Article of manufacture for improving safety on floating docks

Abstract

An article of manufacture for improving the safety on floating docks alongside fixed landing decks or piers with a barrier affixed to the edge of the landing deck, fastening mechanism to mount the barrier to the landing deck, weights affixed to, or embedded into, the bottom part of barrier to ensure contact with the floating dock, and a guiding mechanism such as ropes affixed to landing deck and floating dock to ensure that barrier will always reconnect with the floating dock in case of separation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An article of manufacture for improving the safety on floating docks comprising:
 a barrier affixed to the landing deck;   a fastening mechanism to mount the barrier to the landing deck;   weights affixed to, or embedded into, the bottom part of the barrier to ensure contact with the floating dock;   and guiding devices affixed to landing deck and floating dock to ensure that the barrier will always reconnect with the floating dock in case of separation.   
     
     
         2 . The barrier of  claim 1  wherein the barrier is made of flexible material. 
     
     
         3 . The barrier of  claim 2  wherein the material is textile fabric, impregnated textile fabric, plastic membranes, flexible composite material, or metal mesh. 
     
     
         4 . The barrier of  claim 3  wherein the barrier material is colored or patterned. 
     
     
         5 . The fastening mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the fastener is a hook, clip, screw, nail or bolt. 
     
     
         6 . The fastening mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the fastener is a rail. 
     
     
         7 . The fastening mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the fastener includes an extender that ensures a minimum distance of deck and barrier. 
     
     
         8 . The extender of  claim 7  wherein the extender is made of flexible material such as rubber, plastic, plastic foam, or rubber or plastic tubes. 
     
     
         9 . The extender of  claim 8  wherein the extender has a round shape 
     
     
         10 . The weights of  claim 1  wherein the weights are in compartments, embedded in, or are attached to the bottom of the barrier. 
     
     
         11 . The weights of  claim 10  wherein the weights are liquids, sand, gravel, stones, or metal in the form of pellets, rods, disc and other shapes. 
     
     
         12 . The guiding devices of  claim 1  wherein these devices are elastic ropes, cords or wires. 
     
     
         13 . The guiding devices of  claim 12  wherein the device material is colored or patterned.