US3287919A

US3287919A - Dock and dock bracket

Info

Publication number: US3287919A
Application number: US387112A
Authority: US
Inventors: Laurence C Hahn
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1964-08-03
Filing date: 1964-08-03
Publication date: 1966-11-29
Anticipated expiration: 1983-11-29

Description

Nov. 29, 1966 L. c. HAHN 3,287,919

DOCK AND DOCK BRACKET Filed Aug. 5, 1964 INVENTOR.

LAURENCE C. HAHN ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,287,919 DOCK AND DOCK BRACKET Laurence C. Halm, 5625 Girard Ave. N., Minneapolis, Minn. Filed Aug. 3, 1964, Ser. No. 387,112 7 Claims. (Cl. 61-48) The herein disclosed invention relates to a dock bracket for supporting a platform on a number of posts sunk into the bottom of a body of water and has for an object to provide a bracket by means of which the platform of the dock may be supported on the posts without the use of bolts or other fastening means to hold the platform in position.

Another object of the invention resides in providing a bracket suitable for securing sections of a dock together in T-shaped or L-shaped relation.

A still further object of the invention resides in providing a bracket suitable for supporting the end section of a dock at the outer end thereof.

An object of the invention resides in providing a bracket whereby a platform constructed in sections may be supported on posts with one bracket supporting the meeting ends of the sections.

Another object of the invention resides in providing the bracket with a shelf on which the lower edges of the frame members of the platform rest.

A still further object of the invention resides in providing a flange extending upwardly from said shelf and lying adjacent one surface of one of the frame members and to which is attached a fastening means for securing the shelf to the post.

An object of the invention resides in providing an up right secured to the shelf and disposed within the re-entrant angle between two of the frame members and in proximity to certain surfaces thereof.

Other objects of the invention reside in the novel construction and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter illustrated and/ or described.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a dock illustrating two dock sections supported by a post sunk into the bottom of a body of water with which the dock is to be used.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the dock bracket before attachment to the dock sections.

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the structure shown in posts, one of which is indicated by reference character 50.

These sections are supported on dock brackets 30 which form the subject matter of the instant invention.

The portion of section illustrated comprises a longitudinal rectangular frame member 11 and a similar transverse frame member 12 which is secured to the frame member 11 by means of nails 13. Other frame members not shown are disposed opposite the

frame members

11 and 12 and are similarly secured together and to the

frame members

11 and 12. Across the various frame members are attached boards 14 which form a deck indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral 15. This deck lies flush with the

outer surfaces

16 and 17 of the various frame members. The section 20 is constructed in a similar manner to the section 10 and a portion of the same 3,287,919 Patented Nov. 29, 1966 including a longitudinal frame member 21, a transverse frame member 22 and a deck 25 has been shown. This dock section has the deck 25 flush with the outer surface 26 of the frame member 21 and with the outer surface 27 of the transverse frame member 22.

Dock bracket 30 consists of a plate 31 which serves as a shelf and on which the

edges

18, 28, 19 and 29 of the

frame members

11, 12, 21 and 22 rest. This plate has extending upwardly from it a flange 32 which overlies the

surfaces

16 and 26 of the

frame members

11 and 21. This flange is slightly shorter than the depth of the frame members so that the upper edge 33 of the same falls below the upper surface of the deck 15.

Extending upwardly from the shelf 31 is an upright 34 in the form of an

angle having legs

35 and 36. This upright is disposed within the re-entrant angle formed between the

frame members

11 and 12 and the said

legs

35 and 36 lie in close proximity to the

inner surfaces

37 and 38 of said frame members. This upright is welded to the shelf 31. A similar upright 44 also secured to the shelf 31 by welding is disposed in the re-entrant angle formed between

frame members

21 and 22 and is disposed in proximity to the

inner surfaces

42 and 43 of said frame members. By means of this construction, the flange 32 holds the sections from outward movement while the

uprights

34 and 44 hold the sections from transverse movement in the opposite direction. In addition, these uprights hold the

frame members

12 and 22 from spreading and thus .maintain the two

sections

10 and 20 in proper coplanar alignment.

In the drawings, the post 50 has been shown as a tubular post. For supporting the bracket on this post, a collar 51 is employed which is welded tothe flange 32. This collar receives the post 50 and a set screw 52 screwed into said collar and engaging said post holds the bracket in proper vertically adjusted position on the post.

In FIG. 5 a modification of the invention has been shown which is adapted to be applied to the outermost end of a dock section. Since the parts of the dock and the dock bracket are similar to those shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, the descriptions of the same will not be repeated and the same reference numerals preceded by the digit (1) will be used to designate the corresponding parts. The bracket shown in FIG. 5 is illustrated as applied to the outer end of section 10. Here the lonigtudinal frame member 11 is secured to the transverse frame member 112 at the end of the section opposite the end having the transverse frame member 12. With this form of the invention, upright 144 is employed which fits in the re-entrant angle between the frame members 11 and 112. However, upright 34 is omitted and a flange 145 employed which is welded to the shelf 131 and which overlies the .outer surface 117 of the frame member 112.

In FIG. 6 a still further modification of the invention has been shown which is adapted to be applied to a dock section extending outwardly from the main dock section intermediate the ends thereof and having a longitudinal frame member disposed intermediate the ends of the first dock section. Since the parts of the dock and the dock bracket are similar to those shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, the description of the similar parts will not be repeated and the same reference numerals preceded by the digit (2) will be used to designate the corresponding parts. The principal dock section is indicated by the reference numeral 220 and the section issuing outwardly from it by the reference character 210. The dock section 220 includes a longitudinal frame member 221 and the dock section 210 includes a longitudinal frame member 211 .and a transverse frame member 212. Frame member 221 has an outer surface 226 and an inner surface 242. Frame member 211 has an outer surface 216 and an inner 3 surface 226. The frame member 212 of section 210 has an outer surface 226 and an inner surface 2427 The bracket 230 is almost identical with the bracket 139 and differs only in that the shelf 231 is larger than the shelf 131 and that the flange 245 is spaced from the flange 233 to receive the frame member 221 of dock section 220.

In the use of the invention, posts with base portions are employed which rest on the bottom of body of water where the dock is .to be installed. One of the dock sections is floated out with the inner end of the section resting on the shore and the outer end lying in the water. Two posts are then placed in the water at the proper localities and spaced apart the required distance. Brackets such as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 are then applied to the posts and adjusted to the desired height above the water. Set screws 51 may then be tightened up to hold the brackets in proper position; the end of the section of the dock adjacent the posts is then lifted up and placed on the two brackets. A second dock section is then floated out and properly positioned with reference to the outer end of the first section and posts placed for the outer end of this section. Brackets 30 may then be placed on the posts and the second section lifted and placed on all four brackets. Succeeding sections may be similarly mounted and the outer end of the last section supported on brackets similar to those shown in FIG. 5. Where it is desired to make a dock having one section extending angularly from another section, the form of the invention disclosed in FIG. 6 may be employed.

The advantages of the invention are manifest. The device is simple and easy to use. No bolts, screws, or nails are required to fasten the dock sections together. The dock sections are merely lifted-in place upon the brackets and dropped into position. The shape of the dock can be altered at any time by adding new sections or removing existing sections or by arranging the sections in a different manner. Little effort is required in taking down the dock for winter storage. The dock can be raised and lowered at any time to correspond with changes in the elevation of the water where the dock is installed.

Changes in the specific form of the invention, as herein described, may be made within the scope of What is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention. Having described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is:

1. A dock bracket for supporting, on a post, a dock platform having a deck attached to a longitudinal frame member and to a transverse frame member joined to said longitudinal frame member, said frame members being disposed below the deck and exposed on the undersides thereof, said bracket comprising:

(a) a shelf on which the lower edges of said longitudinal frame member and said transverse frame member rest, I v

(b) a flange extending upwardly from said shelf and juxaposed adjacent one side of one of said frame members,

(c) an upright secured to said shelf and extending upwardly therefrom,

(d) said upright being disposed in the re-entrant angle between said frame members and being juxtaposed adjacent one side of each of said frame members, and

(e). means on said bracket for attaching it to a dock post.

2. A dock bracket for supporting, on a post, a dock platform having a deck attached to a longitudinal frame member and to a transverse frame member joined to said longitudinal frame members, said frame members being disposed below the deck and exposed on the undersides thereof, said bracket comprising:

(a) a shelf on which the lower edges of said longitudinal frame member and said transverse frame member rest,

(b) a flange extending upwardly from said shelf and juxatposed adjacent one side of one of said frame members,

(0) an angular upright secured at one end to said shelf and extending upwardly therefrom,

(d) said upright being disposed in the re-entrant angle between said frame members with one leg being juxtaposed adjacent one side of the transverse frame member and the other leg being disposed adjacent one side of the longitudinal frame member and (e) means on said bracket for attaching it to a dock post.

3. A dock bracket for supporting, on a post, a dock platform having a deck attached to a longitudinal frame member and to a transverse frame member joined to said longitudinal frame member, said frame members being disposed below the deck and exposed on the undersides thereof, said bracket comprising:

(b) a flange extending upwardly from said shelf and juxtaposed adjacent one side of one of said frame members,

(c) an upright secured to said shelf and extending upwardly therefrom,

(d) said upright being disposed in the re-entrant angle between said frame membersand being juxtaposed adjacent one side of each of said frame members, and

(e) and means on said flange for attaching said bracket to a dock post.

4. A dock bracket for supporting, on a post, a dock platform having a deck attached to a longitudinal frame member and to a transverse frame member joined to said longitudinal frame members, said frame members being disposed below the deck and exposed on the undersides thereof, said bracket comprising:

(a) a shelf on which the lower edge of the longitudinal frame member and the transverse frame members rest.

(0) an upright secured to said shelf and extending upwardly therefrom,

((1) said upright being disposed in the re-entrant angle between said frame members and being juxtaposed adjacent one side of each of said frame members, and

(e) a collar on said flange and adapted to encircle a dock post, and p (f) means engaging said collar and post and holding said bracket in fixed relation relative to said post.

5. A dock bracket for supporting, on a post, a dock platform having a deck attached to a longitudinal frame member extending along one edge of the deck and to a transverse frame member joined to said deck and forming a re-entrant angle with the first named frame member, said frame members being disposed below the deck and exposed on the undersides thereof, said bracket comprising:

(a) a shelf on which the approaching end portions of said frame members rest,

(b) a flange extending upwardly from said shelf and juxtaposed adjacent the outermost surface of said longitudinal frame member,

(c) an upright secured to said shelf and extending upwardly therefrom,

(d) said upright being disposed in the re-entrant angle between said frame members and juxtaposed adjacent the inner surfaces of said frame members, and

( means on said bracket for attaching it to a dock 6. A dock bracket for supporting, on a post, two juxtaposed sections of a platform each having a deck attached to a longitudinal frame member exending along one lateral edge of the section and a transverse frame member extending along an end of each section and forming a reentrant angle with said longitudinal frame member, said frame members being disposed below said deck and exposed on the undersides thereof, said sections being adapted to be arranged in end to end alignment with the transverse frame members in juxtaposition, said bracket comprising:

(a) a shelf on which the approachng end portions of the frame members of both sections rest,

(b) a flange extending upwardly from said shelf and juxtaposed adjacent the outermost surface of both of said longitudinal frame members,

() an upright secured to said shelf and extending upwardly therefrom and disposed in the re-entrant angle between the frame members of one section adjacent the inner surfaces thereof,

((1) another upright secured to said shelf and disposed in the re-entrant angle between the frame members of the other section and adjacent the inner surfaces of said frame members and (e) means on said bracket for attaching it to a dock post.

7. A dock bracket for supporting, on a post, two juxtaposed sections of a platform each having a deck attached to a longitudinal frame member extending along one lateral edge of the section and a transverse frame member extending along an end of each section and forming a re-entrant angle with said longitudinal frame member, said frame members being disposed below said deck and exposed on the undersides thereof, said sections being adapted to be arranged in end to end alignment with the transverse frame members in juxtaposition, said bracket comprising:

(a) a shelf on which the approaching end portions of the frame members of both sections rest,

(0) an upright secured to said shelf and extending upwardly therefrom and disposed in the re-entrant angle between the frame members of one section adjacent the inner surface thereof,

((1) another upright secured to said shelf and disposed in the re-entrant angle between the frame members of the other section and adjacent the inner surfaces of said frame members,

(e) a collar on the outer surface of said flange and adapted to encircle a dock post,

(f) said collar being disposed outwardly of said flange and platform to permit of attachment of the platform to the post at a locality below the upper end of the post and (g) means engaging said collar and post and holding said bracket in fixed relation to said post.

No references cited.

FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner.

R. A. STENZEL, Assistant Examiner.

Claims

7. A DOCK BRACKET FOR SUPPORTING, ON A POST, TWO JUXTAPOSED SECTIONS OF A PLATFORM EACH HAVING A DECK ATTACHED TO A LONGITUDINAL FRAME MEMBER EXTENDING ALONG ONE LATERAL EDGE OF THE SECTION AND A TRANSVERSE FRAME MEMBER EXTENDING ALONG AN END OF EACH SECTION AND FORMING A RE-ENTRANT ANGLE WITH SAID LONGITUDINAL FRAME MEMBER, SAID FRAME MEMBERS BEING DISPOSED BELOW SAID DECK AND EXPOSED ON THE UNDERSIDES THEREOF, SAID SECTIONS BEING ADAPTED TO BE ARRANGED IN END TO END ALIGNMENT WITH THE TRANSVERSE FRAME MEMBERS IN JUXTAPOSITION, SAID BRACKET COMPRISING: (A) A SHELF ON WHICH THE APPROACHING END PORTIONS OF THE FRAME MEMBERS OF BOTH SECTIONS REST, (B) A FLANGE EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM SAID SHELF AND JUXTAPOSED ADJACENT THE OUTERMOST SURFACE OF BOTH OF SAID LONGITUDINAL FRAME MEMBERS, (C) AN UPRIGHT SECURED TO SAID SHELF AND EXTENDING UPWARDLY THEREFROM AND DISPOSED IN THE RE-ENTRANT ANGLE BETWEEN THE FRAME MEMBERS OF ONE SECTION ADJACENT THE INNER SURFACE THEREOF, (D) ANOTHER UPRIGHT SECURED TO SAID SHELF AND DISPOSED IN THE REN-ENTRANT ANGLE BETWEEN THE FRAME MEMBERS OF THE OTHER SECTION AND ADJACENT THE INNER SURFACES OF SAID FRAME MEMBERS, (E) A COLLAR ON THE OUTER SURFACE OF SAID FLANGE AND ADAPTED TO ENCIRCLE A DOCK POST, (F) SAID COLLAR BEING DISPOSED OUTWARDLY OF SAID FLANGE AND PLATFORM TO PERMIT OF ATTACHMENT OF THE PLATFORM TO THE POST AT A LOCALITY BELOW THE UPPER END OF THE POST AND (G) MEANS ENGAGING SAID COLLAR AND POST AND HOLDING SAID BRACKET IN FIXED RELATION TO SAID POST.