Rough seas floating AQUA pen and methods

Abstract

The disclosure relates to aqua pens for use in rough seas and oceans, and more especially to apparatuses and methods facilitating the configuration, construction, deployment and maintenance of aqua pens that provide for a lower carbon footprint and helps to prevent damage to delicate shoreline environments in assembly and maintenance in comparison to known rough seas and oceanic aqua pens. A module is provided for forming a floating portion of a rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped rough seas and oceanic aqua pen. The module comprises two curved pipes that preferably lie in the same plane and may be fixed together, where a plurality of the modules are interconnected so as to form the rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped floating aqua pen.

Description

PATENTROUGH SEAS FLOATING AQUA PEN AND METHODSRelated Applications

[0001] This application claims priority from U. S. Provisional Application 63 / 673,686, filed 20 July 2024, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to aqua pens for use in rough seas and oceans, especially aqua pens known in the industry as floating circular aqua pens, and more especially to apparatuses and methods facilitating the configuration, construction, deployment and maintenance of aqua pens that provide for a lower carbon footprint in assembly and maintenance in comparison to known rough seas and oceanic aqua pens.Background

[0003] As shall readily be understood by those skilled in the art:

[0004] Aqua pens used for fish farming in rough seas and oceans such as for example the North Sea and North Atlantic are known in the industry as circular aqua pens, it being understood that the term “oceanic aqua pen” and “circular aqua pen” mean the same thing and refer to an aqua pen having a floating structure comprising an anulus or donut shape, that may be referred to in the industry as a circular aqua pen, and that may be the term that shall be used herein.

[0005] The circular aqua pen configuration may be the form that has proved to be capable of being configured to tolerate high waves and strong winds, and thus may be widely adopted in the industry for fish farming in rough seas and oceans.

[0006] Rough sea and oceanic aqua pens have very different requirements in comparison to aqua pens used in calm seas and inland water bodies, with the oceanic aqua pens exposed to high waves and strong currents not present in calmer waters. Accordingly, while a plethora of configurations exist for aqua pens used in calm waters,the only widely accepted configuration for the floating portion of aqua pens used in rough seas and oceans may be the circular aqua pen referred to above.

[0007] The term “floating aqua pen” as used in the industry does not mean that the entire aqua pen may be floating on the surface of the water body, but rather that the structure that retains the netting cage upright may be a floating structure from which the netting cage and anchoring system depends.

[0008] Known oceanic and rough seas circular aqua pens suffer from the fact that they are difficult to transport, assemble and maintain, requiring significant use of machinery and manpower and a concurrent carbon footprint associated with the fossil fuel consumed operation the machinery.

[0009] The present configuration for forming circular aqua pens may be to start with long lengths of plastic pipe, that can be greater than one hundred twenty meters in length, and by use of heavy machinery such as forklifts and other equipment force these very long straight lengths of straight plastic pipe into an oval configuration that may be temporarily held In place with high tension straps, and weld the cut ends of the pipes together using plastic welding equipment and methods, so as to form a closed loop from the plastic pipes. Prior to forcing the long straight lengths of straight plastic pipes into the oval shape, two or more, but preferably two long straight lengths of the plastic pipe are laid parallel, and connected together by brackets that connect the two plastic pipes together so as to retain them in parallel. Then, the two length lengths of plastic pipes together are bent into the oval. An oval may be used so that there may be a flat region to effect the welding of the cut ends of the pipes, that requires no bow in the pipes using presently preferred methods. After the plastic welding has been accomplished and the resultant weld permitted to cool, that can take hours, the entire apparatus, that may be the entire closed loop formed by the two parallel plastic pipes may be one way or another dragged into a body of water. Either before or after it may be floated onto water the straps retaining the oval shape are released and the memory in the plastic pipes creates the anulus or donut shape that the industry terms a circular shape and refers to as a circular aqua pen. It may be believed that the memory of the plastic pipes may be important to tolerating the rough seas found in oceans and rough seas, as it generates an outward directed spring force to dynamically counter the forces of high waves that are surging against the netting cage suspended by the floating circular formed pipes.

[0010] The assembly usually happens on a beach (including shoreline) where delicate fauna and vegetation can be destroyed by the entire process and heavymachinery. Thus, it may be imperative to provide for a method for assembling circular rough seas and oceanic aqua pens that may be not damaging to shoreline, beach and beach head dwelling organisms. Furthermore, the known assembly methods include sawing of plastic pipes that results in microplastic pollution of the environment. Thus, it may be imperative to provide for a method for assembling circular rough seas and oceanic aqua pens that does not requiring sawing of plastic pipes at the assembly site with concurrent microplastic pollution of the environment.

[0011] A method and apparatus for assembling and maintaining circular aqua pens for use in rough seas and oceans that may be easier to transport, easier to assemble, easier to maintain in comparison to known circular aqua pens for use in rough seas and in particular that does not inevitably damage beach and beach head dwelling organisms, that does not require sawing of plastic pipes with concurrent microplastic pollution of the environment, and that requires less energy and especially less fossil fuel to assemble, transport and maintain in comparison to known circular aqua pens for use in rough seas has not yet been proposed.

[0012] Thus, it readily can be appreciated that a long felt need continues to exist in the industry for a method and apparatus for configuring, assembling and maintaining circular aqua pens for use in rough seas and oceans that are easier to transport, easier to assemble, easier to maintain and in particular that requires less energy and especially less fossil fuel to assemble, transport and maintain in comparison to known circular aqua pens and that does not require sawing of plastic pipes with concurrent microplastic pollution of the environment and that does not inevitably damage delicate beach and beach head dwelling organisms during assembly.

[0013] It may be an object of the present disclosure to provide a solution for all the herein mentioned problems that all are long felt needs in the industry.

[0014] It may be an object of the present disclosure to provide an apparatus and method for circular aqua pens for use in rough seas and oceans that are easier to transport, easier to assemble, and easier to maintain, and in particular that requires less energy and especially less fossil fuel to assemble, transport and maintain in comparison to known circular aqua pens, and that permits assembly of the circular aqua pen without inevitably damaging delicate beach and beach head dwelling organisms.

[0015] White various configurations and methods for circular aqua pens are known, as of yet none have proposed a circular aqua pen and methods in accord with the teachings of the present disclosure.Definitions

[0016] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “has", “have”, “having”, “includes”, and / or “including”, as used herein, specify the presence of stated features, process steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, process steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and / or” and the symbol 7” are meant to include any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0017] An object and an effect of the present invention may be naturally understood or may become clearer from the following description, and the object and the effect of the present invention are not restricted only by the following description. In addition, in the description of the present invention, the specific descriptions of publicly known technologies that relate with the present invention will be omitted when it is determined that the specific descriptions may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention.Summary

[0018] Most broadly, the present disclosure may be based upon the surprising and unexpected discovery that a circular floating aqua pen for rough seas and oceans that may be formed without retaining and using the memory generated by bending very long lengths of straight plastic pipe may be viable for tolerating high waves and rough seas, that may be contrary to the state of the art, against the trend in the industry and against the widely held belief of those skilled in the industry.

[0019] Briefly, the present disclosure comprises an individual module formed from lengths of plastic pipe that have been permanently formed Into curves, preferably but not necessarily curves that are arcs of a circle, where two or more, but preferably two, curved lengths of plastic pipe are attached by two or more brackets so that the curved lengths of pipe have their convex-most shapes facing the same direction (and also havetheir concave-most shapes forming in the opposite direction as face their convex-most shapes), so that the lengths of pipe lie in the same plane.

[0020] The present disclosure further comprises a circular floating aqua pen for rough seas and oceans that may be formed by connecting end to end a plurality of the modules described above.

[0021] Possessing the preceding advantages, the disclosed modules and the disclosed floating aqua pens formed from such modules answers needs long felt in the industry.

[0022] It can readily be appreciated that these and other features, objects and advantages are able to be understood or apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment including as illustrated in the various drawing figures.

[0023] All examples disclosed in the present disclosure are prophetic examples and not working examples.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024] For a better understanding, reference may be made to the accompanying drawings (wherein the drawings and drawing elements may not necessarily be to scale), in which:

[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates a top plan view of a module of the present disclosure;

[0026] FIG. 1 A illustrates a top plan view of one configuration for a ready to ship embodiment of a module of the present disclosure formed by affixing to the module of FIG. 1 some of the connection hardware required to connect the module of FIG. 1 to another and distinct module of FIG. 1;

[0027] FIG. 1 B illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of an alternative configuration of the module of FIG. 1;

[0028] FIG. 2 illustrates a top plan view of the floating portion of a rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped floating aqua pen of the present disclosure for rough seas and oceans formed by connecting together a plurality of the modules of the present disclosure of FIG. 1;

[0029] FIG. 3 illustrates a detailed and expanded view of the connection zone of two modules of the present disclosure of FIG. 1 having been connected end-to-end in order to form the aqua pen of FIG. 2;

[0030] FIG. 4 to FIG. 11 illustrate an apparatus useful for connecting together modules of the present disclosure as well as process steps for using the apparatus to connect the modules;

[0031] FIG. 12 to FIG. 15 illustrate the apparatus of the aspect of Fig. 4 in an alternative configuration as well as process steps for using this apparatus to connect the modules;

[0032] FIG. 16 to FIG. 18 illustrate the apparatus of the aspect of Fig. 12 in an alternative configuration as well as process steps for using this apparatus to connect the modules;

[0033] FIG. 19 to FIG. 20 illustrate the apparatus of the aspect of FIG. 16 in an alternative configuration as well as process steps for utilizing this apparatus to connect the modules;

[0034] Fig. 21 illustrates a top plan view of one configuration for a ready to ship embodiment of a module of the present disclosure; and

[0035] Fig. 22 illustrates a top plan view of the floating portion of a circular floating aqua pen of the present disclosure for rough seas and oceans formed by connecting together a plurality of the modules of the present disclosure.Detailed Description

[0036] As shall readily be understood by those skilled in the art:

[0037] With reference to FIG. 1, illustrated may be a top plan view of an individual module 1 of the present disclosure. The module 1 may be formed from lengths of plastic pipe 2 that have been permanently formed into curves. There may be a longer pipe 3 and a shorter pipe 4. The curved shapes of the pipe preferably but not necessarily correspond to arcs of a circle, where the longer pipe and the shorter pipe each comprise an arc of a different circle. Preferably, the longer pipe comprises an arc of a circle belonging to a circle that may be of greater diameter and radius in comparison a circle that the shorter length of pipe comprises an arc of. More than two lengths of pipe can comprise the module, each comprising a curve, but two lengths of pipe may be presently preferred. The two lengths of pipe may be attached together by two or more brackets 5 so that the curved lengths of pipe have their convex-most shapes facing the same direction (and also may have their concave-most shapes facing in a direction that may be opposite the direction faced by their convex-most shapes), and so that thelengths of pipe lie in the same plane. The brackets may be formed according to industry standard and include various features that are not shown in order to avoid cluttering the drawing and description, these features, briefly, include attachment points (not shown) such as ears (not shown) adapted to be connected to anchoring equipment and other attachment points adapted to be connected to the netting forming the cage of the aqua pen and / or to the headline rope(s) attached to the netting forming the cage of the aqua pen. The brackets also include receptacles (not shown) on the brackets top sides proximal the shorter length of pipe, such as sockets configured to receive the base of post pipes, to which may be attached rail pipes, to which may be attached jump nets.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 1, diameters of the longer and shorter pipes 3, 4 may be equal or substantially equal to one another. Alternatively, as is shown in FIG. 1 B, the diameters of the longer and shorter pipes 3, 4 may be different than one another. In particular, and as shown in the module configuration of FIG. 1 B, the longer pipe 3 may have a greater diameter than that of the shorter pipe 4.

[0039] With reference to FIG. 2, illustrated may be the floating portion of a circular floating aqua pen 9 for rough seas and oceans that may be formed by connecting end to end a plurality of the modules 1 taught in reference to FIG. 1.

[0040] In order to form the present disclosures modules, the following steps are taught:

[0041] Two or more lengths of plastic pipe are provided. A presently preferred material may be a HDPE thermoplastic. The lengths of pipe may be of a pre-determined circumference and wall thickness, and their relative lengths may be calculated so that after being curved into a curve, such as arcs of circles, that several modules may be connected end to end and create a predetermined diameter anulus and / or donut shape, i.e. the floating portion of a “circular aqua pen”.

[0042] Each of the lengths of pipe may be heated until the plastic reaches a temperature at which it may be bent without destroying the pipe.

[0043] Each of the lengths of pipe may be bent into a predetermined curved shape. The longer length of pipe may be bent into a curve belonging to an arc of a circle having a greater radius than that of the arc of a circle to which may be bent the shorter length of pipe.

[0044] The pipes may be allowed to cool after being bent.

[0045] The two bent lengths of pipe may be now arranged so that the concave-most face of each pipe may be facing in the same direction and so that the entirety of both lengths of pipe lie in the same plane.

[0046] The two bent lengths of pipe may be connected to one another by brackets 5 in such a fashion that they may be permanently fixed into position relative to one another, i.e.. the position described above, that may be “the concave-most face of each pipe may be facing in the same direction and so that the entirety of both lengths of pipe lie in the same plane”.

[0047] Optionally, and less preferably, a connection sleeve 6 may be fixed onto one cut end of each pipe on the same end of the module, and in such a fashion that the cut end of each pipe may be inserted into its corresponding sleeve no more than half way through the long length of the sleeve. The sleeve preferably may be formed of a material that may be softer and more flexible in comparison to the material forming the pipe to which any sleeve may be attached. The module of the present disclosure now may be complete.

[0048] in order to form the circular rough seas and oceanic aqua pens of the present disclosure:

[0049] In further reference to FIG. 2, a floating structure of a circular aqua pen 9 of the present disclosure may be formed by connecting end to end a plurality of individual modules 1 of the present disclosure. Pre-assembled insert plugs may preferably be used to connect the floating pipes and / or pipes of individual sequential modules 1 together, thus obviating the need to weld floating pipes and / or pipes together on an assembly site. This practice further eliminates the need to saw pipes on site and thus eliminates the potential of contamination of the environment with microplastics resulting from the sawing process. It may be understood in this text that the term “weld” may include the term “plastic welding”, and preferably refers to “plastic welding”. It may be understood in this text that the term “pipe” and / or “pipes” may include the term “floating pipe” and / or “floating pipes”.

[0050] In further reference to FIG. 2, a floating structure of a circular aqua pen 9 of the present disclosure may be formed by connecting end to end a plurality of individual modules 1 of the present disclosure. Sleeves 6 may be used to facilitate the end to end connection of the cut ends of the pipes forming each module, and insert plugs 7 (see FIG. 3) may be inserted into the cut ends of mating pipes from different modules so thata single insert plug 7 spans two different pipes from two different modules where such pipes mate at their cut ends, with the plug 7 configured so that it extends a sufficient length into the cut end of each pipe so that the pipe does not crack or break when flexing including during high waves and strong currents. The insert plug can either be a solid plug, or may be a cylindrically shaped plug. The insert plug 7 preferably may be configured to contact the inner wall of each pipe that it may be inserted into in such a fashion that its outer surface may be in contact with and / or may be flush with the inner wall of the pipe into which it may be inserted, where, optionally, the outer wall of the pipes contacted by the insert plugs may comprise clamps and / or clamp sleeves and / or portions of clamp sleeves. The insert plugs 7 may be formed of the same material as material forming the plastic pipes 2, 3 and 4, as may be HMPE or other plastic; or, may be formed of a material that may be softer than and more flexible than the material forming the plastic pipes 2, 3 and 4, so that the plastic pipes do not fracture or break when flexing including during high waves and strong currents, and polyurethane preferably may be anticipated useful, but some forms of PE might also be useful. The insert plugs may be cylindrical in outer form and / or cylindrical and / or tubular.

[0051] The insert plugs may be threaded (including ribbed) where the threaded portion of the insert plugs may comprise spiral threads and where the ribbed portion of the insert plugs may comprise parallel lay threads (i.e. “ribs”).

[0052] The central portion of insert plug 7 (or any suitable portion of insert plug 7) may comprise a “U Joint” and / or a “Ball and Socket Joint”; and / or may be formed of a substance that is more elastic and / or more pliable and / or more bendable that the substance comprising the substance comprising the insert plugs 7 and / or comprising the remainder of the insert plug 7 (such as its male and / or female ends, depending upon which version is desired). The central portion of insert plug 7 may comprise a hollow region as may any suitable portion of insert plug 7.

[0053] In order to keep the modules from pulling apart, straps and / or tensioning straps and / or tensioning ropes (not shown) may be used to connect adjacent modules one to the other proximal the connection zone, such as by connecting neighboring brackets of adjacent modules with one or a plurality of straps and / or ropes, and ensuring that the straps and / or ropes are under sufficient tension to prevent the modules from separating. Preferably, straps exhibiting minimal and preferably less than one percent elongation under tension may be used, as may be formed from straps comprising UHMWPE fibers and / or filaments. Optionally, but less preferably, straps and / or ropesexhibiting greater than one percent elongation are anticipated useful, that may be contrary to the state of the art and against the trend of the industry. In all instances straps and / or ropes exhibiting no creep to a magnitude of creep that nonetheless results in the straps and / or ropes imparting sufficient tension to neighboring modules to prevent their separating during operating conditions may be preferred. In some cases, UHMWPE ropes may be used, especially when they are configured to exhibit constructional elongation. However, elastic ropes such as heat stretched and compacted PE ropes and HDPE ropes such as a rope sold by Hampidjan having the brand name KraftEX may be considered useful, especially when covered with an UV ray shielding cover. As long as the insert plugs 7 are sufficiently inserted in both ends of the pipes 2, 3 and 4 of adjacent modules forming the aqua pen 9, then some free play may be considered useful so as to allow for expansion and contraction of the plastic pipes as temperatures change from warmer to cooler, as such changes necessarily increase and decrease the lengths of the pipes 2, 3 and 4.

[0054] In order to facilitate inserting the plugs 7 into the plastic pipes 2, 3 and 4 the correct distance as shall be empirically determined on a case by case bases, sealing plugs (not shown) may be inserted into the plastic pipes and welded and / or cemented and / or screwed or otherwise affixed in place. The sealing plugs (not shown) may be shaped and configured so as to create an impassable blockage in the hollow of the pipe into which the sealing plugs may be fit, so that the insert plugs 7 cannot be inserted any deeper into the pipe than may be positioned the a sealing plug. The sealing plugs also serve to seal the remaining portion of the plastic pipes in such a way that water cannot enter a plastic pipes hollow that may be located between two sealing plugs associated with the same pipe 2, 3 or 4. The sealing plugs (not shown) may be located at a location inside the hollow of any pipe 2, 3 or 4 at a location corresponding to where may be situated the distal end of any insert plug 7 that may be most interior said pipe.

[0055] Optionally, a connector and / or a portion of a connector configured to mate with and / or to be coupled with another connector and / or a portion of a another connector may be welded onto the cut end and / or end of each of and / or one or a plurality of pipes (including “floating pipes") comprising one or a plurality of modules, where the connector and / or a portion of a connector associated with one end of one pipe may be configured to be capable of mating with and / or being permanently affixed to and / or permanently connected to the another portion of the connector, where the connector and / or a portion of a connector associated with one end of one pipe that maybe configured to be capable of mating with and / or being permanently affixed to and / or permanently connected to the another portion of a connection associated with the end of another pipe may be placed on opposite connecting pipes and / or opposite connecting and mating portions of one or a plurality of modules (such as may be the ends of pipes or, less preferably, as may be the brackets laterally connecting the pipes) before they may be permanently connected to one another, such as may be accomplished by securing them with bolts. When this has been done with two or a plurality of modules, the next step in this process may be joining of an additional two or a plurality of modules until the desired quantity of modules have been adjoined together into a form that may preferably be an annulus or a disfigured annulus. The connectors and / or the portions of connectors and the another portion of a connector and / or the another connector may preferably be made of the same material as the floating pipes and / or pipe.

[0056] One presently preferred method for using the modules of the present disclosure to form aqua pens of the present disclosure is to form the aqua pens directly at sea and / or in the water environment beside a quay (including pier or the like), that may be nearby to where the pens are intended to be used and / or situated and / or stationed and / or moored (including “anchored”). It is anticipated that to accomplish this method of using the present disclosures modules to form the present disclosures aqua pens that a single crane situated on and / or besides the quay may be used in place of a boat, resulting in avoiding having to use large areas of land and two to three or more large machines such as forklifts to assemble the rings on land before they may be launched, thus avoiding all the environmental damage done by using such large machines to assemble known aqua pens using known methods.

[0057] A plurality of individual modules formed according to the teachings of the present disclosure may be transported to a particular location where the circular aqua pen of the present disclosure is formed by connecting end to end a plurality of the modules, and the completed circular aqua pen then launched into the ocean or sea and towed to its final destination, where its associated netting cage, anchoring equipment and other hardware and equipment may be attached to it.

[0058] It may be anticipated that in most cases a plurality of the present disclosures modules shall be transported by being first packed into a forty foot shipping container. Accordingly, in order to accomplish goals of the present disclosure including reducing the carbon footprint of shipping the components for the aqua pens of the present disclosure, it presently may be preferred that each module be formed of a length so thatwhen measured across from one end to the other of the convex-most side of longest pipe comprising each module, and including any sleeve 6 already attached to said longest pipe, that the distance be as close as feasible to forty feet and not greater. In this way, modules for forming an entire circular aqua pen suitable for rough seas and oceans can be transported with greatly reduced fossil fuel consumption and a greatly reduced carbon footprint in comparison to known methods for transporting components for circular rough seas and oceanic aqua pens. It presently may be preferred to include in the same shipping container containing the modules insert plugs 7 (see FIG. 2) as well as any other hardware needed to form the final floating structure of the circular aqua pen of FIG. 2.

[0059] In order to repair and maintain circular rough seas and oceanic aqua pens of the present disclosure:

[0060] When a portion of a circular aqua pen of the present disclosure may be damaged to an extend that the integrity of a pipe 2, 3 or 4 may be damaged and it must be replaced, it may be not required to tow the entire aqua pen to shore as now required, along with all the fossil fuel consumed in such process, but rather the repair can be made without moving the aqua pen from its location. To accomplish the repair, the damaged module may be removed, and a new module of same or similar dimension and configuration may be put in its place. This requires very little fossil fuel, and avoids beaching the aqua pen, and also avoids using heavy machinery on beaches and beach heads, thereby precluding damaging delicate beach and beach head dwelling organisms.

[0061] One presently anticipated method to remove a damaged module from an aqua pen of the present disclosure may be to first dislocate any of the netting cage and anchoring equipment from the module to be removed; to also remove the tension from the tensioning ropes and / or to disconnect the tensioning ropes associated with the module(s) to be removed; and next to spread apart the two modules on either side of the damaged module or modules so as to separate the module and / or modules that may be desired to be removed and replaced from adjacent modules that are not intended to be removed or replaced. This can be accomplished in many ways. For example, boats may be used to tug the modules apart. Or, the modules may be spread apart by using a turnbuckle type device, such as a car jack turned sideways, to push apart a damaged module from an undamaged module by applying opposing force to each of adjacent modules such as for example by applying said opposing force to two neighboringbrackets 5 where one of each of the two brackets 5 may be situated one on each of two distinct modules to be separated and most proximal the connection zone of the moduies to be separated. Whichever method may be employed to spread apart and / or separate adjacent connected modules, once the adjacent connected modules and thus pipes comprising said modules are pushed far enough apart so that both insert plugs associated with each connection zone come out of at least one pipe for each of the mating pipe ends, or so as to permit removal of the insert plugs from at least one pipe from each of the two pipes at the connection that each one insert plug inserts into, and that may be done for both the longer and shorter pipe of the damaged module, the damaged module may be removed outboard of the aqua pen. Then, a new module may be put into its place; the freed ends of the insert plugs inserted into whatever pipe requires them to be reinserted into, and the turnbuckle reversed (when a turnbuckle may be used) thus forcing the modules together, and / or the modules may forced together by another means and methods, including using boats to pull the modules together. Likely, the forces acting on the netting cage shall force the modules together and no need shall exist to use boats to pull the modules together. However, if not, the modules easily may be forced together without using boats to puli them together by reconnecting and retensioning the tensioning ropes connecting adjacent modules one to the next at the connection zone, such as by applying sufficient tension to ropes connecting neighboring brackets of adjacent moduies, such as by using a turnbuckle inline with each of the tensioning ropes or by using a rachet apparatus to haul in the ropes onto the rachet device, so that the cut ends of the pipes slide onto the insert plugs and into the sleeves, completing the replacement of the damaged module(s) with a new module. Any equipment associated with reconnecting the netting cage and anchoring equipment may be then attached to the new module as needed.

[0062] Alternative to using a turnbuckle device to spread apart the modules being separated, the turnbuckle device may be built into the system (not shown). This may be anticipated best done by configuring either the insert plug 7 to comprise opposite spiral threads so that one end of each insert plug 7 may be an “S” lay threaded end and the other end of the same insert plug 7 comprises a “Z” lay threaded end, and the region proximal the cut ends of the pipes 2, 3 and 4 comprises threaded inner walls or comprise cylindrical inserts that may be flush with the inner walls of the region of the pipes that may be proximal the cut ends of the pipes 2, 3 and 4, where the inner walls of the pipes or the inner walls of the cylindrical inserts may be threaded so as to mesh with the threads on the insert plugs’. The insert plugs then may be further configured with ahandle such as a protrusion located midpoint between their distal ends. By turning the protrusion or handle, and / or otherwise turning the insert plugs so as to cause them to thread into and / or out of the cut ends of the pipes and / or the cylindrical inserts mentioned above, the cut ends of pipes may be brought together or forced apart, thus either bringing together or forcing apart adjacent modules.

[0063] FIG. 4 to FIG. 11 illustrates another apparatus 10 useful for connecting together modules 1 of the present disclosure as well as process steps for using the apparatus 10 to connect the modules 1.

[0064] FIG. 4 illustrates a side plan view of an apparatus 10 useful for connecting together modules 1 of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the apparatus 10 of FIG. 4 taken in a plane lying parallel to the centrally disposed axis of connectors 77 of the apparatus 10 and / or of the pipes 2, 3 and 4, where the plane may also lie in a plane parallel to the earth’s gravitational force vector. As shown in FIGs. 4-5, each apparatus 10 includes two connectors 77. Each connector 77 has a base portion 29 and a connecting portion 22.

[0065] Each base portion 29 includes opposite first and second end surfaces 30, 32. Each connector 77 may be connected to an associated cut end 34 of an associated pipe 2, 3, 4 at its first end surface 30. In particular, each first end surface 30 is butted onto an associated rim 36 of an associated cut end 34, and then attached to the associated rim 36 via a weld 24 (e.g., a plastic weld). The first end surfaces 30 of the base portions 29 thus are configured to interface with the rims 36. Therefore, in the example configuration shown in FIGs. 4-5, each base portion 29 is non-tapered and cylindrical or substantially cylindrical, matching the cylindrically- or substantially cylindrically-shaped cut ends 34 of the pipes 2, 3, 4. The first end surfaces 30 are ring-shaped having central openings 38 extending therethrough. The ring-shaped first end surfaces 30 thus are adapted to interface with the ring-shaped rims 36. Although the base portions 29 and first end surfaces 30 are shown as being cylindrical and ring-shape, respectively, the base portions 29 and first end portions 30 may have any other desired geometric configuration for interfacing with the particular shapes of the cut ends 34 and rims 36.

[0066] Each connecting portion 22 extends from the second end surface 32 of an associated base portion 29 to a connecting end face 23. Unlike the first end faces 30 of the base portions 29, the connecting end faces 23 are solid and, thus, do not have openings extending therethrough. In the example configuration shown in FIGs. 4-5, the connecting portions 22 are tapered (or at least partially tapered) and shaped as orsubstantially as a truncated cone, where the connecting portions 22 generally taper from their connections to the second end surfaces 32 to their connecting end faces 23. The connecting portions 22, however, may have any other desired geometry. For exampie, instead of being tapered and truncated cone-shaped, the connecting portions 22 may be non-tapered and in the shape of, e.g., a cylinder. When cylindrically shaped, the connecting portions 22 may have a diameter smaller than that of the base portions 29.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 5, each connector 77 may include an inner hollow cavity 28 that is open to an environment outside of the connector 77 only via the central opening 38 in the first end surface 30. Forming the connectors 77 to have the inner hollow cavities 28 may result in an overall reduction in the weight of the connectors 77 than would have otherwise resulted had the connectors 77 not had the inner hollow cavities 28. Forming the connectors 77 with the inner hollow cavities 28 instead of as solid pieces may also help with the buoyancy of the floating portion of an associated aqua pen 9.

[0068] When the connectors 77 are attached (e.g., welded) to their associated cut ends 34, the inner hollows 40 (or at least a portion of the inner hollow 40) of the pipes 2, 3, 4 are in fluid communication with the inner hollow cavities 28 of the connectors 77. Because the connectors 77 do not include any openings in addition to the central openings 36, the connectors 77 close off the inner hollows 40 of their associated pipes 2, 3,4. The connectors 77 thus at least partially function as sealing end caps for their respective cut ends 34.

[0069] As shown in FIGs. 4-5, at least the connecting portions 22 of the connectors 77 include threads 21. In the example configuration shown in FIGs. 4-5, the threads 21 of an associated connector 77 are laid in parallel and at a distance from one another along a length of the connecting portion 22. Each thread 21 thus is flanked by and at least partially defines a recess 42 on at least one side of the thread 21. One of the threads 21 of an associated connector 77 may be located so as to comprise and / or define a portion of an associated connecting end face 23. Although the threads 21 are shown as paral lelly laid (like ribs), at least one of the connectors 77 may instead include at least one thread that is spiraled in a similar manner to that of a thread of a screw.

[0070] For each connector 77, the base portion 29, the connecting portion 22, and the thread(s) may be integrally formed as a single monolithic piece. Alternatively, the base portion 29, the connecting portion 22, and the thread(s) of at least one connector 77 may be separately formed and subsequently attached to the remainder of the baseportion 29, the connecting portion 22, and the thread(s). The connectors 77 may be formed of the same material as material forming the plastic pipes 2, 3, 4, as may be HMPE or other plastic; or, otherwise formed from rubber and / or an elastomeric material.

[0071] The apparatus 10 shown in FIGs. 4-5 may also include clamps and / or clamp faces 25 for selectively connecting two opposing connectors 77 together. Each ciamp 25 includes opposite first and second clamp end surfaces 44, 46, as well as opposite outer and inner clamp surfaces 48, 50 that extend lengthwise between the first and second clamp end surfaces 44, 46. Each ciamp 25 may also include clamp mating faces 52 that extend perpendicularly to the clamp end surfaces 44, 46, lengthwise between the first and second clamp end surfaces 44, 46, and widthwise between the outer and inner clamp surfaces 48, 50.

[0072] Each clamp 25 (in particular, at least the inner clamp surface 50 of each clamp 50) is configured to interface with at least the connecting portions 22 of two associated and opposing connectors 77. Therefore, in the example configuration shown in FIGs. 4-5, each inner clamp surface 50 may include and / or comprise threads 54 laid in parallel and at a distance from one another along a length of the inner clamp surface 50. Each thread 54 thus is flanked by and at least partially defines a recess 57 on at least one side of the thread 54. One of the threads 54 of an associated clamp 25 may be located so as to comprise and / or define a portion of an associated first clamp end surface 44, while one other of the threads 54 may be located so as to comprise and / or define a portion of an associated second clamp end surface 46. Although the threads 54 are shown as parallelly laid (like ribs) so as to correspond to the threads 21 of the connectors 77, at least one of the clamps 77 may instead include at least one thread that is spiraled in a similar manner to that of a thread of a screw when the connectors 77 include spiraled threads.

[0073] As will be discussed in more detail below, associated clamps 25, such as the ones shown in FIGs. 4-7, are configured to be joined together in such a manner that they form a clamp sleeve 27 about two opposing connectors 77 that encloses at least a portion of the connectors 77 in the clamp sleeve 27. In particular, when the clamps 25 are joined together to form the clamp sleeve 27, the clamp mating faces 52 of one of the clamps 25 are adjacent to and / or directly contact the clamp mating faces 52 of the other of the clamps 25.

[0074] Furthermore, the inner clamp surfaces 50 of the ciamps 25 interface with the connecting portions 22 of the two opposing connectors 77 when enclosing theconnectors 77. When interfaced thereto, the threads 54 of the ciamps 52 mate and / or mesh with the threads 21 of the connecting portions 22. Therefore, the threads 54 of the clamps 52 extend into corresponding recesses 42 of the connecting portions 22, and the threads 21 of the connecting portions 22 extend into corresponding recesses 54 of the clamps 25 when the clamps 25 are joined to the connecting portions 22. in at least the configuration shown in FIGs. 4-7, at least one thread 21 (e.g., the leading thread 77) of one of the connectors 77 may share recess 57 of the clamps 25 (e.g., central recesses 57 of the clamps 25) with at least one thread 54 (e.g., the leading thread) of the other and opposing connector 77.

[0075] To at least partially assist in the creation of the interface between the inner clamp surfaces 50 and the connecting portions 22, at least the geometries of the inner clamp surfaces 50 are configured to correspond to the geometries of the connecting portions 22. In particular, prior to being enclosed in the clamp sleeve 27, the connectors 77 are joined together such that the connecting end faces 23 of the connectors 77 are in direct contact with one another, though, in some configurations, the connecting end faces 23 may be slightly spaced from one another. The tapered connecting portions 22 of the joined connectors 77 collectively form a substantially hourglass shape. In accordance with this shape, each inner clamp surface 50 is configured such that when the clamp sleeve 27 is formed, the inner clamp surfaces 50 collectively define an hourglass-shaped through-hole 58 configured to enclose at least a portion of the hourglass-shaped joined connectors 77.

[0076] Furthermore, in order to interface with the connecting portions 22 of FIGs. 4-5, the clamps 25 may be semicylindricai such that at least the inner clamp surfaces 50 are curved so as to interface with the rounded connecting portions 22, though the clamps 25 may have any other desired shape with the outer and / or inner clamp surfaces 48, 50 being curved or otherwise.

[0077] After forming the clamp sleeve 27, the clamps 25 may be permanently or at least selectively removably connected to one another via bolts 60 that may be inserted at least partially into through-holes 26 of the clamps 25. The through-holes 26 may include recessed external faces 62 adapted to permit bolt heads of the bolts 60, nuts, and / or washers to be recessed into and below the outer clamp surfaces 48 of the clamps 25.

[0078] An example connection process, which is illustrated in FIGs. 4-8, is as follows. First, as is shown in FIGs. 4-5 and described above, opposing connectors 77 areattached to their associated cut ends 34 of their associated pipes 2, 3, 4. in particular, the first end faces 30 of the connectors 77 butted onto and then welded (e.g., plastic welded) to the rims 36 of the associated cut ends 34. As shown in side plan view in FIG.6, the connecting end faces 23 are then joined together (e.g., into direct contact with one another) and two associated clamps 25 are situated on opposite sides of the joined connectors 77. It should be noted that the clamps 25 are each positioned such that their inner clamp surfaces 50 face one another and their respective side of the joined connectors 77.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 7, the clamps 25 are joined together over the joined connecting portions 22 such that the clamp mating faces 52 of one of the ciamps 25 are adjacent to and / or directly contact the ciamp mating faces 52 of the other of the ciamps 25. The joined clamps 25 form the clamp sleeve 27 that encloses the connecting portions 22 in the ciamp sleeve’s through-hole 58 (e.g., the clamp sleeve’s hourglass¬ shaped through-hole 58). Furthermore, as the clamps 25 are joined together over the connecting portions 22, the threads 54 of the clamps 52 are mated and / or meshed with the threads 21 of the connecting portions 22 in the manner described above.

[0080] As shown in FIGs. 7-8, the bolts 60, washers, and nuts have been employed to permanently or at least selectively removably affix the clamps 25 to one another and / or the clamps 25 (and, thus, the clamp sleeve 27) to the opposing connectors 77. Via this affixion, the associated and opposing cut ends 34 of the associated and opposing pipes 2, 3, 4 are permanently or at least selectively removably joined together. It should be noted that the mated and / or meshed threads 21, 54 of the connecting portions 22 and the clamps 25, at least partially prevent the joined pipes 2, 3, 4 from separating from one another. Furthermore, as is shown in FIGs. 7-8, the first and second clamp end faces 44, 46 of each clamp 25 may be adjacent to and / or directly contact associated second end surfaces 32 of the base portions 29 when the clamps 25 are joined together over the connecting portions 22. This arrangement may help with stabilizing and / or positioning the clamps 25 on the connectors 77 prior to, during, and / or after (1 ) the clamps 25 are joined to the connectors 77, (2) the clamp sleeve 27 is formed, and / or (3) the clamps / sleeve 25 / 27 are affixed on the connectors 77.

[0081] The cut ends 34 of the pipes 2, 3, 4 of one module 1 thus may be connected to the cut ends of the pipes 2, 3, 4 of at least one other independent and distinct module 2 using a plurality of the apparatuses 10 (e.g., the connectors 77 and the clamps 25) and the process described above. Therefore, a floating ring-shaped and / or circular-shaped portion of an aqua pen 9 may comprise a plurality of independent and distinct modules 1 that are each permanently or at least selectively removably connected to at least one other (preferably two other) module(s) 1 via a plurality of the apparatus 10 (e.g., the connectors 77 and the clamps 25) and the process described above. In particular, the cut ends 34 of the shorter pipes 4 of serially adjacent modules 1 may be connected to one another via an associated apparatus 10 (i.e.. via associated connectors 77 and clamps 25), while the cut ends 34 of the longer pipes 3 of serially adjacent modules 1 may be connected to one another via an associated apparatus 10 (i.e., via associated connectors 77 and clamps 25).

[0082] FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the aspect of FIG. 4.

[0083] FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the aspect of FIG. 7.

[0084] FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the aspect of FIG. 8.

[0085] FIG. 12 to FIG. 15 illustrate yet another apparatus 10A useful for connecting together modules 1 of the present disclosure as well as process steps for using the apparatus 10A to connect the modules 1.

[0086] FIG. 1 illustrates a side plan view of an apparatus 10A useful for connecting together modules 1 of the present disclosure. FIG. 13 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the apparatus 10A of FIG. 12 taken in a plane lying parallel to the centrally disposed axis of the pipes 2, 3 and 4 and / or of connectors 77A of the apparatus 10A and / or, where the plane may also lie in a plane parallel to the earth’s gravitational force vector. Similarly to the apparatus configuration shown in FIGs. 4-11, the apparatus 10A of FIGs.1 -13 includes two connectors 77A and two clamps and / or clamp faces 25A for selectively connecting two opposing connectors 77A together. However, unlike the apparatus configuration of FIGs. 4-11, each clamp 25A of the apparatus 10A of FIGs. 12-13 is integrally formed with an associated connector 77A.

[0087] In particular, each connector 77A has a base portion 29A. Each base portion 29A includes opposite first and second end surfaces 30A, 32A. Each connector 77A may be connected to an associated cut end 34 of an associated pipe 2, 3, 4 at its first end surface 30A. In particular, each first end surface 30A is butted onto an associated rim 36 of an associated cut end 34, and then attached to the associated rim 36 via a weld 24A (e.g., a plastic weld). The first end surfaces 30A of the base portions 29A thus are configured to interface with the rims 36. Therefore, in the example configuration shown in FIGs. 12-13, each base portion 29A is non-tapered and cylindrical orsubstantially cylindrical, matching the cylindrically- or substantially cylindrically-shaped cut ends 34 of the pipes 2, 3, 4. The first end surfaces 30A are ring-shaped having central openings 38A extending therethrough. The ring-shaped first end surfaces 30A thus are adapted to interface with the ring-shaped rims 36. Although the base portions 29A and first end surfaces 30A are shown as being cylindrical and ring-shape, respectively, the base portions 29A and first end portions 30A may have any other desired geometric configuration for interfacing with the particular shapes of the cut ends 34 and rims 36.

[0088] Each clamp 25A is integrally formed with and extends lengthwise from the second end surface 32A (or a location that is adjacent to the second end surface 32A) of an associated connector 77 A to a ciamp end surface 46A. At least partially following the geometry of the base portions 29A, the clamps 25A are semicylindrical such that opposite outer and inner clamp faces 48A, 50A of the clamps 25A are curved, though the clamps 25A may have any other desired shape with the outer and / or inner clamp surfaces 48A, 50A being curved or otherwise. The outer and inner clamp surfaces 48A, 50A extend lengthwise between the second end surfaces 32A and the clamp end surfaces 46A. Each clamp 25A may also include clamp mating faces 52A that extend perpendicularly to the clamp end surface 46A, lengthwise between the second end surfaces 32A and the clamp end surfaces 46A, and widthwise between the outer and inner clamp surfaces 48, 50.

[0089] In the example configuration shown in FIGs. 12-13, each inner clamp surface 50A may include and / or comprise threads 54A laid in parallel and at a distance from one another along a length of the inner clamp surface 50A. Each thread 54A thus is flanked by and at least partially defines a recess 57A on at least one side of the thread 54A. One of the threads 54A of an associated clamp 25A may be located so as to comprise and / or define a portion of an associated clamp end surface 46A. Although the threads 54A are shown as parallelly laid (like ribs), at least one of the clamps 25A may instead include at least one thread that is spiraled in a similar manner to that of a thread of a screw.

[0090] The connectors 77A also include connecting portions 22A. Each connecting portion 22A extends lengthwise from the second end surface 32A of an associated base portion 29A to a connecting end face 23A. Each connection portion 22A (or at least an outer connecting surface 64A of each connecting portion 22A) also extends in a curved manner from a location that is at and / or adjacent one clamp mating face 52A of anassociated ciamp 25A to a iocation that is at and / or adjacent to the other ciamp mating face 52A of the associated ciamp 25A. Therefore, at ieast the outer connecting surfaces 64A are curved and are or are substantially semicylindrical or semicircular, though the connecting portions 22A and / or the outer connecting surfaces 64A may have any desired shape. The connecting portions 22A are aiso located radially inward relative to their respective clamps 25A. The connecting end faces 23A shown in FIGs. 12-13 are or are substantially circular, though they may have any desired shape.

[0091] in the example configuration shown in FIGs. 12-13, the connecting portions 22A include non-tapered portions 66A that have a radius and / or a diameter that is less than that of the base portions 29A. The connecting end faces 23A may be provided at the ends of the non-tapered portions 66A. The connecting portions 22A may optionally include tapered portions 68A that generally taper from their connections to the second end surfaces 32 to their non-tapered portions 66A.

[0092] Unlike the first end faces 30A of the base portions 29A, the connecting end faces 23A are solid and, thus, do not have openings extending therethrough. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13, each connector 77 A may include an inner hollow cavity 28A that is open to an environment outside of the connector 77A only via the central opening 38A in the first end surface 30A. Forming the connectors 77A to have the inner hollow cavities 28A may result in an overall reduction in the weight of the connectors 77A than would have otherwise resulted had the connectors 77A not had the inner hollow cavities 28A. Forming the connectors 77A with the inner hollow cavities 28A instead of as solid pieces may aiso help with the buoyancy of the floating portion of an associated aqua pen 9.

[0093] When the connectors 77A are attached (e.g., welded) to their associated cut ends 34, the inner hollow 40 (or at least a portion of the inner hollow 40) of the pipes 2, 3, 4 are in fluid communication with the inner hollow cavities 28A of the connectors 77A. Because the connectors 77A do not include any openings in addition to the central openings 36A, the connectors 77A close off the inner hollows 40 of their associated pipes 2, 3,4. The connectors 77A thus at least partially function as sealing end caps for their respective cut ends 34.

[0094] Returning to FIGs. 1 -13, the connecting portion 22A (in particular, at ieast the outer connecting surface 64A of the connecting portion 22A) of each connector 77A is configured to interface with the clamp 25A (in particular, with the inner clamp surface 50A of the clamp 25A) that is associated with a separate and opposing connector 77A. Therefore, in the example configuration shown in FIGs. 12-13, at ieast the connectingportion 22A of each connector 77 A includes threads 21 A that are laid in parallel and at a distance from one another along a length of the connecting portion 22A. Each thread 21 A thus is flanked by and at least partially defines a recess 42A on at least one side of the thread 21 A. One of the threads 21 A of an associated connector 77A may be located so as to comprise and / or define a portion of an associated connecting end face 23A. Although the threads 21 A are shown as parallelly laid (like ribs) so as to correspond to the threads 54A of the clamps 25A, at least one of the connectors 77A may instead include at least one thread that is spiraled in a similar manner to that of a thread of a screw when the clamps 25A include spiraled threads

[0095] For each connector 77A, the base portion 29A, the connecting portion 22A, the clamp 25A and the threads 21 A, 54A may be integrally formed as a single monolithic piece. Alternatively, the base portion 29A, the connecting portion 22A, the clamp 25A, and the threads 21 A, 54A of at least one connector 77A may be separately formed and subsequently attached to the remainder of the base portion 29A, the connecting portion 22A, the clamp 25A and the threads 21 A, 54A. The connectors 77A and clamps 25A may be formed of the same material as material forming the plastic pipes 2, 3, 4, as may be HMPE or other plastic; or, otherwise formed from rubber and / or an elastomeric material.

[0096] As will be discussed in more detail below, associated clamps 25A, such as the ones shown in FIGs. 1 -15, are configured to be joined together in such a manner that they form a clamp sleeve 27A about two associated and opposing connectors 77A that encloses at least a portion of the connectors 77A in the clamp sleeve 27A. In particular, when the clamps 25A are joined together to form the clamp sleeve 27A, the clamp mating faces 52A of one of the clamps 25A are adjacent to and / or directly contact the clamp mating faces 52A of the other of the clamps 25A.

[0097] Furthermore, the inner clamp surfaces 50A are each configured to interface with the connecting portion 22A (in particular, with the outer connecting surface 64A) that is associated with a separate and opposing connector 77A when the clamp sleeve 27A encloses the opposing connectors 77A. When interfaced thereto, the threads 54A of the clamps 52A mate and / or mesh with the threads 21 A of the connecting portions 22A. Therefore, the threads 54A of the clamps 52A extend into corresponding recesses 42A of the connecting portions 22A, and the threads 21 A of the connecting portions 22A extend into corresponding recesses 54A of the clamps 25A when the clamps 25A are joined to the connecting portions 22A.

[0098] To at teas! partially assist in the creation of the interface between the inner clamp surfaces 50A and the connecting portions 22A, at least the geometries of the inner clamp surfaces 50A are configured to correspond to the geometries of the connecting portions 22A. Therefore, as discussed above, the inner clamp surfaces 50A are curved so as to match the curved outer connecting surfaces 64A of the connecting portions 22A.

[0099] Additionally, as is shown in the example configuration shown in FIGs. 12-15, the arrangement of the connecting portion 22A and clamp 25A on one connector 77 A of the apparatus 10A is opposite to that of the other connector 77A of the apparatus 10A. For example, in the example orientation shown in FIGs. 12-15, the clamp 25A and connecting portion 22A associated with one of the connectors 77A of the apparatus 10A are arranged such that the connecting portion 22A extends from a first or upper side of the associated base portion 29A and the clamp 25A extends from a second or lower side of the associated base portion 29A, while the clamp 25A and connecting portion 22A associated with the other and opposing connector 77A of the apparatus 10A are arranged such that the clamp extends from the first or upper side of the associated base portion 29A and the connecting portion 22A extends from the second or lower side of the associated base portion 29A. Having opposing clamp-connecting portion arrangements permits the clamp mating faces 52A to interface with one another to form the clamp sleeve 27A and each inner clamp surfaces 50A to interface with an opposing connection portion 22A.

[0100] After forming the clamp sleeve 27A, the clamps 25A may be permanently or at least selectively removably connected to one another via bolts 60A that may be inserted at least partially into through-holes 26A of the clamps 25A. The through-holes 26A may include recessed external faces 62A adapted to permit bolt heads of the bolts 60A, nuts, and / or washers to be recessed into and below the outer ciamp surfaces 48A of the clamps 25A.

[0101] An example connection process, which is illustrated in FIGs. 12-15, is as follows. First, as is shown in FIGs. 12-13 and described above, associated and opposing connectors 77A are arranged such that the clamp-connecting portion arrangements of the opposing connectors 77A are opposite one another, as is described above. While maintaining this arrangement, the connectors 77A are then attached to their associated cut ends 34 of their associated pipes 2, 3, 4. In particular,the first end faces 30A of the connectors 77A butted onto and then welded (e.g., plastic welded) to the rims 36 of the associated cut ends 34.

[0102] As shown in side plan view in FIG. 14, the connectors 77A and their integral clamps 25A are then joined together in the manner discussed above. In particular, the connectors 77A and their integral clamps 25A are joined together such that the clamp mating faces 52A of one clamp 25A directly contacts the clamp mating faces of the opposing clamp 25A to form the ciamp sleeve 27A, the inner clamp surface 50A of the clamp 25A associated with each connector 77A is interfaced with an opposing connecting portion 22A associated with the other of the connectors 77A, and the connecting end faces 23A of the two opposing connecting portions 22A are positioned such that they are adjacent to and / or directly contact one another. Furthermore, as the clamps 25A are joined together over their respective opposing connecting portions 22A, the threads 54A of the clamps 52A are mated and / or meshed with the threads 21 A of the connecting portions 22A in the manner described above.

[0103] As shown in FIGs. 14-15, the bolts 60A, washers, and nuts have been employed to permanently or at least selectively removably affix the clamps 25A to one another and / or the clamps 25A (and, thus, the clamp sleeve 27A) to the opposing connectors 77A. Via this affixion, the associated and opposing cut ends 34 of the associated and opposing pipes 2, 3, 4 are permanently or at least selectively removably joined together. It should be noted that the mated and / or meshed threads 21 A, 54A of the connecting portions 22A and the clamps 25A, at least partially prevent the joined pipes 2, 3, 4 from separating from one another. Furthermore, as is shown in FIGs. 14-15, the clamp end face 46A of each clamp 25A may be adjacent to and / or directly contact an opposing second end surface 32A of an opposing base portion 29A when the clamps 25A are joined together over the connecting portions 22A. This arrangement helps with stabilizing the clamps 25A on their opposing connecting portions 22A prior to, during, and / or after the clamps 25A are affixed to one another.

[0104] The cut ends 34 of the pipes 2, 3, 4 of one module 1 thus may be connected to the cut ends of the pipes 2, 3, 4 of at least one other independent and distinct module 2 using a plurality of the apparatuses 10A (e.g., the connectors 77A and the clamps 25A) and the process described above. Therefore, a floating ring-shaped and / or circular-shaped portion of an aqua pen 9 may comprise a plurality of independent and distinct modules 1 that are each permanently or at least selectively removably connected to at least one other (preferably two other) module(s) 1 via a plurality of theapparatus 10A (e.g.. the connectors 77A and the clamps 25A) and the process described above. In particular, the cut ends 34 of the shorter pipes 4 of serially adjacent modules 1 may be connected to one another via an associated apparatus 10A (i.e., via associated connectors 77A and clamps 25A), while the cut ends 34 of the longer pipes 3 of serially adjacent modules 1 may be connected to one another via an associated apparatus 10A (i.e., via associated connectors 77A and clamps 25A).

[0105] Although the clamps 25A of the apparatus 10A of FIGs. 12-15 have been shown as being affixed to one another via the through-holes 26A and the bolts 60A, washers, and nuts, the clamps 25A may be affixed to one another via any other attachment mechanism(s) (e.g., adhesives, welding, straps, and / or fasteners). FIGs. 16-18, e.g., illustrates an apparatus 10B, that is substantially similar to, but an alternate embodiment of, the apparatus 10A of FIGs. 12-15. The shared features between the apparatus 10A, 10B thus share or would share the same reference characters, with one exception being that the apparatus 10A of FIGs. 12-15 is indicated at “10A” and the apparatus 10B of FIGs. 16-18 Is indicated at “10B”. In this apparatus 10B, the through- openings 26A are omitted from the clamps 25A. Instead, each clamp 25A includes partial grooves 55B (e.g., half or at least less than full grooves 55B) in its outer ciamp surface 48A that correspond to the partial grooves 55B (e.g., half or at least less than full grooves 55B) of an opposing ciamp 25A. When the clamps 25A are joined together and the clamp sleeve 27A is formed, the corresponding partial grooves 55B of the opposing clamps 25A collectively define full grooves 70B that extends circumferentially about the outer clamp surfaces 48A and, thus, the clamp sleeve 27A.

[0106] Each full groove 70B is configured to receive a strap 56B that is configured to be capable of being placed and situated around the entirety of the full groove 70B and, thus, about the exterior circumference of the clamp sleeve 27A. Accordingly, a long dimension of the straps 56B extend circumferentially about the clamp sleeve 27A and / or extends perpendicularly to a long dimension of the pipes 2, 3, 4. The straps 56B may be tensed so as to affix and / or retain the clamps 25A affixed to one another and, thus, retain the cut ends 34 and connectors 77A connected to another, without the need for bolts and through-holes.

[0107] The example connection process illustrated In FIGs. 16-18 is substantially the same as the one illustrated in FIGs. 1 -15, with some differences. In particular, unlike in the example connection process of FIGs. 12-15, when the connectors 77A and their integral clamps 25A are joined together in the manner discussed above to form thesleeve 27 A, each partial groove 55B aligns with an opposing partial groove 55B to collectively define a full groove 70B. As shown in FIGs. 17-18, instead of employing bolts 60A, washers, and nuts, the straps 56B are employed to permanently or at least selectively removably affix the clamps 25A to one another and / or the clamps 25A (and, thus, the clamp sleeve 27 A) to the opposing connectors 77A.

[0108] FIGs. 19-20 illustrate an apparatus 10C, that is substantially similar to, but an alternate embodiment of, the apparatus 10B of FIGs. 16-18. The shared features between the apparatus 10B, 10C thus share or would share the same reference characters, with one exception being that the apparatus 10B of FIGs. 16-18 is indicated at “10B” and the apparatus 10C of FIGs. 19-20 is indicated at “10C". Unlike the apparatus 10B of FIGs. 16-18, the straps 56C of the apparatus 10C of FIGs. 19-20 are ratcheting straps 56C that may each be tensed via a ratcheting mechanism 72C that is operatively connected thereto. To better interface the ratcheting mechanisms 72C with at least one of the clamps 25A (and, thus, reduce the risk of the ratcheting mechanisms 72C from damaging the curved outer clamp surface of at least one of the clamps 25A) the partial clamp grooves 55B of at least one of the clamps 25A may include enlarged portions 74C configured to selectively receiving the ratcheting mechanisms 72C at least partially therein.

[0109] The example connection process for the apparatus 10C of FIGs. 19-20 is substantially the same as the apparatus 10B of FIGs. 16-18, with one addition being that the ratcheting mechanisms 72C are utilized to tense the straps 56C so as to permanently or at least selectively removably affix the clamps 25A to one another and / or the clamps 25A (and, thus, the clamp sleeve 27A) to the opposing connectors 77A via the tensed straps 56C.

[0110] Although the apparatus 10B of FIGs. 16-18 and the apparatus 10C of FIGs.19-20 are the only apparatuses 10, 10A, 10B, 10C shown as having straps 56B, 56C, any of the apparatus configurations 10, 10A, 10B, 0C may be configured to include straps 56B and / or ratcheting straps 56C in the place of or in addition to the bolts 60, 60A and through-holes 26, 26A. Any apparatus configuration that includes straps 56B may further include clamps 25, 25A with the partial grooves 55B, and any apparatus configuration that includes the ratcheting straps 56C may include the ratcheting mechanisms 72C and the partial grooves 55B with or without the enlarged portions 74C. Conversely, the apparatuses 10B, 10C of FIGs. 16-18 and 19-20 may be configured toalso include the through-holes 26, 26A In their clamps 25A for receiving the boits 60, 60A.

[0111] Although the connectors 77A have been described above as being attached to the pipes 2, 3, 4 (e.g., welding), the connectors 77A may instead be formed integrally with their respective pipes 2, 3, 4 as a single monolithic piece. Accordingly, a module 1 may be configured / formed such that its pipes 2, 3, 4 and connectors 77A are integrally formed as a single monolithic piece. A plurality of these integral modules 1 thus may be connected in end-to-end series to form a curved, rounded, and / or ring-shaped floating portion of a curved, rounded, and / or ring-shaped aqua pen 9.

[0112] Fig. 21 depicts an example configuration of a module 1 that is formed having one or more (here, three) platform segments 76 and the connectors 77A of Figs. 12-15, though the module 1 of Fig. 21 may instead be formed having or utilizing any of the other connector or plug configurations disclosed herein. Each platform segment 76 is affixed to at least one bracket 5 of the module 1 and / or to at least one of the pipes 2, 3, 4 such that the platform segments 76 are situated on and / or adjacent to an upper side of the pipes 2, 3, 4. Each platform segment 76 may also be configured, arranged, and / or affixed such that each platform segment 76 is substantially flat and / or lies on a plane that is parallel to the plane on which the pipes 2, 3, 4 lie. A plurality of modules 1 of Fig.21 may thus be constructed / formed at a prefabrication site having their respective pipes 2, 3, 4, brackets 5, connectors 77A, and platform segments 76, shipped in their formed state, and then assembled at an assembly site into a resulting floating portion of a rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped aqua pen 9.

[0113] As shown in Fig. 22, when a plurality of the modules of Fig. 21 are connected to one another (using the connectors 77 A) in end-to-end series to form a floating portion of a rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped aqua pen 9, the platform segments 76 of the modules 1 collectively define a rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped platform walkway 78 of the aqua pen 9. Accordingly, the one or more segments 76 of each module 1 defines a portion of the platform walkway 78. In the example configuration of Fig. 22, the platform walkway 78 is broken into a plurality of walkway segments by the brackets 5. Each platform segment 76 may thus extend in a curved manner at least partially between two brackets 5 of a single module 1 or at least partially between two brackets 5 of two serially adjacent modules 1.

[0114] Although the platform segments 76 have been shown as being present only in a module(s) 1 that includes the connectors 77A of Figs. 1 -15, the platform segments76 may be provided in a module(s) 1 that instead or additionally includes any of the other connectors 77, 77A or the plug 7.

[0115] In summary, a person having ordinary skill in the art will understand that the present disclosure provides various examples of aspects of the present disclosure, whether they be alone or in combination with one another, where such example aspects include Example aspects:

[0116] 1. An individual module for forming a floating portion of a rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped aqua pen, the individual module comprising:

[0117] two curved lengths of plastic pipe that are permanently formed into curves, the lengths of plastic pipe further comprising a longer pipe and a shorter pipe, the lengths of pipe being attached together by brackets so that the curved lengths of pipe have their convex-most shapes facing the same direction and also have their concave- most shapes facing in a direction that is opposite the direction faced by their convex- most shapes, and so that the lengths of pipe lie in the same plane, each of the longer and shorter pipes including first and second cut ends;

[0118] a plurality of first connectors, the first cut ends of the longer and shorter pipes each having one of the first connectors attached thereto via a plastic weld; and

[0119] a plurality of second connectors, the second cuts ends of the longer and shorter pipes each having one of the second connectors attached thereto via a plastic weld, each first connector of the individual module being configured to be connected to an opposing second connector of a separate and serially adjacent individual module via a clamp sleeve so as to connect the shorter and longer pipes of the individual module to shorter and longer pipes of the separate and serially adjacent individual module.

[0120] 2. The individual module of example aspect 1, wherein each connector includes at least one thread for mating and / or meshing with at least one thread of an associated clamp sleeve.

[0121] 3. The individual module of example aspect 2, wherein each connector includes a plurality of threads laid in parallel along a length of the connector for mating with a plurality of parallelly laid threads of an associated clamp sleeve.

[0122] 4. The individual module of any of example aspects 1-3, wherein each connector includes a base portion and a connecting portion, each base portion being attached to an associated cut end of a corresponding cut end by being butted onto and plastic welded to a rim of the corresponding cut end, each connecting portion includingat least one thread for mating and / or meshing with the at ieast one thread of an associated ciamp sleeve.

[0123] 5. The individual module of example aspect 4, wherein each connecting portion extends from an associated base portion to an associated connecting end face, each connecting end face being configured to directly contact the connecting end face of an associated and opposing connecting portion.

[0124] 6. The individual module of example aspect 5, wherein each connecting portion tapers from an associated base portion to the associated connecting end face such that two associated and opposing connecting portions define an hourglass shape when abutting one another, and

[0125] wherein each clamp sleeve has an hourglass-shaped through-hole configured to enclose therein at least a portion of the hourglass-shape of the abutting connecting portions associated therewith.

[0126] 7. The individual module of any of example aspects 1 -5, wherein each of the first and second connectors are integrally formed with a curved ciamp, the clamp of each first connector being configured to be joined together with the clamp of an opposing second connector to define an associated clamp sleeve that connects together and at least partially encloses the opposing first and second connectors.

[0127] 8. The individual module of example aspect 7, wherein each clamp projects outwardly from an associated connector.

[0128] 9. The individual module of example aspect 8, wherein when the opposing connectors are connected to one another via the clamps, each clamp overlaps an opposing one of the opposing connectors.

[0129] 10. The individual module of any of example aspects 7-9, wherein each clamp is integrally formed with and projects outwardly from a base portion of an associated connector, each clamp including at least one thread on a curved inner clamp surface,

[0130] wherein a connecting portion of each connector is integrally formed with and projects outwardly from an associated base portion, each connecting portion being positioned so as to be radially inward of an associated clamp, each connecting portion having a curved outer connecting surface configured to interface with the curved inner clamp surface of an opposing clamp, each curved outer connecting surface having atleast one thread for mating and / or meshing with the at ieast one thread of an opposing clamp, and

[0131] wherein each base portion is configured to attached to an associated cut end of a corresponding pipe by being butted onto and plastically welded to a rim thereof.

[0132] 11. The individual module of example aspect 10, wherein an arrangement of the connection portion and clamp of each first connector is opposite to that of an arrangement of the connector portion and clamp of each second connector.

[0133] 12. The individual module of example aspect 11, wherein for each first connector, the clamp and connecting portion associated with the first connector are arranged such that the connecting portion extends from a first side of the base portion of the first connector and the clamp extends from an opposite second side of the base portion of the first connector, and

[0134] wherein for each second connector, the clamp and connecting portion associated with the second connector are arranged such that the clamp extends from the first side of the base portion of the second connector and the connecting portion extends from the opposite second side of the base portion of the second connector.

[0135] 13. The individual module of any of example aspects 1-6, wherein each clamp sleeve comprises a plurality of curved clamps configured to be joined together over associated an opposing first and second to at least partially enclose and connect together to the associated and opposing first second connectors.

[0136] 14. The individual module of any of example aspects 1-13, wherein each connector includes an inner hollow cavity.

[0137] 15. The individual module of example aspect 14, wherein for each connector, the inner hollow cavity is opening to an environment outside of the connector only via an opening in a base portion of the connector, and

[0138] wherein each base portion is configured to be attached to an associated cut end of a corresponding pipe by being butted onto and plastically welded to a rim thereof.

[0139] 16. The individual module of any of example aspects 14-15, wherein when the inner hollow cavity of at least one of the connectors is in fluid communication with an inner hollow of a corresponding pipe when plastically welded thereto.

[0140] 17. The individual module of any of example aspects 1-16, wherein each connector is a single-piece construct.

[0141] 18. The individual module of any of example aspects 1-17, wherein the longer pipe has a different diameter than the shorter pipe.

[0142] 19. The individual module of any of example aspects 1-18, further comprising at least one platform segment situated on and / or adjacent to an upper side of the pipes, the at least one platform segment defining a portion of a rounded, circular, and / or ring¬ shaped platform walkway of the floating portion.

[0143] 20. A rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped floating aqua pen for rough seas comprising a plurality of the individual module of any of example aspects 1-19 connected end-to-end such that the aqua pen comprises a serially adjacent individual modules, each individual module being connected to a serially adjacent individual module via associate first and second connectors and associated clamp sleeves.

[0014] 21. The aqua pen of example aspect 20, wherein each individual module is removable from the aqua pen so as to be selectively replaced with another individual module.

[0015] 22. The aqua pen of any of example aspects 20-21, wherein the aqua pen has a rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped platform walkway defined by platform segments of the individual modules.

[0146] 23. A process for forming a rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped floating aqua pen, the process comprising connecting end-to-end a plurality of the individual module of any of example aspects 1-19 such that the aqua pen comprises a serially adjacent individual modules, each individual module being connected to a serially adjacent individual module via associate first and second connectors and associated ciamp sleeves.

[0147] 24. The process of example aspect 23, wherein the rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped floating aqua pen is formed at an assembly location via a crane that is situated on and / or besides a quay, dock, and / or pier.

[0148] 25. The process of any of example aspects 23-24, wherein the rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped floating aqua pen is formed in water.

[0019] 26. The process of any of example aspects 23-25, wherein each individual module is removable from the formed aqua pen so as to be selectively replaced with another individual module.

[0150] 27. The process of any of exampie aspects 23-26, wherein each individual module has at least one platform segment situated on and / or adjacent to an upper side of the pipes, and wherein when the aqua pen is formed, the platform segments of the individual modules collectively define a rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped platform walkway of the formed aqua pen.

[0151] 28. A process for forming an individual module for forming a floating portion of a rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped aqua pen, the process comprising steps of:

[0152] providing two or more lengths of plastic pipe, the lengths of pipe having had their relative lengths calculated so that after being curved into a curve, several modules are connectable end-to-end in series and create the floating portion of the rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped aqua pen, each length of pipe having a first and second cut ends;

[0053] heating each of the lengths of pipe until the plastic reaches a temperature at which it may be bent without destroying the pipe;

[0154] bending each of the lengths of pipe into a predetermined curved shape;

[0155] connecting the two bent lengths of pipe to one another by brackets in such a fashion that they are permanently fixed into position relative to one another, so that the concave-most face of each pipe face in the same direction and so that the entirety of both lengths of pipe lie in the same plane;

[0156] plastically welding a first connector to the first cut end of each length of pipe; and

[0057] plastically welding a second connector to the second cut end of each length of pipe, each first connector of the individual module being configured to be connected to an opposing second connector of a separate and serially adjacent individual module via a clamp sleeve so as to connect the individual module to separate and serially adjacent individual module in end-to-end series.

[0158] 29. The process of example aspect 28, wherein a diameter of at least one length of pipe is different than at least one other length of pipe.

[0059] 30. The process of any of example aspects 28-29, wherein each connector includes at least one thread for mating and / or meshing with at least one thread of an associated clamp sleeve.

[0160] 31. The process of example aspect 30, wherein each connector includes a plurality of threads laid in parallel along a length of the connector for mating with a plurality of parailelly laid threads of an associated clamp sleeve.

[0061] 32. The process of any of example aspects 28-31, wherein each connector includes a base portion and a connecting portion, each base portion being attached to an associated cut end of a corresponding cut end by being butted onto and plastic welded to a rim of the corresponding cut end, each connecting portion including at least one thread for mating and / or meshing with the at least one thread of an associated clamp sleeve.

[0162] 33. The process of example aspect 32, wherein each connecting portion extends from an associated base portion to an associated connecting end face, each connecting end face being configured to directly contact the connecting end face of an associated and opposing connecting portion.

[0163] 34. The process of example aspect 33, wherein each connecting portion tapers from an associated base portion to the associated connecting end face such that two associated and opposing connecting portions define an hourglass shape when abutting one another, and

[0164] wherein each clamp sleeve has an hourglass-shaped through-hole configured to enclose therein at least a portion of the hourglass-shape of the abutting connecting portions associated therewith.

[0165] 35. The process of any of example aspects 28-33, wherein each of the first and second connectors are integrally formed with a curved clamp, the clamp of each first connector being configured to be joined together with the clamp of an opposing second connector to define an associated clamp sleeve that connects together and at least partially encloses the opposing first and second connectors.

[0166] 36. The process of example aspect 35, wherein each clamp projects outwardly from an associated connector.

[0067] 37. The process of example aspect 36, wherein when the opposing connectors are connected to one another via the clamps, each clamp overlaps an opposing one of the opposing connectors.

[0168] 38. The process of any of example aspects 35-37, wherein each clamp is integrally formed with and projects outwardly from a base portion of an associated connector, each clamp including at least one thread on a curved inner clamp surface,

[0169] wherein a connecting portion of each connector is integrally formed with and projects outwardly from an associated base portion, each connecting portion being positioned so as to be radially inward of an associated clamp, each connecting portion having a curved outer connecting surface configured to interface with the curved inner ciamp surface of an opposing clamp, each curved outer connecting surface having at least one thread for mating and / or meshing with the at least one thread of an opposing clamp, and

[0170] wherein each base portion is configured to be attached to an associated cut end of a corresponding pipe by being butted onto and plastically welded to a rim thereof.

[0171] 39. The process of example aspect 38, wherein an arrangement of the connection portion and ciamp of each first connector is opposite to that of an arrangement of the connector portion and ciamp of each second connector.

[0072] 40. The process of example aspect 39, wherein for each first connector, the ciamp and connecting portion associated with the first connector are arranged such that the connecting portion extends from a first side of the base portion of the first connector and the clamp extends from an opposite second side of the base portion of the first connector, and

[0173] wherein for each second connector, the clamp and connecting portion associated with the second connector are arranged such that the clamp extends from the first side of the base portion of the second connector and the connecting portion extends from the opposite second side of the base portion of the second connector.

[0174] 41. The process of any of example aspects 28-40, wherein each clamp sleeve comprises a plurality of curved clamps configured to be joined together over associated an opposing first and second to at least partially enclose and connect together to the associated and opposing first second connectors.

[0175] 42. The process of any of example aspects 28-41, wherein each connector includes an inner hollow cavity.

[0076] 43. The process of example aspect 42, wherein for each connector, the inner hollow cavity is opening to an environment outside of the connector only via an opening in a base portion of the connector, and

[0177] wherein each base portion is configured to attached to an associated cut end of a corresponding pipe by being butted onto and plastically welded to a rim thereof.

[0178] 44. The process of any of exampie aspects 42-43, wherein when the inner hollow cavity of at ieast one of the connectors is in fluid communication with an inner hollow of a corresponding pipe when plastically welded thereto.

[0079] 45. The process of any of example aspects 28-44, wherein each connector is a single-piece construct.

[0180] 46. The process of any of example aspects 28-45, further comprising situating at least one platform segment on and / or adjacent to an upper side of the bent pipes, the at least one platform segment defining a portion of a rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped platform walkway of the aqua pen.

[0181] 47. The process of any of example aspects 28-46, further comprising forming a plurality of the individual modules of a length so that when measured across from one end to the other of the convex-most side of the longest pipe comprising each module, and including any connector already attached to said longest pipe, that the distance be as close as feasible to forty feet and not greater.

[0182] 48. The process of example aspect 47, further comprising transporting the plurality of modules by being first packing them into a forty-foot shipping container.

[0183] 49. The process of example aspect 48, further comprising forming the aqua pen from a plurality of modules with a crane situated on and / or besides a quay, dock, and / or pier rather than using a boat, resulting in avoiding having to use large areas of land and two to three or more large machines such as forklifts to assemble the floating aqua pen on land before it is launched, thus avoiding all the environmental damage done by using such large machines to assemble known aqua pens using known methods.

[0184] 50. The process of example aspect 49, wherein the aqua pen is formed in water.

[0185] 51. The process of any of example aspects 49-50, wherein each module is removable from the formed aqua pen so as to be selectively replaced with another module.

[0086] 52. The process of any of example aspects 49-51, wherein each individual module has at least one platform segment situated on and / or adjacent to an upper side of the pipes, and wherein when the aqua pen is formed, the platform segments of the individual modules collectively define a rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped platform walkway of the formed aqua pen.

[0187] 53. A process for shipping and assembling a plurality of modules for forming a floating portion of a rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped rough seas and oceanic aqua pen, each module including two curved pipes and at least two brackets, the process comprising:

[0188] prefabricating each module such that for each module, a first connector is plastically welded to a first cut end of each of the two curved pipes and a second connector is plastically welded to a second cut end of each of the two curved pipes;

[0189] placing the prefabricated modules entirely within a shipping container of a predetermined size;

[0190] transporting the shipping container, with the prefabricated modules contained entirely within, from a first, prefabrication location to a second, assembly location;

[0091] removing the prefabricated modules from the shipping container at the assembly location; and

[0192] assembling a plurality of the prefabricated modules into the floating portion of the rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped rough seas and oceanic aqua pen at the assembly location by connecting each first connector of each prefabricated module to an opposing second connector of a serially adjacent prefabricated module via a clamp sleeve.

[0193] 54. The process of example aspect 53, wherein a first one of the modules is connected to a second one of the modules after the second one of the modules is connected to a third one of the modules.

[0194] 55. The process of any of example aspects 53-54, wherein each connector includes at least one thread mating and / or meshing with at least one thread of an associated clamp sleeve when connected via the associated clamp to an opposing connector.

[0195] 56. The process of any of example aspects 53-55, wherein each clamp sleeve is rounded and / or cylindrical and includes a plurality of curved clamps configured for selective mutual attachment into the rounded and / or cylindrical clamp sleeve, and

[0096] wherein connecting a first connector to its serially adjacent and opposing second connector via an associated clamp sleeve comprises joining the clamps of the associated clamp sleeve together over the opposing first and second connectors to formthe associated ciamp sieeve and enclose at least a portion of the opposing first and second connectors in the associated clamp sleeve.

[0097] 57. The process of example aspect 56, wherein the clamps of at least a selected clamp sleeve are formed separately from the opposing first and second connectors that the selected clamp is configured to connect.

[0198] 58. The process of example aspect 57, wherein each of the first and second connectors associated with the selected clamp sleeve includes a tapered portion such that the tapered portions of the first and second connectors associated with the selected clamp sleeve collectively define an hourglass shape when the first and second connectors associated with the selected clamp sleeve are in contact with one another, and

[0199] wherein inner clamp surfaces of the clamps of the selected clamp sleeve define an hourglass-shaped through-hole of the selected clamp sleeve, the hourglass¬ shaped through-hole enclosing at least a portion of the hourglass shape of contacting tapered portions associated with the selected clamp sieeve when the selected ciamp sleeve connects the first and second connectors associated with the selected clamp sleeve to one another.

[0200] 59. The process of any of example aspects 57-58, further comprising:

[0201] placing the clamps entirely within the shipping container; and

[0202] removing the clamps from the shipping container at the assembly location;

[0203] wherein the shipping container is transported from the prefabrication location to the assembly location with the clamps and the prefabricated modules contained entirely therewithin.

[0204] 60. The process of example aspect 56, wherein each clamp of at least a selected clamp sleeve is integrally formed with one of the opposing first and second connectors that the selected clamp is configured to connect.

[0205] 61. The process of example aspect 60, wherein each clamp of the selected clamp sleeve projects outwardly from the connector to which it is integrally formed.

[0206] 62. The process of example aspect 61, wherein when the opposing first and second connectors associated with the selected ciamp sleeve are connected to one another via the selected clamp sleeve, each clamp of the selected ciamp sleeve overlaps a portion of an opposing one of the first and second connectors.

[0207] 63. The process of example aspect 62, wherein each of the first and second connectors associated with the seiected ciamp sleeve has opposing first and second sides, one clamp of the seiected clamp sleeve being integrally formed with and projecting outwardly from the first side of the first connector associated with the selected clamp sleeve, another ciamp of the selected clamp sleeve being integrally formed with and projecting outwardly from the second side of the second connector associated with the selected clamp sleeve.

[0208] 64. The process of any of example aspects 53-63, wherein each connector includes an inner hollow cavity that is in fluid communication an inner hollow of an associated curved pipe when attached thereto.

[0209] 65. The process of any of example aspects 56-64, further comprising:

[0210] after forming at least one clamp sleeve, affixing associated clamps of the at least one clamp sleeve to one another with at least one bolt.

[0211] 66. The process of any of example aspects 56-64, further comprising:

[0212] after forming at least one clamp sleeve, affixing associated clamps of the at least one clamp sleeve to one another with at least one strap.

[0213] 67. The process of example aspect 66, wherein a long dimension of the at least one strap extends circumferentially about the at least one clamp sleeve and / or extends perpendicularly to a long dimension of the curved pipes.

[0214] 68. The process of any of example aspects 56-67, wherein the two curved pipes of at least a selected module have differing diameters.

[0215] 69. The process of any of example aspects 56-68, wherein the plurality of prefabricated modules are placed within the shipping container together as a single package.

[0216] 70. The process of any of example aspects 56-69, wherein the prefabricated modules are removed from the shipping container at the assembly location one-by-one.

[0217] 71. The process of any of example aspects 56-69, wherein the prefabricated modules are removed from the shipping container at the assembly location in sets, each set comprising a plurality of, but not all of, the prefabricated modules.

[0218] 72. The process of any of example aspects 56-71 wherein the floating portion of the rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped rough seas and oceanic aqua pen isassembled at the assembly location via a crane that is situated on and / or besides a quay, dock, and / or pier.

[0219] 73. The process of any of example aspects 56-72, wherein the floating portion of the rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped rough seas and oceanic aqua pen is assembled in water.

[0220] 74. The process of any of example aspects 56-73, wherein each module is removable from the assembled floating portion of the rounded, circular, and / or ring- shaped rough seas and oceanic aqua pen so as to be selectively replaced with another module.

[0221] 75. The process of any of example aspects 56-74, wherein each module is prefabricated having at least one platform segment situated on and / or adjacent to an upper side of the bent pipes of the module, and wherein the platform segments of the modules collectively define a rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped platform walkway of the formed floating portion.

[0222] 76. The process of any of example aspects 56-75, wherein hardware and / or equipment used in the assembly of the floating portion are shipped together with the prefabricated modules in the shipping container.

[0223] 77. An apparatus for engaging a plurality of independent and distinct modules for forming a rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped floating portion of a rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped aqua pen, each of the independent and distinct modules including a first curved pipe and a second curved pipe, the first and second curved pipes attached together via at least one bracket at a predetermined lateral spacing so that the two curved pipes lie within a same plane, each of the first and second curved pipes including first and second cut ends, the plurality of independent and distinct modules configured to be capable of being connected together in end-to-end series In a rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped configuration, the apparatus comprising:

[0224] a plurality of connectors, each connector being:

[0225] I) selectively engaged with a chosen first or second cut end of a corresponding curved pipe by being butted onto, and attached to, a rim thereof, by a plastic weld; and

[0226] ii) configured to be capable of being connected to another one of the plurality of connectors so as to form a connection between and joining in end-to-end fashion at least two pipes where each of the at least two pipes is associated with a different anddistinct one of the plurality of independent and distinct modules configured to be capable of being connected together in end-to-end fashion; and

[0227] a clamp sleeve configured for selective connection of two of the plurality of connectors with each of the two of the plurality of connectors being associated with chosen first or second cut ends of corresponding curved pipes of adjacent ones of the plurality of independent modules in the end-to-end series.

[0228] 78. The apparatus of example aspect 77, wherein the two curved pipes are comprised of high-density polyethylene (“ HDPE”).

[0229] 79. The apparatus of any of example aspects 77-78, wherein the connectors and / or the clamp sleeve are at least partially formed of at least one of high-density polyethylene (“HDPE”), high modulus polyethylene (“HMPE"), rubber, and an elastomeric material.

[0230] 80. The apparatus of any of example aspects 77-79, wherein the connectors each include a small diameter end and an oppositely facing, spaced-apart large diameter end, the large diameter end being configured for butting upon, but without insertion into, the chosen first or second cut end of the corresponding curved pipe.

[0231] 81. The apparatus of any of example aspects 77-80, wherein each connector is selectively engaged with a chosen first or second cut end of a corresponding curved pipe by being welded onto a rim thereof without the connector entering a lumen of the curved pipe.

[0232] 82. The apparatus of any of example aspects 77-81, wherein each connector includes at least one thread for mating and / or meshing with at least one thread of the clamp sleeve.

[0233] 83. The apparatus of example aspect 82, wherein each connector includes a plurality of threads laid in parallel along a length of the connector, the clamp sleeve including a plurality of threads laid in parallel along a length of the clamp sleeve for mating with the threads of two associated and opposing connectors.

[0234] 84. The apparatus of any of example aspects 77-83, wherein the clamp sleeve is rounded and / or cylindrical and includes a plurality of curved clamps configured for selective mutual attachment into the rounded and / or cylindrical clamp sleeve.

[0235] 85. The apparatus of any of example aspects 77-83, wherein the clamp sleeve includes a plurality of clamps configured to be joined to one another to form theclamp sleeve and enclose at least a portion of two associated and opposing connectors in the clamp sleeve.

[0236] 86. The apparatus of any of example aspects 84-85, wherein each clamp includes at least one thread on a curved inner clamp surface, and

[0237] wherein each connector includes a base portion and a connecting portion, each base portion being configured to engaged with an associated cut end of a corresponding curved pipe by being butted onto, and attached to, a rim thereof, by a plastic weld, each connecting portion including at least one thread for mating and / or meshing with the at least one thread of at least one of the clamps.

[0238] 87. The apparatus of example aspect 86, wherein each connecting portion extends from an associated base portion to an associated connecting end face, each connecting end face being configured to directly contact the connecting end face of an associated and opposing connecting portion.

[0239] 88. The apparatus of example aspect 87, wherein the clamps are formed separately from the connectors, the clamps being configured to be joined together over two associated and directly contacting connecting portions to form the clamp sleeve that encloses at least a portion of the two associated connecting portions, the at least one thread of the clamps being meshed to the at least one thread of the associated connecting portions when joined together over the two associated connecting portions.

[0240] 89. The apparatus of example aspect 88, wherein each connecting portion tapers from an associated base portion to the associated connecting end face such that two associated and opposing connecting portions define an hourglass shape when abutting one another, and

[0241] wherein each clamp is configured such that when the clamps are joined together to form the clamp sleeve over abutting and associated connecting portions, inner clamp surfaces of the clamps collectively define an hourglass-shaped through-hole of the clamp sleeve configured to enclose therein at least a portion of the hourglassshaped abutting and associated connecting portions.

[0242] 90. The apparatus of any of example aspects 77-86, wherein at least a portion of the ciamp sleeve is formed integrally with at least one connector.

[0243] 91. The apparatus of any of example aspects 84-86 and 90, wherein the clamp sleeve is rounded and / or cylindrical and includes a plurality of curved clamps that are configured to be joined together to form the rounded and / or cylindrical clamp sleeveand enclose at least a portion of two associated and opposing connectors in the clamp sleeve, each clamp being integrally formed with an associated connector.

[0244] 92. The apparatus of example aspect 91, wherein each clamp projects outwardly from an associated connector.

[0245] 93. The apparatus of example aspect 92, wherein when the opposing connectors are connected to one another via the clamps, each ciamp overlaps an opposing one of the opposing connectors.

[0246] 94. The apparatus of any of example aspects 91 -93, wherein each clamp is Integrally formed with and projects outwardly from a base portion of an associated connector, each ciamp including at least one thread on a curved inner clamp surface,

[0247] wherein a connecting portion of each connector is integrally formed with and projects outwardly from an associated base portion, each connecting portion being positioned so as to be radially inward of an associated clamp, each connecting portion having a curved outer connecting surface configured to interface with the curved inner ciamp surface of an opposing clamp, each curved outer connecting surface having at least one thread for mating and / or meshing with the at least one thread of an opposing clamp, and

[0248] wherein each base portion is configured to engaged with an associated cut end of a corresponding curved pipe by being butted onto, and attached to, a rim thereof, by a plastic weld.

[0249] 95. The apparatus of any of example aspect 94, wherein an arrangement of the connection portion and clamp of one connector is opposite to that of an opposing connector.

[0250] 96. The apparatus of example aspect 95, wherein the clamp and connecting portion associated with one of the connectors are arranged such that the connecting portion extends from a first side of an associated base portion and the clamp extends from an opposite second side of the associated base portion, and the clamp and connecting portion associated with the opposing connector are arranged such that the clamp extends from the first side of the associated base portion and the connecting portion extends from the opposite second side of the associated base portion.

[0251] 97. The apparatus of any of example aspects 94-96, wherein each connecting portion extends from an associated base portion to an associatedconnecting end face, each connecting end face being configured to directly contact the connecting end face of an opposing connecting portion.

[0252] 98. The apparatus of example aspect 97, wherein each connecting portion includes a non-tapered portion that has a radius and / or a diameter that is less than that of an associated base portion, the connecting end face of each connecting portion being provided at an end of an associated non-tapered portion.

[0253] 99. The apparatus of example aspect 98, wherein each connecting portion includes a tapered portion that tapers from an associated base portion to a non-tapered portion.

[0254] 100. The apparatus of any of example aspects 84-99, wherein each connector includes an inner hollow cavity.

[0255] 101. The apparatus of example aspect 100, wherein for each connector, the inner hollow cavity is opening to an environment outside of the connector only via an opening in a base portion of the connector, and

[0256] wherein each base portion is configured to engaged with an associated cut end of a corresponding curved pipe by being butted onto, and attached to, a rim thereof, by a plastic weld.

[0257] 102. The apparatus of any of example aspects 100-101, wherein when the inner hollow cavity of at least one of the connectors is in fluid communication with an inner hollow of a corresponding curved pipe when plastically welded thereto.

[0258] 103. The apparatus of any of example aspects 84-102, wherein the clamps are configured to be affixed to one another via at least one of adhesives, welding, straps, and bolts.

[0259] 104. The apparatus of example aspect 103, wherein the clamps are configured to be permanently or at least selectively removably affixed to one another via bolts that are selectively inserted into and situated in through-holes of the clamps.

[0260] 105. The apparatus of example aspect 104, wherein the through-holes of the clamps include recessed external faces adapted to permit bolt heads of the bolts, nuts, and / or washers to be recessed into and below outer clamp surfaces of the clamps.

[0261] 106. The apparatus of example aspect 103, wherein the clamps are configured to be affixed to one another via at least one strap, the at least one strap being configured to extend circumferentially about the clamp sleeve.

[0262] 107. The apparatus of example aspect 106, wherein an outer clamp surface of each clamp has at least one partial groove formed therein, and

[0263] wherein when the clamps are joined together to form the clamp sleeve, the at least one partial groove of one clamp is aligned with the at least one partial groove of the other and opposing clamp so as to form at least one groove, the at least one groove being configured to receive the at least one strap therein.

[0264] 108. The apparatus of example aspect 107, wherein the at least one strap comprises at least one ratcheting strap, each ratcheting strap being operatively connected to and selectively tensed via a ratcheting mechanism.

[0265] 109. The apparatus of example aspect 108, wherein the at least one groove includes an enlarged portion configured to selectively receive an associated ratcheting mechanism at least partially therein.

[0266] 110. The apparatus of any of example aspects 106-109, wherein a long dimension of the at least one strap extends circumferentially about the clamp sleeve and / or extends perpendicularly to a long dimension of the curved pipes.

[0267] 111. The apparatus of any of example aspects 77-110, wherein each connector is a single-piece construct.

[0268] 112. The apparatus of any of example aspects 77-111, wherein first and second curved pipes having differing diameters.

[0269] 113. The apparatus of any of example aspects 77-112, further comprising at least one platform segment situated on and / or adjacent to an upper side of the curved pipes, the at least one platform segment defining a portion of a rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped platform walkway of the floating portion of the aqua pen.

[0270] 114. A method for forming a main floating portion of a rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped aqua pen, the method including connecting a plurality of distinct independent modules in end-to-end series to form the main floating portion of the rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped aqua pen so that that main floating portion comprises serially adjacent modules, each module consisting of two curved pipes, the two curved pipes each comprising first and second cut ends, the method comprising:

[0271] attaching, via a plastic weld, a first connector to each first cut end of the modules;

[0272] attaching, via a plastic weid, a second connector to each second cut end of the modules;

[0273] aligning each module with a serially adjacent module such the first connectors of each module are situated serially adjacent to and / or in contact with opposing second connectors of a serially adjacent module; and

[0274] connecting each first connector to its serially adjacent and opposing second connector via a clamp sleeve so as to connect the plurality of distinct independent modules in end-to-end series with the first cut ends of the two curved pipes of each module being connected to the second cut ends of the two curved pipes of a serially adjacent module.

[0275] 115. The method of example aspect 114, wherein a first one of the distinct independent modules is aligned with and / or connected to a second one of the distinct independent modules after the second one of the distinct independent modules is aligned and / or connected to a third one of the distinct independent modules.

[0276] 116. The method of any of example aspects 114-115, wherein each connector includes at least one thread mating and / or meshing with at least one thread of an associated clamp sleeve when connected via the associated clamp sleeve to an opposing connector.

[0277] 117. The method of any of example aspects 114-116, wherein each clamp sleeve is rounded and / or cylindrical and includes a plurality of curved clamps configured for selective mutual attachment into the rounded and / or cylindrical clamp sleeve, and

[0278] wherein the step of connecting each first connector to its serially adjacent and opposing second connector via a clamp sleeve comprises joining the clamps of each clamp sleeve together over associated and opposing first and second connectors to form the clamp sleeve and enclose at least a portion of the associated and opposing first and second connectors in the ciamp sleeve.

[0279] 118. The method of example aspect 117, wherein the clamps of at least a selected clamp sleeve are formed separately from the opposing first and second connectors that the selected clamp is configured to connect.

[0280] 119. The method of example aspect 118, wherein each of the first and second connectors associated with the selected clamp sleeve includes a tapered portion such that the tapered portions of the first and second connectors associated with the selected clamp sleeve collectively define an hourglass shape when the first and secondconnectors associated with the seiected ciamp sleeve are aligned so as to be in contact with one another, and

[0281] wherein inner clamp surfaces of the clamps of the selected clamp sleeve define an hourglass-shaped through-hole of the selected clamp sleeve, the hourglass¬ shaped through-hole being configured to enclose at least a portion of the hourglass shape of the contacting tapered portions associated with the selected clamp sleeve.

[0282] 120. The method of example aspect 117, wherein each clamp of at least a selected clamp sleeve is integrally formed with one of the opposing first and second connectors that the selected clamp is configured to connect.

[0283] 121. The method of example aspect 1 0, wherein each clamp of the selected clamp sleeve projects outwardly from the connector to which it is integrally formed.

[0284] 122. The method of example aspect 121, wherein when the opposing first and second connectors associated with the selected clamp sleeve are connected to one another via the selected clamp sleeve, each ciamp of the seiected clamp sleeve overlaps a portion of an opposing one of the first and second connectors.

[0285] 1 3. The method of example aspect 122, wherein each of the first and second connectors associated with the selected clamp sleeve has opposing first and second sides, one clamp of the selected clamp sleeve being integrally formed with and projecting outwardly from the first side of the first connector associated with the selected clamp sleeve, another clamp of the selected clamp sleeve being integrally formed with and projecting outwardly from the second side of the second connector associated with the seiected clamp sleeve.

[0286] 124. The method of any of example aspects 114-1 3, wherein each connector includes an inner hollow cavity that is in fluid communication an inner hollow of an associated curved pipe when attached thereto.

[0287] 125. The method of any of example aspects 117-124, further comprising:

[0288] after forming at least one clamp sleeve, affixing associated clamps of the at least one clamp sleeve to one another with at least one bolt.

[0289] 1 6. The method of any of example aspects 117-124, further comprising:

[0290] after forming at least one clamp sleeve, affixing associated clamps of the at least one clamp sleeve to one another with at least one strap.

[0291] 127. The method of example aspect 1 6, wherein a long dimension of the at least one strap extends circumferentially about the at least one clamp sleeve and / or extends perpendicularly to a long dimension of the curved pipes.

[0292] 128. The method of any of example aspects 114-127, wherein the two curved pipes of at least a selected distinct independent module have differing diameters.

[0293] 129. The process of any of example aspects 114-128, wherein each module is removable from the formed floating portion of the rounded, circular, and / or ringshaped aqua pen so as to be selectively replaced with another module.

[0294] 130. The process of any of example aspects 114-129, further comprising prior to the alignment step, situating at least one platform segment on and / or adjacent to an upper side of the bent pipes, wherein the platform segments of the modules collectively define a rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped platform walkway of the formed floating portion of the aqua pen.

[0295] 131. An individual module for forming a floating portion of a rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped aqua pen, the individual module comprising two curved lengths of plastic pipe that are permanently formed into curves, the lengths of plastic pipe further comprising a longer pipe and a shorter pipe, wherein a diameter of the longer pipe is different than that of the shorter pipe, wherein the lengths of pipe are attached together by brackets such that:

[0296] the curved lengths of pipe have their convex-most shapes facing the same direction and also have their concave-most shapes facing in a direction that is opposite the direction faced by their convex-most shapes;

[0297] the lengths of pipe lie in the same plane; and

[0298] the convex-most shape of the shorter pipe directly faces the concave-most shape of the longer pipe.

[0299] 132. The module of example aspect 131, wherein the diameter of the longer pipe is larger than that of the shorter pipe.

[0300] 133. The module of any of example aspects 131-132, further comprising at least one platform segment situated on and / or adjacent to an upper side of the pipes, the at least one platform segment defining a portion of a rounded, circular, and / or ring¬ shaped platform walkway of the floating portion.

[0301] 134. A rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped floating aqua pen for rough seas comprising a plurality of the modules of any of example aspects 131-133 connected end-to-end.

[0302] 135. The aqua pen of example aspect 134, wherein each module is removable from the rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped floating aqua pen so as to be selectively replaced with another module.

[0303] 136. The aqua pen of any of example aspects 134-135, wherein the aqua pen has a rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped platform walkway defined by platform segments of the individual modules.

[0304] 137. A process for forming a rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped floating aqua pen, the process comprising connecting end to end a plurality of the modules of any of example aspects 131 -133.

[0305] 138. The process of example aspect 137, wherein each module is removable from the formed rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped floating aqua pen so as to be selectively replaced with another module.

[0306] 139. The process of any of example aspects 137-138, wherein the rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped floating aqua pen is formed at an assembly location via a crane that is situated on and / or besides a quay, dock, and / or pier.

[0307] 140. The process of any of example aspects 137-139, wherein the rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped floating aqua pen is formed in water.

[0308] 141. The process of any of example aspects 137-140, wherein each module has at least one platform segment situated on and / or adjacent to an upper side of the pipes, and wherein when the aqua pen is formed, the platform segments of the modules collectively define a rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped platform walkway of the formed aqua pen.

[0309] Although the present disclosure has been described in terms of the presently preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that such disclosure is purely illustrative and is not to be interpreted as limiting. Consequently, without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure, various alterations, modifications and / or alternative applications of the disclosure are, no doubt, able to be understood by those ordinarily skilled in the art upon having read the preceding disclosure. Accordingly, it is intended that the following claims be interpreted as encompassing all alterations, modifications or alternative applications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the disclosure. In aneffort to maintain clarity in the Figures, certain components shown have not been specifically numbered in every Figure, but one of ordinary skill in the art will understand even the unnumbered Figures based upon the components that are / were numbered and / or described herein.

Claims

We claim:

1. An individual module (1) for forming a floating portion of a rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped aqua pen, the individual module (1) comprising:two curved lengths of plastic pipe (2) that are permanently formed into curves, the lengths of plastic pipe further comprising a longer pipe (3) and a shorter pipe (4), the lengths of pipe being attached together by brackets (5) so that the curved lengths of pipe have their convex-most shapes facing the same direction and also have their concave-most shapes facing in a direction that is opposite the direction faced by their convex-most shapes, and so that the lengths of pipe lie in the same plane, each of the longer and shorter pipes including first and second cut ends (34);a plurality of first connectors (77, 77A), the first cut ends of the longer and shorter pipes each having one of the first connectors attached thereto via a plastic weld: and a plurality of second connectors (77, 77A), the second cuts ends of the longer and shorter pipes each having one of the second connectors attached thereto via a plastic weld, each first connector of the individual module being configured to be connected to an opposing second connector of a separate and serially adjacent individual module via a clamp sleeve (27, 27A) so as to connect the shorter and longer pipes of the individual module to shorter and longer pipes of the separate and serially adjacent individual module.

2. The individual module of claim 1, wherein each connector includes at least one thread (21, 21 A) for mating and / or meshing with at least one thread (54, 54A) of an associated clamp sleeve.

3. The individual module of claim 2, wherein each connector includes a plurality of threads laid in parallel along a length of the connector for mating with a plurality of paralleliy laid threads of an associated clamp sleeve.

4. The individual module of any of claims 1 -3, wherein each connector includes a base portion (29, 29A) and a connecting portion (22, 22A), each base portion being attached to an associated cut end of a corresponding cut end by being butted onto and plastic welded to a rim (36) of the corresponding cut end, each connecting portionincluding at least one thread for mating and / or meshing with the at least one thread of an associated clamp sleeve.

5. The individual module of claim 4, wherein each connecting portion extends from an associated base portion to an associated connecting end face (23, 23A), each connecting end face being configured to directly contact the connecting end face of an associated and opposing connecting portion.

6. The individual module of claim 5, wherein each connecting portion (22) tapers from an associated base portion (29) to the associated connecting end face (23) such that two associated and opposing connecting portions define an hourglass shape when abutting one another, andwherein each clamp sleeve (27) has an hourglass-shaped through-hole (58) configured to enclose therein at least a portion of the hourglass-shape of the abutting connecting portions associated therewith.

7. The individual module of any of claims 1 -5, wherein each of the first and second connectors are integrally formed with a curved clamp, the clamp of each first connector being configured to be joined together with the clamp of an opposing second connector to define an associated clamp sleeve that connects together and at least partially encloses the opposing first and second connectors.

8. The individual module of claim 7, wherein each clamp projects outwardly from an associated connector.

9. The individual module of claim 8, wherein when the opposing connectors are connected to one another via the clamps, each clamp overlaps an opposing one of the opposing connectors.

10. The individual module of any of claims 7-9, wherein each clamp is integrally formed with and projects outwardly from a base portion (29A) of an associated connector, each clamp including at least one thread (54A) on a curved inner clamp surface (46),wherein a connecting portion (22A) of each connector is integrally formed with and projects outwardly from an associated base portion (29A). each connecting portionbeing positioned so as to be radially inward of an associated ciamp, each connecting portion having a curved outer connecting surface (64A) configured to interface with the curved inner ciamp surface of an opposing ciamp, each curved outer connecting surface having at east one thread (21 A) for mating and / or meshing with the at least one thread of an opposing clamp, andwherein each base portion is configured to attached to an associated cut end of a corresponding pipe by being butted onto and plastically welded to a rim (36) thereof.

11. The individual module of claim 10, wherein an arrangement of the connection portion and clamp of each first connector is opposite to that of an arrangement of the connector portion and ciamp of each second connector.

12. The individual module of claim 11, wherein tor each first connector, the clamp and connecting portion associated with the first connector are arranged such that the connecting portion extends from a first side of the base portion of the first connector and the clamp extends from an opposite second side of the base portion of the first connector, andwherein for each second connector, the clamp and connecting portion associated with the second connector are arranged such that the clamp extends from the first side of the base portion of the second connector and the connecting portion extends from the opposite second side of the base portion of the second connector.

13. The individual module of any of claims t -6, wherein each clamp sleeve comprises a plurality of curved clamps configured to be joined together over associated an opposing first and second to at least partially enclose and connect together to the associated and opposing first second connectors.

14. The individual module of any of claims 1-13, wherein each connector includes an inner hollow cavity (28, 28A).

15. The individual module of claim 14, wherein for each connector, the inner hollow cavity is opening to an environment outside of the connector only via an opening (38, 38A) in a base portion (29, 29A) of the connector, andwherein each base portion is configured to be attached to an associated cut end of a corresponding pipe by being butted onto and piasticaiiy weided to a rim (36) thereof.

16. The individual module of any of claims 14-15, wherein when the inner hollow cavity of at least one of the connectors is in fluid communication with an inner hollow (40) of a corresponding pipe when plastically welded thereto.

17. The individual module of any of claims 1-16, wherein each connector is a single-piece construct.

18. The individual module of any of claims 1-17, wherein the longer pipe has a different diameter than the shorter pipe.

19. The individual module of any of claims 1-18, further comprising at least one platform segment (76) situated on and / or adjacent to an upper side of the pipes, the at least one platform segment defining a portion of a rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped platform walkway (78) of the floating portion.

20. A rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped floating aqua pen (9) for rough seas comprising a plurality of the individual module (1 ) of any of claims 1 -19 connected end- to-end such that the aqua pen (9) comprises a serially adjacent individual modules, each individual module being connected to a serially adjacent individual module via associate first and second connectors and associated clamp sleeves.

21. The aqua pen of claim 20, wherein each individual module (1 ) is removable from the aqua pen (9) so as to be selectively replaced with another individual module (1).

22. The aqua pen of any of claims 20-21, wherein the aqua pen has a rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped platform walkway (78) defined by platform segments (76) of the individual modules.

23. A process for forming a rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped floating aqua pen (9), the process comprising connecting end-to-end a plurality of the individual module (1) of any of claims 1-19 such that the aqua pen (9) comprises a seriallyadjacent individual modules, each individual module being connected to a serially adjacent individual module via associate first and second connectors and associated ciamp sleeves.

24. The process of claim 23, wherein the rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped floating aqua pen is formed at an assembly location via a crane that is situated on and / or besides a quay, dock, and / or pier.

25. The process of any of claims 23-24, wherein the rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped floating aqua pen is formed in water.

26. The process of any of claims 23-25, wherein each individual module (1 ) is removable from the formed aqua pen (9) so as to be selectively replaced with another individual module (1).

27. The process of any of claims 23-26, wherein each individual module has at least one platform segment (76) situated on and / or adjacent to an upper side of the pipes, and wherein when the aqua pen is formed, the platform segments of the individual modules collectively define a rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped platform walkway (78) of the formed aqua pen.

28. A process for forming an individual module (1) for forming a floating portion of a rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped aqua pen (9), the process comprising steps of:providing two or more lengths of plastic pipe (2), the lengths of pipe having had their relative lengths calculated so that after being curved into a curve, several modules (1) are connectable end-to-end in series and create the floating portion of the rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped aqua pen (9), each length of pipe having a first and second cut ends (34);heating each of the lengths of pipe until the plastic reaches a temperature at which it may be bent without destroying the pipe;bending each of the lengths of pipe into a predetermined curved shape; connecting the two bent lengths of pipe to one another by brackets (5) in such a fashion that they are permanently fixed into position relative to one another, so that theconcave-most face of each pipe face in the same direction and so that the entirety of both lengths of pipe lie in the same plane;plastically welding a first connector (77, 77A) to the first cut end of each length of pipe; andplastically welding a second connector (77, 77 A) to the second cut end of each length of pipe, each first connector of the individual module being configured to be connected to an opposing second connector of a separate and serially adjacent individual module via a clamp sleeve so as to connect the individual module to separate and serially adjacent individual module in end-to-end series.

29. The process of claim 28, wherein a diameter of at least one length of pipe is different than at least one other length of pipe.

30. The process of any of claims 28-29, wherein each connector includes at least one thread (21, 21A) for mating and / or meshing with at least one thread (54, 54A) of an associated clamp sleeve.

31. The process of claim 30, wherein each connector includes a plurality of threads laid in parallel along a length of the connector for mating with a plurality of parailelly laid threads of an associated clamp sleeve.

32. The process of any of claims 28-31, wherein each connector includes a base portion (29, 29A) and a connecting portion (22, 22A), each base portion being attached to an associated cut end of a corresponding cut end by being butted onto and plastic welded to a rim (36) of the corresponding cut end, each connecting portion including at least one thread for mating and / or meshing with the at least one thread of an associated clamp sleeve.

33. The process of claim 32, wherein each connecting portion extends from an associated base portion to an associated connecting end face (23, 23A), each connecting end face being configured to directly contact the connecting end face of an associated and opposing connecting portion.

34. The process of claim 33, wherein each connecting portion (22) tapers from an associated base portion (29) to the associated connecting end face (23) such thattwo associated and opposing connecting portions define an hourglass shape when abutting one another, andwherein each clamp sleeve (27) has an hourglass-shaped through-hole (58) configured to enclose therein at least a portion of the hourglass-shape of the abutting connecting portions associated therewith.

35. The process of any of claims 28-33, wherein each of the first and second connectors are integrally formed with a curved clamp, the clamp of each first connector being configured to be joined together with the clamp of an opposing second connector to define an associated clamp sleeve that connects together and at least partially encloses the opposing first and second connectors.

36. The process of claim 35, wherein each clamp projects outwardly from an associated connector.

37. The process of claim 36, wherein when the opposing connectors are connected to one another via the clamps, each clamp overlaps an opposing one of the opposing connectors.

38. The process of any of claims 35-37, wherein each clamp is integrally formed with and projects outwardly from a base portion (29A) of an associated connector, each clamp including at least one thread (54A) on a curved inner clamp surface (46), wherein a connecting portion (22A) of each connector is integrally formed with and projects outwardly from an associated base portion (29A), each connecting portion being positioned so as to be radially inward of an associated clamp, each connecting portion having a curved outer connecting surface (64A) configured to interface with the curved inner clamp surface of an opposing clamp, each curved outer connecting surface having at least one thread (21 A) for mating and / or meshing with the at least one thread of an opposing clamp, andwherein each base portion is configured to be attached to an associated cut end of a corresponding pipe by being butted onto and plastically welded to a rim (36) thereof.

39. The process of ciaim 38, wherein an arrangement of the connection portion and clamp of each first connector is opposite to that of an arrangement of the connector portion and clamp of each second connector.

40. The process of claim 39, wherein for each first connector, the clamp and connecting portion associated with the first connector are arranged such that the connecting portion extends from a first side of the base portion of the first connector and the ciamp extends from an opposite second side of the base portion of the first connector, andwherein for each second connector, the clamp and connecting portion associated with the second connector are arranged such that the clamp extends from the first side of the base portion of the second connector and the connecting portion extends from the opposite second side of the base portion of the second connector.

41. The process of any of claims 28-40, wherein each ciamp sleeve comprises a plurality of curved clamps configured to be joined together over associated an opposing first and second to at least partially enclose and connect together to the associated and opposing first second connectors.

42. The process of any of claims 28-41, wherein each connector includes an inner hollow cavity (28, 28A).

43. The process of claim 42, wherein for each connector, the inner hollow cavity is opening to an environment outside of the connector only via an opening (38, 38A) in a base portion (29, 29A) of the connector, andwherein each base portion is configured to attached to an associated cut end of a corresponding pipe by being butted onto and plastically welded to a rim (36) thereof.

44. The process of any of claims 42-43, wherein when the inner hollow cavity of at least one of the connectors is in fluid communication with an inner hollow (40) of a corresponding pipe when plastically welded thereto.

45. The process of any of claims 28-44, wherein each connector is a single¬ piece construct.

46. The process of any of claims 28-45, further comprising situating at least one platform segment (76) on and / or adjacent to an upper side of the bent pipes, the at least one platform segment defining a portion of a rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped platform walkway (78) of the aqua pen.

47. The process of any of claims 28-46, further comprising forming a plurality of the individual modules (1) of a length so that when measured across from one end to the other of the convex-most side of the longest pipe (3) comprising each module, and including any connector (77, 77 A) already attached to said longest pipe (3), that the distance be as close as feasible to forty feet and not greater.

48. The process of claim 47, further comprising transporting the plurality of modules (1) by being first packing them into a forty-foot shipping container.

49. The process of claim 48, further comprising forming the aqua pen (9) from a plurality of modules (1) with a crane situated on and / or besides a quay, dock, and / or pier rather than using a boat, resulting in avoiding having to use large areas of land and two to three or more large machines such as forklifts to assemble the floating aqua pen (9) on land before it is launched, thus avoiding all the environmental damage done by using such large machines to assemble known aqua pens using known methods.

50. The process of claim 49, wherein the aqua pen (9) is formed in water.

51. The process of any of claims 49-50, wherein each module (1 ) is removable from the formed aqua pen (9) so as to be selectively replaced with another module (1 ).

52. The process of any of claims 49-51, wherein each individual module has at least one platform segment (76) situated on and / or adjacent to an upper side of the pipes, and wherein when the aqua pen is formed, the platform segments of the individual modules collectively define a rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped platform walkway (78) of the formed aqua pen.

53. A process for shipping and assembling a plurality of modules (1) for forming a floating portion of a rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped rough seas and oceanic aqua pen (9), each module (1) including two curved pipes and at least two brackets (5), the process comprising:prefabricating each module (1 ) such that for each module, a first connector (77, 77A) is plastically welded to a first cut end (34) of each of the two curved pipes and a second connector (77, 77A) is plastically welded to a second cut end (34) of each of the two curved pipes;placing the prefabricated modules (1) entirely within a shipping container of a predetermined size;transporting the shipping container, with the prefabricated modules contained entirely within, from a first, prefabrication location to a second, assembly location;removing the prefabricated modules from the shipping container at the assembly location; andassembling a plurality of the prefabricated modules (1 ) into the floating portion of the rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped rough seas and oceanic aqua pen (9) at the assembly location by connecting each first connector of each prefabricated module to an opposing second connector of a serially adjacent prefabricated module via a clamp sleeve (27, 27A).

54. The process of claim 53, wherein a first one of the modules is connected to a second one of the modules after the second one of the modules is connected to a third one of the modules.

55. The process of any of claims 53-54, wherein each connector includes at least one thread (21, 21 A) mating and / or meshing with at least one thread (54, 54A) of an associated clamp sleeve when connected via the associated clamp to an opposing connector.

56. The process of any of claims 53-55, wherein each clamp sleeve is rounded and / or cylindrical and includes a plurality of curved clamps (25, 25A) configured for selective mutual attachment into the rounded and / or cylindrical clamp sleeve, and wherein connecting a first connector to its serially adjacent and opposing second connector via an associated clamp sleeve comprises joining the clamps of the associated clamp sleeve together over the opposing first and second connectors to form the associated clamp sleeve and enclose at least a portion of the opposing first and second connectors in the associated clamp sleeve.

57. The process of ciaim 56, wherein the ciamps (25) of at ieast a selected clamp sleeve (27) are formed separately from the opposing first and second connectors that the selected clamp is configured to connect.

58. The process of claim 57, wherein each of the first and second connectors associated with the selected ciamp sleeve includes a tapered portion such that the tapered portions of the first and second connectors associated with the selected clamp sleeve collectively define an hourglass shape when the first and second connectors associated with the selected clamp sleeve are in contact with one another, and wherein inner clamp surfaces of the clamps of the selected clamp sleeve define an hourglass-shaped through-hole (58) of the selected clamp sleeve, the hourglass¬ shaped through-hole enclosing at least a portion of the hourglass shape of contacting tapered portions associated with the selected ciamp sleeve when the selected ciamp sleeve connects the first and second connectors associated with the selected clamp sleeve to one another.

59. The process of any of claims 57-58, further comprising:placing the clamps entirely within the shipping container; andremoving the clamps from the shipping container at the assembly location; wherein the shipping container is transported from the prefabrication location to the assembly location with the clamps and the prefabricated modules contained entirely therewithin.

60. The process of claim 56, wherein each clamp of at least a selected clamp sleeve (27A) is integrally formed with one of the opposing first and second connectors that the selected clamp is configured to connect.

61. The process of claim 60, wherein each clamp of the selected clamp sleeve projects outwardly from the connector to which it is integrally formed.

62. The process of claim 61, wherein when the opposing first and second connectors associated with the selected clamp sleeve are connected to one another via the selected clamp sleeve, each clamp of the selected clamp sleeve overlaps a portion of an opposing one of the first and second connectors.

63. The process of ciaim 62, wherein each of the first and second connectors associated with the selected clamp sleeve has opposing first and second sides, one clamp of the selected clamp sleeve being integrally formed with and projecting outwardly from the first side of the first connector associated with the selected clamp sleeve, another ciamp of the selected clamp sleeve being integrally formed with and projecting outwardly from the second side of the second connector associated with the selected clamp sleeve.

64. The process of any of claims 53-63, wherein each connector includes an inner hollow cavity (28, 28A) that is in fluid communication an inner hollow (40) of an associated curved pipe when attached thereto.

65. The process of any of claims 56-64, further comprising:after forming at least one clamp sleeve, affixing associated clamps of the at least one clamp sleeve to one another with at least one bolt (60, 60A).

66. The process of any of claims 56-64, further comprising:after forming at least one clamp sleeve, affixing associated clamps of the at least one clamp sleeve to one another with at least one strap (56B).

67. The process of claim 66, wherein a long dimension of the at least one strap extends circumferentially about the at least one clamp sleeve and / or extends perpendicularly to a long dimension of the curved pipes.

68. The process of any of claims 56-67, wherein the two curved pipes of at least a selected module have differing diameters.

69. The process of any of claims 56-68, wherein the plurality of prefabricated modules (1) are placed within the shipping container together as a single package.

70. The process of any of claims 56-69, wherein the prefabricated modules (1) are removed from the shipping container at the assembly location one-by-one.

71. The process of any of claims 56-69, wherein the prefabricated modules (1) are removed from the shipping container at the assembly location in sets, each set comprising a plurality of, but not all of, the prefabricated modules.

72. The process of any of claims 56-71 wherein the floating portion of the rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped rough seas and oceanic aqua pen is assembled at the assembly location via a crane that is situated on and / or besides a quay, dock, and / or pier.

73. The process of any of claims 56-72, wherein the floating portion of the rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped rough seas and oceanic aqua pen is assembled in water.

74. The process of any of claims 56-73, wherein each module is removable from the assembled floating portion of the rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped rough seas and oceanic aqua pen so as to be selectively replaced with another module.

75. The process of any of claims 56-74, wherein each module is prefabricated having at least one platform segment situated on and / or adjacent to an upper side of the bent pipes of the module, and wherein the platform segments of the modules collectively define a rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped platform walkway (78) of the formed floating portion.

76. The process of any of claims 56-75, wherein hardware and / or equipment used in the assembly of the floating portion are shipped together with the prefabricated modules in the shipping container.

77. An apparatus for engaging a plurality of independent and distinct modules (1 ) for forming a rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped floating portion of a rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped aqua pen (9), each of the independent and distinct modules including a first curved pipe (2) and a second curved pipe (2), the first and second curved pipes (2) attached together via at least one bracket (5) at a predetermined lateral spacing so that the two curved pipes lie within a same plane, each of the first and second curved pipes including first and second cut ends, the plurality of independent and distinct modules configured to be capable of being connected together in end-to-end series in a rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped configuration, the apparatus comprising:a plurality of connectors (77, 77A), each connector being:i) selectively engaged with a chosen first or second cut end (34) of a corresponding curved pipe by being butted onto, and attached to, a rim (36) thereof, by a plastic weld; andii) configured to be capable of being connected to another one of the plurality of connectors so as to form a connection between and joining in end-to-end fashion at least two pipes where each of the at least two pipes is associated with a different and distinct one of the plurality of independent and distinct modules configured to be capable of being connected together in end-to-end fashion; anda clamp sleeve (27, 27A) configured for selective connection of two of the plurality of connectors (77, 77A) with each of the two of the plurality of connectors being associated with chosen first or second cut ends of corresponding curved pipes of adjacent ones of the plurality of independent modules in the end-to-end series.

78. The apparatus of claim 77, wherein the two curved pipes (2) are comprised of high-density polyethylene (“HOPE").

79. The apparatus of any of claims 77-78, wherein the connectors (77, 77A) and / or the clamp sleeve are at least partially formed of at least one of high-density polyethylene (“HDPE”), high modulus polyethylene (“HMPE”), rubber, and an elastomeric material.

80. The apparatus of any of claims 77-79, wherein the connectors (77, 77A) each include a small diameter end (23) and an oppositely facing, spaced-apart large diameter end (30), the large diameter end being configured for butting upon, but without insertion into, the chosen first or second cut end of the corresponding curved pipe.

81. The apparatus of any of claims 77-80, wherein each connector is selectively engaged with a chosen first or second cut end of a corresponding curved pipe by being welded onto a rim thereof without the connector entering a lumen of the curved pipe.

82. The apparatus of any of ciaims 77-81, wherein each connector includes at least one thread (21, 21A) for mating and / or meshing with at least one thread (54, 54A) of the clamp sleeve.

83. The apparatus of claim 82, wherein each connector includes a plurality of threads laid in parallel along a length of the connector, the clamp sleeve including a plurality of threads laid in parallel along a length of the clamp sleeve for mating with the threads of two associated and opposing connectors.

84. The apparatus of any of claims 77-83, wherein the clamp sleeve is rounded and / or cylindrical and includes a plurality of curved clamps (25, 25A) configured for selective mutual attachment into the rounded and / or cylindrical clamp sleeve.

85. The apparatus of any of claims 77-83, wherein the clamp sleeve includes a plurality of clamps (25, 25A) configured to be joined to one another to form the clamp sleeve and enclose at least a portion of two associated and opposing connectors in the clamp sleeve.

86. The apparatus of any of claims 84-85, wherein each clamp includes at least one thread on a curved inner clamp surface (46), andwherein each connector includes a base portion (29) and a connecting portion (22), each base portion being configured to engaged with an associated cut end of a corresponding curved pipe by being butted onto, and attached to, a rim (36) thereof, by a plastic weld, each connecting portion including at least one thread for mating and / or meshing with the at least one thread of at least one of the clamps.

87. The apparatus of claim 86, wherein each connecting portion extends from an associated base portion to an associated connecting end face, each connecting end face being configured to directly contact the connecting end face of an associated and opposing connecting portion.

88. The apparatus of claim 87, wherein the clamps are formed separately from the connectors, the clamps being configured to be joined together over two associated and directly contacting connecting portions to form the clamp sleeve that encloses at least a portion of the two associated connecting portions, the at least one thread of theclamps being meshed to the at least one thread of the associated connecting portions when joined together over the two associated connecting portions.

89. The apparatus of claim 88, wherein each connecting portion tapers from an associated base portion to the associated connecting end face such that two associated and opposing connecting portions define an hourglass shape when abutting one another, andwherein each clamp is configured such that when the clamps are joined together to form the ciamp sleeve over abutting and associated connecting portions, inner clamp surfaces of the clamps collectively define an hourglass-shaped through-hole (58) of the clamp sleeve configured to enclose therein at least a portion of the hourglass-shaped abutting and associated connecting portions.

90. The apparatus of any of claims 77-86, wherein at least a portion of the clamp sleeve is formed integrally with at least one connector.

91. The apparatus of any of claims 84-86 and 90, wherein the clamp sleeve is rounded and / or cylindrical and includes a plurality of curved clamps (25A) that are configured to be joined together to form the rounded and / or cylindrical clamp sleeve and enclose at least a portion of two associated and opposing connectors in the clamp sleeve, each clamp being integrally formed with an associated connector.

92. The apparatus of claim 91, wherein each clamp projects outwardly from an associated connector.

93. The apparatus of claim 92, wherein when the opposing connectors are connected to one another via the clamps, each clamp overlaps an opposing one of the opposing connectors.

94. The apparatus of any of claims 91-93, wherein each clamp is integrally formed with and projects outwardly from a base portion (29A) of an associated connector, each clamp including at least one thread on a curved inner clamp surface (46),wherein a connecting portion (22A) of each connector is integrally formed with and projects outwardly from an associated base portion (29A). each connecting portionbeing positioned so as to be radially inward of an associated ciamp, each connecting portion having a curved outer connecting surface configured to interface with the curved inner ciamp surface of an opposing ciamp, each curved outer connecting surface having at ieast one thread for mating and / or meshing with the at ieast one thread of an opposing clamp, andwherein each base portion is configured to engaged with an associated cut end of a corresponding curved pipe by being butted onto, and attached to, a rim (36) thereof, by a plastic weld.

95. The apparatus of any of claim 94, wherein an arrangement of the connection portion and clamp of one connector is opposite to that of an opposing connector.

96. The apparatus of claim 95, wherein the ciamp and connecting portion associated with one of the connectors are arranged such that the connecting portion extends from a first side of an associated base portion and the clamp extends from an opposite second side of the associated base portion, and the ciamp and connecting portion associated with the opposing connector are arranged such that the ciamp extends from the first side of the associated base portion and the connecting portion extends from the opposite second side of the associated base portion.

97. The apparatus of any of claims 94-96, wherein each connecting portion extends from an associated base portion to an associated connecting end face, each connecting end face being configured to directly contact the connecting end face of an opposing connecting portion.

98. The apparatus of claim 97, wherein each connecting portion includes a non¬ tapered portion that has a radius and / or a diameter that is less than that of an associated base portion, the connecting end face of each connecting portion being provided at an end of an associated non-tapered portion.

99. The apparatus of claim 98, wherein each connecting portion includes a tapered portion that tapers from an associated base portion to a non-tapered portion.

100. The apparatus of any of claims 84-99, wherein each connector includes an inner hollow cavity (28, 28A).

101. The apparatus of claim 100, wherein for each connector, the inner hollow cavity is opening to an environment outside of the connector only via an opening (38, 38A) in a base portion (29, 29A) of the connector, andwherein each base portion is configured to engaged with an associated cut end of a corresponding curved pipe by being butted onto, and attached to, a rim (36) thereof, by a plastic weld.

102. The apparatus of any of claims 100-101, wherein when the inner hollow cavity of at least one of the connectors is in fluid communication with an inner hollow (40) of a corresponding curved pipe when plastically welded thereto.

103. The apparatus of any of claims 84-102, wherein the clamps are configured to be affixed to one another via at least one of adhesives, welding, straps (56B), and bolts (60, 60A).

104. The apparatus of claim 103, wherein the clamps are configured to be permanently or at least selectively removably affixed to one another via bolts that are selectively inserted into and situated in through-holes of the clamps.

105. The apparatus of claim 104, wherein the through-holes of the clamps include recessed external faces adapted to permit bolt heads of the bolts, nuts, and / or washers to be recessed into and below outer clamp surfaces of the clamps.

106. The apparatus of claim 103, wherein the clamps are configured to be affixed to one another via at least one strap, the at least one strap being configured to extend circumferentially about the clamp sleeve.

107. The apparatus of claim 106, wherein an outer clamp surface of each clamp has at least one partial groove formed therein, andwherein when the clamps are joined together to form the clamp sleeve, the at least one partial groove of one clamp is aligned with the at least one partial groove of the other and opposing clamp so as to form at least one groove, the at least one groove being configured to receive the at least one strap therein.

108. The apparatus of claim 107, wherein the at least one strap comprises at least one ratcheting strap, each ratcheting strap being operatively connected to and selectively tensed via a ratcheting mechanism.

109. The apparatus of claim 108, wherein the at least one groove includes an enlarged portion configured to selectively receive an associated ratcheting mechanism at least partially therein.

110. The apparatus of any of claims 106-109, wherein a long dimension of the at least one strap extends circumferentially about the clamp sleeve and / or extends perpendicularly to a long dimension of the curved pipes.

111. The apparatus of any of claims 77-110, wherein each connector is a single¬ piece construct.

112. The apparatus of any of claims 77-111, wherein first and second curved pipes having differing diameters.

113. The apparatus of any of claims 77-11, further comprising at least one platform segment (76) situated on and / or adjacent to an upper side of the curved pipes, the at least one platform segment defining a portion of a rounded, circular, and / or ring¬ shaped platform walkway (78) of the floating portion of the aqua pen.

114. A method for forming a main floating portion of a rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped aqua pen (9), the method including connecting a plurality of distinct independent modules (1) in end-to-end series to form the main floating portion of the rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped aqua pen so that that main floating portion comprises serially adjacent modules, each module consisting of two curved pipes (2, 3, 4), the two curved pipes each comprising first and second cut ends (34), the method comprising:attaching, via a plastic weld, a first connector (77, 77A) to each first cut end of the modules;attaching, via a plastic weld, a second connector (77, 77A) to each second cut end of the modules:aligning each module with a serially adjacent module such the first connectors of each module are situated serially adjacent to and / or in contact with opposing second connectors of a serially adjacent module; andconnecting each first connector to its serially adjacent and opposing second connector via a clamp sleeve (27, 27A) so as to connect the plurality of distinct independent modules in end-to-end series with the first cut ends of the two curved pipes of each module being connected to the second cut ends of the two curved pipes of a serially adjacent module.

115. The method of claim 114, wherein a first one of the distinct independent modules is aligned with and / or connected to a second one of the distinct independent modules after the second one of the distinct independent modules is aligned and / or connected to a third one of the distinct independent modules.

116. The method of any of claims 114-115, wherein each connector includes at least one thread (21, 21A) mating and / or meshing with at least one thread (54, 54A) of an associated clamp sleeve when connected via the associated ciamp sleeve to an opposing connector.

117. The method of any of claims 114-116, wherein each clamp sleeve is rounded and / or cylindrical and includes a plurality of curved clamps (25, 25A) configured for selective mutual attachment into the rounded and / or cylindrical clamp sleeve, and wherein the step of connecting each first connector to its serially adjacent and opposing second connector via a clamp sleeve comprises joining the clamps of each clamp sleeve together over associated and opposing first and second connectors to form the clamp sleeve and enclose at least a portion of the associated and opposing first and second connectors in the clamp sleeve.

118. The method of claim 117, wherein the clamps (25) of at least a selected ciamp sleeve (27) are formed separately from the opposing first and second connectors that the selected clamp is configured to connect.

119. The method of claim 118, wherein each of the first and second connectors associated with the selected clamp sleeve includes a tapered portion such that the tapered portions of the first and second connectors associated with the selected ciampsleeve collectively define an hourglass shape when the first and second connectors associated with the selected clamp sleeve are aligned so as to be in contact with one another, andwherein inner clamp surfaces of the clamps of the selected clamp sleeve define an hourglass-shaped through-hole (58) of the selected clamp sleeve, the hourglass¬ shaped through-hole being configured to enclose at least a portion of the hourglass shape of the contacting tapered portions associated with the selected clamp sleeve.

120. The method of claim 117, wherein each ciamp of at least a selected clamp sleeve (27A) is integrally formed with one of the opposing first and second connectors that the selected clamp is configured to connect.

121. The method of claim 120, wherein each clamp of the selected clamp sleeve projects outwardly from the connector to which it is integrally formed.

122. The method of claim 121, wherein when the opposing first and second connectors associated with the selected clamp sleeve are connected to one another via the selected clamp sleeve, each clamp of the selected clamp sleeve overlaps a portion of an opposing one of the first and second connectors.

123. The method of claim 122, wherein each of the first and second connectors associated with the selected clamp sleeve has opposing first and second sides, one clamp of the selected clamp sleeve being integrally formed with and projecting outwardly from the first side of the first connector associated with the selected clamp sleeve, another clamp of the selected clamp sleeve being integrally formed with and projecting outwardly from the second side of the second connector associated with the selected clamp sleeve.

124. The method of any of claims 114-123, wherein each connector includes an inner hollow cavity (28, 28A) that is in fluid communication an inner hollow (40) of an associated curved pipe when attached thereto.

125. The method of any of claims 117-124, further comprising:after forming at least one clamp sleeve, affixing associated clamps of the at least one clamp sleeve to one another with at least one bolt.

126. The method of any of claims 117-124, further comprising:after forming at least one clamp sleeve, affixing associated clamps of the at least one clamp sleeve to one another with at least one strap.

127. The method of claim 126, wherein a long dimension of the at least one strap extends circumferentially about the at least one clamp sleeve and / or extends perpendicularly to a long dimension of the curved pipes.

128. The method of any of claims 114-1 7, wherein the two curved pipes of at least a selected distinct independent module have differing diameters.

129. The process of any of claims 114-128, wherein each module (1) is removable from the formed floating portion of the rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped aqua pen (9) so as to be selectively replaced with another module (1).

130. The process of any of claims 114-1 9, further comprising prior to the alignment step, situating at least one platform segment (76) on and / or adjacent to an upper side of the bent pipes, wherein the platform segments of the modules collectively define a rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped platform walkway (78) of the formed floating portion of the aqua pen.

131. An individual module (1 ) for forming a floating portion of a rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped aqua pen (9), the individual module (1) comprising two curved lengths of plastic pipe (2) that are permanently formed into curves, the lengths of plastic pipe further comprising a longer pipe (3) and a shorter pipe (4), wherein a diameter of the longer pipe is different than that of the shorter pipe, wherein the lengths of pipe are attached together by brackets (5) such that:the curved lengths of pipe have their convex-most shapes facing the same direction and also have their concave-most shapes facing in a direction that is opposite the direction faced by their convex-most shapes;the lengths of pipe lie in the same plane; andthe convex-most shape of the shorter pipe (4) directly faces the concave-most shape of the longer pipe (3).

132. The module of claim 131, wherein the diameter of the longer pipe is larger than that of the shorter pipe.

133. The module of any of claims 131-132, further comprising at least one platform segment (76) situated on and / or adjacent to an upper side of the pipes, the at least one platform segment defining a portion of a rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped platform walkway (78) of the floating portion.

134. A rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped floating aqua pen (9) for rough seas comprising a plurality of the modules (1 ) of any of claims 131 -133 connected end-to- end.

135. The aqua pen of claim 134, wherein each module (1 ) is removable from the rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped floating aqua pen (9) so as to be selectively replaced with another module (1).

136. The aqua pen of any of claims 134-135, wherein the aqua pen has a rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped platform walkway (78) defined by platform segments (76) of the individual modules.

137. A process for forming a rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped floating aqua pen (9), the process comprising connecting end to end a plurality of the modules (1 ) of any of claims 131-133.

138. The process of claim 137, wherein each module (1) is removable from the formed rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped floating aqua pen (9) so as to be selectively replaced with another module (1).

139. The process of any of claims 137-138, wherein the rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped floating aqua pen is formed at an assembly location via a crane that is situated on and / or besides a quay, dock, and / or pier.

140. The process of any of claims 137-139, wherein the rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped floating aqua pen is formed in water.

141. The process of any of claims 137-140, wherein each module has at least one platform segment (76) situated on and / or adjacent to an upper side of the pipes, and wherein when the aqua pen is formed, the platform segments of the modules collectively define a rounded, circular, and / or ring-shaped platform walkway (78) of the formed aqua pen.

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