Patent ID: 7390140

Claim:
A pier comprising: a plurality of support members having a proximal end and a distal end; said distal end constructed and arranged to be mounted to a ground surface below the surface of a waterway; at least one payload transport device; at least one payload traversal means; said payload traversal means connected to a shoreline at one end thereof and having the other end located in said waterway; said proximal end of said support members constructed and arranged for mechanical engagement with said at least one payload traversal means; said payload transport device constructed and arranged for reciprocal translational movement along a longitudinal axis of said payload traversal means; said payload transport device including a propulsion system; said propulsion system powered by an electric motor; means to mount said payload transport device on said payload traversal means; a drive train connected to said electric motor and said means to mount said payload transport device; said means to mount said payload transport device including a transverse frame on which said payload transport device is mounted, a longitudinal frame mounted between said transverse frame and said payload traversal means, suspension means mounted between said transverse frame and said longitudinal frame, and wheel means for mounting said longitudinal frame onto said payload traversal means; said wheel means comprising support wheels mounted between said longitudinal frame and the top of said payload traversal means for supporting the weight of the payload transport device and driving said payload transport device along said payload traversal means and stability wheels mounted between said longitudinal frame and at least one side of said payload traversal means for providing lateral stability of said payload transport device; and controls connected to the electric motor to control the speed and direction of the motor, which in turn will control the speed and direction of said payload transport device.