GB2289609A

GB2289609A - Anchoring structure for off shore beach net

Info

Publication number: GB2289609A
Application number: GB9514985A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Harald Kvam
Original assignee: MARITIME MECHANIC Ltd
Current assignee: MARITIME MECHANIC Ltd
Priority date: 1995-07-21
Filing date: 1995-07-21
Publication date: 1995-11-29
Anticipated expiration: 2015-07-21
Also published as: CN1057500C; GB2303283A; GB9605064D0; GB2303283B; CN1145868A; GB9514985D0; GB2289609B

Abstract

The nets anchoring structure consists of an anchorage block 20 encased in a housing 22 and a chain 26 attached to anchorage block for locking to a long horizontal cable 28. The net is then secured along its bottom edge to the horizontal cable, thus tethering it the seabed. In addition, the anchoring structure has a dome shaped cap 32 that is tied to the chain in a manner that allows the cap to turn about a vertical axis. The cap covers the locking joint between the cable and chain, thus inhibiting the net from catching or tearing on the cable/chain joint. The cap features a channelled recess cut along its flat surface, this accommodates the cable. A continuous protective barrier structure (12) (Fig. 1) is provided around the beach net. The barrier extends seaward from the perimeter of the net and presents a highly visual warning for, and a physical barrier against oncoming boats. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS FOR A BEACH NET This invention relates to a net structure for enclosing an area of water around a beach to provide a safe zone for water activities. Specifically, this invention provides improvements for the net structure disclosed in the UK patent application number GB 9411114.3, and preferably this application should be read in the context of the specification contained in the aforesaid patent application.

It is widely recognised that off the coasts of some countries and islands there is the omnipresent threat of sharks. This potential danger and constant threat means that people who swim, or participate in other water activities, in the adjacent sea water often feel nervous and not completely relaxed while in the water. The beach net structure disclosed in UK patent application GB 941114.3 shields swimmers and the like from the threat of sharks by providing a robust and secure net structure that defines a rectangular boundary with the beach front, within which there is a safe environment for water activities.

The present invention aims to improve the structure and effectiveness of such a beach net.

Accordingly, the present invention consists in one aspect in anchorage means for use with an off shore beach net comprising an anchorage block, a horizontal elongate element secured to the anchorage block and provided for tethering the net, characterised in that a cap is provided to prevent the anchorage means fouling the net.

Advantageously, the elongate element is interposed between the anchorage block and the cap.

In a preferred embodiment, the cap is rotatable with respect to the anchorage block about a vertical axis.

In another embodiment the anchorage block further comprises means for interconnecting a plurality of anchorage blocks.

In a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a protective barrier for placement around the perimeter of an off shore beach net on the seaward side of the net for visual forewarning of the net and physically shielding for the net.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a pictorial view of an offshore beach net showing the protective barrier according to one aspect of the present invention, and Figure 2 is a series of drawings showing the structure of the anchorage means according to a further aspect of the present invention.

Referring initially to Figure 1, there is shown the general scheme of an off shore beach net with a surrounding protective barrier. The beach net extends from the beach front 1 and consists of a series of cylindrical elongate buoyancy elements 2 forming three sides of a rectangle, principal anchorage means 3 for the buoyancy elements 2, a net 4 pendently supported from the buoyancy element 2, and secondary anchorage means 6 tethering the net at its lower edge to the sea bed. In the beach landing area the net is supported by a chain of floaters 9.

In a continuous structure extending in a seaward direction around the perimeter of the beach net is the protective barrier 10. This consists of a further series of interconnected elongate buoyancy sections 12 having attached to them at axial intervals are marking buoys 14. The elongate sections are held in tension by mooring buoys 16 which are anchored to the seabed by anchoring blocks 18. The mooring buoys have flashing lights 19 placed on them. The ring structure of the protective barrier and especially the flashing lights provide a highly conspicuous perimeter around the beach net thus ensuring that oncoming boats are aware of the existence of the beach net. The protective barrier also presents a physical barrier to entry against oncoming boats.

In a preferred embodiment the buoyancy sections 12 are constructed from high density polyethylene and are located approximately 10 metres seawards from the net.

Turning to Figure 2 there is shown the main components of the secondary anchorage means 6 according to a further aspect of the present invention. These comprise an inner anchorage block 20 encased within a housing 22 the housing having a hole 24 on its upper face, through which there is pulled a chain 24 that is attached at respective ends to the apex of the inner anchorage block 20 and to an elongate cable 28. The elongate cable tethers the lower edge of the net.

Also attached to the upper end of the chain 24 is a rope 30. This rope is used to connect the chain 26 to a domed cap 32, by feeding the rope through a hole in the cap and tying a suitable knot in the end of the rope, thus securing the cap in place. The connection between the chain and the elongate cable 28 is thereby covered. This structure prevents the net from being hooked or catching on the connection between the chain and the cable. This is particularly advantageous in bad weather when there is a lot of movement in the sea. To assist location of the cable 28 with the cap 32, the cap has a channel cut away from its flat face which allows the cable to be located in the recess formed by the channel.

The inner anchorage and the housing also have another hole 34 bored through them. This allows a series of anchor blocks to be connected together by a continuous plastics pipe threading them together.

Claims

1. Anchorage means for use with an off shore beach net comprising an anchorage block a horizontal elongate element secured to the anchorage block and provided for tethering said net characterised in that a cap is provided to prevent said anchorage means from fouling said net.

2. Anchorage means according to Claim 1 wherein said elongate element is interposed between said anchorage block and said cap.

3. Anchorage means according to Claim 1 wherein said cap is rotatable with respect to said anchorage block about a vertical axis.

4. Anchorage means according to Claim 1 wherein said anchorage block comprises an inner block encased within a block housing.

5. Anchorage means according to Claim 1 wherein said anchorage block further comprises means for interconnecting a plurality of anchorage blocks.

6. Anchorage means according to Claim 1 and 5 wherein said cap has a channel for accommodating said elongate element.

7. A protective barrier for placement around the perimeter of an off shore beach net on the seaward side of said net for visual forewarning of the net and physically shielding for the net.

8. A protective barrier according to Claim 7 wherein said mooring buoys have flashing lights located thereon.