Patent Document

[0001]    This application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,660 which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    This invention relates to protection of endangered species of flora found growing in and under the waterways and bodies of water used for business and pleasure. More particularly, the invention is directed to a facility which allows people to enjoy the marine habitat without damaging that environment.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    More and more people are using the lakes, rivers and coastal marine environment for recreational activities every year. The number of boat registrations continues to increase and the recent innovation of personal watercraft has afforded many more people the opportunity to enjoy water related activities. Of course, all of this activity produces by-products detrimental to the peace and beauty of the marine environment.  
           [0004]    The damage has reached a point where legislation is now in effect protecting various elements of the environment. Several government agencies, both federal and state, are charged with the enforcement of these laws.  
           [0005]    One of the aspects of this legislation concerns growth of aquatic plants, particularly underwater grasses. These plants grow in shallow water and require sunlight for essential processes. Certain species are protected, either because they are in danger of disappearing or are considered necessary to a balanced local ecology.  
           [0006]    Unfortunately, ingress and egress to the water is usually through shallow water areas along the banks and beaches of bodies of water. Further, to avoid contact with the bottom, boaters and personal watercraft operators prefer to operate their craft from docks built over shallow areas and extending into deeper water. It has now been determined that such docks can endanger aquatic plants because their shadow, cast on the bottom, blocks out the necessary sunshine. Therefore, the location of such docks, in relation to certain aquatic flora, is regulated by the government.  
           [0007]    Thus what is lacking in the prior art is a floating dock structure that may be sited in a protected area because the aquatic plants are not deprived of vital sunlight.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a floating dock which passes sunlight through the structure.  
           [0009]    It is another object of this invention to provide a modular dock that may be assembled and sited in relation to the available sunlight so that during the daylight hours the bottom, under the dock, is swept with light.  
           [0010]    It is another object of this invention to provide a floating dock having apertures through the components for passage of sunlight.  
           [0011]    It is still another object of this invention to provide a floating dock with optical fibers extending through the components to transmit light through the dock.  
           [0012]    It is yet another object of this invention to orient the through bores through the components in such an angular manner to distribute the sunlight below the dock.  
           [0013]    Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings herein set forth by way of illustration.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is a pictorial view showing the present invention secured to a dock;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is a spaced-apart perspective view of the present invention;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is a cross section of a flat platform of the present invention;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 is a cross section of a flat platform of the present invention;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5 is a cross section of an intermediate platform of the present invention;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 6 is a back cross section of an intermediate platform of the present invention;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of a ramp platform of the present invention;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 8 is a back cross section of a ramp platform of the present invention;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a linking pin of the present invention;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an expanded version of the present invention;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a single-piece embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the support structure of the present invention;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 13 is a partial top plan view of the post adaptor of the present invention;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 13A is a partial perspective view of the post adaptor shown in FIG. 13;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 14 is a partial top plan of a two platforms joined by insertion plugs;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 15 is a cross-section view of an insertion plug and capping member engaging a pair of the present invention;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 15A is a perspective view of the flat plate capping member shown in FIG. 15;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 15B is a perspective view of the insertion plug shown in FIG. 15;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 16 is a partial cross section view of a cleat-style capping member;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 17A is a close-up view of the attachment brackets of the present device;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a single-piece embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0037]    Although the invention is described in terms of a specific embodiment, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in this art that various modifications, rearrangements and substitutions can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims appended hereto.  
         [0038]    Reference is made in general to the Figures, wherein an embodiment of a watercraft support device or floating dock  10  is shown in FIG. 1. The device  10  comprises a flat platform  12 , a cradling platform  14 , and a ramp platform  16 . The dock  10  has bores  11  extending through the platforms  12 ,  14 , and  16 . The bores may be perpendicular to the upper and lower surfaces or they may be disposed at angles other than normal or some bores may be perpendicular and some at other angles. The platforms are linked together and provide a floating surface on which a watercraft may be parked. As will be described below, the device  10  is attached to a dock  18  via tethering posts  19  which are permanently secured to the dock  18  and which pass through vertical bores  20 .  20  in the device.  
         [0039]    Now referring generally to FIGS.  2 - 4  the flat platform  12  is a substantially rectangular, rigid structure having a horizontal upper surface  22  spaced apart from a horizontal lower surface  24  by a first vertical sidewall  26  a second vertical sidewall  28  a vertical front wall  30  and a vertical back wall  32 . Apertures  13  are formed in the upper surface  22  and lower surface  24  forming complementary ends of bores  11 . An integral frontal linking arm  34  extends from the front wall  30 . The frontal linking arm  34  has an inclined bottom surface  36 . As such, the distance between the upper surface  22  and the bottom surface  36  decreases from a maximum near the flat platform front wall  30  to a minimum at a distal end  38  of the linking arm  34 . An integral rearward linking arm  40  extends from the lower surface  24 . First sidewall  26 . and second sidewall  28  of the flat platform  12 . The rearward linking arm  40  has an inclined top surface  42 . As such, the distance between the lower surface  24  and the top surface  42  decreases from a maximum near the flat platform back wall  32  to a minimum at a distal end  44  of the linking arm  40 .  
         [0040]    Now the referring generally to FIGS. 2. 5  and  6 . the cradling platform  14  is a substantially-rectangular, rigid structure having a horizontal upper surface  46  spaced apart from a horizontal lower surface  48  by a first vertical sidewall  50 . a second vertical sidewall  52 . a vertical front wall  54  and a vertical back wall  56 . Apertures  15  in the lower and upper surfaces connect to bores  11  extending through platform  14 . An integral frontal linking arm  58  extends from the front wall  54 . The frontal linking arm  58  is bounded by the upper surface  46  first sidewall  50  and second sidewall  52  of the cradling platform  12 . The frontal linking arm  58  has an inclined bottom surface  60 . As such, the distance between the upper surface  46  and the bottom surface  60  decreases from a maximum near the cradling platform front wall  54  to a minimum at a distal end  62  of the linking arm  58 . An integral rearward linking arm  64  extends from the back wall  56 . The rearward linking arm  64  is bounded by the lower surface  48  first sidewall  50  and second sidewall  52  of the cradling platform  12 . The rearward linking arm  64  has an inclined top surface  66 . As such the distance between the lower surface  48  and the top surface  66  decreases from a maximum near the cradling platform back wall  56  to a minimum at a distal end  68  of the platform back wall  56  to a minimum at a distal end  68  of the linking arm  64 . An arched support channel  70  rises upward from the cradling platform upper surface  46 . The support channel  70  runs the longitudinal length of the upper surface  46 . The support channel  70  resembles a half-pipe which opens upward. To ease loading and unloading of a watercraft, the channel  70  advantageously has a smooth surface to keep sliding friction between the channel  70  and the watercraft to a minimum.  
         [0041]    Now referring generally to FIGS. 2, 7 and  8 , the ramp platform  16  is a substantially-rectangular, rigid structure having horizontal upper surface  72  spaced apart from a horizontal lower surface  74  by a first vertical sidewall  76 , a second vertical sidewall  78 , a vertical front wall  80 , and a vertical back wall  82 . Apertures  17  in the upper and lower surfaces of platform  16  form opposite ends of through bores  11 . An integral frontal linking arm  84  extends from the front wall  80 . The frontal linking arm  84  extends from the front wall  80 . The frontal linking arm  84  is bounded by the upper surface  72 , first sidewall  76  and second sidewall  78  of the cradling platform  14 . The frontal linking arm  84  has an inclined bottom surface  86 . As such, the distance between the upper surface  72  and the bottom surface  86  decreases from a maximum near the ramp platform front wall  80  to a minimum at a distal end  88  of the linking arm  84 . An integral rearward linking arm  90  extends from the back wall  82 . The rearward linking arm  90  is bounded by the upper surface  72 , first sidewall  76 , and second sidewall  78  of the ramp platform  12 . The rearward linking arm  90  has a horizontal bottom surface  92 . An arched support channel  94  extends upward from the ramp platform upper surface  72 . The support channel  94  resembles a half-pipe which opens upward. To ease loading and unloading of a watercraft, the channel  94  advantageously has a smooth surface to keep sliding friction between the channel  94  and the watercraft to a minimum. The support c channel  94  runs the longitudinal length of the ramp platform upper surface  72 . Near the ramp platform back wall, however, the support channel is tapered, passing through the rearward linking arm  90  to form a ramped entrance  98 . The ramped entrance  98  resembles a three sided funnel. The entrance  98  serves to guide a watercraft into the support channels  70 . 94 . The entrance  98  also provides an incline along which a watercraft may travel during loading, as it leaves the water, or during unloading, as it enters the water. As a result, the ramped entrance  98  advantageously eliminates the need for a lifting crane to raise or lower the watercraft.  
         [0042]    Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 frusto-conical bores  20 , 20  extended vertically through flat platform frontal linking arm  34 . Bore  20  passes through linking arm  34  near the first sidewall  26 , while bore  20  passes through linking arm  34  near the second sidewall  28 . The bores  20 ,  20  are tapered: their diameters decrease from a maximum near the upper surface  22  to a minimum near the linking arm bottom surface  26 . Frusto-conical bores  100 , 100  extend vertically through flat platform rearward linking arm  40 . Bore  100  passes through linking arm  40  near the first sidewall  26 , while bore  100  passes through linking arm  40  near the second sidewall  28 . The bores  100 , 100  are tapered: their diameters decrease from a maximum near the lower surface  24  to a minimum near the linking arm top surface  42 . Each bore  20 , 20 , 100 , 100  is characterized by a pair of vertical channel  110 . The bores  20 , 20 , 100 , 100  and channels  110  are shaped to accept linking pins  112  and their associated locking tabs  114 .  
         [0043]    Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 frusto-conical bores  102 , 102  extend vertically through cradling platform frontal linking arm  58 . Bore  102  passes through linking arm  58  near the first sidewall  50 , while bore  102  passes through linking arm  58  near the second sidewall  52 . The bores  102 , 102  are tapered: their diameters decrease from a maximum near the upper surface  60 . Frusto-conical bores  104 , 104  extend vertically through cradling platform rearward linking arm  64 . Bore  104  passes through linking arm  64  near the first sidewall  50 , while bore  104  passes through linking arm  64  near the second sidewall  52 . The bores  104 , 104  are tapered: their diameters decrease from a maximum near the lower surface  48  to a minimum near the linking arm top surface  66 . Each bore  102 , 102 , 104 , 104  is characterized by a pair of vertical channels  110 . The bores  102 , 102 , 104 , 104  and channels  110  are shaped to accept linking pins  112  and their associated locking tabs  114 .  
         [0044]    Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, frusto-conical bores  106 , 106  extend vertically through ramp platform frontal linking arm  84 . Bore  106  passes through linking arm  84  near the first sidewall  76 , while bore  106  passes through linking arm  84  near the second sidewall  78 . The bores  106 , 106  are tapered: their diameters decrease from a maximum near the upper surface  72  to a minimum near the linking arm bottom surface  72  to a minimum near the linking arm bottom surface  86 . Frusto-conical bores  108 , 108  extend vertically through ramp platform rearward linking arm  90  near the first sidewall  76 , while bore  108  passes through linking arm  90  near the first sidewall  76 , while bore  108  passes through linking arm near the second sidewall  78 . The bores  108 , 108  are tapered: their diameters decrease from a maximum near the upper surface  72  to a minimum near the arm bottom surface  92 . Each bore  106 , 106 , 108 , 108  is characterized by a pair of vertical channels  110 . The bores  106 , 106 , 108 , 108  and channels  110  are shaped to accept linking pins  112  and their associated locking tabs  114 .  
         [0045]    Referring generally to FIGS. 2 and 9 linking pins  112  are used to secure adjacent platforms  12 , 14 , 16  together. Each pin  112  has an enlarged head plate  116  and a cylindrical body  118 . A pair of locking tabs  114  extends radially from the body  118 . A pair of locking tabs  114  extends radially from the body  118 , near the bottom of the pin  112 . The tabs  114  are sized to fit bore channels  110 . A example of pin  112  use is now provided. The back wall  32  of flat platform  12  is placed against front wall  54  of cradling platform  14 , so that platform frontal linking arm  58 , and bores  100 , 100  are aligned with bores  102 , 102 . A linking pin  112  is positioned over bore  102 . The  112  is pushed down and fed through bore  102  into bore  100 . When the locking tabs  114  emerge pas the lower surface  24  of the flat platform frontal linking arm  40 , the pin  112  is rotated until the tabs  114  are not longer aligned with the channels  110  of bore  100 , thus securing the pin  112  within the bores  100 ,  102 . This procedure is repeated with aligned bores  102  and  100 . The ramp platform frontal linking arm  84  is attached to the cradling platform rearward linking arm  64  in a similar fashion. Additional platforms may be added by repeating this overlapping and linking pin  112  placement procedure with as many platforms  12 , 14 , 16  as are needed.  
         [0046]    In one embodiment, the device is secured to a dock  18  via tethering posts  10  which pass through selected bores  20 , 20 . The posts  19  are part of a four-piece unit. The unit includes a pipe securing ring  120  which is bolted to a vertical face of the dock  18 . A horizontal piece of pipe  122  extends away from the dock  18 , outward from the ring  120 . A ninety degree transition elbow  124  is glued to the free end of the horizontal pipe  122 . A vertical piece of pipe  19  extends from the elbow  124  downward into the water. The vertical pipe  19  extends into the water far enough so that the bottom edge of the pipe  19  is below the water surface at all times, even during possible low tides. The outer diameter of the vertical pipe  19  is chosen to allow unencumbered vertical motion of the device  10  in response to tides or wave action. In one embodiment, the vertical pipes  19  have an outer diameter of six inches, while the bores  20 ,  20  have a minimum inner diameter of seven inches. Although the tethering posts  19  have been described as part of a four-piece unit, other configurations may be used. For example, a piling driven into an underwater surface may also be sufficient.  
         [0047]    A watercraft is loaded onto the support device  10  by driving the watercraft towards the device  10  and aiming the bow of the watercraft towards the ramped entrance  98 . As the watercraft enters the ramped entrance  98  the watercraft&#39;s bow will travel upward and enter the ramp platform support channel  94 . As the watercraft travels along the ramped entrance  98  the ramped platform  16  will tend to tilt. That is, the back wall  82  will move down, and the front wall  80  will move up. This tilting is controlled by the linking pins  112  which are locked into place withing bores  104 , 104 ,  106 ,  106 . Since the bores  104 , 014 , 106 , 106  are frusto-conical and the pins  112  are cylindrical, the ramp platform frontal linking arm  84  and the cradling platform rearward linking arm  64  are attached, essentially, in a hinge-like fashion. Additionally, the incline found on the bottom surface  86  of the ramp platform frontal linking arm  84  is opposite the incline found on the top surface  66  of the cradling platform rearward linking arm  64 . These opposite inclines allow the ramp platform frontal linking arm  84  to pivot away from cradling platform rearward linking arm  64  without damage to either arm.  
         [0048]    As more of the watercraft travels further onto the device  10 , the cradling platform  14  begins to tilt with respect to the flat platform  12 . This tilting is facilitated by the cooperation of bores  100 , 100 , 102 , 102  and the linking pins  112  secured therein. As described above, the frusto-conical shape of the bores  100 , 100 , 102 , 102  combines with the cylindrical shape of the pins  112  to provide a hinge-like linkage between the flat platform  12  and the cradling platform  14 . Additionally the incline found on the bottom surface  60  of the cradling platform frontal linking arm  58  is opposite the incline found on the top surface  42  of the flat platform rearward linking arm  40 . These opposite inclines allow the cradling platform frontal linking arm  58  to pivot away from the flat platform rearward linking arm  40  without damage to either arm.  
         [0049]    When the watercraft is completely loaded on the device  10 , the support channels  70 ,  94  will keep the watercraft upright, allowing individuals to enter or leave the watercraft. The weight of the watercraft and individuals is supported by the device  10 . The watercraft  10  may be unloaded by reversing the above-described procedure.  
         [0050]    Although the device  10  has been described as containing one flat platform  12 , one cradling platform  14 , and one ramp platform  16 , other configurations may be used. As shown in FIG.  10 , several of each type of platform  12 ,  14 , 16  may be used to accommodate an individual&#39;s docking needs or watercraft size.  
         [0051]    A one-piece embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, is also possible. Also illustrated in FIG. 11 are several different aperture and bore structures, including round, oval, triangular, rectangular, and curvilinear. Any other shape may be used  
         [0052]    In addition, although the device  10  has been shown in with its longitudinal axis oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of a dock  18 , other orientations are possible. For example, the device  10  may be rotated ninety degrees so that the longitudinal axis of the device  10  is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the dock  18 . In such a case, the distance between tethering posts  19  is increased and the posts  19  would pass through bores  10 , 108  of several platforms  12 , 16 . The linking pins  112  and tethering posts are sized to fit within each of the platform bores  20 , 20 , 100 , 100 , 102 , 102 , 104 , 104 , 106 , 106 , 108 , 108 .  
         [0053]    With reference to FIG. 12 a pictorial view of another embodiment of the present dock assembly  110  is shown. By way of overview, the dock assembly  110  includes a flat platform  112 , a cradling platform  114 , and a ramp platform  116  with bores  111 . The platforms  112 , 114  and  116  are linked together, providing a floating surface on which a watercraft may be parked. As will be described below, the dock assembly  110  is attached to a rigid dock structure  118  via tethering posts  120 . The tethering posts  120  are secured to the rigid dock by attachment brackets  122  that maintain the tearing posts in a vertical sidewall  130 , a vertical front wall  132  and a vertical back wall  134 .  
         [0054]    The perimeter of the flat platform  112  is punctuated by securing cavities  136  that extend orthogonally between the upper surface  124  and the lower surface  126 . The securing cavities  136  are essentially-cylindrical, having a uniform cross section throughout. Each securing cavity  136  includes a pass through slot  138  that, as described below, accommodates an insertion plug  140 .  
         [0055]    The cradling platform  114  is a substantially-rectangular, rigid structure having a horizontal upper surface  142  spaced apart from a horizontal upper surface  142  spaced apart from a horizontal lower surface  144  by a first vertical sidewall  146  a second vertical sidewall  148  a vertical front wall  150 , and a vertical back wall  152 . An arched support channel  154  rises upward from the cradling platform upper surface  142 . The support channel  154  resembles a half-pipe which opens upward. TO ease loading and unloading of a watercraft, the channel  154  advantageously has a smooth surface to keep sliding friction between the channel  154  and the watercraft to a minimum.  
         [0056]    The perimeter of the cradling platform  114  is punctuated by securing cavities  156  that extend orthogonally between the upper surface  142  and the lower surface  144 . The securing cavities  156  are essentially-cylindrical, having a uniform cross section throughout. Each-cylindrical, having a uniform cross section throughout. Each securing cavity  156  includes a pass through slot  158  that, as described below, accommodates an insertion plug  140 .  
         [0057]    The ramp platform  116  is a substantially-rectangular, rigid structure having a horizontal upper surface  160  spaced apart from a horizontal lower surface  162  by a first vertical sidewall  164 , a second vertical sidewall  166 , a vertical front wall  168 , and a vertical back wall  170 . An arched support channel  172  extends upward from the ramp platform upper surface  160 . The support channel  172  resembles a half-pipe which opens upward. To ease loading and unloading of a watercraft, the channel  172  advantageously has a smooth surface to keep sliding friction between the channel  172  and the watercraft to a minimum. Near the ramp platform back wall  170 , however, the support channel is tapered to form a ramped entrance  174 . The ramped entrance  174  resembles a three-sided funnel. The entrance  174  serves to guide a watercraft into the support channels  154 , 172 . The entrance  174  also provides an incline along which a watercraft may travel during loading, as it leaves the water, or during unloading, as it enters the water. As a result, the ramped entrance  174  advantageously eliminates the need for a lifting crane to raise or lower the watercraft.  
         [0058]    The perimeter of the ramp platform  116  is punctuated by securing cavities  176  that extend orthogonally between the upper surface  142  and the lower surface  144 . The securing cavities  176  are essentially-cylindrical, having a uniform cross section throughout. Each securing cavity  176  includes a pass through slot  178  that, as described below, accommodates an insertion plug  140 .  
         [0059]    As shown in FIG. 14, adjacent flat platform  112  with apertures  113  and bores  111  and cradling platform  114  with apertures  115  and bores  111  are linked together by insertion plugs  140 . The insertion plugs  140  are shaped to engage aligned pairs of securing cavities  136 ,  156 ,  176 . As such, the insertion plugs  140  include a contoured first end  180  spaced apart from, a contoured second end  182  by a rectangular middle portion  184 . In FIG. 14, the insertion plug first ends  180  occupy flat platform securing cavities  136 ; the insertion plug, second ends  182  occupy cradling platform securing cavities  156 . The pass through slots  138 , 158 , accommodate the insertion plug middle portion  184 , allowing the insertion plug  140  to span between the securing cavities  136 ,  156 . By using additional insertion plugs  140 , any number of platforms  112 , 114 , 116  may be joined.  
         [0060]    With additional reference to FIGS. 15 and 15B resiliently-deformable retention tabs  186  extend from the insertion plug lower surface  188  and engage positioning recesses  190  formed in the platform lower surfaces  126 ,  144 ,  162 . The retention tabs  186  are formed integral with bottom surface  188  of the insertion plug  140  and cooperate with the positioning recesses  190  to prevent upward motion of the insertion plugs  140 . In use, as shown in FIG. 15B, the insertion plug ends  180 ,  182  are fed downward, through the plane of the platform upper surfaces  124 , 142  and into the securing cavities  136 , 156 , respectively. As the insertion plug ends,  180 ,  182  are introduced into the securing cavities  136 ,  156 , the retention tabs  190  flex inward, away from an equilibrium position, toward the central axis of the insertion plug  140 . As the insertion plug bottom surface  188  travels toward the plane of the platform lower surfaces  126 ,  144 , the insertion plug ends  180 ,  182  substantially fill the securing cavities  136 ,  158 . As the insertion plug bottom surface  188  and platform lower surfaces  126  become substantially co-planar, the retention tabs  186  extend out of the securing cavities  136 ,  156  and return to an equilibrium position, thereby engaging corresponding positioning recesses  190 .  
         [0061]    Now with reference to FIG. 15, a capping member  192  prevents unwanted downward motion of the insertion plug  140 . The capping member  192  is removably secured against the insertion plug top surface  194 . In a preferred embodiment, attachment bolts  196  engage receiving nuts  198  that are disposed within the insertion plugs  140 .  
         [0062]    Each capping member  192  is perforated by first bolt apertures  200  that align vertically with second bolt apertures  202  located in the insertion plugs  140 . After the insertion plug  140  is in place and the retention tabs  186  have engaged the corresponding positioning recesses  190 , the capping member is placed against the insertion plug top surface  194 , aligning the first bolt against the insertion plug top surface  194 , aligning the first bolt apertures  200  with the second bolt apertures  202 . Once the bolt apertures  200 , 202  are aligned, the attachment bolts  196  are threaded into the receiving nuts  198  and tightened in place. In this manner, each insertion plug  140  is locked within a pair of cooperating securing cavities  136 ,  156  with the retention tabs  186  preventing upward plug  140  is locked within a pair of cooperating securing cavities  136 ,  156 , with the retention tabs  186  preventing upward plug  140  motion and the capping member  192  preventing downward plug  140  motion. The remaining pairs of adjacent securing cavities  136 ,  156 , and  176  are joined in similar fashion. The orientation of the insertion plug ends  180 ,  182 , with respect to the securing cavities  136 ,  156 ,  176  is not crucial; the insertion plug ends are congruent, and the securing cavities are also of uniform size. As a result, each insertion plug end  180 ,  182  will fit into securing cavities  136 ,  156 ,  176  on any of the various platforms  112 ,  114 ,  116 .  
         [0063]    As illustrated in FIG. 15, optical fibers or rods  119  are secured in the bores  111  to transmit light through the platforms and provide reinforcement. The fibers or rods are transparent plastic material that carry light longitudinally. They may be fixed in the bores by friction, adhesives, or thermoplastically. The upper ends of the rods may be smooth with the upper surface of the platform. The lower ends may be coterminous with the bores or extend beyond the lower surfaces to provide more light dispersal. The fibers or rods  119  may be incorporated in any or all the disclosed modifications.  
         [0064]    With reference to FIGS. 12, 15A and  16 , three different types of capping member  192  are employed by this dock assembly  110 . For example, the capping member  192  may be a flat plate  193 , as shown in FIG. 15A, or a cleat construction  195 , as shown in FIG. 16. The capping member  192  may also be a cradling plug  197 , shaped to match the contours of the support channels  154 ,  172 . The cradling plug  193  is inserted, as shown in FIG. 12, along the seam between abutting cradling platforms  114  and ramp platforms  116 . Each version of the capping member  192  includes first bolt apertures  200 .  
         [0065]    Additionally, as shown in FIG. 12, the platform upper surfaces  12 ,  142 ,  160  include positioning notches  204  that accommodate the capping members  192 . The flat plate embodiment of the capping member  192  fits entirely within the positioning notch  204 .  
         [0066]    As shown in FIGS. 12 and 17, the dock assembly  110  is secured to a dock  118  via tethering posts  120 . The tethering posts  120  are attached to the dock  118  by attachment bracket  122 . As shown in FIG. 17A, each attachment bracket  122  is a two-piece unit shaped to encircle one of the tethering posts  120 . Both pieces of the bracket  122  are bolted together, and cooperate to hold a tethering post  120  in a vertically-aligned orientation.  
         [0067]    In one embodiment, the outer diameter of the tiering posts  120  allows the tethering post to fit within the platform securing cavities  136 , 156 , 176 . However, in an effort to accommodate tethering posts  120  of different sizes, post adaptors  206  are provided, as shown in FIG. 13. Post adaptors  206  are provided, as shown in FIG. 13. Post adaptors are used when the available tethering posts  120  will not fit within the securing cavities  136 ,  156 ,  176 . With additional reference to FIG. 2A each post adaptor  206  includes a top connector plank  208  includes a pair of attachment fingers  210 , each shaped to engage a selected securing cavity  136 ,  156 ,  176 . The bottom plank  208  is a mirror image of the top connector plank  208  and includes a pair of attachment fingers  210 .  
         [0068]    In one embodiment, the post adaptors  206  are secured to a platform  112 ,  114 ,  116  by inserting attachment fingers  210 ,  210  into dock-facing securing cavities  136 ,  156 ,  176 . Once the attachment fingers  210 ,  210  are in place, the top connector plank  208  and connector plank  208  are bolted together in a sandwich-style arrangement. The attachment fingers  210 ,  210  each include a stop flange  212 , 212  that prevents unwanted vertical motion of the attachment fingers and locks the post adaptor  206  in place. When the connector planks  208 ,  208  are bolted together, the top connector plank stop flanges  212  fit into positioning notches  204 , and the bottom connector plank stop flanges  212  abut platform lower surfaces  126 , 144 ,  162 . Each connector plank  208 ,  208  includes a post bore  214 ,  214  that accommodates a tethering post  120 .  
         [0069]    Although the present embodiment of the dock assembly  110  includes a flat platform  112  a cradling platform,  114 , and a ramp platform  116 , other configurations are possible. As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the dock assembly  110  may be assembled without a cradling platform  114  or ramp platform  116 . By connecting several flat platforms  112  together, the dock assembly  110  is especially useful as a floating dock to which watercraft may be moored. In this embodiment, resiliently compressible bumpers  214  are attached to boat-facing portions of the platforms  112 . The bumpers  214  include connector projections  216  that positively engage platform securing cavities  136 . Once attached to the perimeter of the dock assembly  110 , the bumpers  214  act as a cushion that allows a watercraft to contact the platforms  112  without damage.  
         [0070]    [0070]FIG. 18 also depicts another embodiment of the modular construction of the floating dock  10 . In this embodiment, the platform  112  is assembled from rectangular modular units  312 . The modular units are assembled in a grid to establish the floating dock. By omitting a modular unit in the grid, an aperture  313  is formed for allowing sunlight to pass through the structure. The particular pattern of omitted modular units may be elected to permit the most desirable light transmission based on the orientation of the floating dock to the passage of the sun during a 24 hour period.  
         [0071]    As shown in FIG. 19, the dock assembly  110  may also be formed as a single-piece embodiment. The single piece embodiment includes securing cavities  218  that are compatible with the insertion plugs  140  described above. As a result, the single piece embodiment may be used in conjunction with other platforms  112 ,  114 ,  116 , if desired. The single piece embodiment may be aligned as needed with respect to an existing fixed dock  118 .  
         [0072]    In all the modifications illustrated, the apertures and through bores, whether or not optical rods are secured in the apertures, pass sunlight through the platforms. The pattern of the bores dictates the pattern of sunlight reaching the underlaying bottom. Each of the platform elements or modular components may have different patterns of apertures for best exposure in a certain orientation. These different components may be chosen and constructed to prevent total darkness impinging on protected bottom ecology.  
         [0073]    The watercraft support is manufactured by use of a clamshell mold having an internal cavity in the shape of one of the platforms. A predetermined mixture of polyethylene and an emulsifier is injected in to the clamshell mold and the mold is then heated to a first temperature for about an hour. During the heating process, the clamshell is rotated while heating the mold causing the mixture to coat the internal cavity. This forms a smooth hard surface. The clamshell mold is then heated to a second predetermined raised temperature for a second predetermined period of time, causing the emulsifier to produce gas bubbles forming a cellular body structure. Rotating of the clamshell mold continues until the mixture is allowed to cool. The apertures and bores are formed by punch, or by hot probes or laser, or by other cutting tool. Forming the bores with a hot cutter will produce a smooth hard wall in the bores.  
         [0074]    It is to be understood that while I have illustrated and described certain forms of my invention, it is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not be considered limited to what is shown in the drawings, and described in the specification.

Technology Category: 7