Restraint for marine flotation device

Abstract

A restraint use in a flotation apparatus having components, such as tubular member and couplings, includes a cord having a first end and a second end. Each of the ends is connected to a component. Preferably, the cord is run internally within a tubular member and connects two couplings that are fitted onto opposing ends of the tubular member. The cord has a breaking strength at least sufficient to restrain a coupling when the connection between the coupling and the tubular member is compromised such as when a coupling explosively releases from the tubular member. A method for assembling and operating a floating apparatus includes connecting a coupling to a stationary member, such as a second coupling, using a cord. The method can also include configuring the cord to have a breaking strength that is at least sufficient to restrain a coupling when the connection between the coupling and the tubular member is compromised such as when a coupling explosively releases from the tubular member.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A device for a flotation apparatus having a tubular member with opposing ends and a coupling disposed on each opposing end, the device comprising: 
 a cord having a first end and a second end, each of said first and second ends being connected to a coupling.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said cord is disposed at least partially within the tubular member.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising an engaging member provided on each of said cord first and second ends, said engaging members being selectively engagable with the couplings.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said cord is configured to restrain at least one of the couplings when the connection between the restrained coupling and the tubular member is compromised.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said cord is configured to have a predetermined breaking strength, said breaking strength being at least sufficient to restrain a coupling when the connection between the restrained coupling and the tubular member is compromised.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said cord is configured to have a predetermined breaking strength, said breaking strength being at least sufficient to restrain a coupling that explosively releases from the tubular member.  
     
     
         7 . A device for a flotation apparatus having a first component joined to a second component at a connection, the device comprising: 
 a stationary member; and    a cord having a first and second end, said first end connected to the first component and said second end connected to said stationary member.    
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7  wherein said cord is disposed within the flotation device.  
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 7  further comprising an engaging member provided on said cord first and second ends, said engaging members being selectively engagable with the first and second components.  
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 7  wherein said cord is configured to restrain the first component when the connection between the first component and said stationary member is compromised.  
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 7  wherein said cord is configured to have a predetermined breaking strength, said breaking strength being at least sufficient to restrain a first component that explosively releases from the second component.  
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 7  wherein said stationary member is a selected from a group consisting of a second coupling, tubular member, a head float, and a tail end.  
     
     
         13 . A flotation apparatus, comprising: 
 a plurality of tubular members;    couplings associated with said tubular members, said coupling interconnecting said tubular members; and    a cord connecting at least two couplings.    
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13  wherein said cord is disposed within at least one of said tubular members.  
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 13  further comprising an engaging member provided on said cord first and second ends, said engaging members being selectively engagable with the tubular member.  
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 13  wherein said cord is configured to restrain a coupling when the connection between the coupling and the tubular member is compromised.  
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 13  wherein said cord is configured to have a predetermined breaking strength, said breaking strength being at least sufficient to restrain a coupling that explosively releases from the tubular member.  
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 13  wherein said cord is configured to have a predetermined braking strength, said breaking strength being at least sufficient to restrain a coupling when the connection between the restrained coupling and the tubular member is compromised.  
     
     
         19 . A method for restraining components of a flotation system, comprising: tethering a first flotation system component to a second flotation component using a cord.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the first component is a coupling.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising disposing the cord within the flotation system.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising configuring the cord to be selectively engagable with the first component.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising configuring the cord to restrain the first component when the connection between the first component and the second component is compromised.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising configuring the cord to have a breaking strength that is at least sufficient to restrain a first component that explosively releases from the second component.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the first component is a first coupling and the second component is a second coupling.