TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to floatation structures such as floating platforms, barges or vessels for use for transport on waterways, or as pontoons or bridges. The present disclosure further relates to floats for use in such floatation structures.

BACKGROUND

Floatation structures typically include a platform floated by buoyancy. There is a need to provide structures which are strong enough to carry considerable weight and withstand adverse weather and/or wave conditions. Typically therefore, a floatation structure may include a frame to provide the required strength for a given application.

There is also a commercial need to provide structures which are cost effective to manufacture, which can be hired at a relatively low cost and/or which can be transported to a desired launch site and assembled at a relatively low cost. It will be appreciated that such structures can be used in many different locations and environments around the world, often involving transporting the structures over long distances or to areas with limited access.

SUMMARY

From a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a flotation structure comprising: a plurality of floats; and a frame attached to the plurality of floats and adapted to support a deck extending over the floats, wherein the frame comprises: a first scaffolding component extending in a first direction; second and third scaffolding components, extending spaced apart and parallel to one another in a second direction different from the first direction; and scaffolding clamps joining the first scaffolding component to the second and third scaffolding components.

It will be appreciated that the floatation structure according to the disclosure can be quickly assembled on site.

In any example of the disclosure, the first, second and third scaffolding components may comprise standard scaffolding components. These standard scaffolding components can potentially be sourced locally to the assembly site for the floatation structure and so may not need to be transported from a manufacturing site with the floats. Thus, the costs of transporting the floatation structure to the assembly site may be significantly reduced compared to a floatation structure comprising a bespoke frame which requires transporting from the site of manufacture to its place of use.

It will also be understood that the floatation structure according to the disclosure can contain any desired number and arrangement of floats such that a floatation structure can be provided for most desired uses. Where the use dictates the required loading and size of the structure. The size and strength of the frame can easily be modified to meet the required loading and size of the structure in a cost effective manner.

The plurality of floats could have any desired shape. For example, the floats could be cylindrical or spherical. In one example of the disclosure however, the plurality of floats may comprise at least one outer surface having a rectangular cross section. This may enable the floats to be arranged adjacent to one another in such a way as to save space compared to floats of other shapes. In any example of the disclosure, some or all of the plurality of floats may have a constant rectangular cross section.

In an alternative, some or all of the plurality of floats may comprise a tapered portion having a varying rectangular cross section.

The plurality of floats could be made from a variety of materials and take a variety of forms. For example, the floats could be made from a moulded foam. In any example of the disclosure, each of the plurality of floats may comprise a shell. Further, the shell may be hollow or foam may be provided inside the shell. Such floats may be relatively cost effective and simple to manufacture.

In one example of the disclosure, the shell may be made of plastic.

Various arrangements may be provided to attach the frame to the plurality of floats and to enable load to be transferred from the deck to the floats via the frame. In any example of the disclosure, one or more of the plurality of floats may comprise at least one groove extending into the float from a surface thereof, wherein the groove is configured to receive one of the first, second and third scaffolding components therein.

In any example of the disclosure, one or more of the plurality of floats may comprise at least one protrusion formed on a surface thereof, wherein the protrusion is configured to receive one of the first, second and third scaffolding components therein.

In any example of the disclosure, one or more of the plurality of floats may comprise one or more scaffolding tubes bonded into and extending though the float.

It will be understood that further structure may be added to the frame to increase the strength thereof. In any example of the disclosure, the frame may further comprise: a fourth scaffolding component extending spaced from and parallel to the first scaffolding component; and scaffolding clamps joining the fourth scaffolding component to the second and third scaffolding components.

It will be understood that various standard scaffolding components could be used in the floatation structure according to the disclosure. In any example of the disclosure therefore, the first and/or second and/or third and/or fourth scaffolding component may comprise at least one of a scaffolding tube, a scaffolding truss or lattice beam and a scaffolding ladder beam. The floatation structure could be designed to be a required size and shape for a particular application. In any example of the disclosure, the plurality of floats may comprise a first plurality of floats arranged in a first row and aligned with each other.

In any example of the disclosure, the plurality of floats may further comprise a second plurality of floats arranged in at least one further row and aligned with the floats in the said at least one further row, wherein the at least one further row is arranged such that each float from the first row is aligned with a float from the at least one further row. It will be understood that in this arrangement, the floats may form a grid, providing a structure which is substantially rectangular in plan view.

In any example of the disclosure, the frame may comprise a plurality of first scaffolding components extending in the first direction, one first scaffolding component extending along each row of the floats.

In any example of the disclosure, the first scaffolding component may comprise a first scaffolding tube and the frame may further comprise one or more second scaffolding tubes extending parallel to and spaced from the or each first scaffolding tube in the first direction.

In any example of the disclosure, the floatation structure may further comprise a deck, wherein the first scaffolding component(s) extend between the deck and the plurality of floats.

In any example of the disclosure, the floatation structure may further comprise a deck, wherein each of the plurality of floats comprises first and second side walls extending away from the deck, the second and third scaffolding components extending along respective side walls of the plurality of floats and being spaced from the deck.

In any example of the disclosure, the second and third scaffolding components may be scaffolding trusses or lattice beams. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Various non-limiting examples will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of part of a floatation structure according to one example of the disclosure;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the floatation structure of Figure 1 with a deck added;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a float for a floatation structure according to one example of the disclosure; Figure 4 is a perspective view of detail A from Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of an alternative float for a floatation structure according to one example of the disclosure; and Figure 6 is a perspective view of a further alternative float for a floatation structure according to one example of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION With reference to Figure 1 , a floatation structure 2 according to one example of the present disclosure is shown. In the example shown, the floatation structure comprises a total of twenty four floats 4 arranged in six rows of four floats per row. Each float 4 comprises a hollow plastic body as will be described in greater detail below.

As seen, each float comprises a first substantially rectangular face 6 extending from a first end 8 of the float 4 to a second end 10 of the float 4. Each float 4 further comprises first 12 and second (not shown) side faces extending substantially perpendicular to the first substantially rectangular face 6 between the first and second ends 8, 10 thereof. Each float 4 in a row of four floats is arranged such that the first 8 and second 10 ends thereof are aligned with the first 8 and second 10 ends of the other floats 4 in the row. And such that a second side face (not shown) of one float 4 extends parallel to and spaced apart from a first side face 12 of an adjacent float 4.

As seen in Figure 1 , each row 14 of four floats 4 is aligned with the other rows of four floats 4, such that a first end 8 of each float in a first row is adjacent to and aligned with a second end 10 of a float in a second row.

The floats 4 in the floatation structure 2 are held together by a frame 16. In the example shown in Figure 1, the frame comprises first scaffolding components comprising scaffolding tubes 18. Three scaffolding tubes 18 are provided extending spaced from and parallel to each other across the first substantially rectangular face 6 of each of the four floats 4 in a row. Thus, a set of three scaffolding tubes 18 extends across each row 14 of four floats 4. As will be described more clearly below, the scaffolding tubes 18 may be received in respective grooves 20 extending into the float from the first substantially rectangular face 6 of each of the four floats 4.

The frame 16 may further comprise second and third scaffolding components comprising scaffolding truss or lattice beams. A first scaffolding truss beam 22 is arranged to extend substantially perpendicular to each set of three scaffolding tubes 18. The first scaffolding truss beam 22 may be adjacent to the first side face 12 of the first float in each row of four floats 4 and may extend away from the first substantially rectangular face 6 of each of the four floats 4. The first scaffolding truss beam 22 is held to each of the three scaffolding tubes 18 of each set by a respective scaffolding clamp 24. A second scaffolding truss beam 26 is arranged to extend substantially perpendicular to each set of three scaffolding tubes 18 adjacent to the second side face (not shown) of the fourth float in each row of four floats 4. The second scaffolding truss beam 26 is held to each of the three scaffolding tubes 18 of each set by a respective scaffolding clamp 24.

Additional scaffolding truss beams 28 may be provided extending between the first and second floats, the second and third floats and the third and fourth floats in each row of floats respectively. The additional scaffolding truss beams 28 may also be held to each of the three scaffolding tubes 18 of each set by a respective scaffolding clamp 24.

To improve the rigidity of the frame 16, respective further scaffolding tubes 30 are provided extending from the first scaffolding truss beam 22 to the second scaffolding truss beam 26. The further scaffolding tubes 30 are positioned on an opposite side of the scaffolding truss beams to the three scaffolding tubes 18. As seen in Figure 1, each scaffolding truss beam 22, 26, 28 comprises a first longitudinally extending arm 32 spaced from and parallel to a second longitudinally extending arm 34, the truss structure extending between the first and second arms 32, 34. Each set of three scaffolding tubes 18 is attached to the first arm 32 of each respective scaffolding truss beam 22, 26, 28 and each of the further scaffolding tubes 30 is attached to the second arm 34 of each respective scaffolding truss beam 22, 26, 28. The structure described in which the first and second scaffolding truss beams 22, 26 are clamped or attached to the scaffolding tubes 18 positioned under the deck and to additional scaffolding tubes positioned on an opposite side of the first and second scaffolding truss beams 22, 26 from the deck, provides additional strength and rigidity which is advantageous for withstanding the loading and conditions to which a floatation structure may be subjected.

Any suitable scaffolding lattice or truss beam may be used in the frame 16. Examples of suitable beams include but are not limited to Apollo, Haki, Generation or Layher 450mm or 750mm lattice beams.

If required, further scaffolding truss or ladder beams (not shown) may be provided as an alternative to or in addition to the further scaffolding tubes 30, i.e. extending from the first scaffolding truss beam 22 to the second scaffolding truss beam 26. It will be appreciated that this may increase the strength of the frame 16 if required for certain applications.

It will be understood that a deck 36 or platform formed from wood, concrete or any other suitable material may be provided on the floatation structure according to the disclosure. This is shown in Figure 2. In the example shown, the deck or platform can be supported on the scaffolding tubes 18. As seen, handrails 38 can be provided on the deck 36 to improve user safety. As seen in Figure 1, the floats 4 in the second, third, fourth and fifth rows of the floatation structure have a substantially constant rectangular cross section. The floats 4 in the first and sixth rows of the floatation structure have a rectangular cross section but include a tapered portion at one end thereof so as to provide a surface which slopes inwardly away from the deck at the front and rear of the floatation structure 2. This may improve the performance of the floatation structure when moving through water. In an alternative arrangement of a floatation structure according to the disclosure which is not shown in the drawings, first scaffolding tubes may be provided to extend along a first side of each of the first, second, third and fourth floats in each row and second scaffolding tubes may be provided to extend along a second, opposite side of each of the first, second, third and fourth floats in each row. In one example, the first and second scaffolding tubes may be held within grooves formed in the respective sides of the respective floats. Further scaffolding tubes may be provided extending perpendicular to the first and second scaffolding tubes along the respective ends of the respective floats and may be attached to the first and second scaffolding tubes using scaffolding clamps.

Various known types of scaffolding clamp may be used, including but not limited to any of a limpet clamp, a doubler, an inverted doubler or an oyster clamp. It will be understood that these or other clamps may be used in any combination as required at the different junctions between the various scaffolding tubes and trusses.

A float 4 according to one example for use in a floatation structure according to the disclosure is shown in Figure 3. The float 4 has a substantially constant rectangular cross section and comprises a hollow plastic shell 5 as shown. Further, the float 4 comprises a first substantially rectangular face 6 extending from a first end 8 of the float 4 to a second end 10 of the float 4. A second substantially rectangular face

(not shown) extends substantially parallel to and spaced from the first substantially rectangular face 6. Each float 4 further comprises first 12 and second (not shown) side faces, extending substantially perpendicular to the first substantially rectangular face 6 between the first and second ends 8, 10 thereof. First, second and third grooves 40, 42, 44 are formed in the first substantially rectangular face 6 and extend into the float 4. The first, second and third grooves 40, 42, 44 extend parallel to and spaced from one another across the float 4 from the first side 12 to the second side (not shown) thereof. As seen in more detail in Figure 4, the first, second and third grooves 40, 42, 44 are substantially circular in cross section with an open portion at the surface of the float 4 to allow a scaffolding tube 18 to be inserted into the groove under pressure. Thus, the first, second and third grooves 40, 42, 44 provide a “click fit” such that, when the scaffolding tube 18 is positioned in the groove, the edges 46, 48 of the groove extend around the scaffolding tube 18 to hold the tube in place within the groove.

It will be understood that any number of grooves may be formed in the first substantially rectangular face 6 of the float 4 to support the required number of scaffolding tubes. In an alternative embodiment, the grooves may be substantially semi-circular in cross section.

The diameter of the grooves in which the scaffolding tubes are received (for example, the first, second and third grooves 40, 42, 44 in the example of Figure 3) is adapted to provide a snug fit around standard scaffolding tubes having a diameter of 48.3mm. In one example, this is achieved by using a tool having a diameter of 50mm to form the grooves. The float is then cured after the grooves have been formed, causing shrinkage of between for example 2% and 4% or between 2.5% and 3%, thus reducing the diameter of the grooves to provide a diameter close to that of the 48.3mm diameter scaffolding tubes.

A float 104 according to one example for use in a floatation structure according to the disclosure is shown in Figure 5. The float 104 has a substantially constant rectangular cross section and again comprises a hollow plastic shell 105 as shown. Further, the float 104 comprises a first substantially rectangular face 106 extending from a first end 108 of the float 104 to a second end 110 of the float 104. Each float 104 further comprises first and second side faces 112, not shown extending substantially perpendicular to the first substantially rectangular face 106 between the first and second ends 108, 110 thereof.

First and second protrusions 150, 152 are formed on the first substantially rectangular face 106 extending outwardly therefrom. As seen the first and second protrusions 150, 152 extend parallel to and spaced from one another across the float 104 from the first side 112 to the second side (not shown) thereof. The first and second protrusions 150, 152 may comprise respective recesses (not shown) provided therein and adapted to receive a respective scaffolding tube 118. Alternatively, the first and second protrusions 150, 152 may comprise respective pairs of first and second ribs positioned so as to hold a respective scaffolding tube 118 there between as seen.

In a further example as shown in Figure 6, floats 204 again comprise a hollow plastic shell 205 and are provided with scaffolding tubes 218 bonded into and extending though the float 204. Thus, in this example, part of the frame extends through the floats rather than across the floats.

It will be understood that a different number of scaffolding tubes could be provided to extend spaced from and parallel to each other across the first substantially rectangular face of each float.

In an alternative example (not shown), five scaffolding tubes may extend spaced from and parallel to each other across the first substantially rectangular face of each float. In one example, in which the number of scaffolding tubes used per float will depend on the dimensions of the float and so is not limited to five scaffolding tubes being used, the scaffolding tubes may be evenly spaced from each other at a centre to centre spacing of between about 200 and 500mm, more preferably between about 200mm and 400mm, and still more preferably between about 300mm and 320mm. Such spacing may enable a maximum deck load of 2.5 t/m ² or higher to be supported.

In one example, the five scaffolding tubes may be received in five respective grooves in the surface of the float, the grooves being evenly spaced from each other at a centre to centre spacing of between about 200 and 500mm, more preferably between about 200mm and 400mm, and still more preferably between about 300mm and 320mm. Preferably, the grooves may be positioned such that a first groove is positioned close to a first end of the float and the fifth groove is positioned close to the second, other end of the float. This will allow the deck to be supported only by the scaffolding tubes held in the grooves of respective floats, without the spacing between the scaffolding tubes being too great at a gap between adjacent floats.

It will be appreciated that the description above is of examples of the disclosure and that various modifications may be made to those examples within the scope of the disclosure. For example, one or more floats could be provided in which two or more of the grooves, ribs and/or bonded scaffolding tubes could be provided for attaching the frame to the float. Further, a different number of floats could be provided, arranged in a different number of rows and/or having a different number of floats per row. The size, number and arrangement of floats provided will depend on the size and buoyancy of structure required for a particular application. Thus, the buoyancy or float to deck ratio can be varied depending on the required properties or use of a particular structure. Froe example, a 3x10m pedestrian bridge may only require 10 floats, whereas a pontoon of the same size carrying steel may require 40 floats.

In addition to the above, various different arrangements of scaffolding components could be used to provide a suitable frame for a floatation structure according to the disclosure. For example, only two scaffolding tubes 18 could be provided extending across each row of floats 4.