Abstract:
The present invention provides an assembly for assisting in the construction of a pier. The assembly includes a base, an extension pole, and a collar. The base is adapted to rest on the lake floor. The extension pole is connected to the base and is of a sufficient length to extend above the water surface. The collar is mounted to the extension pole and supports a portion of the pier while an additional pier section is secured to support beams. The assembly is capable of being maneuvered without assistance, because the assembly provides structural support during construction of a pier, without requiring a user to actively support parts of the pier while in the water.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a pier construction accessories. More specifically, the invention relates to a pier installation and support apparatus that enables a user to rest the pier on the device. The invention therefore eliminates the need for a user to manually support the pier above the water. 
         [0002]    Piers are platforms that extend from a shore over a body of water and are supported by sets of piles or pillars. These platforms are man-made structures that have been built for centuries. They are used for entertainment and for securing, protecting, and providing access to boats. People who own houses on lakes often require piers that extend a short distance over the lake, in order to access the lake. These piers are used for fishing further out along the lake, swimming, relaxing, providing increased access to water, and to dock their watercraft. 
         [0003]    Piers can vary greatly in scale, and the size differences of their structures can determine their construction and ultimate purpose. Lakefront homes often require the use and construction of a pier to take full advantage of living in close proximity to the water. Those living in lake houses typically have boats, jet skis, and other similar aquatic vehicles that require nearby docking. Larger piers such as those typically used in port cities to receive and dock large ships require large machinery to during construction, but such machinery is not optimal for building a pier of a smaller scale. 
         [0004]    There are many obstacles that arise when a person attempts to construct a small, personal pier without the assistance of large machinery. A primary problem is the difficulty involved in enlarging an existing pier because the new sections must be supported from within the water during construction. Constructing a personal pier without the assistance of large machinery is difficult and many problems can arise. These problems include difficulties of having to support and secure a pier and having to function in water that is too deep to complete tasks during the construction of the personal pier. 
         [0005]    There are several devices that attempt to assist a user in the construction of a pier over a body of water such as that of a lake. These devices come in the form of pulleys that lower additional sections onto a pier and hinges that enable a section to rotate onto an existing pier section. The setback of these devices is that they are not easily operated by a single person, often require the user to be within the water during the installation process, and are further not angularly adjustable to compensate for the unevenness of the lake floor. Additionally some of the devices are not equipped with a means for height adjustment to accommodate the height levels of the water. 
         [0006]    The present invention relates to an assembly that enables construction of a pier over a body of water. The assembly is of lightweight construction and is capable of being maneuvered by a single user without the assistance of a machine or a second person. Additionally the assembly enables a user to construct a pier without entering the water and actively supporting the pier segments while therein. The assembly includes a large flat base, a pole extending from the flat base, and a collar that is slidably attached along the pole. The extension pole can be rotatably mounted and locked in place on the flat base to remain vertical in relation to the uneven lake bottom. The collar can comprise a locking mechanism to prevent the collar from moving when supporting a portion of the pier. The assembly is placed into the water at a position beyond a segment of an existing pier and an additional segment of the pier is then placed onto an extension of the collar to hold the pier at a desired height while the pier is secured to additional pilings. Because the assembly is lightweight, a single person can move the assembly to another area and repeat the process until the pier is completed. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
       [0007]    Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to pier installation assistance apparatuses. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications. These devices generally relate to assemblies that assist a user in the construction of smaller scaled piers. The following is a list of devices deemed most relevant to the present disclosure, which are herein described for the purposes of highlighting and differentiating the unique aspects of the present invention, and further highlighting the drawbacks existing in the prior art. 
         [0008]    Specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 4,123,912 to Meldrum describes a lightweight dock assembly that is configured to be readily installed and disassembled. The dock assembly has composite beam main spans connected to a ramp extending from the land surface to a first neighboring main span and one of the ends of each of the main spans are supported by a tripod structure. The assembly further has a means for adjusting the deck height to accommodate differing water level depth. While the dock assembly of Meldrum is similar in nature and relevant to the present invention, it differs in that it fails to provide a single extension pole that is angularly adjustable to properly secure the dock to the permanent support beams. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,398,849 to Moran teaches a portable docks and sections used therewith. The portable dock comprises an anchor section and at least one dock section detachably interconnected to each other to form a pier. Although the dock of Moran is similar in nature and relevant to the present invention, it differs in that it fails to teach an angularly adjustable extension pole that includes a sliding collar to adjust for the height of the water level. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,788,416 to Wolgamot teaches a portable modular dock system having tubular and transverse elements arranged to provide high torsional rigidity. After completion, the dock can be height adjusted by supporting one or both sides of the dock with a height adjustable “dock jack” or other similar implement. However, while the modular dock system of Wolgamot is similar in nature and relevant to the present invention, it differs in that it fails to provide an angularly adjustable pole that further includes a sliding collar to adjust for the height of the water level. 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,558,083 to Quandt describes a dock installation and removal apparatus that assists in installing successive segments of a dock. The dock installation apparatus has a suspension structure adapted to be mounted on a previously installed dock segment. The apparatus is preferably mounted to the posts that supported the previously installed segment. Hinges are used with the suspension structure to pivotally connect an additional frame to the previously installed segment. Although the dock installation apparatus of Quant is similar in nature and relevant to the present invention, it fails in providing dock installation by a single extension pole that is angularly and height adjustable to match the existing water level. 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,976,244 to Keating describes a system for constructing and installing docks. The dock includes a scaffold portion having at least a first and a second end. The first end is adapted to be removably secured to the first dock portion and the second end of the scaffold has a template adapted for positioning pilings of a second dock portion. While the dock construction system of Keating is similar in nature and relevant to the present invention, it differs in that it fails to provide an extension pole that is angularly and height adjustable to match the existing water level. 
         [0013]    The present invention relates to a new and improved assembly that enables a single person to construct a pier. The assembly is capable of being maneuvered without assistance from a second person or machinery, and supports the pier during construction thereby eliminating the need for the user to actively support the pier while in the water. Specifically, the assembly includes a large flat base, a pole extending from the flat base, and a collar that is slidably attached along the pole. The extension pole can be rotatably mounted and locked in place on the flat base to remain vertical in relation to uneven underwater terrain. Moreover, the collar can comprise a locking mechanism to prevent the collar from moving when supporting a portion of the dock. In use, the assembly is placed into the water at a position beyond an existing pier. An additional segment of the pier is then placed onto an extension of the collar to hold the pier at a desired height while the pier is secured to additional pilings. Once the additional pier section is secured, the pier assistance assembly can be lifted from its position in the water and placed further out to repeat the process. 
         [0014]    In view of the drawbacks of the prior art devices, it is shown that the prior art has several known setbacks and that the present invention is substantially divergent in design elements from the prior art and subsequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing pier construction assistance devices. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of pier construction assistance assemblies now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new pier construction assistance assembly wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when constructing a pier in shallow water without the assistance of large machinery is desired. 
         [0016]    The pier construction assistance assembly of the present invention is designed for those who desire to build a pier over a body of water without the use of large machinery. The assembly is capable of being maneuvered without assistance. Further, the invention enables support of a section of a pier during construction without requiring a user to actively support the dock while in the water. 
         [0017]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved pier construction assistance device that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages. 
         [0018]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a pier construction assistance device that is operable by one person. 
         [0019]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a pier construction assistance device having a rotatable extension pole to enable adjustability with the slope of a lake bed. 
         [0020]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a pier construction assistance device having a slidable collar for supporting a pier section. 
         [0021]    Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]    Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout. 
           [0023]      FIG. 1  illustrates a view of the preferred embodiment of the personal pier construction assistance assembly of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the sliding collar of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the extension pole of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]    Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the pier construction assistance assembly. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for aiding a singular person in the construction of a pier. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect. 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a view of the pier construction assistance assembly  10  of the present invention. The personal pier construction assistance assembly  10  includes a wide base  40 , an elongated pole  15 , and a collar. The base  40  is adapted for resting on a lake bottom. The elongated pole  15  extends from the base and is pivotable thereon to enable the pole to remain vertical when on an unleveled lake bottom. A collar  20  surrounds the elongated extension pole  15  and is lockable thereon along the length of the pole  15  to provide support of a pier section  60 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the pier construction assistance assembly  10  of the present invention. The long, flat base  40  of the assembly includes a clevis fastener  40 , having a rotation pin  50  that secures the extension pole  15  to the base  40 . The internal area of the clevis fastener  45  enables the extension pole  15  to rotate about the base  40  of the assembly  10 . Rotation of the pole  15  relative to the base  40  enables the extension pole  15  to remain vertical even when the base  40  lies over uneven terrain. 
         [0030]    The extension pole  15  can be made of aluminum or other suitable material and is of a size, shape, and length that enables a user to grasp and maneuver the pole  15 , preferably without requiring any assistance. The pole  15  extends from the base  40  of the assembly  10  and comprises a support collar  20 . The collar  20  surrounds the circumference of the extension pole  15  and traverses the length along the pole  15  thereof to enable the collar  20  to support a pier section  60  above the lake waterline. 
         [0031]    The collar  20  includes a handle bolt fastener  25  that is inserted into a threaded aperture of the collar  20 . When the collar  20  is at a height equal to that of a portion of the existing pier, the handle bolt  25  is rotated until the collar  20  is securely fastened to the extension pole  15 . When positioned at a desired length along the pole  15 , the collar  20  assists in supporting a new section of a pier  60  in place while pier pillars are secured in the ground. These pillars must be firmly installed into the ground before attaching the new section of pier 
         [0032]      FIG. 3  illustrates an enhanced view of the extension pole  15  and sliding collar  20  of an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The collar  20  is capable of traversing the length of the extension pole  15  and is locked and secured in place by a handle bolt  25  that is insertable within an aperture of the sliding collar  20 . When handle bolt  25  is inserted within an aperture  35  of the sliding collar  20 , the bolt is locked into place along the length of the extension pole  15 . 
         [0033]    The sliding collar  20  further includes a ledge  30  for supporting a section of the pier  60 . The ledge  30  has an “L” shape and is secured to the sliding collar  20  by soldering or similar method of securement, including that of fastening, bolting, and adhesion. The sliding collar  20  is capable of moving up and down the length of the extension pole  15  and can be locked at a chosen location along the pole  15 . The ledge  30  of the sliding collar  20  is configured to hold the end of a section of a pier  60  while the pier end  60  is secured to the existing pier sections. 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the base  40  and extension pole  15  of the pier construction assistance assembly  10  of the present invention. The base  40  of the assembly  10  has a clevis fastener  45  that attaches to an aperture at an end of the extension pole  15 . A locking pin  50  is inserted through one end of the fastener  45 , through the aperture of the extension pole  15 , exits the opposing end of the fastener  45 , and is secured at the opposite end thereof. The clevis fastener  45  enables the extension pole  15  to pivot about the base  40  and provides a way for the extension pole  15  to remain vertical if the base rests on uneven terrain. 
         [0035]    The base  40  further has a mechanism for locking the extension pole  15  in place. The base  40  has an aperture with a handle bolt  55  similar to that which maintains the sliding collar  20  at its desired vertical height. The handle bolt  55  of the base  40  tightens and is secured against the extension pole  15  when inserted within the aperture. The handle bolt  55  maintains the pole  15  a chosen angle in relation to the base  40 . When the extension pole  15  is in place and the bolt  55  is secured therein, the pole  15  is secured at the angle at which the bolt  55  is inserted through the aperture. This is beneficial because when the terrain underneath the lake is uneven, the extension pole  15  will remain at an angle that keeps the ledge  30  of the sliding collar  20  even with the remainder of the pier. 
         [0036]    The pier construction assistance assembly  10  is designed for individuals who wish to construct a pier without the assistance of heavy machinery or requiring manual support while in the water. After a beginning section of the pier is constructed and placed over the water, the assembly  10  can be used to extend the pier. If the depth and angle of the bottom of the body water is known, the user can adjust the height of the sliding collar  20  and the angle that the extension pole  15  is situated in relation to the base  40 . But if, the depth and angle are unknown, the construction assistance assembly  10  is lightweight enough for the user to place the assembly  10  in the water to approximate the desired settings without fear of losing the assembly. 
         [0037]    Once the extension pole  15  and sliding collar  20  are secured in place at their desired positions, the assembly  10  may be inserted into the water. The base  40  and attached extension pole  15  are dropped into the water at a location just beyond that of the end of the existing pier section. This distance should be approximately the same length of the new pier section. The user may then place the end of the new pier section  60  on the ledge  30  of the sliding collar  20 . While the pier section  60  rests on the collar  20 , the new pier section  60  will remain between the pier construction assistance assembly  10  and the existing pier. New pier sections are held in this position until pillars are secured into the shore surface and the new pier section  60  is secured to the existing pier sections. Once the initial extension of the pier sections is completed, the process may be repeated. Finally, the assembly is lifted from the water and adjusted if necessary, and then is dropped at a location equal to that of the length of the next pier section until the entire pier is completed. 
         [0038]    The present invention provides an improved pier construction assistance assembly  10  configured for use by a single person. The assembly comprises a large, flat base  40 , having clevis  45  thereon for the securement of an extension pole  15 . The clevis  45  enables the extension pole  15  to pivot relative to the base via an aperture in the pole  15  that is adapted to connect the pole  15  to the base  40 . The extension pole  15  further comprises a sliding collar  20  that encircles the extension pole  15 . The sliding collar  20  is adapted to travel along the length of the pole  15  and may be secured along the extension pole  15 . A handle bolt  25  is inserted through an aperture in the sliding collar  20  until the bolt  25  presses against the extension pole  15 . In this way, the bolt secures the sliding collar  20  onto the pole  15  at a position that corresponds to the height of the existing pier sections. 
         [0039]    The adjustability of the pier construction assistance assembly  10  enables level construction of a pier by a user under conditions wherein the terrain underneath the lake surface is uneven. Furthermore, the assembly  10  enables a user to construct a pier without assistance of another person or large machinery, and the assembly additionally enables the user to construct a pier without entering the body of water and manually supporting overhead loads. 
         [0040]    It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
         [0041]    Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.