Patent ID: 7241078

Claim:
A modular pier comprising: a plurality of connectable pier sections comprising a first pier section and a second pier section wherein each pier section comprises a frame having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; and a generally cylindrical and transverse catch bar attached to the second end of the frame of each pier section; and a latch assembly attached to the first end of the frame of each pier section, the latch assembly comprising a longitudinally extending latch member having a generally arcuate notch open at an end of the latch member and shaped to receive the catch bar, and a latch hook pivotally connected to the latch member, the latch hook shaped to engage the catch bar opposite the notch to connect the first pier section to the second pier section, wherein the notch and the latch hook both engage the catch bar when the first and second pier sections are connected together in a substantially horizontal orientation to prevent longitudinal and vertical relative movement of the latch assembly and the catch bar.