Float structure

Abstract

A modular floating support structure system for supporting solar panels (2, Fig 3). A float element 800 has a mounting formation 811, such as a recess or slot, for receiving a support bracket 850. A s

Description

The present application relates to modular floating support structures, in particularly, those which are to act as walkways and / or support structures for photovoltaic panels. Introduction Floating pontoons provide support structures and walkways on open bodies of water and can function as make-shift docks, moorings and bridges. There has been increased demand in recent years to use pontoons as support structures for photovoltaic panels, e.g. as a way to free-up farmland. Modular pontoons comprise a plurality of individually connected float elements and allow for assembly of more complex structures. Figure 1 is exemplarily of the prior art, where a pontoon is comprised from modular float elements and adjacent elements are joined via connection members that protrude from the comers. The overlapping connection members are held together with a simple pin or bolt (not shown). The overlapping connection members form a stress concentration in the assembly. This arrangement has been found to create some flexibility or ‘give’ n the assembly that allows individual elements to move as people walk over it or when waves ride under it. However, the connectors can become highly stressed or a point of weakness in the assembly as adjacent float elements move with respect to each other. The connector members can deform / rupture around the bolt or end up breaking away from the float element by material fatigue creating waste. These issues can potentially increase maintenance / service costs and operational downtime. Figure 2 shows an example of the waste of a modular system of the prior art. The damaged parts having to be replaced and fished from the water if they break away from the larger structure. However, even with the best efforts, some parts could drift too far away for collection and end up as a source of pollution or a free-floating hazard. Some prior art systems use a mixture of different materials, such as to reinforce the connectors with a metal bracket. However, this increases the manufacturing costs and recycling difficulty. There also remains the possibility of a bolt working itself free as it is repeatedly stressed and unstressed due to the constant motion of the water’s surface. Hence it is the aim of the present invention to mitigate or eliminate one or more of the above-mentioned problems. Summary of invention According to one aspect of the invention, there is a modular floating support structure system as defined in claim 1. There may be provided a clamp for use in the system of the first aspect. The plurality of float elements may each comprise: top and bottom walls spaced apart by a side wall extending around at least part of the periphery of the float element, the top wall comprising a top engagement formation, the bottom wall comprising a bottom engagement formation; a clamp configured to join first and second adjacent float elements, the clamp comprising: a first engagement formation configured to engage with the top-engagement formation of the first float element and also the top-engagement formation of the second float element; and a second engagement formation configured to engage with the bottom engagement formation of the first float element, and also the bottom-engagement formation of the second float element. There may be a connector member extending between the first and second engagement formations and arranged to prevent separation of the first and second engagement formations when engaged with the adjacent float elements. At least one of the first and second engagement formations may be selectively movable along the connector member. The clamp being actuatable to change the distance and / or applied tension between the first and second engagement formations in a longitudinal direction of the connector member. The connector member may have an engagement element for engaging with a corresponding engagement element of the bottom engagement formation. The connector member’s engagement element may a thread for engaging with a corresponding thread on the engagement element of the bottom engagement formation or a nut associated therewith. The clamp may comprise a second connector member, e.g. in parallel with the connector member. The top engagement formation and / or bottom engagement formation of the float elements may comprise a protrusion or knuckle for engagement with the respective engagement formation of the clamp. The first or second engagement formation of the clamp may comprise a recess or receptacle for receiving the protrusion. The first or second engagement formation of the clamp may be shaped to closely surround the protrusions of both of the adjacent float elements. Any or any combination of the top engagement formation, bottom engagement formation, the first engagement formation and / or second engagement formation may comprise an oblique or tapered engagement formation arranged to urge the adjacent float elements together upon tightening of the clamp. Applying tension in the connector member may cause urging of the first and second adjacent floats together in a perpendicular / lateral direction. The first and / or second engagement member of the clamp may comprise a washer plate arranged to receive the connector member. The washer plate may comprise a socket for receiving a handrail. The float element may comprise two opposing long side walls and two opposing short side walls, the long side walls being substantially twice as long as the short side walls. The top and bottom walls may have two engagement formations spaced apart along each long side wall, e.g. such that two float elements can be joined along each long side wall. The system may comprise a further clamp for mounting an accessory to the float elements. The accessory may comprise an upright member such as a post for a handrail / guard or a bollard. According to further aspects of the invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing the floating support structure system or float element of any other aspect. The method may comprise blow moulding the float element(s) and / or support bracket having any of the features defined herein. A strengthened section of the float element may be formed by urging the bottom wall into contact with the top wall of the float element during the moulding process, e.g. whist the float element is still at an elevated temperature and / or malleable. Some optional features are described by way of the dependent claims. Those optional features may be applied to any aspect of the invention defined herein. The clamp may engage the first and second adjacent float elements such that the side walls of said adjacent float elements are in abutment, e.g. immediately adjacent or touching. The clamp may engage the first and second adjacent flat elements such that the side walls of the adjacent float elements are pressed together. The clamp, the first engagement member and / or second engagement member may be profiled, e.g. so as to press the adjacent float elements together when the clamp is tightened. The connector member may be held in tension between the first and second engagement members. The first and / or second engagement member may comprise a recess or protrusion to receive the top / bottom engagement formation. The top / bottom engagement formation may comprise a protrusion or recess to be received by the opposing engagement formation. The top engagement formation may face or extend upwardly relative to the top wall. The bottom engagement formation may extend or face downwardly relative to the bottom wall. The top and / or bottom engagement formation may be surrounded by a trough, which may correspond to a profile of the respective firs / second engagement member of the clamp. The top and bottom engagement formations each having an end face and side walls extending perpendicularly from the end face. The end face may be planar. The end face may be recessed relative to the top / bottom wall. The top wall may be profiled. The top wall may comprise a plurality of ribs, ridges, grooves, channels or similar formations. The profiled surface may extend over a majority of the top surface. The profiled surface may provide drainage channels. The channels may open at an edge / side of the float element. The top surface may comprise one or more through channel, e.g. extending completely from one side of the float element to an opposing side of the float element. The through channel may open on each side of the float element. The through channel may comprise a cover plate. The through channel may provide a cable path in use, e.g. allowing one or more cable to be guided over the float element in a constrained manner. According to another aspect of the invention there is a clamp for clamping adjacent float elements of a floating support structure, comprising, first and second clamp members, a connecting member extending between the first and second clamp members, both clamp members having engagement formations configured to engage with engagement formations on float elements, where at least one of the clamp members is selectively movable along the connector member to tighten the clamp. The floating support structure is comprised from a plurality of float elements which are held together with clamps. The clamps extend over the top and bottom walls of the float elements, such as to define a force path between adjacent float elements. By clamping the float elements, the floating structure is resistant to flexing in both the upwards and downwards directions as people walk over it, or waves ride under it. The assembly is less prone to breaking apart or degradation / wear at the interface between the adjacent float elements. As the clamp is fully separable from the float elements, it can be replaced independently from the float elements. Each float element may comprise a hollow body. Each float element may comprise an outer skin or wall which encloses a hollow (e.g. air-filled) interior. The outer skin or wall may completely enclose the interior in a sealed manner (e.g. being water and / or ait tight). Each float element may be a hollow moulded body. There may be a first float element type configured to act as walkway; a second float element type for supporting one or more solar panels; and / or a third float element type for linking adjacent float elements. According to any aspect of the invention, the float element may comprise a mounting formation for receiving a support bracket, e.g. for supporting a solar panel on the float element in use. The mounting formation may comprise a recess, such as a slot or channel. The support bracket may comprise a protrusion to be received by the mounting formation or vice versa. One of the mounting formation and support bracket may have a rim to receive the other, e.g. to define a height / depth of engagement between the mounting formation and support bracket when correctly engaged. The support bracket may comprise a support arm. The support arm may comprise an inclined support member or top edge to receive a solar panel. The portion of the support bracket engaging the mounting formation may be below the support arm, e.g. as a fin or root portion of the bracket. One of the mounting formation and support bracket may comprise a lug and the other may comprise an opposing receiving formation, such as a depression. The receiving formation may be profiled to permit the movement of the lug in the receiving formation between the first and second conditions. The receiving formation may be L-shaped. The support bracket may have a hollow interior, e.g. being a buoyant body. The support bracket may be blow moulded with integral engagement features. One or more float element may be configured to have increased strength and / or rigidity when compared to the other float elements and those of the prior art. For example, it may have one or more strengthened region. One or more float may have a hollow interior and a strengthened region where two of the walls of the float element are in close proximity or touching, for example opposing wall regions of the top and bottom walls. The / each float element may comprise one or more strengthening ribs in a wall thereof. The edges may be rounded to minimise stresses. The float elements may be formed through blow moulding or rotation moulding. Formations such as engagement formations, strengthening ribs / channels may be moulded or integrally formed in the wall of the float element. The strengthened region may be formed by using a moveable die to bring opposing walls of the moulded float element together whilst the wall material is malleable (e.g. at elevated temperature). One wall may be urged towards the opposing wall, or both walls may be urged towards each other. The engagement formations of the float may comprise a knuckle and / or channel for engaging with corresponding engagement formations of the clamp. The float elements, support arm and / or stopper may be made from plastic, for example one or a combination of Polyethylene (High Density, Low Density and Linear Low Density), Polypropylene, Polyethylene-Terephthalate (PET), and PVC. The float elements are naturally buoyant and may comprise an enclosed interior space. The top, bottom and side walls may define an airtight receptacle. The support brackets may be naturally buoyant and may comprise an enclosed interior space. Any of the optional or essential features defined in relation to any one aspect of the invention above may be applied to any further aspect, wherever practicable. Those optional feature combinations have not been explicitly repeated only for conciseness. Workable embodiments of the invention are described in further detail below, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 shows an example of the prior art. Figure 2 shows an example of waste created by the prior art. Figure 3 shows a floating support structure according to one embodiment of the invention. Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a first float element. Figure 5 shows an engagement formation on a float element of the invention. Figure 6 shows a bottom perspective view of a first float element. Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a second float element, support arm and stopper. Figure 8 shows a top view of a second float element. Figure 9 shows a side view of the support arm. 5 Figure 10 shows two perspective views of a stopper Figure 11 shows a selective view of the second float element, support bracket, stopper and brackets attached. Figure 12 shows a perspective view of a third float element. Figure 13 shows a first embodiment of the clamp. 10 Figure 14 shows a second embodiment of the clamp. Figure 15 shows a schematical representation of the lock mechanism. Figure 16 shows a schematical representation of three float elements joined together by two clamps. Detailed description Figure 3 shows a floating support structure 1 according to a first aspect of the invention. The structure comprises a plurality of interlocking modular components, including a plurality of float elements 100, 800, 900 and clamp members 200 which can be assembled to form large and complex structures. The embodiment shown in figure 3 is used to support a plurality of solar panels 2, e.g. arranged in an array, and provide walkways 3 on opposing sides / ends of the panels. However, larger structures can be formed, for example to support ten, fifty or one hundred or more solar panels. In other embodiments the structure may be used to provide other floating walkways such as docks, moorings, pontoons or bridges (without or with solar panels). Unlike systems of the prior art (like shown in figure 1) which can flex, the float elements 100 and clamps 200 of the invention form a more rigid base that makes it easier to work and walk over, and also results in stresses being better distributed across the whole structure. Localised stresses at connections between adjacent float members is reduced when compared to the prior art, resulting in less breakages and waste like shown in figure 2. First float element Figures 4-6 show perspective views of a first float element 100 according to one embodiment of the invention especially configured to provide extra strength and rigidity to allow persons to walk on when part of a floating support structure. It comprises top 110 and bottom 120 walls, each being generally planar and extending parallel to each other. It also has a continuous side wall 130 around the periphery of the float member, connecting the top 110 and bottom 120 walls. The edges 140, 150 joining the top and bottom walls to the side walls are rounded / filleted to minimise stresses. Both the top 110 and bottom 120 walls comprise engagement formations 160 which are located along the rounded-edges 140, 150 (herewith referred to as an edge) for engaging with the corresponding engagement formations of the clamp 200. Both the top 110 and bottom 120 walls each have six engagement formations 160. Each of the top-engagement formations (i.e. engagement formations located on the top wall) are vertically aligned with a corresponding bottom-engagement formation (i.e. engagement formation on the bottom wall). The top-engagement formations are thus directly above the bottom formations. The float element 100 is elongated in the longitudinal axis L such that its length is substantially twice its width. The float therefore has two opposing long side walls 101 and two opposing short side walls 102. As will become apparent below, this allows the float element 100 to join to two float elements 100 along a long side wall 101. Each long side wall 101 is associated with two engagement formations 160 on both the bottom 120 and top 110 walls, being evenly spaced from the mid-point. Each engagement formation 160 on the long side wall 101 has a corresponding engagement formation on the opposing long side wall (i.e. they are laterally aligned in a perpendicular direction to the longitudinal axis). The opposing short side walls 102 are each associated with an engagement formation 160 on the top and bottom walls, being centrally located (i.e. aligned in the longitudinal axis). Hence each float element 100 comprises six engagement formations 160 on the top wall and six corresponding engagement formations 160 located on the bottom wall. Figure 5 shows a close-up view of two engagement formations 160 of the top 110 and bottoms 120 walls, each comprising a profiled formation referred to herein as a knuckle 161, extending away (e.g. perpendicularly or upwardly / downwardly) from their respective walls. A channel 162 is formed around the knuckle 161 and the remainder of the top / bottom wall. The channel 162 surrounds the knuckle and extends away from the top / bottom wall such that the knuckle 160 is recessed with respect to its wall. As explained below, the engagement formations of the clamp locate over the knuckle and into the channel. The channel 162 has two open-ends 163 to the edges 140 / 150. The channel has first and second parts 164 of equal length, extending in a perpendicular direction to the edge 140. A third part 165 extends between and connects the first and second 164 parts of the channel. For reasons which will become apparent below, the third part 165 is substantially twice the length than either the first or second parts 164. The outer part of the engagement formations 160 are substantially flush with the float elements side wall 130, meaning it doesn’t protrude therefrom. Instead, the clamp 200 extends over the engagement formations 160. This differs from other systems of the prior art where adjacent float elements are connected using a pin that locates into two protruding connectors. A recess 166 in the side wall 130 extends from the top-engagement formation to the bottom formation. The recess 130 is to accommodate a connector member of the clamp 200 (explained below). The knuckle 161 shares a common wall with the channel 162 which is tapered along the first, second and third 162 parts. The top wall 110 comprises open-ended drainage channels / grooves which also provide some rigidity. The drainage grooves open at the side / end of the float element to allow water runoff. The grooves are generally chevron shaped or V-shaped in the example shown. The grooves are at least 1cm in width and spacing such that they are substantial strengthening features in the top surface of the top wall. Each knuckle 161 comprises chevron-shaped strengthening ribs, e.g. in its top surface. The top wall 110 also comprises two open-ended lateral channels 168 that extend between the opposing long side walls 101 to provide a conduit for wiring (i.e perpendicular to the longitudinal axis). A cover is provided over the channel to keep the wiring inside. As shown in figure 6, the bottom wall 120 comprises an elongated recess 121 extending between the opposing short sides 102. The recess 121 extends internally into the float member 100, i.e towards the top wall and improves the rigidity of the element. As such the bottom wall is profiled such that it is not generally flat / planar towards its centre but turns inwardly, towards the top wall. The bottom wall comes into contact with the top wall in the recess 121 to form a double-wall-thickness region of greater rigidity. This may be referred to as a ‘kiss-off’ feature of the moulded float member and has been found to create a sturdier walkway. The edges of the recess 121 are also rounded to reduce stresses. 2nd Float element and support arm Figures 7 and 8 show perspective views of a second float element 800. It comprises top 810, bottom 820 and side 830 walls which generally corresponds to those of the first float element. The side walls 830 are a similar length such that the second float is square shaped. It also has identical engagement formations 860 to the first float element 100, which will not be described again for conciseness. However, each edge has two such engagement formations in this example. The second float element is configured to support solar panels. It comprises first and second engagement channels 811 (recesses) which extend from the bottom to top wall and are configured to receive first and second support brackets respectively. The support brackets are referred to herein as support arms 850. The support arms 850 are locked to the second float element via a support arm engagement mechanism which comprises a first condition where the support arm is located in the engagement channel but not engaged, and a second condition where the support arm is both located and engaged to the float element. The support arms 850 each have a protrusion 854 for this purpose in the form of a root or fin formation at the base of the support arm. The protrusion 854 is shaped to correspond with and engage with the recess 811 in the float member. The engagement mechanism comprises protrusions / lugs 812 on the surface of the engagement channels 811 that slidably engage into the recesses 851 on the support arms 850. The engagement is akin to a bayonet fitting except the parts are linearly movable with respect to each other (instead of being rotationally movable). In other embodiments, the movement could be rotational, if desired. Also, whilst the lugs 812 are on the female formations (i.e. the channels 811) of the float member in this example and the recesses 851 to receive the lugs are on the male formation (i.e. the protrusion 854), the opposite arrangement is also possible. Figure 9 shows a side view of one support arm. The protrusion 854 is separated from an upper portion of the support arm 850 by a rim 855. The rim 855 engages a lip at the mouth of the recesses 811 to ensure that the protrusion 854 of the support arm extends the correct distance / depth into the channel 811. Once inserted correctly, the support arm 850 is slid forward along the channel 811 into the fully engaged position. The arm comprises two open-ended recesses along the bottom edge (i.e. four recesses total). The recesses 851 are generally ‘L’ shaped. The recesses are each configured to receive a protruding lug 812 on the channel surface 811 (hence there are four lugs in each engagement channel). The support arm 850 is moved linearly with respect to the second float element 800 into an engaged position so that the lug 812 moves into the smaller recess portion to prevent vertical disengagement of the support arm from the second float element. A stopper 870 is then threadilily engaged to a ledge 813 inside the engagement channel and behind the to prevent the support arm from sliding in the channel in the reverse direction and therefore detaching. Hence once the stopper is attached, the support arm is positionally fixed in the engagement channel, both vertically and laterally. The protrusion 854 has a wedge or cut-out on its rear edge to correspond with the ledge 813. Thus the support arm covers the ledge 813 when initially inserted in the channel 811 but exposes the ledge 813 when it is slid forward into the engaged position so the stopper can be attached. In this way there is a clear visible and tactile indication of correct engagement between the support arm and channel 811 before the stopper is applied. The support arm 850 has a top edge 852 which is inclined with respect to the top wall 810, the angle corresponding to the pitch angle of the solar panels, the pitch angle in the current embodiment is 14 degrees although can be set anywhere between 0-60 degrees, preferably between 5-20 degrees, preferably between IQ-15 degrees. In some embodiments the pitch angle may be adjustable. As shown in figure 11, the second float element 800 is attached to two support arms 850 (each fixed in place by stoppers). Two metal brackets 880 are attached to the support arms for mounting a solar panel. The support arm further comprises a channel 853 for supporting electrical wiring. Perspective views of the stopper are a shown in figures 10a-b. The stopper 870 comprises a top planner surface 871 having an aperture 872 for receiving a screw or bolt. The bottom surface is complementary shaped to the ledge 813 in the engagement channel 811. The bolt / screw locates through the aperture and into a corresponding aperture in the engagement channel. The stopper and engagement channels aperture’s are therefore vertically aligned. The stopper includes an angled face. This corresponds with an angled face on the support arm such that when the stopper is installed it creates a slight clamping action on the support arm. By tightening the fixing screw a vertical load is transferred to a horizontal force on the support arm ensuring it stays in position. The stopper 870 is made from a plastic material, preferably through injection moulding and is made from the same material as the float elements and / or support arms. Third float element A third embodiment 900 of the float element is shown in figure 12. Only two of the sides have engagement formations 960 (i.e. on the opposing sides). The float is generally cuboidal, preferably square, but may be elongated such that it has a substantially longer length. The third float may be used as a linking float, for example joining either the first, second or third floats to each other. The third float is not particularly configured to allow persons to walk on it and so doesn’t have to be as strong as the first float element. For example, it doesn’t comprise a kiss-off feature between the top and bottom walls and uses less material. The third float type may be used to join other float member when assembling a floating support structure and thereby increase the rigidity of the overall assembly. Piercing the centre of the float removes material to reduce weight and production costs. This has the benefit of increasing the floats strength by adding vertically linked walls into the centre of the float. This aperture has the potential to be used as a location point for a ground anchor. Ground anchors are required to tether the float assembly to the reservoir bed preventing the floatation structure drifting. It is envisaged a framework will be located onto the top surface of the float with attach ed wires passing through the centre of the float to a ground anchor. Float element moulding process The float elements described herein are formed by blow moulding but could also potentially be formed by rotational moulding. This process beneficially forms an outer wall in the form of a three-dimensional skin or shell of moulded material with a hollow interior. The polymer material is inflated whilst at an elevated temperate inside the mould such that its outer wall conforms to the shape of the mould during the moulding process. As such the desired profile of the float can be formed of a suitable wall thickness whilst maintaining a hollow interior such that the float element is buoyant to being air / gas filled. The opening whereby the mould is filled (and the polymer material is inflated) is plugged / sealed at the end of the moulding process such that the float member interior is at least watertight. The same moulding process and materials can also be used to form the support brackets. The support brackets are thus naturally buoyant also. One problem with using blow moulding for the float elements is that the rigidity of the floats is relatively low, meaning that the top wall of the float can flex undesirably when walked over. Increasing the wall thickness of the floats to reduce this flexing would increase cost / weight. Therefore is has been proposed herein to refine the shape of the float elements to reduce this effect. The shape of the float element as shown in figure 6 has been modified to include a profiled bottom wall to include the above-described recess 121. This profile therefore departs from a standard rotund or box-like blow moulded structure. The recess 121 is formed by actuating a central portion of the mould to press the bottom wall of the float being moulded towards the underside of the top wall. This is done whilst the float element is still within the mould at elevated temperature (i.e. at a point whilst the material is readily deformable before cooling). An oblong region in the centre of the bottom wall is thus urged into contact with the top wall. This creates a stronger or more rigid region in the centre of the float element due to the top and bottom wall being in contact. This stronger region (i.e. at the closed end of the recess 121) is surrounded on all sides by the hollow interior of the float. As such the float element once formed is stable on the water and able to support a relatively large weight in use due to its buoyancy, whilst also having a relatively rigid top wall to act as a walkway. All the other features of the float shown in figures 4-6 are able to be integrally formed by the shape of the mould in the blow moulding process. Clamp Figure 13 shows one embodiment of the clamp 200 of the invention. It comprises top and bottom identical clamp members 210. Two connector members 220 extend between and join the top and bottom clamp members 210. The connector members 220 are bolts, for example M10 bolts. The clamp members 210 each comprise a base 211 and side wall 212 which extends away from the base 211. The side walls 212 extend around the base 211 such as to from a receptacle 213 for receiving two knuckles 161 of two adjacent float elements 100. The top clamp member is oriented 180 degrees with respect to the bottom clamp member (i.e. is upside down with respect thereto) such that the receptacles are facing each other. Each clamp member 210 is a cap-like or lid-like structure that is arranged to receive two adjacent knuckles in its interior. The engagement formations 260 of the clamp are defined by the internal surfaces of the side wall 212 which comprises tapered / sloped elements for engaging with the corresponding tapered wall of the knuckle / side wall of the float member. The tapered elements may be formed as ribs or fins 261 which extend perpendicularly from the base / side wall such as to improve rigidity and strength of the clamp member. As will be explained below, these tapered surfaces provide a tightening mechanism for securely joining first and second adjacent float members. In alternative embodiments, the internal surface itself may be sloped (i.e without having tapered / rib elements). The series of tapered elements extends fully around the internal surface of the clamp in this example (i.e. the ribs are spaced along the entire length of the side wall 212). The base 211 comprises two aperture-channels (i.e. through holes) for allowing passage of connector members through the base 211. The connector member 220 comprises a stem which extends fully through the top and bottom clamp members via the aperture-channels. The connector member 220 comprises an actuator, i.e. bolt head, and lock member.. The lock member may be a nut (not shown) or a threaded aperture in the lower washer plate. The stem is joined to the bolt head at a first end and is threadedly engaged to the nut at a thread portion of the stem at the other end. The bolt heads are rounded to avoid any trip hazard where the clamp is part of a walkway. Metal washer plates 214 are located between the actuator and lock member (i.e. the bolt head and nut) and act to distribute the clamping forces evenly over the base 211 of the clamp members. The washer plates 214 are fully separable from the clamp members, meaning they aren’t permanently attached making the clamp easier to recycle (i.e. easier to separate the metal and polymer materials) and replace when needed. The washer plates may be referred to as spreader plates. The plates 214 locate into a recess on the external surface of the base of the clamp member. Thus the plates 214 are flush with the clamp member when assembled. Each of the top and bottom clamp members are moulded as unitary pieces, preferably by injection moulding from a plastic material and can be made from Polyethylene (High Density, Low Density and Linear Low Density), Polypropylene, Polyethylene-Terephthalate (PET), glass filled nylon and PVC materials Figure 14 shows a second embodiment of the clamp 200 comprising an internal spacer 230, an external spacer 240 and an alternative washer plate 215 comprising a socket 216. It should be understood that the clamp is also modular and various combinations of the components shown in figures 13and 14 are possible, for example the internal spacer 230 and / or washer plate 215 with the socket can be used with the clamp shown in figure 13. The internal spacer 230 is for locating the connector members 220 through the clamp and ensures that the top and bottom clamp members 220 are correctly spaced, making the clamps easier to install on the float elements. The internal and external spacers are two solutions to the problem of locating the clamp fixings on the edge of the float allowing a handrail to be attached. In this scenario the clamp only has a knuckle on one side to clamp to, which would cause it to collapse on the unsupported side. The spacers provide a supporting structure which fills the void and allows the clamp to function. We have shown two versions of how this can be achieved from a manufacturing perspective. The internal spacer 230 represents a plastic extrusion which is a readily available component which can be cut to length. The external spacer 240 represents a blow moulded component which is profiled to match the outside shape of the clamp providing a smoother external finish. It would also be possible to produce a bespoke version of this component using injection moulding. The internal spacer 230 is tubular, having two open ends and is oval-shaped. It locates into the suitably shaped sockets on the internal surface of the base. The recess 166 on the side walls of the float member are configured to accommodate half of the internal spacer 230, (i.e. such that the other half of the spacer is received into the recess in an adjacent float element). The external spacer 240 encloses the space between the top and bottom clamp members 210 when it is only attached to a single float element. The external spacer has top and bottom engagement formations (i.e. tapered surface) 241 to engage with those of the clamp (i.e, tapered elements). Both the internal 230 and external 240 spacers are comprised from a plastic material and are preferably made from the same materials as the clamp members. The top metal washer plate 215 comprises a socket 216 for receiving an upright member of a handrail (see figure 3). In this way, the clamps can be used to mount accessories to the float members and the assembled floating structure. They are particularly useful as mounting points for upright members such as posts or bollards, e.g. for handrails or lighting bollards. They could be used to mount other accessories such as cleats or tether points, electrical connectors or junctions, or supports for safety equipment such as lifebuoys. Each clamp member 210 has four planes of symmetry (when excluding the aperture-channels) which increases the number of orientations in which the clamp members can be correctly joined to a float member 100. In the shown embodiments, the clamp members 210 are substantially cuboidal, having four sides 212 of equal length. However, the clamp members may be other shapes, for example rectangular or circular; the corresponding engagement formations on the float element being suitably shaped to receive the alternative embodiments. The clamp member 210 requires only one plane of symmetry such as to allow the clamp member to join two adjacent float elements even when rotated 180 degrees (about a vertical axis parallel to the direction in which the stem of the connector members extend). Hence a clamp member can join any float elements (for example first and / or second float elements) which have the engagement formation. Locking mechanism Figure 15 shows a schematic view of the clamping mechanism in use (not to scale). The float element comprises top, bottom and side walls. It further shows top and bottom knuckles and channels associated with both the top and bottom walls, all of which correspond to the previously discussed features. The clamp comprises top and bottom clamp members each comprising an engagement formation, i.e. tapered / sloped surface for engaging with the corresponding engagement formations of the knuckle and channel. In figure 15(a) the clamp members are loosely fitted over the bottom and top walls of the float member, i.e. over the knuckle and into the channel described above. The clamp members are held in vertical alignment along the stem of the connector member. The actuator and locking member (i.e., bolt head and nut) prevent the clamp members from completely disengaging from the rest of the clamp. To tighten the clamp to the float member, the actuator is actuated (i.e. the head and / or nut is rotated) causing the clamp members to move closer together along the connector member in the direction shown by the vertical arrows in figure 15(a). As the distance between the clamp member shortens, the engagement formations on the inside of the clamp members (i.e. the tapered ribs) engage onto the opposing surfaces of the knuckle (which may also be tapered / sloped). The causes a resultant component of the force applied via the stem acting in a perpendicular direction upon the knuckle. The float member is thus urged laterally in response to this force (i.e. in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the clamp members move). Specifically, the engagement formations urge the adjacent float member together to a greater extent as the clamp is tightened. The clamp is fully engaged once fully located in the channel and / or can’t move any further laterally relative to the knuckle (as shown in figure 15(b)). Figure 16 shows a schematical representation of three float elements being attached with two clamps using the method above. The process can be repeated to attach as many float elements as desired. It is important to note that, when being used as a walkway, the knuckle formations are recessed with respect to the upper surface of the top wall of the float members. This allows the clamp member to be contained within the depth of the channel around the knuckle such that the top of the clamp member is substantially flush with the top wall. This avoids the clamp providing any trip hazard in the assembled structure. As the clamp extends over the float members it is able to transmit forces through the structure better than in the prior art. When a downward force is acting on a float element’s top wall (for example when someone is walking on it) the element will try to move downwardly in response. The buoyancy forces acting on the adjacent floats will resist this movement and as a result, the floats will try to separate along the bottom walls. The bottom clamp member prevents the floats from coming apart by providing a force path between the attached floats and prevent relative movement of the adjacent floats. Hence the assembly remains rigid throughout with minimal relative movement between the clamped float members. Similarly, when an upward force acts on the bottom wall (for example by a wave) the top clamp members prevent the top walls moving apart. The system is better able to transmit forces to adjacent float elements, reducing breakages and waste than systems of the prior art. By way of example only, the first and / or second float element described herein may have a length of between 0.5m and 2m, optionally between a 0.75m and 1,25m, optionally 1 m or 1,2m. The first and / or second float elements may have a height / thickness (i.e. distance between the top and bottom walls) of between 0.1m and 0.5m, optionally 0.2-0.4m, optionally 0.3m. The first float element may have a width between 0.3 and 0.8m, optionally 0.5-0.7m, optionally 0.6m. The second float element may have a width between 0.5m and 1,5m, optionally 0.7-1.2m, optionally 0.85m. The third float element may have a length and / or width between 0.4-0.8m, optionally between 0.775m-0.6m. The third float element thickness may be between .1m-0.5m, optionally between 0.2-0.4m, optionally 0.3m.

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