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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     Not Applicable.  
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     Not Applicable.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     This invention relates to gangways used for example with docks, piers, and the like, and in particular, to a gangway which is molded from plastic.  
         [0004]     Gangways have long been used to provide access between shore and docks, or between docks and boats. Gangways that are currently used are often one piece units that are assembled on-site. These gangways are time consuming and difficult to assemble. Additionally, the gangways are difficult to secure, for example, to the dock, a shore abutment, etc. Further, once assembled, the gangways are difficult to remove, for example, for storage in winter or for repair.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     Briefly stated, a molded gangway section of the present invention comprises an upper surface, side surfaces, and a lower surface, which, in combination define a volume. Preferably, the volume is hollow (i.e., empty), but could be filled, for example, with foam or other buoyant materials. The gangway sides extend above the top surface and define rails. The top surface includes spaced apart, generally parallel grooves, which extend across the top surface from one side to the other. Additionally, a groove extends along the junction between the upper surface and at least one of the side walls.  
         [0006]     The lower surface comprises a plurality of recesses which are defined by a side wall extending from the lower surface towards the upper surface and a recess ceiling. A plurality of grooves, which extend generally parallel to the upper surface grooves, are formed in the recess ceiling. Preferably, the recesses are formed in at least three columns—there being two side columns and one center column. There can also be two or more center columns. Preferably, the columns are made of rows of recesses, such that the recesses define an array or recesses, such as a 3×3 or 4×3 array of recesses.  
         [0007]     A trough is formed in the lower surface between the outer and center columns of recesses. Additional surface grooves are formed in the bottom surface between the rows of recesses. A surface groove is also formed in the gangway bottom surface between the outer columns of recesses and the sides of the gangway. The lower surface also includes a connecting surface at opposite ends of the gangway. Preferably, the connecting surface is divided into three areas which are aligned with the columns of recesses.  
         [0008]     The recess ceiling grooves are adjacent, and preferably, in contact with, the lower side of the upper surface. The recess ceiling grooves preferably include two types of grooves—the first grooves are positioned to be under the upper surface grooves and the second grooves are positioned between the upper surface grooves. The first grooves are formed by a wall of substantially constant width. The second grooves, of at least the outer column of recesses, have a first portion of a first thickness and a second portion of a second thickness, thicker than the first portion.  
         [0009]     Two or more gangway sections can be connected together to form a gangway. Gangway sections can be connected using a reinforcing member or truss which is received in the gangway bottom surface trough. The truss is sized to extend across the junction between adjacent gangway sections. The truss is secured to the gangway sections by fasteners which extend through the gangway section upper surface and into the truss. The gangway sections can also be connected by use of connector plates which span the junction between two adjacent gangways. The connecting plates, which are sized to span the junction between adjacent gangway sections, are secured to the connecting surface on the gangway section bottom surface. Preferably, two connecting plates are used—one on each of the outer connecting surface areas. The gangway sections can be connected using either of the two methods independently, but, are preferably connected together using the trusses and the connecting plates in combination.  
         [0010]     The gangway connecting surface is also used to connect the gangway to shore abutments, piers, docks, etc. The gangway section includes a hinge member mountable to the connection surface. Preferably, hinge members are mounted in all three areas of the connection surface. The hinge members includes pin sleeves which, when the hinge member is mounted to the gangway section, extend outwardly from the end of the gangway section.  
         [0011]     The gangway section can be mounted to a shore abutment or dock using a bracket. The bracket includes pin sleeves positioned to be aligned with the pin sleeves of the hinge member. A hinge pin extends through the pin sleeves of the hinge member and the bracket to hingedly connect the gangway to the shore abutment bracket, and hence, the shore abutment.  
         [0012]     The gangway section can also be provided with a roller assembly an/or a ramp. The ramp includes a sloped upper surface, a back surface, and ears extending from the back surface. The ears include openings therein which are aligned with the hinge member pin sleeves when the ramp is adjacent the gangway section. A hinge pin which extends through the hinge member pin sleeve and the ramp ears to hingedly connect the ramp to the gangway. The roller assembly includes opposed mounting members mountable to lower surfaces of the sides of the gangway and a roller extending between the mounting members. The roller is vertically spaced from the connecting surface and the mounting brackets are horizontally spaced from the connecting surface. Thus, the roller assembly can be mounted to the gangway along with the ramp. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of a gangway section of the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of the gangway section;  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is a bottom perspective view of two gangway sections connected together;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is a bottom exploded perspective view showing connection plates used to connect the two sections together;  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is a top perspective view showing the connection of trusses to the two sections;  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  is a bottom plan view of the gangway section;  
         [0019]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the gangway taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 ;  
         [0020]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the gangway taken along line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 6 ;  
         [0021]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the gangway taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 6 ;  
         [0022]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the gangway taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 6 ;  
         [0023]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the gangway taken along line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 6 ;  
         [0024]      FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of the gangway taken along line  12 - 12  of  FIG. 6 ;  
         [0025]      FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of the gangway taken along line  13 - 13  of  FIG. 6 ;  
         [0026]      FIG. 14  is an exploded view showing the connection of hinge members to the gangway section;  
         [0027]      FIG. 15  is an exploded view showing the connection of the gangway section to a shore abutment;  
         [0028]      FIG. 16  is an exploded view showing the connection of the gangway section to a dock section;  
         [0029]      FIG. 17  is an exploded view showing the connection of a ramp or transition plate to the gangway section;  
         [0030]      FIG. 18  is an exploded view showing the connection of a roller to the gangway section. 
     
    
       [0031]     Corresponding reference numerals will be used throughout the several figures of the drawings.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0032]     The following detailed description illustrates the invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. This description will clearly enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives and uses of the invention, including what I presently believe is the best mode of carrying out the invention. Additionally, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.  
         [0033]     An illustrative embodiment of a gangway section  10  of the present invention is seen generally in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . A complete gangway can be formed from a single gangway section  10 , or two or more of the gangway sections  10  can be connected together, as will be described below, to form a gangway of a desired length.  
         [0034]     The gangway section  10  is quadrilateral in shape having two opposed and generally parallel ends  12  and two opposed and generally parallel sides  14 . In a preferred embodiment, the gangway section is about 6′ long and about 4′ wide. These dimension, of course, can be changed if desired.  
         [0035]     The gangway section  10  includes an upper surface  16  having a top side  18  upon which a person walks and a bottom side  20 ; a bottom surface  22  spaced from the upper surface; and opposed sides  24  extending between the upper surface  16  and the bottom surface  22 . The sides  24  are generally rectangular in cross-section, as seen best in  FIGS. 7 and 10 . The sides  24  include an outer wall  26 , an inner wall  28 , a top wall  30  and a bottom wall  32 . The side bottom wall  32  is approximately level with the gangway section bottom surface  22 . The side top wall  30 , however, is spaced above the gangway section upper surface  16 . Thus, the sides  24  define rails which extend the length of the gangway section. As seen in  FIGS. 2 and 5 , the sides  24  are generally pentagonal in side elevation. They include generally flat and parallel top and bottom surfaces defined by the top and bottom walls  30  and  32 , end surfaces  31  at opposite ends of the side walls, and sloped surfaces  33  extending between the bottoms of the end surfaces  31  and the opposed ends of the bottom walls  32  (which are not as long as the top walls  30 ). As best seen in  FIG. 1 , the sides  24  include grooves  34  on the side top wall  30  which extend between the outer and inner walls  26  and  28 , respectively, and grooves  36  on the outer side walls  26  which extend between the side top and bottom walls  30  and  32 , respectively. As seen in  FIG. 1 , the sides  24  can be divided into end sections which have the side wall grooves  36  and a central section which does not have the grooves  36 . In the end sections, with the grooves  36 , there are side wall grooves  36  which intersect with the top wall grooves  34  and side wall grooves  36  between the position of the top wall grooves  34 .  
         [0036]     Returning to the gangway upper surface, the upper surface is provided with channels  38  at the junction of the side inner wall  28  and the gangway upper surface  16 . Transverse channels  40  extend across the width of the gangway upper surface  16  between the channels  38 , and intersect with the channels  38 . Preferably, the channels  40  are co-linear with the side top wall channels  34 . The channels  38  are deeper than the channels  40 . Hence, the channels  40  empty into the channels  38 . As can be appreciated, the channels  40  define a waterway to direct water off the upper surface of the gangway. The channels  40  facilitate movement of any water on the gangway upper surface to the channels  38 .  
         [0037]     Turning now to the bottom of the gangway section  10 , the bottom surface is provided with a plurality of recesses  50 L,  50 R,  52 L,  52 R,  54 L,  54 R,  56  and  58 . The recesses  50 L and  50 R are mirror images of each other, as are recesses  52 L and  52 R and recesses  54 L and  54 R. The recesses  50 L,  50 R,  52 L,  52 R,  54 L, and  54 R are side recesses and are substantially similar to each other, hence, only one of the recesses will be described below. The recesses  56  and  58  are inner recesses and differ from the side recesses in only one respect, which will be pointed out below. As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , the recesses are all generally quadrilateral in plan and are arranged in 3×4 array. The end recesses  50 L,R,  54 L,R, and  56  are shorter than the center recesses  52 R,L and  58 . The side recesses are separated from the inner recesses by troughs  60  defined by trough side walls  62  and a trough upper wall  64  which is spaced from the bottom side  20  of the gangway upper surface  16 . A plurality of spaced apart grooves  66  extend across the troughs  60 . The troughs  60  are sized and shaped to receive trusses  68  ( FIG. 3 ) to connect to gangway sections  10  together, as will be described below. A plurality of screw holes  70  extend through the gangway upper surface  16  and into the channel  60  to accept fasteners  72  (such as bolts or screws) to secure the trusses  68  in the channels  60 .  
         [0038]     Grooves  74  are formed in the gangway bottom surface  22  between the inner end recesses  56  and the inner central recesses by grooves  74 . Additionally, a groove  76  is formed in the bottom surface  22  between the two rows of inner recesses. Similarly, grooves  78  are formed in the gangway bottom surface  22  between the side end recesses  50 R,L and  54 R,L. Lastly, an elongate groove  80  extends alongside of the side recesses in the gangway bottom surface  16  (which at that point also forms the bottom wall  32  of the sides  24 ).  
         [0039]     Turning to  FIGS. 7-13 , the recesses are all generally similar in configuration. The recesses include end walls  82  which are generally parallel to the ends  12  of the gangway section  10 , side walls  84  which are generally parallel to the sides  24  of the gangway, and ceilings  86  which span between the opposed end walls  82  and opposed side walls  84 . For the side recesses  50 R,L,  52 R,L, and  54 R,L, the outer side wall of the recesses is also the inner side wall  28  of the gangway side  24 . As can be seen, the recesses all have a generally quadrilateral shape. However, the shape of the recesses could be changed, and the recesses could be circular, triangular, trapezoidal, or any other desired shape in plan view. The recess ceiling  86  includes a ceiling surface  88  with a series of spaced apart, generally perpendicular grooves  90  extending between the recess sidewalls  84 . The grooves  90  give the recess ceiling  86  a generally crenellated appearance in cross-section, as seen in  FIGS. 8 and 11 - 13 . The ceiling surface  88  is spaced from the bottom side  20  of the gangway upper surface  18 , and the grooves  90  have a peak which is adjacent the bottom side  20  of the gangway upper surface  18 . Preferably, the groove peaks contact, or are spaced only slightly from, the gangway upper surface bottom side  20 . Actually, there are two sets or types of grooves  90 . Grooves  90   a  are beneath the gangway upper surface grooves  40  and grooves  90   b  are spaced between the gangway upper surface grooves  40 . The contact between the grooves  90   b  and the bottom  20  of the upper surface is shown in  FIG. 10 , where, the top of the groove  90   a  is essentially merged into the bottom of the gangway upper section. The bottom (or exposed) surface of the grooves  90   a  and  90   b  are substantially identical. However, the inner or upper surface of the walls which form the grooves  90   a  and  90   b  are varied slightly. While these inner surfaces are both generally trapezoidal in shape, the grooves  90   a  generally come to a point at their peaks where they are closest to the gangway upper surface. The grooves  90   b , on the other hand, have a generally flat peak area where the grooves  90   b  are closest to the upper surface grooves  40 . As can be appreciated, because the grooves  90   a  extend upwardly to contact (or nearly contact) the bottom of the gangway upper surface and the grooves  90   b  extend upwardly to contact (or nearly contact) the bottom of the upper surface grooves  40 , the grooves  90   a  are deeper than the grooves  90   b . The grooves  90   a  and  90   b  are formed by a groove wall that has a generally constant thickness.  
         [0040]     In the side recesses  50 R,L,  52 R,L, and  54 R,L, the grooves  90   a , are formed in two parts or portions. The grooves  90   a  include an inner portion having a wall thickness substantially similar to the wall thickness of the groove  90   b . The grooves  90   a  also include an outer portion which, as seen in  FIG. 12 , has an increased wall thickness, especially along the top of the groove. This second outer portion of the groove  90   a  extends from the recess outer side wall  84  a distance equal to about ¼ to about ⅓ the length of the groove. In the second portion, where the grooves  90   a  are thickened, the grooves are less deep. Preferably, the depth of the grooves  90   a  in the second portion is about as deep as the grooves  90   b . Stated differently, the groove  90   a  is thickened in the second portion such that its depth in this second portion is approximately equal to the depth of the grooves  90   b . The grooves  90   a  of the inner recesses  56  and  58  do not include any such thickened area.  
         [0041]     The recesses, in combination, do not extend the full length of the gangway section  10 . The gangway section  10  is provided with attachment areas  100   a,b  at opposite ends of the gangway section in the bottom surface  22  of the gangway section  10 . The gangway sections  100   a,b  are all recessed relative to the gangway bottom surface  22  and have connection surfaces  102   a,b  which are substantially parallel with the cavity ceiling surfaces  88 . The attachment areas  100   a  are co-linear with the side recesses  50 R,L,  52 R,L and  54 R,L and have a width substantially equal to the width of the side recesses. The attachment areas  100   b  are at the ends of the inner recesses  56  and  58  and have a width substantially equal to the combined width of the two rows of inner recesses. The attachment areas  100   a,b  each include a groove  104   a,b  which extends generally perpendicular to the gangway sides  24  across the approximate center of the attachment surfaces  102   a,b . A circumferential groove  106  extends around three sides of the attachment surfaces  102   a,b , such that the grooves  106  have a generally U-shaped appearance in plan view. Additionally, the attachment surfaces  102   b  each include grooves  108  which extend generally perpendicularly to the grooves  104   b  and effectively divide the attachment surfaces  102   b  into thirds. Each third of the attachment surface  102   b  is approximately equal in width to the attachment surfaces  102   a . Lastly, the attachment surfaces  102   a,b  are provided with screw holes  110 . Preferably, each attachment surface is provided with three screw holes  110  formed in a generally triangular pattern. Two screw holes are provided between the end of the gangway section and the groove  104   a,b  and one hole is provided between the groove  104   a,b  and the U-shaped groove  106 .  
         [0042]     The surfaces which define the gangway section, as described above, in combination, define a chamber C 1 . Additionally, the surfaces which define the sides  24  define a second chamber C 2  which, preferably, is separate and distinct from the chamber C 1 . The chambers C 1  and C 2  are preferably hollow. Hence, the gangway section is buoyant. One or all of the chambers could be filled with a buoyant material, such as foam, to increase buoyancy of the gangway section, if necessary.  
         [0043]     As mentioned above, two or more gangway sections  10  can be connected together to form a longer gangway. To connect the two gangway sections together, a connection plate  120  is provided for the outer attachment areas  100   a . The plates  120  have a length approximately equal to the combined length of the attachment surfaces  102   a  when two gangway sections are in abutting relationship, as seen in  FIG. 3 . Hence, the plates  120  will span across the two gangway sections  10 . The plates  120  are provided with screw holes  122  which are arranged in a pattern such that the screw holes  122  will be aligned with the screw holes  110  of the attachment surfaces  102   a . Screws  124  (preferably with washers  126 ) are passed through the connection plate screw holes  122  and into the attachment surface screw holes  110  in order to connect two gangway sections together. The connection plates are made from a material, such as aluminum, which will not rust upon prolonged exposure to water. The plates could also be made of other materials. As can be appreciated, because the connection plates  120  are relatively short, trusses  68  ( FIGS. 3 and 5 ) are provided. The trusses  68  are received in the bottom surface troughs  60 . Fasteners  72  are passed through the holes  70  in the gangway upper surface and through the trusses  68  to secure the trusses  68  to the gangway section. Preferably, the fasteners are bolts, which are passed through the gangway section and trusses and receive nuts to hold the trusses to the gangway section. The trusses can be provided with bolt holes, or bolt holes can be drilled through the trusses on site. Preferably, two trusses are provided, which, as described above, are positioned between the three rows of recesses. However, the gangway bottom section could be modified to use a single truss extending, for example, along the center of the gangway section.  
         [0044]     The trusses  68  are provided to increase stability of the gangway. Hence, trusses  68  extend the full length of the gangway. Thus, if the gangway comprise three sections, the trusses will extend for three sections (or 18′ for three 6′ long sections). If the gangway comprises only two section, then the trusses will have an overall length of 12′. The trusses can each be comprised of a single long truss, or can be made of truss sections which are secured to the gangway sections. If truss sections are used, the junctions between adjacent truss sections is positioned away from the junction between adjacent gangway sections, and is preferably positioned near the center of the gangway sections.  
         [0045]     Turning to  FIG. 14 , hinges  130  and  132  can be mounted to the attachment surfaces  102   a  and  102   b , respectively, to enable the gangway section  10  to be mounted to shore abutments, decks, etc. The hinges  130  each include a mounting plate  134  and pin sleeves  136 . The hinge mounting plates  134  have a width substantially equal to the width of the respective attachment surface  102   a,b  and holes  138  positioned to be aligned at least with the two end holes  110  on the gangway attachment surface. Screws  140  are used to secure the hinge plates to the attachment surfaces  102   a,b . As best seen in  FIG. 3 , the hinges  130  are generally L-shaped and include a leg  142  at the end of the mounting plate  134  to which the hinge pin sleeves  136  are mounted. The hinge leg  142  overlies the end surface of the gangway section  10 . Hence, the hinge pin sleeves  136  extend outwardly from the gangway end surface.  
         [0046]     Connection of the gangway section  10  to a shore abutment  150  As seen in  FIG. 15 , a mating hinge plate  152  is mounted to the shore abutment  150 . The hinge plate  152  is shown to be generally a right angle member which overlies a corner of the shore abutment  150  and is connected to the shore abutment by screws, bolts, or other fasteners which extend through both legs of the angle member. Pin sleeves  154  are positioned on the generally vertical leg of the hinge plate  152  and are positioned to be offset from the pin sleeves  136  of the hinge plates  130  mounted to the gangway attachment surface. A hinge pin  156  passes through the pin sleeves of the opposing hinge plates to hingedly connect the gangway section  10  to the shore abutment  150 .  
         [0047]     In  FIG. 16 , the gangway  10  is shown connected to a floating dock section  160 . The dock section  160  is preferably one such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,280,155, which is incorporated herein by reference. The dock section  160  is provided with hardware connectors  162  having threaded shafts  164  extending outwardly therefrom. A hinge plate or bracket  166  is mounted to a side surface of the dock section  160  using the hardware connectors  162 . As seen, the bracket  166  is generally U-shaped in configuration, and includes holes  168  in its legs and top cross member. The holes  168  are positioned to be aligned with the connector shafts  164 , and the shafts  164  extend through the bracket holes  168  to receive nuts  170  to secure the bracket  166  to the dock section  160 . The bracket additionally includes pin sleeves  172  positioned along the cross-member of the bracket  166 . The pin sleeves are positioned to be offset from the pin sleeves of the gangway hinge. A hinge pin  174  is passed through the respective pin sleeves to hingedly connect the gangway section  10  to the dock section  160 . The bracket  166  is sized and positioned on the dock section  160  such that the upper surface of the gangway and the upper surface of the dock  160  will be substantially co-planar when the gangway is connected to the dock section.  
         [0048]      FIG. 17  shows the connection of a ramp or transition plate  180  to the gangway  10 . The ramp  180  is generally triangular in side elevation and has a top surface  182 , side surfaces  184 , and a back surface  186 . A plurality of ears  188  extend from the back surface  186  and have openings  190  through which a hinge pin  192  can extend. As can be appreciate, the hinge pin  192  extends through the pin sleeves of the gangway hinges and through the ears of the ramp. Preferable, the ramp ears  188  are arranged in pairs, the ears of each pair being spaced apart a distance slightly greater than the length of the gangway hinge pin sleeves. Hence, the ramp ears sandwich the gangway hinge pin sleeves. Additionally, the number of pairs of ears corresponds to the number of pin sleeves on the gangway hinge.  
         [0049]     As can be appreciated, because the connection between the gangway and the shore abutment, ramp, and/or dock is hinged, the gangway can pivot about the hinge pin as the dock, pier, etc. to which the gangway is connected is raised and lowered by water, or simply as the water level in the lake, pond, etc. changes. Additionally, the hinged connection at the opposite ends of the gangway allow for the gangway to move slightly relative to the shore and dock, pier, etc. when someone steps on the gangway.  
         [0050]     Lastly,  FIG. 18  shows a roller assembly  200  which is mounted to the gangway section  10 . The roller assembly includes a roller bracket  202  having a base which is connected to the sloped surface  33  of the gangway wall  24 . An axle  204  extends inwardly from the bracket  202  and receives a bearing  206 . A roller  208  is mounted on the bearings  206 . The roller assembly  200  protects the gangway  10  by allowing it to roll due to vertical movement when the opposite end of the gangway is connected to a floating dock or pier. As can be appreciated, because the roller assembly is mounted to the gangway side walls  24 , rather than to the attachment surfaces  102   a,b , the roller assembly  200  and the ramp  180  can both be mounted to the gangway.  
         [0051]     As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. For example, the inner recesses  56  and  58  could be formed as a single column of recesses, rather than as two columns of recesses. Alternatively, the recesses could be formed in a pattern other than a 4×3 array. The cross-sectional profile of the recess ceiling grooves could be changed—they could all be arched or triangular, for example. Some (or all) of the grooves of the inner recesses  56  and  58  could be formed similarly to the grooves  90   b  to include portions of greater wall thickness. Conversely, all the recess ceiling grooves could be formed like the grooves  90   a , wherein the groove wall is of a substantially constant thickness across the length of the groove. These examples are merely illustrative.

Summary:
A molded gangway section is provided to form a gangway between a shore and a dock, pier, and the like. The gangway includes an upper tread surface and a bottom surface having recesses formed therein. The ceilings or upper surfaces of the recesses are formed with grooves. Two or more of the gangway sections can be connected together to form gangways of incrementally increasing lengths. Hinge connections are provided to connect the gangway to piers, docks, shore abutments, ramps, etc. Additionally, a roller can be mounted to a shore end of the gangway.