Marine Dock Suction Float Element

Abstract

A floating marine dock employs a plurality of spaced-apart suction float elements. Each element includes a foam filled plastic shell having a plurality of suction pockets that extend vertically upwardly through and beyond a bottom wall section of the shell to an upper end within the shell. When a load is placed on the dock or walkway, the buoyant float element produces a low pressure or vacuum space within each pocket and a resultant suction that forcefully adheres the float elements and dock securely to the underlying water

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a float element for supporting a marine dock or walkway upon a body of water. More particularly, the invention relates to a suction float element that more securely and stably supports a floating dock or walkway.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Floating marine docks are beneficial for use in various applications and environments. Such docks can be utilized in both deep and shallow water. Floating docks are also practical for use on shoreline locations that feature fluctuating tides and water levels. The floating dock does not have to be embedded in the bottom of the sea, lake or other body of water on which the dock is located. This can alleviate potential engineering, environmental and regulatory concerns, which, in turn, can significantly reduce the cost of dock installation. Moreover, the desired configuration of the dock can be selected, rearranged and adjusted much more easily than a conventional fixed dock.

Conventional floating docks and walkways typically employ buoyant floats to support a platform or other walking surface on the water. A significant problem exhibited by virtually all such products is that they can be quite unstable and exhibit a serious risk of tipping. Instability is particularly great when the water is rough or choppy, during inclement weather, or when a heavy or imbalanced load is placed upon the dock or walkway. In addition, the known floats used in current floating docks and walkways can be tedious and time consuming to disassemble, rearrange and reconfigure. Most cannot be readily and versatilely adapted for use on docks and walkways having different widths and longitudinal spans or alternative configurations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved float element for floating marine docks and walkways, which exhibits significantly better stability and a reduced risk of tipping than structures employing conventional float elements.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a marine dock float element that features a suction or vacuum interengagement with the underlying body of water so that dock stability is significantly improved and the danger of accidental tipping is reduced, especially in conditions of rough water, inclement weather and when heavier and/or unbalanced loads are placed on the dock.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a suction float element for marine docks and walkways, which element maintains a lower and more stable freeboard than conventional marine floats.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a marine float element that may be quickly and conveniently adjusted to support docks and walkways having a variety of different widths, longitudinal spans and/or configurations.

This invention features a suction float element for supporting a floating marine dock or walkway on a body of water. The float element includes an exterior shell composed of plastic or other buoyant material and filled with a buoyant foam. The shell includes a top wall section, an opposing bottom wall section, and a side wall section that interconnects the top and bottom wall sections. The side wall section includes a plurality of vertical recesses that extend between the top and bottom wall sections. The bottom wall section includes a plurality of concave peripheral openings that respectively correspond to and communicate with lower ends of the vertical recesses in the side wall section. The top wall section covers the opposite upper ends of the vertical recesses. The upper wall section includes a plurality of slots that correspond to and communicate with the upper ends of the respective vertical recesses. Each slot receives a respective connector to secure the float element to a frame of the deck or walkway. The bottom wall section further includes a plurality of suction pockets that extend vertically upwardly from the bottom wall section and terminate intermediate the bottom and top wall sections. The float element depends from and is supported by the frame and the bottom wall section of the float element is engaged by an underlying body of water such that when a load is applied to the dock or walkway, the buoyancy of the float element produces suction within the suction pockets, which causes the float element to be gripped by the underlying water.

In a preferred embodiment, the top and bottom wall sections of the shell have respective rectangular configurations. The side wall section may include four side segments, each side segment extending between a pair of corresponding upper and lower edges of the top and bottom wall sections. Each side wall segment may exhibit a narrowing taper extending from the top wall section to the bottom wall section such that the top wall section includes a width and length that are greater than a width and length of the bottom wall section.

The bottom wall section of the shell may include four suction pockets. Each suction pocket may include a pair of elongate and parallel sides that are interconnected by an opposing pair of arcuate ends. Each suction pocket may extend between the bottom wall section and a flat distal end of the suction pocket situated approximately midway between an upper surface of the top wall section and a lower surface of the bottom wall section.

A pair of vertical recesses may be formed in each segment of the side wall section. Each vertical recess may include a semicylindrical concave shape. Each opening in the bottom wall section may have a corresponding concave shape. The top wall section may include semicircular shaped peripheral regions that correspond with respective semicylindrical vertical recesses. Each slot in the top wall section is typically positioned in a respective semicircular region and may extend generally radially and perpendicularly inwardly from a distal peripheral linear edge of the top wall section.

This invention also features a floating marine dock or walkway that includes an elongate frame including a generally parallel pair of elongate frame elements for supporting a walking surface thereon. A plurality of suction float elements as previously specified, are secured to and depend from the respective frame components at longitudinally spaced apart locations thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects, features and advantages will occur from the following description of a preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational side view of a marine dock that employs suction float elements in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the dock and three longitudinally spaced apart suction float elements that support the dock;

FIG. 3 is an elevational side view of a representative float element according to this invention;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the float element;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the float element;

FIG. 6 is an elevational end view of the float element;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary bottom view of a representative semicircular region of the top wall section and the associated connecting slot formed in that region, as represented in circled area A in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 8 is a partly schematic and partly cross sectional view of the float element with a person standing thereon and depicting operation of the suction float element for stably supporting the dock in a body of water.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

There is shown in FIG. 1 a floating dock, walkway or other type of marine platform 10 supported in a body of water W by a plurality of suction float elements 12 according to this invention. Floating platform, dock or walkway 10 (hereinafter simply “dock 10”) can be used in various types of marine venues and settings. The particular applications for which dock 10 and float elements 12 may be utilized are not limitations of this invention.

As further shown in FIG. 2, dock 10 includes a supportive frame 14 comprising a parallel pair of elongate side beams 16 and 18 that support a series of transverse planks 20 or analogous components that define the walking surface of dock 10. As depicted in FIG. 2, a plurality of longitudinal and transverse struts 22 and other structural components, not shown, may be interconnected to frame 14 and transverse planks 20. It should be understood that the dock or walkway may have alternative sizes, configurations and constructions in accordance with this invention. Other than float elements 12, the particular structure of marine dock 10 will be understood to persons skilled in the art.

A representative suction float element 12 is depicted by itself in FIGS. 3-7. Each suction float element typically includes a structure identical or analogous to that described below. It should be understood that the dimensions described herein and shown in the drawings are representative of a typical preferred suction float element. Those dimensions and the configurations may be varied within the scope of this invention.

Each suction float element 12 includes a typically buoyant exterior plastic shell 30 that may be composed of various types of marine grade material. Shell 30 includes a generally planar top wall section 32, FIG. 5, an opposing bottom wall section 34, FIG. 4, and a vertical side wall section 36, FIGS. 3 and 6, which peripherally surrounds float element 12 and interconnects top wall section 32 to bottom wall section 34. As best shown in the cut-away view of FIG. 5, shell 30 includes an interior chamber filled with or otherwise enclosing or containing a buoyant foam 40 of the type that is conventionally used in marine float elements. Shell 30 may be manufactured using various techniques such as injection molding.

As shown in FIGS. 1-6, shell 30 of float element 12 includes a generally rectilinear configuration. Top wall section 32 and bottom wall section 34 have largely rectangular peripheral shapes. Vertical side wall section 36 includes four perpendicularly interconnected side wall segments including an opposing pair of relatively long (e.g., 4 foot) side wall segments 40, FIG. 3, and an opposing pair of relatively short (e.g., 3 foot), side wall segments 42 shown in FIG. 6. The top wall section 32 is slightly larger than bottom wall section 36. Accordingly, each opposing pair of side wall segments 40 and 42 exhibits a narrowing taper extending from top wall section 32 to bottom wall section 34. See FIGS. 3 and 6. This taper or draft permits the shell to be readily removed from the mold in which it is manufactured. Top wall section 32 is also thicker than bottom wall section 34, as depicted in FIGS. 1, 3 and 6.

As best shown in FIGS. 1-4 and 6, each side wall segment 40, 42 includes a pair of elongate vertical recesses 50. Each vertical recess 50 has a semicylindrical or other concave shape and extends between lower wall section 34 and upper wall section 32. The peripheral edge of bottom wall section 34 includes eight semicircular openings that correspond in number, location and shape with respective vertical recesses 50. The upper end of each recess 50 is covered by a respective semicircular peripheral region 60 of top wall section 32. Region 60 has a semicircular shape that corresponds to the semicylindrical shape of corresponding recess 50. The semicircular region 60 is depicted alone in FIG. 7 and includes a radial slot 62. Each slot 62 receives a respective standard connector (not shown) for attaching the suction float element 12 to the frame 14 or other structure of dock 10. This interconnection is made in a manner that will be known to persons skilled in the floating marine dock art.

The bottom of each float element 12 has a plurality of suction pockets 70 formed therein. Each pocket 70 includes a pair of elongate, generally parallel sides and a pair of rounded ends. In the version depicted herein, four suction pockets are formed in the bottom wall section of each shell 14. In particular, each pocket includes an opening or entrance formed in bottom wall section 50, and a cavity formed through and surrounded by a respective interior tube 71 (FIG. 6) of the plastic shell. Each tube 71 is unitarily attached to and projects inwardly and upwardly from bottom wall section 34. Each pocket 70 thereby extends vertically upwardly through the otherwise foam filled interior of shell 30 to terminate at a flat plastic ceiling 31 formed approximately midway between the upper surface of the shell's top wall section 32 and the lower surface of bottom wall section 34. In alternative embodiments, the shells may have different numbers of pockets and different pocket configurations, sizes and depths may be employed.

The suction pockets 70 formed in the bottom wall section of each float element 12 provide both the float elements themselves and the overall dock 10 with greatly improved stability in the body of water W. This is represented in FIG. 8. As shown therein, when a person stands or walks on the upper walking surface (e.g., planks 22) of dock 10, a downward force F is exerted on the dock and underlying suction float elements 12. Water is thereby pushed into and fills each of the pockets as indicated by arrows 80. The buoyancy of the foam filled shells 30 urges the float element(s) upwardly, which draws and produces a vacuum or low pressure air space 90 within pockets 70. As a result, a suction effect is exhibited that causes float elements 12 and supported dock 10 to be pulled into and more forcefully and effectively gripped by and adhered to the underlying water W. The suction pockets 70 of float elements 12 hold the dock 10 in an extremely stable, partially immersed condition in water W. The freeboard F or distance between the upper surface of water W and the upper walking surface of dock 10 is reduced considerably from the freeboard exhibited by conventional floating docks. Dock 10 is much less susceptible to erratic, turbulent and potentially uncontrolled movement and a resultant risk of tipping, particularly under conditions of rough seas, inclement weather or unbalanced weight distribution on the dock. Rather, the float elements retain the dock stably and securely in the body of water W so that walking, standing and/or working on the dock are facilitated and made much safer and more secure.

It should be further understood that the dock elements may be arranged and oriented in various alternative ways to accommodate different lengths and widths of docks and walkways. In the version shown herein, the long (e.g., 4 foot) side of each float element) extends laterally beneath the elongate dock such that the connectors on the respective short sides of the float element are secured to respective longitudinal components of the dock frame. In other versions, where a narrower dock or walkway is involved, the float elements can be adjusted by reorienting them 90° so that the recesses and respective connectors formed along the longer (e.g., 4 foot) sides of the float element are used to secure the float element to the frame.

Typically, the float elements are spaced beneath the dock at predetermined intervals, which may be adjusted as required. It is unnecessary to form float elements continuously beneath the walkway. Interval arrangement makes the floating dock system much more efficient and cost effective. The float elements may be rearranged and reoriented as needed for particular floating dock and walkway applications.

Accordingly, the present invention relates to a floating marine dock structure and to suction float elements that are carried by framework of the floating dock in order to more stably and securely support the dock or walkway in a body of water. The suction float elements are particularly advantageous for use where the dock may be susceptible to instability and tipping due to rough seas and wave action, adverse weather conditions and application of an excessive or unbalanced load to the walkway.

While this detailed description has set forth particularly preferred embodiments of the apparatus of this invention, numerous modifications and variations of the structure of this invention, all within the scope of the invention, will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is understood that this description is illustrative only of the principles of the invention and is not limitative thereof.

Although specific features of the invention are shown in some of the drawings and not others, this is for convenience only, as each feature may be combined with any and all of the other features in accordance with this invention.

Claims

1. A suction float element for supporting a floating marine dock, walkway or platform on an underlying body of water, said suction float element comprising: an exterior shell containing a buoyant foam;said shell including a top wall section, an opposite bottom wall section and a peripheral side wall section that interconnects said top and bottom wall sections;said side wall section including a plurality of elongate vertical recesses that extend between said top and bottom wall sections;said bottom wall section including a plurality of concave peripheral openings that correspond to and communicate with lower ends of respective said vertical recesses in said side wall sections;said top wall section covering upper ends of said vertical recesses and including a plurality of slots that correspond to and communicate with said upper ends of said respective vertical recesses, each said slot for receiving a respective connector to secure said float element to depend from the dock, walkway or platform;said bottom wall section further including a plurality of suction pockets formed therein, said suction pockets extending vertically upwardly from said bottom wall section and terminating intermediate said bottom and top wall sections; whereby applying a load to the dock, walkway or platform immerses said float in the underlying body of water to produce a suction within said suction pockets, which adheres said float element more forcefully to the underlying body of water.

2. The suction float element of claim 1 in which each of said top wall section and said bottom wall section includes four perpendicularly interconnected side edges and wherein said side wall sections include four perpendicularly interconnected side wall segments.

3. The suction float element of claim 2 in which said top wall section has a length and width that are respectively greater than a length and width of said bottom wall section such that each said side wall section has a narrowing taper extending from said top wall section to said bottom wall section.

4. The suction float element of claim 1 in which said bottom wall section of said shell includes four said suction pockets.

5. The suction float element of claim 1 in which each said suction pocket includes a parallel pair of elongate pocket sides and an opposing pair of arcuate pocket ends that interconnect said pocket sides.

6. The suction float element of claim 1 in which each said suction pocket extends between said bottom wall section and a distal end of said pocket section intermediate and spaced apart from an upper surface of said top wall section and a lower surface of said bottom wall section.

7. The suction float element of claim 6 in which each said suction pocket includes a flat distal end.

8. The suction float element of claim 2 in which a pair of said vertical recesses are formed in each side wall segment of said side wall section.

9. The suction float element of claim 1 in which each said recess has a semicylindrical shape and each said opening in said bottom wall section has a semicircular shape that matches said semicylindrical shape of a corresponding said vertical recess.

10. The suction float element of claim 9 in which said top wall section includes a plurality of semicircular peripheral regions, each said semicircular peripheral region having a shape that conforms to a respective said semicylindrical vertical recess.

11. The suction float element of claim 10 in which each said slot in said top wall section is positioned in a respective said semicircular region and extends vertically radially and perpendicularly inwardly from a distal linear edge of said top wall section.

12. A floating marine dock, walkway or platform comprising: an elongate frame including a parallel pair of elongate frame elements for supporting a walking surface thereon;an exterior shell containing a buoyant foam;said shell including a top wall section, an opposite bottom wall section and a peripheral side wall section that interconnects said top and bottom wall sections;said side wall section including a plurality of elongate vertical recesses that extend between said top and bottom wall sections;said bottom wall section including a plurality of concave peripheral openings that correspond to and communicate with lower ends of respective said vertical recesses in said side wall sections;said top wall section covering upper ends of said vertical recesses and including a plurality of slots that respectively correspond to and communicate with said upper ends of said vertical recesses, each said slot for receiving a respective connector to secure said float element to depend from the dock, walkway or platform; andsaid bottom wall section further including a plurality of suction pockets that are attached to and extend vertically upwardly from said bottom wall section and terminate intermediate said bottom and top wall sections; whereby applying a load to the dock, walkway or platform immerses said float in the underlying body of water to produce a suction within said suction pockets, which adheres said float element more forcefully to the underlying body of water.

13. The assembly of claim 12 in which each of said top wall section and said bottom wall section includes four perpendicularly interconnected side edges and wherein said side wall sections includes four perpendicularly interconnected side wall sections.

14. The assembly of claim 13 in which said top wall section has a length and width that are respectively greater than a length and width of said bottom wall section such that each said side wall section has a narrowing taper extending from said top wall section to said bottom wall section.

15. The assembly of claim 12 in which each said suction pocket includes a pair of elongate and parallel pocket sides and an opposing pair of arcuate pocket ends that interconnect said pocket sides.

16. The assembly of 12 in which each said suction pocket is defined by an open proximal end formed through said bottom wall section and a tubular element unitarily connected to said bottom wall section and extending interiorly through said shell to a distal end of said pocket section intermediate and spaced apart from said bottom wall section and said top wall section.

17. The assembly of claim 12 in which each said vertical recess includes a semicylindrical shape, each opening in said bottom wall section having a semicircular shape that conforms to said semicylindrical shape of a corresponding said vertical recess, said top wall section including semicircular shaped peripheral regions, each said semicircular shaped region conformably matching said semicylindrical shape of a respective said vertical recess.

18. The assembly of claim 17 in which each said slot in said top wall section extends radially and perpendicularly through said top wall section and within a respective said semicircular shaped peripheral region of said top wall section.