.

More specifically, the joining means of said floating parts (2) are determined by the existence of recesses (3), provided at each vertex of the polygonal shape that said floating parts (2) adopt, where an anchor (4) fits .

As can be seen in Figures 2, 3 and 4, preferably, the joining means of said floating parts (2) are determined by the existence of recesses (3) of plantar configuration in the form of a circular sector provided on both sides of each vertex of the polygonal shape adopted by said pieces, in which a central hole (31) and a groove (32) have been made grooved at the very edge of the vertex, so that the juxtaposition of the recesses (3) from the vertex of the attached pieces at the same point, determines the formation of an upper and lower circular recess where the intended anchor (4) consists of two circular pieces (41), of adjusted diameter to fit in said circles, fits central rod (42) which, crossing the through hole created by the corresponding recesses (32) of the vertex of the attached floating pieces (2), are inserted by nailing each other respectively, while some lugs (43) ( apr In Figure 5) of the lower part of said circular pieces (41) they are stuck in the mentioned holes (31) in the center of each recess (31) of each floating piece (2).

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, as noted

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previously, the floating pieces (2) have a hexagonal plantar configuration, whereby, in each vertex three attached pieces are joined and the respective recesses (3) of each of its vertices have the shape of a 120 ° circular sector.

Additionally, the anchors (4) that join the floating pieces (2) by their vertices in the described recesses (3), also determine a means of securing the structure assembly (1) to the edges of the water container element that is covers, for example, by presenting, at the top of at least one of the circular pieces (41), a head (44) with a transverse bore (45) suitable for insertion of a clamping cable (5), such as It can be seen in figures 4 and 5.

Additionally, the structure (1) also includes the incorporation of floating semi-pieces (2 ') which are constituted by a body that is half of the floating pieces (2), that is, divided longitudinally in half, being destined to join interspersed with the rest of the floating pieces (2) at the ends of the mesh that constitutes the structure (1) so that it fits the perimeter of the containment element.

As can be seen in Figure 6, said floating half-pieces (2 ’) have a half-hexagon configuration, that is, a hexagon, like the rest of the floating pieces (2), but divided in half.

Finally, Figure 7 represents how, preferably, the floating pieces (2) have a small thickness, in relation to their dimensions of length or surface, allowing to save storage space since this allows stacking and, in addition, also so preferred, as indicated above, the upper surface (2a) thereof is convex curved while the lower surface is concave curved, with

which, greater stability is provided to said stacking, while avoiding the accumulation of foreign elements on the surface of said pieces and, consequently, of the structure (1) that they form when they are joined together.

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Describing sufficiently the nature of the present invention, as well as the way of putting it into practice, it is not considered necessary to make its explanation more extensive so that any person skilled in the art understands its scope and the advantages that derive from it, making it clear that , within its essentiality, may be carried out in other embodiments that differ in detail from that indicated by way of example, and which will also achieve the protection that is sought provided that it is not altered, changed or modified its principle fundamental.

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Claims (10)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 1. - Floating modular structure for covering and protecting large water surfaces, characterized by comprising a plurality of modular floating pieces (2), of polygonal plantar configuration, which have joining means (3, 4), in all their vertices , to join them together, with a certain tolerance of movement, forming the structure (1), as a compact but flexible mesh, in which said floating parts (2) they are adjoined adjoining each other on all sides, so that they can be extended indefinitely in any direction and taking any form to cover the perimeter of the water containment element whose surface is to be covered. 2. - Floating modular structure for covering and protecting large water surfaces, according to claim 1, characterized in that the joining means of said floating parts (2) consist of recesses (3), provided at each vertex of the polygonal shape adopted by said pieces (2) as well as a complementary anchor (4). 3. - Floating modular structure for covering and protecting large water surfaces, according to claim 2, characterized in that the recesses (3) have a circular sector shape and are provided on both sides of each vertex of the floating parts (2) , in such a way that, the juxtaposition of the recesses (3) of the vertex of the attached pieces at the same point, determines the formation of an upper and lower circular recess where the anchor (4) consists of two circular pieces (41). ). 4. - Floating modular structure for covering and protecting large water surfaces, according to claim 3, characterized in that a central hole (31) and a recess (32) are made in the recesses (3). n 5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 grooved at the very edge of the vertex, while the anchor (4), in each of the two circular pieces (41) has a central rod (42) that, crossing the through hole that determines the corresponding holes (32) of the vertex of the attached floating pieces (2), it is inserted nailing each other respectively, at the same time that some lugs (43) of the lower part of said circular pieces (41) are nailed in the holes (31) of the center of each recess (31). 5. - Floating modular structure for covering and protecting large water surfaces, according to any of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the anchors (4), which join the floating parts (2) by their vertices in the recesses (3) , they also create a means of fastening the structure assembly (1) to the edges of the container element of the water being covered. 6. - Floating modular structure for covering and protecting large water surfaces, according to claim 5, characterized in that, by the top of at least one of the circular pieces (41), a head (44) is provided with a cross drill (45) suitable for insertion of a clamping cable (5). 7. - Floating modular structure for covering and protecting large water surfaces, according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises floating half-pieces (2 '), half of the floating parts (2), whose half-pieces (2' ) are interleaved to the floating pieces (2) at the ends of the structure (1) so that it fits the perimeter of the containment element. 8. - Floating modular structure for covering and protecting large water surfaces, according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the floating parts (2) are hexagonal in plan. 9. - Floating modular structure for covering and protecting large water surfaces, according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the floating parts (2) have a small thickness in relation to their length and width dimensions, allowing easy 5 stacking 10. - Floating modular structure for covering and protecting large water surfaces, according to claim 9, characterized in that the upper surface (2a) of the floating parts (2) is convex curved 10 while the bottom surface is concave curved,