Patent ID: 7390141

Claim:
A wave-dissipating system, comprising: an upwardly extending pile coupled to the seabed; a buoyant flotation member for floating upon a water surface, the flotation member being coupleable to the pile to allow movement upwardly and downwardly with respect to the pile as the level of the water surface changes; a flexible barrier member that is supportable by the flotation member to extend below the water surface in an orientation to intercept the flow of waves; wherein the flotation member supports an elongated sleeve member disposed around the pile and adapted to move vertically with respect to the pile; the barrier member is connected to the sleeve member; the flotation member is connected to the sleeve by a flexible connector defining a major aperture through which the pile extends, an inner peripheral portion at least partially surrounding the aperture, and an outer peripheral portion; and the sleeve is connected to the inner peripheral portion, and the outer peripheral portion is connected to the flotation member, the flexible connector configured to permit limited movement of the flotation member relative to the sleeve.