Wave Resistant Dock Assembly

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to docks, and more particularly, to a wave resistant dock assembly which may be configured for deployment on a body of water and is resistant to wave action in the body of water, particularly under storm conditions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Decks are well known in the art and have been used for centuries as outdoor flooring for piers, docks, walkways, gangways, and the like. Decks may be constructed from natural wood and cut to length and assembled into the desired configuration. In recent years, boating has enjoyed increasing popularity in the United States and around the world Recreational boating includes such activities as varied as kayaking, canoeing, and yachting. With the rising popularity of boating has come a corresponding increase in the number of watercraft on waterways around the world. This has necessitated an increased number of slips, piers, and docks at which to moor these watercraft.

Docks may be constructed in a fixed or floating dock configuration. A fixed dock may include pilings or piers which are driven into the floor of a body of water. Stringers may be secured to the pilings and planks attached to the stringers. A floating dock, on the other hand, may include a dock surface which floats on a buoyant structure or material secured underneath the dock surface. In the floating dock configuration, a series of floating dock sections may be attached to each other to create a larger or longer floating surface.

The longevity of docks made of natural wood may be extended by coating the wood with paint, varnish, sealant, coating or other finish to retard degradation and rotting of the wood. In some cases, pressure treating the wood may provide enhanced durability. However, coated and pressure treated wood which is subject to harsh conditions may eventually fail. Thus, without constant maintenance and repair, any type of wooden dock may ultimately require replacement. Docks may additionally be vulnerable to adverse weather conditions such as violent storms, wave action, storm surge, high winds, and the like.

Small, privately-owned docks found along the Eastern Seaboard of the United States, as well as other areas around the world with similar exposure to storms, are suffering catastrophic damage with increasing frequency. Currently, in the U.S. State of Florida, these docks, while representing significant amenity value, are uninsurable and replacement costs after hurricane damage may reach $350 USD/lineal foot.

Accordingly, there is need for wave resistant dock assembly which is resistant to wave action in a body of water, particularly under storm conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a wave resistant dock assembly which may be configured for deployment on a body of water and is resistant to wave action in the body of water, particularly under storm conditions. An illustrative embodiment of the wave resistant dock assembly may include a dock frame. A flexible dock body may be supported by the dock frame. The dock body may have an upper dock body surface and a lower dock body surface. The upper dock body surface of the dock body may be flat or planar. At least one water discharge gap may be provided in the upper dock body surface. At least one water flow space may be provided in the lower dock body surface. The water discharge gap in the upper dock body surface may communicate with the water flow space in the lower dock body surface. The water flow space may converge toward the water discharge gap. Accordingly, under high wave or storm conditions, water may flow from the body of water through the water flow space and discharge through the water discharge gap. The water flow space and the water discharge gap may therefore eliminate or reduce water pressure which may otherwise be applied to the dock body as a result of the wave action, thereby reducing damage and premature wear to the dock body.

In an illustrative implementation of the invention, a wave resistant dock assembly which may be configured for deployment on a body of water and is resistant to wave action in the body of water may include a dock frame. The dock frame may include a pair of spaced-apart side frame members. A flexible dock body may be supported by and between the side frame members of the dock frame. The dock body may have an upper dock body surface and a lower dock body surface. The upper dock body surface of the dock body may be flat or planar. At least one water discharge gap may be provided in the upper dock body surface. At least one water flow space may be provided in the lower dock body surface. The water discharge gap in the upper dock body surface may communicate with the water flow space in the lower dock body surface. The water flow space may converge toward the water discharge gap. Accordingly, under high wave or storm conditions, water may flow from the body of water through the water flow space and discharge through the water discharge gap. The water flow space and the water discharge gap may therefore eliminate or reduce water pressure which may otherwise be applied to the dock body as a result of the wave action, thereby reducing damage and premature wear to the dock body.

In an illustrative implementation of the invention, a wave resistant dock assembly which may be configured for deployment on a body of water and is resistant to wave action in the body of water may include a dock frame. The dock frame may include a pair of spaced-apart side frame members. A flexible dock body may be supported by and between the side frame members of the dock frame. The dock body may include a plurality of flexibly interconnected, adjacent dock members disposed between the side frame members of the dock frame. The dock body may have an upper dock body surface and a lower dock body surface formed by the adjacent dock members. The upper dock body surface of the dock body may be flat or planar. A plurality of water discharge gaps may be provided in the upper dock body surface between the adjacent dock members. A plurality of water flow spaces may be provided in the lower dock body surface between the adjacent dock members. The water discharge gaps in the upper dock body surface may communicate with the respective water flow spaces in the lower dock body surface. The water flow spaces may converge toward the respective water discharge gaps. Accordingly, under high wave or storm conditions, water may flow from the body of water through the water flow spaces and discharge through the water discharge gaps, respectively. The water flow spaces and the water discharge gaps may therefore eliminate or reduce water pressure which may otherwise be applied to the dock body as a result of the wave action, thereby reducing damage and premature wear to the dock body.

In a second aspect, each side frame member of the dock frame may be elongated with a first side frame member end and a second side frame member end. The dock members of the dock body may be generally coextensive with the side frame members from the first side frame member end to the second side frame member end of each.

In another aspect, each side frame member of the dock frame may have a rectangular cross-section with an inner side frame member surface, an outer side frame member surface, a lower side frame member surface and an upper side frame member surface. The dock members of the dock body may be disposed adjacent to each other between the inner side frame member surfaces of the respective side frame members.

In another aspect, each dock member of the dock body may be triangular in cross-section.

In another aspect, each dock member of the dock body may have a first dock member end and a second dock member end.

In another aspect, the dock members of the dock body may be disposed parallel to the side frame members of the dock frame.

In another aspect, the first dock member end and the second dock member end of each dock member may correspond in position to the first side frame member end and the second side frame member end, respectively, of each side frame member of the dock frame.

In another aspect, each dock member of the dock body may have an upper dock member surface which corresponds to a portion of the upper dock body surface of the dock body.

In another aspect, each water discharge gap may be formed between the upper dock member surfaces of adjacent ones of the dock members of the dock body.

In another aspect, each dock member of the dock body may have a pair of angled side dock member surfaces which extend from the upper dock member surface.

In another aspect, each water flow space may be formed by and between the side dock member surfaces of adjacent ones of the dock members of the dock body.

In another aspect, a pair of side dock member edges may be formed between the upper dock member surface and the respective side dock member surfaces of each dock member.

In another aspect, each water discharge gap may be formed by and between the side dock member edges of adjacent ones of the dock members of the dock body.

In another aspect, a bottom dock member edge may be formed between the side dock member surfaces of each dock member. Each bottom dock member edge may separate adjacent water flow spaces in the lower dock body surface from each other.

In another aspect, at least one frame securing structure may connect adjacent ones of the dock members in the dock body.

In another aspect, each frame securing structure may extend transversely through the dock body between the side frame members of the dock frame.

In another aspect, each frame securing structure may include a plurality of structure elements. Each structure element may connect adjacent ones of the dock members to each other in the dock body.

In another aspect, each frame securing element may include at least one frame securing rod.

In another aspect, each frame securing element may include at least one frame securing tube.

In another aspect, each side frame member of the dock frame and each dock member of the dock body may be fabricated of wood, metal, plastic, composite material, or combinations thereof.

In another aspect, the wave resistant dock assembly may be a fixed dock structure.

In another aspect, the wave resistant dock assembly may be a floating dock structure.

In another aspect, the dock members of the dock body may be disposed perpendicular to the side frame members of the dock frame.

In another aspect, the first dock member end and the second dock member end of each dock member may abut against each corresponding side frame member of the dock frame.

These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, where like designations denote like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 presents a perspective view of a wave resistant dock assembly in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 presents a cross-sectional view, taken along section lines 2-2 in FIG. 1, of the illustrative wave resistant dock assembly;

FIG. 3 presents an enlarged cross-sectional view of three adjacent dock members of the dock body, more particularly illustrating typical flow of water from a body of water through the water flow spaces and the water discharge gaps between the dock members in typical application of the wave resistant dock assembly; and

FIG. 4 presents a perspective view of a wave resistant dock assembly in accordance with an alternative illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments, unless the claims state otherwise. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. As used throughout the specification and claims, the term “comprising” can also encompass the terms “consisting essentially of” and “consisting of”. The term “about” has the meaning reasonably ascribed to it by a person skilled in the art when used in conjunction with a stated numerical value or range, i.e., denoting from the exact stated value or range to somewhat more or somewhat less than the stated value or range, from a deviation of from 0% with respect to the stated value or range to up to and including 10% of the stated value or range in either direction.

Shown throughout the figures, the present invention is directed toward which may be configured for deployment on a body of water and is resistant to wave action in the body of water, particularly under storm conditions.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1-3, a wave resistant dock assembly, hereinafter dock assembly 100, is illustrated in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As will be hereinafter described, the dock assembly 100 may be suitably sized and configured to be deployed on a lake, river, ocean or other body of water (not illustrated). As shown for instance in FIG. 1, the dock assembly 100 may include a dock frame 102. A flexible dock body 120 may be supported by the dock frame 102. The dock body 120 may have an upper dock body surface 122 and a lower dock body surface 124. The upper dock body surface 122 of the dock body 120 may be flat or planar. At least one water discharge gap 130 may be provided in the upper dock body surface 122 of the dock body 120. At least one water flow space 128 may be provided in the lower dock body surface 124 of the dock body 120. The water discharge gap 130 in the upper dock body surface 122 may communicate with the water flow space 128 in the lower dock body surface 124. As illustrated in FIG. 3, each water flow space 128 may converge toward each corresponding water discharge gap 130. Accordingly, under high wave or storm conditions, water 156 may flow from the body of water through the water flow space 128 and discharge through the water discharge gap 130. The water flow space 128 and the water discharge gap 130 may therefore eliminate or reduce water pressure which may otherwise be applied to the dock body 120 as a result of the wave action, thereby reducing damage and premature wear to the dock body 120.

In some embodiments, each water discharge gap 130 may have a width of about two centimeters. In other embodiments, each water discharge gap 130 may have a width which is greater than or less than two centimeters.

In some embodiments, the dock frame 102 may include a pair of spaced-apart side frame members 104. The dock body 120 may be supported by and between the side frame members 104 of the dock frame 102.

In some embodiments, the dock body 120 of the dock assembly 100 may include a plurality of flexibly interconnected, adjacent dock members 134 disposed between the side frame members 104 of the dock frame 102. The upper dock body surface 122 and the lower dock body surface 124 of the dock body 120 may be formed by the adjacent dock members 134. A plurality of the water discharge gaps 130 may be provided in the upper dock body surface 122 between the adjacent dock members 134. A plurality of the water flow spaces 128 may be provided in the lower dock body surface 124 between the adjacent dock members 134.

In some embodiments, each side frame member 104 of the dock frame 102 may be elongated with a first side frame member end 106 and a second side frame member end 108. The dock members 134 of the dock body 120 may be generally coextensive with the side frame members 104 from the first side frame member end 106 to the second side frame member end 108 of each side frame member 104.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, in some embodiments, each side frame member 104 of the dock frame 102 may have a rectangular cross-section with an inner side frame member surface 110, an outer side frame member surface 112, a lower side frame member surface 114 and an upper side frame member surface 116. The dock members 134 of the dock body 120 may be disposed adjacent to each other between the inner side frame member surfaces 110 of the respective side frame members 104.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, in some embodiments, each dock member 134 of the dock body 120 may be triangular in cross-section. Each dock member 134 may have a first dock member end 136 and a second dock member end 138. In some embodiments, the dock members 134 of the dock body 120 may be disposed parallel to the side frame members 104 of the dock frame 102, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Accordingly, the first dock member end 136 and the second dock member end 138 of each dock member 134 may correspond in position to the first side frame member end 106 and the second side frame member end 108, respectively, of each side frame member 104 of the dock frame 102.

As further illustrated in FIG. 3, each dock member 134 of the dock body 120 may have an upper dock member surface 140 which corresponds to a portion of the upper dock body surface 122 of the dock body 120. Each water discharge gap 130 may be formed between the upper dock member surfaces 140 of adjacent ones of the dock members 134 of the dock body 120.

Each dock member 134 of the dock body 120 may have a pair of angled side dock member surfaces 142 which extend from the upper dock member surface 140. Each water flow space 128 may be formed by and between the side dock member surfaces 142 of adjacent ones of the dock members 134 of the dock body 120. In some embodiments, the side dock member surfaces 142 may be disposed at a 45-degree angle with respect to each other. In other embodiments, the side dock member surfaces 142 may be disposed with respect to each other at an angle which is greater or less than 45 degrees.

A pair of side dock member edges 144 may be formed between the upper dock member surface 140 and the respective side dock member surfaces 142 of each dock member 134. Each water discharge gap 130 may be formed by and between the side dock member edges 144 of adjacent ones of the dock members 134 of the dock body 120.

As further illustrated in FIG. 3, a bottom dock member edge 146 may be formed between the side dock member surfaces 142 of each dock member 134. Each bottom dock member edge 146 may separate adjacent water flow spaces 128 in the lower dock body surface 124 from each other.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, in some embodiments, at least one frame securing structure 150 may connect adjacent ones of the dock members 134 in the dock body 120. Each frame securing structure 150 may extend transversely across the dock body 120 between the side frame members 104 of the dock frame 102 and between the adjacent dock members 134 of the dock body 120. In some embodiments, each frame securing structure 150 may include a plurality of structure elements 152. Each structure element 152 may flexibly connect adjacent ones of the dock members 134 to each other in the dock body 120 and to the side frame members 104 of the dock frame 102.

The frame securing elements 152 of the frame securing structure 150 may include any device, element, or component, or combinations thereof, suitable for the purpose of attaching or securing the adjacent deck members 134 to each other in the deck body 120. For example and without limitation, in some embodiments, each frame securing element 152 may include at least one frame securing rod. In some embodiments, each frame securing element 152 may include at least one frame securing tube. Each rod or tube may be fabricated of a flexible or semiflexible material or materials. In some embodiments, each frame securing element 152 may have a length of 4 inches. In other embodiments, each frame securing element 152 may have a length of greater than or less than 4 inches.

Each side frame member 104 of the dock frame 102 and each dock member 134 of the dock body 120 may be fabricated of wood, metal, plastic, composite material, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the dock assembly 100 may be a fixed dock structure. In other embodiments, the dock assembly 100 may be a floating dock structure.

In typical application, the dock assembly 100 may be fabricated on the surface of a lake, river, ocean, or other body of water (not illustrated). In embodiments in which the dock assembly 100 is a fixed dock structure, the side frame members 104 of the dock frame 102 may be attached to vertical support posts (not illustrated) which may extend from the bottom of the water body. In some applications, the support posts may be cylindrical. In embodiments in which the dock assembly 100 is a floating dock structure, a buoyant structure or material (not illustrated) may be secured underneath the side frame members 104 of the dock frame 102 and/or the lower dock body surface 124 of the dock body 120.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, during intense wave action in the body of water, as may occur under intense storm conditions, for example, water 156 may flow against one or both of the side dock member surfaces 142 of each dock member 134. The typically angled profile of each side dock member surface 142 may divert the water 156 downwardly beneath and around the bottom dock member edge 146 of each dock member 134 and then upwardly through the water flow space 128 between the adjacent dock members 134. The upwardly flowing water 156 may be discharged from the water flow space 128 through the water discharge gap 130 and typically onto the upper dock body surface 122 of the dock body 120, after which the water 156 may subsequently runoff from the upper dock body surface 122 and fall back through the water discharge gaps 130 and water flow spaces 128 back into the body of water. Accordingly, the water 156 may contact fewer surfaces of the dock members 134 with less force than may be the case with dock members 134 having alternative cross-sectional shapes. Consequently, damage and premature wear to the dock body 120 may be substantially reduced.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the dock body 120 of the wave resistant dock assembly 100 may utilize two interlinked layers which may include a lower layer including the frame securing structure 150 and an upper layer including the dock members 134. Both layers may run parallel to each other and perpendicular to the general direction of a wave front in a body of water. The dock assembly 100 may be designed to be hard mounted above the high tide line, rendering the dock assembly 100 dry and yet within reach of the water surface. The design may minimize the surface area which faces an oncoming wave front while maintaining a safe and comfortable walking surface on top, creating space within the dock structure without hard angles, thus allowing the water 156 to flow through the dock assembly 100 during a storm surge.

Referring next to FIG. 4 of the drawings, an alternative illustrative embodiment of the wave resistant dock assemblies is generally indicated by reference numeral 200. Unless otherwise indicated, elements of the dock assembly 200 which are structurally and/or functionally analogous to the respective elements of the dock assembly 100 that was heretofore described with respect to FIGS. 1-3 are designated by the same respective reference numerals in the 200-299 series in FIG. 4. Accordingly, to the extent which is applicable, the same description which was heretofore described with respect to the dock assembly 100 is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety herein with respect to the dock assembly 200.

In the dock assembly 200, the dock members 234 of the dock body 220 may be disposed perpendicular to the side frame members 204 of the dock frame 202. Accordingly, the first dock member end 236 and the second dock member end 238 of each dock member 234 may abut against each corresponding side frame member 204 of the dock frame 202. Application of the dock assembly 200 may be as was heretofore described with respect to application of the dock assembly 100.

Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Wave Resistant Dock Assembly

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