Boom or buoy barrier with tube within a tube floatation construction

Abstract

A floatation device and barrier system are provided for use, among other applications, as a security barrier for preventing unauthorized entry of watercraft into restricted areas. The basic building block of the system is the floatation device which includes an outer elongate tubular member fabricated of metal; an inner elongate tubular member concentric with the outer tubular member; a floatation medium within a cavity between the members; and a floatation medium within the inner tubular member. The floatation devices can be joined end-to-end to form the barrier system. One or more of the floatation devices includes a superstructure carrying warning signage.

1 . A floatation device for use as a barrier, said floatation device comprising: 
 an outer solid water impermeable elongate tubular shell member;    an inner solid water impermeable elongate tubular shell member concentric with said outer tubular shell member and spaced therefrom so as to form a cavity therebetween;    a floatation medium within said cavity; and    a floatation medium within said inner tubular shell member.    
   
   
       2 . A floatation device according to  claim 1  wherein said outer tubular member is comprised of a metal selected from the group consisting of steel, stainless steel and aluminum.  
   
   
       3 . A floatation device according to  claim 1  wherein said inner tubular member is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of steel, stainless steel, aluminum and a polymer material.  
   
   
       4 . A floatation device according to  claim 3  wherein said material comprises a hard plastic polymer material.  
   
   
       5 . A floatation device according to  claim 4  wherein said plastic material comprises polyvinylchloride pipe.  
   
   
       6 . A floatation device according to  claim 1  wherein said floatation medium comprises a medium selected from the group consisting of a gas, a liquid and a solid floatation material.  
   
   
       7 . A floatation device according to  claim 6  wherein said floatation medium within said inner tubular member comprises a foam.  
   
   
       8 . A floatation device according to  claim 7  wherein said foam comprises an epoxy foam.  
   
   
       9 . A floatation device according to  claim 8  wherein said floatation medium within said cavity comprises a foam wrapping.  
   
   
       10 . A floatation device according to  claim 1  wherein said floatation device includes a connection member at opposite ends thereof.  
   
   
       11 . A floatation device according to  claim 1  wherein said floatation device includes a mounting member for enabling the mounting of an upwardly projecting superstructure thereon.  
   
   
       12 . A floatation device according to  claim 1  wherein said floatation device further comprises a barrier structure depending downwardly, in use, from the outer tubular member.  
   
   
       13 . A floatation device according to  claim 12  wherein the depending barrier structure comprises a fabric barrier for underwater debris.  
   
   
       14 . A floatation device according to  claim 1  wherein said floatation device further includes a plurality of protective barrier elements projecting outwardly from the outer tubular member.  
   
   
       15 . A floating barrier device comprising: 
 at least one floatation device comprising a solid outer water impermeable tubular shell member, an inner solid water impermeable tubular shell member defining an inner space disposed within, and spaced from, the outer member so as to define a cavity therebetween, a floatation medium disposed in said cavity, and a floatation medium disposed in said inner space, and    an upwardly projecting superstructure mounted on said at least one floatation device.    
   
   
       16 . A barrier device according to  claim 15  wherein said superstructure comprises an open framework including at least two longitudinally extending connector members.  
   
   
       17 . A barrier device according to  claim 16  further comprising at least one sign secured to at least one of said connector members of said superstructure.  
   
   
       18 . A barrier device according to  claim 15  wherein said at least one floatation device comprises a plurality of said floatation devices connected together to form a barrier.  
   
   
       19 . A floating barrier device comprising a plurality of elongate floatation devices each comprising an outer solid water impermeable tubular shell member, an inner solid water impermeable tubular shell member defining an inner space and disposed within said outer member so as to define a cavity therebetween, a floatation medium in said inner space and a floatation medium within said cavity, said floatation devices being connected together in serial relation to form a floating barrier.  
   
   
       20 . A barrier device according to  claim 19  wherein at least one of said floatation devices includes a superstructure carrying warning signage.  
   
   
       21 . A barrier device according to  claim 19  wherein a pair of said floatation devices form a barrier unit, wherein a plurality of barrier units are provided, and wherein said barrier units are connected together in end to end relation wherein at least one floatation device of one barrier unit is connected to at least one floatation device of a further barrier unit.  
   
   
       22 . A barrier device according to  claim 21  wherein said barrier units are further connected together end to end by a further said floatation device.  
   
   
       23 . A barrier device according to  claim 21  wherein said barrier units are further connected together end to end by a cable member interconnecting a further said floatation device of said one barrier unit and a further said floatation device of said further barrier unit.  
   
   
       24 . A barrier device according to  claim 19  wherein said floatation devices each include a connector element including an upright pivot tube and adjacent floatation devices are connected together by connector means comprising a plurality of connector plates received on the pivot tubes of the connector elements of the adjacent floatation devices and secured in place by respective bolts extending through said pivot tubes and tightened by respective nuts, said connector means further comprising first and second shackles respectively provided on said adjacent floatation devise and a link connector interconnecting said shackles.