US 2011/0030602 A1 · ADJUSTABLY RIGID FLOATING ISLAND SYSTEM

Abstract

A floating island structure comprising a plurality of rectangular- and/or freeform-shaped modules and an internal linkage system; wherein the modules are comprised of nonwoven fibers; wherein the internal linkage system comprises a plurality of joiner plates and flexible or rigid tensioning members; wherein the modules are joined together by joiner plates; wherein the tensioning members are attached to the joiner plates and/or to internal plates; and wherein the joiner plates of adjacent modules are joined together to form the floating island structure. Natural and/or synthetic fibers are optionally used to fill in the cavities surrounding the tensioning members. A decking assembly is optionally installed on top of the modules to provide homogeneous or heterogeneous rigidity to the overall structure.

Claims35

Dependent claims

A floating island structure comprising a plurality of rectangular-shaped modules and an internal linkage system;

wherein the rectangular-shaped modules are comprised of nonwoven fibers;
wherein the internal linkage system comprises a plurality of joiner plates and flexible tensioning members;
wherein each rectangular-shaped module has a perimeter and comprises four joiner plates oriented perpendicularly to one another around the perimeter of the rectangular-shaped module;
wherein each flexible tensioning member comprises a first end and a second end, and wherein the first end of each flexible tensioning member is attached to one of the joiner plates and the second end of each flexible tensioning member is attached to the joiner plate that is directly opposite the joiner plate to which the first end of the flexible tensioning member is attached;
and
wherein the joiner plates of adjacent rectangular-shaped modules are joined together to form the floating island structure.

3 more elements

A floating island structure comprising a plurality of freeform-shaped modules and an internal linkage system;

wherein the freeform-shaped modules are comprised of nonwoven fibers;
wherein the internal linkage system comprises a plurality of joiner plates, a plurality of internal plates, and flexible tensioning members;
wherein each freeform-shaped module has at least one straight side and comprises at least one joiner plate that is situated along the straight side of the freeform-shaped module;
wherein the freeform-shaped module has an interior portion, and each freeform-shaped module comprises at least one internal plate that is situated in the interior portion of the freeform-shaped module and is oriented so that it is parallel to a joiner plate of the same module;
wherein the internal plate is held in place by at least one adhesive bond between the internal plate and the nonwoven fibers that comprise the freeform-shaped module;
wherein each flexible tensioning member comprises a first end and a second end, and wherein the first end of the flexible tensioning member is attached to a joiner plate and the second end of each flexible tensioning member is attached to an internal plate of the same module;
and
wherein the joiner plate of the freeform-shaped module is joined to the joiner plate of another freeform-shaped module.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Adjustably rigid floating island system

Life of this patent

Adjustably rigid floating island system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims35