CLAMSHELL FLOAT BOUY FOR LINES

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit under Title 35, United States Code § 119 (e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/657,383 filed on Jun. 7, 2024.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The following invention relates to floats, such as buoy floats which have a line passing therethrough or connected thereto. More particularly, this invention relates to floats which are formed by joining two halves together and which engage the line associated with the float.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Lines and associated rigging are used for a variety of different purposes in the marine environment. Lines (also called ropes) can be used onboard a boat and also can be used off of the boat, such as for securing a boat to a dock or connecting a boat to an anchorage point. Lines can also be used in waterways, such as to designate areas which are excluded from boat traffic, such as swimming areas.

Often lines that are intended to be used in or near the water benefit from having a float (or buoy) attached to the line to keep the line from sinking beneath the surface. When a line sinks it can be difficult to find when needed. Also, when a line sinks it can often cease to perform its intended function (or be less effective), such as to be visible and notify boat operators as to the presence of the line (and information communicated by the position of the line). Furthermore, a boat can strike a line and damage it (or damage the boat) if the line cannot be easily seen.

It is known in the prior art to attach a float to a line by designing a float of material which is less dense than water by an appreciable amount. The float includes a through bore passing therethrough, along which through bore the line is routed. The float provides sufficient buoyancy to keep the line which is attached to the float from sinking too far below the surface (or keeps the line above the surface, at least at the float). The line can thus be easily found and is more readily visible. Depending on the length of the line, more than one float can be attached to the line as needed.

Often a line benefits from having a specialty configuration at ends thereof, or along the line. These specialty configurations, such as eyes, loops, hooks and the like, typically cannot fit through the through bore in the float. Thus, it is necessary to pass the line through the bore hole before the specialty configuration is associated with the line, such as by tying knots in the line, attaching structures to the line, etc. Such a specialty configuration can thus take a large amount of specialty expertise and specialty time for a line with floats thereon, to be configured/constructed as desired.

Another problem with line floats in the prior art is that the rope can typically pass longitudinally through the through bore hole in the line, moving the float out of a most desired position along the line. To prevent such longitudinal motion of the floats along the line, knots can be provided on the line adjacent to each end of the float. However, making such knots requires further time and expertise and cannot fit through the through bore in the float. Furthermore, knots in lines provide points of weakness, such that the line can have less strength than desired and/or required for a particular use.

Accordingly, a need exists for a float for a line which can be easily installed upon a line, even if the line already has a specialty configuration associated therewith. Such a float would beneficially also be configured to resist longitudinal translation along the line, but rather hold its position without requiring knots to be formed in the line. Such a float would also beneficially avoid becoming waterlogged, be compatible with the marine environment (including saltwater environments), be durable and be of simple and low cost manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

With this invention, a float for a line is provided which is attachable to a line without requiring the line to be passed axially/longitudinally through a through bore of the float. Rather, the float is provided in two halves which can be attached together to complete manufacture of the float installed upon the line. The buoy/float thus has a somewhat clamshell configuration with the line passing therethrough.

In an example embodiment, the two separate halves are identical to each other, thus simplifying and reducing cost of manufacture. In one embodiment, the two separate halves are formed of injection molded plastic, and can thus be manufactured in a common mold. The two separate halves are later brought together to complete the float. Beneficially, plastics of different material colors are molded to have a similar shape and then pairs of separate halves having different colors are brought together, resulting in a float which is half one color and half a second color. As an alternative, both halves could have a common color.

Each of the halves, in addition to having an injection molded half shell, also includes a foam core which fits within an interior central compartment of the half shell to complete each half of the float. In one embodiment, this foam core fills a majority of an interior of the half shell. Inner walls can be provided within the half shell and parallel to each other (and parallel to the end walls of the half shell), to isolate two end compartments from a main central compartment. The foam core fits within the main compartment, while in one embodiment foam tips fit within the two end compartments and to maximize buoyancy for the float.

Both the foam core and the foam tips preferably are formed of a closed cell solid polymeric hydrocarbon material. One example would be styrofoam. Other example materials could be various different urethane foams. It is desirable for the foam to impart some degree of resiliency and rigidity to the float and to, for instance, allow the float to function somewhat as a bumper between a boat and other objects such as a dock. The foam core is thus preferably formed of a material which has a relatively high crush strength, and yet still can deform somewhat when exceptionally high compression loads are encountered. When such high compression loads are relieved, the foam can return to an original shape, restoring the float toward an original size and shape. The half shell typically has a thin side wall and does not provide significant strength itself, but rather acts as a containment for the foam core.

Considering each half shell in more detail, each half shell includes a hemi-spheroid outer side wall surrounding the main central compartment. A shape of this outer side wall, in one embodiment is somewhat similar to a shape of a football or rugby ball which has been cut in half along a plane in which the line lies. However, the ends are flat (or nearly flat) and preferably parallel with each other and define an overall length of the float, truncating the float from having an entire form like that of a football. The two halves could be asymmetrical in one embodiment, such as with one half larger than the other and each half still being a semi-spheroid.

The end walls at either end of the half shell include semi-circular portals herein. These portals are sized to allow the line to extend into and out of the interior surrounded by the half shell. The interior includes a line pathway and a through bore passing through the float. The end walls are preferably similar to each other, such that the half shells can generally be oriented with either end closer to one end of the line, and either end closer to the other end of the line, and making the float generally reversible as to its orientation on the line.

Inner walls are provided parallel with each other and inboard of the end walls. These inner walls are preferably each a similar distance away from the adjacent end wall, with the inner walls dividing the two end compartments from the main central compartment. A central portion of each inner wall is cut away at a mid-notch, which allows the line to pass through the inner wall. Teeth (at least one) extend radially into this mid-notch as part of the inner wall. These teeth are pointed at tips thereof, extending most deeply into the mid-notch of the inner wall, with the teeth configured to engage within fibers of the line and keep the line from moving relative to the inner wall. In this way, and when two halves are brought together upon the line, these teeth act to keep the float from moving longitudinally upon the line. Teeth could alternatively be coupled to the end walls, the foam or some other structure.

The foam core has a trough extending into a flat side thereof. The trough has a diameter similar to that of the line and is generally semi-cylindrical to allow the line to rest within the trough. A semi-spheroid side of the foam opposite the flat side generally has a shape matching that of the outer wall of the half shell. The foam core includes truncated flat ends adjacent to each of the inner walls when the foam core is located within the main central compartment. The foam core thus essentially fills the main central compartment in one embodiment.

The two end compartments can be fitted with foam tips. Each of these foam tips also preferably includes troughs in a flat side thereof, with an arcuate side opposite the flat side generally configured to be adjacent to portions of the outer wall of the half shell, and between the inner wall and the end wall of each and compartment. In this way, each end compartment is substantially filled with one of the foam tips.

The outer wall of each half shell terminates at an edge. In one embodiment, this edge has a groove in a face on one side of the half shell, and a tab extending from the face on the other side of the half shell. The tab can fit within the groove, so that when two outer walls of two shells are brought together with a tab of one outer wall of one shell within a groove of the other outer wall of the other shell, such interlocking tabs and grooves help to cause the two half shells to form a whole spheroid shape with enhanced rigidity.

Furthermore, and when such tabs and grooves are interlocking together, preferably slots are provided in the half shell just below the groove and clips extend beyond each of the tabs, each of the clips and slots acting as a fastener pair. The clips are sized to fit within the slots. The clips include a tooth near a beveled tip thereof, so that the beveled tip can easily fit into the slots and the tooth can catch within an edge of the slot, to allow the clips to hold the two outer walls of the two half shells together.

A further fastener can also be provided to secure the two halves together. In one embodiment, a single threaded standoff or post extends upwardly parallel with one of the edges of the outer shell at a midpoint between the inner walls of the half shell and adjacent to one of the edges. A bore post standoff is provided at a similar location, but adjacent to the edge with the groove. The threaded standoff and the bore post standoff of the two separate halves are aligned together on a common fastener centerline. A fastener, such as a screw, can then pass through the bore post and into the threaded standoff. Threads on the screw can enmesh with threads on the threaded standoff, so that when the screw is tightened the bore post and the threaded standoff are held tightly together. Optionally, two such fasteners are attached to either side of the float, for the securing of the two halves together, to complete the float and its installation upon the line.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a float which can be attached to a line without needing to feed an end of the line through the float.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a float which is in the form of two clamshell halves that can be snapped together on a line.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a float which is attachable to a line in a manner keeping the line from translating through the float.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a float formed of two halves which are identical, or nearly identical, and attachable together to simplify manufacture.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a combined float and line which includes the float located at a desired position along the line and interposed between features on the line which do not fit through a pathway passing through the float.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for attaching a float to a line without needing to feed an end of the line through a hole in the float.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a float which remains less dense than water even when water incursion through an outer wall of the float occurs.

Other further objects of the present invention will become apparent from a careful reading of the included drawing figures, the claims and detailed description of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the float buoy of this invention with interior foam core pieces removed.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a half shell making up a portion of the float of FIG. 1, and with an open side of the half shell facing upwards with solid foam within an interior thereof, and without any line passing along a centerline pathway through the float.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view similar to that which is shown in FIG. 2, except that a line is shown passing along the centerline and through the float.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the float of FIG. 1, but with the two half shells closed together.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a single half shell and revealing interior details of the single half shell, the single half shell configured to attach to a second similar half shell to complete the float.

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the half shell of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of the float of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the half shell of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a full sectional end elevation view of the float of FIG. 4.

FIG. 10 is an end elevation view of the float of FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the various drawing figures, reference numeral 10 is directed to a float (FIGS. 1-4), which is configured to have two clamshell-like half shells 30 which join together over a line L, to place the float 10 upon the line L. The float 10 can be easily installed upon a line L, without needing to feed the line L through a hole in the float 10 at an end of the line L, and the float 10 is configured to hold itself to the line L in a manner resisting longitudinal motion of the line relative to the float 10.

In essence, and with particular reference to FIGS. 1-4, basic details of the float 10 are described, according to one example embodiment. The float 10 is a hollow structure with a spheroid exterior 20. Two half shells 30 of similar form are joined together to complete construction of the float 10. Inner walls 40 inside each of the half shells 30 provide added structural support to the float 10 and also are configured to engage a line L routed through the float 10, when the two half shells 30 are joined together, with such engagement of the line L keeping the line L from translating through the float 10. Ends 50 of the exterior 20 of the float 10 are flattened and each include a portal 52 for routing of the line L therethrough. Foam cores 60 can reside within the interior 22 of the float 10 to enhance buoyancy thereof. A trough 70 in the foam cores 60 preserves a pathway for the line L to be routed through the float 10. Foam tips 80 are also provided to fill space between the inner walls 40 and ends 50.

More specifically, and with particular reference to FIGS. 1, 4, 6, 7 and 10, basic details of the float 10 structure are described when the float 10 has been fully constructed by joining the two half shells 30 together. The exterior 20 of the float 10 is preferably substantially radially symmetrical about a centerline C along which a line L can pass through the float to 10. The exterior 20 has a largely spheroid shape. When viewed in section perpendicular to the centerline C, the exterior 20 is substantially a circle, regardless of where the section is taken. At a midpoint of the central line C, such a circular cross-section would have its greatest diameter. The exterior 20 can be somewhat effectively described as having the shape of a rugby ball or a football that has had each of its pointed ends truncated and flattened, at least somewhat.

In one embodiment, the two half shells 30 which come together and give the exterior 20 its appearance can be formed of separate colors. In such an embodiment, the exterior 20 will be half in a first color and half in a second color different from the first color. For instance, the exterior 20 of the float 10 could be blue on one side and yellow on a second side. Other colors (or the same single color) could be used for the exterior 20. In one embodiment, such color is provided by coloring injection moldable plastic before forming the two half shells 30 by injection molding, so that the color is embedded within the material and not merely on the surface thereof. A seam 24 defines a line between the two half shells 30, where the first color transitions to the second color, in embodiments where such a two color construction is provided. This seam 24 also defines lateral edges of each half shell 30, which are joined together when the float 10 is constructed by joining the two half shells 30.

In one embodiment, the seam edges 24 engage each other somewhat when the two half shells 30 come together. For instance, in one embodiment the seam edges 24 include either a tab 26 extending from a face of the seam edge 24 or a groove 28 extending down from the face into the groove 28 of the other seam edge 24. Such tabs 26 and grooves 28 are similar in size so that the grooves 28 can receive the tabs 26. To make the two half shells 30 identical, the placement of either tabs 26 or grooves 28 would follow a pattern where half of the seam edges 24 would be fitted with tabs 26 and half of the seam edges 24 would be fitted with grooves 28.

The placement of the tabs 26 and grooves 28 would be such that when two identical half shells 30 are brought together to complete the float 10, tabs 26 of one half shell 30 are always adjacent to grooves 28 and the other half shell 30, for interlocking of the same edges 24 together during construction of the float 10. In one example, the seam/edge 24 on a left side of each half shell 30 has a tab 26 thereon and a right side of each half shell 30 has a groove 28 thereon. One half shell can then be rotated 180° so that when the half shells 30 are joined together, tabs 26 and grooves 28 of one half shell 30 are aligned with grooves 28 and tabs 26 of the other half shell 30.

As another alternative, one half shell 30 could be somewhat less than entirely identical in form. For instance, some half shells 30 could have seam edges 24 which only include tabs 26 extending therefrom and other half shells 30 could have seam edges 24 which only include grooves 28 extending therefrom.

With particular reference to FIGS. 1-3, 5, 8 and 9, particular details of the half shells 30 are described by reference to figures which show only one half shell 30, but recognizing that two half shells 30 are brought together to complete the float 10. It is also conceivable that shells could be provided in a size other than half size, such as with three shells each being one-third size coming together or four quarter shells coming together to complete the float 10, or some other number of identical or unique shells, which together form the completed float 10.

An interior 22 of the float 10 (also called the central compartment) is preferably similar in shape to the exterior 20 and only differing based on a thickness of the side walls of the half shells 30. Typically, such thickness is merely between about 1 and 3 mm or approximately 1/16 inch. The interior 22 could be left open, but most preferably is filled with foam core 60 and foam tips 80, so that the interior 22 is largely filled with solid material when the float 10 is constructed. At a minimum, a majority of the central compartment is filled with foam.

Each half shell 30 is typically a rigid monolithic unitary mass of material, typically formed by injection molding. As mentioned above, the half shells 30 could each be identical to each other, or could be similar in many ways but slightly different from each other, while still configured to attach to each other to complete the finished float 10 and to define the exterior 20 and interior 22 of the float 10.

The half shells 30 preferably include at least one form of fastener for holding the two half shells 30 together, in addition to the tabs 26 and grooves 28 identified above. In one example embodiment, two different forms of additional fasteners are provided for holding the half shells 30 together. One fastener is in the form of slots 32 and clips 34, which engage each other near the seam edges 24 to hold the half shells 30 together.

Each slot 32 preferably includes both a hole in the exterior 20 and also a box housing 33 which surrounds the slot 32. The box housing 33 assists in allowing the clips 34 to be secured to the slots 32. Each clip 34 preferably extends generally away from the seam edges 24 at various locations and along arrow A (FIG. 4), defining a direction that the half shells 30 are moved towards each other when connecting together. These clips 34 include an elongate trunk portion and a toothed tip 35. The toothed tip can engage with an edge of a box housing 33 when the clips 34 are inserted into the box housing 33 and through (or at least into) the slots 32. The clips 34 can flex somewhat perpendicular to the direction that they extend (along arrow D of FIG. 1), allowing the toothed tips 35 to move laterally somewhat when passing through the box housing 33, and then snap into the slots 32 to engage and hold the clips 34 to the slots 32. This configuration of slots 32, box housing 33 and clips 34 could be altered in various ways and still allow for a snapping connection of complimentary formed fastener portions to allow for the two half shells 30 to be joined together. Some forms of fasteners could be more permanent in nature, while other forms of fasteners could be reversibly detached, should it be desired at some point to open up the float 10 into two separate half shells 30 again, such as to replace a line L passing therethrough.

In one example embodiment, clips 34 (such as four clips) are provided on a left side of the half shell 30 while box housings 33 and slots 32 are provided (such as four slots 32 and box housings 33) on a right side of the half shell 30. Then, one of the half shells 30 can be rotated 180° so that slots 32 and box housings 33 of one half shell 30 can be brought together with clips 34 of the other half shell 30. In this way, half shells 30 which are identical to each other can be brought together and attached to complete the float 10.

In one embodiment a second fastener is also provided in the form of holes 36 and associated standoffs 38 and a mechanical fastener 39, such as a screw, bolt, rivet, pin, or other mechanical fastener. In the embodiment shown, one of the holes 36 is a blind bore in a standoff 38 while another hole 36 within another standoff 38 passes through the exterior 20, so that the hole 36 is in the form of a through bore. Generally, a mechanical fastener 39 can pass along the through bore and be threaded into the blind bore.

The blind bore hole 36 can be sized so that threads on the screw type mechanical fastener 39 can engage material from which the standoff 38 is formed. Alternatively, the blind bore could be tapped with female threads in advance to match threads of the screw type mechanical fastener 39. If the mechanical fastener 39 is in the form of a rivet, the blind bore hole 36 would instead be in the form of a through bore extending out of the exterior 20 to allow opposing heads of the rivet to each pass through to the exterior 20 of the float 10. Similarly, if a bolt and nut are utilized, the holes 36 would each be configured as through bores. Similarly, if the two holes 36 are similar in type (such as similar through bores), the holes 36 of two half shells 30 can be brought together and held together by a fastener.

By placing one type of hole 36 on one side of the half shell 30 and the other type of hole 36 on the opposite side of the half shell 30, one of the half shells can merely be rotated 180° so that the two different types of holes 36 can be aligned together for receipt of a mechanical fastener 39.

By providing two different types of fasteners, should environmental conditions such as thermal expansion or contraction (or corrosion) cause one of the fastener types to be compromised, the other fastener would be more likely to provide independent full redundancy to keep the two half shells 30 securely attached together. In this way, the float 10 can remain functional in a reliable fashion for a long expected service life, such as at least as long as an expected service life for the line L.

With particular reference to FIGS. 1-3, 5, 8 and 9, details of the inner walls 40 are described, according to one example embodiment. The interior walls 40 can provide for additional structural strength to the half shells 30 and also are configured to provide engagement with the line L, to resist translational movement of the line L (along arrow B of FIGS. 2 and 3) and to keep the float 10 from moving along the line L when the float 10 has been constructed and attached to the line L.

Each inner wall 40 is preferably a planar structure which is oriented within a plane perpendicular to the centerline C. Two inner walls 40 are provided in one embodiment, with each of the inner walls 40 closer to one of the ends 50 of the float 10. Each inner wall 40 is a semi-circle with a curved terminus 42 adjacent to the side wall exterior 20 of the float 10 and a mid-terminus 44 which is close to a plane in which the seam edges 24 are oriented, and near where the two half shells 30 come together.

In one embodiment, each inner wall 40 includes a notch 45 therein. The notch 45 is near the centerline C and keeps open a pathway for the line L to pass along the centerline C through the float 10. Each notch 45 includes a tooth 46 therein (at least one). Each tooth 46 extends from a root 48 where the tooth 46 joints to the inner wall 40 and a tip 49 opposite the root 48. In one embodiment, the teeth 46 have a length which causes the tips 49 to extend approximately halfway from the roots 48 to a top of each notch 45. As an example, if the line L is one inch in diameter, a notch 45 could have a ½ inch of depth and perhaps slightly less than a ½ inch in width (e.g. ⅜ inch). The teeth 46 would have a height of about ¼ inch extending from the root 48 at the bottom of each notch 45 to the tips 49, which would be located near a geometric center of each notch 45.

When two half shells 30 are brought together, the notches 45 of the two inner walls 40 would be adjacent to each other and result in an open space having a height of about one inch and a width of about ¾ of an inch. Two opposing teeth 46 would extend toward each other, each extending about ¼ inch, so that tips 49 of the two teeth 46 would be about ½ inch away from each other. These dimensions provide one typical example, with other dimensions being optional and adjustable to provide suitable engagement with the line L. For instance, the teeth 46 could be ⅛ inch long to place tips 49 ¾ inch from each other, or could be other sizes. One tooth 46 could also optionally be provided in each notch 45.

The line L is typically formed of multiple separate fibers and potentially strands/bundles of separate fibers, which can be displaced somewhat by the teeth 46 and side walls of the notches 45. Because the notches 45 are generally square/rectangular and the line L is generally circular in cross-section, some available area within the notches 45 is available for line L distortion from a circular cross-section to a somewhat square cross-section where the lines L pass through the notches 45. Furthermore, the teeth 46 can further displace portions of the line L within the mid notches 45. In addition, material forming the line L can to some extent be compressed. As a result, the line L can still fit through the mid notches 45 in the inner walls 40 when the half shells 30 are brought together, but it is a tight fit which distorts the line L somewhat and with the teeth 46 embedded somewhat into the line L. In one embodiment, side walls of the notches 45 can also be embedded somewhat into the line L. In this way, the line L resists motion along arrow B in a longitudinal direction that the line L extends, when the line L has been captured between the two half shells 30 during construction of the float 10.

In one embodiment, the inner walls 40 are formed from a common material with the half shells 30. The inner walls 40 could be injection molded along with the half shells 30 and be part of the unitary mass of material forming each half shell 30. As an alternative, the inner walls 40 could be formed of a similar material but separately provided within the interior 22 of the float 10, such as by bonding or other attachment to the half shells 30. As a further alternative, the inner walls 40 (or at least portions thereof) could be formed of a separate material than that forming the half shells 30. If desired, additional gussets or other planar or other shape supports could be provided within the half shell 30, along with the inner walls 40 or as an alternative to the inner walls 40, to provide structural rigidity of a desired amount to the half shell 30, and also to provide for secure engagement of the half shells 30 with the line L during construction of the float 10.

With particular reference to FIGS. 1-10, details of the ends 50 of the float 10 are described, according to one example embodiment. The ends are preferably planar (or nearly planar) and within planes oriented perpendicular to the centerline C of the float 10. The ends 50 provide a portion of the exterior 20 of the float 10. Each end 15 includes a portal 52 sized to allow the line L to pass therethrough, from an exterior 20 to an interior 22 of the float 10. In one embodiment, transitions at edges of the ends 50 are gradual. These transitions can include an outer transition 54 where the generally planar surface of the end 50 transitions into the spheroid contour provided over a majority of the exterior of the float 10 by the side wall. An inner transition 56 adjacent to each portal 52 is preferably also rounded somewhat, such as to prevent a sharp edge which might do damage to the line L over time, where it passes through the portals 52.

With particular reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, details of the foam core 60, trough 70 and foam tips 80 are described according to one example embodiment. While the float 10 could merely be left with a hollow interior 22, preferably the foam core 60 and foam tips 80 are provided so that the float 10 is not filled with water, but rather is filled (at least somewhat) with the foam core 60 and foam tips 80. Material forming the cores 60, 80 can be of a solid closed cell foam variety, typically of a polymer hydrocarbon material, such as an expanded foam urethane or styrofoam type material. With such a closed cell nature, water does not soak into the cores 60, 80. Furthermore, these cores 60, 80 preferably have a lesser density than water. In this way, only a small amount (if any) of water comes into the interior 22 of the float 10 and the float 10 maintains robust buoyancy, with the float 10 having a total mass significantly less than a mass of water displaced by the float 10. In this manner, the float 10 will tend to buoyantly position itself floating on a surface of water with preferably at least half of the float 10 residing above the surface of the water.

The foam core 60 is preferably provided into semi-spheroid portions, including a semi-spherical surface 62 and a flat side 64. In this way, the foam core 60 can fill a main central compartment volume of each half shell 30, between the two inner walls 40. Preferably the foam core 60 fills at least 50% of this volume, and most preferably at least about 90% of this volume.

Ends 66 of the foam core 60 are preferably flat and provided adjacent to the inner walls 40. Notches 67 can be strategically located in the foam core 60 to provide space for the box housing 33 and/or portions of the clips 34 to facilitate their function.

A trough 70 is preferably cut into the foam core 60 at the flat side 64 and extending along the centerline C. This trough 70 and the foam core 60 provides a pathway for the line L to pass through the float 10. This trough 70 could be square or round in various embodiments. In one embodiment, the trough 70 is sufficiently small that it has a friction fit with the line L, so that the trough 70 further assists in keeping the line L from translating longitudinally (along arrow B of FIGS. 2 and 3) due to frictional engagement with the foam core 60. Preferably the flat ends 66 of the foam core 60 are spaced apart sufficiently so that the foam core 60 fits tightly between the inner walls 40, so that the foam core 60 itself helps to provide further structural integrity for the overall float 10.

The foam tips 80 are sized and shaped to fill end compartment space between the inner walls 40 and the ends 50. Thus, the foam tips 80 include an accurate surface 82 opposite a pair of flats. This pair of flats are parallel to each other and include a small flat 84 opposite a large flat 86. The small flat 84 can be adjacent to the end 50 and the large flat 86 can be adjacent to the inner wall 40. A flat side 88 is provided, which is generally co-planar with the flat side 64 of the foam core 60. The foam tips 80 help to further fill the interior 22 of the float 10 to maximize buoyancy and to provide further structural rigidity. Portions of the trough 70 are also formed in the foam tips 80, similar to the way that they are formed in the foam core 60.

This disclosure is provided to reveal a preferred embodiment of the invention and a best mode for practicing the invention. Having thus described the invention in this way, it should be apparent that various different modifications can be made to the preferred embodiment without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention disclosure. When embodiments are referred to as “exemplary” or “preferred” this term is meant to indicate one example of the invention, and does not exclude other possible embodiments. When structures are identified as a means to perform a function, the identification is intended to include all structures which can perform the function specified. When structures of this invention are identified as being coupled together, such language should be interpreted broadly to include the structures being coupled directly together or coupled together through intervening structures. Such coupling could be permanent or temporary and either in a rigid fashion or in a fashion which allows pivoting, sliding or other relative motion while still providing some form of attachment, unless specifically restricted.