Docking System with Joint Supports

• US 20120167518A1
• Filed: 03/13/2012
• Published: 07/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wahoo Docks LLC
• Original Assignee: GDC Enterprises
• Inventors: Hawkins, Harold, Osby, Timothy, Lyle, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 8,668,407 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 52/655.1
• CPC Class Codes: E02B 3/064 Floating landing-stages construction of pontoons B63B35/34; landing bridges E01D15/14
• CPC Class Codes: E02B 3/068 Landing stages for vessels floating landing-stages E02B3/064; landing bridges E01D15/14
• CPC Class Codes: E02B 3/20 Equipment for shipping on coasts, in harbours or on other fixed marine structures, e.g. bollards tying-up, anchoring B63B21/00, e.g. bollards for shipping B63B21/06; buoys B63B22/00 ; equipment specially adapted for use in locks or dry docks E02C1/10
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/19 Three-dimensional framework structures
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/1903 Connecting nodes specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/34 Branched

Abstract

A set of components that can be used to construct a structurally sound dock are disclosed. The components can be extruded and the components are shaped such that interconnected components provide support for the other components thereby alleviating weak points due to welded only joints. A fascia channel provides additional strength by including structures that improve the vertical and horizontal strength of the fascia channel. HDPE plastic inserts and sheaves provide sound dampening for metal to metal contact points. Other components include a corner connector, a post system and a hinge system.

Claims

1. A dock construction system comprising the components of:

extruded fascia channels including a main vertical wall, a lower horizontal structure, and an upper horizontal structure cooperatively defining a channel having a particular cross-sectional shape; and

extruded corner connectors including a first side and a second side joined at a desired angle, a post receptacle integral to the first side and the second side, the first side and the second side include a support insert having cross-sectional shape corresponding to the particular cross-sectional shape, wherein when the support insert of the corner connector is inserted into the channel of the fascia channel, the fascia channel provides structural support for the corner connector; and

extruded post system including a post, wherein the extruded corner connectors include a post receptacle configured to receive an end of an extruded post.

2. The dock construction system of claim 1, further comprising gussets to provide additional strength.

3. The dock construction system of claim 1, further comprising an extruded post holder configured to receive the ends of two fascia channels, wherein the extruded post holder functions to join two fascia channels and, further comprising a post receptacle integral to the post holder configured to receive an end of an extruded post.

4. The dock construction system of claim 3, wherein the upper horizontal structure further comprises a first horizontal component, a second horizontal component and a vertical component, the first horizontal component perpendicularly extending from the upper edge of the main vertical wall in a first direction for a first distance, the vertical component extending perpendicularly downward from the end of the first horizontal component distal from the upper edge of the main vertical wall, the second horizontal component extending perpendicularly in the first direction from the end of the vertical component distal from the first horizontal component and away from the main vertical wall.

5. The dock construction system of claim 1, wherein the post receptacles have cross-sectional shape that is configured to receive the post and one or more inserts.

6. The dock construction system of claim 5, wherein the inserts are configured to dampen noise from being generated by the post making contact with the post receptacle.

7. The dock construction system of claim 6, wherein the fascia channel and the corner connectors are extruded at a particular length and then cut on-site during construction of the dock.

8. The dock construction system of claim 6, wherein the fascia channel and the corner connectors are extruded at a particular length and, the fascia channel can have a vertical wall in any of a variety of heights and, the length of the fascia channels can be cut on-site and the height of the corner connectors can be cut on-site based on the height of the fascia channels during construction of the dock.

9. The dock construction system of claim 6, further comprising an extruded post holder configured to receive the ends of two fascia channels, wherein the extruded post holder functions to join two fascia channels and, further comprising a post receptacle integral to the post holder configured to receive an end of an extruded post and, wherein the fascia channel, the post holder and the corner connectors are extruded at a particular length and, the fascia channel can have a vertical wall in any of a variety of heights and, the length of the fascia channels can be cut on-site and the height of the corner connectors and post holder can be cut on-site based on the height of the fascia channels during construction of the dock.