Floating pier

The present invention concerns a floating pier comprising one or several interconnected modules. More exactly the invention concerns a floating pier structure which in addition to function as a weather- and wind protection for a boat harbour inside the pier also is constructed with internal storage room and service facilities.

From publication EP 863.279 a floating structure is known having internal parking for cars, where the structure further comprises quay structures, promenade- and recreation structures, restaurants etc.

GB 211.877 further describes a floating parking structure for vehicles. US 4.640.214 and JP 4.257.787 concern an offshore structure for storage of boats which can be stored in a dry condition in an internal storage room.

An object of the present invention is to provide a flexible pier structure for protecting a boat harbour, preferably for small boats. In addition to be a traditional pier the pier shall also include a number of other functions. A primary object is that the pier should be used as storage and/or parking space for vehicle and boats, and should be utilized both in summer and winter. A troublesome car parking and storage of boats offshore should be avoided, such that valuable beach areas are not occupied.

In addition to protect boats against whether and wind and function as a storage- and parking space for boats and cars, respectively the pier shall also include service facilities, such as workshop, service center etc.

Another object is that the pier with corresponding boat harbour shall include a high degree of environmental profile. The pier structure should be adapted to the surrounding environment, i.e. fit into the landscape in a careful way. Problems with pollution related to traditional structure for example spill and pollution onshore and in the sea around the quay structure should be eliminated.

The objects of the present invention are achieved by a floating pier comprising one or several interconnected modules 2, 3, each module 2, 3 comprises a lower floating part 5 and an upper superstructure 15 provided with

one or several internal storage room(s) 35 for preferably storage- and/or parking space for vehicle 36 and boats 37.

Preferred embodiments of the floating pier are further discussed in claims 2 including 18. The present invention is further explained with reference to the attached drawings:

Fig. 1 shows a section, seen from the cross end, of a module of the floating pier according to the present invention. The module is shown with internal storage of boats, which normally will be the case in the winter season. Fig. 2 shows the module of fig. 1, but now with internal parking space for cars, which normally will be the case in the summer season,

Fig. 3 shows a possible embodiment of a pier according to the invention consisting of a number of interconnected modules and quay structure,

Fig. 4 shows another embodiment of the pier having interconnected modules and quay structure,

Fig. 5 shows a section of two modules seen from the longitudinal side of the module,

Fig. 6 shows two interconnected modules seen from the lengthwise side and with the ramp connection ashore, Fig. 7 shows the internal drive- and parking arrangement of a module,

Fig. 8 shows a detail of a coupling device, seen from the above, for interconnecting the module of fig. 6,

Fig. 9 shows details of the coupling device, seen from above, in fig. 8, and

Fig. 10 shows a section, seen from the cross end, of a second embodiment of a module of the floating pier. The module is shown with open bottom and internal buoyancy means.

With reference to the figures and in particular fig. 1 , a module 2 of a floating pier 1 is shown in a section seen from the cross end of the module. The module 2 consists of a lower floating part 5 and an upper superstructure 25. The lower floating part 5 is formed as a rectangular pontoon (caisson) with bottom 6, top 7, cross ends 8, 9 and lengthwise sides 10, 11. The lower floating part 5 is further provided with one or several internal bulkheads 12, such that the floating part 5 is divided into separate internal chambers 13. With reference, in particular to fig. 5, it

can be seen that the chamber or the chambers 13 is (are) provided with an opening 14 to surrounding sea, such that for example a boat can be floated in and taken directly into the module from this chamber 13. Normally, boats will go into dock in the outer module. From the dock location boats can be hoisted vertically in cradle to service module for for example repair or preparation of the boat for winter storage. In connection with the winter storage the boat will thereafter be transported to the right winter storage location, normally corresponding with the owners parking space. It should be mentioned that larger boats can be stored for the winter floating in the pier. Heating/cooling is achieved through water to water heat pump from the sea. Further energy requirement of the installation is taken care of from shore. A cantilever structure 15 for connection to a quay installation (pier) 45 is shown provided on the upper part of the lengthwise side 10 of the lower floating part. A second corresponding cantilever part 16 is provided on the opposite lengthwise side 11 of the module. This cantilever structure is meant to be utilized in connection with for example an external guest harbour or quay for service ships. The lower floating part 5 is further in its bottom area 6 provided with a fastening device 18 for anchoring of the module to the sea bottom. The lower floating part 5 will normally be constructed in concrete.

The module 2, 3 further consists of an upper superstructure 25 provided on the lower floating part 5. The upper super structure 25 comprises a roof structure which again consist of a substantial plane upper rectangular roof surface 26 which is supported on lengthwise outwardly inclined sidewalls 27, 28 and vertical trapezoidal cross walls 29, 30. The lengthwise outwardly inclined side walls 27, 28 and the vertical trapezoidal cross walls 29, 30 are again supported on the top of the floating part. The trapezoidal cross walls 29, 30 will normally be provided with entrance openings 31 , such that the modules can be accessed in two directions. An internal storage room 35, preferably for vehicle and boats, will thus be provided within the area of the upper top surface 7 of the floating part and the internal roof structure of the upper superstructure. Further, promenades 47 are provided on the external top surface 7 of the lower floating part 5 outside the upper superstructure 25. A promenade 49 is also provided on the roof surface 26 of the upper superstructure 25. The lengthwise outwards inclining side walls 27, 28 of the upper

superstructure are provided with external covering 48 preferably of stone (for example shale). The superstructure 25 itself is normally constructed in steel.

With reference to fig. 6 the lower floating part 5 is provided with a driving ramp 46 ashore. The modules 2, 3 are further shown in an embodiment where it between the lower floating part 5 and the upper superstructure 25 is provided an intermediate and cantilever structure 50 which replaces the previous discussed cantilever structure for for example the driving ramp 46 ashore shore and coupling between the modules. A coupling device 52 between two modules 2, 3 is also shown. The coupling device 52 is further shown in detail at fig. 8 and 9. The coupling device 52 is constructed as an articulated coupling where each single module including cantilever structure 17 may rotate around the articulated coupling between for example the modules 2, 3.

With reference to fig. 3 and 4 alternative embodiments of the floating pier 1 including corresponding quay structures are shown. Module 2 will be connected to shore by a driving ramp 46.

Fig. 7 shows the internal storage room 35 in a module. A preferred driving- and parking arrangement is shown here, where the driving direction and the parking pattern is shown in the internal storage room of the module.

It should be mentioned that the pier according to the invention also may include modules which have a completely different function and internal form than the one shown at the drawings as previously described. Examples of such modules can be service modules housing showers and toilets, cafeteria, offices etc.

In an alternative embodiment the module 2 can be provided with an open bottom 20 where the lower floating part 5 is filled with a buoyant means 21 of styropor, for example. The volume of the buoyant means 21 and the weight of the concrete structure is calculated such that the storage elevation inside the pier is located about 40 cm above the water level.

The storage level inside the module 2 may alternatively be utilized as boat hotel. I.e. the boats can be stored dry, but can quickly and easily be put on water. For this purpose a water way 22 is utilized. A device transports the boat to/from the water way/hotel location.