FR2650803A1 - Unsinkable modular floating structure - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides future users with simple, robust and optionally dismountable unsinkable modular floating structures. It may find very widespread applications in all river or maritime activities, in particular when it is desired to produce flotation of a movable or immovable mass. This invention may provide industrial spin-offs in the following fields: mechanical and welding assembly, protection of metals, plastics technology, propulsion means for craft.

Description

 The present invention relates to new modular, unsinkable floating structures consisting on the one hand of floating modules and on the other paitd'un chassis on which the latter are fixed by appropriate means.

 These floating structures can be fixed (mooring pontoons, landing stages, floating platforms, floating bridges) or mobile (passenger or utility boats) powered by any known means of propulsion. The list of these devices is not exhaustive.

 The design of this structure makes it a particularly reduced and inexpensive maintenance device. Its possible dismantling makes it possible to reduce its volume during handling relating to transport and to easily ensure its possible wintering.

 The floating modules which we will call floats in the drafting of the text are hollow bodies made of plastic or composite material whose mechanical properties allow their use in the most difficult conditions of flotation.

 The characteristics of design and forms which are the subject of the present invention will be defined below. It will be referred to the plans and sketches which will complete the description.

 Figure I represents the float (I) seen on bow (2).

This bow-shaped bow promotes penetration and progression in the water for mobile structures. When the float is used to support a fixed pontoon in the river, its bow facing upstream prevents the retention of foreign horns carried by the current. This bow is the male part of the floating module.

 Figure 2 shows the float (I) seen on stern (3).

This stern is the female part of the floating module.

 the complementary male-female shapes of the floats allow the realization of continuous or discontinuous flotation lines allowing the construction of catamarans, trimarans, floating platforms etc ...

 Figure 3 defines a cross section of the float preferred in 1 invention.

At the bottom, we will notice
a) the semi-cylindrical shape (4) reducing the risk of icing and ensuring good resistance to compression.

 b) the extra thickness of material (5) to compensate for the abrasion phenomenon of this zone which is particularly attacked during stranding.

At the top, there is a double ribbing (6) ensuring
a) good longitudinal rigidity of the float.

 b) a plane support allowing the attachment of the float to the chassis forming the bridge of the floating structure.

 In the thickness of these 2 ribs located at the top are inserted the fixing means allowing the connection of the floats on the chassis. These fixing means are sealed.

Figure 4 continuous waterline and Figure 5 discontinuous waterline show the various possibilities of assembling the floats on the chassis for the realization (in these two cases) of floating structures of catamaran type;
the second part of the invention aims to define a preferred form of frame, knowing however that the floats can adapt to any element comprising the assembly means adapting to that defined in the chapter fixing the floats.

 the chassis preferably used in the description of the present invention is produced from metal tubes (hot-dip galvanized steel - steel painted with epoxy resin - stainless steel - aluminum) or from plastic or composite material.

the chassis shown in figure 6 consists
a) a flat part - the bridge (7) made up
- side members (8)
- sleepers (9) on which are adapted the means of attachment to the floats.

 - a grid (IO) arranged at the upper part of the elements (8) and (9).

 b) longitudinal members (II) forming stiffening beams.

 c) transverse elements (I2) contributing to the transverse stiffening of the whole.

 the two main elements floats and chassis associated by assembly form the main object of the invention.

The following are additional elements which are the subject of preferential devices allowing
- According to Figure 7, to assemble the barges in the longitudinal direction to form a pedestrian boat deck.

 - According to Figure 8, to assemble the barges in the transverse direction to make a boat bridge allowing the passage of vehicles from one bank to the other of the river.

 longitudinal member (II) being in such a case located under the plane of the bridge, so as to completely clear the surface and allow the movement of vehicles.

 The float-chassis assembly also has a removable tricycle wheel train allowing the floating structures to be moved on the ground.

 floating structures have at their rear part a device for receiving an outboard propulsion engine. This device is adjustable and thus allows the height of the engine switchboard to be adjusted according to the draft.

 The floating structures can be used for the transport of passengers. Figure 9, for this purpose seats (I3) are arranged on the bridge (7). These molded plastic seats are fixed on a single leg support (I4) in a square tube allowing very quick removal or a different seat orientation.

 On the other hand, it will be noted in FIG. 10 that these structures have the particularity of being able to be superimposed (gain in height during transport).

 In Figure II, it will be noted that these floating structures have the particularity of being able to be moved on the ground by means of a retractable tricycle train (I5).

Claims (1)

Claim I  Floating structure characterized by the fact  that it includes floats (I) made of plastic material  or composite assembled on a composite chassis  of elements (8 to '2). Claim 2  Device according to claim I characterized  by the fact that the floats (I) are hollow bodies  made of plastic or composite material having  front a male bow shape (2) and a rear  female form stern (3). Claim 3  Device according to claim 2 characterized  tar the fact that the two shapes bow (2) and stern (3)  are complementary and can nest one in  the other to form a continuous waterline.  Fig. 4 Claim 4  Device according to claims 2 and 3 charac  terrified by the fact that these floats have at their  upper part of the stiffening ribs (6)  in which watertight devices are inserted  allowing the attachment of the float (I) to the chassis. Claim 5  Device according to any one of the claims  previous characterized by the fact that the floats  (I) has a half shape at their bottom  cylindrical (4) reinforced in (5). Claim 6  Floating structure according to claim (I)  characterized by the fact that architecture prefers  part of its chassis peddles a wire bridge (7)  making it self-draining. Claim 7  Floating structure characterized by the fact that it  has longitudinal joining devices and  transverse allowing to create floating elements  modular (platforms - pontoons - barges - bridges  river crossing). Claim 8  Floating structures according to the claims  characterized by the fact that they can  stack on top of each other during transport. Claim 9  Floating structures according to the claims  characterized by the fact that a train  retractable tricycle (I5) allows their maneuvering on the ground.