THIS INVENTION relates to flexible walkways. In particular, the invention relates to a walkway module for a flexible walkway and to a flexible walkway including a plurality of said walkway modules.

Floating flexible walkways leading from a fixed location, e.g. a landing on dry ground, to a movable location, e.g. a dredger, are known to the applicant. Typically, these walkways comprise a plurality of pontoons connected in series and supporting walking decks, flexible pipes, electrical cables, hand railings, etc. To allow pontoons to be displaced relative to adjacent pontoons to which they are connected in series, to provide a bend in the floating walkway, the walking decks of the floating walkways known to the applicant define wedge-shaped apertures between the adjacent pontoons, with the wedge-shaped apertures being narrower where the adjacent pontoons are connected, typically along a centre line of each pontoon, and wider at the side edges of the pontoons. As will be appreciated, when the floating walkway bends in one direction, one of the apertures becomes larger (the radially outside aperture), creating an increased risk of injury to personnel caused by falling or slipping, often leading to stitches being required on shins. The possibility also exists that a person can fall into the gap between the adjacent pontoons and be squashed. The risk of injury is increased when sand is blown onto the floating walkways as the chances of slipping are increased.

To allow free relative movement between adjacent pontoons, the floating walkways known to the applicant have discontinuous hand railings. A person falling through a gap between the hand railings of adjacent pontoons can end up underneath a pontoon and can drown.

Similar problems exist for walkways known to the applicant for use on asphalt, concrete, sand, or the like, where the walkway modules include carriages such as wheeled carriages, skids or the like, instead of pontoons, to allow the walkway modules to be displaced. A flexible walkway which does not suffer from the abovementioned disadvantages would be desirable.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a walkway module configured to be used as part of a flexible walkway comprising a plurality of walkway modules connected in series, the walkway module including a base supporting or defining a walkway deck section which has a periphery at least a portion of which is at least part-circular so that where the periphery of the deck section is part circular the periphery of the deck section is convexly rounded or the periphery of the deck section defines a concavely rounded recess, for cooperating in use with another adjacent connected walkway module defining a walkway deck section which has a complementary concavely rounded recess or a complementary convexly rounded periphery; and a mounting arrangement configured pivotally or rotatably to connect the walkway module to said another walkway module in series and configured to allow at least one of the connected walkway modules in use to pivot or rotate in a horizontal plane about a vertical axis passing through the centre of an imaginary circle on which said at least part-circular periphery, or at least one of said at least part circular periphery portions if there are more than one such periphery portion of the deck section falls, thereby allowing the formation of a bend in the walkway without gaps opening up between the connected walkway modules.

The mounting arrangement may be located such that said vertical axis passes through the deck section of one of the connected walkway modules.

Preferably, the walkway module is configured such that in use there is no overlap between the deck sections of adjacent connected walkway modules.

In a first embodiment of the invention, the deck section has two opposed peripheral areas which are both at least part circular so that where the opposed peripheral areas of the deck section are part circular the opposed peripheral areas of the deck section are convexly rounded. Typically, these convexly rounded areas of the deck section have identical radii and are directly opposed. In use, the convexly rounded areas function as male formations. The deck section in this embodiment of the invention may be circular in plan, or elongate with semi-circular ends. When circular in plan, both of the opposed semi-circular peripheral areas thus fall on said imaginary circle the centre of which is then also the centre of the walkway module, with the vertical axis thus passing through the centre of the walkway module.

In a second embodiment of the invention the deck section has two opposed peripheral areas which are both at least part circular so that where the opposed peripheral areas of the deck section are part circular the opposed peripheral areas of the deck section define concavely rounded recesses. Typically, these convexly rounded recesses defined by the deck section have identical radii and are directly opposed. In use, the convexly rounded recesses function as female formations. As will be appreciated, with this embodiment, the centre of said imaginary circle, and thus the mounting arrangement, will be spaced outwardly away from the deck section so that the periphery of the deck section defining the concavely rounded recess is between the rest of the deck section and said centre when the walkway module is viewed in plan. Typically, in this embodiment, the walkway module includes two such mounting arrangements, separated by the deck section.

In a third embodiment of the invention the deck section has two opposed peripheral areas which are both at least part-circular and which are of complementary radii, one peripheral area which defines a concavely rounded recess or female formation and the other peripheral area which defines a complementary convexly rounded male formation.

The base may include at least one pontoon supporting or defining said walkway deck section so that the walkway module can be used in the construction of a flexible floating walkway. The walkway module may thus be a floating walkway module.

In one embodiment of the invention, the module includes a pair of laterally spaced pontoons connected by a frame, with the deck section being supported by the frame. The frame may have a longitudinal centre axis and may include a deck section sub-frame which has two opposed ends through which the longitudinal centre axis extends. The ends may have part circular peripheries of complementary radii, so that the one end of the sub-frame is convexly rounded and the opposed end of the sub- frame defines a complementary concavely rounded recess.

The walkway module typically but not necessarily includes a pair of said mounting arrangements, the mounting arrangements being spaced on a longitudinal centre axis or a connection axis of the walkway module along which the walkway module is connected end-end to another walkway modules. When a sub-frame is present, the mounting arrangements are typically below the sub-frame, on the longitudinal centre axis of the sub-frame. In the embodiment of the invention where the deck section has two opposed peripheral areas which are both at least part-circular and which are of complementary radii, one peripheral area which defines a concavely rounded recess or female formation and the other peripheral area which defines a complementary convexly rounded male formation, one of the mounting arrangements may be underneath the rounded end of the sub-frame, or underneath the end of the deck section with a convexly rounded periphery. The other of the mounting arrangements may be on a frame portion or limb projecting longitudinally from underneath the concavely rounded recess of the sub-frame, or from underneath the end of the deck section with a concavely rounded recess.

In another embodiment of the invention, the frame is mounted on top of a single pontoon, with the deck section being supported by the frame. It is expected that this arrangement will be attractive when the walkway module is intended to be used for the construction of a floating walkway used by people only.

The walkway module may include ballast below the deck section. Typically, when a frame is present, the ballast is suspended from the frame and is located on the longitudinal centre axis of the frame.

The deck section may be in the form of an open grate or mesh. Advantageously, such a deck section will inhibit settlement of sand blown onto the deck section, allowing the sand to fall through the deck section. Thus, preferably, for at least some applications, the deck section is not defined by an upper surface of a pontoon.

The walkway module thus has two opposed peripheral areas which are both at least part circular and which define opposed ends of the deck section configured in use to cooperate with ends of adjacent connected walkway modules to define a flexible deck which can bend in a horizontal plane. The walkway module may further include a roof. The roof may slope upwardly or downwardly from one of said ends of the deck section to the other of said ends of the deck. When the deck section defines a concavely rounded recess, the roof may project over the concavely rounded recess defined by the deck section. Advantageously, using a sloping roof allows the roof of one walkway module to project over, or underneath, the roof of an adjacent walkway module connected in series or end-to-end to the walkway module, whilst still allowing relative pivotal movement (in a horizontal plane in use) between the connected walkway modules.

The roof may be supported on at least one pillar. Typically, the at least one pillar is mounted on the frame if a frame is present. Preferably, the roof is supported on a pair of spaced pillars.

The module may thus include at least one pillar. The at least one pillar may define at least one seat for cables or conduits or the like. Instead, another structure may be used to define said at least one seat. The at least one pillar or said another structure may be positioned such that said at least one seat is above a centre line of the module running through ends of the deck section intended in use to cooperate with an adjacent connected walkway module. Thus, when the module includes a pair of laterally spaced pontoons, the seat will be midway between the pontoons, and naturally above the deck section. Typically, the centre line of the module coincides with the longitudinal centre axis of the frame, if a frame is present, or the connection axis of the walkway module.

The deck section, when elongate and not circular, typically has opposed sides extending between ends of the deck section intended in use to cooperate with an adjacent connected walkway module. The walkway module may include a railing, i.e. a hand railing, along at least one of said opposed sides of the deck section, or along a walking area of the deck section. Typically, the walkway module includes a railing along both opposed sides of the deck section, or along opposed sides of a walking area of the deck section. The railing may include stanchions with at least one rail extending between the stanchions of the railing. The railing or each railing may include at least one telescopic rail which is pivotally connected at one end thereof to a stanchion. A pivotal connection may also be provided at a free end of the telescopic rail. In use, the free end of the telescopic rail is pivotally attached to a stanchion of an adjacent connected walkway module to span between the connected walkway modules, whilst allowing pivotal displacement of the adjacent connected walkway modules relative to each other.

The pivotal connection may be of the kind employing a pivot pin or hinge or the like. Instead, the pivotal connection may be any other kind of connection allowing swivelling of a railing relative to a stanchion to which it is connected, e.g. a helical coil, a flexible connection of an elastomeric material, rope, cable or the like, or a ball and socket joint.

Rails extending between and end stanchion and an adjacent stanchion of a railing on the walkway module may be telescopic. Pivotal connections may be provided between the telescopic rails and the stanchions of said railing of the walkway module.

An end stanchion of the or each railing of the walkway module may be displaceable relative to the deck section, in a plane parallel to the deck section. In one embodiment of the invention the displaceable stanchion is mounted on a stanchion arm below the deck section to pivot about said mounting arrangement, or one of said mounting arrangements of the walkway module for mounting or connecting the walkway module to an adjacent walkway module. Typically, the displaceable stanchion is spaced laterally from the deck section to allow limited rotation of the stanchion on the stanchion arm before the stanchion abuts against a side of the deck section or base. The displaceable stanchion may thus be displaceable in a horizontal plane in use along an arcuate or part circular path. Preferably, an end stanchion of each of the railings on the two opposed sides of the deck section is mounted on said stanchion arm, on opposed sides of the mounting arrangement which is typically midway between the two end stanchions on the stanchion arm.

The walkway module may include an angle reducer which is arranged to act on the stanchion arm to rotate the stanchion arm about the mounting arrangement through a first angle when the walkway module is being pivoted or rotated relative to a connected adjacent walkway module through a second angle, with the first angle being smaller than the second angle but with the rotations of the stanchion arm and the walkway module being in the same direction. Typically, the angle reducer is arranged to ensure that the first angle is about half of the second angle.

In one embodiment of the invention, the angle reducer is in the form of a mechanical link connected to the stanchion arm and to a fixed point on the walkway module spaced from the stanchion arm, and which is connectable to an adjacent walkway module in use, typically via a limb with a free end.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a walkway module for a flexible walkway comprising a plurality of walkway modules connected in series, the walkway module including a base supporting or defining a walkway deck section and a railing along at least one side of the deck section or along at least one side of a walking area of the deck section, the railing including stanchions with each stanchion having one or more rails connected thereto, at least one rail being telescopic and being pivotally connected at at least one end thereof to an associated stanchion so that the pivotally connected rail can pivot or swivel relative to the associated stanchion .

The telescopic rail, or one of the telescopic rails, may have a free end, which may also be provided with a pivotal connection for connecting to a stanchion of another module.

The telescopic rail, or one of the telescopic rails, may extend between an end stanchion and an adjacent stanchion on the module. Both ends of the telescopic rail may be provided with pivotal connections connecting the rail to said stanchions. The walkway module may include railings along two opposed sides or the deck section, or along opposed sides of a walking area of the deck section. An end stanchion of each railing of the walkway module may be displaceable relative to the deck section, in a plane parallel to the deck section.

The walkway module may include one or more mounting arrangements as hereinbefore described. The pivotal connections may be as hereinbefore described.

The displaceable stanchion may be mounted on a stanchion arm as hereinbefore described.

The walkway module may include an angle reducer as hereinbefore described.

The invention extends to a flexible walkway which includes a plurality of walkway modules as hereinbefore described, connected in series.

The flexible walkway may be a floating walkway.

Preferably, there is no overlap between the deck sections of adjacent connected walkway modules. The deck sections of adjacent connected walkway modules are thus preferably at the same elevation.

The walkway modules may instead be supported on carriages so that the walkway can be moved or positioned on a solid surface. The carriages may be in the form of wheeled carriages or skids or the like.

The flexible walkway may include walkway modules of the first embodiment as hereinbefore described interspaced by walkway modules of the second embodiment as hereinbefore described, with the convexly rounded areas of the deck sections of the walkway modules of the first embodiment fitting into the concavely rounded recesses defined by the deck sections of adjacent walkway modules of the second embodiment in male and female fashion. Instead, the flexible walkway may include a plurality of the walkway modules of the third embodiment as hereinbefore described connected end to end in series, with the concavely rounded recess of one walkway module receiving the complementary convexly rounded end of an adjacent walkway module in male and female fashion.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which Figures 1 to 3 show a top three-dimensional view of a portion of a floating walkway in accordance with the invention, comprising two floating walkway modules in accordance with the invention;

Figure 4 shows a top three-dimensional view of a frame of one of the floating walkway modules of Figures 1 to 3; Figures 5 and 6 show a transparent top three-dimensional view of a portion of a floating walkway in accordance with the invention, illustrating the function of an angle reducer;

Figure 7 shows a top three-dimensional view of a floating walkway in accordance with the invention, with only pontoons and frames being shown for clarity; Figure 8 shows a top three-dimensional view of a floating walkway in accordance with the invention, carrying conduits;

Figure 9 shows in simplified diagrammatic manner one embodiment of a flexible walkway in accordance with the invention;

Figure 10 shows in simplified diagrammatic manner another embodiment of a flexible walkway in accordance with the invention, the concept of which is employed in the floating walkway of Figures 1 - 8;

Figure 1 1 shows a further embodiment of a flexible walkway in accordance with the invention; and

Figure 12 shows yet another embodiment of a flexible walkway in accordance with invention.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings, reference numeral 10 generally indicates a floating walkway in accordance with the invention. In Figures 1 to 3, two floating walkway modules 12 connected lengthwise end to end in series are shown. Figures 1 to 3 are limited to two floating walkway modules 12 for clarity, but it is to be appreciated that the floating walkway 10 will typically comprise many more floating walkway modules 12 connected end to end in series, e.g. as shown in Figure 7 and Figure 8 of the drawings.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, each floating walkway module 12 includes a pair of laterally spaced floating pontoons 14 connected by a frame 16 spanning between the pontoons 14. A walkway deck section 18 is supported on the frame 16 and has opposed longitudinally spaced ends with part circular peripheries of complementary radii. As can be clearly seen in Figures 1 to 3, one end of the deck section thus has a rounded periphery 20 and an opposed end of the deck section 18 defines a complementary rounded recess. The rounded periphery 20 of one floating walkway module 12 connected end to end to another floating walkway module 12 thus fits into the rounded recess of the floating walkway module 12 to which it is connected, as can be seen in Figures 1 to 3, in male and female fashion.

With reference to Figure 4, the frame 16 includes a deck section sub- frame 22 with a longitudinal centre axis 24 which also forms a longitudinal centre axis or connection axis of the floating walkway module 12. The longitudinal centre axis 24 extends through two opposed ends 26, 28 of the sub-frame 22. The ends 26, 28 also have part circular peripheries of complementary radii, so that the end 26 of the sub- frame 22 is rounded and the opposed end 28 of the sub-frame 22 defines a complementary rounded recess 30.

The frame 16 includes sideways extending swept arms 32, two on each side, to which the pontoons 14 are attached. Two longitudinally spaced mounting arrangements 34, 36 in the form of eyes or bores are provided for connecting one floating walkway module 12 to an adjacent floating walkway module 12 by means of a pivot pin. The mounting arrangements 34, 36 are below the sub-frame 22, on the longitudinal centre axis or connection axis 24. The mounting arrangement 34 is substantially underneath the rounded end 26 of the sub-frame 22 whereas the mounting arrangement 36 is located on a frame portion projecting longitudinally underneath and beyond the rounded recess 30 defined by the sub-frame 22. The part-circular periphery of the rounded end 26 and the rounded periphery 20 of the deck section 18 fall on an imaginary circle centred on the mounting arrangement 34. The part-circular concavely curved end 26 and the concavely rounded periphery of the deck section 18 fall on an imaginary circle centred on the mounting arrangement 36.

The deck section 18 is supported on the sub-frame 22 and is in the form of an open grate or mesh.

If desired or necessary, the floating walkway module 12 includes ballast below the deck section 18, suspended from the frame 16 and located on the longitudinal centre axis 24. Such ballast is not illustrated in the drawings.

Each of the floating walkway modules 12 includes a sloping roof 38. As can be seen in the drawings, the roof 38 projects over the rounded recess defined by the deck section 18 and slopes downwardly towards the end of the deck section 18 with the rounded periphery 20. When two of the floating walkway modules 12 are connected together end to end in series as shown in Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings, the roof 38 of one module 12 advantageously projects over the roof 38 of the adjacent floating walkway module 12, providing substantially continuous cover to personnel or equipment on the floating walkway modules 12 whilst still allowing relative pivotal movement in a horizontal plane between the floating walkway modules 12.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the deck section 18 of each floating walkway module 12 defines a longitudinally extending elongate centrally located aperture or slot through which two pillars 40 extend upwardly from the frame 16 to support the roof 38. The pillars 40 are bolted to the frame 16 using bolt holes 42 (see Figure 4). The pillars 40 are slightly set off from the centre axis 24 and each defines a plurality of seats 44 for cables or conduits or the like. The seats 44 are located more or less vertically above the centre axis 24.

Each floating walkway modules 12 includes a railing 50 along each of longitudinally extending opposed sides of the deck section 18. Each railing 50 includes a pair of longitudinally spaced stanchions 52, 54 with a pair of rails 56 extending between the stanchions 52, 54 of a railing 50. In Figures 1 to 3, only a portion of the railings of the end module 12 is shown. The stanchions 54 are fixed to the frame 16. In contrast, the stanchions 52 are mounted to opposed ends of a stanchion arm 58 (see Figures 5 and 6) located below the deck section 18 and the sub-frame 22 and mounted to pivot about the mounting arrangement 34, using a pivot pin 60 provided pivotally to connect two floating walkway modules 12 together. The mounting arrangement 34 and the pivot pin 60 are thus midway between the two stanchions 52. By means of the stanchion arm 58, the stanchions 52 are thus displaceable relative to the deck section 18, in a plane parallel to but below the deck section 18, along a part circular pathway. As can be seen in Figures 5 and 6, the stanchions 52 are spaced laterally from the deck section 18 to allow limited rotation of the stanchions 52 on the stanchion arm 58 before one of the stanchions 52 abuts against a side of the deck section 18, i.e. against a side of the sub-frame 22.

The rails 56 are telescopic, each comprising two portions with one portion being telescopically received inside the other portion. Pivotal connections 62 are provided at ends of the rails 62, connecting the rails 62 to the stanchions 52, 54. As will be appreciated, by virtue of the telescopic nature of the rails 56, and the pivotal connections 62, the rails 56 can accommodate displacement of the stanchions 52 relative to the stanchions 54 as a result of any movement of the stanchion arm 58.

Telescopic rails 64 are provided to extend between the stanchion 54 of one floating walkway module 12 and the displaceable stanchion 52 of an adjacent floating walkway 12, as shown in Figures 1 to 3. The telescopic rails 64 also have pivotal connections 62 at their ends for connecting to the stanchions 52, 54. Thus, again by virtue of the telescopic nature of the rails 64 and the pivotal connections 62, the telescopic rails 64 can accommodate relative movement between the displaceable stanchion 52 of one floating walkway module 12, and an adjacent stanchion 54 of an adjacent floating walkway module 12.

The floating walkway 12 includes an angle reducer 66 comprising three links or limbs 66.1 , 66.2 and 66.3. The link 66.2 is pivotally connected by means of a pivot shaft 68 (see Figure 6) to the stanchion arm 58, roughly midway between the pivot pin 60 and one of the stanchions 52. The link 66.3 is pivotally connected to an end of the link 66.2 and to the frame 16 at an end 66.4. The link 66.1 is pivotally connected to another end of the link 66.2, remote from the link 66.3. A free end 66.5 of the link 66.1 remote from the link 66.2 is in use pivotally attached to the frame of an adjacent floating walkway module 12. In use, the angle reducer 66 acts on the stanchion arm 58 to rotate the stanchion arm 58 about the mounting arrangement 34 through a reduced angle when the floating walkway module 12 is being pivoted relative to an adjacent floating walkway module 12 through an angle. This arrangement ensures that a line connecting the stanchions 52 remains more or less parallel to an imaginary line extending through corners 74 defined between the adjacent floating walkway modules 12. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the angle reducer 66 is arranged to displace the stanchion arm 58 through an angle which is about half of the angle through which the adjacent floating walkway modules 12 pivot. In other words, if the floating walkway modules 12 pivot through an angle of 20° relative to each other, the stanchion arm 58 is pivoted through an angle of about 10° only.

Figure 7 clearly illustrates how adjacent floating walkway modules 12, shown in part only, are connected together end to end in series to form a floating walkway 68, and also how the floating walkway 68 can then bend in a horizontal plane, without gaps opening up between adjacent floating walkway modules 12. Figure 8 illustrates how the roofs 38 of the individual floating walkway modules 12 cooperate together to form a substantially continuous roof over the deck sections 18 and also how a floating walkway 70 carries conduits 72 on the seats 44.

A floating walkway constructed from the floating walkway modules 12, as illustrated, is believed to be significantly safer to use than conventional floating walkways. No gaps open up between adjacent floating walkway modules when the floating walkway bends. A continuous hand railing is provided extending the entire length of the floating walkway. The open grate or mesh type deck inhibits settlement of sand blown onto the deck, allowing the sand to fall through the deck into water on which the floating walkway is used. When the modules 12 do not include pillars, the floating walkway constructed from the modules 12 can be used for light vehicles.

Referring to Figure 9 of the drawings, one embodiment of a flexible walkway is shown in very simplified manner and indicated by reference numeral 100, merely to illustrate the principle of a flexible walkway comprising two different looking walkway modules 102,104 arranged alternately but fitting together in male and female fashion using oppositely curved peripheries of complementary radii. Most of the features of a complete flexible walkway, such as hand railings, are omitted from Figure 9.

The walkway modules 102 are circular in outline in plan view, so that diagonally opposed peripheral areas 106, 108 are part circular or semi-circular and convexly rounded. These convexly rounded areas thus have identical radii and are directly or diagonally opposed. In use, as shown in Figure 9, the convexly rounded areas function as male formations.

The walkway modules 104 are roughly hourglass-shaped each with two opposed peripheral areas 1 10, 1 12 which are part circular or semi-circular defining concavely rounded recesses. The convexly rounded recesses have identical radii and are directly opposed. In use, as shown in Figure 9, the convexly rounded recesses function as female formations.

A mounting arrangement configured pivotally or rotatably to connect a walkway module 104 to a walkway module 102 in series is located centrally below each walkway module 102, at a centre location indicated by reference numeral 1 14. The mounting arrangements, which are not shown, are configured to allow the connected walkway modules 104 to pivot or rotate in a horizontal plane about a vertical pivot axis 1 16 passing through connected walkway modules 102, thereby allowing the formation of a bend in the walkway 100 without gaps opening up between the connected walkway modules 102,104. As will be appreciated, where two walkway modules 104 are connected on diagonally opposed sides of a walkway module 102 to said walkway module 102, the walkway modules 104 share a mounting arrangement and pivot axis 1 16.

Referring to Figure 10 of the drawings, another embodiment of a flexible walkway in accordance with the invention is shown in very simplified manner and indicated by reference numeral 200. The concept illustrated in Figure 10 is employed in the floating walkway of Figures 1 - 8. Figure 10 illustrates the principle of a flexible walkway comprising a plurality of identical looking walkway modules 202 arranged end to end in series but fitting together in male and female fashion using oppositely curved peripheries of complementary radii. Most of the features of a complete flexible walkway, such as hand railings and other features shown in Figures 1 - 8, are omitted from Figure 10.

The walkway modules 202 are elongate in outline in plan view, with opposed ends of each walkway module 202 having peripheral areas which are at least part-circular and of complementary radii. One peripheral area defines a concavely rounded recess or female formation 204 and the other peripheral area defines a complementary convexly rounded male formation 206. In use, as shown in Figure 10, the convexly rounded peripheral areas function as male formations 206 fitting into the complementary-shaped recesses of the female formations 204.

The walkway 200 can also employ a walkway module 102, e.g. at one end of the walkway 200 as shown in Figure 10, or as a hub from which two walkway arms stretch out.

A mounting arrangement configured pivotally or rotatably to connect a walkway module 202 to an adjacent walkway module 202 in series and end to end is located below the convexly rounded end of each walkway module 202, at a location indicated by reference numeral 208. The location 208 is at the centre of an imaginary circle defining the part-circular peripheries of the recess of the female formation 204 and the rounded end of the male formation 206. The mounting arrangements, which are not shown, are configured to allow connected walkway modules 202 to pivot or rotate in a horizontal plane about a common vertical pivot axis 1 16 passing through one of the connected walkway modules 202, thereby allowing the formation of a bend in the walkway 200 without gaps opening up between the connected walkway modules 202.

Referring to Figure 1 1 of the drawings, a further embodiment of a flexible floating walkway in accordance with the invention is generally indicated by reference numeral 300. The walkway 300 is in many respects the same as or similar to the walkway 10 and the same or similar parts or features are thus indicated by the same reference numerals. Unlike the modules 12 of the walkway 10, modules 312 of the walkway 300 do not have frames supporting a deck section. Instead, the pontoons 14 directly support deck sections 18, parts 18.1 of which are cantilevered with part-circular rounded peripheries 20. At an opposed end, each deck section 18 defines a complementary rounded recess. The rounded periphery 20 of the cantilevered deck section 18.1 of one floating walkway module 312 connected end to end to another floating walkway module 312 thus fits into the rounded recess of the floating walkway module 312 to which it is connected, as can be seen in Figure 1 1 .

An aperture 314 is provided in the cantilevered deck section 18.1 through which a pillar 40 of an adjacent walkway module 312 to which the walkway module 312 is connected, can project upwardly. Typically, the pillar 40 which is to project through an aperture 314 is removable so that it can be removed and then refitted in the aperture 314 after the adjacent walkway modules 312 have been connected.

Referring to Figure 12 of the drawings, yet another embodiment of a flexible walkway in accordance with invention is shown and generally indicated by reference numeral 400. Again, the walkway 400 is in many respects the same as or similar to the walkway 10 and the same or similar parts or features are thus indicated by the same reference numerals.

As will be noted, walkway modules 412 of the walkway 400 include narrow elongate deck sections 18, defining a narrow walking area, with part circular end peripheries of complementary radii, one of which is convexly curved and one of which is concavely curved. The concept illustrated in Figure 12 is well suited for use in modifying conventional walkway modules to provide them with the advantages of the walkway of the invention. Conventional walkway modules can thus be retrofitted with the narrow deck sections 18, so that a part circular convexly curved periphery 416 of the narrow deck sections 18 fall on an imaginary circle which is lying in a horizontal plane and the centre point of which is located on a vertical axis passing through a mounting arrangement 414 where adjacent walkway modules 412 are connected.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 12, end stanchions 54 of hand railings flanking the walking area are fixed to the pontoon 14 so that they are stationary relative to the pontoon 14. A non-telescopic rail 418 thus extends between the stanchions 54 of a walkway module 412, whereas telescopic rails 56 with pivotal connections 62 extend between the stanchions 54 of adjacent connected walkway modules 412, allowing relative pivotal movement between the connected adjacent walkway modules 412.

Instead of having pontoons 14, which allow the walkways 10, 300, 400 to float, the walkway modules 12, 312 and 412, may have a non-floating base supporting or defining the deck section 18. The walkway modules may then be provided with carriages, e.g. wheeled carriages or skids, if desired, to allow them to be easily displaceable on a support surface.