Ships – Mother ship – floating landing platform – and harbor – Floating boat dock
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-25
2001-07-10
Morano, S. Joseph (Department: 3617)
Ships
Mother ship, floating landing platform, and harbor
Floating boat dock
Reexamination Certificate
active
06257164
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to the art of floating docks and, more particularly, to an improved dock structure for a floating dock.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Floating dock systems presently in use are generally comprised of two or more individual dock structures secured to one another and maintained buoyant by underlying sealed metal drums, styrofoam floats, hollow or foam-filled plastic floats and the like. These dock structures are generally connected together by a hinge to permit relative vertical pivoting movement therebetween as dictated by the momentary surface wave conditions of the body of water on which the dock structures are floating. Examples of floating docks using hollow or plastic float drums are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,683,833; 4,799,445; 4,974,538; and 5,199,371, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
As disclosed in these patents, a floating dock may be comprised of a plurality of dock sections suitably interconnected to provide a floating dock assembly. The dock structure for each dock section typically includes a rectangular frame having side and end members of wood or metal, and decking in the form of wooden deck boards. In many dock systems, the dock structures are interconnected together by simply threading a suitably diametered metal pipe or rod either through a series of sturdy eye bolts secured in an aligned relation to the adjoining opposed vertical faces of the dock sections or through aligned bearing openings in pairs of metal bearing plates secured to the vertical sides of the respective adjoining dock sections and projecting outwardly therefrom. In such arrangements, a sizeable gap opening is left between the adjoining dock sections extending across the full width of the deck planking on the dock sections. These gap openings in the dock system create a crude and unsightly appearance in the dock system which can detract from the appearance of the floating dock system. In addition, the gap openings between the dock sections require care by a person walking on the decks to avoid having objects caught between the gap openings.
Many of the problems associated with gap openings are overcome by the hinge connecting structure disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,683,833. The disclosed hinge connecter is designed to close the gap between the spaced dock sections and is positioned to lie approximately level with the top of the dock section. Although the hinge connecter overcomes many of the problems associated with gaps between docks sections, there are many existing dock systems which do not and cannot incorporate the improved hinge structure. In addition, the retro fitting of existing dock structures with the improved hinge is in many cases cost prohibitive and/or cannot be connected to a particular type of dock system. Furthermore, the positioning of the hinge approximately level with the top of the dock section still requires a person walking on the deck to be aware of the existence of the hinge when the dock sections pivotally move with respect to one another.
In view of the present problems of existing dock systems, there is a need for a structure which eliminates the problems associated with the gaps located between dock structures.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a dock structure is provided for a floating dock system which advantageously overcomes the forgoing problems in connection with the existence of gaps between adjacently positioned dock structures. More particularly, a dock bridge in accordance with the present invention interconnects adjacently positioned dock structures and closes or covers the gap between the dock sections thereby forming a continuous deck surface therebetween. In one embodiment, the dock bridge is secured to one or more of the decking boards on the top of each of the dock structures to secure the dock bridge in place relative to the adjacently positioned dock structures. In another preferred embodiment, at least one end of the dock bridge is secured to a side of a dock section.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the dock bridge includes a flexible material which at least partially spans the gap between the dock sections. The flexible material is designed to flex as the two adjacently positioned dock systems move with respect to one another. The flexible material is also designed to be durable enough to maintain its integrity over time as the adjacently positioned dock structures move. Preferably, the flexible material is a water resistant material which resists degradation in the presence of fresh and/or salt water. In one preferred embodiment, the flexible material is a nylon, plastic and/or rubber material. In accordance with another preferred embodiment, the flexible material completely spans the gap between the adjacently positioned dock structures.
In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, the dock bridge includes a securing mechanism to secure the flexible material to each dock structure. The securing mechanism includes, but is not limited to, adhesives, nails, screws, bolts, tacks, staples, hook and loop fasteners, clamps, tongue and groove fasteners, and the like. In one preferred embodiment, the flexible material is secured to the adjacently positioned dock structures by nails and/or screws. In such an embodiment, the flexible material preferably includes reinforced regions about the nail or screw to resist or prevent the tearing of the flexible material about the nail or screw. The reinforcement may include, but is not limited to, washers, gaskets, hollow tubes, metal strips, and the like.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, the dock bridge includes a connector plate that is secure to one end of the flexible material. Preferably, the connector plate is connected to each of the two ends of the flexible material. The connector plate is preferably made of a material which is corrosion resistant and/or water resistant. The connector plate is preferably designed to be a less flexible structure than the flexible material which is connected thereto. In one preferred embodiment, the connector plate is made of plastic, hard rubber, wood, and/or metal. Preferably, the connector plate is made up of a corrosion resistant metal such as stainless steel, copper, and or a metal coated with a corrosion resistant material. In another preferred embodiment, the flexible material is connected to the connector plate by a mechanical connector which includes, but is not limited to, nails, screws, bolts, tacks, clamps, tongue and grove connectors, thread, loop and hook fasteners, and the like. In yet another preferred embodiment, the flexible material is connected to the connector plate by use of an adhesive, and/or at least partially molding the flexible material about at least one portion of the connector plate. Preferably, the flexible material is molded completely about the top and bottom surface of the end of the connector plate.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the flexible material of the dock bridge includes one or more ridges, ribs or groves on the surface of the flexible material. The ribs perform several functions, which include, but are not limited to, providing a gripping surface for an individual walking across the dock bridge structure, creating channels for water and other liquids to be rapidly channeled off the dock bridge to minimize slippage on the dock bridge, maintaining the desired flexibility of the flexible material, controlling the manner in which the flexible material flexes, and/or increasing the structural integrity of the flexible material. In one preferred embodiment, the flexible material includes a plurality of ribs creating multiple channels in the flexible material. In another preferred embodiment, ribs are positioned on both the top and bottom side of the flexible material to increase the flexibility of the flexible material. In still another preferred embodiment, the plurality of ribs are positioned so as to be substantially parallel with respect
Morano S. Joseph
The Louis Berkman Company
Vasudeva Ajay
Vickers Daniels & Young
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