BUOY AND BUOY ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A waterborne barrier which includes an elongate array of buoys which are connected together by tamper-proof couplings, wherein each buoy has a buoyant body which is rotatable about a central axis and which is formed from expanded plastics material in a circular cylindrical plastics shell, with a reinforcing structure embedded in the plastics material.

Claims

1. A buoy comprising a buoyant body and a reinforcing structure in or on the buoyant body.

2. The buoy according to claim 1, wherein the buoyant body comprises a shell and an expanded plastics material inside the shell.

3. The buoy according to claim 1, wherein the buoyant body is formed of a material that is non-flammable and has a relative density which is less than 1, and the reinforcing structure comprises metal components.

4. The buoy according to claim 1, wherein non-metallic fibrous or net-like material is embedded in the buoyant body.

5. The buoy according to claim 1, wherein the body is circular cylindrical in shape and the reinforcing structure extends circumferentially, in one or more layers, around a central axis of the buoyant body.

6. The buoy according to claim 5, wherein a ratio of diameter of the buoyant body to axial length of the buoyant body R is 0.75<R<3.

7. The buoy according to claim 6, wherein the reinforcing structure is selected from a mesh material, a single element, a plurality of elements at different locations inside the body, a chain link mesh, welded mesh, and hardened metallic components, and is positioned in a region of from 10 to 30 cm from an outer surface of the body.

8. The buoy according to claim 6, wherein the reinforcing structure includes a mesh material made of galvanized metal.

9. The buoy according to claim 1, further comprising supporting members at opposing ends of the body, respectively, wherein the reinforcing structure is secured to and extends between the supporting members.

10. The buoy according to claim 1, wherein the buoyant body is made from an expanded plastics material which is adhered to the reinforcing structure.

11. A buoy comprising: a buoyant body of circular cylindrical form; spaced apart first and second supporting members each of which is centered on an axis; a reinforcing structure positioned between the first and second supporting members and secured to the first and second supporting members; and buoyant material, wherein at least a part of the reinforcing structure is embedded in the buoyant material.

12. The buoy according to claim 11, wherein the buoyant body comprises a shell in which the reinforcing structure and the buoyant material are located.

13. A waterborne barrier which includes a plurality of buoys, each of the plurality buoys being according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of buoys are positioned successively end-to-end along a barrier line and wherein adjacent buoys are secured together and each buoy is independently freely rotatable about an axle line.

14. The waterborne barrier according to claim 13, wherein adjacent buoys of the plurality of buoys are secured together by means of a respective tamper-proof coupling.

15. The waterborne barrier according to claim 13, wherein the body of each buoy on opposed sides has respective recesses each of which is centered on the axis.

16. A method of forming a buoy for use in a waterborne barrier, the method comprising: providing a reinforcing structure configured to resist attack; positioning the reinforcing structure within an interior of a mould such that the reinforcing structure is spaced inwardly from an opposing surface of the mould; and introducing an expansible buoyant material into the interior of the mould so that at least a portion of the reinforcing structure is embedded in the buoyant material when it sets to form a buoyant body.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the reinforcing structure comprises spaced first and second supporting members each of which is centred on an axis, and one or more components which are positioned between and which are secured to the first and second supporting members.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein the buoyant body is circular cylindrical in form and the reinforcing structure comprises first and second supporting members at opposing ends of the body which are centred on and transverse to an axis of the body.

19. The method according to claim 16, wherein the reinforcing structure is arranged with one or more components which extend circumferentially spaced from a central axis of the body.

20. The method according to claim 16, wherein the mould comprises a shell and the buoyant material adheres to an inner surface of the shell.

21. The method according to claim 16, wherein the reinforcing structure includes supporting members at opposing ends of the buoyant body.

22. The method according to claim 16, wherein the buoyant material comprises an expansible plastics material introduced into the mould in a foam state.

23. The method according to claim 16, further including a step of mounting the buoyant body on an axle so that the body is rotatable about a longitudinal axis.

24. A waterborne barrier including an elongate array of buoys connected together by tamper-proof couplings, wherein each of the buoys has a buoyant body which is rotatable about a central axis and which is formed of expanded plastics material in a circular cylindrical plastics shell, with a reinforcing structure embedded in the expanded plastics material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] The invention is further described by way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0043] FIG. 1 illustrates from one side a buoy according to the invention,

[0044] FIGS. 2 and 3 are respectively a perspective view and an end view of a reinforcing structure to be included in a buoy according to the invention,

[0045] FIGS. 4 and 5 are similar to FIGS. 2 and 3 of a different form of a reinforcing structure,

[0046] FIGS. 6 and 7 are perspective and end views respectively of a buoy according to the invention which includes a reinforcing structure of the type shown in FIGS. 4 and 5,

[0047] FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 illustrate yet another form of a reinforcing structure to be included in a buoy according to the invention,

[0048] FIG. 11 shows in cross section a buoy which includes a structure of the kind shown in FIGS. 8 to 10,

[0049] FIGS. 12 and 13 show further variations of the invention, and

[0050] FIG. 14 illustrates a waterborne barrier made from a plurality of buoys, each of which is according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0051] FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings is a side view of a buoy 10 according to the invention.

[0052] The buoy 10 includes a circular cylindrical body 12 with a length 14 and a diameter 16. The dimensions 14 and 16 are chosen so that, in use, the buoy is of a size which can be managed, but so that it is sufficiently large, when in water to present a barrier of significant size to an intruder attempting to traverse the barrier.

[0053] The body 12 is centred on an axis line 18. The nature of the construction is such that, when the buoy is in water, the body 12 is freely rotatable about the axis line if force is applied to one side of the body.

[0054] The body is made from a buoyant plastics material 22 e.g. of an expanded plastics material, using a suitable mould. The mould may be a preformed component made from a suitable plastics material and configured to act as a shell for the expanded plastics material. Thus each buoy includes a shell which acts as a one-time mould and which has an inner surface which is bonded to the expanded plastics material when it sets. Embedded in the material 22 is a reinforcing structure 24.

[0055] FIGS. 2 and 3 are a perspective view and an end view respectively of one form 24A of the reinforcing structure.

[0056] The reinforcing structure 24A includes spaced apart supporting reinforcing members 30 and 32 respectively. Each supporting member includes a plurality of spokes 34 radiating from a tubular beam 36 at a centre 38 which defines the axis line 18. The spokes terminate at a circumferential support 40. Mesh reinforcing structure 42 is fixed to and extends between the supporting members. The reinforcing structure is made from a galvanised mesh material which is shaped to follow a zig-zag path of circumferential form extending around the tubular centre 38. The structure thus has alternating peaks and troughs.

[0057] FIGS. 4 and 5 are views, similar to those in FIGS. 2 and 3, of a different form 24B of the reinforcing structure. Use is again made of spoke-like supporting members 48 and 50 which are mounted to a tubular beam 52 at a centre 54 which is coincident with the axis line 18. The members terminate in circumferential supports 56 and 58 respectively. Elongate tubular mesh components 60, of square cross section, are positioned between and secured to the supports 56 and 58. The mesh components lie on a circumference which extends around the tubular centre 54.

[0058] The function of the reinforcing structure 24 is to make it difficult for an intruder to cut through the buoyant material 22 in which the structure is embedded. The reinforcing structure can therefore take on any suitable shape or form. For example the reinforcing structure can be formed in two or three layers which extend around the axis of rotation 18. Also the mesh density of the reinforcing structure can be varied.

[0059] Mesh material can be cut with a reciprocating saw. However to combat this it is possible to include in the mesh structure hardened steel inserts 66 at strategic locations shown for example in FIG. 3. It is difficult to cut hardened steel with a reciprocating saw particularly if an attack of that kind were to be made by a person in water in which the buoy is floating.

[0060] FIGS. 6 and 7 are respectively a perspective view and an end view of a buoy 70 which includes a reinforcing structure 24B of the kind shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0061] The structure 24B is positioned inside a suitable mould and the buoyant material 22 is introduced into the mould. The material 22 expands and fills the mould. Preferably the mould comprises a shell made from a plastics material which acts as a one-time mould in that the material 22, when it fills the shell becomes bonded to an inner surface thereof. The reinforcing structure 24B is thereby embedded in the plastics material. Preferably all of the metallic components are embedded in the plastics materialin this way the metallic components are protected to a substantial extent from the corrosion effects of the water in which the buoy is used.

[0062] The plastic material 22 on a circumferential outer side of the buoy preferably has a thickness of from 10 to 30 cm.

[0063] FIGS. 8, 9, and 10 are views, similar to those shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5, illustrating a further form 24C of the reinforcing structure according to the invention. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the reinforcing structure 24C comprising a generally cylindrical mesh structure 88 which surrounds a tubular central beam 84. The beam 84 is positioned along a central axis 86 that corresponds to the axis of rotation 18 of the buoy.

[0064] At each axial end of the cylindrical mesh 88, supporting members in the form of cross-pieces 80A, 80B, 80C, 80D and 82A, 82B, 82C, 82D are fixed to the tubular beam 84 by a suitable welding or fastening technique, as illustrated in FIG. 10. These cross-pieces serve to support and retain the ends of the cylindrical mesh 88 in position, thereby enhancing the overall rigidity and structural integrity of the reinforcing structure 24C.

[0065] In one embodiment, shown notionally in FIG. 10, the cross-pieces 80A, 80B, 80C, 80D and 82A, 82B, 82C, 82D extend radially outward beyond an internal diameter of the cylindrical mesh 88. This extension assists in the accurate positioning of the reinforcing structure 24C within a mould 26 during manufacture by engaging the inner surface of the mould shell or providing reference points that restrict movement of the reinforcing structure within the mould. By preventing unwanted shifting or misalignment, the extended cross-pieces ensure that the reinforcing structure remains correctly located during the introduction, expansion, and curing of the buoyant material which bonds to an inner surface of the mould shell.

[0066] In use, the entire reinforcing structure 24C is fully embedded within the buoyant plastics body. The cylindrical mesh is held securely in place by the supporting cross-pieces and the central tubular beam, which collectively provide reinforcement, load distribution, and enhanced structural strength along the length of the buoy. This configuration is designed to resist cutting, crushing, and other forms of tampering, making the buoy particularly suitable for deployment in floating security barriers where durability and tamper resistance are of particular importance.

[0067] FIG. 11 is a side view partly sectioned of a buoy 90 which includes the cylindrical mesh structure 24C shown in FIG. 8, embedded in a buoyant material 92 which typically is made from a plastic foam material. A central tubular beam 94 has opposed ends which are located in recesses 96 on sides of the buoy which are designed to accommodate portions of tamper-proof couplings, not shown, which are used to connect adjacent buoys together. The structure in that regard is one in which at least portions of the couplings are positioned in the recesses and ends thereof are difficult to access. This is an attack resistant feature.

[0068] FIG. 12 is a sectional end view of a buoy 100 which includes buoyant material 102 such as a foamed plastics material in which is embedded a reinforcing structure 104 of any suitable kind e.g. welded mesh or wire mesh in combination with non-metallic components such as cotton waste or plastic netting or twine or rope. The structure has a square shape and fits neatly into a shell 108 which is filled with the material 102 which is introduced in foam form and then allowed to set inside the shell and bond to the inner surface thereof.

[0069] The shell 108 may be of a plastics material or of a non-plastics material, for example aluminium. In each case appropriate construction techniques are used to ensure that the resulting buoys are buoyant, reinforced as may be appropriate, and will not sink in water if the shell is punctured.

[0070] FIG. 13 depicts the use of several circular discs 110A, 110B . . . 110N, each of mesh, spaced apart on a beam 94 and embedded in buoyant material 102. Apart therefrom the material 102 may include embedded in it non-metallic attack resistant components such as cotton waste, toughened twine, rope, chopped strand or the like.

[0071] The discs can extend from the beam. The discs can be replaced or supplemented by annular structures which preferably are positioned primarily near to an outer surface of the body of the buoy.

[0072] Reinforcing material of the aforementioned kinds can be used in combination according to the degree of resistance to attack required.

[0073] A plurality of the buoys 70 are interconnected as shown in FIG. 14 to form a waterborne barrier 74. The buoys are positioned on an elongate barrier line 76 in a body of water (not shown). An axle may be formed on the axis line 18 by means of the tubular beams 52. Alternatively, an elongate flexible cable can be used for the axle. A requirement in this respect is that each buoy, when mounted to the axle, should be freely rotatable about the axle. That feature presents a substantial deterrent to a person endeavouring to climb over the buoy. However, according to requirement each buoy may be fixed to its axle so that rotation about the axle is not possible. It is possible though to have an arrangement wherein a buoy and its axle are rotatable together relative to an adjacent buoy and its axis.

[0074] An intruder attempting to attack a buoy and remove a sufficient quantity of the plastic buoyant material to allow for passage, is faced with a considerable difficulty in that the reinforcing structure comprises a significant barrier which must be overcome, in the difficult conditions prevailing when the barrier is floating. Unwanted passage is thereby impeded.