Silt fence

Abstract

This silt fence utilizes the "water pollution spread prevention function" of conventional silt fences while providing a powerful physical and visual barrier against illegal intrusion from the water into important facilities, aquaculture farms, and other areas. [Solution] A reinforced stainless steel frame consisting of vertical frame members 4 and horizontal frame members 5 is erected on top of the float 1 of the silt fence, utilizing its fixing part a. Between these frames, multiple protective members 6 such as barbed wire or razor wire are deployed in a multi-tiered or net-like manner to cover the area above the water surface. This physically prevents climbing using the float 1 as a foothold, while also creating a strong psychological deterrent for intruders, significantly improving security performance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to silt fences.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, at construction sites for civil engineering works in the ocean or rivers, silt fences (pollution prevention membranes) are widely used to prevent the spread of polluted water caused by excavation and the like. A general silt fence is composed of a float that floats on the water surface, a curtain that hangs down in the water, and a weight at its lower end, and mainly has a structure aimed at environmental protection in the water (for example, Patent Document 1). On the other hand, in recent years, the importance of security measures on the water surface, such as countermeasures against terrorism, protection of important facilities, prevention of poaching of fishery resources, and monitoring of illegal immigration, has been increasing. However, in a conventional silt fence, the float is cylindrical or elliptical and easy to use as a scaffold, and there are no physical obstacles on the water surface, so it was possible for a person to easily climb over it or for a small boat to break through it.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] As measures to prevent intrusion on the water surface, there are methods such as constructing a concrete flood prevention dike and raising a large steel fence from the bottom of the water, but these require enormous construction costs and periods, and are also difficult to maintain and manage because they are directly affected by tidal currents and waves. In addition, there was a problem that it was extremely difficult to move or remove them after installation.

[0005] This invention was made in view of the aforementioned conventional problems. The first problem to be solved is to maintain the pollution diffusion prevention function of existing silt fences while adding a strong security function that physically prevents intrusion by people or small boats from the water.

[0006] The second challenge is to provide a robust structure that can maintain its function stably for a long period of time without corrosion or damage in the harsh aquatic environment where waves and currents are constantly present.

[0007] The third challenge is to reduce installation costs and improve maintainability by utilizing the existing silt fence structure (infrastructure) and creating a unit structure that can be retrofitted or integrated, rather than constructing a dedicated protective fence from scratch. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve the above objective, the water security silt fence according to the present invention comprises a float that floats on the water surface, a pollution prevention curtain connected to the lower part of the float and suspended in the water, and a weight provided at the lower end of the curtain, and has the following configuration.

[0009] In other words, it comprises a "reinforced stainless steel frame" which includes a plurality of vertical frame members erected at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction of the float, and horizontal frame members connecting the plurality of vertical frame members, and a "protective member (barbed wire)" deployed between the frames.

[0010] The reinforced stainless steel frame is installed so as to straddle the top and sides of the float, and its lower end is firmly attached using the float's existing fixing points (e.g., belts, flanges, connecting fittings, etc.). The protective members are wires with sharp protrusions, such as barbed wire or razor wire, used in high-security areas on land, and multiple of these are stretched between the frames or in a mesh pattern.

[0011] This allows for both physical damage from the sharp blade and a strong visual intimidation (psychological deterrent) to intruders attempting to climb up using the float as a foothold, effectively preventing them from ascending from the water. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] This invention provides the following remarkable effects.

[0013] (1) Powerful intrusion prevention capability: Because barbed wire is deployed three-dimensionally in the space directly above the float, it becomes extremely difficult for a person swimming to approach and grab onto the float to get over it. In addition, even if a small boat attempts to enter at low speed, the wire will entangle the hull or propeller, effectively physically hindering its progress.

[0014] (2) Effective use of existing infrastructure: Since the floating fixed structure of conventional silt fences can be reused as is, existing fences can be easily upgraded to security specifications. Compared to designing and installing a dedicated structure from scratch, significant cost reductions and shorter construction periods are possible.

[0015] (3) Excellent weather resistance and durability: By constructing the entire frame and fixing hardware from corrosion-resistant materials such as stainless steel, corrosion due to salt damage can be prevented for a long period of time. In addition, because the frame is unitized and arranged at regular intervals, the overall strength of the structure is maintained while flexibly absorbing the swaying caused by waves.

[0016] (4) Wide range of applications: The barbed wire density, frame height, and number of layers can be easily customized according to the purpose, such as for important port facilities, power plants, aquaculture farms, and river boundary monitoring, allowing for flexible response to diverse water security needs. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] This is a front view showing the overall configuration of a water security silt fence according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a side cross-sectional view showing the side structure of the silt fence and its attachment state to the float.

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. In each figure, parts denoted by the same reference numerals indicate the same or similar components.

[0019] (Overall Configuration) As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the water security silt fence 10 according to the present embodiment is based on a standard silt fence including an elliptical columnar or columnar float 1 floating on the water surface, a pollution prevention curtain 2 connected to the lower part thereof, and a weight 3 at the lower end of the curtain.

[0020] For this base unit, "reinforcing stainless steel frames (4, 5)" and "protective members (barbed wire materials) 6" for preventing intrusion from above the water are integrally incorporated.

[0021] (Details of the Reinforcing Stainless Steel Frame) The reinforcing stainless steel frame is composed of vertical frame members 4 erected at regular intervals (for example, several places between 10 m and 20 m) along the longitudinal direction of the float 1 (the left - right direction in FIG. 1), and horizontal frame members 5 connecting them in the horizontal direction.

[0022] Regarding the material, considering the severe corrosion by seawater, stainless steel materials such as SUS304 or even higher - corrosion - resistant SUS316L are used. As shown in FIG. 2, the vertical frame member 4 has a portal shape (or rectangular shape) that sandwiches the float 1 from the left and right, and is firmly held on the water surface by utilizing the stability due to the buoyancy of the float 1.

[0023] The lower end of the vertical frame member 4 is connected to the float 1 at the fixing portion a. This fixing portion a is configured by using connection bolts provided for connecting the float and the curtain in an existing silt fence, eye bolts for fixing a tension belt that fastens the outer periphery of the float, and the like. As a result, a strong frame can be erected without performing new drilling on the buoyancy material portion of the float 1 body.

[0024] (Arrangement and Function of Protective Members) Between adjacent vertical frame members 4, 4, a plurality of barbed wire materials are deployed as the protective member 6. The barbed wire material employs barbed iron wire having sharp thorns, a cutter wire (concertina wire) provided with sharp blades on a stainless steel strip steel, and the like.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, these are stretched horizontally in a plurality of stages (for example, 3 to 10 stages). They are also wound around the side surface portion of the vertical frame member 4. As a result, the space from the water surface to the upper surface of the float 1 is guarded in a multilayered and three-dimensional manner by a wire material having sharp blades.

[0026] If a person tries to touch the float 1, there is a risk of the barbed wire material contacting the palm or arm and causing a deep wound, so climbing bare-handed is virtually impossible. Also, even when wearing a wet suit or clothes, the wire material deeply penetrates the fabric and exhibits an effect of restraining the body.

[0027] (Wave Absorption and Strength Design) The frame structure of the present invention is premised on use on water that is strongly affected by waves. Buffer materials (not shown) such as spring members and rubber bushes are interposed as necessary at the attachment portions of the horizontal frame member 5 and the protective member 6 that connect between the vertical frame members 4. As a result, it is desirable to adopt a structure that absorbs the impact when the float 1 moves individually up, down, left, and right due to waves and prevents distortion and breakage of the frame. Thereby, it can be maintained without impairing the function as a security fence even in rough weather.

[0028] (Assumed Operation Examples) The silt fence 10 of this invention is ideal for use in the following locations: Firstly, the barriers will be laid near seawater intakes of nuclear and thermal power plants, or at important port facilities. This will create a floating barricade to prevent terrorist acts and illegal intrusions by suspicious boats. Secondly, it is a measure against poaching at farms and other locations that cultivate high-end seafood. Unlike conventional fences made of ropes, it is a barrier that causes physical damage, making it a powerful deterrent against poachers at night. Thirdly, there is border and boundary surveillance via rivers and inlets. In areas where illegal immigration is a concern, these can function as guardrails on the water, and by using them in conjunction with surveillance cameras, a sophisticated security network can be established.

[0029] (Maintainability) Because each reinforced stainless steel frame is a separate unit, even if a part is damaged due to a ship collision or waves exceeding expectations, it can be easily replaced with a spare frame unit simply by removing the fixing part a of that unit. In addition, the protective members 6 can be replaced independently on the water, contributing to a reduction in long-term maintenance costs.

[0030] As described above, this invention realizes a low-cost and highly reliable water security solution by highly integrating physical protective elements such as stainless steel frames and barbed wire into existing silt fences, which are infrastructure for environmental protection. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0031] 10 Silt Fence 1. Float (base unit) 2. Curtain (pollution prevention membrane) 3. Weight section 4. Vertical frame material (reinforced stainless steel frame) 5. Horizontal frame material (reinforced stainless steel frame) 6. Protective materials (barbed wire / razor wire, etc.) a Fixed part

Claims

[Claim 1] A silt fence comprising a float that floats on the water surface, a pollution prevention curtain connected to the lower part of the float and suspended in the water, and a weight provided at the lower end of the curtain, A frame comprising a plurality of vertical frame members erected at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction of the float, and horizontal frame members connecting the plurality of vertical frame members, Between the frames, a protective member made of barbed wire material is deployed in a net-like or multi-tiered manner above the water surface to prevent intruders from approaching and climbing. The lower end of the frame is attached using a fixing part provided on the float, A silt fence in which the protective members are arranged three-dimensionally to cover the upper surface of the float, thereby forming a barrier that prevents physical intrusion from the water.

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