BUOY AND BUOY ASSEMBLY

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to South African Patent Application No. 2024/04505 filed on Jun. 11, 2024, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates to a buoy and to buoy assembly which is useful to create a barrier in a body of water thereby to demarcate a boundary line. In a preferred application the buoy assembly is such as to prevent or deter passage by unauthorised personnel across the boundary line.

U.S. Pat. No. 11,821,157 describes a water barrier formed from buoyant bodies. Additional prior art is disclosed in the citations to that patent.

What the current disclosure seeks to provide is a technique for the construction of a buoy which can be effectively implemented and for the creation of an elongate water barrier from a plurality of the buoys which is resistant to attack and which cannot readily be traversed.

SUMMARY

The disclosure provides a buoy comprising a body which is formed from at least two buoyant sections and a fastening arrangement which secures the sections together, and wherein a passage extends through the body.

Each section may be made from buoyant material in any appropriate process e.g. a moulding or roto-moulding process.

The body may have any suitable shape e.g. cylindrical, spherical or the like.

In one embodiment the body has first and second hemispherical ends and between the ends the body is substantially cylindrical in shape. Each buoyant section may then comprise what may be referred to as a half-cylinder with outwardly curved ends.

If the body is spherical and if use is made of two buoyant sections then preferably the sections are identical and each section comprises a hemisphere.

A significant advantage of the hemispherical shape, in each instance, is that there is substantial see-through visibility between ends of adjacent buoys. To prevent, or hinder, unwanted passage between adjacent buoys at least one protruding disc e.g. of circular shape made from metal or a plastics material may be positioned between the buoys. The use of a disc in this way does not unduly interfere with the see-through capability.

A similar benefit can be obtained by replacing the curved ends (hemispherical) in the cylindrical or spherical buoy with tapered ends. This increases the see-through area, but also lowers the deterrent effect between adjacent buoys. Additional discs between the buoys may be called for to address this aspect.

An advantage of shaping the ends of each buoy to be curved or tapered is that water drag, e.g. from flowing water in a river, in which the buoy is deployed, is reduced. The buoy installation is then more stable.

Each section may include an outer surface and an inner surface. The buoyant sections, when secured together by means of the fastening arrangement, preferably have the respective inner surfaces in contact with each other.

Each section on the inner surface may be formed with a respective channel positioned and shaped so that when the sections are secured together the channels form the passage.

The inner surface may include a number of reinforcing members e.g. of discs or other components of a suitable shape which extend transversely to the channel. This feature has been found to promote the formation of flat regular areas on the inner surface and adjacent the channel which, in turn, ensure accurate assembly thereby to facilitate rotation of an assembled buoy around an axial shaft to which the buoy is mounted. This rotation capability comprises an enhanced security feature in that it makes it difficult for an intruder to climb over the buoy.

The passage may have a first end and a second end and, at each end, the passage may terminate in an enlarged mouth which forms a recess in the outer surfaces of the sections.

A shaft may be located in the passage. The body may be rotatable relative to the shaft. The shaft may be rigid or it may be formed from a flexible component such as a specially constructed lightweight cable.

The buoy is free to rotate, without limitation, about the shaft. This is significant for if the buoy were fixed, say, to a chain, the freedom to rotate feature might be impeded.

A first retention or location member may be fixed to the shaft and may be positioned inside the enlarged mouth at one end of the passage. A second similar retention member may be fixed to the shaft, spaced from the first retention member, and may be positioned inside the enlarged mouth at an opposing end of the passage. These members e.g. in form of small discs on the shaft abut opposing surfaces of the buoy inside each enlarged mouth and help to maintain the buoy in an axial sense in position on the shaft but do not inhibit rotation of the buoy on the shaft. The rotation feature is important for it acts significantly to prevent a person from climbing over the buoy which is of a significant size e.g. with a diameter of 500 mm or more-this is exemplary and not limiting.

Each section may be formed with a number of fixing members which are embedded in material from which the section is made. When the inner surfaces of the sections are brought into contact with each other the respective fixing members in the sections are aligned and this provides a means whereby the sections can be secured to each other for example by means of bolts which are engaged with the fixing members.

Alternatively or additionally each section on its outer surface is formed with at least one locating formation with which an elongate fastening strap e.g. in the form of a ring or a part of a ring, is engaged. The locating formation may be a groove and a portion of an elongate strap may be located in the groove. The straps on one section may be fixed to the straps on the other section.

A plurality of straps may be used in this way and the straps may be further secured together by means of members which extend transversely to the longitudinal directions of the straps.

Alternatively and preferably a single strap, basically of circular shape, is located in each respective pair of aligned grooves of two buoy sections. Ends of the strap which carry a locking mechanism e.g. of an over-centre design are coupled to each other and, when actuated, force the two buoyant sections into tight engagement with each other. Once the locking mechanism has been actuated it is fixed e.g. by means of welding, deformation or the use of an adhesive in position so that the locking procedure cannot easily be reversed thereby to allow the two buoy sections to be released from each other—an action which would provide a pathway for unauthorised passage across the shaft to which the buoy sections are mounted.

A buoy assembly may be formed from at least two buoys, each of the aforementioned kind, which are mounted to a common shaft in the manner which has been described. A section of the shaft, between opposing adjacent surfaces of two buoys, may include deterrent structure e.g. in the form of a disc or discs.

The discs may be circular with a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the buoy.

The deterrent structure may be fixed to the shaft or may be rotatable relative to the shaft.

An anchor component may be provided on the shaft between opposing surfaces of adjacent buoys. The anchor component may be fixed to the shaft or to a disc or may be rotatable relative to the shaft.

A cable or a chain may be fixed to the anchor component thereby to tether the buoy assembly, when it is in water, to an anchor which is on a submerged surface. The number of anchors which are used is variable and is determined taking into account, at least, the strength of water flow at the region where the buoys are used. By way of example in a river installation with a fairly weak current there might be one anchor for twenty buoys. This however is exemplary and non-limiting.

In one embodiment a component which is on the shaft between opposing surfaces of adjacent buoys is used as an attachment point for a net or other structure which, in use, is positioned below the buoys and which is submerged in water with the buoys floating on a surface of the water. This component may be fixed to the shaft or may be rotatable relative to the shaft.

A net, suspended in the water from, and following the line of, a number of interconnected shafts forms an anti-dive barrier below the buoys.

The net may be suspended by means of attachments made to the shaft or to the discs. The former arrangement would be preferred though if the discs are mounted for rotation about the shaft.

A barrier may be formed from a number of buoy assemblies each of which is of the aforementioned kind. An end of a shaft in one barrier assembly is then joined or secured to an abutting end of a shaft of an adjacent barrier assembly. This process is extended to create a barrier of a desired length.

In one embodiment the abutting ends of two adjacent shafts are pivotally movable, to a limited extent, relative to each other. Two important features are present in a barrier constructed in this way. Adjacent barrier assemblies which are connected to each other are nonetheless pivotally movable relative to each other at least to a limited extent. This feature is important because it helps to reduce stresses imposed on the buoys which arise due to movement of water in which the buoys are positioned.

A second important aspect is that it is possible to flank a joint between abutting ends of two adjacent shafts by means of closely spaced deterrent discs or the like. In this way access to the joint is effectively hindered and the security rating of the barrier is markedly enhanced.

In one embodiment ends of adjacent abutting shafts fitted with a clevis and flange arrangement, which allows for a small amount of relative pivotal movement, are joined together for example by using a locking pin which is welded, deformed or adhesively fixed in position to prevent unwanted release. The locking pin is located between two closely spaced discs or the like on the respective shaft to restrict access to the joint.

In the barrier each buoy is rotatable on the shaft to which it is mounted. Each buoy is preferably of a substantial size so that a person in the water trying to cross over the barrier must climb up onto a buoy. As the buoy is rotatable on its shaft this type of passage is difficult.

In one arrangement the outer surface of each section from which a buoy is formed is smooth, except for the aforementioned grooves and fastening straps, so that the outer surface does not readily present a handhold or a foothold to a person attempting to climb over the buoy.

In a different form the outer surface of each section is formed with, or has attached to it, for example by using or modifying the fastening straps, components such as spikes which act as a significant deterrent to a person attempting to climb over a buoy.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure is further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a buoy assembly according to one embodiment,

FIG. 2 shows in section, at an angle displaced by 90° from the FIG. 1 drawing, the buoy assembly,

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a buoy which comprises two hemispherical sections,

FIG. 4 shows an assembled buoy in cross section,

FIG. 5 is a side view of two shafts one of which is included in the buoy assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2,

FIG. 6 shows on an enlarged scale a portion, marked “6”, of the shafts in FIG. 5 illustrating a joint or connection between the shafts,

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the joint in FIG. 6 in the direction of an arrow “7” showing a connector for an anti-dive barrier,

FIGS. 8 shows a variation of the shaft and disc assembly in FIG. 5, and

FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C are various views of buoys which can be used in place of the spherical buoys shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings is a view from one side of a barrier assembly 10 according to one embodiment. The barrier assembly includes a central shaft 12 (FIG. 2) and three buoys 14, 16 and 18 respectively.

FIG. 2 shows the barrier assembly of FIG. 1 from one side and in cross section but displaced at 90° relative to the FIG. 1 illustration.

The shaft 12 has a first end 22 and an opposing second end 24. A connecting member 26 in the form of a clevis projects from the first end 22 and a connecting member 28 in the form of a flange projects from the second end 24.

The buoys 14, 16 and 18 are identical to one another. For this reason it is only the construction of the buoy 14 which is described. The assembly 10 has three buoys. This is not limiting as the number of buoys per assembly can be increased or reduced.

Referring to FIG. 3 the buoy 14 is made from two hemispherical sections 46 which are identical to each other. The sections are moulded in a suitable process e.g. using roto-moulding techniques, from a buoyant or cellular material which due to entrapped air has a density less than 1.

Each section has a hemispherical outer surface 48 and a flat inner surface 50 which is formed with a centrally positioned diametrically extending channel 52 which in cross section is semi-circular. At opposing ends the channel terminates in respective enlarged mouths 54 and 56 which are also semi-circular in shape. When the sections are engaged with each other, the mouths form recesses 60, on opposed sides of the channels at the junction of the outer surface and the inner surface-see FIG. 4.

Optionally, reinforcing members 62 e.g. of shaped discs are embedded in the body of each section adjacent the channel. This helps to form flat surfaces 64A and 64B between the members, and facing the channel—features which facilitate buoy assembly and ensure that each buoy can rotate freely about its axis, in use.

A base 54A of the recess at the mouth 54 is spaced from a base 56A of the recess at the mouth 56 by a distance 66, which is the length of a passage 66A formed by the two channels 52.

The outer surface 48 of each section is formed with four parallel grooves 68, 70, 72 and 74 which, viewed from one side, are arcuate.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the shaft 12 which abuts a similar shaft 12A. FIG. 6 shows a connection joint 76 between the shafts 12 and 12A on an enlarged scale.

Each shaft 12, 12A has a respective number of retention members 90A to 90F, in the form of respective small discs fixed to it.

The spacings between the members 90A and 90B, between the members 90C and 90D, and between the members 90E and 90F, are indicated by the reference numeral 94 and are identical to one another. The dimension 94 is slightly greater than the dimension 66 shown in FIG. 4.

Substantially identical circular discs 100A, 100B of metal or of a hard plastics material are respectively mounted to each of the shafts 12, 12A between the members 90B and 90C, and 90D and 90E. Each disc could be fixed in position or it could be mounted so that it is pivotal to a small extent, or is rotatable, relative to the shaft 12. The discs have diameters which approximate the diameters of the buoys.

FIG. 6 illustrates opposing ends of the shafts 12 and 12A. The flange 28 of the shaft 12 is positioned in the clevis 26 of the shaft 12A. A headed pin 104 is passed through registering holes in the clevis and the flange and is then locked in position by means of an adhesive or by welding in situ to ensure a tamper-proof connection. The joint 76 between the shafts is such that relative pivotal movement between the shafts is possible to a limited extent.

The pin 104 is flanked by a disc 110 on the shaft 12 and by a smaller disc 112 fixed to the clevis 26 thereby to restrict access to the joint 76 between the shafts.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale of the joint between the shafts. The smaller disc 112 is not visible. A downwardly extending fastener 120 projects from the joint 76. This fastener provides a support for an anchor, not shown, to anchor the buoy assembly to ground in a body of water or for the attachment of an anti-dive structure, e.g. a net positioned below the buoy assembly, to prevent an intruder from swimming through water below the buoys.

The buoy assembly 10 in FIG. 1 requires six hemispherical sections 46 each of the kind shown in FIG. 3. These sections are assembled in pairs with the channels 52 aligned so that the shaft 12 can lie in the elongate passage 66A which is formed by the longitudinally aligned channels. The dimension 66 is slightly less than the dimension 94 and each pair of buoy sections thus fits closely between a pair of adjacent retention members 90. Straps 140 of roughly circular shape but of different diametrical dimensions are then fitted into the grooves 68 to 74 respectively and wrapped circumferentially around the buoy sections in order to secure each pair of buoy sections together with the inner surfaces 50 of the sections opposing and in contact with each other.

Respective ends of each strap carry over-centre connectors 140A and 140B respectively. When these connectors are mated and then actuated the buoy sections are urged tightly together with the inner surfaces 50 thereof opposing and in firm contact with each other. The over-centre connectors, once actuated, are welded or glued together to prevent unauthorised release thereof.

Each pair of buoy sections, when brought together in the manner described, makes up a spherical buoy.

In each buoy the respective retention members 90A to 90F are snugly located in the recesses 60 at opposing ends of the passages 66A. This process produces a buoy assembly of the kind shown in FIG. 1. Abutting ends of shafts of adjacent buoy assemblies are fixed to one another, as described, to produce an elongate floating barrier.

The process can be continued in this way, within reason, to create an elongate barrier of a desired length formed from a plurality of barrier assemblies wherein each assembly includes three buoys (in this embodiment). The pivotal type connection which is established in the manner which has been described allows for a degree of pivotal movement of some buoys relative to adjacent buoys.

When adjacent shafts are secured together as has been described hereinbefore, the joint between the shafts is preferably pivotal, to some extent, to allow for water movement which may act to displace one buoy assembly relative to an adjacent buoy assembly.

The use of rigid shafts in the barrier assemblies is exemplary and not limiting, for suitably constructed flexible cables could be used instead of the rigid shafts.

A barrier which comprises barrier assemblies which are connected to one another is installed in a body of water 178 e.g. in a harbour, in a river or the like, at a required location. To maintain the barrier in position cables or chains 180, notionally shown in FIG. 1, are fixed to the anchor fasteners 120 (FIG. 7) and are attached to anchors 182 which rest on a submerged ground surface 184. Netting 190 or cables or other barriers can be attached to the buoys e.g. by using fasteners which are engaged with the discs 100 or to the anchor fasteners to hang downwardly in the water 178 thereby to form an impediment (an anti-dive barrier) to any person trying to swim below the barrier.

FIG. 1 illustrates a single anchor installation. The number of anchors used depends on the water conditions and other factors. Typically one anchor would be used for every twenty buoys. This figure is exemplary and non-limiting. The number of anchors depends on installation conditions, water flow rates and the like.

As each buoy is rotatable about the shaft to which it is attached it is difficult for a person to breach the barrier by trying to climb over the buoys. The construction of the barrier assembly is such that only short portions of the shafts between adjacent buoys are visible. The connection of one shaft to another is achieved by means of a joint in which components of the joint are welded or adhesively fixed together. It is therefore difficult to tamper with the shaft. Also, as is shown in FIG. 2, the retention members 90 are set deep inside each of the recesses 60 and cannot readily be accessed. The members 90 prevent the buoys from moving in axial directions along the shafts.

The outer surfaces of the buoys are smooth, and do not provide a foothold nor a handhold. However, if required spikes can be attached to the outer surfaces e.g. by making use of the straps.

The discs between adjacent buoys can have deterrent members fixed to them e.g. by means of bolts. Alternatively the edges of the discs could be serrated. It is preferred though for the edges to be smooth.

FIG. 8 shows in perspective discs 100X which are perforated and which include spiked peripheries 100Y. The perforations reduce weight and the spiked peripheries act as deterrents.

The disclosure has been described thus far with reference to the use of spherical buoys. In another embodiment the spherical buoys are replaced by substantially cylindrical buoys 210 each of the kind shown from one side in FIG. 9A. Each buoy 210 has a first hemispherical end 212, a second hemispherical end 214 and, between the ends, an elongate substantially cylindrical body portion 216.

The buoy 210 is formed from two identical sections 218-one section is shown in FIG. 9B (which also shows the buoy 210 in cross section). The internal construction is substantially similar to what is shown in FIG. 4 and for that reason similar features bear similar reference numerals and are not further described herein.

The curved ends of the buoys provide a see-through feature which is highly useful when adjacent buoys are fixed close to each other on a shaft. A deterrent disc of the kind described herein is used between adjacent buoys to hinder access through a gap between adjacent buoys.

The construction shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B can be varied as shown in FIG. 9C in that ends of the substantially cylindrical buoys could be tapered (222) as opposed to being curved or hemispherical, again to provide a “see-through” capability. A bigger gap between adjacent buoys may be created by the use of this technique, and additional discs between adjacent buoys may then be called for to impede passage by an intruder through the enlarged gap. If required the spherical buoys may similarly be reconfigured-refer for example to FIG. 4 wherein dotted lines 230 indicate tapered surfaces which replace the curved end surfaces of the buoys.