Abstract:
A modular floating marine dock includes a polyethylene float that defines a top surface. A plurality of parallel walers fixedly attaches to the top surface in longitudinal orientation and with a proximal end extending no further than halfway across the top surface. A splicer attaches to and extends beyond the distal end of each waler in parallel orientation and includes attachment points for another waler. A block fixedly attaches to each waler from below and in transverse orientation with a setback from the distal ends of the walers of a distance substantially equal to a width of half the length of the top surface.

Description:
FIELD 
     This invention relates in general to marine docks and, in particular, to a modular floating marine dock. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Over-the-water docks are able to service a greater volume and variety of marine craft compared to docks built along a shoreline. Originally, over-the-water docks were made of timber fixed to sunken pilings driven into the lake or seabed. However, the constant exposure to water and weather lead to rapid deterioration and significantly increased the costs of maintenance and repair. 
     Floating docks evolved as one solution for providing cost effective over-the-water marine docks. Floating docks utilize buoyant floats over which a deck surface is built. The service life of the dock, though, is closely tied to the continuity of the floats. A loss of watertight integrity can compromise freeboard and lead to eventual dock failure. 
     Conventional buoyant floats vary in their efficacy. For instance, foam-encapsulated concrete floats rely on rigid shells to preserve the concrete&#39;s structural soundness, but such shells are susceptible to cracking due to temperature extremes, which leads to water seepage and eventual failure. Patching provides only a temporary and generally unsatisfactory solution. Further, rebar-reinforced concrete is vulnerable to rust upon exposure to moisture, resulting in irreparable internal weakening. Alternatively, foam-filled rubber tires can function as inexpensive floats, but can suffer from rubber deterioration. Polyethylene foam-filled floats avoid these shortcomings by providing low maintenance expense and long service life. 
     In general, float repair or replacement often requires the dismantling of an entire dock. One popular floating dock design, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,365,914, to Sluys, utilizes longitudinal wooden walers held against captive floats by transverse tension bars. The tension bars tend to loosen over time as temperature and humidity act on the walers. Moreover, waler replacement entails complete dock dismantling due to the interdependence of floats, decking, walers, and tension rods, which involves significant cost and repair time. 
     Over-the water docks can adversely affect shoreline marine life by blocking sunlight from submerged vegetation and shallow dwelling creatures. Conventional floating docks inadequately permit light-through, which frequently is provided by ad hoc design. Provisionings for light penetration are irregular and occur by happenstance where dock construction permits, such as with staggered float placement or on top of walers having sufficient uninterrupted run. 
     SUMMARY 
     A modular floating marine dock includes a polyethylene float that defines a top surface. A plurality of parallel walers fixedly attaches to the top surface in longitudinal orientation and with a proximal end extending no further than halfway across the top surface. A splicer attaches to and extends beyond the distal end of each waler in parallel orientation and includes attachment points for another waler. A block fixedly attaches to each waler from below and in transverse orientation with a setback from the distal ends of the walers of a distance substantially equal to a width of half the length of the top surface. 
     Still other embodiments will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, wherein are described embodiments by way of illustrating the best mode contemplated. As will be realized, other and different embodiments are possible and their several details are capable of modifications in various obvious respects, all without departing from the spirit and the scope. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a modular floating marine dock without decking in accordance with one embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a partial top plan view of laterally interconnected modular floating marine docks. 
         FIGS. 3 and 4  are perspective views of the modular floating marine dock of  FIG. 1  respectively provided with wood and concrete decking and light-through accommodations. 
         FIG. 5  is a partial top plan view of transversely interconnected modular floating marine docks. 
         FIG. 6  is a partial perspective view of a modular floating marine dock with a wave attenuator in accordance with a further embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     An over-the-water dock suitable for use as a public, private, or commercial marina can be built through assembly of individual modular floating marine docks.  FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a modular floating marine dock  10  without decking in accordance with one embodiment. The modular floating marine dock  10  utilizes a float  12  to maintain buoyancy in the water. The float  12  is manufactured from polyethylene by rotomolding resulting in floats  12  of uniform size and shape. The float  12  is generally rectangular shaped with a length of five feet, width of four feet, and height of two feet. Other float  12  sizes and shapes are possible depending on load requirements. The walls of the float  12  taper gradually inward from top to bottom. The float  12  is foam-filled and airtight sealed, so that the float will maintain buoyancy, even when punctured or cracked. An extruded ridge is formed along the edge of the top surface of the float  12  to provide attachment points by upwardly driven bolts running through the float  12  to the frame of the modular floating marine dock  10 . 
     One or more parallel walers  11 , also known as wales, are attached to the ridge on each side of the float  12 . The float  12  can be attached to the walers  11  by bolts, screws, glue, or other fastening means. Preferably, the ridge has receiving points for bolts that extend from the underside of the ridge into the bottom of the walers  11 . Walers  11  are preferably constructed of pressure treated wood, though other corrosion resistant marine quality materials could be used. The walers  11  run from the midpoint of the float  12  for a length sufficient to accommodate spacing between the next float. The spacing allows accommodation of regularly-arranged light-through decking, as further described below with reference to  FIG. 3 . Outer walers  11  are preferably three inches by eight feet boards while inner walers  11  have smaller girth, such as two inches by eight feet. Other board sizes are possible depending on loading requirements. Crossbeams (not shown) connect adjacent walers  11  via L-brackets to provide further structural support, as discussed further below with reference to  FIG. 5 . The crossbeams are generally of the same material as the walers  11 . 
     Fascia  14  can be attached to the outside of the outermost walers  11  and run along the longitudinal edge of the dock. Fascia  14  provides further support to the modular floating marine dock  10  and a surface for boats and marine craft to come into contact while docking. The fascia  14  can be attached to the walers  11  by bolts or other fasteners. The fascia  14  are shown diagrammatically broken for clarity but extend along the full length of the modular floating marine dock  10 . Further, fascia  14  can be provided at each end of the dock to enclose the ends. The top of the fascia  14  extends above the top of the walers  11  by a height equal to the thickness of the decking material used. In a further embodiment, the top of the fascia  14  and walers  11  are flush. Fascia  14  are generally pressure treated wood though other materials could be used. A rub strip (not shown) can also be attached to the outer facing of the fascia  14  to provide cushioning and a non-scratch surface for docking. 
     Individual modular floating marine docks  10  can be connected to construct docks of varying sizes. Splicers  16 , or splices, removably connect the walers  11  of one modular floating marine dock  10  to a second modular floating marine dock  10 . A block  13  from one individual modular floating marine dock  10  is placed against the float  12  of the adjoining modular floating marine dock  10  to provide support to the float  12 . 
     Splicers  16  attach to the end of the walers  11  farthest from the float  12  to connect one modular floating marine dock  10  to another modular floating marine dock  10 , as further discussed below with reference to  FIG. 2 . For clarity, only a single splicer  16  is shown. Generally, splicers  16  are of the same material as the walers  11 , though different combinations of splicer  16  and waler  11  materials are possible. Splicers  16  can attach to the walers by bolts  17  or other fasteners. 
     A block  13  is attached transverse to the dock across the bottom sides of the walers  11 . The distance from the block  13  to the end of the waler  11  is approximately half the width of the float  12 . When a second modular dock is fit, the block  13  sits against the second float and the block  13  forms the spacing between the two docks. As the float  12  is attached to the walers  11  only at one side, the block  13  provides further support to the float  12  against the force of waves and tidal flow, yet allows for heat expansion and stress relief. 
     Decking (not shown) can be placed on, and supported by, the top surfaces of the walers  11 . Different decking materials can be used, as further discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 . Preferably, the top of the decking is flush to the top of the fascia  14 . In a further embodiment, the decking fully covers the fascia  14 . Conduits for water, electrical, and utility services (not shown) can be provided under the decking. Additionally, decking features (not shown), such as water taps, electrical outlets, lighting, and dock piling fittings can be provided, as will be known to one skilled in the art. Other decking features are possible. 
     The modularity of the dock float  10  allows for multiple dock floats  10  to be interconnected to create floating docks of varying length and breadth.  FIG. 2  is a partial top plan view of laterally interconnected modular floating marine docks  10 . The modular arrangement of each floating marine dock  10  facilitates efficient removal for repair, maintenance, or replacement and full dock dismantling is unnecessary. The splicers  16  interconnect one modular floating marine dock  10  to another modular floating marine dock  10  with the assistance of the blocks  13 . Each splicer  16  that is attached to the end of a waler  11  of one modular floating marine dock  10  is connected to the end of the waler  11  above the midpoint of the float  12  of the next modular floating marine dock  10 . Preferably, the splicer  16  is removably attached to the walers  16  by means of bolts  17 , screws, or fasteners. Other attachment means are possible. 
     The block  13  from one modular floating marine dock  10  is positioned so that the block  13  abuts the closest edge of the float  12  of the next modular floating marine dock  10 . The block  13  can be fixedly or removably attached to the walers  11  by bolts or screws, though other attachment means are possible. The block  13  helps to maintain position and stability of the float  12  that the block  13  abuts, while also accommodating thermal expansion and stress relief. Attaching the float  12  to walers  11  at one end while the block  13  presses against the opposite side of the float  12  prevents the float  12  from moving while allowing individual modules  10  to be exchanged as needed. 
     A variety of decking surfaces can be used in conjunction with the modular floating marine dock  10 .  FIGS. 3 and 4  are perspective views of the modular floating marine dock  10  of  FIG. 1  respectively provided with wood and concrete decking  31  and light-through accommodations  32 . The decking  31 ,  32  can be attached to the walers  11  by bolts, screws, nails, or other suitable means. Other decking  31 ,  32  attachment means are possible. In a further embodiment, the decking  31 ,  32  is of sufficient weight so that the decking  31 ,  32  can be placed on top of the walers  11  without the need of attaching the decking  31 ,  32 . In a further embodiment, the decking  31 ,  32  is placed on top of the walers  11  without attachment and maintained in position by the fascia  14  surrounding and “sandwiching” the decking  31 ,  32  in place. 
     The decking  31 ,  32  is fabricated of a durable material, for example, concrete, recycled plastic lumber (RPL), wood, or steel. Other decking materials are possible. Preferably, a solid decking  31  is installed above the float  12 , while a light pass-through decking  32 , such as a polypropylene, fiberglass, or steel grate, is installed above areas between floats so that light can reach the water surface below. Other decking  31 ,  32  configurations are possible. The decking  31 ,  32  is installed so that the top of the decking  31 ,  32  is flush with the top of the fascia  14 . In a further embodiment, the decking  15  extends across the top of the fascia  14 . 
     Modular floating marine docks  10  can be combined to attain not only desired dock and marinas lengths, but widths as well.  FIG. 5  is a partial top plan view of transversely interconnected modular floating marine docks  10 . Decking  31 ,  32  has been removed for clarity. Modular floating marine docks  10  can be connected adjacently to attain a required dock width. The adjacent modular floating marine docks  10  are attached to one another by crossbeams  51  that transversely connect one of the outside waters  11  from one modular floating marine dock  10  to the nearest waler  11  of the adjacent modular floating marine dock  10 . Crossbeams  51  can connect waters  11  by L-brackets. Other attachments means are possible. Adjacent floats  12  can abut one another (not shown) or can be placed so that a space  52  exists between adjacent floats  12 . Preferably, the decking  31  (not shown) used to cover adjacent floats  12 , including the spaces  42  between adjacent floats  12  is a solid material, such as concrete, RPL, or wood, while the spaces  53  between lengthwise floats  12  are covered with a light-through material  32 , such as a grating. Other decking  31 ,  32  materials and configurations are possible. The decking  31 ,  32  is attached to, or placed on top of, the waters  11  (not shown). The top surface of the decking  31 ,  32  is flush with the top surface of the fascia  14 . In a further embodiment, the decking  31 ,  32  covers the top of the fascia  14 . 
     Wave attenuation increases the ability of the modular floating marine dock  10  to resist movement caused by oncoming waves or cross currents.  FIG. 6  is a partial perspective view of a modular floating marine dock  10  with a wave attenuator  61  in accordance with a further embodiment. A modular floating marine dock  10  can include a wave attenuator  61  to dissipate or refract oncoming waves. The wave attenuator  61  increases the mass, and lowers the center of gavity, of the modular floating marine dock  10 , which increases the modular floating marine dock&#39;s  10  wave dissipation due to waves created by current, wind, and boat wakes. 
     In one embodiment, the wave attenuator  61  consists of a frame  62  attached to the outside of the fascia  14  and an interior truss  63  connected to the frame  62  and the bottom of the float  12 . The frame  62  is composed of vertical legs  64  attached at one end to the fascia  14  and at the other end to a transverse beam  65  oriented parallel to the fascia  14 . The interior truss  63  consists of three struts  66 ,  67  in roughly triangular shape. A horizontal strut  66  is attached to the interior side of two opposite transverse beams  65 . Two diagonal struts  67  extend from the opposite transverse beams  65  to the bottom of the float  12  where they are attached. Other wave attenuator configurations are possible. 
     While the invention has been particularly shown and described as referenced to the embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will understand that the foregoing and other changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.