GB2375997A - Floating Causeway - Google Patents

Abstract

A floating causeway includes a platform (1) attached on the underside to flotation chambers (2). Support posts (3) are located on the upper surface of the platform to which safety ropes (4) may be attached. Platforms may be joined at either the side or end to create a causeway of the required shape and size and support posts may be mounted in different locations, dependent on the required platform configuration. Additional flotation chambers may be attached should extra stability/additional flotation be required. The causeway is designed to be simple to construct and may be dismantled for storage when not in use. The flotation chambers may also be dismantled for storage purposes (2, Fig 7).

Description

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FLOATING CAUSEWAY This invention relates to a sectional platform of the type that is mounted upon flotation chambers and assembled when required, such as when flooding occurs or a temporary water crossing is needed. When it is no longer required the causeway may be disassembled to its component parts and stored for future use.

At present when flooding occurs in residential areas, residents are prevented from moving around their locale as pathways are likely to become submerged.

This can also prevent local services (such as Doctors) from easily reaching those residents that require help and would normally necessitate the evacuation of residents to a dry location.

There are other occasions, such as when placing nets into fishing lakes that require people to operate from small boats-with all the dangers associated with such operations.

An object of this invention is to provide a temporary causeway that will allow access to and from areas where normal routes are submerged by water. This invention will also provide a temporary structure for use when either a platform is required to work from, or a floating pedestrian causeway is required. This invention is designed to be simple to assemble when required and disassembled when no longer needed.

Accordingly, this invention provides a sectional floating causeway including a platform that is attached on the underside to flotation chambers. Supporting posts are attached to the upper surface of the platform, to which safety ropes are attached to provide support and safety to users of the causeway. Sections may be joined together to form a causeway of the required size and shape.

The causeway is made from a combination of various plastic and rubber materials.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 shows an assembled section of the causeway, with flotation chambers, support posts and safety ropes in place.

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FIGURE 2 shows a view from the side of an assembled section of causeway.

FIGURE 3 shows a view from the end of an assembled section of causeway.

FIGURE 4 shows a plan view of the upper surface of the platform.

FIGURE 5 shows a plan view of a flotation chamber, before assembly.

FIGURE 6 shows a sectional view along the length of a flotation chamber, before assembly.

FIGURE 7 shows a sectional view across the width of a flotation chamber before assembly.

FIGURE 8 shows a sectional view across the width of a flotation chamber after assembly.

As shown in FIGURE 1, the construction comprises a platform (1) the underside of which is mounted onto flotation chambers (2). Support posts (3) are mounted on the upper surface of the platform (1), to which safety ropes (4) are attached.

FIGURE 2 and FIGURE 3 show the side and end views of the preferred configuration of a single continuation section, including the platform (1), flotation chambers (2), support posts (3) and safety ropes (4).

FIGURE 4 shows the support post location points (3a) from the upper surface of the platform (1). This is so that support posts and safety ropes may be arranged in different configurations, depending on whether the section is to be used as a continuation, or corner section. Support post location points (3a) are configured so that the causeway section may be used to provide both left and right hand corners, as well as straight sections, dependent on individual requirements.

FIGURE 5 shows the plan view of a single flotation chamber (2), prior to assembly. The unit folds along line (2a) to complete the chamber.

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FIGURE 7 shows the sectional view of across the width of a single flotation chamber (2), prior to assembly. The unit folds at (2a) to form the flotation chamber (2) as shown in FIGURE 8. The two parts (2b) join together to form an attachment point for the platform (1, Fig 3).

The platform is designed so that sections may be attached at either end or side. In this way, causeways can be built to virtually any width or length, dependent upon individual requirements. Should additional flotation be required (for example, to provide extra stability should the causeway be required for vehicular use) additional flotation chambers may be added to the structure.

The platform (1) is attached on the underside to flotation chambers (2) and to other sections of causeway, either at the end or side, to create a floating causeway of the required shape and size. Support posts (3) are located into location points (3a) on the upper surface of the platform (1), in the required configuration and safety ropes (4) attached to them.

The unit is designed to be assembled when needed and dismantled for storage whilst not required.

Claims (8)

1. CLAIMS 1. A floating causeway including a platform that is attached on the underside to flotation chambers and has support posts on the upper surface.
2. 2. A floating causeway as claimed in Claim 1 where the platform may be attached to other platforms, either by the side or end, to create a floating causeway of the required size and shape.
3. 3. A floating causeway as claimed in Claim 1 and Claim 2 where the support posts may be placed in different location points on the platform, depending on the required configuration.
4. 4. A floating causeway as claimed in Claim 1, Claim 2 and Claim 3 where a safety rope is attachec O the support posts to provide guidance and/or a handrail to users.
5. 5. A floating causeway as claimed in Claim 1, Claim 2 and Claim 3 where the flotation chambers are assembled for use when required and disassembled when not required.
6. 6. A floating causeway as claimed in any preceding claim that may be assembled when required and disassembled for storage when not required.
7. 7. A floating causeway as claimed in any preceding claim that is made from a combination of various plastic and rubber materials.
8. 8. A floating causeway substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.