Dampening pile guide for floating dock

Abstract

Example embodiments of the invention generally relate to a dampening and impact absorption device including a first component, a second component, and at least one elastomeric element operatively coupled between the first component and the second component. Other example embodiments of the invention generally relate to a dampening and impact absorption system including one or more such dampening and impact absorption devices. In example applications, the dampening and impact absorption device is utilized to dampen and reduce impacts, forces and noise between the platform and anchor pilings of a floating dock system, for example resulting from wave action or other dynamic effects.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dampening and impact absorption device for a floating dock platform positioned adjacent to a vertical piling, the dampening and impact absorption device comprising:
 a first component,   a second component pivotally coupled to the first component,   at least one elastic element operatively coupled between the first component and the second component, and   at least one contact element coupled to the second component and configured to engage the vertical piling;   wherein the elastic element is stretched from an unbiased neutral state to an elongated state as the at least one contact element engages the vertical piling, and wherein the elastic element returns to the neutral state as the contact element disengages the vertical piling.   
     
     
         2 . The dampening and impact absorption device of  claim 1 , wherein the first component comprises an outer frame channel and wherein a first side of the outer frame channel is coupled to the floating dock platform. 
     
     
         3 . The dampening and impact absorption device of  claim 1 , wherein the floating dock platform comprises a cutout or hole configured to receive the vertical piling. 
     
     
         4 . The dampening and impact absorption device of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one dampening and impact absorption device is positioned around the hole or cutout. 
     
     
         5 . The dampening and impact absorption device of  claim 3 , further comprising a frame configured to fit within the cutout or hole, and wherein the at least one dampening and absorption device is attached to the frame. 
     
     
         6 . The dampening and impact absorption device of  claim 2 , wherein a stop block is coupled to the outer frame channel on a side opposite the side coupled to the floating dock platform. 
     
     
         7 . The dampening and impact absorption device of  claim 1 , wherein the dampening element comprises an elastomeric band. 
     
     
         8 . A dampening and impact absorption system for a system comprising a first movable component positioned adjacent to a second stationary component, the dampening and impact absorption system comprising:
 a dampening and impact absorption device comprising:   a base comprising a housing, an inner component configured to rotate within the housing, and at least one dampening element configured to impede the rotational motion of the inner component; and   a contact element coupled to the inner component.   
     
     
         9 . The dampening and impact absorption system of  claim 8 , wherein the dampening and impact absorption device is attached to the first movable component whereby the contact element contacts the second stationary component. 
     
     
         10 . The dampening and impact absorption system of  claim 8 , further comprising a linear dampening element coupled at a first end to the base and at a second end to the contact element. 
     
     
         11 . The dampening and impact absorption system of  claim 8 , wherein the contact element comprises a roller having a first end and a second end. 
     
     
         12 . The dampening and impact absorption system of  claim 11 , wherein the roller has a diameter at its first end and a diameter at its second end and wherein the roller is tapered such that its first end diameter is smaller than its second end diameter. 
     
     
         13 . A method of dampening a motion of a dock platform comprising:
 securing at least one vertical piling in a body of water,   floating the dock platform on the surface of the body of water, wherein the floating dock platform comprises at least one damper, the damper comprising a housing, a leverage arm having a first end and a second end, a dampening element, and a contact element, wherein the leverage arm is rotatably secured to the housing at its first end and the contact element is secured to its second end and wherein the rotation of the leverage arm is biased by the dampening element,   positioning the dock platform adjacent to the at least one vertical piling and further positioning the at least one damper adjacent to the vertical piling,   
       whereby the motion of the dock platform is dampened against the vertical piling as the vertical piling comes into contact with the damper. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the method comprises securing a plurality of vertical pilings in the body of water and positioning the dock platform therebetween and wherein the dock platform comprises a plurality of dampers positioned adjacent the vertical pilings. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the method comprises securing at least one vertical piling in the body of water, and positioning the dock platform entirely around the at least one vertical piling, and wherein the dock platform comprises a a plurality of dampers positioned around the vertical piling.