Abstract:
A piling protector includes an abrasion resistant surface disposed along an outer surface of the piling protector, a plurality of channels defined in an inner surface of the piling protector, the plurality of channels facilitating flexibility of the piling protector, and first and second appendages extending from first and second lateral sides of the piling protector. The first and second appendages are configured for attachment to a piling. Portions of the interior surface of the piling protector defined between channels of the piling protector are curved to correspond to a curved outer surface of a generally cylindrical piling. The piling protector is configured for engagement with both a curved outer surface of a generally cylindrical pylon and a flat surface.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application is a U.S. nonprovisional patent application of, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to, U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/600,671, filed Feb. 19, 2012, which provisional patent application is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     COPYRIGHT STATEMENT 
       [0002]    All of the material in this patent document is subject to copyright protection under the copyright laws of the United States and other countries. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in official governmental records but, otherwise, all other copyright rights whatsoever are reserved. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Floating docks are commonly held generally in place by vertical pilings that are received within the earth at the bottom of a body of water. Typically, pilings used to constrain docks are made from wood, but other materials are also used. Various hardware devices can be utilized to attach a floating dock to such pilings. 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  illustrates a conventional approach involving use of a bracket comprising a simple metal attaching ring  3  which is bolted to a dock  1 . The ring  3  is designed to entrap a piling  1  and retain the dock  1  in proper position (typically in conjunction with other pilings). 
         [0005]    This method of dock stabilization can abrade or wear a piling fairly fast, due the frictional contact between the piling and the dock or bracket.  FIG. 1  illustrates such wear of portions  4  of the piling  2 . 
         [0006]      FIG. 2  illustrates another conventional approach involving the use of up to four rollers  5  that contact a piling. Such a roller  5  is sometimes even utilized in combination with a metal attaching ring, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Notably, though, while the use of a roller may reduce abrasive or frictional wear, it is believed that such a roller will still cause the wood grain to be stretched and lifted off of the surface of a piling, such as at portions  6  of the piling  2  of  FIG. 3 . The eventual end result is erosion of the wood and therefore of the piling  2 . 
         [0007]    Further, it is believed that abrasion from a dock or bracket can, over time, erode portions of a piling, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , which illustrates the original shape of the piling  2  via a dotted line. 
         [0008]    Various apparatus are known which attempt to reduce the detrimental effects of watercraft impact, rather than abrasion, upon pilings. Many include a rigid or semi-rigid outer shroud or encasing sleeve to protect a piling. Notably, wood pilings vary in diameter, so different types and sizes may be needed. Further, such a shroud or encasing sleeve may be expensive to produce due to the sheer size of such an apparatus. For example, a width of more than twenty five inches is required to completely enshroud an eight inch diameter piling. Such shrouds and sleeves can be expensive to inventory in a retail setting and costly to ship to a customer. Installation of a large apparatus can be challenging as well. Further, shrouds and sleeves can cause unexpected damage to a piling by preventing the piling from drying, which can lead to rotting of wooden pilings and corrosion of metal pilings. Conventionally, in the event that one area of a shroud or sleeve is abraded to the point of completely wearing through the shroud or sleeve, it is common to completely replace the entire shroud. 
         [0009]    A need exists for a piling protector that protects a piling from abrasion. A need exists for a piling protector that is low cost to produce and transport. A further need exists for a piling protector that is simple to install. A further need exists for a piling protector that has a small enough profile to fit within a small space between a piling and an attaching bracket. A need exists for a piling protector that protects a piling from impacts. 
         [0010]    These, and other needs, are addressed by one or more aspects of the present invention, although not all aspects necessarily address all of these needs, and at least some aspects may not address any of the specifically outlined needs, and may, instead, address other needs. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The present invention includes many aspects and features. Moreover, while many aspects and features relate to, and are described in, the context of dock pilings, the present invention is not limited to use only in this context, as will become apparent from the following summaries and detailed descriptions of aspects, features, and one or more embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0012]    A first aspect of the present invention relates to a piling protector which includes an abrasion resistant surface disposed along an outer surface of the piling protector; a plurality of channels defined in an inner surface of the piling protector, the plurality of channels facilitating flexibility of the piling protector; and first and second appendages extending from first and second lateral sides of the piling protector, the first and second appendages being configured for attachment to a piling. Portions of the interior surface of the piling protector defined between channels of the piling protector are curved to correspond to a curved outer surface of a generally cylindrical piling, and the piling protector is configured for engagement with both a curved outer surface of a generally cylindrical pylon and a flat surface. 
         [0013]    Another aspect of the present invention relates to a piling protector which includes an abrasion resistant surface disposed along an outer surface of the piling protector; a channel extending through the piling protector in a direction generally transverse to its length; a strap passing through the channel configured to secure the piling protector to a piling; and an engagement member projecting from an inner surface of the piling protector configured to stabilize the piling protector in engagement with a piling. 
         [0014]    Another aspect of the present invention relates to a system that includes a dock; a dock bracket secured to the dock; a generally cylindrical piling received within the dock bracket, the piling and dock bracket being configured to collectively constrain movement of the dock; and one or more piling protectors secured to the piling. Each piling protector includes an abrasion resistant surface disposed along an outer surface of the piling protector, a plurality of channels defined in an inner surface of the piling protector, the plurality of channels facilitating flexibility of the piling protector, and first and second appendages extending from first and lateral second sides of the piling protector, the first and second appendages being secured to the piling via one or more attachment members. Portions of the interior surface of the piling protector defined between channels of the piling protector are curved to correspond to a curved outer surface of the generally cylindrical piling, and the piling protector is configured for engagement with both a curved outer surface of the generally cylindrical pylon and a flat surface. 
         [0015]    Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of installing a piling protector on a curved face of a dock piling. 
         [0016]    Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of installing a piling protector on a flat face of a dock piling. 
         [0017]    Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of installing a plurality of piling protectors on a piling. 
         [0018]    Another aspect of the present invention relates to a dock piling abrasion protector configured to withstand abrasive action and impact of a dock, dock attaching bracket, or roller. 
         [0019]    In a feature of this aspect, the dock piling abrasion protector includes an abrasion resistant surface. 
         [0020]    In a feature of this aspect, the dock piling abrasion protector includes multiple abrasion resistant surfaces. 
         [0021]    In a feature of this aspect, the dock piling abrasion protector includes a coupled mounting surface. 
         [0022]    In a feature of this aspect, the dock piling abrasion protector includes multiple coupled mounting surfaces. 
         [0023]    In a feature of this aspect, the dock piling abrasion protector includes a flexible coupled mounting surface. 
         [0024]    In a feature of this aspect, the dock piling abrasion protector includes multiple flexible coupled mounting surfaces. 
         [0025]    In a feature of this aspect, the dock piling abrasion protector includes openings, slots or holes for securement utilizing with fasteners. 
         [0026]    In a feature of this aspect, the dock piling abrasion protector includes a coupled mounting surface which includes a slot or channel so the device can be deformed to fit an irregular surface. 
         [0027]    In a feature of this aspect, the dock piling abrasion protector includes a replaceable abrasion resistant surface. 
         [0028]    In a feature of this aspect, the dock piling abrasion protector includes a slot, channel or tunnel, so a clamping fastener could be used for securement of the dock piling abrasion protector to a dock piling. 
         [0029]    In a feature of this aspect, the dock piling abrasion protector includes an appendage for engagement with a dock piling. 
         [0030]    In a feature of this aspect, the dock piling abrasion protector includes multiple appendages for engagement with a dock piling. 
         [0031]    In a feature of this aspect, the dock piling abrasion protector includes a contoured surface configured to abut a dock piling for a better fit to the dock piling. 
         [0032]    Another aspect of the present invention relates to a piling protector. 
         [0033]    Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of installing a piling protector. 
         [0034]    Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of protecting a dock piling. 
         [0035]    Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of replacing a dock piling protector. 
         [0036]    Another aspect of the present invention relates to an apparatus for protecting a dock piling. 
         [0037]    Another aspect of the present invention relates to a system for protecting a dock piling. 
         [0038]    In addition to the aforementioned aspects and features of the present invention, it should be noted that the present invention further encompasses the various possible combinations and subcombinations of such aspects and features. Thus, for example, any aspect may be combined with an aforementioned feature in accordance with the present invention without requiring any other aspect or feature. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0039]    One or more preferred embodiments of the present invention now will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same elements are referred to with the same reference numerals, and wherein, 
           [0040]      FIG. 1  illustrates a conventional approach for constraining a dock utilizing a piling and bracket; 
           [0041]      FIGS. 2-3  illustrates the conventional use of one or more rollers in constraining a dock utilizing a piling; 
           [0042]      FIGS. 4-6  illustrates a portion of a piling guard in accordance with one or more preferred implementations; 
           [0043]      FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplary piling guard which includes a hole and a slot; 
           [0044]      FIG. 8  illustrates an exemplary piling guard which includes an outer channel; 
           [0045]      FIG. 9  illustrates an exemplary piling guard which includes a replaceable member comprising an abrasion resistant surface; 
           [0046]      FIG. 10  illustrates an exemplary piling guard which includes a tunnel therethough for passage of a strap utilized for securement of the exemplary piling guard to a piling; 
           [0047]      FIGS. 11 and 12  illustrate exemplary configurations in which a plurality of piling guards are secured to a piling to facilitate prevention of damage to the piling based on contact with a dock or bracket; and 
           [0048]      FIGS. 13-15  illustrate portions of piling guards in accordance with one or more alternative implementations. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0049]    As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one having ordinary skill in the relevant art (“Ordinary Artisan”) that the present invention has broad utility and application. As should be understood, any embodiment may incorporate only one or a plurality of the above-disclosed aspects of the invention and may further incorporate only one or a plurality of the above-disclosed features. Furthermore, any embodiment discussed and identified as being “preferred” is considered to be part of a best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention. Other embodiments also may be discussed for additional illustrative purposes in providing a full and enabling disclosure of the present invention. As should be understood, any embodiment may incorporate only one or a plurality of the above-disclosed aspects of the invention and may further incorporate only one or a plurality of the above-disclosed features. Moreover, many embodiments, such as adaptations, variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosed by the embodiments described herein and fall within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0050]    Accordingly, while the present invention is described herein in detail in relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is illustrative and exemplary of the present invention, and is made merely for the purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the present invention. The detailed disclosure herein of one or more embodiments is not intended, nor is to be construed, to limit the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention, which scope is to be defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof. It is not intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention be defined by reading into any claim a limitation found herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself. 
         [0051]    Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps of various processes or methods that are described herein are illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be understood that, although steps of various processes or methods may be shown and described as being in a sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processes or methods are not limited to being carried out in any particular sequence or order, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps in such processes or methods generally may be carried out in various different sequences and orders while still falling within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention is to be defined by the appended claims rather than the description set forth herein. 
         [0052]    Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refers to that which the Ordinary Artisan would understand such term to mean based on the contextual use of such term herein. To the extent that the meaning of a term used herein—as understood by the Ordinary Artisan based on the contextual use of such term—differs in any way from any particular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended that the meaning of the term as understood by the Ordinary Artisan should prevail. 
         [0053]    Regarding applicability of 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6, no claim element is intended to be read in accordance with this statutory provision unless the explicit phrase “means for” or “step for” is actually used in such claim element, whereupon this statutory provision is intended to apply in the interpretation of such claim element. 
         [0054]    Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, “a” and “an” each generally denotes “at least one,” but does not exclude a plurality unless the contextual use dictates otherwise. Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having an apple” describes “a picnic basket having at least one apple” as well as “a picnic basket having apples.” In contrast, reference to “a picnic basket having a single apple” describes “a picnic basket having only one apple.” 
         [0055]    When used herein to join a list of items, “or” denotes “at least one of the items,” but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having cheese or crackers” describes “a picnic basket having cheese without crackers”, “a picnic basket having crackers without cheese”, and “a picnic basket having both cheese and crackers.” Finally, when used herein to join a list of items, “and” denotes “all of the items of the list.” Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having cheese and crackers” describes “a picnic basket having cheese, wherein the picnic basket further has crackers,” as well as describes “a picnic basket having crackers, wherein the picnic basket further has cheese.” 
         [0056]    Referring now to the drawings, one or more preferred embodiments of the present invention are next described. The following description of one or more preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its implementations, or uses. 
         [0057]    Turning now to the drawings,  FIG. 4  illustrates a portion of a piling guard  20  in accordance with one or more preferred implementations. As illustrated by the arrow in  FIG. 4 , the piling guard preferably extends further than is illustrated, although in at least some preferred implementations a piling guard may be the length illustrated, or may be cut to the length illustrated. In at least some preferred implementations, a piling guard is eight feet long. 
         [0058]    The piling guard  20  comprises an abrasion resistant surface  7  which, when the piling guard  20  is properly installed on a piling for use with a dock bracket of a dock, will generally correspond to the point of contact with the dock bracket and protect the piling from damage. In some preferred implementations, the piling guard has a length generally corresponding to a portion of a piling likely to be subject to contact with a dock or dock bracket. Preferably, a piling guard does not necessarily extend the entire length of a piling, although in at least some preferred implementations it may. 
         [0059]    In at least some preferred implementations, multiple abrasion resistant surfaces  11  are utilized, as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . Further, in at least some implementations, a replaceable member  12  comprising an abrasion resistant surface is utilized, as illustrated in  FIG. 9 . In the implementation illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the replaceable member  12  is configured to be retained in slidable engagement with a retention portion of a piling guard, although in at least some preferred implementations a replaceable member is configured for snap-fit engagement, or for some other type of engagement. 
         [0060]    In use, a piling guard is preferably secured to a piling. Such securement can be characterized as mounting of the piling guard to a piling. Preferably, portions of a piling guard are configured to facilitate such mounting. The portions can be characterized as mounting portions. Such mounting portions can be integrally formed with a portion of a piling guard that has an abrasion resistant surface, or can be coupled thereto. 
         [0061]    With respect to the piling guard of  FIG. 4 , portions  8   a , 8   b , 8   c  of the piling guard are configured to allow for mounting to a piling such that an inner surface of the piling guard generally abuts a piling, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . As can be seen in  FIG. 5 , the piling guard  20  is sized, shaped, and dimensioned to accommodate a generally curved piling. For example, in some preferred implementations, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , an inner surface of a piling guard is configured for abutment with a curved surface of a generally cylindrical piling of a certain diameter, although a single piling guard may be configured for use with cylindrical pilings of various diameters. In some preferred implementations, however, such as the preferred implementation illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the piling guard is also configured for mounting to a flattened or distorted surface of a piling, which may have been flattened or distorted due to, for example, bracket abrasion.  FIG. 6  illustrates the mounting of the piling guard  20  to a flattened surface  4  of a piling. 
         [0062]    In some preferred implementations, a mounting portion of a piling guard comprises two or more appendages that are coupled to an abrasion resistant surface. Portions  8   a , 8   b  represent exemplary such appendages. Preferably, the use of two or more appendages is utilized to help assure a more secure installation that spreads stress over a larger area and is more resilient to the motion of waves and wakes. 
         [0063]    Preferably, a piling guard comprises one or more flexible sections which facilitates conformance to a surface (such as a flat, curved, or irregular surface). Such flexible sections may comprise one or more sections of a mounting portion, a member having an abrasion resistant surface, and/or a section of another element of a piling guard. Additionally, or alternatively, in at least some implementations, a piling guard includes one or more channels which facilitate flexibility of the piling guard. As with the flexible sections, such flexibility-enhancing channels may be defined in or by one or more sections of a mounting portion, a member having an abrasion resistant surface, and/or a section of another element of a piling guard. The piling guard  20  illustrated in  FIGS. 4-6  includes exemplary such flexibility-enhancing channels  16  which facilitate flexibility of the piling guard  20 . As noted above, the implementation illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6  is configured for mounting to both a curved surface and a flat surface.  FIGS. 13-15  illustrate alternative implementations of piling guards which include channels  16  defined in an inner surface, and channels  17  defined in an outer surface. 
         [0064]    In at least some preferred implementations, a piling guard is wholly or partially molded, and such flexibility-enhancing channels further serve to facilitate cooling of a manufactured piling guard, e.g. in a manner that serves to reduce shrinkage. 
         [0065]    In some preferred implementations, a piling guard is in a naturally flat state at rest for engagement with a flat surface, but can be flexed to engage a curved surface, while in at least some other implementations the converse is true. In at least some implementations a piling guard is sufficiently flexible so as to not seem to consistently take any state at rest. 
         [0066]    In at least some implementations, a piling guard is secured to a piling via screws or other fasteners, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . In preferred implementations, a piling guard may include holes to facilitate use of such fasteners, although such holes are not illustrated in  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 5  illustrates the use of screws to secure the illustrated piling guard to a piling, but it will be appreciated that additional screws could be (and preferably are) utilized to further secure a piling guard. In at least some implementations, a piling guard additionally, or alternatively, includes slots.  FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplary piling guard which includes both a hole  9  and a slot  10 . 
         [0067]    In at least some implementations, the upper opening for a hole or slot is disposed in an outer channel, such as the outer channel  13  illustrated in  FIG. 8 . In some preferred implementations, a channel and/or opening of a piling guard is recessed or counter-sunk so the head of a fastener, such as a screw, that is received within the channel and/or opening cannot damage a piling, dock, bracket, or other object. In at least some implementations, such channels and/or holes are integrated into an abrasion resistant surface of a piling guard, so as to allow fasteners, such as screws, to be installed through or in proximity to the abrasion resistant surface. 
         [0068]    Installing fasteners, such as screws, below a waterline can pose additional difficulties. In at least some implementations, a piling guard includes a channel or tunnel oriented transverse of the abrasion resistant surface.  FIG. 10  illustrates an exemplary such tunnel  15  through a piling guard. In some preferred implementations, such as the one illustrated in  FIG. 10 , a strap or belt is utilized to secure a piling guard.  FIG. 10  illustrates an exemplary implementation in which a clamp fastener  14  is utilized with a strap to secure a piling guard. 
         [0069]    In at least some implementations, to increase stability of a secured piling guard, an engagement member  19  extends from an inner surface of a piling guard, as illustrated in  FIG. 10 . The engagement member  19  is configured to engage an outer surface of a piling, such as by projecting into the piling. In some preferred implementations, the engagement member comprises a projecting edge or blade running the length of the piling, while in at least some other preferred implementations one or more spike-like engagement members extend along the length of the piling. In a preferred implementation, a piling guard includes a spike-like engagement member proximate each end of the piling guard, and optionally may include additional spike-like engagement members spaced along the length of the piling guard. The use of spike-like engagement members rather than blade-like engagement members is believed to facilitate prevention of up and down movement of a piling guard relative to an engaged piling. 
         [0070]    In a preferred method of use, one or more piling guards are attached to a piling proximate areas of the piling that are likely to suffer abrasion as a result of contact with a dock or bracket.  FIGS. 11 and 12  illustrate exemplary configurations in which a plurality of piling guards  20  are secured to a piling  2  to facilitate prevention of damage to the piling  2  based on contact with a dock  1  or bracket  3 . 
         [0071]    Based on the foregoing description, it will be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible of broad utility and application. Many embodiments and adaptations of the present invention other than those specifically described herein, as well as many variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and the foregoing descriptions thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the present invention. Accordingly, while the present invention has been described herein in detail in relation to one or more preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the present invention and is made merely for the purpose of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosure is not intended to be construed to limit the present invention or otherwise exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications or equivalent arrangements, the present invention being limited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.