Dock connector and stabilizer
OwnerDonald J. Kramerinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed is a dock connector for connecting two adjacent floating docks. The dock connectors are designed to accommodate substantial lateral, vertical and end-to-end relative motion between the docks. The dock connector includes mounting plates which are securely fastened to each dock segment and a spring which spans between and connects the two mounting plates. Spring connection means are provided to securely attach the ends of the spring to the mounting plates. Deflection limiters attached to the mounting plates help to support the spring and to prevent it from becoming sprung by over-deflection.
Claims7
A dock connector for securing a first dock to a second dock, comprising:
- first and second mounting brackets having planar surfaces adapted for attachment to the first and second docks, respectively;
- first and second spring brackets rigidly connected to said first and second mounting brackets and having upstanding surfaces thereon;
- a helical extension compression spring spanning between and connecting said first and second spring brackets;
- first and second spring connection means for loosely engaging and connecting said spring to said first and second spring brackets, respectively;
- first and second tubular deflection limiters rigidly connected to said first and second mounting brackets, respectively;
- said deflection limiters extending about at least a portion of said spring in loose fitting relationship thereto, to restrict lateral and vertical deflection thereof while allowing limited relative motion between the spring and deflection limiters.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.