U.S. patent application number 15/727189 was filed with the patent office on 2018-04-12 for floating structure system for dock installation and method.
The applicant listed for this patent is FABRICATIONS TJD INC.. Invention is credited to Jean DESPRES.
Application Number | 20180099728 15/727189 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58468409 |
Filed Date | 2018-04-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180099728 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
DESPRES; Jean |
April 12, 2018 |
FLOATING STRUCTURE SYSTEM FOR DOCK INSTALLATION AND METHOD
Abstract
A dock installation system to facilitate installation of dock
platforms comprises one or more inflatable supports configured to
be positioning under a dock platform. The inflatable support is
sized and shaped to floatingly support the dock platform when
suitable inflated. An attachment device for the inflatable support,
the attachment device is configured to releasably secure the
inflatable support to the dock platform when positioned under same.
A method for installing a dock system comprises positioning the
inflatable support(s) under a dock platform. The inflatable support
is inflated to support the dock platform. The inflated support with
the dock platform thereon is displaced to a desired position onto a
body of water onto which the dock platform is to be installed, the
inflated support floatingly supporting the dock platform. The dock
platform is fixed at the desired position. The inflated support is
removed.
Inventors: |
DESPRES; Jean; (St-Antonin,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
FABRICATIONS TJD INC. |
Riviere-du-Loup |
|
CA |
|
|
Family ID: |
58468409 |
Appl. No.: |
15/727189 |
Filed: |
October 6, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62404965 |
Oct 6, 2016 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B63B 7/082 20130101;
B63B 35/34 20130101; E01D 15/14 20130101; B63C 1/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B63B 35/34 20060101
B63B035/34; B63B 7/08 20060101 B63B007/08; B63C 1/02 20060101
B63C001/02 |
Claims
1. A method for installing a dock system comprising: positioning at
least one inflatable support under a dock platform; inflating the
at least one inflatable support for same to support the dock
platform such that the dock platform is entirely floatingly
supported from end to end by the at least one inflatable support;
displacing the inflated support with the dock platform thereon to a
desired position onto a body of water onto which the dock platform
is to be installed, the inflated support floatingly supporting the
dock platform from end to end; fixing the dock platform at the
desired position; and removing the inflated support.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein fixing the dock
platform at the desired position comprises installing posts against
underwater ground at the desired position of the dock platform such
that the dock platform is supported by the posts.
3. The method according to claim 2, wherein installing posts on
underwater ground comprises translating posts to contact with the
underwater ground, and locking the posts at a set vertical
position.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein positioning at least
one inflatable support under a dock platform comprises positioning
one said inflatable support at each end of the dock platform.
5. The method according to claim 4, wherein positioning one said
inflatable support at each end of the dock platform comprises
positioning the inflatable supports transversely to a longitudinal
dimension of the dock platform.
6. The method according to claim 1, wherein displacing the inflated
support with the dock platform thereon to a desired position
comprises displacing the at least one inflatable support from a
position on a shore.
7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising attaching
the at least one inflatable support to the dock platform before
displacing same with the dock platform thereon.
8. The method according to claim 1, wherein removing the inflated
support includes deflating at least partially the inflated
support.
9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising repeating
the positioning, inflating, displacing, fixing and removing with
another of the dock platform, and wherein fixing includes attaching
the dock platforms to one another.
10. The method according to claim 1, wherein inflating the at least
one inflatable support for same to support the dock platform
comprises inflating the at least one inflatable support and
stopping when the at least one inflatable support has reached an
inflation height less than a maximum inflation height.
11. A dock installation system comprising: at least one inflatable
support configured to be positioning under a dock platform, the at
least one inflatable support sized and shaped to floatingly support
the dock platform from end to end when suitably inflated, and an
attachment device for each of the at least one inflatable support,
the attachment device being configured to releasably secure the at
least one inflatable support to the dock platform when positioned
under same.
12. The dock installation system according to claim 11, wherein the
at least one inflatable support has a length greater than a width
of the dock platform and a lesser than a length of the dock
platform.
13. The dock installation system according to claim 11, further
comprising an attachment strap fixed to the at least one inflatable
support and configured for releasably attaching the at least one
inflatable support to the dock platform.
14. The dock installation system according to claim 13, wherein the
attachment strap has complementary Velcro.TM. strips thereon.
15. The dock installation system according to claim 11, wherein the
at least one inflatable support has an elongated inflatable body,
and wherein a closeable port of the at least inflatable support is
at a longitudinal end of the elongated inflatable body.
16. The dock installation system according to claim 15, wherein the
elongated inflatable body has a cylindrical shape when fully
inflated.
17. The dock installation system according to claim 11, comprising
two of the at least one inflatable support, and a pump for
inflating the at least one inflatable support.
18. The dock installation system according to claim 11, further
comprising at least one wear pad on an underside of the at least
one inflatable support.
19. The dock installation system according to claim 18, wherein the
at least one wear pad is made of a material different than a
material of the at least one inflatable support.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims priority on U.S. provisional
patent application No. 62/404,965 filed on Oct. 6, 2016,
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present application generally relates to the
installation of docks.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Different types of docks are used. One particular type of
dock includes posts or pilings that project from a platform and
extend underwater, to support the dock from the lake bed. In order
for the platforms to be level and at a suitable height from the
water level, the posts may be adjustable vertically and
independently from one another so as to adjust to the uneven
underwater soil. Once an appropriate vertical height is reached,
the posts are locked in position.
[0004] The installation of such docks typically requires that
installers go underwater. Moreover, it may take more than one
person to facilitate the installation, and ensure that the
platforms are level and at an appropriate height. In some
instances, the depth of the lake bed adds to the complexity of the
installation.
SUMMARY
[0005] It is therefore an aim of the present disclosure to provide
a method and device for the installation of a dock.
[0006] Therefore, in accordance with the present disclosure, there
is provided a method for installing a dock system comprising:
positioning at least one inflatable support under a dock platform;
inflating the at least one inflatable support for same to support
the dock platform; displacing the inflated support with the dock
platform thereon to a desired position onto a body of water onto
which the dock platform is to be installed, the inflated support
floatingly supporting the dock platform; fixing the dock platform
at the desired position; and removing the inflated support.
[0007] In accordance with a further embodiment of the present
disclosure, there is provided a dock installation system
comprising: at least one inflatable support configured to be
positioning under a dock platform, the at least one inflatable
support sized and shaped to floatingly support the dock platform
when suitable inflated, and an attachment device for each of the at
least one inflatable support, the attachment device being
configured to releasably secure the at least one inflatable support
to the dock platform when positioned under same.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dock platform being
installed with a dock installation system of the present
disclosure;
[0009] FIG. 2 is an end view of the dock platform being installed
with the dock installation system;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a side view of the dock platform being installed
with the dock installation system;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a top view of the dock platform being installed
with the dock installation system; and
[0012] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a corner of the dock
platform.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, a dock system is generally
illustrated at 10. The dock system 10 has one platform 11, but may
have more than one of the platform 11. For example, the platforms
11 may be connected end to end, and/or side by side, with hinges,
or other types of rigid or solid joints, such that the dock system
10 may be constituted of a sequence of the platforms 11. Moreover,
one or more of the platforms 11 may be connected to the shore.
[0014] Posts 12 are located at corners of the platform 11. The
posts 12 may be known as pilings, and support the platform 11 from
the underwater ground. According to an embodiment, the posts 12 may
be tubes of a structural material, such as round-section or
square-section tubes of aluminum. Footings 13, for example in the
form of a plate, are located at the bottom end of the posts 12, and
will interface the posts 12 to the lake bed (a.k.a, sea bed, river
bed, etc, namely the underwater ground). The shape and
configuration of the footings 13 may vary as a function of the type
of soil of the underwater ground.
[0015] The posts 12 are operatively connected to the platform 11 so
as to be movable along a vertical direction, as shown by Y. In an
embodiment, the posts 12 are received in a housing 14 to form a
translational joint. When a desired vertical position is reached, a
locking mechanism, such as set screws 15, may lock the post 12 in
the housing 14, to block the translational movement and hence set a
vertical position of the post 12. Other mechanisms are considered
as well to set the vertical position of the posts 12 relative to
the platform 11. The arrangement described above allows individual
adjustment of the height of each of the posts 12, which is
practical considering that the underwater ground may be uneven.
Stated differently, according to an embodiment, each of the posts
12 may move independently from the others.
[0016] A dock installation system in accordance with the present
disclosure is generally shown at 20, and is of the type used to
install the dock system 10 described above. The dock installation
system 20 is designed to limit the interventions of the installer
immersed in the water. According to an embodiment, the dock
installation system 20 may enable the installation of the dock
system 10 with minimal human presence from a standing position in
the water. The dock installation system 20 has one or more
inflatable supports 21. The inflatable supports 21 are vessels made
of a non-rigid flexible material. For example, polymers may be used
as sheet material for the inflatable supports 21. The shape of the
supports 21 is based on the dimensions of the platforms 11. In the
illustrated embodiment, the supports 21 are elongated cylinders, to
be used horizontally, as a buoy to floatingly support the platforms
11. A pair of the supports 21 is used under the platform 11 to
support same, the supports 21 being positioned generally parallel
to one another. The length of the supports 21 may be such that they
extend most if not the full width of the platform 11. The supports
21 may also exceed the platform 11 in length. In the illustrated
embodiment, the supports 21 are positioned transversely relative to
a longitudinal dimension (along X) of the platform 11. It may be
desired for the stability of the installation that the supports 21
remain spread apart and adjacent to opposite edges of the platform
11. For instance, the supports 21 may be positioned at opposed ends
of the platform 11, or at least closer to the ends of the platform
11 than closer to a center. By positioning the supports 21 at the
ends of the platform 11, the assembly may be more stable especially
when an installer is on the platform 11 while the assembly floats,
for example during installation.
[0017] Attachment devices 22 may be provided to ensure that the
supports 21 remain in position under the platform 11, and thus to
reduce play or relative movement between the platform 11 and the
supports 21. The attachment devices 22 may be straps. Velcro.TM.
may be one of the options considered to assist in attaching the
straps 22 to the platform 11. Other options may include elastics
(e.g., bungee style) with hooks, belts, etc.
[0018] The supports 21 may be inflatable, and hence have a
closeable port 23 through which they may be inflated or deflated.
According to an embodiment, the system 20 also includes a pump 24
that may be releasably connected to the port 23. The port 23 and
pump 24 may be sized to have the capacity of pumping liters of air
in each pump stroke to accelerate the inflating of the supports 21.
The pump 24 may be manually or electrically actuated. The pump 24
may be a floor pump, a foot pump, etc.
[0019] Although a pair of elongated supports 21 is shown, it is
contemplated to provide a single support 21 providing sufficient
buoyancy to support the platform 11. For example, the supports 21
may be mattress shaped, among other possibilities. The supports 21
may each be a rectangular prism. In an embodiment, a single
rectangular prism may be used, with length and width approximately
matching that of the platform 11. The support(s) 21 may be made of
a single body of inflatable material, the material having the
capacity to sustain friction as the support(s) 21 may be dragged on
the ground or shallow water while supporting the weight of a
platform 11.
[0020] Now that the dock system 10 and the dock installation system
20 have been described, a method of installation is set forth.
Firstly, the installer must determine a desired height of the
platform 11 relative to the instant water level. The platform 11 is
installed on the deflated support(s) 21, with the posts 12 locked
at or near their lowest position, i.e., with the footings 14 near
the platform 11. If an attachment device 22 is present, it may be
used to secure the support(s) 21 to the platform 11, before or
after the inflating.
[0021] The support(s) 21 is then inflated to lift the platform 11
from the ground. Accordingly, the installer may match the desired
height by pumping the support(s) 21 until a suitable height is
reached, and considering that part of the support 21 will be
underwater during installation. This step may entail stopping when
the inflatable support 21 has reached an inflation height less than
a maximum inflation height. Once the support(s) 21 is suitably
pumped, the assembly of platform 11 and inflated support(s) 21 may
be slid onto the water, at which point the support(s) 21 will
produce sufficient buoyancy forces for the assembly to float, and
hence be manually maneuverable, for example from the shore or with
the installer standing in substantially shallow water, near the
shore. Alternatively, the assembly of platform 11 and inflated
support(s) 21 may be carried onto the water, in which case the
attachment devices 22 may be practical. Moreover, the installer may
even step onto the platform 11 to attend to the posts 12. According
to an embodiment, the first of the platforms 11 to be installed is
the one nearest the shore, such that this first installed platform
11 may serve to install the other platforms.
[0022] Once the platform 11 on the support(s) 21 is positioned to
the installer's desired position, the platform 11 is fixed at that
desired position. In an embodiment, fixing the platform 11 may
include attaching it to a structure on the shore or in the water,
attaching the platform 11 to another adjacent platform, etc. In an
embodiment, to fix the platform 11, the posts 12 may be released
from their lowest position to come into contact with the underwater
ground. The posts 12 may move without assistance by the effect of
gravity, or with assistance from the installer. When the footing 13
is secure against the underwater ground, the locking mechanism 15
may lock the posts 12 in the housings 14, at all corners of the
platform 11, unless some corners do not have posts 12, such as ones
connected to a structure on the shore. In such a case, the platform
11 may instead be secured to the structure on the short while
supported by the support(s) 21. Hence, the dock installation system
20 ensures that the platform 11 is relatively level, and at a
desired height from water level. The supports 21 may then be
deflated and removed. This may require that the attachment devices
22 be detached, before, during or after the deflating. These steps
are repeated with the other platforms 11. Accordingly, it may not
be necessary to fully deflate the supports 21 if they are to be
reused. Indeed, the supports 21 may be sufficiently deflated to be
removed, while preserving some air pressure such that the supports
don't have to be reinflated from empty.
[0023] The method for installing a dock system therefore comprises
positioning one or more of the inflatable support 21 under the dock
platform 11. The inflatable support(s) 21 is inflated for same to
support the dock platform 11. The inflated support(s) 21 with the
dock platform 11 thereon is displaced to a desired position onto a
body of water onto which the dock platform 11 is to be installed,
the inflated support 22 floatingly supporting the dock platform 11.
The posts 12 are installed against underwater ground at the desired
position of the dock platform 11 such that the dock platform 11 is
supported by the posts 12. The inflated support(s) 21 may be
removed.
[0024] As the supports 21 will slide on the ground to drag the
platform 11 onto the water, the material selected for the supports
21 may be wear resistant. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, wear
pads 25 or a hard shell may be provided on the undersurface of the
supports 21, or additional layers of the material of the support(s)
21. It is considered to provide structural rigid material, such as
metallic or polymer wear plates, as integral parts of the supports
21.
[0025] The volume and size of the supports 21 must take into
consideration Archimedes' principle for the assembly of platform 11
and supports 21 to float and be stable during assembly. The volume
and size may also take into account the presence of installer(s)
standing on the platform 11 when supported by the supports 21. In
any event, the installation manual should indicate the capacity of
the platform 11 when supported by the supports 21 to prevent
incidents.
* * * * *