US3824796A

US3824796A - Mobile dock structure

Info

Publication number: US3824796A
Application number: US00303606A
Authority: US
Inventors: C Nasby
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: SPAN-DOCK Inc A CORP OF MN
Priority date: 1972-11-03
Filing date: 1972-11-03
Publication date: 1974-07-23
Anticipated expiration: 1991-07-23

Abstract

A pair of longitudinally extended bar joists connected together in a generally parallel relationship have a wheel-equipped frame mounted spaced from one end thereof for adjustment of the wheels toward and away from the bar joists. A plurality of deck members are secured to the bar joists by nut-equipped bolts which pass through the deck members and selected ones of a plurality of longitudinally extended slots formed in each of the bar joists at spaced intervals longitudinally of the bar joists.

Description

United States- Patent l Nasby, Jr. July 23, 1974 [54] MOBILE DOCK STRUCTURE 3,380,257 4/1968 Gillman et a1. 61/48 1 memos Charles Nasby, 4624 Bruce 3223'??? $1133? 1311122311;11:11::111111...........:1113 21/13 Ave. 80., Minneapolis, Minn. 55424 [22] Filed: Nov. 3, 1972 Primary Examiner-Robert R. Mackey Assistant ExaminerPhilip C. Kannan [21] Appl' 303606 Attorney, Agent, or FirmMerchant, Gould, Smith &

Edell [52] US. Cl. 61/48, 52/694 [51] Int. Cl E021! 3/20 [57] ABSTRACT [58] Field of Search 61/48 463 l4/3* A pair of longitudinally extended bar joists connected 14/6 52/694 together in a generally parallel relationship have a wheel-equipped frame mounted spaced from one end [56] References cued thereof for adjustment of the wheels toward and away UNITED STAT S PATENTS from the bar joists. A plurality of deck members are 1,918,346 7/1933 McHose 52/694 x secured to the bar joists by nut-equipped bolts which 2,246,215 6/1941 Nagin et a1. 52/694 X pass through the deck members and selected ones of a 2,578,465 12/1951 Davis, Jr. et al 52/694 X plurality of longitudinally extended slots formed in Karst each of the bar joists at paced intervals longitudinally 3,106,995 10/1963 Abramson 52/694 X of the bar joists 3,325,957 6/1967 Demeules et al. 52/694 X 3,345,825 10/1967 Parker 61/48 6 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures 1 MOBILE DOCK STRUCTURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to docking facilities for watercraft and more particularly relates to the construction of mobile type dock structures.

2. Description of the Prior Art Docking facilities suitable for mooring small watercraft and for use during swimming and other waterrelated sports have long been produced. Examples of such structures may be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 1,975,049 issued Sept. 25, 1934, to H. Middlebrook; US. Pat. No. 3,081,601 issued Mar. 19, 1963, to A. E. Fentiman; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,380,257 issued Apr. 30, 1968, to R. Gillman et al. In spite of the heavy development in this field, dock structures of the type contemplated have heretofore been highly unsatisfactory for a number of reasons. By way of example, when it has been attempted to construct such docking facilities in a manner to simplify construction and reduce the expense thereof, such facilities have failed to withstand the rigors of use and unfriendly elements. Attempts to overcome the above difficulties have resulted in somewhat complicated structures which are not only expensive to manufacture but require constant maintenance and repair. In addition, the prior art structures, despite their complexity, often fail to provide the necessary durability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a dock structure which is simple in construction, relatively inexpensive to manufacture and which requires but a minimum of maintenance and repair.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a device of the class above described which is mobile for easy removal from or insertion into a body of water.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a device of the class above described which is extremely durable and iseasily adaptable, with a minimum of added expense, to varying conditions of use.

With the above objects in mind, the present invention includes a pair of longitudinally extended bar joists having upper and lower chord elements and angularly disposed connecting elements. The bar joists are connected together in a generally parallel relationship, with the upper chord elements in a common horizontal plane, by a series of braces therebetween. A wheelequipped frame has laterally spaced vertical support members which are telescopically received in tubular elements secured to the bar joists in spaced relation to the end thereof. A plurality of deck members extend laterally outwardly of the bar joists and are secured to the upper chord elements by nut-equipped bolts extending through thedeck members and selected ones of a plurality of longitudinally extended slots formed in the upper chord elements of the bar joists, and each of the bar joists is formed at opposite ends to provide'for hinged attachment of a like dock structure utilized to extend the length of the dock.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring particularly to the drawings wherein like characters indicate like parts throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is a view partially in side elevation and partially in vertical section of the operative placement of a mobile dock structure constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical section as seen generally from the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical section as seen generally from the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a greatly enlarged vertical section as seen generally from the line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary detailed section showing the attachment of the deck members to the supporting structure thereof;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary elevational view of a portion of FIG. 1 illustrating the hinged connection of the separate dock sections thereof;

FIG. 7 is a horizontal sectional view as seen generally from the line 7-7 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view as seen generally from the line 8-8 of FIG. 1, portions thereof being broken away;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of one end of the dock structure of FIG. 1 showing that end adjacent the shoreline, portions thereof being broken away; and

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary view in perspective of the structure shown in FIG. 9, portions thereof being removed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring with greater particularity to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a dock structure, indicated generally by the numeral 10, which extends into a body of water 11 from an anchoring pad 12 situated adjacent the shoreline 13 of the body of water 11. The particular application shown in FIG. 1 illustrates the use of a pair of dock sections hereinafter indicated as an inner and outer dock section 15, 16, respectively. It will be here noted that the inner and outer dock sections 15, 16 are substantially identical structures and in certain applications only the dock section 15 may be utilized. Therefore, in the interest of brevity, similar parts of inner and outer dock sections 15, 16 will carry like numeral throughout the following description.

Inner and outer dock sections l5, 16 each include a pair of longitudinally extended bar joists 17. Bar joists 17 are truss-type supporting structures and each includes an upper chord element formed of longitudinally extended laterally spaced rail members 18, a lower chord element formed of laterally spaced rail members 19 and angularly disposed connecting elements 20. As seen particularly in FIGS. 2-5 and 9, the angularly disposed connecting elements 20 are formed from a single length of round bar stock as are the laterally spaced rail members 19 of the lower chord element. The laterally spaced rail members 18 of the upper chord element are formed from longitudinally extended right angles to add lateral stability to their respective bar joists 17 when such bar joists 17 are disposed with the connecting elements 20 lying in a vertical plane. Opposite end portions of the connecting elements 20 are disposed between and secured to the laterally spaced

rail members

18, 19 such that the portions of the connecting members 20 disposed between the rail members 18 cooperate therewith to define longitudinally extended slots 21 that are spaced and extend longitudinally of the bar joists 17. The function of the slots 21 will be explained in greater detail hereinafter. Brace means rigidly connecting the bar joists 17 of each dock section 15, 16 in a generally parallel relationship include a plurality of right angle bars 25 extending between and secured to adjacent rail members 18 of the upper chord elements and transversely extending braces 26 each secured to and extending from the upper chord elements of one bar joist 17 to the lower chord elements of the other bar joist 17 so as to form an X-brace therebetween. As will be appreciated, the above-described construction maintains the laterally spaced rail members 18 of the bar joists 17 in a common plane and provides a supporting structure which is extremely rigid to withstand both lateral and A wheel-equipped frame means, indicated generally by the numeral 29, supports one end of each of the dock sections 15, 16 with the wheels30 thereof providing a mobile base for the dock sections 15, 16 either singly or as the unit indicated at in FIG. 1. As shown particularly in FIG. 3, the frame means 29 includes a transverse axle 31 for mounting the wheels 30 and having laterally spaced upwardly extending vertical support members 32. Each of the vertical support members 32 is telescopically received within one of a pair of tubular members 33 to permit vertical adjustments of the wheels 30 toward and away from the bar joist l7. Tubular members 33 are secured one to each of the bar joists 17 and extend between an upper and lower chord element of its respective bar joist 17 to provide a maximum degree of support to the wheel-equipped frames 29 in directions longitudinally of the dock members 15, 16, with a minimum of angular bracing. A pair of set screws 34, associated with each of the tubular members 33, limit movements of the vertical support members 32 relative to the tubular members 33. As shown, particularly in FIG. 1 of the drawing, the wheelequipped frame 29 is spaced from the outer end of the dock members 15, 16 to provide a cantilevered outer end portion to permit use of the outer end of the docking structure 10 with a minimum of underwater obstacles. An elongated plate-like member 28 is secured to the underside of lower rail members 19 of each bar joist 17 by welding or the like and extends from adjacent the tubular member 33 to the extreme end of bar joist 17 to provide additional reinforcement for the cantilevered end of the dock sections 15, 16. While the structure of FIG. 1 is shown as simple rectangular dock sections 15, 16, it will be appreciated that'section 16 could be constructed in a plan shape of an L or T with the short leg of the L or cross head of the T forming the cantilevered outer end thereof. Such structure, of course, would provide facilities at the outer end of the dock for use by a number of persons, such as swimmers or the like, with a minimum of danger of injury thereto due to engagement with such underwater obstacles. The particular construction of the bar joists 17 together with their

brace member

25, 26 particularly adapts the above-described construction to such shapes with a minimum use of braces due to the rigid nature of such construction.

Dock sections 15, 16 further include deck means in the nature of a plurality of deck members 35. Each deck member 35 is formed from a plurality of transversely extending slats 36 secured to a pair of generally parallel stringers 37 at spaced points longitudinally thereof. Stringers 37 extend longitudinally of their respective bar joists 17 and engage the adjacent upper chord thereof in the common upper plane of the bar joists 17. Securing means in the nature of nut-equipped bolts 38 extend through each of the stringers 37, generally at opposite ends thereof, and an adjacent underlying slot 21. This permits longitudinal adjustments of the deck members 35 relative to one another and the longitudinal dimensions of the dock sections 15, 16. While a preferred type of deck has been described hereinabove, somewhat less expensive deck covering may be utilized through the provision of sheet-like deck members formed from rectangular pieces of exterior plywood or the like. Such sheets of plywood would be secured directly to the bar joists 17, without the use of stringers 37, much in the manner of deck members 35 (i.e., with carriage bolts or the like). The slotted openings 21 would likewise permit adjustments of the plywood deck members longitudinally of the dock sections 15, 16 to provide an unbroken deck surface for each of the sections 15, 16.

Each of the bar joists 17 of the dock sections 15, 16 is formed at opposite ends to provide a support plate 40 having a planar surface which lies in a plane generally parallel to and spaced from the common upper plane of the bar joists 17. As shown in F IG.- 1, the planar surface of the support plate 40 at the outer or one end of dock section 15 cooperates with the planar surface of the support plate 40 at the opposite or inner end of the dock section 16 to provide a mounting surface for the separate leaves of a hinged connection 41. The hinged connection 41 permits pivotal movements of the dock section 15 relative to the dock section 16 on an axis extending transversely of the dock structure 10 parallel to the common plane of the bar joists 17. In this manner, separate adjustments of the wheel-equipped frame means 29 associated with section 15 may be made inde pendently of the wheel-equipped frame means 29 of section 16 to effect a desired deck attitude of the section 15 relative to section 16 depending on the underlying land contour. The particular hinge connection 41 permits preliminary assembly of the dock structure 10 on the shoreline 13 before insertion into the body of water 11 as well as removal of the entire structure 10 to the shoreline 13 for disassembly of the sections 15, 16 and subsequent separate movement thereof to a storage area.

When the dock structure 10 is initially moved into the body of water 11 to the position as shown in FIG. 1, the support plate 40 associated with the opposite or inner end of the section 15 rests upon and is secured to the notched edge of the anchoring pad 12 (See FIG. 9). The anchor pad 12 provides a more stable installation of the dock structure 10 and prevents accidental displacement thereof during the act of mooring watercraft, during adverse conditions, or during other extrenes of use.

While a specific embodiment of a double dock structure is illustrated and described, it should be understood that further modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled in the art. I desire it to be understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular structure shown, and I intend in the appended claims to cover all modifications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A mobile dock structure comprising:

a. a pair of longitudinally extended bar joists having upper and lower chord elements and angularly disposed connecting elements;

b. brace means rigidly connecting said bar joists in a generally parallel relationship with the upper chord elements in a common horizontal plane;

c. base-equipped frame means having laterally spaced vertical support members;

d. means carried by one end of each of said bar joists mounting said vertical support members for adjustments of the bases thereof toward and away from said bar joists; and

e. deck means, and securing means mounting said deck means to said upper chord elements in said common plane;

i. said upper chord element of each bar joist being formed by a pair of longitudinally extended laterally spaced rail members with portions of said angularly disposed connecting elements positioned between each pair, said portions of said angularly disposed connecting elements cooperating with said pair of rail members to define longitudinally extended slots receiving said securing means.

2. The structure of claim 1 in which said deck means is formed from a plurality of deck members extending laterally outwardly of said bar joists and in which said securing means are nut-equipped bolts extending through said deck members and selected ones of said slots of each bar joist whereby each deck member is adjustable longitudinally of said bar joist.

3. The structure of claim 2 in which each of said plurality of deck members include a plurality of slats extending transversely and spaced longitudinal of said bar joists and a pair of generally parallel stringers secured to and joining said slats, said stringers each engaging one of said upper chords in said common plane, said nut-equipped bolts extending through said stringers.

4. The structure of claim 2 and a plurality of support plates, one attached to each end of each bar joist, each plate lying in a plane generally parallel to and spaced from said common plane.

5. The structure of claim 4 in which said mobile dock includes a pair of dock sections hingedly connected together in an end-to-end relationship, and in which said support plates of adjacent ends of said dock sections provide planar surfaces for mounting the hinge connection of said dock sections for pivotal movements on an axis extending transversely of said dock structure parallel to said common plane thereof.

6. The structure of claim 1 in which said lower chord element of each bar joist is formed by a pair of longitudinally extended laterally spaced lengths of round bar stock, with portions of said angularly disposed connecting elements positioned between and affixed to said lengths, and said pair of rail members comprises a pair of longitudinally extended pieces of right angle stock.

Claims

1. A mobile dock structure comprising: a. a pair of longitudinally extended bar joists having upper and lower chord elements and angularly disposed connecting elements; b. brace means rigidly connecting said bar joists in a generally parallel relationship with the upper chord elements in a common horizontal plane; c. base-equipped frame means having laterally spaced vertical support members; d. means carried by one end of each of said bar joists mounting said vertical support members for adjustments of the bases thereof toward and away from said bar joists; and e. deck means, and securing means mounting said deck means to said upper chord elements in said common plane; f. said upper chord element of each bar joist being formed by a pair of longitudinally extended laterally spaced rail members with portions of said angularly disposed connecting elements positioned between each pair, said portions of said angularly disposed connecting elements cooperating with said pair of rail members to define longitudinally extended slots receiving said securing means.