Abstract A portable, flexible, floating firewall having a rectangular galvanized metal body and four essentially identical flotation packets, two disposed on each side of the metal body. The flotation packets are formed of Styrofoam and encased in a plastic container which is covered with a layer of asbestos cloth on all exposed portions of the container. A plurality of steel bands secure the flotation packet to the body and an outwardly projecting rigid shelf is mounted immediately above the flotation packet to hold the flotation packet in place. Two horizontally directed cables are anchored near each end of the body on both sides thereof. The cables are adjustable in length in order to control the degree of bending which will be allowed the body. Ballast weights removably connected by cables to the bottom edges of the body continuously urge the body in the upright position in the water.
A flexible floating firewall for use in confining oil and buoyant chemical deposits on the surface of a body of water comprising: a rectangular galvanized metal body; two essentially identical flotation packets mounted at corresponding vertically centered locations upon each side of the body, the flotation packets comprising a block-shaped member of Styrofoam enclosed in a plastic container which is in turn covered with a layer of asbestos cloth on all exposed portions of the plastic container; a plurality of steel bands tightly formed over each flotation packet and secured to the body with bolts so that the same bolt secures corresponding bands on the opposite sides of the body; an outwardly projecting rigid shelf mounted upon the body immediately above the flotation packet and a similarly shaped fireproof material sandwiched between the flotation packet and the shelf; a plurality of horizontally directed cables anchored near each end of the body, each cable being adjustable in length to control the degree of available bending in the body; and a plurality of ballast weights removably connected by cables to the bottom edge of the body to continuously urge the body to maintain an upright position in the water.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
197 words
A flexible floating firewall for use in confining oil and buoyant chemical deposits on the surface of a body of water comprising: a rectangular galvanized metal body; two essentially identical flotation packets mounted at corresponding vertically centered locations upon each side of the body, the flotation packets comprising a block-shaped member of Styrofoam enclosed in a plastic container which is in turn covered with a layer of asbestos cloth on all exposed portions of the plastic container; a plurality of steel bands tightly formed over each flotation packet and secured to the body with bolts so that the same bolt secures corresponding bands on the opposite sides of the body; an outwardly projecting rigid shelf mounted upon the body immediately above the flotation packet and a similarly shaped fireproof material sandwiched between the flotation packet and the shelf; a plurality of horizontally directed cables anchored near each end of the body, each cable being adjustable in length to control the degree of available bending in the body; and a plurality of ballast weights removably connected by cables to the bottom edge of the body to continuously urge the body to maintain an upright position in the water.