Patent Publication Number: US-7708497-B2

Title: Floating platform and method of constructing the same

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention is generally related to platforms, and more particularly, to a floating platform system or apparatus and method of making the same. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Shoreline landing structures such as docks have generally been subjects of challenging structural design because of adverse conditions in which they typically must persist. Some dock structures involve rows of wooden beams used for decking installed on a frame bed with support posts rooted in the ground beneath the water. However, the ground under water is typically soft and structural posts need to extend sufficiently far beneath the ground to provide adequate support for secondary supports and the decking. Equipment and tools required for underwater drilling and installation of posts could thus be expensive and the methods extremely difficult. Furthermore, such docks are generally rigid and their position does not vary with changing waterline or shoreline near which they are installed. Accordingly, at the time of construction, they must be sized to accommodate predictable changes in the proximate shoreline and waterline over their estimated lifetime. 
   In more recent times floating docks have emerged, which make use of pontoons to maintain the dock structure above the water surface. Although these docks are more flexible and easier to construct than those requiring wood posts, the floating docks have given rise to new obstacles. For example, the amount of material used in such docks results in heavy structures, presenting transport and floating difficulties. Additionally, in absence of posts in the ground, some floating docks incorporate structural decking, which adds to the complexity of the design and to the weight and price of the material and which limits the options for designs and materials used for decking. Moreover, since floating docks lack rigid grounded supports at their transverse boundaries, they may lack sufficient torsional rigidity and be vulnerable to instability when subjected to uneven loading on their decking or on their mooring on the sides of the dock. 
   A method of constructing and a system for a floating platform is needed that is compact, exhibits sufficient torsional rigidity, and is easy and cost-effective to construct. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In one embodiment, a platform system for floating on a body of water, comprises, at least first and second longitudinal beam members, a truss frame positioned between the longitudinal beam members and oriented to extend in a plane at least substantially parallel to a surface of the body of water during use, and having a plurality of truss elements forming at least one apex oriented toward a transverse boundary of the floating platform system, and at least one biasing device operable to selectively apply a force toward at least one of the apices of the truss frame. 
   In another embodiment, a method of constructing a floating platform comprises, fabricating a truss frame from a plurality of truss elements forming a plurality of apices, respectively providing first and second outer longitudinal beam members toward opposing transverse boundaries of the truss frame, coupling the truss frame to the first and second outer longitudinal beam members, coupling respective ends of a biasing device to at least one of the truss frame and the outer longitudinal beam members, and manipulating the biasing device to distribute a compressive force to the truss frame and maintain a torsional rigidity of the floating platform. 
   In yet another embodiment, a method of inducing and maintaining a torsional rigidity of a floating platform comprises applying a transverse compressive force to at least a portion of the floating platform. 
   In still another embodiment, a method of inducing and maintaining a torsional rigidity of a floating platform having at least first and second outer longitudinal beam members, a truss frame having a plurality of truss elements forming a plurality of apices toward a transverse boundary of the floating platform system, and at least one biasing device operable to selectively apply a force in a substantially transverse direction toward at least one of the apices of the truss frame, comprises the steps of applying a compressive force from the biasing device to at least one of the first and second outer longitudinal beam members and the truss frame toward the apices of the truss frame, and distributing the compressive force to the truss elements of the truss frame to induce and maintain the torsional rigidity of the floating platform. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
       FIG. 1A  is a partial top view of a floating platform system according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 1B  is a cross-sectional view of the floating platform system of  FIG. 1A , viewed along section  1 B- 1 B. 
       FIG. 1C  is a close up view of a portion of the floating platform system of  FIG. 1B . 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram of control means of a floating platform system according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3A  is a partial top view of a floating platform system according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional view of the floating platform system of  FIG. 3A , viewed along section  3 B- 3 B. 
       FIGS. 3C-3H  are cross-sectional views of truss elements and biasing devices of a floating platform system according to various embodiments of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4A  is a close up view of a portion of a floating platform system according to still another embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4B  is a cross-sectional view of a truss element of the floating platform system of  FIG. 4A , viewed along section  4 B- 4 B. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   In one embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1A , a floating platform system  100  includes at least first and second outer longitudinal beam members  102 ,  104 , each typically coinciding with a transverse boundary of the floating platform system  100 . The floating platform system  100  further includes at least one truss frame  106  having a plurality of truss elements  108 . The truss frame  106  can be one truss frame  106  extending through multiple longitudinal bays  110  or a plurality of truss frames  106 , at least one truss frame  106  provided for each longitudinal bay  110 . The truss elements  108  form at least one apex  111 . The floating platform system  100  of the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 1A  illustrates two of a plurality of apices  111  formed by the truss elements  108 . The floating platform system  100  also includes at least one biasing device  112  extending in a substantially transverse direction and positioned to apply a force toward at least one of the apices  111 . 
   The biasing device  112  can be operable to exert a compressive force F proximate the apices  111 . The biasing device  112  can be a threaded assembly such as a compression rod assembly or it can include hydraulic means to exert the compressive force F. Additionally, or alternatively, the biasing device  112  can include at least one compressive spring (not shown) that are stretched and secured proximate the apices  111 , their tendency to contract promoting the compressive force F on at least the truss frame  106 . The biasing device  112  can be coupled to at least one of the truss frame  106  and the first and second outer longitudinal beam members  102 ,  104 . 
     FIG. 1B  illustrates the biasing device  112  secured to the outer longitudinal beam members  102 ,  104  via coupling member  114 . In a detail view,  FIG. 1C  illustrates an inner surface of a female member  116  of the biasing device  112  threadedly engaging an outer surface of a male member  118  of the biasing device  112 . In this instance, the biasing device  112  includes a compression rod mechanism and a user may selectively control a magnitude of the compressive force F via fastening and/or unfastening of the female and male members  116 ,  118 . The female members  116  on each end of the biasing device  112  are substantially secured to the outer longitudinal beam members  102 ,  104 , respectively, via the coupling member  114 . Accordingly, when the female and male members  116 ,  118  are fastened, the female members  116  transfer the compressive force F to the truss frame  106  either directly or indirectly through the outer longitudinal beam members  102 ,  104 . The coupling member  114  and the female member  116  can be integrated and formed from a unitary body of material. 
   The biasing device  112  may also include an elongated member  120  extending between opposing male members  118 . The male members  118  and the elongated member  120  can be formed from a unitary body of material such as metals, or they can be separate and removably or permanently attached to one another. For example, the elongated member  120  can be construction grade wire or wire braids captively received by the male members  118 . Alternatively, the biasing device  112  may have female and male members  116 ,  118  at only one end of the biasing device  112 , coupled to the first outer longitudinal beam member  102 . In such embodiments, the other end of the biasing device  112  can be rigidly affixed to the truss frame  106  and/or the second outer longitudinal beam member  104 . One of skill in the art having reviewed this disclosure can appreciate these and other variations that can be made to the biasing device  112  without deviating from the spirit of the invention. 
   The outer longitudinal beam members  102 ,  104  can be fabricated from a unitary body of material including, but not limited to, hard plastics, metals such as aluminum, steel, and titanium, and/or woods such as red cedar, redwood, cypress, eastern white cedar, Douglas fir, hemlock, and tamarack. Additionally, or alternatively, the outer longitudinal beam members  102 ,  104  can be fabricated from a composite including the said materials or additional composite or fibrous material such as carbon fiber. Alternatively, the outer longitudinal beam members  102 ,  104  can be waler beam assemblies comprising multiple layers that may include at least one kind of wood, adhesives, bonding material and other material promoting strength and stiffness of the outer longitudinal beam members  102 ,  104 . Alternatively, the outer longitudinal beam members  102 ,  104  can be fabricated from any material that can bear stresses induced by a weight of the floating platform system  100  and typical design loads thereon, and that can distribute the compressive force F to the truss frame  106 . 
   The truss frame  106  can be held in place via the compressive force F exerted on the truss frame  106  by the outer longitudinal beam members  102 ,  104  and generated by the biasing device  112 . Additionally, or alternatively, the truss frame  106  can be secured to the outer longitudinal beam members  102 ,  104  using fastening means such as bonding, mechanical fasteners, mating of a curb of the truss frame  106  to a gutter in the outer longitudinal beam members  102 ,  104 , or any other suitable fastening, connecting, or securing means. The outer longitudinal beam members  102 ,  104  provide longitudinal strength and rigidity, reacting to bending moments resulting from the weight of the floating platform system  100  and loads thereon. Furthermore, the outer longitudinal beam members  102 ,  104  transfer and distribute the compressive force F from the biasing device  112  to the truss frame  106 . 
   The truss frame  106  can be a compact, effective, and inexpensive structure capable of resisting bending moments associated with loads on the platform system  100 . The truss frame  106  can be fabricated from material including, but not limited to, hard plastics, metals such as aluminum, steel, and titanium, and/or woods such as red cedar, redwood, cypress, eastern white cedar, Douglas fir, hemlock, and tamarack. Additionally, the truss frame  106 , when under compression forces applied by the biasing device  112 , provides increased torsional rigidity of the floating platform system  100 . As torsional loading typically induces stresses including transverse tensile stresses in dock structures, the truss frame  106  having been selectively preloaded with a compressive force will tend to resist such tensile stresses and minimize torsional instability. 
   Furthermore, the floating platform system  100  may include at least one flotation device  122  such as pontoons.  FIG. 1B  illustrates the flotation device  122  mechanically fastened to the outer longitudinal beam members  102 ,  104 ; however, the flotation device  122  can be secured to at least one of the truss frame  106  and the outer longitudinal beam members  102 ,  104  by any suitable securing means such as mechanical fasteners, water resistant bonding methods, and/or mating mechanisms. Additionally, or alternatively, a bottom portion of the truss frame  106  can be sized to allow space for a top portion of the flotation device  122  between the outer longitudinal beam members  102 ,  104 . In such embodiments, the compressive force F can wholly or partially contribute to securing the flotation device  122  to the remainder of the floating platform system  100 . 
   The floating platform system  100  may also include at least one upper inner longitudinal beam member  124 .  FIG. 1B  illustrates an embodiment having a plurality of upper inner longitudinal beam members  124 , such as sleeper beams. The upper inner longitudinal beam members  124  provide a seat upon which decking or any other structure that is desired on the floating platform system  100  can be mounted. For example, as shown in  FIG. 1B , a platform interface  126  can be installed on the upper inner longitudinal beam members  124 . Since the primary structural support of the floating platform system  100  is provided by the truss frame  106  and the outer longitudinal beam members  102 ,  104 , the upper inner longitudinal beam members  124  and the platform interface  126  can be non-structural in applications where reducing the weight of the floating platform system  100  or allowing additional light to pass through is desired. 
   Alternatively, the upper inner longitudinal beam members  124  can be structural in applications in which additional longitudinal bending strength is desired such as in floating platforms  100  that are long and narrow. Additionally, or alternatively, the platform interface  126  can be structural in applications in which additional strength is required to resist shear forces such as applications involving large watercraft mooring. 
   The upper inner longitudinal beam members  124  and/or the platform interface  126  can be fabricated from composite decking material such as CHOICEDEK™ and/or material including, but not limited to, hard plastics, metals such as aluminum, steel, and titanium, and/or woods such as red cedar, redwood, cypress, eastern white cedar, Douglas fir, hemlock, and tamarack and/or compressed wood particles. 
   The inventors envision embodiments that incorporate additional features or exclude some of the above-stated features. For example, an embodiment of the floating platform system  100  may exclude the upper inner longitudinal beam members  124 , directly seating the platform interface  126  on the truss frame  106 . Additionally, or alternatively, as illustrated in  FIG. 1A , the floating platform system  100  may include at least one load-cell  128  in communication with the biasing device  112  to display the magnitude of the compressive force F being applied to the truss frame  106 . 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the one or more load cells  128  can be in electrical communication with a decoder  230 , which in turn is in electrical communication with a display device  232  operable to display an indication of the magnitude of the compressive force F, received from the decoder  230 . Additionally, or alternatively, in embodiments incorporating more than one biasing device  112 , individual load cells  128  can communicate various respective magnitudes of the compressive forces F associated with each biasing device  112 . Furthermore, the decoder  230  can be operable to communicate an indication of an average magnitude of the compressive forces F and/or a torsional rigidity of the floating platform system  100  based on the compressive forces F. 
   Additionally, or alternatively, a control panel  234  operable to manipulate a computing device  236  can convey a new indication of a desired magnitude for the compressive force F to be applied to the biasing device  112 , communicated via the decoder  230 . In such embodiments the biasing device  112  can incorporate hydraulics that affect the compressive force F and/or mechanical means such as a compression rod, either or both of which are in electrical communication with the decoder  230  and/or the computing device  236 . The computing device  236  may also be in electrical communication with the display device  232  to provide visibility to the data being entered. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1A , the floating platform system  100  may optionally comprise at least one mooring device  130  secured to the truss frame  106 , the outer longitudinal beam members  102 ,  104  and/or the platform interface  126  ( FIG. 1B ). The mooring device  130  may be used to secure any object such as watercraft to the floating platform system  100 . The floating platform system  100  may also include at least one optional end member  132  secured to the truss frame  106 , the outer longitudinal beam members  102 ,  104  or any other structure of the floating platform system  100  toward a longitudinal boundary of the floating platform system  100 . The end member  132  may add to the transverse strength and aid in maintaining a shape of the floating platform system  100 . 
   In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 1A , the end member  132  is secured to the outer longitudinal beam members  102 ,  104  via angled splice plates  134  and threaded fasteners  136 . However, the end member  132  may be secured by any suitable securing means such as mechanical fasteners, water resistant bonding methods, and/or various mating mechanisms. 
     FIG. 3A  illustrates a floating platform system  300  according to another embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 3A , a width W 2  and length (not shown) of the floating platform system  300  can vary. For example,  FIG. 1A  illustrates the floating platform system  100  having width W 1  while  FIG. 3A  illustrates the floating platform system  300  having width W 2 . Additionally, or alternatively, designs for different applications may vary the sizing of components such as the outer longitudinal beam members  302 ,  304 , the upper inner longitudinal beam members  324 , the truss frame  306  and/or an angle α of an arrangement of truss elements  308 . Additionally, or alternatively, biasing devices  312  may be positioned on either side of truss elements  308  that extend transversely, for example in the floating platform systems  300  in which the truss frame  306  extends continuously across longitudinal bays  310 . 
   Furthermore, as depicted in  FIG. 3B , the floating platform system  300  may include more than one flotation device  322 , secured using lower inner longitudinal beam members  325 . Also, a platform interface  326  can mechanically fasten to upper inner longitudinal beam members  324 . However, one of skill in the art having reviewed this disclosure can appreciate other securing means such as bonding, friction from compressive forces, mating mechanisms, or any other structural or non-structural securing means. 
   The truss elements  308  can have any suitable cross-sectional shape. For example, in some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 3C , the truss elements can have a rectangular cross-section. In other embodiments, the cross-section of the truss elements  308  may be other shapes, such as a circle, ellipse, square, triangle, trapezoid or any other suitable shape that may be desired based on fit, space, and/or other design requirements. Furthermore, the biasing devices  312  may extend through the truss elements  308 .  FIG. 3C  illustrates the biasing device  312  extending through a cross-sectional center of the truss element  308 ; however other configurations are possible. 
   For example, as shown in  FIG. 3D , the biasing devices  312  may extend through the truss elements  308  at a position different from the cross-sectional center of the truss elements  308 . Furthermore, two or more biasing devices  312  may extend through the truss elements  308 . Therefore, in addition to, or instead of, the transverse biasing devices  312  explained above, the biasing devices  312  could also extend diagonally through the diagonal truss elements  308 . 
   In yet other embodiments, as illustrated in  FIG. 3E , the biasing devices  312  may extend along side of the truss elements  308  and the truss elements  308  can have a solid cross-section.  FIG. 3E  illustrates one biasing device  312  extending along one side of the truss element  308 ; however, more than one biasing device  312  may extend along either or both sides of the truss elements  308  as illustrated in  FIG. 3F . In other embodiments the biasing devices can also extend alongside top or bottom sides or boundaries of the truss elements  308 . 
   In still other embodiments, the truss elements  308  may have a cross-section that is not a typical shape. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 3G , the truss elements  308  may comprise an I-shape having at least one, or as depicted two, biasing devices  312  extending therethrough. In further embodiments, the truss elements  308  may comprise more than one spaced apart members as shown in  FIG. 3H , each spaced apart member comprising at least one biasing device  312  extending therethrough. One of ordinary skill in the art having reviewed this disclosure will appreciate these and other modifications that can be made to the truss elements  308  and/or biasing devices  312  and their interaction and/or positioning with respect to each other. 
   For example, in yet a further embodiment, a floating platform system  400  may comprise hollow truss elements  408 , such as pipes. The hollow truss elements  408  may be fabricated from metals, such as steel, aluminum, titanium, platinum, or any other metal, soft or hard woods, hard plastics, composite material such as carbon fiber, or any other material that maintains its shape under typical loading of floating platform applications and that can withstand compression forces induced by biasing devices  412 , illustrated in  FIG. 4B . 
   The hollow truss elements  408  can attach to outer longitudinal beam members  402  toward transverse boundaries of the floating platform system  400  via a coupling member  407  rigidly fixed to the outer longitudinal beam members  402 . The coupling member  407  may be fixed to the outer longitudinal beam members  402  by any suitable means such as mechanical fasteners, industrial adhesives, mating mechanisms and/or by being integrated therein, for example by machining. 
   The coupling member  407  may comprise receptacles  409  receiving ends of the hollow truss elements  408 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4B , the biasing devices  412  can extend concentrically through the hollow truss elements  408 , saving additional space and protecting the biasing devices  412  from weather and water exposure, which may deteriorate the biasing devices  412  over time. In other embodiments, the receptacles  409  can be formed within the outer longitudinal beam members  402  or alternatively directly affixed thereto, obviating the need for the coupling member  407 . Furthermore, although the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 4  depicts hollow truss elements  408  that are circular in cross-section, in other embodiments the hollow truss elements  408  may comprise other typical cross-sectional shapes such as rectangular, triangular, trapezoidal, or other typical shapes, or non-typical cross-sectional shapes such as I-shapes or T-shapes. 
   Since the hollow truss elements  408  can easily couple to the outer longitudinal beam members  402 , embodiments similar to that of  FIG. 4  may be well suited for applications in which components of the floating platform system  400  are shipped unassembled, and assembled at their destination. 
   All of the above U.S. patents, U.S. patent application publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patent applications and non-patent publications referred to in this specification and/or listed in the Application Data Sheet, are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety. 
   From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.