Dock structure
AssigneeHallsten Corporation
InventorsJohn Hallsten, Roland C. Wright, Jeffrey A. Hallsten
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A floating dock preferably comprised of at least two elongated panels and derives its transverse load supporting strength from flotation tubs at the lower side of the dock. The deck portion of the dock is assembled from aluminum extrusions, preferably without welds. The dock assembly involves a minimum of parts and minimal assembly time. In typical sizes, e.g., about 6 feet in width and 20 to 40 feet in length, the dock units can be prefabricated at a plant and shipped by truck to the point of use.
Claims10
A dock for flotation on water, having a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction and comprising:
- at least one panel extending longitudinally through the length of the dock, each panel including
- a multiplicity of deck planks each extending transversely and side by side in the dock structure, the deck planks having means for interconnection with one another at edges,
- a longitudinal framing member at each side of the panel, each framing member having a channel receiving the ends of deck planks, the deck planks being solely supported at their ends and said ends being secured into the channels of the framing members without welds, at least one flotation unit beneath the panel or panels,
- with a top deck of the flotation unit positioned to stably support the deck planks and framing members by contact with and securement to the framing members, there being no other transverse load-supporting structural members extending transversely through the width of the dock,
- securing means for securing the longitudinal framing members to the top deck of the flotation unit, serving as means for preventing separation of the longitudinal framing members from the deck planks, and
- a combined fender and bumper extending longitudinally at opposed outer sides of the dock, each fender/bumper being alongside and secured to a longitudinal framing member and having a height sufficient to cover the side of the longitudinal framing member, the fender/bumper having strength sufficient to add rigidity to the edge of the dock and being sufficiently flexible to receive repeated bumping impact from boats without damage to the boats or the dock.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.