Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
235 words
A flexible boom for catching and collecting residues from the surface of bodies of water, comprising a curtain wall of sheet material for deploying in a substantially vertical position in the water such that the upper edge thereof is above the water surface and the lower edge thereof is below the water surface, a plurality of substantially vertical stiffening members positioned in spaced relationship along the length of the curtain wall, said stiffening members being arranged in opposed pairs with the curtain wall sandwiched therebetween, outrigger members on each side of the boom, each outrigger having an inner end pivotally connected to a stiffening member and an outer end having means for connecting a float thereto, a flexible restraining member connected diagonally between an outer region of each outrigger and a region of the stiffening member below the outrigger pivotal connection thereto allowing said outrigger to swing between a downward position adjacent the stiffening member and a position substantially perpendicular to the stiffening member, and keel members pivotally connected to the lower ends of said stiffening members on both sides of the curtain walls, said keels being held by flexible restraining members connected diagonally between an outer region of each keel and a region of the stiffening member above the keel pivotal connection thereto allowing them to swing between an upper retracted position adjacent the curtain walls and an upwardly and outwardly inclined operating position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
235 words
A flexible boom for catching and collecting residues from the surface of bodies of water, comprising a curtain wall of sheet material for deploying in a substantially vertical position in the water such that the upper edge thereof is above the water surface and the lower edge thereof is below the water surface, a plurality of substantially vertical stiffening members positioned in spaced relationship along the length of the curtain wall, said stiffening members being arranged in opposed pairs with the curtain wall sandwiched therebetween, outrigger members on each side of the boom, each outrigger having an inner end pivotally connected to a stiffening member and an outer end having means for connecting a float thereto, a flexible restraining member connected diagonally between an outer region of each outrigger and a region of the stiffening member below the outrigger pivotal connection thereto allowing said outrigger to swing between a downward position adjacent the stiffening member and a position substantially perpendicular to the stiffening member, and keel members pivotally connected to the lower ends of said stiffening members on both sides of the curtain walls, said keels being held by flexible restraining members connected diagonally between an outer region of each keel and a region of the stiffening member above the keel pivotal connection thereto allowing them to swing between an upper retracted position adjacent the curtain walls and an upwardly and outwardly inclined operating position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A flexible boom according to claim 1 wherein said stiffening members are aluminum channel members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A flexible boom according to claim 2 wherein the outriggers are aluminum channel members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A flexible boom according to claim 3 wherein the restraining member for the outrigger is a polyolefin rope.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A flexible boom according to claim 4 wherein said keel members are fabric panels sewn to the curtain wall and held in place by the keel stiffening members.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A flexible boom according to claim 5 wherein the restraining member is a polyolefin rope.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
A flexible boom according to claim 1, wherein the fabric is PVC coated nylon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A flexible boom according to claim 1 wherein the upper and lower edges of the curtain wall are strengthened by hem pockets containing polyolefin ropes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
A flexible boom according to claim 8 wherein the portion of the curtain wall in the region of the water line is reinforced by a double thickness of fabric with longitudinally extending polyolefin ropes in the double thickness region.