Modular barge

Abstract

A modular barge has a plurality of barge sections. Each barge section has first and second connections on opposite sides of the barge body. The connections include top connectors adjacent to the top surface of the barge body, an insert or receiver adjacent to the bottom surface of the barge body, and an engagement profile disposed between the first top connector and the receiver that includes a lateral component. The first and second barge sections of the plurality of barge sections are connected by engaging the insert and receivers of the barge sections, engaging the engagement profiles of the first and second barge sections, and connecting the top connectors of the first and second barge section.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A modular barge, comprising:
 a plurality of barge sections, each barge section comprising:
 a barge body having a top surface and a bottom surface; 
 a first set of connections on a first side of the barge body, the first set of connections comprising:
 a first top connector adjacent to the top surface of the barge body; 
 a receiver adjacent to the bottom surface of the barge body; and 
 a first engagement profile disposed between the first top connector and the receiver, the first engagement profile comprising a lateral component; and 
 
 a second set of connections on a second side of the barge body that is opposite the first side, the second set of connections comprising:
 a second top connector adjacent to the top surface of the barge body; 
 an insert adjacent to the bottom surface; and 
 a second engagement profile disposed between the second top connector and the insert, the second engagement profile being sized and configured to engage the first engagement profile; 
 
   wherein first and second barge sections of the plurality of barge sections are adapted to be connected by:
 engaging the insert of the first barge section and the receiver of the second barge section; 
 engaging the first engagement profile of the first barge section and the second engagement profile of the second barge section; and 
 connecting the first top connector of the first barge section and the second top connector of the second barge section. 
   
     
     
         2 . The modular barge of  claim 1 , wherein the first top connector comprises a first recess that extends along the first side of the barge body and the second top connector comprises a second recess along the second side of the barge body. 
     
     
         3 . The modular barge of  claim 2 , wherein the first recess and the second recess are defined by flanges, each flange having a series of pin-receiving apertures, and wherein the first top connector and the second top connector are adapted to be connected using pin connectors. 
     
     
         4 . The modular barge of  claim 2 , wherein the first recess and the second recess define equipment-mounting profiles. 
     
     
         5 . The modular barge of  claim 4 , wherein the equipment-mounting profiles are adapted to receive bottom skids of mounted equipment. 
     
     
         6 . The modular barge of  claim 1 , wherein the first engagement profile and the second engagement profile define a tongue and groove connection that is configured to resist relative vertical movement when engaged. 
     
     
         7 . The modular barge of  claim 1 , wherein the first engagement profile and the second engagement profile comprise one or more corresponding protrusions and recesses that are configured to resist relative vertical and lateral movement when engaged. 
     
     
         8 . The modular barge of  claim 1 , wherein the barge body further comprises a third side and a fourth side that extend in parallel spaced relation between the first side and the second side of the barge body, wherein the third side comprises a third set of connections that are the same as the first set of connections, and the fourth side comprises a fourth set of connections that are the same as the second set of connections. 
     
     
         9 . The modular barge of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the receiver comprises a lateral channel that has a length that extends along the first side of the body; and   the insert comprises an elongate body mounted adjacent to the bottom surface of the barge body that is sized and adapted to be received within the lateral channel.   
     
     
         10 . The modular barge of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the insert is adapted to be lowered into engagement with the receiver of the first set of connections, wherein the engagement between the insert and the receiver permits limited vertical movement of the first side of the first barge section relative to the second side of the second barge section; and   the first engagement profile and the second engagement profile are adapted to engage as the first barge section moves laterally relative to the second barge section and as the insert engages the receiver, and such that the first top connector is adjacent to the second top connector.   
     
     
         11 . The modular barge of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one equipment module, the at least one equipment module comprising one or more module attachments adapted to connect to the first set of connections or the second set of connections. 
     
     
         12 . A method of assembling a modular barge, comprising:
 providing a plurality of barge sections, each barge section comprising:
 a barge body having a top surface and a bottom surface; 
 a first set of connections on a first side of the barge body, the first set of connections comprising:
 a first top connector adjacent to the top surface of the barge body; 
 a receiver adjacent to the bottom surface of the barge body; and 
 a first engagement profile disposed between the first top connector and the receiver, the first engagement profile comprising a lateral component; and 
 
 a second set of connections on a second side of the barge body that is opposite the first side, the second set of connections comprising:
 a second top connector adjacent to the top surface of the barge body; 
 an insert adjacent to the bottom surface; and 
 a second engagement profile disposed between the second top connector and the insert, the second engagement profile being sized to engage the first engagement profile; and 
 
   attaching a first barge section and a second barge section of the plurality of barge sections by:
 engaging the insert of the first barge section and the receiver of the second barge section; 
 engaging the first engagement profile of the first barge section and the second engagement profile of the second barge section; and 
 connecting the first top connector of the first barge section and the second top connector of the second barge section. 
   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first top connector comprises a first recess that extends along the first side of the barge body and the second top connector comprises a second recess along the second side of the barge body. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the first recess and the second recess are defined by flanges, each flange having a series of pin-receiving apertures, the method further comprising the step of connecting the first top connector and the second top connector using pin connectors. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the first recess and the second recess define equipment-mounting profiles, and the method further comprises the step of installing equipment by inserting and securing bottom skids of the equipment in the first recess and the second recess of at least one of the first barge section and the second barge section. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first engagement profile and the second engagement profile define a tongue and groove connection that are configured to resist relative vertical movement when engaged. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first engagement profile and the second engagement profile comprise one or more corresponding protrusions and recesses that are configured to resist relative vertical and lateral movement when engaged. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the barge body of each barge section further comprises a third side and a fourth side that extend in parallel spaced relation between the first side and the second side of the barge body;   the third side comprises a third set of connections that are the same as the first set of connections, and the fourth side comprises a fourth set of connections that are the same as the second set of connections; and   the method further comprises the steps of engaging additional barge sections of the plurality of barge sections by engaging the first sets of connections and the second sets of connections, and the third sets of connections and the fourth sets of connections of adjacent ones of the plurality of barge sections.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the receiver comprises a lateral channel that has a length that extends along the first side of the body; and   the insert comprises an elongate body mounted adjacent to the bottom surface of the barge body that is sized and adapted to be received within the lateral channel.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the steps of:
 with the first barge section at an angle relative to the second barge section, lowering the insert of the second set of connections into engagement with the receiver of the first set of connections; and   engaging the first engagement profile and the second engagement profile as the first barge section moves laterally relative to the second barge section, and such that the first engagement profile and the second engagement profile move substantially laterally into engagement; and   connecting the first top connector to the second top connector.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the steps of:
 providing one or more equipment modules having at least one module attachment that is adapted to connect to the first set of connections or the second set of connections; and   mounting the one or more equipment modules to the plurality of barge sections using the at least one module attachments.