Buoy with buoyant core and collar having multiple flotation components

Abstract

A buoy is provided. The buoy includes a buoyant core component having a plurality of cavities positioned therein. The buoy additionally includes at least two detachable flotation components surrounding and supporting the core component, and a pair of tic bar assemblies. The pair of tie bar assemblies are mounted to the plurality of cavities of the core component.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A buoy comprising:
 a buoyant core component having a plurality of cavities positioned therein;   at least two detachable flotation components surrounding and supporting the buoyant core component; and   a pair of tie bar assemblies mounted within the plurality of cavities of the buoyant core component.   
     
     
         2 . The buoy of  claim 1 , wherein the buoyant core component includes at least two lifting holes located at an upper portion of the buoyant core component, and at least two mooring holes located at a lower portion of the buoyant core component. 
     
     
         3 . The buoy of  claim 1 , wherein each tie bar assembly of the pair of tie bar assemblies includes an outer bracing rod and a middle bracing rod. 
     
     
         4 . The buoy of  claim 3 , wherein the outer bracing rod includes a connecting component and a fork component. 
     
     
         5 . The buoy of  claim 1 , wherein each tie bar assembly of the pair of tie bar assemblies comprises:
 a rod assembly comprising one or more rods extending substantially through a height of the buoyant core component;   a first bracing mount fixed to a top of the rod assembly for lifting the buoyant core component; and   a second bracing mount fixed at a bottom of the rod assembly for mooring of the buoy.   
     
     
         6 . The buoy of  claim 5 , wherein the first bracing mount and the second bracing mount are generally T-shaped with a vertical support and a cross-member. 
     
     
         7 . The buoy of  claim 6 , wherein the vertical support is designed to couple to the rod assembly; and
 wherein the cross-member includes a cross channel designed to receive a cable, chain or pin for at least one of mooring or lifting the buoy.   
     
     
         8 . The buoy of  claim 5 , wherein at least one of the first bracing mount of the second bracing mount is secured to a bottom portion of the buoy by way of a pin. 
     
     
         9 . A buoy comprising:
 a buoyant core component with a plurality of cavities, the buoyant core component having an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the upper portion of the buoyant core component includes at least two lifting holes, and wherein a lower portion of the buoyant core component includes at least two mooring holes;   two or more detachable flotation components surrounding and supporting the buoyant core component; and   a pair of tie bar assemblies mounted to the plurality of cavities of the buoyant core component.   
     
     
         10 . The buoy of  claim 9 , wherein the pair of tie bar assemblies provide a lifting point towards a top portion of the buoy and a mooring point towards a bottom portion of the buoy. 
     
     
         11 . The buoy of  claim 9 , wherein each of the at least two detachable flotation components and the buoyant core component include respective engagement formations, such that each of the two or more detachable flotation components and the buoyant core component are coupled together by way of the engagement formations. 
     
     
         12 . The buoy of  claim 9 , wherein each tie bar assembly of the pair of tie bar assemblies includes an outer bracing rod and a middle bracing rod. 
     
     
         13 . The buoy of  claim 12 , wherein the outer bracing rod includes a connecting component and a fork component. 
     
     
         14 . The buoy of  claim 9 , wherein each of the pair of tie bar assemblies comprises:
 a rod assembly with one or more rods extending substantially through a height of the buoyant core component;   a first bracing mount fixed to a top of the rod assembly for lifting the buoyant core component; and   a second bracing mount fixed at a bottom of the rod assembly for mooring of the buoy.   
     
     
         15 . The buoy of  claim 14 , wherein the first bracing mount and the second bracing mount each comprise:
 a vertical support designed to couple to the rod assembly; and   a cross-member having a cross channel designed to receive a cable, chain or pin for at least one of mooring or lifting the buoy.   
     
     
         16 . A buoy comprising:
 a buoyant core component having an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the upper portion of the buoyant core component includes at least two lifting holes, and wherein a lower portion of the buoyant core component includes at least two mooring holes;   two or more detachable flotation components surrounding and supporting the buoyant core component;   a pair of tie bar assemblies mounted to the plurality of cavities of the buoyant core component, wherein each tie bar assembly of the pair of tie bar assemblies comprises:
 a rod assembly with one or more rods extending substantially through a height of the buoyant core component; 
 a first bracing mount fixed to a top of the rod assembly for lifting of the buoyant core component; and 
 a second bracing mount fixed at a bottom of the rod assembly for securing to a mooring assembly, for mooring of the buoy. 
   
     
     
         17 . The buoy of  claim 16 , further comprising a pair of outer bracing rods and a middle bracing rod, wherein each of the pair of outer bracing rods includes a connecting component and a fork component. 
     
     
         18 . The buoy of  claim 16 , wherein the pair of tie bar assemblies provide a lifting point towards a top portion of the buoy and a mooring point towards a bottom portion of the buoy. 
     
     
         19 . The buoy of  claim 17 , wherein the fork component is configured to receive a bolt. 
     
     
         20 . The buoy of  claim 17 , wherein the rod assembly, the first bracing mount, the second bracing mount, the pair of outer bracing rods and the middle bracing rod, are manufactured from steel.