Source: http://www.patentsencyclopedia.com/app/20120304912
Timestamp: 2017-11-17 20:33:35
Document Index: 710444866

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 845', 'art 846', 'art 845', 'arts 200', 'art 200', 'art 300', 'art 200', 'art 200', 'art 400', 'art 200', 'art 400', 'arts 200', 'art 500', 'art 400', 'art 500', 'arts 200', 'arts 200', 'art 600', 'art 600', 'art 600', 'art 110', 'art 110', 'art 600', 'arts 600', 'arts 600', 'arts 600', 'arts 600', 'arts 600', 'arts 600']

FLOATING CONCRETE BODY AND A FLOATING ASSEMBLY USING THE SAME - Patent application
Patent application title: FLOATING CONCRETE BODY AND A FLOATING ASSEMBLY USING THE SAME
Inventors: Bok Gyun Jeong (Yeosu-Si, KR)
Assignees: Marine Korea Co., Ltd.
IPC8 Class: AB63B514FI
Patent application number: 20120304912
The present invention relates to a floating concrete body and to a floating assembly using the same, comprising: a main body having a buoyancy space to provide buoyancy; and a buoyancy member which has a lower specific gravity than water and fills the buoyancy space in such a way that it can block water from flowing into the buoyancy space. The floating concrete body and the floating assembly using the same according to the present invention have the advantage that buoyancy can be provided even if cracking occurs in an outer wall of the floating concrete body, since water is blocked from flowing into the flotation space of the floating concrete body because the flotation space is filled by the buoyancy member. The floating concrete body and the floating assembly using the same according to the present invention which are constituted in this way can be employed in offshore fishing sites, offshore lodges, floating breakwaters, floating roadbridges and non-magnetic enclosures.
1. A floating concrete body comprising: a main body having a buoyancy space to provide buoyancy; and a buoyancy member filling the buoyancy space to block water from flowing induced into the buoyancy space and having a smaller specific weight than water.
2. The floating concrete body of claim 1, wherein the buoyancy member is made of one of styrofoam, urethane and glass wool.
3. The floating concrete body of claim 1, further comprising an insulating member installed on an inner wall of the main body to prevent the heat from the outside of the main body to being transferred to the buoyancy member.
4. The floating concrete body of claim 3, wherein the insulating member is made of one of styrofoam, urethane and glass wool.
5. A floating concrete body comprising: a main body having an internal floatation space; and a plurality of auxiliary floats accommodated in the floatation space and each having an internal space to provide buoyancy.
6. A floating assembly comprising: floating concrete bodies each including a main body having a buoyancy space to provide buoyancy and a buoyancy member filling the buoyancy space to block water from flowing induced into the buoyancy space and having a lower specific weight than water; and a connection unit providing a coupling force to connect the floating concrete bodies to each other.
7. A floating assembly comprising: floating concrete bodies each including a main body having an internal buoyancy space and a plurality of auxiliary floats accommodated in the floatation space and each having an internal space to provide buoyancy; and a connection unit providing a coupling force for coupling the floating concrete bodies to each other.
8. The floating assembly of claim 6, wherein the connection unit comprises: a plurality of restriction members installed in the floating concrete bodies adjacent to each other and having throughholes; a connection member inserted into the throughholes of the restriction members facing each other and having interference members interfered by the restriction members fixed at its opposite ends to be prevented from being deviated from the restriction members; and a fastening member fastened to at least one of the restriction members to interfere the interference members and capable of applying a tensile force to the connection member by adjusting fastening positions of the fastening member with respect to the restriction members.
9. The floating assembly of claim 6, wherein the connection unit comprises: a first coupling unit having opposite ends fixed to upper portions of the floating concrete bodies to provide coupling forces to the upper portions of the floating concrete bodies; and a second coupling unit coupling lower portions of the floating concrete bodies to each other to prevent a rotational moment about the first coupling unit from being generated in the floating concrete bodies due to an external force.
11. The floating assembly of claim 9, wherein the second coupling unit comprises: upper and lower slot members extending to pass through the floating concrete bodies adjacent to each other in an up-and-down direction and having penetration holes formed in a lengthwise direction; upper and lower wire units inserted into the penetration holes of the upper and lower slot members facing each other such that opposite ends thereof are positioned on the upper portions of the floating concrete bodies; and upper and lower fixing units fixing the opposite ends of the upper and lower wire units to top surfaces of the floating concrete bodies.
12. The floating assembly of claim 9, wherein the first coupling unit comprises: front and rear slot members installed at upper portions of the floating concrete bodies adjacent to each other, extending in parallel with lengthwise directions of the floating concrete bodies and having throughholes formed in the lengthwise directions; front and rear wire units inserted into the throughholes of the front and rear slot members facing each other; and front and rear fixing units fixing opposite ends of the front and rear wire units to the floating concrete bodies.
13. The floating assembly of claim 5, further comprising a shock absorbing member installed between the main bodies facing each other to prevent the floating concrete bodies adjacent to each other from colliding each other.
14. The floating assembly of claim 5, further comprising: a first floating part having the floating concrete bodies connected to each other in lengthwise directions by the connection unit; a second floating part having the floating concrete bodies connected to each other in parallel with the first floating part by the connection unit at a location spaced apart from the first floating part; a third floating part having the floating concrete bodies connected to each other by the connection unit in a direction orthogonal to the first floating part and having first ends of the first and second floating parts facing each other connected to its opposite ends; and a fourth floating part having the floating concrete bodies connected to each other by the connection unit in a direction orthogonal to the first floating part and having second ends of the first and second floating parts facing each other connected to its opposite ends.
16. The floating assembly of claim 7, wherein the connection unit comprises: a plurality of restriction members installed in the floating concrete bodies adjacent to each other and having throughholes; a connection member inserted into the throughholes of the restriction members facing each other and having interference members interfered by the restriction members fixed at its opposite ends to be prevented from being deviated from the restriction members; and a fastening member fastened to at least one of the restriction members to interfere the interference members and capable of applying a tensile force to the connection member by adjusting fastening positions of the fastening member with respect to the restriction members.
17. The floating assembly of claim 7, wherein the connection unit comprises: a first coupling unit having opposite ends fixed to upper portions of the floating concrete bodies to provide coupling forces to the upper portions of the floating concrete bodies; and a second coupling unit coupling lower portions of the floating concrete bodies to each other to prevent a rotational moment about the first coupling unit from being generated in the floating concrete bodies due to an external force.
18. The floating assembly of claim 6, further comprising a shock absorbing member installed between the main bodies facing each other to prevent the floating concrete bodies adjacent to each other from colliding each other.
19. The floating assembly of claim 7, further comprising a shock absorbing member installed between the main bodies facing each other to prevent the floating concrete bodies adjacent to each other from colliding each other.
20. The floating assembly of claim 6, further comprising: a first floating part having the floating concrete bodies connected to each other in lengthwise directions by the connection unit; a second floating part having the floating concrete bodies connected to each other in parallel with the first floating part by the connection unit at a location spaced apart from the first floating part; a third floating part having the floating concrete bodies connected to each other by the connection unit in a direction orthogonal to the first floating part and having first ends of the first and second floating parts facing each other connected to its opposite ends; and a fourth floating part having the floating concrete bodies connected to each other by the connection unit in a direction orthogonal to the first floating part and having second ends of the first and second floating parts facing each other connected to its opposite ends.
21. The floating assembly of claim 7, further comprising: a first floating part having the floating concrete bodies connected to each other in lengthwise directions by the connection unit; a second floating part having the floating concrete bodies connected to each other in parallel with the first floating part by the connection unit at a location spaced apart from the first floating part; a third floating part having the floating concrete bodies connected to each other by the connection unit in a direction orthogonal to the first floating part and having first ends of the first and second floating parts facing each other connected to its opposite ends; and a fourth floating part having the floating concrete bodies connected to each other by the connection unit in a direction orthogonal to the first floating part and having second ends of the first and second floating parts facing each other connected to its opposite ends.
[0001] The present invention relates to a floating concrete body and a floating assembly using the same, and more particularly, to a floating concrete body and a floating assembly using the same, which can block water from flowing into a buoyancy space in the floating concrete body.
[0002] In recent years, marine structures using floating bodies in the sea are gradually increasingly used.
[0003] The floating structure can be used in marine plants, offshore fishing sites or marine parks and is increasingly used in a large scale.
[0004] The floating structure is generally formed using concrete and has a hollow rectangular structure. The floating structure has an internal space having partitioning parts arranged in constant intervals, forming a plurality of hollows.
[0005] The partitioning parts do not completely divide the internal space of the floating structure but may be installed by multiple pillars or discontinuous wall bodies. The partitioning parts may be arranged according to the designer's intention.
[0006] Korean Utility Model Registration No. 20-0394559 discloses a `marine floating structure.`
[0007] The marine floating structure is filled with air to constitute a hexahedral body and includes one or more upper and lower recessed grooves formed at its side portion, the upper and lower recessed grooves having portions of exterior sides vertically opened, a plurality of floating bodies provided at a central boundary of each of the upper and lower recessed grooves, the plurality of floating bodies having vertical throughholes formed inwardly, and upper and lower insertion bodies fixing the floating bodies while being inserted into two opposed upper recessed grooves in a top-and-bottom direction so as not to be deviated laterally in a state in which side portions of the floating bodies to be connected tightly contact each other.
[0008] However, the marine floating structure is not provided with blocking means capable of blocking water flowing into a buoyancy space in an event of cracking occurring to the external surface of the marine floating structure, resulting in a reduction in buoyancy provided to the floating bodies.
[0009] In order to overcome the above-mentioned shortcomings, the present invention provides a floating concrete body and a floating assembly using the same, and more particularly, to a floating concrete body and a floating assembly using the same, which can block water from flowing into a buoyancy space in the floating concrete body even when cracking occurs to the exterior surface of the floating concrete body.
[0010] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a floating concrete body including a main body having a buoyancy space to provide buoyancy, and a buoyancy member filling the buoyancy space to block water from flowing induced into the buoyancy space and having a smaller specific weight than water.
[0011] The buoyancy member may be made of one of styrofoam, urethane and glass wool.
[0012] The floating concrete body may further include an insulating member installed on an inner wall of the main body to prevent the heat from the outside of the main body to being transferred to the buoyancy member.
[0013] The insulating member may be made of one of styrofoam, urethane and glass wool.
[0014] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a floating concrete body including a main body having an internal floatation space, and a plurality of auxiliary floats accommodated in the floatation space and each having an internal space to provide buoyancy.
[0015] According to still another aspect of the invention, there is provided a floating assembly including floating concrete bodies each including a main body having a buoyancy space to provide buoyancy and a buoyancy member filling the buoyancy space to block water from flowing induced into the buoyancy space and having a lower specific weight than water, and a connection unit providing a coupling force to connect the floating concrete bodies to each other.
[0016] According to still another aspect of the invention, there is provided a floating assembly including floating concrete bodies each including a main body having an internal buoyancy space and a plurality of auxiliary floats accommodated in the floatation space and each having an internal space to provide buoyancy, and a connection unit providing a coupling force for coupling the floating concrete bodies to each other.
[0017] The connection unit may include a plurality of restriction members installed in the floating concrete bodies adjacent to each other and having throughholes, a connection member inserted into the throughholes of the restriction members facing each other and having interference members interfered by the restriction members fixed at its opposite ends to be prevented from being deviated from the restriction members, and a fastening member fastened to at least one of the restriction members to interfere the interference members and capable of applying a tensile force to the connection member by adjusting fastening positions of the fastening member with respect to the restriction members.
[0018] The connection unit may include a first coupling unit having opposite ends fixed to upper portions of the floating concrete bodies to provide coupling forces to the upper portions of the floating concrete bodies, and a second coupling unit coupling lower portions of the floating concrete bodies to each other to prevent a rotational moment about the first coupling unit from being generated in the floating concrete bodies due to an external force.
[0019] The second coupling unit may include a connection plate having opposite ends installed at lower portions of the floating concrete bodies adjacent to each other, and a plate fixing unit fixing the connection plate to the floating concrete bodies.
[0020] The second coupling unit may include upper and lower slot members extending to pass through the floating concrete bodies adjacent to each other in an up-and-down direction and having penetration holes formed in a lengthwise direction, upper and lower wire units inserted into the penetration holes of the upper and lower slot members facing each other such that opposite ends thereof are positioned on the upper portions of the floating concrete bodies, and upper and lower fixing units fixing the opposite ends of the upper and lower wire units to top surfaces of the floating concrete bodies.
[0021] The first coupling unit may include front and rear slot members installed at upper portions of the floating concrete bodies adjacent to each other, extending in parallel with lengthwise directions of the floating concrete bodies and having throughholes formed in the lengthwise directions, front and rear wire units inserted into the throughholes of the front and rear slot members facing each other, and front and rear fixing units fixing opposite ends of the front and rear wire units to the floating concrete bodies.
[0022] The floating assembly may further include a shock absorbing member installed between the main bodies facing each other to prevent the floating concrete bodies adjacent to each other from colliding each other.
[0023] The floating assembly may further include a first floating part having the floating concrete bodies connected to each other in lengthwise directions by the connection unit, a second floating part having the floating concrete bodies connected to each other in parallel with the first floating part by the connection unit at a location spaced apart from the first floating part, a third floating part having the floating concrete bodies connected to each other by the connection unit in a direction orthogonal to the first floating part and having first ends of the first and second floating parts facing each other connected to its opposite ends, and a fourth floating part having the floating concrete bodies connected to each other by the connection unit in a direction orthogonal to the first floating part and having second ends of the first and second floating parts facing each other connected to its opposite ends.
[0024] The plurality of floating concrete bodies may be connected to each other by the connection unit, and a plurality of partitioning parts are provided in a rectangular space generated by the first to fourth floating parts to partition the space.
[0025] As described above, in the floating concrete body and the floating assembly using the same according to the present invention, since a floatation space of the floating concrete body is filled with buoyancy members, it is possible to block water from flowing into the floatation space of the floating concrete body, thereby providing buoyancy even when cracking occurs to the exterior surface of the floating concrete body.
[0026] The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0027] FIG. 1 is a partially cross-sectional perspective view of a floating concrete body according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 2 is a partially cross-sectional perspective view of a floating concrete body according to another embodiment of the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 3 is a partially cross-sectional perspective view of a floating concrete body according to still another embodiment of the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 4 is a partially cross-sectional perspective view of a connection unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0031] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the connection unit shown in FIG. 4;
[0032] FIG. 6 is a partially cross-sectional perspective view of a connection unit according to another embodiment of the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the connection unit shown in FIG. 6;
[0034] FIG. 8 is a partially cross-sectional perspective view of a connection unit according to still another embodiment of the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the connection unit shown in FIG. 8;
[0036] FIG. 10 is a partially cross-sectional perspective view of a connection unit according to still another embodiment of the present invention;
[0037] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the connection unit shown in FIG. 10;
[0038] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a floating assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0039] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a floating assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention;
[0040] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a floating assembly according to still another embodiment of the present invention;
[0041] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a floating assembly according to still another embodiment of the present invention;
[0042] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a floating assembly according to still another embodiment of the present invention; and
[0043] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a floating assembly according to still another embodiment of the present invention.
[0044] Hereinafter, a floating concrete body and a floating assembly using the same according to embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0045] FIG. 1 illustrates a floating concrete body 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0046] Referring to FIG. 1, the floating concrete body 10 includes a main body 20 having a buoyancy space 21 therein, a buoyancy member 26 filling the buoyancy space 21, an insulating member 29 installed on an inner wall of the main body 20, and a plurality of guard members 40 installed on an outer wall of the main body 20.
[0047] The main body 20 is shaped of a trapezoid having a cross-sectional area gradually decreasing downwardly and has an internal buoyancy space 21 to provide buoyancy to the floating concrete body 10.
[0048] Meanwhile, according to various embodiments of a connection unit 50 to be described later, the main body 20 has opposing exterior surfaces formed to be perpendicular to a top surface of the main body 20.
[0049] The main body 20 is preferably made of concrete so as to maintain its rigid structure even against external shocks. The main body 20 floats on the sea surface by the buoyancy generated by the air filling the buoyancy space 21.
[0050] Although not shown, the internal buoyancy space 21 of the main body 20 is partitioned into several divided spaces by barriers (not shown). Since the buoyancy space 21 is partitioned into multiple divided spaces by the barriers, the barriers can block water from flowing into the other side of the main body 20 even if one side of the main body 20 is damaged and water flows into the buoyancy space 21, thereby allowing the main body 20 to maintain a constant level of buoyancy.
[0051] The buoyancy member 26 is made of one of styrofoam, urethane and glass wool, which has a lower specific weight than water. Even when cracking occurs to the external surface of the main body 20 by the buoyancy member 26, it is possible to block water from flowing into the buoyancy space 21, and even when water flows into the buoyancy space 21, buoyancy is provided to the main body 20 by the buoyancy member 26.
[0052] An insulating member 29 is installed on the inner wall of the main body 20 to prevent the heat from the outside of the main body 20 from being transferred to the buoyancy member 26. The insulating member 29 is preferably made of one of styrofoam, urethane and glass wool so as to easily insulate the buoyancy space 21 from the heat.
[0053] Meanwhile, the insulating member 29 is installed in a mold when concrete is poured to fabricate the main body 20 to be used as a mold of the inner wall of the main body 20.
[0054] The plurality of guard members 40 are bonded to continuously or discontinuously protrude on the outer wall of the main body 20 with respect to the side walls of the main body 20 in a lengthwise direction of the main body 20. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the guard members 40 has a trapezoidal structure, but the present invention does not limit shapes of the guard members 40 to that illustrated herein. Rather, the guard members 40 may have semi-circular or hemispherical shapes.
[0055] In addition, the guard members 40 are preferably installed at upper sides of the main body 20, thereby facilitating contacts between the guard members 40 and upper side surfaces of a ship, which upwardly increase.
[0056] Meanwhile, the guard members 40 are formed to protrude with respect to the outer wall of the main body 20 so as to easily absorb shocks due to collision of the ship, and are made of soft rubber.
[0057] The ship approaching the floating concrete body 10 comes into contact with the guard members 40 and the guard members 40 made of soft rubber absorb the shocks, thereby lessening the shocks transferred to the main body 20.
[0058] Although not shown, unlike in the current embodiment, the guard members 40 may be fixed by fastening means, such as bolts, instead of being bonded to the main body 20.
[0059] FIG. 2 illustrates a floating concrete body 11 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The same functional components shown in the previous embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.
[0060] Referring to FIG. 2, the floating concrete body 11 includes a plurality of auxiliary floats 120 accommodated in a floatation space 21.
[0061] Although not shown, each of the auxiliary floats 120 has an internal space in which buoyancy is generated. The auxiliary floats 120 are made of glass fiber reinforced plastic, such as FRP, which is light in weight and easily formable.
[0062] When the main body 20 is damaged due to external shocks, such as collision of a ship, and water flows into the buoyancy space 21, it can maintain a predetermined level of buoyancy by the plurality of auxiliary floats 120 accommodated in the buoyancy space 21.
[0063] Meanwhile, the above-described floating concrete body 10 is connected to another floating concrete body adjacent to the floating concrete body 10 using a connection unit, thereby providing a floating assembly.
[0064] As shown in FIG. 3, the auxiliary floats 120 may be formed in large sizes to then be installed in the buoyancy space 21.
[0065] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a connection unit 800.
[0066] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the connection unit 800 includes a first coupling unit 810 having opposite ends fixed to upper portions of floating concrete bodies 10 to provide coupling forces to the upper portions of the floating concrete bodies 10, a second coupling unit 820 coupling lower portions of the floating concrete bodies 10, and a shock absorbing member 830 installed between the floating concrete bodies 10 and preventing collision of the floating concrete bodies 10.
[0067] The first coupling unit 810 includes first fixing blocks 811 installed on top surfaces of the floating concrete bodies 10 to be inwardly buried, front and rear slot members 812 installed in the first fixing blocks 811 and having throughholes, front and rear wire units 813 inserted into the front and rear slot members 812 facing each other, and front and rear fixing units 814 fixing opposite ends of the front and rear wire units 813 to the floating concrete bodies 10, respectively.
[0068] Top surfaces of the first fixing blocks 811 are opened first fixing blocks 811 front and rear wire units 813 and the front and rear fixing units 814 are provided in the first fixing blocks 811, which will later be described. Although not shown, throughholes are formed on front and rear inner walls of the first fixing blocks 811 at locations corresponding to the throughholes of the front and rear wire units 813.
[0069] First ends of the front and rear slot members 812 are fixed to outer walls of the first fixing blocks 811 to pass through the throughholes of the first fixing blocks 811.
[0070] The front and rear slot members 812 are formed to extend in parallel with a lengthwise direction of the floating concrete body 10 such that second ends thereof are exposed to the external surface facing an adjacent floating concrete body 10.
[0071] The front and rear wire units 813 are inserted into the throughholes of the front and rear slot members 812 facing each other, and the floating concrete bodies adjacent to each other are preferably steel wires having a predetermined thickness so as to be firmly connected.
[0072] The front and rear fixing units 814 fix opposite ends of the front and rear wire units 813 to the first fixing blocks 811 and include first collets 815 and first fastening members 816.
[0073] The first collets 815, which are installed at opposite ends of the front and rear wire units 813, respectively, are generally used collets, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
[0074] The first fastening members 816 are installed on inner walls of the first fixing blocks 811 located to correspond to the throughholes of the first fixing blocks 811 and have insertion holes formed on side surfaces thereof so as to be led to the throughholes of the first fixing blocks 811 and to allow the first collets 815 to be inserted thereto.
[0075] The insertion holes are preferably formed to have inner diameters gradually decreasing from top surfaces of the first fastening members 816 to the inner walls of the first fixing blocks 811 such that outer circumferential surfaces of the first collets 815 are pressed as the first collets 815 are inserted further.
[0076] In the illustrated embodiment, the front and rear fixing units 814 include the first collets 815 and the first fastening members 816, but the present invention does not limit the structures of the front and rear fixing units 814 to those illustrated herein. Rather, the front and rear fixing units 814 may achieve fixing by welding or using fixing means, such as bolts and nuts.
[0077] The second coupling unit 820 includes a connection plate 821 having opposite ends installed at lower side surfaces of floating concrete bodies adjacent to each other, and a plate fixing unit 822 fixing the connection plate 821 to the floating concrete body 10.
[0078] The connection plate 821 is shaped of a plate having a predetermined thickness. Meanwhile, in the illustrated embodiment, the plate fixing unit 822 is a bolt fastened to the side surface of the floating concrete body 10 while passing through the connection plate 821, but the present invention does not limit the structure of the plate fixing unit 822 to that illustrated herein. Rather, the plate fixing unit 822 may include any type of fixing means as long as it is capable of fixing the connection plate 821 to the side surface of the floating concrete body 10, such as fixing means using welding.
[0079] The shock absorbing member 830 is installed between main bodies facing each other and is formed to have a hexagonal cross section. Although not shown, the shock absorbing member 830 may have a circular or elliptical cross section, rather than the hexagonal cross section.
[0080] Meanwhile, the shock absorbing member 830 is preferably made of rubber or urethane so as to adaptively prevent shocks due to collision of the floating concrete bodies 10 from being transferred.
[0081] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a second coupling unit 840 according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[0082] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the second coupling unit 840 includes a second fixing block 841 installed on a top surface of each of the floating concrete bodies 10, upper and lower slot members 842 installed on a bottom surface of the second fixing block 841, extending to pass through the floating concrete bodies 10 adjacent to each other in an up-and-down direction and having penetration holes formed in a lengthwise direction, upper and lower wire units 843 inserted into the penetration holes of the upper and lower slot members 842 facing each other, and upper and lower fixing units 844 fixing opposite ends of the upper and lower wire units 843 to the floating concrete bodies 10, respectively.
[0083] Top surfaces of the second fixing block 841 are opened, and spaces for installing the upper and lower wire units 843 and the upper and lower fixing units 844 are provided in the second fixing block 841. Although not shown, throughholes are formed on a lower inner wall of the second fixing block 841 at locations corresponding to the penetration holes of the upper and lower wire units 843.
[0084] First ends of the upper and lower slot members 842 are fixed to lower outer walls of the second fixing blocks 841 to be connected to the penetration holes of the second fixing blocks 841.
[0085] The first ends of the upper and lower slot members 842 are fixed to lower outer walls of the second fixing blocks 841 and include a first extension part 845 downwardly extending in a direction orthogonal to the top surface of the floating concrete body 10, and a second extension part 846 extending at a second end of the first extension part 845 and having an end exposed to the outer wall of the floating concrete body 10 facing an adjacent floating concrete body facing the floating concrete body 10.
[0086] The upper and lower wire units 843 are inserted into the penetration holes of the upper and lower slot members 842 facing each other, such that opposite ends thereof protrude to the second fixing blocks 841. The upper and lower wire units 843 are preferably steel wires having a predetermined thickness so as to firmly connect the floating concrete bodies 10 adjacent to each other.
[0087] The upper and lower fixing units 844 fix opposite ends of the upper and lower wire units 843 to the second fixing blocks 841 and include second collets 847 and second fastening members 848.
[0088] The second collets 847, which are installed at opposite ends of the upper and lower wire units 843, respectively, are generally used collets, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
[0089] The second fastening members 848 are installed on bottom surfaces of the second fixing blocks 841 located to correspond to the throughholes of the second fixing blocks 841, and have insertion holes formed on top surfaces thereof so as to be led to the throughholes of the second fixing blocks 841 and to allow the second collets 847 to be inserted thereto.
[0090] The insertion holes are preferably formed to have inner diameters gradually decreasing downwardly such that outer circumferential surfaces of the second collets 847 are pressed as the second collets 847 are inserted further.
[0091] The above-described second coupling unit 840 according to an embodiment of the present invention operates as follows.
[0092] First, the upper and lower wire units 843 are inserted into upper penetration holes of the upper and lower slot members 842. Here, the upper and lower wire units 843 pass through the upper and lower slot members 842 and protrude side surfaces of a floating concrete body facing its adjacent floating concrete body.
[0093] Ends of the upper and lower wire units 843 protruding to the side surface of the floating concrete body are inserted into lower penetration holes of the upper and lower slot members 842 inserted in its adjacent floating concrete body, thereby allowing the ends of the upper and lower wire units 843 to protrude to the top surface of the adjacent floating concrete body.
[0094] Next, an operator installs the upper and lower fixing units 844 at opposite ends of the upper and lower wire units 843 protruding on top surfaces of the respective floating concrete bodies, thereby fixing the upper and lower wire units 843 to the second fixing blocks 841.
[0095] FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a connection unit 50 according to still another embodiment of the present invention.
[0096] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the connection unit 50 connects adjacent floating concrete bodies 10 to each other. The connection unit 50 includes restriction members 55 installed in the adjacent floating concrete bodies 10, respectively, a connection member 51 through which opposite ends of the restriction members 55 facing each other are inserted and pass, fastening members 56 fastened to the restriction members 55, respectively, and restricting ends of the connection member 51, a shock absorbing member 53 installed between main bodies 20 facing each other, and an intersection member 54 installed at an upper side of a space between the main bodies 20 facing each other.
[0097] Here, each of the floating concrete bodies 10 is provided with a restriction space 22 to allow the connection member 51 of the connection unit 50 to be inserted thereto.
[0098] The restriction spaces 22 are formed on top surfaces of the main bodies 20 of the adjacent floating concrete bodies 10 facing each other to be recessed into the inside of the main body 20 such that ends of the connection member 51 of the connection unit 50 to be described later are inserted into the main bodies 20 to then be restricted.
[0099] A penetration hole 23 is formed on a side surface of the main body 20 corresponding to the restriction space 22 such that the ends of the connection member 51 pass through the side surface of the main body 20 to be positioned in the restriction space 22. Here, the restriction space 22 is preferably formed such that its upper side is opened to facilitate an operator's work.
[0100] In the illustrated embodiment, the restriction space 22 is formed at an upper end of the main body 20, but the present invention does not limit the formation location of the restriction space 22 to that illustrated herein. Rather, the restriction space 22 may be formed on an edge of the top surface at a side of the main body 20 in a lengthwise direction according to the connection structure of the floating concrete bodies 10.
[0101] Meanwhile, in order to prevent the ends of the connection member 51 restricted to the main body 20, a lid 24 is provided to cover an upper portion of the restriction space 22.
[0102] An insertion groove 25 having a semicircular cross section is formed on the side surface of the main bodies 20 of the adjacent floating concrete bodies 10 to allow a portion of the shock absorbing member 53 of the connection unit 50, which will later be described.
[0103] The restriction members 55 according to the present invention will now be described in more detail.
[0104] Each of the restriction members 55 is shaped of a hollow cylinder to allow the ends of the connection member 51 to be inserted thereto, and an external screw thread is formed on an outer circumferential surface of an end of the restriction member 55 adjacent to the end of the connection member 51 to allow the fastening members 56 to be fastened thereto.
[0105] The connection member 51 is shaped of an annular rod having a radius corresponding to the penetration hole 23 so as to be inserted into the main body 20 through the penetration hole 23 formed in the main body 20.
[0106] The connection member 51 has interference members 57 interfered by the restriction members 55 fixed at its opposite ends to be prevented from being deviated from the restriction members 55. The interference members 57 are formed to have an outer diameter greater than hollows of the restriction members 55.
[0107] The fastening members 56 have hollows each having an inner diameter corresponding to an outer diameter of each of the restriction members 55. An internal screw thread corresponding to an external screw thread of each of the restriction members 55 is formed on an inner circumferential surface of each of the fastening members 56 to allow the fastening members 56 to be fastened to the restriction members 55.
[0108] The connection member 51 inserted into the restriction space 22 through the penetration hole 23 of the main body 20 is inserted into the hollow of the restriction member 55 having the fastening member 56 fastened to its end, and a washer is inserted into the end of the connection member 51 having passed through the restriction member 55 to then be fasted to the interference member 57. The interference member 57 interferes the connection member 51 to prevent the end of the connection member 51 from being deviated from the restriction member 55. The fastening member 56 is preferably adjusted to be positioned at an end of the restriction member 55, so that the connection member 51 is pulled by the fastening member 56 to apply a tensile force to the connection member 51.
[0109] The shock absorbing member 53 is installed between the main bodies 20 facing each other to allow portions of opposite side surfaces to be inserted into insertion grooves 25 of the main bodies 20. The shock absorbing member 53 has a plurality of throughholes each corresponding to an outer diameter of the connection member 51 to allow the connection member 51 to pass through the inside of each of the plurality of throughholes.
[0110] In the illustrated embodiment, the shock absorbing member 53 has a hexagonal cross section, but the present invention does not limit the cross-sectional shape of the shock absorbing member 53. Rather, the shock absorbing member 53 may have a circular or rectangular cross section.
[0111] A coupling groove 58 is formed on a top surface of the shock absorbing member 53 to allow an intersection member 54 to be described later to be engaged thereto.
[0112] Meanwhile, the shock absorbing member 53 is preferably made of rubber or urethane so as to adaptively prevent shocks due to collision of the main bodies 20 from being transferred.
[0113] The intersection member 54 is installed on the top surface in a space between the main bodies 20 connected to each other by the connection member 51 to close the space. Although not shown, a plurality of uneven protrusions are formed on the top surface of the intersection member 54 to prevent the intersection member 54 from sliding.
[0114] A coupling protrusion 59 downwardly protruding to correspond to the coupling groove 58 is provided on the bottom surface of the intersection member 54 such that the coupling groove 58 is inserted into the coupling groove 58 of the shock absorbing member 53 to then be restricted to the shock absorbing member 53.
[0115] The intersection member 54 having the aforementioned configuration closes the space between the main bodies 20, thereby preventing an operator to miss his/her footing.
[0116] In the illustrated embodiment, the connection unit 50 is formed at front and rear ends of the main body 20, but the present invention does not limit the formation location of the connection unit 50 to that illustrated herein. Rather, the connection unit 50 may be formed at a side of the main body 20 in a lengthwise direction according to the connection structure of the floating concrete bodies 10 adjacent to each other.
[0117] FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a connection unit 700 according to still another embodiment of the present invention.
[0118] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the connection unit 700 connects floating concrete bodies 10 adjacent to each other and includes a connection member 761 fixed to external surfaces of main bodies 20 formed in parallel with a lengthwise direction of the main bodies 20, a reinforcement member 770 protruding on a surface contacting the main bodies 20 of the connection member 761, a connecting block 780 connecting the connection member 761 fixed to the floating concrete bodies 10 adjacent to each other, and a fastening nut 796 restricting the connecting block 780 to the connection member 761.
[0119] The connection member 761 includes a plurality of connection members fixed at locations spaced apart from each other along edges of external surfaces of the main body 20. That is to say, the plurality of connection members 761 are fixed along edges of top and bottom surfaces and opposite side surfaces of the main body 20, excluding a front surface of the main body 20 facing the floating concrete bodies 10 adjacent to each other.
[0120] The connection member 761 is installed such that a portion of the connection member 761 is buried in the main body 20 during curing concrete for forming the main body 20 to improve a fixedly coupling force between the connection member 761 and the main body 20.
[0121] The connection member 761 has a rectangular cross section, and an insertion space (not shown) is provided to allow a portion of the connecting block 780 to be described later to be inserted thereto. A top surface and external side surfaces exposed to the outside of the main body 20 are opened to an upper portion of the connection member 761 to allow the connecting block 780 to be inserted into the insertion space.
[0122] A plurality of fixing anchors 763 are formed to upwardly protrude on the bottom surface of the connection member 761 corresponding to the insertion space of the connection member 761. The plurality of fixing anchors 763 are inserted into the connecting block 780 and restrict the connecting block 780 to the connection member 761. Each of the plurality of fixing anchors 763 is preferably formed such that a screw thread is formed on its outer circumferential surface to allow the fastening nut 796 to be described later to be engaged thereto.
[0123] The reinforcement member 770 is formed to protrude to the external side surface of the connection member 761 buried into the inside of the main body 20 to improve a fixedly coupling force of the connection member 761 to then be buried into the main body 20. The reinforcement member 770 is shaped of an annular rod and includes a plurality of reinforcement members formed on the bottom surface and the side surface buried into the inside of the main body 20.
[0124] A locking member 771 having an outer diameter greater than that of the reinforcement member 770 is formed at an end of the reinforcement member 770 to prevent the reinforcement member 770 from being deviated from the inside of the main body 20 by lateral and longitudinal forces applied to the connection member 761.
[0125] The connecting block 780 is shaped of a rectangular plate and connects the connection members 761 fixed to the floating concrete bodies 10 adjacent to each other.
[0126] The connecting block 780 has a plurality of throughholes 781 each having an inner diameter corresponding to an outer diameter of each of the fixing anchors 763 to allow the fixing anchors 763 formed in the connection members 761.
[0127] An operator arranges floating concrete bodies 10 such that connection members 761 fixed to the floating concrete bodies 10 are made to face each other, and then connects the respective connection members 761 to each other through the connecting block 780.
[0128] The fastening nut 796 is fastened to the end of each of the fixing anchors 763 passing through and inserted into the connecting block 780, thereby preventing the connecting block 780 from being deviated from the connection member 761.
[0129] The fastening nut 796 is preferably formed of a nut corresponding to the external screw thread formed on the outer circumferential surface of each of the fixing anchors 763.
[0130] A process of connecting the floating concrete bodies 10 to each other using the connection unit 700 will now be described in more detail.
[0131] The operator arranges the floating concrete bodies 10 such that connection members 761 fixed to the floating concrete bodies 10 are made to face each other, and then inserts the fixing anchors 763 of the respective connection members 761 into throughholes 781, thereby coupling the connecting block 780 to the connection members 761.
[0132] Here, since a plurality of reinforcement members 770 are formed in the connection member 761, the connection member 761 reinforces a fixedly coupling force with respect to the main body 20, thereby preventing the floating concrete bodies 10 from being separated from each other when the connection member 761 is deviated from the main body 20 due to an external force such as waves or wind.
[0133] Meanwhile, floating assemblies having various shapes can be fabricated by connecting the plurality of floating concrete bodies 10 to each other by the aforementioned connection unit 800.
[0134] FIGS. 12 to 17 illustrate a floating assembly 100 using the floating concrete body 10 according to the present invention.
[0135] Referring to FIGS. 12 to 17, the floating assembly 100 is configured such that a plurality of floating concrete bodies 10 are connected to each other by the connection unit 50. The floating concrete bodies 10 are arranged to form a closed circuit in which a rectangular space 110 penetrating in a top-and-bottom direction is formed at its center.
[0136] Referring to FIG. 12, the floating assembly 100 includes first to fourth floating parts 200, 300, 400 and 500 arrange in a line and connected to each other.
[0137] The first floating part 200 is configured such that floating concrete bodies 10 are connected to each other by the connection unit 50 in a lengthwise direction.
[0138] The second floating part 300 is formed at a location spaced apart from the first floating part 200 such that floating concrete bodies 10 are connected to each other by the connection unit 50 to be parallel with the first floating part 200.
[0139] The third floating part 400 is configured such that floating concrete bodies 10 are connected to each other by the connection unit 50 in a direction orthogonal to the first floating part 200. The third floating part 400 has opposite ends connected to first ends of the first and second floating parts 200 and 300 facing each other by the connection unit 50.
[0140] The fourth floating part 500 is configured such that floating concrete bodies 10 are connected to each other by the connection unit 50 to be parallel with the third floating part 400. The fourth floating part 500 has opposite ends connected to second ends of the first and second floating parts 200 and 300 facing each other by the connection unit 50.
[0141] The floating assembly 100 has a rectangular structure in which a rectangular space 110 is provided at its center by the first to fourth floating parts 200, 300, 400 and 500.
[0142] FIG. 13 illustrates a partitioning part 600 partitioning the space 110.
[0143] The same functional components as those shown in the previous embodiment are denoted by the reference numerals.
[0144] Referring to FIG. 13, the partitioning part 600 is configured such that floating concrete bodies 10 are connected to each other by the connection unit 50 in a lengthwise direction. The partitioning part 600 is installed in the space part 110 to partition the space part 110.
[0145] FIG. 13 illustrates that the space 110 is partitioned by the partitioning part 600 in a `` shape. The operator may partition the space 110 in various shapes using a plurality of partitioning parts 600.
[0146] FIG. 14 illustrates that the space 110 is partitioned by a plurality of partitioning parts 600 in a `` shape.
[0147] FIG. 15 illustrates that the space 110 is partitioned by a plurality of partitioning parts 600 in a `` shape.
[0148] FIG. 16 illustrates that the space 110 is partitioned by a plurality of partitioning parts 600 crossing each other in a 2×3 matrix.
[0149] FIG. 17 illustrates that the space 110 is partitioned by a plurality of partitioning parts 600 crossing each other in a 3×3 matrix.
[0150] The structures of the space 110 partitioned by the partitioning parts 600 are not limited to those illustrated herein, and the space 110 may be partitioned in various shapes.
[0151] As described above, the floating concrete body and the floating assembly using the same can be employed in offshore fishing sites, offshore lodges, floating breakwaters, floating roadbridges and non-magnetic enclosures, and so on.
[0152] Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail hereinabove, it should be understood that many variations and modifications of the basic inventive concept herein described, which may appear to those skilled in the art, will still fall within the spirit and scope of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
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