Patent Abstract:
An apparatus and method are provided for installing successive segments of a segmented dock. A suspension structure is connected to a previously installed segment of dock. The suspension structure includes a frame rotator for rotating a dock frame from an inverted position atop the previously installed dock segment to an extended position substantially parallel to the previously installed dock segment. The suspension structure suspends the frame in place while decking is added to the frame. Once the decking is installed, the person installing the dock may move onto the suspended segment in order to sink support poles from the suspended dock segment.

Full Description:
The present invention relates to a dock installation and removal apparatus and method which may be used by a single person to install and remove a segmented dock. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Removable docks are mainly used in small and medium size lakes and rivers to access boats. Such docks are removable primarily because many lakes and other bodies of water tend to freeze during the winter months. If the docks remain in the water, they may be damaged. 
     Known dock systems are difficult and time consuming to install, and generally cannot be easily installed by a single person. Known dock installation procedures often require either floating dock segments into place and then securing the floating sections to a support structure, or building the support structure from the lake or sea bed up. This invariably requires at least one of the installers to get in the water or utilize a boat. Since most people who are interested in installing a dock wish to do so in the spring or early summer, water temperatures are often low and not conducive to the type of work necessary to install a pier. Additionally, wind and wave conditions can affect the use of a boat. 
     Various docks and systems and apparatus have been proposed for installation and removal of docks. Examples are set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,999,379, 4,126,006, 4,645,380 and 5,108,230. However, these systems do not allow a single person to easily and quickly install and remove a dock and, in particular, a segmented dock. Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus and method for installing and removing a segmented a dock which may be employed by a single person without requiring the person installing the dock to enter the water, float any dock segment on the water, or utilize a boat. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an apparatus for installing and removing a segment of a segmented dock. The apparatus of the present invention is used to install or remove successive dock segments. Each dock segment includes a frame and a removable deck. The frame of each dock segment is supported above the surface of the water by a number of posts resting on the lake or sea bed. 
     The dock installing or removing apparatus (referred to herein as the dock installing apparatus or apparatus) includes a suspension structure adapted to be mounted on a previously installed dock segment and preferably mounted directly on or to the posts which support the previously installed segment. It should also be appreciated that the apparatus of the present invention could be used to install a first dock segment by attaching the suspension structure to the ground adjacent the desired position of the first dock segment. Two hinges are used to pivotally connect the frame of the dock segment to the frame of the previously installed dock segment. The hinges enable the frame of the segment to be positioned in a first, inverted or folded position on top of the previously installed segment and rotated or pivoted to a second non-inverted, upright, unfolded or extended position wherein the frame of the segment extends horizontally in substantially the same plane as the previously installed segment. 
     A frame rotator, preferably in the form of a pulley and cable system is connected to the suspension structure. The frame rotator rotates the frame of the segment from the inverted position (on top of the previously installed segment) to the non-inverted position adjacent to said previously installed segment. The suspension structure is adapted to support the segment in the non-inverted position while the installer attaches the removable deck member(s) to the segment being held in the non-inverted position. After installing the deck section or member(s), the person installing the dock may walk out onto the deck members on the suspended segment that is being installed, and sink posts for supporting the suspended segment from the suspended segment itself. Once all of the posts for the suspended segment have been put in place, the apparatus may be removed, and the new segment will be self-supporting. The apparatus may then be moved out to the newly installed segment, and the process repeated to install yet another segment of dock. 
     In addition to the apparatus outlined above, the present invention thereby further encompasses a method of installing a segment of a segmented dock. The method may be used on segmented docks in which each dock segment includes one or more deck sections supported by a frame, having first and second ends, and supported by a number of posts. The method involves the following steps. First, the suspension structure is mounted on one or more of the support posts associated with a first previously installed segment of dock. The suspension structure supports at least one pulley above a distal end of the first segment of dock, and the pulley in turn supports a cable. The frame associated with a second dock segment is placed upside down on the first dock segment. The pair of hinges are used to pivotally join the first end of the frame associated with the second dock segment to the second end of the first dock segment. Then, a first end of the cable is suitably fastened to the second end of the frame associated with the second dock segment. 
     Once the cable has been secured to the second end of the frame associated with the second dock segment, the frame is rotated by pulling the second end of the cable to raise the second end of the frame. After the frame associated with the second dock segment has been rotated past the vertical position, it may be lowered into position by releasing the cable in a controlled manner. Once in the desired position, the frame associated with the second dock segment remains suspended from the suspension structure by locking the cable or tying the cable to a fixed support. Suitable deck sections or members placed on the frame associated with the second dock segment and the posts are installed in the second dock segment. The posts are then attached to the frame associated with the second dock segment to support the second dock segment and the cable is released. The suspension structure may then be removed from the previously installed dock segment. The dock removal method of the present invention reverses this procedure. 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed disclosure, taken in conjunction with the accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts, elements, components, steps and processes. It is therefore an advantage of the present invention to provide a dock installation apparatus and method. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a segmented dock and the apparatus of one embodiment of the present invention used to install a segment of a segmented dock; 
     FIG. 2 is a end view of the segmented dock and the apparatus of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 showing a frame of the segmented dock in a first inverted position on a previously installed segment of the dock; 
     FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 mounted on a previously installed segment of dock, showing the frame in a partially rotated position; 
     FIG. 5 is a side elevational of the apparatus of FIG. 1 mounted on a previously installed segment of dock, showing the frame in a final horizontal or non-inverted position; 
     FIG. 6 is a fragmentary detailed view of one embodiment of an offset bracket used in conjunction with one embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary detailed view of the joint between frames of adjacent dock segments, with the frames in a first position and showing the hinge of one embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary detailed view of the joint between frames of adjacent dock segments, with frames in a second position and showing the hinge of one embodiment of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 9 is a fragmentary exploded top plan view of a previously installed dock segment and the frame of a dock segment yet to be installed. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     One embodiment of the apparatus for installing a segment of a segmented dock according to the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1 to  5  and generally indicated by numeral  10 , together with a segmented dock  12  in various stages of the dock installation process. The segmented dock  12  includes a first segment  14  which has been previously installed, and a second segment  16  which is in the process of being installed. 
     The first dock segment  14  includes a frame  18  mounted atop posts  20 ,  22  and  24 . Complementary posts  20   a,    20   b  and  20   c  which can be partially seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 are also provided adjacent to posts  20 ,  22  and  24  on the opposite side of the dock. The posts extend downwardly to the lake or sea bed to support the first dock segment  14 . Brackets  26  attach the posts to the frame  18 . The decking section(s) or member(s)  28  (generally referred to as the decking section) is/are mounted to the top of the frame  18 . The decking section  28  provides a generally flat surface on which a person may stand. The second dock segment  16  is substantially identical to the first dock segment  14 , and includes a frame  32  to be mounted atop posts such as post  34  in the same manner as the first dock segment  14 . Additional posts not shown in the drawings are provided to support the second dock segment  16  when installation of the second dock segment is complete. As with the first dock segment  14 , one or more decking sections or members such as decking sections  36  are mounted on the frame  32  to support a person on the dock  10  as described below. At least one and preferably two or more hinges are employed to join the second frame  32  to the first frame  18  as described in more detail. below. The hinge enables the second frame  32  to rotate vertically through approximately 180° relative to the first dock segment  14  while remaining joined thereto. It should be appreciated that the frame does not need to rotate a full 180°. 
     The apparatus  10  of the present invention is provided for installing successive dock segments to dock segments that have been previously installed. Thus, as seen in FIGS. 1 to  5 , the dock installation apparatus  10  is mounted to the posts  20 ,  20   a,    22 ,  22   a,    24  and  24   a  of the previously installed dock segment  14 . The installation apparatus  10  includes a suspension structure  40  which is mounted to posts  24  and  24   a,  both of which support the distal end of the previously installed dock segment  14 . A pair of offset mounting brackets  42  and  44  connect the posts  24  and  24   a  to the suspension structure  40 . The offset mounting brackets  42  and  44  are configured to attach to the upper ends of the posts, extending outwardly so that the suspension structure itself is wider than the dock  12 . First and second vertical risers  46  and  48  extend upwardly from the offset mounting brackets  42  and  44 , respectively. A horizontal cross member  50  joins the upper ends of the vertical risers  46  and  48 , and supports a pair of pulleys  52  and  54  above the distal end of the previously installed dock segment  14 . 
     The suspension structure  40  may include first and second stabilizing beams  62  and  64  attached at an intermediate point along the length of the vertical risers  46  and  48 , respectively. The opposite ends of the stabilizing beams  62  and  64  are mounted on the top of the posts supporting either the middle or the proximal end of the previously installed dock segment  14 . In the embodiment shown, a first pair of stabilizing beam upper mounting brackets  66  is provided for attaching the stabilizing beams  62  and  64  to the vertical risers  46  and  48 , and a second pair of stabilizing beam lower mounting brackets  68  is provided for attaching the stabilizing beams to the mounting posts  26  and  26   a.  Further, as best seen in FIGS. 3,  4  and  5 , the vertical risers  46  and  48 , and/or the horizontal cross member  50  may include outwardly angled projections or extenders  76 . The projections or extenders  76  enable the pulleys  52  and  54  to be mounted outwardly above the distal end of the previously installed dock segment  14 . In the embodiment shown, the projections or extenders  76  extend from the horizontal cross member  50 . In an alternative embodiment, the upper ends of the vertical risers  46  and  48  may be angled outwardly so that the entire horizontal cross member  50  is supported outwardly above the distal end of the previously installed dock segment  14 . 
     The dock installation apparatus  10  also includes first and second cables  56  and  58  and first and second winches  70  and  72 . The first cable  56  is wound onto the first winch  70  and pulled through the first pulley  52 . The free end of the first cable  56  may then be secured to the distal end of the frame  32  of the second dock segment  16  which is being installed. Similarly, the second cable  58  is wound onto the second winch  72  and pulled through the second pulley  54 . The free end of cable  58  may then also be secured to the distal end of the frame  32 , preferably in an opposite corner from where the first cable  56  is secured. The winches  70  and  72  may be mounted together on a board  74  which itself may be mounted to the tops of the posts supporting the proximal end of the previously installed dock segment such as posts  20  and  20   a  as shown in FIG.  1 . Alternatively, the individual winches  70  and  72  could be mounted directly to the tops of the posts  20  and  20   a  or could be mounted elsewhere on the previously installed segment of dock. Further, the winches  70  and  72  could be combined as a single winch, or could be omitted altogether and cables  70  and  72  could be manipulated manually. It should be appreciated that other suitable cable actuators and/or cable securing devices may be used in conjunction with the present invention. 
     A pair of floating leaf hinges  60  connect the frame  32  of the second dock segment  16  to the frame  18  of the previously installed dock segment  14 . The floating leaf hinges  60  are shown in detail in FIGS. 7 to  9 . Each hinge  60  includes first and second leaves  108  and  110  adapted to pivot about a hinge pin  112  as is commonly known in the art. The first leaf  108  may be rigidly affixed to the frame  32  of the second dock segment  16 . A metal bracket  114  defines a pocket or slot  116  along the end of frame  18  of the previously installed dock segment  14 . As can be seen in FIG. 9, two separate hinges  60  are provided between the frames  18  and  32 , and two brackets  114  are attached at the end of frame  18 . The brackets  114  are configured to receive the second leaf  110  of the hinge  60 . This construction enables the second leaf  110  to float vertically within the pocket  116  while remaining secured horizontally to the frame  16  by the bracket  114 . Thus, as shown in FIG. 8, the frame  32  of the second dock segment  16  may be placed in an inverted position above the previously installed dock segment  14  and the second leaves  110  of hinges  60  may be inserted into the pockets  116  defined by the brackets  114  to join frame  32  to frame  18 . The frame  32  may then be rotated vertically in a clockwise direction as seen from FIG. 7, to a non-inverted substantially horizontal position as shown in FIG.  8 . In this position, the second leaf  110  drops further into the pocket  116  to more firmly join the two frames. A bearing plate  118  may be bolted to the underside of the two frames  18  and  32  to further strengthen the joint between the two dock segments  14  and  16 . 
     One of the offset mounting brackets  42  and  44  and a portion of the previously installed dock segment are shown in detail in FIG.  6 . The dock segment includes the frame  18  which supports the decking section  38 . A spacer  78  is mounted to the frame  18  between the frame and a post mounting bracket  26 , both of which are bolted to the frame. The post mounting bracket forms a sleeve, and the post  24  is inserted through the sleeve. When the post is in the proper position, i.e. when the bottom of the post is resting on the lake or sea bed, and the upper surface of the dock is level, the frame  18  may be secured in place on the post  24  by a clamping screw  82 . 
     The offset bracket may be assembled from conventional pipe or conduit fittings. For example, in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 6, the offset bracket comprises a first coupler  84 , short nipples  86 , a 90° elbow  88 , a straight fitting  90 , a “T”  94  and couplers  96 . The first coupler  84  is provided for mounting the offset bracket on the end of post  24 . The first nipple  86  connects the first coupler  84  to elbow  88 , and the two horizontal nipples and the straight fitting  90  extend the bracket outwardly away from the post  24 . The “T” fitting joined to the outermost horizontal nipple  86  orients the upper end of the offset bracket in vertical direction to receive the vertical riser  46 . Finally, pipe couplers  96  are provided for securing the vertical riser  46  in place relative to the offset bracket  44 . It should be appreciated that any suitable alternative offset bracket structure, suitable offset mounting structure or the like may be used in connection with the present invention. 
     Returning to FIGS. 1 to  5 , the process of using the apparatus of the present invention for installing the second dock segment  16  will now be described. The frame  32  of the second dock segment  16  is placed upside down on the deck of the first, previously installed dock segment  14  as shown in FIG.  3 . With the inverted frame  32  lying in the surface of the first dock segment  14 , the two frames  18  and  32  are joined by the floating leaf hinges  60  as described above. Next, the free ends of the cables  56  and  58  are fastened to the distal end of the second frame  32  in opposite corners. Once the cables  56  and  58  are attached to the frame  32 , the cables  56  and  58  are pulled through the pulleys  52  and  54  by winding the winches  70  and  72 . The cables pull the distal end of the frame  32  upward, causing the entire frame  32  to rotate about the hinge  60 . 
     FIGS. 1,  2  and  4  show the position of the frame  32  when the cables  56  and  58  are fully wound onto the winches  70  and  72 . At that point, the frame  32  has been rotated slightly past vertical due to the fact that the pulleys are suspended outwardly from the distal end of the previously installed dock segment. The frame  32  may then be lowered into position by slowly unwinding the cables  56  and  58  from the winches  70  and  72 . When the frame  32  reaches a substantially horizontal position as shown in FIG. 5, the winches  70  and  72  may be locked, so that the cables  56  and  58  remain taught and support the frame  32  in the horizontal position. A first section of decking  36  of the second dock segment  16  may then be slid into position from the previously installed dock segment  14 . An individual installing the dock may then proceed out onto the deck section  36  supported by the cables  56  and  58  and the suspension structure  40 . From the first section of decking  36 , the individual installing the dock may sink the support post  34  and its counterpart on the other side of the dock at the mid point of the second dock segment  16 . Once the middle posts are in place and the frame  32  secured thereto, additional sections of decking (not shown) may be put into place at the end of the second dock section. Again, the individual installing the dock may then walk out onto the second section of decking and sink the support posts at the end of the frame  32 . It should be appreciated that cross stabilizing bars are preferably used to stabilize each set of posts. 
     Once the outermost posts have been installed, the entire apparatus  10  may be removed from the posts supporting the previously installed dock segment, and moved out to the posts supporting the newly installed dock segment  16 . The newly installed dock segment  16  then becomes the previously installed dock segment  14  and the process may be repeated. In this manner, any number of additional dock segments may be added to previously installed dock segments. Each successive dock segment may be added from the previously installed segments without the need to float segments of dock, or without requiring the installer of the dock to enter the water or utilize a boat. 
     It should be appreciated that to remove a segment of a segmented dock, the method of the present invention described above would be reversed. This would allow a single installer to remove a dock without requiring the person to enter the water or utilize a boat or float segments of the dock. It should also be appreciated that the present invention could be used to install different shaped docks. In particular, people desire T-shape or L-shape docks. The same method could be used to install segments necessary for the T-shape or L-shape docks. It should be appreciated that single segments may be used to form intersecting segments. 
     While the present invention has been described in connection with. what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the claims. It is thus to be understood that modifications and variations in the present invention may be made without departing from the novel aspects of this invention as defined in the claims, and that this application is to be limited only by the scope of the claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4