US3543523A - Structural dock system - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 1, 1-970 H. E. NELsoN STRUCTURAL I-)OCK SYSTEM lmfertor.

3,543,523 STRUCTURAL DOCK SYSTEM Harry E. Nelson, La Pointe, Wis., assigner, by mesne assignments, to Gary Industries, Inc., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Nevada Filed Feb. 6, 1969, Ser. No. 797,084 Int. Cl. E02b 17/00 U.S. Cl. 61-46 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The subject structure pertains to a dock system wherein the dock platform carries on its under side a plurality of sleeves which telescope freely over driven piling so as to enable the dock platform to rise and fall with the rise and fall of the level of ice on the water mass and thereby prevent pulling of the piling from its anchorage.

The invention relates to improvements in structural dock systems and is particularly concerned with a structure that prevents damage to the driven piles resulting from the rise and fall of the level of ice on the water surface. Heretofore, when a body of water freezes around piling driven into a lake bed, any rise in the water level would cause the piling to be pulled from the lake bed because the ice is attached to the piling. In the present disclosure, the dock platform is provided with a series of novelly constructed sleeves on its bottom face. These sleeves telescope freely over piling driven into a lake bed so that when ice forms on the water surface, there is no mechanical strain applied to the driven piling as the level of the ice rises with the tide. This is because the ice is attached to the sleeves and the sleeves and supported dock platform rise and fall with the ice level.

Itis therefore an object of the invention to provide a dock structure of the character referred to.

Another object is to provide a dock structure with telescoping support piles.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dock platform with a plurality of sleeves depending from its bottom face and which telescope over upstanding driven piles.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent with reference to the following description and accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a representative dock structure embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view through one of the telescoped support pile assemblies.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of a modified form of piling assembly.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view of another modified form of pile assembly.

Referring to the exemplary disclosure of the invention as shown in the accompanying drawings, the dock platform 11, which may be of any suitable construction, has depending from its bottom surface a multitude of sleeves 12 which may be cross-braced by braces or trusses 13.

nited States Patent C These sleeves are characterized in the FIG. 2 disclosure,

3,543,523 Patented Dec. 1, 1970 eral rim 14a, having stiffening angles 15 secured thereto and to the sleeves. The upper end of the upper one of said sleeves, namely section 12a, has a cap plate 16 welded thereto and secured in any suitable manner to the dock platform 11.

Each sleeve 12 is telescoped over the upper end of a tubular pile 17 that is driven into the lake bed 18. The upper end of piling 17 terminates below the water level and is closed by a cap plate 19 welded thereto. Preferably an air hole 21 is provided in sleeve 17. If desired, wood piling may be used.

When the sleeves 12 are telescoped over the respective pilings 17 and no ice is present in suliicient amount to urge the dock upwardly, the bearing plates 14 normally rest on the cap plates 19. When the water freezes, the ice layer 22 bonds to the sleeve 12 and as the level of the ice layer rises and falls with the tide, the sleeves 12 will move with the ice, telescoping over pilings 17. This movement depends upon the difference in force between the weight of the dock structure and the upward thrust of the ice. It will thus be seen that there is never any danger of the pilings becoming loosened from or pulled out of the bed 18 by the action of the ice layer.

In the FIG. 3 disclosure, the dock platform 11 has depending from it wood piles 22 (one shown) each having a sleeve 23 attached firmly to it as by bolts 24. The sleeve extends below the bottom end of the pile 22 and is telescoped loosely over a driven pile 17a which may be wood or a sleeve as shown at 17 in FIG. 2.

The function and operation of the structure shown in FIG. 4, is like that previously described. However, here, instead of the previously mentioned bearing plate 14, there is provided in a one-piece sleeve 12, a series of circumferentially spaced lengths of round stock 25 which are reinforced in their mounting by a plate 26 that is Welded to the sleeve. The lengths of round stock normally rest upon the cap plate 19 to sustain the dock platform at a predetermined low level.

Although I have described a number of preferred embodiments of my invention, in considerable detail, it will be understood that the description thereof is intended to be illustrative, rather than restrictive, as details of the structure may be modified or changed without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Accordingly, I do not desire to be restricted to the exact constructions described.

I claim:

1. A dock structure comprising, in combination, a plurality of vertically disposed sleeves arranged below said platform, a cap plate on each sleeve secured firmly to the platform, a plurality of piles driven into the bed of a body of water and having their upper ends located a short distance below the water surface, a load bearing element in each sleeve spaced from its lower end, said sleeves being telescoped loosely over the piles and having their bearing elements normally seated on the top end ofthe respective pile, the sleeves being free to move upwardly under applied pressure upwardly by the presence of ice on the surface of the body of water.

2. The dock structure recited in claim 1, in Which the bearing elements comprise bearing plates.

3. The dock structure recited in claim 1, in which the pilings are tubular and have a cap plate integral therewith.

4. The dock structure recited in claim 1, in which the bearing elements comprise radial bearing rods integral with each sleeve.

5. The dock structure recited in claim 2, in which the 2,687,617 8/ 1954 Newell 61-48 bearing plates extend to the outside of the sleeves and 2,736,172 2/ 1956 McChesney 61-46 carry reinforcing means. 3,170,299 2/ 1965 Clarke 61-54X 6. The dock structure recited in claim 4, in which the 3,180,099 4/ 1965 Mikolajczyk et a1. 61-54 sleeves are reinforced in the area of the bearing rods. 3,370,432 2/ 1968 Butler et al. 61-54 5 References Cited J. KARL BELL, Primary Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS U'S. C1. XIR. 360,273 3/1887 Bomeman 61-52 61 52) 54 2,592,626 4/1952 Wanless 61-43 lo

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