Flexible fabric barge apparatus and method
OwnerTerry G. Spragginventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Flexible fabric barges are connected together in a string for towing. The barges are interconnected by fabric sleeves which have zipper connections. A fabric towing cone is zipper connected to the lead barge. Each barge includes an elongated opening that allows cargo to be efficiently discharged from the barge. The elongated opening can be a circumferentially elongated opening that divides the barge into front and rear sections or the elongated opening can be a longitudinal opening which divides the barge into right and left sections.
Claims18
A flexible barge for transporting cargo having a density less than a body of water in which the barge is being used, comprising:
- an elongated container of flexible fabric construction having an elongated opening formed between first and second fabric sections;
- and
- fastener elements attached to each of the first and second fabric sections of the elongated container, the fastener elements attached to the first fabric section being structured to releasably engage the fastening elements attached to the second fabric section and thereby releasably close the elongated opening of the elongated container, wherein when the fastening elements are disengaged the cargo can be discharged through the elongated opening.
A method of dispersing sewage using a flexible elongated first barge having an elongated opening extending transverse to the elongation of the first barge, the method comprising:
- inputting the sewage into the first barge;
- closing the elongated opening of the first barge using fastener elements attached to opposite sides of the elongated opening;
- towing the first barge in the body of water with the elongated opening closed;
- opening the elongated opening by separating the fastener elements on opposite sides of the elongated from each other;
- and
- discharging the sewage through the elongated opening.
A flexible barge for transporting cargo, comprising:
- an elongated container of flexible fabric construction having an elongated opening formed between first and second fabric sections;
- and
- a zipper having a first set of teeth attached to the first fabric section and a second set of teeth attached to the second fabric section, the teeth attached to the first fabric section being structured to releasably engage the teeth attached to the second fabric section and thereby releasably close the elongated opening of the elongated container.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.