Module connectors

Claim 3

A method according to claim 1 additionally comprising the step of placing reinforcing rods in the compartment prior to filling said compartment with fluid concrete in such a fashion as to strengthen the joint between the hollow structures to resist separating forces that might be generated between the Structures.

Claim 4

A method according to claim 2 in which the aforesaid step of making watertight a compartment surrounding the threaded rods includes the inflation of a hollow o-ring-like seal surrounding the perimeter of the compartment.

Claim 5

A method according to claim 2 in which the aforesaid step of dewatering the compartment includes pumping seawater from the compartment; filling the compartment with fresh water and pumping it dry until no residue of seawater remains.

Claim 6

A method according to claim 2 in which the aforesaid step of tensioning the threaded rod comprises turning a turn buckle means located within the hollow floating structure and threadibly fastened to the threaded rods.

Claim 7

In a flotation structure for diminishing the effects of wave action including an elongate bottle-shaped chamber cast of concrete and having, a first portion shaped with a cross sectional area disposed and sized for defining a center buoyancy below said wave action, a second portion defining a neck of said bottle-shaped chamber integrally extending therefrom through and above the area of said wave action having an area which is a fraction of said cross-sectional area and, an upper connecting means carried adjacent said second portion including a plurality of prestressed members mounting coupling means attached on their opposite ends, an improved means for connecting adjacent said first portions is provided comprising: a seal for establishing a watertight union between adjacent lower connecting means similarly formed with adjacent elongate bottle chamber means; threaded rod means extending from within said first portion to threadably engage sockets on said adjacent lower connecting means of adjacent elongate bottle-shaped chambers for pulling said lower connecting means into an abutting relationship; recesses in the abutting faces of each lower connecting means defining an adjoining cavity therebetween; means for filling the adjoining cavity with plastic concrete to cure into a solid joint; and tensioning means to place said threaded rods in tensional loading from within said first portion of said elongate bottle-shaped chambers.

Claim 8

In a flotation structure for diminishing the effects of wave action including an elongate bottle-shaped chamber cast of concrete and having, a first portion shaped with a cross sectional area disposed and sized for defining a center buoyancy below said wave action, a second portion defining a neck of said bottle-shaped chamber integrally extending therefrom through and above the area of said wave action having an area which is a fraction of said cross-sectional area and, an upper connecting means carried adjacent said second portion including a plurality of prestressed members mounting coupling means attached on their opposite ends, an improved means for connecting adjacent said first portions is provided comprising: a seal for establishing a watertight union between adjacent lower connecting means similarly formed with adjacent elongate bottle chamber means; threaded rod means extending from within said first portion to threadably engage sockets on said adjacent lower connecting means of adjacent elongate bottle-shaped chambers for pulling said lower connecting means into an abutting relationship; recesses in the abutting faces of each lower connecting means defining an adjoining cavity therebetween; means for filling the adjoining cavity with plastic concrete to cure into a solid joint; and tensioning means to place said threaded rods in tensional loading from within said first portion of said elongate bottle-shaped chambers.

Claim 9

A flotation structure according to claim 6 in which said seal includes a synthetic rubber gasket which extends over the face of said lower connecting means.

Claim 10

A flotation structure according to claim 7 in which said synthetic rubber gasket includes an inflatable seal extending around the marginal portion thereof.

Claim 11

A flotation structure according to claim 6 further including reinforcing rods cast integrally into the lower connecting means and extending outwardly therefrom within the recesses in the abutting faces thereof to aid in strengthening a joint produced by filling the recesses with plastic concrete.

Claim 12

A floatation structure according to claim 6 further including: shoulder means formed in said recess and extending outwardly to be coplainer with the abutting faces of said lower connecting means; second seal means extending about the periphery of said shoulder means for making a watertight union between the shoulder means and a similar shoulder means in the adjoining floatation structure; and a watertight door carried by said shoulder means in the surface thereof surrounded by said second seal means and communicating with the interior of the floatation structure for providing a passageway between the interior of the floatation structures.

Claim 13

A floatation structure according to claim 9 further including: shoulder means formed in said recess and extending outwardly to be coplaner with the abutting faces of said lower connecting means; second seal means extending about the periphery of said shoulder means for making a watertight union between the shoulder means and a similar shoulder means in the adjoining floatation structure; and a watertight door carried by said shoulder means in the surface thereof surrounded by said second seal means and communicating with the interior of The floatation structure for providing a passageway between the interior of the floatation structures.