초록 ▼

A buoy assembly for at least partially containing a floating material on a surface of a body of water in a selected area thereon. The buoy assembly includes a roll subassembly with a core element defined by a central axis thereof and a concentric roll of a predetermined length of a barrier material

A buoy assembly for at least partially containing a floating material on a surface of a body of water in a selected area thereon. The buoy assembly includes a roll subassembly with a core element defined by a central axis thereof and a concentric roll of a predetermined length of a barrier material wrapped around the core element, the barrier material extending between a fixed end attached to the core element and a free end thereof, and a body defining a cavity therein, the body including a mounting subassembly for locating the roll subassembly in a predetermined position therein. The body includes an aperture through which a deployed length of the barrier material passes as the deployed length exits the body, the aperture being formed for twisting the deployed length into an at least partially helical configuration.

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. A buoy assembly for at least partially containing a floating material on a surface of a body of water in a selected area thereon, the buoy assembly comprising: a roll subassembly comprising a core element defined by a central axis thereof and a concentric roll of a predetermined length

We claim: 1. A buoy assembly for at least partially containing a floating material on a surface of a body of water in a selected area thereon, the buoy assembly comprising: a roll subassembly comprising a core element defined by a central axis thereof and a concentric roll of a predetermined length of a barrier material wrapped around the core element, the barrier material extending between a fixed end attached to the core element and a free end thereof; a body defining a cavity therein, the body comprising a mounting subassembly for locating the roll subassembly in a predetermined position therein; and the body comprising an aperture through which a deployed length of the barrier material passes as the deployed length exits the body, the aperture being formed for twisting the deployed length into an at least partially helical configuration such that upon deployment of the deployed length on the water surface, the deployed length engages the water surface and extends above the water surface by a predetermined minimum distance for engaging the floating material. 2. A buoy assembly according to claim 1 in which, when the roll subassembly is in the predetermined position in the body, the aperture is coaxial with the core element. 3. A buoy assembly according to claim 2 in which the core element and the aperture are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance to permit the deployed length to be formed into the at least partially helical configuration as the deployed length passes through the aperture. 4. A buoy assembly according to claim 1 in which, after the body is located on the water surface in a floating position, the body sinks to a predetermined semi-submerged position during deployment of the deployed length. 5. A buoy assembly according to claim 4 in which the body sinks from the floating position to the semi-submerged position at a predetermined rate during deployment of the deployed length. 6. A buoy assembly according to claim 4 in which, when the body is in the semi-submerged position, the deployed length engages the water surface and extends above the water surface by the predetermined minimum distance for engagement with the floating material. 7. A buoy assembly according to claim 6 in which: the body comprises a main portion extending between a front end at which the aperture is located and a back end thereof distal thereto, and an end portion releasably attachable to the back end of the main portion; and the main portion and the end portion define at least one opening therebetween when the end portion is attached to the main portion for allowing water to enter the cavity, said at least one opening being sized to permit the body to sink at the predetermined rate. 8. A buoy assembly according to claim 7 in which the predetermined rate is between a minimum rate, defined by a minimum time for the body to sink to the predetermined semi-submerged position, and a maximum rate, defined by a maximum time for the body to sink to the predetermined semi-submerged position. 9. A buoy assembly according to claim 7 in which the mounting subassembly comprises a mounting part disposed on the end portion, for locating the roll subassembly in the predetermined position inside the body. 10. A buoy assembly according to claim 1 in which the body is substantially level as it sinks from the floating position to the semi-submerged position. 11. A buoy assembly according to claim 1 in which the roll subassembly additionally comprises a fastener element attached to the free end of the barrier material. 12. A buoy assembly according to claim 11 in which the body comprises a connecting element adapted for releasable connection with the fastener element for fastening the free end to the body to position the deployed length in a preselected location relative to the selected area. 13. A buoy assembly according to claim 1 in which the mounting subassembly comprises a threaded rod attached to an inner side of the end portion of the body for securing the roll subassembly in the predetermined position. 14. A buoy assembly according to claim 1 in which the roll subassembly additionally comprises a bag portion for limiting contact of barrier material in the roll with water. 15. A system for at least partially containing a floating material on a surface of a body of water in a selected area thereon, the system comprising: a plurality of buoy assemblies, each said buoy assembly comprising: a roll subassembly comprising a core element defined by a central axis thereof and a concentric roll of a predetermined length of a barrier material wrapped around the core element, the barrier material extending between a fixed end attached to the core element and a free end thereof; a body defining a cavity therein, the body comprising a mounting subassembly for locating the roll subassembly in a predetermined position therein; the body comprising an aperture through which at least a deployed length of the barrier material passes as the deployed length exits the body, the aperture being formed for twisting the deployed length into an at least partially helical configuration as the deployed length passes therethrough such that upon deployment of the deployed length on the water surface, the deployed length engages the water surface and extends above the water surface by a predetermined minimum distance for engaging the floating material; the roll subassembly comprising a fastener element attached to the free end; and the body comprising a connecting element adapted for connection with the fastener element for positioning the deployed length in a preselected location relative to the selected area. 16. A system according to claim 15 in which the buoy assemblies are connected in series. 17. A system according to claim 15 in which at least two of the buoy assemblies are connected in parallel. 18. A body adapted for deployment therefrom of a barrier material on a surface of water, the body comprising: a main portion defining a cavity therein, the main portion extending between a front end and a back end thereof, and an end portion positioned at the back end of the main portion; the body comprising a mounting subassembly for locating a roll of the barrier material in a predetermined position inside the body; the body comprising an aperture through which a deployed length of the barrier material passes as the deployed length exits the body, the aperture being formed for twisting the deployed length into an at least partially helical configuration as the deployed length passes therethrough; and the end portion being adapted for removal from the main portion to permit locating the roll in the cavity. 19. A method for at least partially containing a floating material on the surface of water in a selected area thereon, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a plurality of buoy assemblies, each said buoy assembly comprising: a roll subassembly comprising a core element defined by a central axis thereof and a concentric roll of a predetermined length of the barrier material wrapped around the core element, the barrier material extending between a fixed end attached to the core element and a free end thereof; a body defining a cavity therein, the body comprising a mounting subassembly for locating the roll subassembly in a predetermined position therein; and the body comprising an aperture through which at least a deployed length portion of the barrier material passes as the deployed length exits the body, the aperture being formed for twisting the deployed length into an at least partially helical configuration as the deployed length passes therethrough such that upon deployment of the deployed length on the water surface, the deployed length engages the water surface and extends above the water surface by a predetermined minimum distance; (b) selecting a lead buoy assembly; (c) connecting the other buoy assemblies to each other in series with the lead buoy assembly leading, to provide sufficient deployed lengths to contain the floating material in the selected area; (d) positioning the connected buoy assemblies in a vehicle for distribution therefrom; (e) causing the vehicle to move relative to the water; (f) distributing the lead buoy assembly on the water surface; and (g) distributing the other buoy assemblies following the lead buoy assembly in preselected locations relative to the selected area as the vehicle moves relative to the water. 20. A method according to claim 19 comprising: (g) connecting the lead buoy assembly to an object. 21. A method according to claim 19 comprising: (g) connecting the lead buoy assembly to a final one of the other buoy assemblies.