Apparatus, methods, and systems for protecting a dock piling

Abstract

A piling protector includes an abrasion resistant surface disposed along an outer surface of the piling protector, a plurality of channels defined in an inner surface of the piling protector, the plurality of channels facilitating flexibility of the piling protector, and first and second appendages extending from first and second lateral sides of the piling protector. The first and second appendages are configured for attachment to a piling. Portions of the interior surface of the piling protector defined between channels of the piling protector are curved to correspond to a curved outer surface of a generally cylindrical piling. The piling protector is configured for engagement with both a curved outer surface of a generally cylindrical pylon and a flat surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A piling protector comprising:
 (a) an abrasion resistant surface disposed along an outer surface of the piling protector;   (b) a plurality of channels defined in an inner surface of the piling protector, the plurality of channels facilitating flexibility of the piling protector;   (c) first and second appendages extending from first and second lateral sides of the piling protector, the first and second appendages being configured for attachment to a piling;   (d) wherein portions of the interior surface of the piling protector defined between channels of the piling protector are curved to correspond to a curved outer surface of a generally cylindrical piling;   (e) wherein the piling protector is configured for engagement with both a generally curved outer surface of a generally cylindrical pylon and a generally flattened surface of a deformed generally cylindrical pylon.   
     
     
         2 . The piling protector of  claim 1 , wherein the piling protector is eight feet long. 
     
     
         3 . The piling protector of  claim 1 , wherein the abrasion resistant surface is one of a plurality of abrasion resistant surfaces of the piling protector. 
     
     
         4 . The piling protector of  claim 1 , wherein the abrasion resistant surface is replaceable. 
     
     
         5 . The piling protector of  claim 4 , wherein a component comprising the abrasion resistant surface is retained in slidable engagement with a retention portion of the piling protector. 
     
     
         6 . The piling protector of  claim 4 , wherein a component comprising the abrasion resistant surface is retained via snap-fit engagement with a retention portion of the piling protector. 
     
     
         7 . The piling protector of  claim 1 , wherein the piling protector is secured to a dock piling. 
     
     
         8 . The piling protector of  claim 1 , wherein the piling protector is integrally formed. 
     
     
         9 . The piling protector of  claim 1 , wherein at least some portion of the piling protector is molded. 
     
     
         10 . The piling protector of  claim 1 , wherein the piling protector is wholly molded. 
     
     
         11 . The piling protector of  claim 1 , wherein the piling protector is at least partially molded, and the plurality of channels facilitate cooling of the piling protector during manufacture. 
     
     
         12 . A piling protector comprising:
 (a) an abrasion resistant surface disposed along an outer surface of the piling protector;   (b) a channel extending through the piling protector in a direction generally transverse to its length;   (c) a strap passing through the channel configured to secure the piling protector to a piling; and   (d) an engagement member projecting from an inner surface of the piling protector configured to stabilize the piling protector in engagement with a piling.   
     
     
         13 . A system comprising:
 (a) a dock;   (b) a dock bracket secured to the dock;   (c) a generally cylindrical piling received within the dock bracket, the piling and dock bracket being configured to collectively constrain movement of the dock;   (d) one or more piling protectors secured to the piling, each piling protector comprising
 (i) an abrasion resistant surface disposed along an outer surface of the piling protector, 
 (ii) a plurality of channels defined in an inner surface of the piling protector, the plurality of channels facilitating flexibility of the piling protector, 
 (iii) first and second appendages extending from first and lateral second sides of the piling protector, the first and second appendages being secured to the piling via one or more attachment members, 
 (iv) wherein portions of the interior surface of the piling protector defined between channels of the piling protector are curved to correspond to a curved outer surface of the generally cylindrical piling, 
 (v) wherein the piling protector is configured for engagement with both a curved outer surface of the generally cylindrical pylon and a flattened surface of a deformed generally cylindrical pylon. 
   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the piling protectors is eight feet long. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the piling protectors includes a plurality of abrasion resistant surfaces. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the abrasion resistant surface of at least one of the piling protectors is replaceable. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein a component of one of the piling protectors, the component comprising the abrasion resistant surface, is retained in slidable engagement with a retention portion of the piling protector. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein a component of one of the piling protectors, the component comprising the abrasion resistant surface, is retained via snap-fit engagement with a retention portion of the piling protector. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the piling protectors is integrally formed. 
     
     
         20 . The piling protector of  claim 1 , wherein at least some portion of one of the piling protectors is molded.