Patent ID: 7140599

Claim:
A marine barrier system comprising: first and second barrier sections comprising first and second main flotation members, respectively, where each main flotation member is a hollow plastic pipe and contains buoyant material; at least one post member associated with each barrier section, where at least a portion of each post member extends into the main flotation member; first and second cables extending through the first and second main flotation members, respectively; a coupler system arranged at the juncture of the first and second barrier sections, the coupler system comprising a chain assembly connected to and extending between ends of the cables of adjacent main flotation members such that the cables and the chain assembly form a continuous connection along the entire length of the barrier system; whereby the chain assembly comprises first and second chain segments and first and second intermediate rings, the first and second intermediate rings are operatively connected to the first and second cables, respectively, the first and second chain segments are operatively connected to the first and second intermediate rings, respectively, the first chain segment is operatively connected to the second chain segment, and at least one of the post members extends through one of the intermediate rings; and the chain assembly is configured such that the first and second main flotation members may be placed in a storage configuration in which the first and second main flotation members are arranged in a parallel, side by side arrangement, and a deployed configuration in which the first and second main flotation members are arranged end to end to define a barrier line in a body of water across which movement is limited.