Floating dock system and dock module therefor

Abstract

A dock system is formed from a plurality of interconnected dock modules, with adjacent dock modules connected together by means of at least one coupler. The coupler has a connector having a first end, a second end, and a middle portion which is flexible, compressible, and tensionable. Each dock module is formed from a buoyant float comprised of a plurality of buoyant float members, a decking support, decking mounted to the decking support to form a tread surface for the dock module, and a decking support connector extending between the decking support and the float to secure the decking support to the float. The decking support is formed from a frame made from frame members, at least one first cross member extending across one dimension of said float, and at least one second cross member extending across a second dimension of said float.

1 . A dock module for a dock system, the dock module comprising:
 a buoyant float comprised of a plurality of buoyant float members; each float member comprising an upper surface, a bottom surface and at least one wall surface; at least one connector socket formed in said at least one wall;   a decking support comprised of a frame comprised of frame members, at least one first cross member extending across one dimension of said float, and at least one second cross member extending across a second dimension of said float;   decking mounted to the decking support to form a tread surface for the dock module; and   a decking support connector extending between the decking support and the float to secure the decking support to the float.   
     
     
         2 . The dock module of  claim 1  wherein the decking support connector comprises a strap assembly, the strap assembly comprising an upper member, a lower member, and a strap extending between the upper and lower members; the upper and lower members each comprising an attachment member shaped, sized, and adapted to be received in a receptacle in the decking support and float member, respectively. 
     
     
         3 . The dock module of  claim 2  wherein said strap is elastic. 
     
     
         4 . The dock module of  claim 2  wherein said frame of said decking support comprise an upwardly opening channel; said attachment member of said strap assembly upper member comprising a hook portion sized and shaped to engage said channel of said frame member. 
     
     
         5 . The dock module of  claim 2  wherein said attachment member of said strap assembly lower member comprises a plate having a main portion and a neck portion; said float comprising a receptacle on a bottom surface of said float member; said receptacle having a first portion and a neck portion extending from said first portion to said wall of said float; said lower member plate and said float member receptacle being shaped complementarily to each other. 
     
     
         6 . The dock module of  claim 1  wherein said frame member comprises a frame body having an upper surface, a lower surface, an outer surface, and an inner surface; said frame member lower surface being supported by said upper surface of said float member. 
     
     
         7 . The dock module of  claim 6  wherein said frame member comprises a flange extending inwardly from said inner surface of the frame member body; said flange being spaced above the lower surface of said body; said first cross member being positioned between said flange and said upper surface of said float; said second cross member being positioned on top of said first cross member. 
     
     
         8 . The dock module of  claim 6  wherein said frame member comprises a decking support flange extending inwardly from said frame inner surface below said frame member upper surface; said decking resting on one of said first and second cross members and having an edge resting on said decking support flange of said frame member. 
     
     
         9 . The dock module of  claim 8  wherein said decking support flange is spaced from said upper surface of said frame member body a distance substantially equal to the height of said decking, such that a top surface of said decking will be generally level with the top surface of said frame member. 
     
     
         10 . A dock system comprised of a plurality of interconnected dock modules; adjacent dock modules of said dock system being connected together by at least one coupler; each said dock module having a connector receptacle; the connector receptacles of adjacent dock modules being aligned with each other; said coupler comprising a connector having a first end and a second end; said first and second ends being shaped complementarily to said dock module receptacles to be received in said receptacles; said connector further including a middle portion extending between said first and second ends of said connector; said middle portion of said connector being capable of withstanding torsional, tensile and compressive forces. 
     
     
         11 . The dock system of  claim 10  wherein said connector includes a first neck portion extending between said first end and said middle portion and a second neck portion extending between said second end and said middle portion; said middle portion being enlarged relative to said neck portions; said adjacent dock modules being separated from each other a distance at least the length of said connector middle portion. 
     
     
         12 . The dock system of  claim 10  wherein said connector middle portion defines a hollow. 
     
     
         13 . The dock system of  claim 12  wherein the middle portion of the connector is generally annular. 
     
     
         14 . The dock system of  claim 10  wherein each connector is an upper connector member; said coupler further comprising a lower connector member, and two tie rods extending between said upper and lower connector members; said tie rods being positioned between the middle portion and the opposite end portions of each connector member. 
     
     
         15 . The dock system of  claim 14  wherein said dock modules each include a channel in a wall thereof; said tie rods being positioned on said connector members to be received in said channel. 
     
     
         16 . The dock system of  claim 10  wherein each said module of said dock system comprises a float, a decking support secured to said float, and a decking secured to said decking support; wherein the decking supports of adjacent dock modules are secured together. 
     
     
         17 . The dock system of  claim 16  wherein said decking support of said dock modules comprises an edge cross-member positioned at an edge of each said dock module; the edge cross-members of adjacent dock modules being joined together by at least one fastener. 
     
     
         18 . The dock system of  claim 16  wherein said dock system includes a resilient bushing on said fastener positioned between the edge cross-members of the adjacent dock modules. 
     
     
         19 . The dock system of  claim 18  including outer bushings at opposite ends of said fastener. 
     
     
         20 . A coupler for joining dock modules of a dock system said coupler comprising a connector having a first end, a second end, and a middle portion; said middle portion being flexible, compressible, and tensionable. 
     
     
         21 . The coupler of  claim 20  wherein said connector includes a first neck portion extending between said first end and said middle portion and a second neck portion extending between said second end and said middle portion; said middle portion being enlarged relative to said neck portions. 
     
     
         22 . The coupler of  claim 21  wherein said connector middle portion defines a hollow. 
     
     
         23 . The coupler of  claim 22  wherein the middle portion of the connector is generally annular. 
     
     
         24 . The coupler of  claim 20  wherein said connector is a first connector; said coupler further including a second connector and two tie rods extending between said first and second connectors; said tie rods being positioned between said end portions and said middle portion. 
     
     
         25 . The coupler of  claim 24  wherein said second connector is substantially identical to said first connector. 
     
     
         26 . The coupler of  claim 20  wherein said connector is comprised of a material that includes fibers. 
     
     
         27 . The coupler of  claim 26  wherein said fibers are glass fibers, plastic fibers, or carbon fibers.