DOCK BRACKETS, DOCK PLATFORMS, DOCKS, AND KITS

Abstract

A dock bracket may include an elongate rail engaged by a first clamp, and a first platform support member structured and arranged to support a dock or a dock portion (e.g., a dock platform). A dock platform may include a first edge portion, a second edge portion, a tread member extending from the first edge portion and the second edge portion, and at least one fixation arm extending from at least the first edge portion. A dock accessory kit may include an elongate rail; a first clamp including a first clamp body, a first jaw member, a first clamp adjustment member, and an optional first rail securement member; and a first platform support member. A dock may include first and second dock assemblies, each including a dock section and a stringer pipe, and a dock platform attached to the first and second dock assemblies via first and second dock brackets.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates generally to brackets (e.g., dock brackets), platforms (e.g., dock platforms), docks, and dock accessory kits.

Docks (e.g., boat docks) are generally known in the art to be manmade structures involved in the handling of boats, usually on or near a shore, or as, for example, a fishing pier. Docks may extend out from a shore into a body of water and may provide a location for mooring boats and a platform above the water level for boarding or exiting a boat.

Boat docks are often provided with boat slips for mooring boats. A boat slip may be defined by a boat dock having at least two dock sections that intersect to define a corner of the slip. Boat slips can also be defined by three dock sections such that the dock borders the slip on three sides, and the slip defines two corners. Accidents may occur on boat docks when people or animals move from one boat dock section to another boat dock section around a corner. For example, a misstep near a corner of a dock may result in a person or an animal falling off the dock. Also, docks may not be conducive for use by persons in or on a vehicle (e.g., a wheelchair, a wheeled vehicle, etc.) and/or persons operating a wheeled vehicle (e.g., a cart, a hand truck, a wheelbarrow, a wheeled suitcase, etc.), for example, due to narrow dock sections and intersections near dock corners. Further, turning around a wheeled vehicle is generally difficult on a dock, even at an intersection of dock sections.

Providing for safe movement by people, animals, and/or vehicles on a dock may be useful to avoid falling from a platform, which may result in injury and, in some cases, drowning.

There remains a need for novel dock accessories (e.g., dock brackets, dock platforms, etc.) that provide benefits over the prior art. For example, there is a need for a device or apparatus which facilitates a wider range of movement on a dock, particularly proximate intersections of dock sections, by people, animals, and/or vehicles (e.g., wheelchairs, etc.). There is also a need for such a device that can be installed on an existing dock.

Some dock accessories are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,182,035 (Palmer) disclosed a boat slip step assembly for being mounted proximate the corner of a boat slip, which provides a step to a platform below the level of the dock for more easily boarding and exiting a boat. In another example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,281,055 (Nietzke et al.) discloses floating dock sections that may be coupled using male-type anchors which fit into female-type receiving sockets on the docking sections.

All U.S. patents and applications and all other published documents (including foreign patents and applications) mentioned anywhere in this application are incorporated herein by reference, each incorporated herein in its entirety.

Without limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter a brief summary of some of the claimed embodiments is set forth below. Additional details of the summarized embodiments and/or additional embodiments may be found in the Detailed Description below.

A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification is provided as well only for the purposes of complying with 37 C.F.R. 1.72. The abstract is not intended to be used for interpreting the scope of the claims.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, a dock bracket may include an elongate rail, a first clamp, and a first platform support member. The elongate rail may extend between a proximal rail end and a distal rail end. The elongate rail may define a longitudinal axis that passes through the proximal rail end and the distal rail end.

A first clamp may include a first clamp body engaging the elongate rail. A first clamp body may further include a first jaw member. A first clamp may be constructed and arranged to engage, between the first jaw member and the elongate rail, a proximal dock stringer pipe (e.g., proximal stringer pipe) at a non-zero angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate rail. A first clamp may also include a first clamp adjustment member and an optional first rail securement member constructed and arranged to restrict longitudinal movement of the first jaw member along the elongate rail.

A first platform support member may engage the elongate rail and may be disposed proximal of the first clamp. The first platform support member may be structured and arranged to support a dock or dock portion (e.g., a dock platform).

In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, a dock platform may include a first edge portion, a second edge portion, a tread member extending from the first edge portion and the second edge portion, at least one fixation arm extending from at least the first edge portion.

In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, a dock accessory kit may include an elongate rail, a first clamp, and a first platform support member. An elongate rail may extend between a proximal rail end and a distal rail end and may define a longitudinal axis that passes through the proximal rail end and the distal rail end.

A first clamp may include a first clamp body and a first jaw member. A first clamp may be constructed and arranged to engage, between the first jaw member and the elongate rail, a proximal dock stringer pipe at a non-zero angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate rail. A first clamp may be constructed and arranged to engage the elongate rail. A first clamp may also include a first clamp adjustment member and an optional first rail securement member constructed and arranged to restrict longitudinal movement of the first jaw member along the elongate rail.

A first platform support member may be constructed and arranged to engage the elongate rail and may be disposed proximate the first clamp (e.g., between the proximal rail end and the first clamp).

In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, a dock may include a first dock assembly including a first dock section and a first proximal stringer pipe, a second dock assembly including a second dock section and a second proximal stringer pipe, and a dock platform attached to the first dock assembly via a first dock bracket and to the second dock assembly via a second dock bracket. Each of the first and second dock brackets may include an elongate rail extending between a proximal rail end and a distal rail end, the elongate rail defining a longitudinal axis; a first clamp including a first clamp body disposed about the elongate rail near the proximal rail end, the first clamp further including a first jaw member disposed apart from the elongate rail and defining an opening sized to receive a stringer pipe therein, wherein the first clamp is constructed and arranged to clamp a stringer pipe between the first jaw member and the elongate rail at a non-zero angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate rail. The first clamp may also include a first clamp adjustment member and an optional first rail securement member constructed and arranged to restrict longitudinal movement of the first jaw member along the elongate rail. Each of the first and second dock brackets may further include a first platform support member engaging the elongate rail and disposed between the proximal rail end and the first clamp. In one or more embodiments of the dock, the first proximal stringer pipe may be disposed in the opening of one of the first clamps and the second proximal stringer pipe may be disposed in the opening of the other of the first clamps.

These and other embodiments which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the present disclosure and the advantages and objectives obtained by use of the one or more embodiments herein, reference can be made to the drawings which form a further part hereof and the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there are illustrated and described various embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A detailed description is hereafter provided with specific reference being made to the drawings.

FIG. 1 depicts four exemplary dock platforms according to the present disclosure mounted to a dock.

FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary dock platform according to the present disclosure mounted to a dock.

FIG. 3 depicts a top view of an exemplary dock platform according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 depicts a bottom view of an exemplary dock platform according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary dock bracket according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 depicts a portion of an exemplary dock bracket according to the present disclosure supporting a portion of an exemplary dock platform according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 depicts a portion of an exemplary dock bracket according to the present disclosure supporting a portion of an exemplary dock platform according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 depicts a portion of an exemplary dock bracket according to the present disclosure supporting a portion of an exemplary dock platform according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 depicts portions of six exemplary dock brackets according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a schematic layout of an exemplary dock according to the present disclosure having an exemplary dock platform according to the present disclosure mounted thereto utilizing three exemplary dock brackets according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a schematic layout of an exemplary dock according to the present disclosure having two exemplary dock platforms according to the present disclosure mounted thereto utilizing four exemplary dock brackets according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a schematic layout of an exemplary dock according to the present disclosure having three exemplary dock platforms according to the present disclosure mounted thereto utilizing five exemplary dock brackets according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a schematic layout of an exemplary dock according to the present disclosure having four exemplary dock platforms according to the present disclosure mounted thereto utilizing six exemplary dock brackets according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a kit according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure relates generally to brackets (e.g., dock brackets) that may be used in association with a dock and/or another type of support structure (e.g., a stage, a platform, a scaffold, etc.). In one or more embodiments, a dock bracket may be arranged to support a dock accessory, such as a swim ladder, steps, deck boxes, etc. This disclosure also relates generally to dock platforms having a tread and, for example, a fixation arm that may engage one or more dock stringer pipes. Further, this disclosure relates generally to kits including one or more bracket components and/or one or more dock platform portions.

While the subject matter of the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms, there are described in detail herein one or more specific embodiments. This description is an exemplification of the principles of the present disclosure and is not intended to limit the present disclosure to the particular embodiments illustrated.

For the purposes of this disclosure, like reference numerals in the figures shall refer to like features unless otherwise indicated. For example, as discussed below, reference numeral 200 of FIG. 1 and reference numeral 200 of FIG. 2 refer to like features (e.g., a dock platform). For purposes of this disclosure, a reference numeral including a letter and the same reference numeral without a letter shall be considered like reference numerals. For example, reference numeral 200 of FIGS. 1-4 and 6-8 and reference numerals 200a and 200b of FIG. 10 are like reference numerals, each of which refers to a dock platform.

In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a dock platform 200 may be mounted on a dock 300. For example, with reference to FIG. 1, four dock platforms 200 may be mounted in four different inside corners of a dock 300. FIG. 2 shows a closer view of one dock platform 200 mounted on two sides of a dock 300.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show the top and bottom views of an exemplary dock platform 200 of the present disclosure. A dock platform 200 may be supported, when mounted on a dock 300, by one or more dock brackets 100. An exemplary dock bracket 100 is shown in FIG. 5, extending between two dock stringer pipes 312, 314, which are typical dock supporting members. Each of FIGS. 6-8 depicts a dock bracket 100 engaging at least one stringer pipe 312 and supporting a dock platform 200.

FIG. 9 depicts one or more embodiments of the present disclosure in which the dock sides to which a dock platform 200 is mounted are not sides forming an inside corner, but rather, are dock sides facing each other. In the one or more embodiments depicted in FIG. 9, a dock platform may take the form of a dock section and may be supported by at least four dock brackets (e.g., six shown in FIG. 9).

Dock platforms 200 and dock brackets 100 of the present disclosure may provide a dock with additional surface area, which may allow additional maneuverability (e.g., of persons, animals, vehicles, cargo, etc.) on a dock and may improve safety (e.g., reducing falling from docks). Dock platforms 200 and dock brackets 100 of the present disclosure may also be installed by a single installer.

It may be helpful to review typical dock structure before describing how the dock brackets and dock platforms of the present disclosure may interact with such structure. It should be noted that the dock brackets and dock platforms of the present disclosure may be suitable for a wide variety of docks. In the present disclosure, a limited number of dock designs are described, but one of skill in the art would recognize whether and how to modify the dock brackets and dock platforms of the present disclosure to accommodate any dock design. In one or more embodiments, the dock brackets and dock platforms may be particularly suitable for so-called Minnetonka docks, which may be commonly used in, for example, Lake Minnetonka, located in Minnesota. One of skill in the art will recognize that the dock brackets and dock platforms of the present disclosure may be useful in a wide variety of dock designs anywhere that docks are used.

A dock generally includes one or more dock sections that are supported by a plurality of supports (e.g., brackets, stringer assemblies, stringer pipes, down pipes, etc.). A dock may begin, typically at a shore, with a starter bracket, attached to which may be stringer pipes (hereinafter, “stringer pipes” or “dock stringer pipes”) that extend in parallel on each side of the dock. In the present disclosure, stringer pipes may be any appropriate length and diameter and may or may not be hollow (e.g., maybe a hollow tube, solid beam, etc.). A stringer pipe may be, for example, about 16 feet long. A stringer assembly may include, for example, two stringer pipes and two brackets (e.g., one bracket at each end of the stringer pipes). A continuous joiner bracket may be used to connect the end of one stringer assembly (e.g., the ends of one pair of stringer pipes) with another stringer assembly (e.g., the end of another pair of stringer pipes). At the end of the dock, a stringer assembly may include an end bracket used to engage the ends of the pair of stringer pipes extending thereto. Any suitable number of stringer assemblies (e.g., pairs of stringer pipes with brackets at each end) may be used. For example, a dock may include a straight shot extending from the shore including four stringer assemblies, a crossover including one stringer assembly extending perpendicularly from the straight shot, and a slip including two stringer assemblies extending perpendicularly from the crossover, thereby forming a U-shaped dock. At various points along the dock and/or at the end of the dock, down pipes may be installed, which engage the ground below the water and support the dock stringer pipes and/or brackets.

Not all docks are straight. Some dock sections may extend in, for example, a perpendicular direction from another dock section, forming one or more inside corners. A dock section extending from a straight shot may be referred to as a “crossover.” A crossover is generally supported at the dock with one or more (e.g., two) take-off brackets from which a stringer assembly (e.g., two stringer pipes) may extend to make the crossover and to support a dock section oriented in the direction of the crossover. Additional sections may be added that are perpendicular to the crossover (e.g., a slip). For example, the dock 300 depicted in FIG. 1 includes a straight shot near the top of the image, a crossover (one or more dock sections extending perpendicular to the straight shot), and a slip (one or more dock sections extending perpendicular to the crossover). FIG. 2 also depicts an intersection of dock sections.

With reference to FIG. 5, in one or more aspects of the present disclosure, a dock bracket 100 may include an elongate rail 102, a first clamp 108, and a first platform support member 118.

In one or more embodiments, the elongate rail 102 may extend between a proximal rail end 104 and a distal rail end 106 and may define a longitudinal axis (not shown) that extends through the proximal rail end 104 and the distal rail end 106. The elongate rail may take any of a wide variety of forms known to one of skill in the art including, but not limited to, cylindrical tubes, square or rectangular tubes, L-shaped beams, I-shaped beams, U-shaped beams, flat bars, solid beams, etc. In one or more embodiments, the elongate rail may take the form of an elongate tube having a rail outer diameter. In one or more embodiments, an elongate rail may include a rail lumen extending from the proximal rail end 104 to the distal rail end 106. The elongate rail may be formed from any of a wide variety of materials of construction known to one of skill in the art including, but not limited to, metals, alloys, ceramics, polymers, composites, and combinations of one or more of these (e.g., two metals, a metal and a ceramic, a metal and a polymer, two polymers, etc.). In one or more embodiments, the length of a rail may be at least the distance between the stringer pipes of a dock (e.g., at least two feet, at least three feet, at least four feet, at least five feet, etc.). For example, the center-to-center distance between stringer pipes for some docks may be in a range from 12 inches to 60 inches, in a range from 24 inches to 48 inches, in a range from 30 inches to 42 inches, or in a range from 36 inches to 40 inches.

When a dock bracket of the present disclosure is installed on a dock (e.g., is engaging a dock stringer pipe), the rail may extend beyond the side of a dock a sufficient distance to support a dock platform. This extension may be an extension of at least one inch (e.g., at least two inches, at least four inches, at least six inches, at least nine inches, etc.). In one or more embodiments, the rail might not extend beyond the side of the dock and may include one or more extension fixtures that extend beyond the side of the dock a sufficient distance to support a dock platform. For example, an extension fixture may be installed on the elongate rail, wherein the extension fixture extends from below the dock to a location not below the dock.

In one or more embodiments, with reference to FIGS. 5-8, the first clamp 108 may include a first clamp body 110 that may engage the elongate rail and may include a first jaw member 112. The first clamp 108 may be constructed and arranged to engage (e.g., clamp, grasp, lean on, etc.) a first proximal dock stringer pipe 312 between the first jaw member 112 and the elongate rail 102. For example, in FIG. 5, the first proximal dock stringer pipe 312 is engaged by and between the first jaw member 112 of the first clamp 108 and the elongate rail 102. In one or more embodiments, first jaw member 112 may be a movable or adjustable jaw member and the elongate rail may be a fixed jaw member.

In one or more embodiments, the first clamp may define an opening between the first jaw member and the elongate rail, wherein a distance across the opening is at least one-half inch. The distance across the opening may be at least one inch, at least two inches, at least three inches, at least four inches, etc. In one or more embodiments, the distance across the opening may be at most six inches (e.g., at most four inches, at most three inches, at most two inches, etc.). For example, in one or more embodiments wherein a stringer pipe has a particular diameter (e.g., 1.5-inch schedule 40 pipe having an outside diameter of about 1.9 inches), the opening between the first jaw member and the elongate rail may be adjustable from a distance that is at least 1/16 inch greater than the diameter of the stringer pipe to a distance that is at least 1/16 inch less than the diameter of the stringer pipe.

The first jaw member 112 may take any of a wide variety of forms known to one of skill in the art. The first jaw member 112 should be constructed and arranged to be capable of applying pressure against a stringer pipe (or other appropriate dock support structure). In one or more embodiments, the first jaw member may or may not include an angle member (e.g., an angle iron, an L-shaped member), a T-shaped member (e.g., a T-shaped bar), and/or another fabricated or prefabricated bar or beam. In one or more embodiments, plates (e.g., metal plates) may be welded together or otherwise fastened together to form the first jaw member.

In one or more embodiments, the first clamp 108 may include a first clamp adjustment member 114 and an optional first rail securement member 116 constructed and arranged to restrict longitudinal movement of the first jaw member 112 along the elongate rail 102. A first clamp adjustment member 114 may take any of a wide variety of forms (e.g., a threaded fastener such as a screw, a bolt, etc.) provided that the first clamp adjustment member is capable of being adjusted to increase or decrease the clamping pressure of the first jaw member 112 and the elongate rail 102 against, for example, a dock stringer pipe 312. Optional first rail securement member 116 may also take a wide variety of forms (e.g., a threaded fastener such as a screw, a bolt, etc.) provided that the first rail securement member 116 is capable of securing the clamp along the elongate rail. For example, in FIG. 8, each of the first clamp adjustment member 114 and the first rail securement member 116 are threaded bolts engaging threaded apertures extending through the first clamp body 110, such that the first rail securement member 116 may be rotated and tightened (e.g., until it contacts the elongate rail with sufficient force such that the first clamp body 110 is secured at a location along the elongate rail) and first clamp adjustment member 114 may be rotated and tightened (e.g., to reduce the size of the opening between the first jaw member 112 and the elongate rail 102 or to exert a clamping force on a stringer pipe 312 (or other dock support) between the first jaw member 112 and the elongate rail 102). In one or more embodiments, the first clamp adjustment member 114 and the first rail securement member 116 are both bolts having heads that are the same size and shape, such that a single adjustment tool (e.g., a wrench or ratchet wrench) may be used to tighten or untighten one or both.

As shown in FIG. 6, the first clamp body 110 may include an elongate clamp body tube that may have a clamp body tube inner diameter that is greater than the elongate rail 102 outer diameter. The first clamp body tube may be cylindrical in shape, conical in shape, or may take any other suitable shape that allows a dock stringer pipe (or other dock support) to be clamped between the first jaw member and the rail. One of skill in the art will recognize that the distance between the elongate rail 102 and the first jaw member 112 may be adjustable enough to position, for example, a dock stringer pipe therein, wherein the first rail securement member 116 may be adjusted to secure the longitudinal position of the first clamp body along the elongate rail 102 and the first clamp adjustment member 114 may be adjusted to cause the dock stringer pipe (or other dock support) to be compressed between the first jaw member 112 and the rail 102. In one or more embodiments, the first elongate clamp body tube may define a first clamp body longitudinal axis (not shown), which may or may not be parallel to the longitudinal axis (not shown) of the elongate rail 102 when the first clamp body tube is tightened to the elongate rail 102 and the proximal dock stringer pipe 312. That is, the shape and/or dimensions of the first clamp tube body and the type of first clamp adjustment member 114 and first rail securement member 116 may dictate that, when tightened to the elongate rail 102, the longitudinal axes of the first clamp body tube and elongate rail 102 are not parallel.

The first clamp body 110 may be formed from any of a wide variety of materials known to one of skill in the art including, for example, metals, alloys, ceramics, polymers, composites, and combinations of one or more of these (e.g., two metals, a metal and a ceramic, a metal and a polymer, two polymers, etc.).

In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a dock bracket 100 may include a first platform support member 118 that may engage the elongate rail 102 and may be disposed proximate the first clamp 108 (e.g., between the proximal rail end 104 and the first clamp 108). The first platform support member 118 may be structured and arranged to support a dock or dock portion (e.g., a dock platform), as in FIGS. 7 and 8. As shown in FIG. 5, the elongate rail 102 may extend between two stringer pipes 312, 314 and one or both ends of the elongate rail 102 may extend beyond a stringer pipe 312, 314, as a cantilever. The first platform support member 118 may be disposed on the cantilever portion of the elongate rail 102, in order to, for example, support a dock platform resting thereon. In one or more embodiments, a first platform support member 118 may include a tubular collar having a lumen through which the elongate rail may extend, and a collar fastener (e.g., a pin, a bolt, a screw, etc.) that is constructed and arranged to fasten the collar to the elongate rail. FIG. 5 depicts a first platform support member 118 that includes a tubular collar and a threaded bolt. Any of a wide variety of collar fasteners may be selected that may serve to fasten the collar to the elongate rail 102 (e.g., to avoid relative longitudinal or rotational motion of the collar with respect to the rail). In the one or more embodiments of FIGS. 5-7, the head of the bolt may contact a portion of a dock platform, providing support thereto. One of skill in the art will recognize that the head of the bolt may take a wide variety of shapes and may be modified, for example, by attaching a larger surface (e.g., a plate, etc.) to distribute the forces applied to the dock platform across a wider area.

The dock bracket 100 shown in FIG. 5 also includes an optional second clamp 120, which may be interchangeable with first clamp 108. In one or more embodiments, optional second clamp 120 may be identical to first clamp 108, as shown in FIG. 5. The description provided herein with respect to first clamp 108 may also apply to second clamp 120. For example, optional second clamp 120 may include a second clamp body 122 (which may be as described for first clamp body 110) that may engage the elongate rail 102 near the distal rail end 106 and may include a second jaw member 124 (which may be as described for first jaw member 112). Second clamp 120 may include a second clamp adjustment member 126 (which may be as described for the first clamp adjustment member 114) and an optional second rail securement member 128 (which may be as described for the first rail securement member 116).

In the present disclosure, optional second clamp 120 may differ from the first clamp 108. For example, optional second clamp 120 may be integral with or otherwise permanently or removably attached to the elongate rail 102. In one or more embodiments, the distance between the first clamp 108 and optional second clamp 120 may be adjustable, wherein either the longitudinal position along the elongate rail 102 may be adjustable for one or both of first clamp 108 and optional second clamp 120. The ability to adjust the distance between first clamp 108 and optional second clamp 120 may, for example, allow the clamp to accommodate docks having different dimensions (e.g., distance between dock stringer pipes).

As shown in FIG. 5, the dock bracket 100 may include a second platform support member 130 (which may be as described for first platform support member 118). A second platform support member 130 may be useful, for example, wherein the dock bracket 100 supports a dock platform 200 on each of two sides of a dock. For example, in FIG. 1, each of the two dock platforms 200 that are disposed on opposite sides of a dock section may be supported by one or more (e.g., two, three, etc.) dock brackets 100 (not shown), each of which may include a first platform support member 118 and second platform support member 130.

In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, a dock platform may include a first edge portion, a second edge portion, a tread member extending from the first edge portion and the second edge portion, and at least one fixation arm extending from at least the first edge portion. For example, with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, dock platform 200 includes first edge portion 202, second edge portion 204, a tread member 206, and a fixation arm 208 extending from at least the first edge portion 202. In the one or more embodiments depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4, a single fixation arm extends (e.g., outwardly) from each of the first and second edge portions.

In one or more embodiments, the tread member 206 has an upper surface having a polygon shape (e.g., triangle, parallelogram (e.g., rectangle, square, etc.) trapezoid, irregular polygon, etc.). In one or more embodiments, a tread member upper surface may have a perimeter including curved sides. As used herein, tread member refers collectively to the one or more structural members that make up the dock platform upper surface. For example, the dock platform 200 of FIG. 3 includes five boards that collectively form the upper surface of tread member 206. It should be noted that in one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, one or more corners or edges of a dock platform 200 may be truncated or otherwise modified to, for example, accommodate the presence of an obstruction (e.g., a downpipe, a fixture, etc.). For example, dock platform 200 in FIG. 2 has a relatively large truncation at each outer corner of dock platform 200 (e.g., where the outer edge of dock platform 200 meets first dock side 304 and second dock side 306) and a relatively small truncation at the inside corner of dock platform 200 (e.g., where first and second dock mounting portions 308, 310 intersect). In one or more embodiments, a dock platform 200 may be constructed and arranged to include one truncation (e.g., FIG. 1), more than one truncation (e.g., FIG. 2), or no truncations (e.g., FIG. 10), without limitation. In one or more embodiments, a dock platform 200 having been constructed with truncated corner may include an optional interchangeable piece to, for example, provide a tread for the truncated portion.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, in one or more embodiments, a dock platform 200 may be constructed and arranged to be mounted on a dock 300 that has a dock upper surface 302, a first dock side 304, and a second dock side 306. For example, in FIG. 10, the first dock side 304a may include a first dock mounting portion 308a, a first proximal dock stringer pipe 312a (e.g., FIG. 10) and an optional first distal dock stringer pipe 314a (e.g., FIG. 10) (e.g., distal stringer pipe). The second dock side 306a may include a second dock mounting portion 310a, a second proximal dock stringer pipe 316a (e.g., FIG. 10), and an optional second distal dock stringer pipe 318a. With reference to FIG. 1, in one or more embodiments, a dock platform 200 may be installed on a dock in which first and second dock mounting portions cooperatively define an inside corner of a dock. In one or more embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first edge portion 202 of the dock platform 200 may be secured proximate (e.g., in direct contact, in indirect contact, etc.) the first dock mounting portion 308 and the second edge portion 204 of the dock platform 200 may be secured proximate (e.g., in direct contact, indirect contact, etc.) the second dock mounting portion 310.

In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a dock platform 200 may be fixedly, but removably, mounted to a dock, wherein the tread member 206 is disposed such that its upper surface is level with the dock upper surface 302 of the dock 300. That is, the dock upper surface 302 and an upper surface of tread member 206 may be coplanar. A dock platform may extend the dock upper surface 302, for example, across inside corners of docks.

In one or more embodiments, a fixation arm 208 may be constructed and arranged to obstruct lateral movement of the dock platform 200 in a direction away from the first dock side 304 or the second dock side 306. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, a fixation arm 208 may include a protrusion 210 that may be disposed on a side of a proximal dock stringer pipe (e.g., 312a, 316a of FIG. 10) (e.g., the side facing the center of the dock or the side opposing the side of the proximal dock stringer pipe in which the tread member 206 is disposed, the side facing a midpoint equidistant from the proximal rail end 104 and the distal rail end 106, etc.). In effect, a lateral force applied to the dock platform in a direction away from the dock 300 would cause the protrusion 210 to bear against and be obstructed by a proximal dock stringer pipe (e.g., 312a, 316a of FIG. 10) (or other dock structure). One of skill in the art will recognize that any of a wide variety of protrusion sizes and designs may be suitably utilized in the one or more embodiments of a dock platform 200. For example, a protrusion may include, but is not limited to, a wooden member fastened (removably or permanently) to the fixation arm, a fastener (e.g., a nail, a bolt, a U-bolt, etc.) extending from the fixation arm to be disposed proximate the dock stringer pipe, and/or some other mass of material attached to or integral with the fixation arm, or a combination of two or more of these. In one or more embodiments, the protrusion 210 may be attached to a fixation arm 208 before or after the dock platform is mounted on a dock.

As shown in the one or more embodiments of FIGS. 3 and 4, the fixation arm 208 may be disposed in a different plane than the tread member 206, generally below the tread member 206. It may be useful that the fixation arm extends under a proximal dock stringer pipe (e.g., between the dock stringer pipe and the water level) when the dock platform is installed on a dock. In this way, forces that would tend to cause the dock platform at the inside corner to tip upward will be countered by the proximal dock stringer pipe pressing against the fixation arm. In one or more embodiments, the fixation arm is constructed and arranged to engage at least one of the first and second proximal dock stringer pipes (e.g., 312a, 316a of FIG. 10). In one or more embodiments in which the fixation arm extends from both first and second edge portions, the fixation arm may engage two proximal dock stringer pipes (e.g., 312a, 316a of FIG. 10). In some embodiments, a dock platform may include two separate fixation arms, each of which may engage a proximal dock stringer pipe and each of which may include a protrusion (e.g., for resisting lateral forces applied to the dock platform in the direction away from the dock).

In one or more embodiments, a dock platform may be supported by two or more platform support members 118. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, a dock 300 includes a crossover having a first dock side 304 that has a first dock mounting portion 308 and a second crossover having a second dock side 306 that has a second dock mounting portion 310. In FIG. 9, six dock brackets 100 are shown, three protruding from the first dock side 304 and three protruding from the second dock side 306. Each of the dock brackets 100 shown in FIG. 9 includes a platform support member 118. A dock platform having any suitable shape may be placed between the first dock side 304 and the second dock side 308 in FIG. 9, supported by, for example, three or more (e.g., four or more, five or more, six or more, etc.) platform support members 118, which are disposed on each of the dock brackets 100 shown. In one or more embodiments, a full dock section may be supported in the arrangement depicted in FIG. 9. One of skill in the art would recognize that a dock platform having any of a wide variety of shapes may be supported with any suitable number of dock brackets. One of skill in the art will also be able to determine a suitable number of dock brackets for a particular dock platform in order to properly support the platform (e.g., to reduce the likelihood of the dock platform tipping) and to provide appropriate distances between dock brackets to, for example, reduce undue bending or flexing of a dock platform. One of skill in the art will recognize that the surface area of a dock may be increased by using one or more dock platforms and/or one or more dock brackets of the present disclosure without, for example, the need for a proportionate amount of take-off brackets, dock stringer pipes, and end brackets.

As shown in FIGS. 10-13, a dock may include one or more of the dock platforms of the present disclosure by using, for example, three or more dock brackets of the present disclosure. For example, the dock of FIG. 10 includes a T-shaped dock configuration that includes three dock sections 300a, 300c, 300d and one dock platform 200a supported by three dock brackets 100a, 100c, 100d. In FIGS. 10-13, the break line at the end of dock section 300d designates that the dock continues with any number of dock sections or configurations toward, for example, a shore. The dock of FIG. 11 includes a T-shaped dock configuration that includes four dock sections 300a, 300b, 300c, 300d and two dock platforms 200a, 200b supported by four dock brackets 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d. In comparison to FIG. 11, FIG. 12 includes an additional dock platform 200c and two additional dock brackets 100e, 100f. In comparison to FIG. 12, FIG. 13 includes an additional dock platform 200d and dock brackets 100b, 100e, and 100f include two ends that extend beyond the sides of the dock sections and include second platform support members (not shown).

In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, a dock accessory kit 400 may include any combination of the one or more of the components of the dock brackets 100 disclosed herein, as shown in FIG. 14 (optional items indicated with broken lines). The one or more components of the dock brackets 100 may be assembled or unassembled. For example, a dock accessory kit 400 may include an elongate rail 102 as disclosed herein, a first clamp 108 as disclosed herein, and a first platform support member 118 as disclosed herein. A dock accessory kit 400 may include more than one dock bracket 100 or components that could be assembled into more than one dock bracket (e.g., two dock brackets, three dock brackets, four dock brackets, etc.) 100. In one or more embodiments, a kit may also include additional optional components such as, but not limited to, a second clamp 120, a second platform support member 130, a second clamp adjustment member 126, a second rail securement member 128, and fasteners (e.g., bolts, screws, bolts with nuts, etc.). In one or more embodiments, a dock accessory kit 400 may also include written instructions, for example, for assembly and use of a dock bracket 100 and/or dock platform 200.

In one or more embodiments, a dock accessory kit 400 may include a dock platform 200 (or dock platform components) as described herein, either with or without dock brackets 100 or dock bracket components. For example, a dock accessory kit may include a single dock platform 200, as described herein, with a set of three dock brackets 100, as described herein, or with a set of dock bracket components that may be assembled into three dock brackets 100. Although not shown in FIG. 11, a plurality of dock platforms 200 may be included in a dock accessory kit 400 with a suitable number of dock brackets 100 to support the number of dock platforms 200.

It may be recognized that the installation of dock platforms 200 of the present disclosure using dock brackets 100 of the present disclosure may be relatively simple. For example, with reference to FIG. 10, one dock section 300a (of dock 300), originally resting on second proximal stringer pipe 316a and second distal stringer pipe 318a, may be moved aside to reveal the two stringer pipes. A dock bracket 100a having a first clamp 108 (not shown) may be positioned to engage second proximal stringer pipe 316a. Dock bracket 100a may also include optional second clamp 120 (not shown) to engage second distal stringer pipe 318a. The clamp(s) of dock bracket 100a may be tightened. Dock bracket 100a may include first platform support member 118 (not shown), which would be disposed to support a dock platform 200a in the desired location. The dock section 300a previously moved aside may be placed in its original position. If another dock platform 200b is being installed as shown in FIG. 11, a similar procedure may be used to install dock bracket 100b (e.g., move dock section 300b (of dock 300), position and tighten clamps of dock bracket 100b to second proximal stringer pipe 316b and optionally second distal stringer pipe 318b, place dock section 300b in its original position).

Then, another dock section 300c in FIG. 10, originally resting on first proximal stringer pipe 312a and first distal stringer pipe 314a, may be moved aside to reveal the two stringer pipes. In FIG. 10, dock bracket 100c supports both dock platforms 200a, 200b, so it includes first and second platform support members 118, 130 (not shown) and is positioned to engage both stringer pipes 312a, 314a with first and second clamps 108, 120 (not shown). The clamps of dock bracket 100c may be tightened.

It may be noted that with respect to dock platform 200b (e.g., FIG. 11), first distal stringer pipe 314a is considered to be a proximal stringer pipe and first proximal stringer pipe 312a is considered to be a distal stringer pipe.

As shown in FIG. 10, it may be useful in one or more embodiments to position the first two dock brackets 100a, 100c that support a particular dock platform 200a such that the platform support members of each of dock brackets 100a, 100c support the dock platform 200a at locations relatively distant from an inside corner of the dock 300 (e.g., the inside corner formed between dock sections 300a, 300c). For example, in FIG. 10, the first two dock brackets 100a, 100c positioned to support dock platform 200a may be the dock brackets 100a, 100c that include platform support members that support the dock platform 200a near the acutely angled corners of dock platform 200a that are relatively distant from the inside corner. The dock section 300c moved aside may be placed in its original position.

Similarly, with reference to FIG. 11, it may be useful in one or more embodiments to position the first two dock brackets 100b, 100c that support a particular dock platform 200b such that the platform support members of each of dock brackets 100b, 100c support the dock platform 200b at locations relatively distant from an inside corner of the dock 300 (e.g., the inside corner formed between dock sections 300b, 300c).

At this point, the dock platform 200a may be positioned on the platform support members of dock brackets 100a, 100c, while sliding the fixation arm or arms 208a of the dock platform 200a under the first and/or second proximal stringer pipes 312a, 316a. In FIG. 10, the fixation arm 208a extends under both first and second proximal stringer pipes 312a, 316a. The fixation arm 208a may include a protrusion 210 (not shown) to engage the side of first and/or second proximal stringer pipes 312a, 316a that face the respective distal stringer pipes 314a, 318a of dock sections 300c, 300a. It may be useful in one or more embodiments that the fixation arm 208a in FIG. 10 includes two protrusions 210 to engage both first and second proximal stringer pipes 312a, 316a. In one or more embodiments, the protrusions 210 may be adjustable to more firmly engage a proximal stringer pipe or may be permanently or removably attached to the fixation arm 208a after the dock platform 200a is placed as shown in FIG. 10.

With reference to FIG. 11, dock platform 200b may be positioned on the platform support members of dock brackets 100b, 100c, while sliding the fixation arm or arms 208b of the dock platform 200b under the first distal stringer pipe 314a and/or the second proximal stringer pipe 316b. In FIG. 11, the fixation arm 208b extends under both first distal stringer pipe 314a and second proximal stringer pipe 316b. The fixation arm 208b may include a protrusion 210 (not shown) to engage the side of first distal stringer pipe 314a and/or second proximal stringer pipe 316b that face the first proximal stringer pipe 312a or first distal stringer pipe 318b of dock sections 300c, 300b. It may be useful in one or more embodiments that the fixation arm 208b in FIG. 11 includes two protrusions 210 to engage both first distal stringer pipe 314a and second proximal stringer pipe 316b. In one or more embodiments, the protrusions 210 may be adjustable to more firmly engage a stringer pipe or may be permanently or removably attached to the fixation arm 208b after the dock platform 200b is placed as shown in FIG. 11.

In FIG. 11, dock bracket 100d supports both dock platforms 200a, 200b, so it includes first and second platform support members 118, 130 (not shown) and is positioned to engage both stringer pipes 312a, 314a with first and second clamps 108, 120 (not shown). The dock section 300c may be moved aside in order to position dock bracket 100d to engage the stringer pipes and to dispose the first and second platform support members 118, 130 in a position to support the corner of the dock platforms 200a, 200b relatively near the inside corner. The clamps of dock bracket 100d may be tightened. Because the corner of the dock platforms 200a, 200b nearest the inside corner formed by dock sections 300a, 300b, 300c is not supported, at least one fixation arm (or a portion thereof) of each of dock platforms 200a, 200b may be temporarily supported against a proximal stringer pipe by using a clamp, a vice grip, a string, a tape, or other supporting equipment known to one of skill in the art. The temporary support holding up at least one fixation arm may be removed when the dock bracket 100d is in place and its clamps tightened. The dock section 300c may be placed in its original position.

The dock brackets 100a, 100c, 100d of FIG. 10 include one platform support member (e.g., first platform support member 118). Because dock brackets 100c, 100d of FIG. 11 also support dock platform 200b, dock brackets 100c, 100d include first and second platform support members. Thus, one may select elongate rails having an appropriate length and dock brackets having the appropriate number of platform support members for a particular dock configuration. In FIG. 12, dock bracket 100a includes first and second platform support members (not shown) and dock brackets 100e, 100f include one platform support member each. It should be noted that, in one or more embodiments, dock brackets 100d and 100e of FIG. 12 may be rearranged such that dock bracket 100d spans dock section 300a and supports dock platforms 200a and 200c and such that dock bracket 100e spans dock section 300b and supports dock platform 200b. In FIG. 12, all of the dock brackets 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d, 100e, 100f include first and second platform support members, allowing six dock brackets to support four dock platforms 200a, 200b, 200c, and 200d. Installing dock sections 200c, 200d may be accomplished by following the procedure described above regarding FIGS. 10 and 11 and repeating the procedure described regarding dock brackets 100c, 100d to install dock brackets 100e, 100f.

In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, a dock may include a first dock assembly including a first dock section and a first proximal stringer pipe, a second dock assembly including a second dock section and a second proximal stringer pipe, and a dock platform, as described herein, attached to the first dock assembly via a first dock bracket (as described herein) and to the second dock assembly via a second dock bracket (as described herein). With reference to FIG. 10, dock 300 may include a first dock assembly including a first dock section 300c and a first proximal stringer pipe 312a, a second dock assembly including a second dock section 300a and a second proximal stringer pipe 316a, and a dock platform 200a attached to the first dock assembly (e.g., first proximal stringer pipe 312a) via a first dock bracket 100c and to the second dock assembly (e.g., second proximal stringer pipe 316a) via a second dock bracket 100a. In one or more embodiments, each of the first and second dock brackets 100c, 100a (FIG. 10) may include, with reference to FIG. 5, an elongate rail 102 extending between a proximal rail end 104 and a distal rail end 106, the elongate rail 102 defining a longitudinal axis (not shown); a first clamp 108 including a first clamp body 110 disposed about the elongate rail 102 near the proximal rail end 104, the first clamp 108 further including a first jaw member 112 disposed apart from the elongate rail 102 and defining an opening sized to receive a stringer pipe 312 therein, wherein the first clamp 108 is constructed and arranged to clamp a stringer pipe 312 between the first jaw member 112 and the elongate rail 102 at a non-zero angle (see, e.g., angle A of FIG. 10) relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate rail 102. In one or more embodiments, the first clamp 108 may also include a first clamp adjustment member 114 and an optional first rail securement member 116 constructed and arranged to restrict longitudinal movement of the first jaw member 112 along the elongate rail 102. Each of the first and second dock brackets 100c, 100a may further include a first platform support member 118 engaging the elongate rail 102 and disposed between the proximal rail end 104 and the first clamp 108. In one or more embodiments of the dock, the first proximal stringer pipe may be disposed in the opening of one of the first clamps and the second proximal stringer pipe may be disposed in the opening of the other of the first clamps. For example, the first proximal stringer pipe 312a may be disposed in the opening of the first clamp 108 of dock bracket 100c and the second proximal stringer pipe 316a may be disposed in the opening of the first clamp 108 of dock bracket 100a.

In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the non-zero angle (e.g., angle A of FIG. 10) between a stringer pipe and an elongate rail may be from 30 degrees to 150 degrees (e.g., from 45 degrees to 135 degrees, from 75 degrees to 105 degrees, from 85 degrees to 95 degrees, or about 90 degrees). In one or more embodiments, it may be useful to orient the elongate rail at about a 90 degree angle with one or more stringer pipes. Because a stringer pipe and an elongate rail may be askew, the non-zero angle between a stringer pipe and an elongate rail as referenced herein should be measured from an overhead perspective, as depicted in FIG. 10 with respect to dock bracket 100a and second proximal stringer pipe 316a.

The above disclosure is intended to be illustrative and not exhaustive. This description will suggest many variations and alternatives to one of ordinary skill in this field of art. All these alternatives and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the claims where the term “comprising” means “including, but not limited to.” Those familiar with the art may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein which equivalents are also intended to be encompassed by the claims.

Further, the particular features presented in the dependent claims can be combined with each other in other manners within the scope of the invention such that the subject matter of the present disclosure should be recognized as also specifically directed to other embodiments having any other possible combination of the features of the dependent claims. For instance, for purposes of claim publication, any dependent claim which follows should be taken as alternatively written in a multiple dependent form from all prior claims which possess all antecedents referenced in such dependent claim if such multiple dependent format is an accepted format within the jurisdiction (e.g. each claim depending directly from claim 1 should be alternatively taken as depending from all previous claims). In jurisdictions where multiple dependent claim formats are restricted, the following dependent claims should each be also taken as alternatively written in each singly dependent claim format which creates a dependency from a prior antecedent-possessing claim other than the specific claim listed in such dependent claim below.

Those skilled in the art may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiment described herein which equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the claims attached hereto.

All published documents, including all U.S. patent documents, mentioned anywhere in this application are hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Any co-pending patent applications mentioned anywhere in this application are also hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Claims

1. A dock bracket to provide cantilevered support from a supported section of dock to an adjacent dock platform, the dock bracket comprising:

an elongate rail having a longitudinal length greater than a distance between two parallel dock stringers of the supported section, the elongate rail extending between a proximal rail end and a distal rail end, the elongate rail defining a longitudinal axis;

a first clamp comprising a first clamp body engaging the elongate rail, the first clamp further comprising a first jaw member, wherein the first clamp is constructed and arranged to engage, between the first jaw member and the elongate rail, a proximal one of the two parallel dock stringers at a non-zero angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate rail as measured from an overhead perspective; wherein the first clamp further comprises a first clamp adjustment member, wherein when connected to the proximal dock stringer the proximal rail end extends beyond a proximal side of the supported dock; and

a first platform support member engaging the elongate rail and disposed on the extended proximal rail end of the elongate rail, wherein the first platform support member is structured and arranged to support the adjacent dock platform.

2. The dock bracket of claim 1, wherein the first clamp further comprises a first rail securement member constructed and arranged to restrict longitudinal movement of the first jaw member along the elongate rail.

3. The dock bracket of claim 1, wherein the angle is from 45 degrees to 135 degrees.

4. The dock bracket of claim 1, wherein the elongate rail is an elongate tube having a rail outer diameter and wherein the first clamp body comprises and elongate clamp body tube having a clamp body tube inner diameter that is greater than the rail outer diameter.

5. The dock bracket of claim 4, wherein the first elongate clamp body tube defines a first clamp body longitudinal axis, wherein the first clamp body longitudinal axis is not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongate rail when the first clamp is tightened to the rail and the proximal dock stringer pipe.

6. The dock bracket of claim 4, wherein the first platform support member comprises:

a tubular collar having a lumen through which the elongate rail may extend; and

a collar fastener for fastening the collar to the elongate rail.

7. The dock bracket of claim 6, wherein the collar fastener provides a surface on which the dock platform may be disposed.

8. The dock bracket of claim 1, further comprising:

a second clamp comprising a second jaw member, wherein the second clamp is constructed and arranged to engage a distal one of the two parallel dock stringers between the second jaw member and the elongate rail.

9. The dock bracket of claim 8, wherein a distance between the first and second clamps along the elongate rail is adjustable.

10. The dock bracket of claim 8, wherein the first clamp defines an opening between the first jaw member and the elongate rail, wherein a distance across the opening is between 0.5 inch and 6 inches.

11. A dock accessory kit to provide cantilevered support from a supported section of dock to an adjacent dock platform, the dock accessory kit comprising:

an elongate rail having a longitudinal length greater than a distance between two parallel dock stringers of the supported section, the elongate rail extending between a proximal rail end and a distal rail end, the elongate rail defining a longitudinal axis;

a first clamp comprising a first clamp body and a first jaw member, wherein the first clamp is constructed and arranged to engage a proximal one of the two parallel dock stringers between the first jaw member and the elongate rail; wherein the first clamp body is constructed and arranged to engage the elongate rail, wherein the first clamp further comprises a first clamp adjustment member, wherein when connected to the proximal dock stringer the proximal rail end extends beyond a proximal side of the supported dock; and

a first platform support member constructed and arranged to engage the elongate rail and be disposed on the extended proximal rail end of the elongate rail between the distal rail end and the first clamp, wherein the first platform support member is structured and arranged to support the adjacent dock platform; and,

a first dock platform to be supported from an adjacent supported section of dock, the dock platform comprising: a first edge portion to be secured proximate a first dock mounting portion; a second edge portion to be secured proximate a second dock mounting portion; a tread member extending from the first edge portion and the second edge portion; and at least one fixation arm constructed and arranged to engage at least one proximal dock stringer.

12. The dock accessory kit of claim 11, wherein the first clamp further comprises a first rail securement member constructed and arranged to restrict longitudinal movement of the first jaw member along the elongate rail.

13. The dock accessory kit of claim 11, further comprising:

a second clamp comprising a second jaw member, wherein the second clamp is constructed and arranged to engage a distal one of the two parallel dock stringers between the second jaw member and the elongate rail.

14. The dock accessory kit of claim 11, further comprising a second platform support member constructed and arranged to engage the elongate rail and be disposed between the distal rail end and the second clamp.

15. (canceled)

16. A dock comprising:

a first dock assembly comprising a first dock section and two parallel first dock stringer pipes;

a second dock assembly comprising a second dock section and two parallel second dock stringer pipes; and

a dock platform attached to the first dock assembly via a first dock bracket and to the second dock assembly via a second dock bracket;

wherein each of the first and second dock brackets comprises: an elongate rail having a longitudinal length greater than a distance between two parallel dock stringers of one of the first or second dock assemblies, the elongate rail extending between a proximal rail end and a distal rail end, the elongate rail defining a longitudinal axis; a first clamp comprising a first clamp body disposed about the elongate rail near the proximal rail end, the first clamp further comprising a first jaw member disposed apart from the elongate rail and defining an opening sized to receive a stringer pipe therein, wherein the first clamp is constructed and arranged to clamp a stringer pipe between the first jaw member and the elongate rail at a non-zero angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate rail as measured from an overhead perspective; wherein the first clamp further comprises: a first clamp adjustment member; and an optional first rail securement member constructed and arranged to restrict longitudinal movement of the first jaw member along the elongate rail; and a first platform support member engaging the elongate rail and disposed between the proximal rail end and the first clamp;

wherein a proximal one of the two parallel first dock stringer pipes is disposed in the opening of the first clamp of the first dock bracket, and wherein a proximal one of the two parallel second dock stringer pipes is disposed in the opening of the first clamp of the second dock bracket,

wherein the dock platform is supported by the platform support member of the first dock bracket and the platform support member of the second dock bracket, wherein the platform support member of the first dock bracket extends beyond a side of the first dock section and the platform support member of the second dock bracket extends beyond a side of the second dock section.

17. The dock of claim 16, wherein the dock platform comprises:

a first edge portion;

a second edge portion;

a tread member extending from the first edge portion and the second edge portion; and

at least on fixation arm extending from at least the first edge portion.