Benthic barrier mat and method
OwnerDouglas Fastinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A benthic barrier in which a polygonal shaped mat having straight sides is mounted on a similarly polygonal frame, but in which the frame sides bow out slightly between corners, causing the mat to stretch slightly and become taut. The frame comprises a plurality of straight leg members and a number of corner members as required by said polygonal shape. The corner members encompass interior angles which are from about 1 to about 5 degrees greater than the interior angle of the polygon defined by the straight sides of the mat. The frame member legs are rigid, but slightly flexible such that when assembled into the mat as an assembled frame, the straight legs are forced to bow out slightly between the corners, pulling the mat taut.
Claims20
A benthic barrier comprising:
- a polygonal shaped stretchable mat having straight sides prior to assembly into said benthic barrier, and corners between said sides;
- a frame comprised of corner members and rigid, but flexible legs which extend between and bow out between said frame corner members, said frame having a polygonal shape similar to that of said mat except for said legs bowing out between said corner members;
- said mat being assembled to said frame with said sides of said mat being secured to said bowed out legs of said frame, whereby said outward bow of frame legs cause said mat to stretch and become taut.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.