Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a float, such as a float for suspending one or more objects in water, for example, aquatic farming equipment, fishing equipment, navigational equipment, or signalling equipment. The present invention relates also to the components of the float, as well as methods of using the float.

Background of the Invention

Floats for suspending objects in water, for example marine and fresh water floats, are well known. Floats are regularly used for fishing traps, e.g., lobster or crayfish traps, and suspended fishing lines, e.g., long lines. Floats are used with aquatic netting, e.g., for salmon or other fish farming, or for catching or hauling fish. Floats are also routinely used to grow mussels. Such floats are attached to ropes (i.e. crop ropes), to which the mussels attach. At harvest time, the crop ropes are pulled from the water, and the mussels are removed from the ropes.

Floats are typically constructed from plastic material, and may be foam filled, or air filled. Known floats are described in US 8,007,331. The floats described in US 8,007,331 are difficult to tether to mussel crop lines that suspend from the floats holding the mussel crops and difficulties have been experienced in the fracturing and breaking of the tether and line connection members on the floats.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a float that overcomes these known difficulties or that at least provides the public with a useful alternative to known floats.

Summary of the invention In a first aspect, the present invention provides a float comprising: a hollow shell defining an airtight hollow interior region, the shell having a first end and a second end, an optional air inlet positioned on the shell that is adapted and dimensioned to provide a means of optionally pressurising the float in use, the first and second ends each providing a coupling memberthat extends from each end of the shell, each coupling member being adapted to provide a substantial bearing surface to receive and support a rope hanging substantially perpendicular to the plane of flotation of the float, when the float is in use.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method for growing marine molluscs, the method comprising coupling a crop rope impregnated with a spawn of marine molluscs to each coupling member of the float defined above.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides a tethering strap comprising: an elongate body portion with an elongate securing portion extending from one end thereof, the elongate body portion having at least one first opening at or near its distal end and a second opening closer to the elongate securing portion and wide enough to receive the elongate securing portion, and the elongate securing portion having one or more openings at or adjacent its distal end.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a method for tethering a rope to a float, the method comprising the steps of: providing a tethering strap that comprises an elongate body portion with an elongate securing portion extending from one end thereof, the elongate body portion having at least one first opening at or near its distal end and a second opening closer to the elongate securing portion and wide enough to receive the elongate securing portion, and the elongate securing portion having one or more openings at or adjacent its distal end, locating the at least one first opening of the tethering strap over a locking pin of a float, wrapping the tethering strap around tethering means of the float and a rope located within or adjacent the tethering means of the float, passing the distal end of the elongate securing portion of the tethering strap through the second opening of the elongate body portion of the tethering strap and back to the locking pin of the float, and placing one of the openings at or adjacent the distal end of the elongate securing portion of the tethering strap over the locking pin of the float.

Additional aspects and embodiments of the invention will be apparent from the description and Figures that follow. Brief description of the drawings

The invention is now described by example only with reference to the figures where:

Figure 1 : shows a perspective view of a float according to one aspect of the present invention.

Figure 2: shows an end view of the float shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 : shows a bottom view of the float shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4: shows a left side view of the float shown in Figure 1.

Figure 5: shows a perspective view of a float according to a second aspect of the present invention.

Figure 6: shows an end view of the float shown in Figure 5. Figure 7: shows a bottom view of the float shown in Figure 5.

Figure 8: shows a left side view of the float shown in Figure 5.

Figure 9: shows a perspective view of a float according to a third aspect of the present invention.

Figure 10: shows an end view of the float shown in Figure 9. Figure 11 : shows a side view of the float shown in Figure 9.

Figure 12: shows a perspective view of a tethering strap for use with a float of the invention.

Figure 13: shows a cross-sectional view of a tethering strap as shown in Figure 12, wrapped and secured around a tethering rope and tethering member on a float of the invention.

Figure 14: shows a perspective view of a tethering strap as shown in Figure 12, wrapped and secured around a tethering rope and tethering member on a float of the invention. Figure 15: shows schematically an arrangement of floats securing surface lines, from which marine mollusc crop lines are suspended.

Figure 16: shows schematically an alternative arrangement of floats that support an array of submerged floats, which in turn support marine mollusc crop lines suspended therefrom. Figure 17: shows schematically a further alternative arrangement of floats that support an array of submerged floats, which in turn may support marine mollusc crop lines suspended therefrom.

Detailed description of the invention

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a float comprising a hollow shell defining an airtight hollow interior region, the shell having a first end and a second end, an air inlet positioned on the shell that is adapted and dimensioned to provide a means of pressurising the float in use, the first and second ends each providing a coupling member that extends from each end of the shell, each coupling member being adapted to provide a substantial bearing surface to receive and support a rope hanging substantially perpendicular to the plane of flotation of the float, when the float is in use.

In one embodiment, the first and second ends are substantially symmetrical. In one embodiment the float is further adapted at each end to provide a stabilising extension.

In one embodiment, the stabilising extensions extend in the plane of flotation of the float, from the shell about the coupling member and back to the shell. In one embodiment, the stabilising extension extends at least across 50% of the width of the shell to provide a means of stabilising the float about its flotation plane when in use. In one embodiment, the stabilising extension also provides a handle grip.

In another embodiment, the stabilising extensions extend from the shell in a plane perpendicular to the plane of flotation of the float, adjacent the coupling members. In one form of this embodiment, the stabilising extensions extend substantially along the length of the first and second ends.

In one embodiment, the stabilising extension is further adapted to provide at least one tethering means, such that in use the float is tetherable to at least one tether line that extends horizontally and in the plane of flotation of the float.

In one embodiment, the substantial bearing surface of the coupling member has a radius at least twice the radius of the rope that is to be supported in use.

In one embodiment, the float is cylindrical and said first and second ends of the shell are spaced apart by a central cylindrical region.

In another embodiment, the float is moulded from a cross-linked high-density polyethylene. In another embodiment, the float is moulded from a cross-linked high- density polyethylene thermoset plastics material.

In yet another embodiment the float is pressurisable to a pressure of two bar and is submersible in use to depths of up to 25 metres.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method for growing marine molluscs, the method comprising the step of coupling a crop rope impregnated with a spawn of marine molluscs to a rope tethered to a float defined above.

In one embodiment, the method includes using tether lines to tether a plurality of spaced apart floats to provide a plurality of mollusc crop ropes suspended from the tether lines in a spaced apart arrangement. Definitions and Description

In each instance herein, in descriptions, embodiments, and examples of the present invention, the terms "comprising", "including", etc., are to be read expansively, without limitation. Thus, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words "comprise", "comprising", and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive sense, that is to say in the sense of "including but not limited to".

With reference to the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, a float 1 comprises a hollow shell 2 that defines an airtight hollow interior region. The shell 2 has a first end 3 and a second end 4. In the embodiment shown, the float 1 is cylindrical and the first 3 and second 4 ends of the shell are spaced apart by a central cylindrical region 5. An optional air inlet 6 is positioned on the shell and is adapted and dimensioned to provide a means of pressurising the float. The first end 3 and second end 4 are substantially symmetrical and each end provides a coupling member 7. Each coupling member 7 (best seen in Figure 2) is adapted to provide a substantial bearing surface 8 to receive and support a rope (not shown). The bearing surface 8 of the coupling member preferably has a radius at least twice the radius of the rope that will be supported by the float. In use, the rope hangs substantially perpendicularly to the plane of flotation of the float 1 as shown in Figure 16.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, the float 1 is further adapted at each end to provide a stabilising extension 9, which extends in the plane of flotation of the float 1 from the shell 2 about the coupling member 7 and back to the shell 2. In the embodiment shown, the stabilising extension 9 extends at least across 50% of the width of the shell 2 to provide a means of stabilising the float about its flotation plane (the plane of floatation is depicted as dotted line (a) in Figure 4) when in use. In the embodiment shown the stabilising extension also provides a handle grip 10.

In the embodiment shown, the stabilising extension is further adapted to provide at least one tethering means 11, such that in use the float is tetherable to at least one tether line that extends horizontally and in the plane of flotation of the float. As shown in Figure 4 the tethering means 11 includes an indentation 25 to receive a tether line or rope (not shown). The volume of the float depicted in Figures 1 to 4 is approximately 120 litres.

With reference to the embodiment shown in Figures 5 to 8, a float 12 comprises a hollow shell 13 that defines an airtight hollow interior region. The shell 13 has a first end 14 and a second end 15. In the embodiment shown the float 12 is cylindrical and the first end 14 and the second end 15 of the shell are spaced apart by a central cylindrical region 16. An optional air inlet 17 is positioned on the shell and is adapted and dimensioned to provide a means of pressurising the float in use.

The first and second ends 14, 15 are substantially symmetrical and each end provides a coupling member 18. Each coupling member 18 (best seen in Figure 6) is adapted to provide a substantial bearing surface 19 to receive and support a rope (not shown). The bearing surface 19 of the coupling member 18 preferably has a radius at least twice the radius of the rope that will be supported by the float. In use, the rope hangs substantially perpendicularly to the plane of flotation of the float as shown in Figure 15.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 5 to 8, the float is further adapted at each end to provide a stabilising extension 20, which extends in the plane of flotation of the float 12 from the shell 13 about the coupling member 18 and back to the shell 13. In the embodiment shown, the stabilising extension 20 extends at least across 50% of the width of the shell to provide a means of stabilising the float about its flotation plane (the plane of floatation is shown as line (b) in Figure 8) when in use. In the embodiment shown, the stabilising extension 20 is further adapted to provide two tethering means 22, such that in use the float is tetherable to at least one tether line that extends horizontally and in the plane of flotation of the float.

The volume of the float depicted in Figures 5 to 8 is approximately 300 litres.

With reference to the embodiment shown in Figures 9 to 11 , a float 27 comprises a hollow shell 28 that defines an airtight hollow interior region. The shell 28 has a first end 29 and a second end 30. In the embodiment shown, the float 27 is cylindrical and the first end 29 and the second end 30 of the shell are spaced apart by a central cylindrical region 31. An optional air inlet 32 is positioned on the shell and is adapted and dimensioned to provide a means of pressurising the float in use.

The first and second ends 29, 30 are each provided with a coupling member 33. Each coupling member 33 (best seen in Figure 11) is adapted to provide a substantial bearing surface 34 to receive and support a rope (not shown). The bearing surface 34 of the coupling member 33 preferably has a radius at least twice the radius of the rope that will be supported by the float. In use, the rope hangs substantially perpendicularly to the plane of flotation of the float as shown in Figure 17.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 9 to 11, the float 27 is further adapted at each end to provide a stabilising extension 35, which extends perpendicularly to the plane of flotation of the float 27 from the shell 28 adjacent the coupling member 33. In the embodiment shown, the stabilising extensions 35 extend along the length of each end 29, 30 of the float 27 to provide a means of stabilising the float relative to its flotation plane (the plane of floatation is shown as line (c) in Figure 10) when in use.

In the embodiment shown, the stabilising extension 35 is further adapted to provide a tethering means 36, such that in use the float is tetherable to at least one tether line that extends horizontally and in the plane of flotation of the float.

Figure 12 shows one embodiment of a tethering strap 23 for use with the float of the invention. The tethering strap 23 is adapted in shape and is dimensioned to secure a rope to a tethering means on a float of the present invention. The tethering strap 23 includes a hole 23a at one end and a slot 23b about mid-way along its length. The slot 23b is wide enough to receive the other end 23c of the tethering strap. The strap at end 23c includes a number of spaced apart holes 37 that allow engagement with a locking pin.

Figure 13 shows a cross section of the relationship between the tethering means 11/22/36, tether strap 23 and rope 24. With reference to Figures 13 and 14 the features of the tethering means 11, 22 and 36 can be further described. The tethering means 11/22/36 is integrally moulded about or adjacent to the stabilising extension 9/20/35 and provides an indentation 25 to receive a rope. The stabilising extension 9/20/35 provides a locking pin 26 that engages with the holes 23a and 37 positioned at their respective ends of the tether strap 23. The tether strap 23 is engaged by positioning the hole 23a (see Figure 12) over the locking pin 26 at one end and then wrapping the strap around the tethering means 11/22/36 then around the rope 24 in the indentation 25 before passing the end 23c of the tethering strap through slot 23b (see figure 12) around the tethering means 11/22/36 back to the locking pin 26 whereupon a hole 37 in the tethering strap 23 is placed over the locking pin 26 to secure the strap around the tethering means.

In each of the embodiments described above the float may be moulded from a cross- linked high-density polyethylene, such as a cross-linked high-density polyethylene thermoset plastics material.

In each of the embodiments described above the float is pressurisable to a pressure of two bar and is submersible in use to depths of up to 25 metres.

In each of the embodiments described above the float is capable of suspending crop lines of marine molluscs.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for growing marine molluscs. The method comprises coupling a crop rope impregnated with a spawn of marine molluscs to a tether line secured to a coupling member of a float defined above. As shown in Figure 15, floats 12 (ie the up to 300 litre volume floats) are tethered between tether lines 38. From the tether lines 38 are suspended a plurality of mollusc crop lines 39.

An alternative float arrangement is shown in Figure 16, where floats 12 float on the water surface 40. The floats 12 are each coupled by way of coupled lines 41 to at least one float 1. The floats 1 are submerged and are additionally tethered to tether lines 38. Mollusc crop lines 39 are suspended from the tether lines 38. As the weight of the crop lines increases additional floats 1 and 12 can be secured to the arrangement to ensure sufficient flotation support. An alternative float arrangement is shown in Figure 17, where a float 12a floats on the water surface 40. A second float 12b is coupled by way of coupled lines 41 below float 12a, so that it is submerged. Floats 27 are submerged and are tethered to tether line 42. Tether line 42 is in turn tethered to lines 41. Mollusc crop lines 39 are suspended from the tether lines 42. As the weight of the crop lines increases additional floats 12 can be secured to the arrangement to ensure sufficient flotation support.

It is to be appreciated that alternative arrangements can be adopted without modifying the features of the floats. Method of production of the floats

The floats of the invention are produced by a plastic rotational (Roto) moulding method. The process begins with filling a hollow mould for a float of the invention with a quantity of powdered resin (polymer), in this case FTDPE - a cross-linked high-density polyethylene thermoset plastics material. The mould is then heated at high temperature in an oven and bi-axially rotated as the polymer melts and coats the mould. As the mould is cooled, it continues to be rotated until it is cool enough that the resin is solid and the moulded float can be removed from the mould.

The examples described herein are provided for the purpose of illustrating specific embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention in any way. It is understood that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Persons of ordinary skill can utilise the disclosures and teachings herein to produce other embodiments and variations without undue experimentation. Furthermore, where known equivalents exist to specific features, such equivalents are incorporated as if specifically referred to in this specification. All such embodiments, variations, and equivalents are considered to be part of this invention.

Each publication, including all published books, articles, patents, and patent applications noted in this specification is expressly and fully incorporated herein by reference.