12, as shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIGS. 2-4, a plurality of the buoyant devices 12 are attached to the pipe 14 via straps 16 and 18, in a manner described further below following a description of one of the buoyant devices 12.

In the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 5-12 and described below, one or a plurality of buoyant or float devices 12 can be used with a single pipe 14. Each of the plurality of the buoyant devices 12 are identical to one another. Therefore, description of one of the buoyant devices 12 applies to all of the plurality of the buoyant devices 12 depicted in FIGS. 1-4.

As shown in FIGS. 5-12, the buoyant device 12 has an outer surface 20 with a first end portion 22, a second end portion 24 and an elongated portion 26. The elongated portion 26 extends from the first end portion 22 to the second end portion 24. The elongated portion 26 has an overall shape that resembles a cylinder when viewed from a distance. The cylinder shape is interrupted by a concaved section 28. In the first embodiment, the resemblance to a cylinder of the elongated portion 26 is achieved with the outer surface 20 having an octagonal shape with eight sections including seven flat sections 30, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 10. The last section of the eight sections that define the outer surface 20 in the first embodiment is the concaved section 28.

The first end portion 22 and the second end portion 24 of the outer surface 20 of the buoyant device 12 has an overall semi-spherical shape, as viewed from a distance. However, like the elongated portion 26, each of the first and second end portions 22 and 24 include eight separate sections that curve inward to define the overall semi-spherical shape.

The concaved section 28 defines a shape that complements the outer radius R₁(the pipe radius) of the pipe 14. Consequently, with the concaved section 28 being strapped in place against the outer surface of the pipe 14, the buoyant device 12 can attach to the pipe 14 without rotating with respect to the pipe 14.

The buoyant device 12 has an overall length L₁measured in a lengthwise direction D₁of the buoyant device 12, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The concaved section 28 includes at least one protrusion 32 and preferably two protrusions 32 that are dimensioned and shaped to contact the pipe 14 preventing longitudinal movement therebetween with the buoyant device 12 strapped to the pipe 14. Both of the protrusions 32 extend in directions perpendicular to the lengthwise direction D₁of the buoyant device 12, as shown in FIG. 6.

As shown in FIGS. 10-12, the buoyant device 12 is not hollow in the first embodiment. Rather, the buoyant device 12 is filled with a foam material, such as, for example, expandable polyurethane, polystyrene or other light weight material that ensures buoyancy of the buoyant device 12. The outer surface 20 of the buoyant device 12 is defined an outer wall of the buoyant device 12. The outer wall can be formed from metallic materials or by any of a variety of plastic or polymers materials suitable for use in marine environments.

As shown in FIGS. 4-5, 7-8 and 10-12, the buoyant device 12 includes a pair of first strap receiving tunnels 40 and a pair of second strap receiving tunnels 42. The first strap receiving tunnels 40 extend between flat sections 30 located proximate an opposite side of the buoyant device 12 from the concaved section 28. The first strap receiving tunnels 40 are parallel to one another and parallel to the projections 32.

The pair of second strap receiving tunnels 42 extend through the buoyant device 12 and are centered with respect thereto, as shown in cross-section in FIGS. 8 and 10. The second strap receiving tunnels 42 are parallel to the first strap receiving tunnels 40 and spaced apart therefrom.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the straps 16 and 18 are installed to the buoyant devices 12 such that the strap 16 extends through one of the first strap receiving tunnels 40 in each of the plurality of buoyant devices 12 and the strap 18 extends through the other of the first strap receiving tunnels 40 in each of the plurality of buoyant devices 12. The plurality of buoyant devices 12 are tightened to the pipe 14 such that the straps 16 and 18 press the projections 32 onto the outer surface of the pipe 14. The straps 16 and 18 are then tightened. Once the straps 16 and 18 are tightened, contact between the projections 32 and the pipe 14 ensure that the plurality of buoyant devices 12 to not move in the lengthwise direction D₁relative to the pipe 14. Further, since the pipe 14 extends into each of the concaved sections 28 of the buoyant devices 12, the straps 16 and 18 prevent rotation of the buoyant devices 12 relative to each other. As well, the straps 16 and 18 extending through the first strap receiving tunnels 40 further wrap around all of the buoyant devices 12 holding them together and in place about the pipe 14.

The second strap receiving tunnels 42 can be used in applications where fewer numbers of buoyant devices 12 are used, as is shown in the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 25-28 and described in greater detail below.

Second Embodiment

Referring now to FIGS. 13-16, a buoyant device 112 in accordance with a second embodiment will now be explained. In view of the similarity between the first and second embodiments, the parts of the second embodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals as the parts of the first embodiment. Moreover, the descriptions of the parts of the second embodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment may be omitted for the sake of brevity.

The buoyant device 112 is basically the same (from the outside) as the buoyant device 12 of the first embodiment, except that the buoyant device 112 has a hollow interior 150. More specifically, the buoyant device 112 includes the outer surface 20 with the first end 22, the second end 24, the elongated portion 26, the concaved section 28 and the projections 32. The buoyant device 112 further includes the first strap receiving tunnels 40 and the second strap receiving tunnels 42, as described above with respect to the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, the buoyant device 12 is not hollow. In the second embodiment, the buoyant device 112 is hollow.

Third Embodiment

Referring now to FIGS. 17-19, a buoyant device 212 in accordance with a third embodiment will now be explained. In view of the similarity between the first and third embodiments, the parts of the third embodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals as the parts of the first embodiment. Moreover, the descriptions of the parts of the third embodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment may be omitted for the sake of brevity.

The buoyant device 212 is very similar to the buoyant device 12 of the first embodiment, except that the buoyant device 212 has a smooth outer surface 220. The buoyant device 212 includes an outer surface 220 with a first end 222, a second end 224 and an elongated portion 226. The outer surface 220 is dimensioned and shaped in a manner similar to the outer surface 20 of the first embodiment, except that the outer surface 220 is smooth and continuous except for the inclusion of the concaved section 28 and the projections 32. The concaved section 28 and the projections 32 are as described in the first embodiment. Similarly, the first end 222 has an overall shape similar to the first end 22 but is smooth. As well, the second end 224 has an overall shape similar to the second end 22 of the first embodiment but is smooth.

The buoyant device 212 further includes the first strap receiving tunnels 40 and the second strap receiving tunnels 42.

Fourth Embodiment

Referring now to FIGS. 20-24, a buoyant device 312 in accordance with a fourth embodiment will now be explained. In view of the similarity between the first and fourth embodiments, the parts of the fourth embodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals as the parts of the first embodiment. Moreover, the descriptions of the parts of the fourth embodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment may be omitted for the sake of brevity.

The buoyant device 312 of the fourth embodiment has some features common with the first embodiment. However, in the fourth embodiment, the buoyant device 312 has an outer surface 320 that includes a first end 322, a second end 324 and an elongated portion 326. The buoyant device 312 further includes the concaved section 28 and the projections 32 of the first embodiment. The buoyant device 312 further includes at least one the first strap receiving tunnels 40 and at least one of the second strap receiving tunnels 42, as described in the first embodiment.

The first end 322 includes a pair of attachment projections 360 that extend from the elongated portion 326. The second end 324 includes a pair of recesses 362 that are shaped and dimensioned to receive the pair of attachment projections 360. As shown in FIG. 20, the second end 324 of the buoyant device 312 can be attached to the first end 322 of a second of the buoyant device 312 via a pair of attachment projections 360 of the second of the buoyant devices 312 being inserted into the pair of recesses 362 at the second end of the first of the buoyant device 312. The strap 16 is inserted the second strap receiving tunnels 42 and the strap 18 is fitted into openings of the projections 360 and thereafter into openings (equivalent to another strap receiving tunnel) in the recesses 362 fixing the two of the buoyant devices 312 together.

Thus a plurality of the buoyant devices 312 can be attached about the outer surface of the pipe 14, and at least pairs of buoyant devices 312 can be attached to one another end to end. It should be understood that many buoyant devices 312 can be attached to one another end to end depending on the length of the pipe 14 and the buoyancy requirements of the float assembly 10.

Fifth Embodiment

Referring now to FIG. 25, a float assembly in accordance with a fifth embodiment will now be explained. In view of the similarity between the first and fifth embodiments, the parts of the fifth embodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals as the parts of the first embodiment. Moreover, the descriptions of the parts of the fifth embodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment may be omitted for the sake of brevity.

In the fifth embodiment, a plurality of the buoyant devices 12 are installed about the pipe 14. The diameter of the pipe 14 and the dimensions of the buoyant devices 12 can, in certain circumstances, be used determine how many buoyant devices 12 are needed. In the fifth embodiment, four of the buoyant devices 12 are strapped about the pipe 14 with straps 16 being installed in the strap receiving tunnels 42, as shown in FIG. 25.

Sixth Embodiment

Referring now to FIG. 26, a float assembly in accordance with a sixth embodiment will now be explained. In view of the similarity between the first and sixth embodiments, the parts of the sixth embodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals as the parts of the first embodiment. Moreover, the descriptions of the parts of the sixth embodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment may be omitted for the sake of brevity.

In the sixth embodiment, a plurality of the buoyant devices 12 are installed about the pipe 14. In the sixth embodiment, five of the buoyant devices 12 are strapped about the pipe 14 with straps 16 being installed in the strap receiving tunnels 42, as shown in FIG. 26.

Seventh Embodiment

Referring now to FIG. 27, a float assembly in accordance with a seventh embodiment will now be explained. In view of the similarity between the first and seventh embodiments, the parts of the seventh embodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals as the parts of the first embodiment. Moreover, the descriptions of the parts of the seventh embodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment may be omitted for the sake of brevity.

In the seventh embodiment, the relative diameter of the pipe 14 is larger than in the sixth embodiments. A plurality of the buoyant devices 12 are installed about the pipe 14. In the seventh embodiment, five of the buoyant devices 12 are again strapped about the pipe 14 with straps 16 being installed in the strap receiving tunnels 42, as shown in FIG. 26. Alternatively, the straps 16 can be installed in the strap receiving tunnels 40 (not shown in FIG. 27).

Eighth Embodiment

Referring now to FIG. 28, a float assembly in accordance with an eighth embodiment will now be explained. In view of the similarity between the first and eighth embodiments, the parts of the eighth embodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals as the parts of the first embodiment. Moreover, the descriptions of the parts of the eighth embodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment may be omitted for the sake of brevity.

In the eighth embodiment, the relative diameter of the pipe 14 is larger than in the sixth and seventh embodiments. A plurality of the buoyant devices 12 are installed about the pipe 14. In the eighth embodiment, six of the buoyant devices 12 are strapped about the pipe 14 with straps 16 being installed in the strap receiving tunnels 40, as shown in FIG. 28.

Ninth Embodiment

Referring now to FIGS. 29-34, a buoyant device 412 in accordance with a nineth embodiment will now be explained. In view of the similarity between the first and nineth embodiments, the parts of the nineth embodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals as the parts of the first embodiment. Moreover, the descriptions of the parts of the nineth embodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment may be omitted for the sake of brevity.

The buoyant device 412 in the nineth embodiment has an outer surface 420 with a first end portion 422, a second end portion 424 and an elongated portion 426. Each of the first end portion 422 and the second end portion 424 of the outer surface 420 of the buoyant device 412 has a tapering semi-conical shape, as shown in FIG. 29.

The elongated portion 426 extends from the first end portion 422 to the second end portion 424. The elongated portion 426 has an overall shape that resembles a wedge or a piece of pie with a bite taken out of an inner end thereof, as viewed from either end thereof or in cross-section, as shown in FIGS. 32, 33 and 34. Put another way, the first end portion 422 and the second end portion 424 of the outer surface 420 of the buoyant device 412 has wedge-like shape, as viewed in perspective. An inner area of the buoyant device 412 defines a concaved section 428 that is curved when viewed from either end, as shown in FIGS. 32-34. The first end portion 422 and the second end portion 424 of the outer surface 420 are also tapering surfaces, as viewed from the perspective, top and side views as in FIGS. 29, 30 and 31, respectively.

The concaved section 428 extends from the first end portion 422 to the second end portion 424. The concaved section 428 has edges 428a that define a shape that complements an outer radius of the conduit 14 with the buoyant device 428 attached to the conduit 14, as described below.

The outer surface 420 of the elongated portion 426 has opposing side surface sections 440, a convex section 442 and the concaved section 428. The side surface sections 440 are generally flat or planar, as shown in FIGS. 29 and 32-34. Each side sections 440 extend from a corresponding edge 428a of the concaved section 428 to a corresponding edge of the convex section 442. The convex section 442 extends parallel to the concaved section 428. The side sections 440 are angularly offset from one another defining an acute angle α therebetween, as shown in FIG. 33. The acute angle α can have any of a variety of values, depending upon the desired shape and purpose of the buoyant device 412. In the depicted embodiment the acute angle α is between 45 and 55 degrees but is preferably approximately 50 (plus or minus one) degrees.

The buoyant device 412 is shaped and configured to attach to the conduit 14 with edges 428a of the concaved section 428 contacting the conduit 14 as is shown in FIGS. 37-38, 40-41, 43-44 and 46-47, and described further below.

The concaved section 428 defines a part-cylindrical or curved shape that complements or is smaller than the outer radius R₁(the pipe radius) of the pipe 14 (FIGS. 1 and 3). Consequently, with the buoyant device 412 being strapped in place against the outer surface of the conduit 14, the edges 428a of the concaved section 428 of the buoyant device 12 can press against the pipe 14 (for larger pipes 14) assisting in preventing rotating or movement along and with respect to the pipe 14. For smaller diameter pipes, tightening a strap S₁(described below) can be sufficient to retain the buoyant device(s) 412 to the pipe 14, as described further below.

The convex section 442 extends from the first end section 422 to the second end portion 424 but is interrupted by at least one strap receiving recess 450a. Preferably, convex section 442 includes three strap receiving recesses 450a, 450b and 450c. Each of the strap receiving recesses 450a, 450b and 450c extends in a direction D₁or parallel to the direction D₁that perpendicular to a lengthwise direction D_Lof the convex section 442 and the buoyant device 412. A bottom surface of each of the strap receiving recesses 450a, 450b and 450c has an arcuate shape that has a radius R₂smaller that a radius R₃defined by the curvature of the convex section 442, as shown in FIG. 32. The strap receiving recesses 450a and 450c are identical in shape and dimensions. The strap receiving recess 450b is identical to the recesses 450a and 450b except that a central area of the recess 450b includes a bridge portion 450d that covers a small portion of the recess 450b defining a tunnel within the recess 450b, as shown in FIGS. 29, 30, 31 and 32. When a strap S₁is inserted into the recess 450b, the strap S₁is more readily retained within the recess 450b by the bridge portion 450d thereby making attachment of the buoyant device 12 to the pipe 14.

As shown in FIGS. 29-31, each of the first end portion 422 and the second end portion 424 includes an arcuate shaped flat surface section 456. The arcuate shaped flat surface section 456 is provided for installations where buoyant devices