Hydraulic and earth engineering – Marine structure or fabrication thereof – Dock
Reexamination Certificate
2001-03-30
2003-05-06
Lee, Jong-Suk (James) (Department: 3673)
Hydraulic and earth engineering
Marine structure or fabrication thereof
Dock
C405S003000, C405S220000, C114S044000, C187S213000, C254S283000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06558083
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a dock installation and removal apparatus and method which may be used by a single person to install and remove a segmented dock.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Removable docks are mainly used in small and medium size lakes and rivers to access boats. Such docks are removable primarily because many lakes and other bodies of water tend to freeze during the winter months. If the docks remain in the water, they may be damaged.
Known dock systems are difficult and time consuming to install, and generally cannot be easily installed by a single person. Known dock installation procedures often require either floating dock segments into place and then securing the floating sections to a support structure, or building the support structure from the lake or sea bed up. This invariably requires at least one of the installers to get in the water or utilize a boat. Since most people who are interested in installing a dock wish to do so in the spring or early summer, water temperatures are often low and not conducive to the type of work necessary to install a pier. Additionally, wind and wave conditions can affect the use of a boat.
Various docks and systems and apparatus have been proposed for installation and removal of docks. Examples are set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,999,379, 4,126,006, 4,645,380 and 5,108,230. However, these systems do not allow a single person to easily and quickly install and remove a dock and, in particular, a segmented dock. Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus and method for installing and removing a segmented a dock which may be employed by a single person without requiring the person installing the dock to enter the water, float any dock segment on the water, or utilize a boat.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus for installing and removing a segment of a segmented dock. The apparatus of the present invention is used to install or remove successive dock segments. Each dock segment includes a frame and a removable deck. The frame of each dock segment is supported above the surface of the water by a number of posts resting on the lake or sea bed.
The dock installing or removing apparatus (referred to herein as the dock installing apparatus or apparatus) includes a suspension structure adapted to be mounted on a previously installed dock segment and preferably mounted directly on or to the posts which support the previously installed segment. It should also be appreciated that the apparatus of the present invention could be used to install a first dock segment by attaching the suspension structure to the ground adjacent the desired position of the first dock segment. Two hinges are used to pivotally connect the frame of the dock segment to the frame of the previously installed dock segment. The hinges enable the frame of the segment to be positioned in a first, inverted or folded position on top of the previously installed segment and rotated or pivoted to a second non-inverted, upright, unfolded or extended position wherein the frame of the segment extends horizontally in substantially the same plane as the previously installed segment.
A frame rotator, preferably in the form of a pulley and cable system is connected to the suspension structure. The frame rotator rotates the frame of the segment from the inverted position (on top of the previously installed segment) to the non-inverted position adjacent to said previously installed segment. The suspension structure is adapted to support the segment in the non-inverted position while the installer attaches the removable deck member(s) to the segment being held in the non-inverted position. After installing the deck section or member(s), the person installing the dock may walk out onto the deck members on the suspended segment that is being installed, and sink posts for supporting the suspended segment from the suspended segment itself. Once all of the posts for the suspended segment have been put in place, the apparatus may be removed, and the new segment will be self-supporting. The apparatus may then be moved out to the newly installed segment, and the process repeated to install yet another segment of dock.
In addition to the apparatus outlined above, the present invention thereby further encompasses a method of installing a segment of a segmented dock. The method may be used on segmented docks in which each dock segment includes one or more deck sections supported by a frame, having first and second ends, and supported by a number of posts. The method involves the following steps. First, the suspension structure is mounted on one or more of the support posts associated with a first previously installed segment of dock. The suspension structure supports at least one pulley above a distal end of the first segment of dock, and the pulley in turn supports a cable. The frame associated with a second dock segment is placed upside down on the first dock segment. The pair of hinges are used to pivotally join the first end of the frame associated with the second dock segment to the second end of the first dock segment. Then, a first end of the cable is suitably fastened to the second end of the frame associated with the second dock segment.
Once the cable has been secured to the second end of the frame associated with the second dock segment, the frame is rotated by pulling the second end of the cable to raise the second end of the frame. After the frame associated with the second dock segment has been rotated past the vertical position, it may be lowered into position by releasing the cable in a controlled manner. Once in the desired position, the frame associated with the second dock segment remains suspended from the suspension structure by locking the cable or tying the cable to a fixed support. Suitable deck sections or members placed on the frame associated with the second dock segment and the posts are installed in the second dock segment. The posts are then attached to the frame associated with the second dock segment to support the second dock segment and the cable is released. The suspension structure may then be removed from the previously installed dock segment. The dock removal method of the present invention reverses this procedure.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed disclosure, taken in conjunction with the accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts, elements, components, steps and processes. It is therefore an advantage of the present invention to provide a dock installation apparatus and method.
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Genuine ShoreStation Dock Brochure published by www.shorestation.com/pages/genuine.html printed on Jan. 24, 2001.
Tommy Docks Brochure published by www.tommydocks.com printed on Jan. 24, 2001.
The Simple System Brochure published by Tommy Docks. undated.
Lifts, Docks, Accessories Brochure published by Pier Pleasure, undated.
Dock Installation and Removal Brochure published by Pier Pleasure. undated.
Shore Station Boat Hoist Brochure published by Shore-Station Marine Division—
Bell Boyd & Lloyd LLC
Lee Jong-Suk (James)
LandOfFree
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