Dock system including collapsible frame, and method for assembling dock system including collapsible frame

A collapsible dock system, comprising:

• a collapsible frame including a first beam;
• a second beam;
• a cross-member system that secures the first beam to the second beam;
• and a hinged bracket system that is selectively coupled to the first beam and the second beam in either a compact transport state in which the first beam is movable relative to the second beam or a fixed installation state in which the first beam is fixed relative to the second beam;
• wherein the at least one hinged bracket includes an L-shaped bracket portion including a first plate extending in a first direction from a first end of the hinged bracket to a junction portion of the L-shaped bracket portion, wherein the first plate is fixedly secured to the respective cross-member in both the compact transport and the fixed installation state, a second plate extending in a second direction, substantially perpendicular to the first direction, from the junction portion of the L-shaped bracket portion to a hinge portion of the L-shaped bracket portion, wherein the first and second plates are fixed relative to each other in both the compact transport state and the fixed installation state, the second plate is not fixed relative to the beam in the compact transport state, and the second plate is fixedly secured to the beam in the fixed installation state;
• a third plate that is fixedly secured to the beam in both the compact transport state and the fixed installation state;
• and a hinge that rotatably secures the third plate to the second plate such that, in the compact transport state, the cross-member is rotatable relative to the beam.

A method for assembling a dock, comprising:

• unfolding a pre-assembled frame;
• locking the preassembled frame in a rigid configuration;
• securing a plurality of floats to first side of the preassembled frame;
• and
• securing a decking surface to a second side, opposite the first side, of the preassembled frame.

A collapsible frame docking system, comprising:

• a first beam;
• a first cross-member;
• a first hinged bracket that selectively secures the first beam to the first cross-member in either a first collapsible state in which the first cross-member is rotatable relative to the first beam and a first expanded state in which the first cross-member is fixed relative to the first beam, the rotation being in a first direction about a first hinged bracket axis;
• a second beam;
• and a second hinged bracket that selectively secures the second beam to the first cross-member in either a second collapsible state in which the first cross-member is rotatable relative to the second beam and a second expanded state in which the first cross-member is fixed relative to the second beam, the rotation being in a second direction opposite the first direction and about a second hinged bracket axis.