Compaction rope storage and disbursement system for compactable containment boom

Abstract

A compactable containment boom with an elongated flotation portion and a weighted skirt has a pull through compaction rope guided internally down the center of the boom. Pulling on an end rope that extends outside the boom compacts the boom longitudinally in an accordion-like fashion. After the boom is compacted, the excess rope is coiled and stored in a pocket on an end of the boom. The pocket is then closed with a releasable and reusable closure to keep the rope inside, and a portion of the rope outside the pocket is tied off to a loop on an end fitting of the boom to keep the rope taut and the boom compacted. The boom alternatively may be compacted by securing the end of the compaction rope to a fixed location, then manually shoving or sliding the boom up the rope into a compacted state.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A compactable containment boom, comprising:
 an elongated flotation portion having a first end and a second end;   a skirt extending downwardly from the flotation portion, both the flotation portion and the skirt being longitudinally compactable;   a pull through compaction line attached to the first end and extending along the flotation portion to the second end, for longitudinally compacting the boom by applying tension to the line; and   a pocket on the flotation portion near the second end for storing the compaction line after the boom is compacted.   
     
     
         2 . The compactable containment boom of  claim 1 , wherein the pocket is disposed on an outer surface of the flotation portion, and opens upward towards an upper side of the flotation portion. 
     
     
         3 . The compactable containment boom of  claim 1 , wherein a reversible and releasable closure is provided for selectively closing the pocket after the compaction line is stored therein. 
     
     
         4 . The compactable containment boom of  claim 3 , wherein the closure comprises mating strips of hook and loop material, one of which is attached to an inside surface of the pocket near a top end of the pocket, and the other of which is attached to the outer surface of the flotation portion. 
     
     
         5 . The compactable containment boom of  claim 3 , wherein the closure leaves a gap at sides of the pocket that permit the compaction line to enter and exit the pocket through the gaps. 
     
     
         6 . The compactable containment boom of  claim 1 , wherein the pocket and the flotation portion are formed of vinyl-coated fabric material. 
     
     
         7 . The compactable containment boom of  claim 1 , wherein the compaction line extends longitudinally inside the flotation portion from the first end to the second end where it exits through an opening on an outer surface of the flotation portion. 
     
     
         8 . The compactable containment boom of  claim 1 , further comprising fittings at the first and second ends of the flotation portion for connecting adjacent boom sections to each other. 
     
     
         9 . The compactable containment boom of  claim 8 , wherein a loop is provided on the fitting at the second end for tying off the compaction line after the boom is compacted. 
     
     
         10 . The compactable containment boom of  claim 8 , wherein a solid float is disposed inside the flotation portion adjacent the fitting at the second end, the pocket being disposed over the solid float. 
     
     
         11 . The compactable containment boom of  claim 1 , wherein the first end is a trailing end and the second end is a leading end of the boom. 
     
     
         12 . The compactable containment boom of  claim 1 , wherein the pocket is inclined along a top edge thereof, sloping toward the first end. 
     
     
         13 . A method for compacting a containment boom having an elongated flotation portion with a first end and a second end, a skirt extending downward from the flotation portion, a pull through compaction line having a distal end attached to the first end and a proximal portion at the second end, and a pocket on the flotation portion near the second end, the method comprising:
 holding the second end stationary;   pulling on the proximal portion of the compaction line to longitudinally compact the boom;   forming a series of loops in the proximal portion of the compaction line as the boom is being compacted;   flattening the loops;   placing the flattened loops into the pocket with the proximal end of the line disposed at the bottom of the pocket; and   closing the pocket with a reversible and releasable closure after the compaction line is placed into the pocket.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 tying off the compaction line to a loop on the second end after the compaction line is placed into the pocket.   
     
     
         15 . A method for compacting a containment boom having an elongated flotation portion with a first end and a second end, a skirt extending downward from the flotation point, a pull through compaction line having a distal end attached to the first end and a proximal portion at the second end, and a pocket on the flotation portion near the second end, the method comprising:
 holding the first end stationary;   securing the compaction line to a fixed location;   pushing the flotation portion up the compaction line toward the first end to longitudinally compact the boom;   releasing the compaction line from the fixed location;   forming a series of loops in a proximal end of compaction line;   flattening the loops;   placing the flattened loops into the pocket with the proximal end of the line disposed at the bottom of the pocket; and   closing the pocket with a reversible and releasable closure after the compaction line is placed into the pocket.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 tying off the compaction line to a loop on the second end.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the first end is a trailing end and the second end is a leading end of the boom. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first end is a trailing end and the second end is a leading end of the boom.