Patent ID: 8851798
Filing Date: 2014-10-07
Classification: B63B,F16C,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A floating dock hinge, comprising: a) a first hinge half formed from a substantially flat stock material and having a length, a width and a thickness, said length defining a major axis, said width defining a minor axis, said flat stock material having a first set comprising at least two rectangular openings, each opening having a first width and a major axis coincident with said major axis, said first hinge half having a bend around said major axis defining a first set of semi-circular hinge knuckle loops formed along said major axis between said at least two rectangular openings, said bend separating a top, flat portion of said first hinge half and a downwardly depending leg of said first hinge half, said top, flat portion and said downwardly depending portion having an acute angle therebetween viewed along said major axis, said downwardly depending leg having an additional bend proximate a distal end thereof to define a lower leg portion between said additional bend and a distal end of said downwardly depending leg, said surface of said lower leg portion being orthogonal to said top flat lower leg portion; b) a second half leaf formed from a substantially flat stock material and having a length, a width and a thickness, said length defining a major axis, said width defining a minor axis, said flat stock material having a second set of openings comprising at least two second rectangular openings, each of said second rectangular openings having a second width and a major axis coincident with said major axis, said second set of at least two second rectangular openings formed along said major axis between said rectangular openings, said second hinge leaf having a bend around said major axis defining a second set of semi-circular hinge knuckle loops formed along said major axis, said bend separating a top, flat portion of said second hinge half and a downwardly depending leg of said second hinge half, said top, flat portion and said downwardly depending portion having an acute angle therebetween viewed along said major axis, said downwardly depending leg having an additional bend proximate a distal end thereof to define a lower leg portion between said additional bend and a distal end of said downwardly depending leg, said surface of said lower leg portion being orthogonal to said top flat lower leg portion, said second hinge half positioned with respect to said first hinge leaf such that said semi-circular hinge knuckle loops of said first set of semi-circular hinge knuckle loops of said first hinge leaf alternately interleave said hinge knuckle loops of said second set of hinge knuckle loops; c) a hinge pin sleeve section disposed in each of each semi-circular hinge knuckle loops of said first set of semi-circular hinge knuckle loops and said second sent of hinge knuckle loops, said hinge pin sleeve sections having a central longitudinal opening sized and configured to receive a hinge pin therein; and d) a hinge pin inserted axially through said hinge pin sleeve sections associated with interleaved, alternating semi-circular hinge knuckle loops of said first set of semi-circular hinge knuckle loops and semi-circular hinge knuckle loops of said second set of semi-circular hinge loops.