Modular dock system

Abstract

Described are embodiments of a modular dock component for forming floating dock structures. In one example, a modular dock component includes a frame and decking supported by the frame. The frame includes at least one peripheral frame member configured for attachment to a cooperating peripheral frame member of another modular dock component to form a dock assembly structure. A plurality of such modular dock components may be assembled and optionally reconfigured to form dock assemblies of various different configurations. An E-channel member may form a part of the frame of the modular dock component and provide for attachment of the decking and/or a float, and for coupling two or more of the modular dock components together to form the dock assembly structure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A modular dock component comprising:
 a frame and decking supported by the frame, wherein the frame comprises at least one peripheral frame member configured for attachment to a cooperating peripheral frame member of another modular dock component to form a dock assembly structure.   
     
     
         2 . The modular dock component of  claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises an E-channel member comprising a main panel, a bottom flange, an intermediate flange, and a top flange, the bottom flange, the intermediate flange, and the top flange extending generally perpendicular from one side of the main panel in the same direction and generally parallel to one another. 
     
     
         3 . The modular dock component of  claim 2 , wherein the E-channel member comprises a unitary body with the main panel, the bottom flange, the intermediate flange, and the top flange comprising integral portions thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The modular dock component of  claim 2 , wherein the decking is engaged between the intermediate flange and the top flange. 
     
     
         5 . The modular dock component of  claim 2 , wherein the bottom flange is configured for attachment of a float. 
     
     
         6 . The modular dock component of  claim 5 , further comprising a float attached to the bottom flange, whereby the dock assembly structure is configured to float on a body of water. 
     
     
         7 . The modular dock component of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one fascia panel attached around at least a portion of a perimeter of the dock assembly structure. 
     
     
         8 . A dock assembly structure comprising a plurality of modular dock components according to  claim 1  coupled to one another. 
     
     
         9 . An E-channel member for a modular dock frame, the E-channel member comprising a main panel and a bottom flange, an intermediate flange, and a top flange; wherein the bottom flange, the intermediate flange, and the top flange extend generally perpendicular from one side of the main panel in the same direction and generally parallel to one another. 
     
     
         10 . The E-channel member of  claim 9 , wherein the E-channel member comprises a unitary body with the main panel, the bottom flange, the intermediate flange, and the top flange comprising integral portions thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The E-channel member of  claim 9 , wherein the top flange has a ridged upper surface. 
     
     
         12 . The E-channel member of  claim 9 , wherein the top flange has a distal edge with a radiused or chamfered edge profile. 
     
     
         13 . The E-channel member of  claim 9 , wherein a decking space is defined between a bottom surface of the top flange and a top surface of the intermediate flange, and wherein the decking space is configured to receive a decking panel therein. 
     
     
         14 . The E-channel member of  claim 9 , wherein the bottom flange is configured for engagement with a float. 
     
     
         15 . A dock assembly comprising at least two modular dock components, wherein each of the at least two modular dock components comprise:
 a frame comprising an E-channel member having a main panel, a bottom flange, an intermediate flange, and a top flange;   decking supported by the frame and engaged between the intermediate flange and the top flange; and   a float attached to the bottom flange;   wherein a first of the at least two modular dock components is attached to a second of the at least two modular dock components by at least one through-bolt engaged between an E-channel member of the first modular dock component and an E-channel member of the second modular dock component.   
     
     
         16 . The dock assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the E-channel member comprises a unitary body with the main panel, the bottom flange, the intermediate flange, and the top flange comprising integral portions thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The dock assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the bottom flange, the intermediate flange, and the top flange on the E-channel member extend generally perpendicular from one side of the main panel in the same direction and generally parallel to one another. 
     
     
         18 . The dock assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the top flange on the E-channel member has a ridged upper surface. 
     
     
         19 . The dock assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the top flange on the E-channel member has a distal edge with a radiused or chamfered edge profile. 
     
     
         20 . The dock assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the first of the at least two modular dock components is attached to a third of the at least two modular dock components by at least one through-bolt engaged between an end backing bar of the first modular dock component and an end backing bar of the third modular dock component.