Fixed, Adjustable, and Bumper Attachment Devices and Methods of Use Thereof
An adjustable attachment device includes an elongate body defining a plurality of openings and an attachment bracket attached to and slidable relative to the body and defining an opening. The adjustable attachment device selectively and adjustably interconnects a fixed piling and a floating dock assembly. A fixed attachment device includes a main portion defining an opening and a generally triangular end portion defining an opening. The fixed attachment device rigidly interconnects a fixed piling and a floating dock assembly. A bumper attachment device includes a first and second end portions defining openings and a rotatable bumper. The bumper attachment device is connected to a floating dock assembly.
The present disclosure relates to fixed, adjustable, and bumper attachment devices, in particular, to attachment devices for use with a cubicle and/or modular floating dock assembly, such as (in the case of the fixed and adjustable attachment devices) for interconnecting such a floating dock assembly to a fixed piling or (in the case of the bumper attachment system) for connecting to a floating dock assembly.
BACKGROUNDConventional cubicle and/or modular floating dock assemblies are formed of individual cubicle pieces that are connected to one another with pins and/or fasteners to form a complete floating dock assembly. The floating dock assembly is then installed in the water by being attached to a fixed structure (e.g., a fixed dock or fixed piling) through a series of ropes and metal “D-rings.” However, the use of ropes may be audibly irritating, and D-rings may provide only a rudimentary and inferior attachment option. Additionally, barnacles and other marine growth may quickly degrade such ropes (including within the first week of deployment), which may cause undesirable fraying of the ropes. As such, the use of such ropes becomes a liability with the use of cubicle and/or modular floating dock assemblies due to the possibility that such ropes may fray completely, thereby causing the floating dock assembly to float away.
In addition to the foregoing, there are currently no satisfactory options for attaching a cubicle and/or modular floating dock assembly to fixed pilings. As previously described, current attachment methods for cubicle and/or modular floating dock assemblies involve the use of ropes that wrap around the fixed pilings and pass through attachment points defined in the floating dock assembly. However, such rope attachment suffers the drawbacks previously described. In certain conventional cubicle and/or modular floating dock assemblies, attachment points are evenly spaced, such that if the fixed pilings to which the floating dock assembly is desired to be attached are not likewise evenly spaced, fixed and/or rigid attachment is precluded.
Further yet, while conventional cubicle and/or modular floating dock assemblies may provide for the ability for a watercraft to be driven on to the floating dock assembly, there is not currently a satisfactory option for parking or mooring a watercraft alongside (e.g., against) a side of such a floating dock assembly without deploying a separate bumper protection to prevent potential damage to the watercraft. This is due to the fact that the sides of such conventional floating dock assemblies are known to undesirably rub against the watercraft, often marring the finish on such watercraft with unsightly black scrapes or worse.
Therefore, there is a need for fixed, adjustable, and bumper attachment devices that overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, namely by providing convenient means for attachment to an existing cubicle and/or modular floating dock assembly. Out of the aforementioned drawbacks was born the fixed, adjustable, and bumper attachment devices described herein.
SUMMARYIn one example, an adjustable attachment device is provided. The adjustable attachment device includes a body. The body may be an elongate body. The body extends from a first end to a second end thereof. The body extends from the first end to the second end thereof along a longitudinal axis. The body defines a plurality of openings. The adjustable attachment device further includes an attachment bracket. The attachment bracket is attached to the body. The attachment bracket is attached to the body such that the attachment bracket is slidable relative to the body. The attachment bracket is slidable relative to the body along the longitudinal axis. The attachment bracket defines an opening.
In some examples, the body can define a main portion. The main portion may be attached to the attachment bracket. The body may, in certain constructions, further define a first end portion. The first end portion may be positioned proximate the first end of the body. The body may, in certain constructions, further define a second end portion. The second end portion may be positioned proximate the second end of the body. The first end portion may extend outwardly away from the main portion along a first direction. The first direction may be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The second end portion may extend outwardly away from the main portion along the first direction.
In variations, the first end portion can at least partially define a first one of the plurality of openings defined in the body. The second end portion can at least partially define a second one of the plurality of openings defined in the body.
In particular examples, the main portion may define a first track. The first track may pass completely through the body. The main portion may define a second track. The second track may pass partially into the body. The second track can be spaced apart from the first track along the first direction. The attachment bracket may, in certain examples, be configured to interface with each of the first track and the second track as the attachment bracket is slid relative to the body.
In certain constructions, the attachment bracket may define a main portion. The main portion of the attachment bracket can be attached to the main portion of the body. The attachment bracket may, in variations, define an end portion extending outwardly away from the main portion of the attachment bracket. The end portion of the attachment bracket may extend outwardly away from the main portion of the attachment bracket along a second direction opposite the first direction. The end portion of the attachment bracket may define the opening in the attachment bracket. In some examples, the end portion of the attachment bracket can be in non-overlapping relationship with the body.
In variations, the adjustable attachment device may further comprise a translation bracket. The translation bracket can be attached to the attachment bracket. In particular constructions, the body may be at least partially sandwiched between the translation bracket and the attachment bracket. In some examples, the body may define a track. The track can pass completely through the body. The attachment bracket may be configured to interface with the track as the attachment bracket is slid relative to the body. The translation bracket can be attached to the attachment bracket. The translation bracket can be attached to the attachment bracket by at least one fastener. The fastener may pass through the track defined in the body.
The adjustable attachment device may, in particular variations, be made of marine-grade high-density polyethylene, metal, or combinations thereof.
Also provided herein according to one example is a system. The system includes a fixed piling. The system further includes a floating dock assembly. The system further includes an adjustable attachment device as described herein. In variations, each of the plurality of openings defined in the body of the adjustable attachment device may be configured to receive a corresponding fastener. Such fasteners may connect the adjustable attachment device to the floating dock assembly. In variations, the opening defined in the attachment bracket may be configured to receive the fixed piling therethrough. The foregoing may enable the adjustable attachment device to selectively and adjustably interconnect the fixed piling and the floating dock assembly.
In another example, a fixed attachment device is provided. The fixed attachment device includes a main portion. The fixed attachment device further includes a generally triangular end portion. The end portion extends outwardly away from the main portion along a first direction. A first opening is defined in the main portion. A second opening is defined in the end portion.
The fixed attachment device may, in particular variations, be made of marine-grade high-density polyethylene, metal, or combinations thereof.
Also provided herein according to one example is a system. The system includes a fixed piling. The system further includes a floating dock assembly. The system further includes a fixed attachment device as described herein. In variations, the second opening defined in the end portion of the fixed attachment device may be configured to receive a corresponding fastener. The fastener may connect the fixed attachment device to the floating dock assembly. In variations, the first opening defined in the main portion of the fixed attachment system may be configured to receive the fixed piling therethrough. The foregoing may enable the fixed attachment device to rigidly interconnect the fixed piling and the floating dock assembly.
In a further example, a bumper attachment device is provided. The bumper attachment device includes a bumper. The bumper extends from a first end to a second end thereof along a longitudinal axis. The bumper attachment device further includes a first end portion. The first end portion is positioned proximate the first end of the bumper. The first end portion defines a first opening. The bumper attachment device further includes a second end portion. The second end portion is positioned proximate the second end of the bumper. The second end portion defines a second opening. The bumper is disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion. The bumper is configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis.
In variations, the bumper may define a contact plane. The contact plane may be parallel to the longitudinal axis. In certain constructions, neither the first end portion nor the second end portion may extend into the contact plane defined by the bumper.
In particular examples, the first end portion can define an outer edge. The outer edge defined by the first end portion may be obliquely angled relative to the longitudinal axis. The second end portion can define an outer edge. The outer edge defined by the second end portion may be obliquely angled relative to the longitudinal axis.
The bumper attachment device may, in certain constructions, further comprise a first rod. The first rod may extend between and interconnecting the first end portion and the second end portion. The first rod can pass through the bumper such that the bumper rotates about the first rod. In variations, the bumper attachment device may further comprise a second rod. The second rod may extend between and interconnecting the first end portion and the second end portion. The second rod can pass through the bumper such that the bumper rotates about the second rod.
Each of the first end portion and the second end portion of the bumper attachment device may, in particular variations, be made of marine-grade high-density polyethylene, metal, or combinations thereof.
Also provided herein according to one example is a system. The system includes a floating dock assembly. The system further includes a bumper attachment device as described herein. In variations, each of the first opening and the second opening may be configured to receive a corresponding fastener. Such fasteners may connect the bumper attachment device to the floating dock assembly.
The following description of the illustrative examples may be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. It is understood that potential examples of the disclosed systems and methods are not limited to those depicted.
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative examples described in the detailed description and drawings are not meant to be limiting and are for explanatory purposes. Other examples may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein and shown in the drawings, may be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, each of which are explicitly contemplated and form a part of this disclosure.
Known floating dock assemblies (e.g., cubicle and/or modular floating dock assemblies) are conventionally attached to a fixed structure (e.g., a fixed dock or fixed piling) through a series of ropes and metal “D-rings.” For example, as shown in
In view of the foregoing drawbacks, the present disclosure provides fixed, adjustable, and bumper attachment systems that do not rely on the use of any ropes or similar attachment means. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the attachment devices of the present disclosure may be used in a variety of applications. By way of non-limiting example, it is contemplated that the attachment devices described herein may be used (in the case of the fixed and adjustable attachment devices) for interconnecting a cubicle and/or modular floating dock assembly to a fixed piling or (in the case of the bumper attachment system) for connecting to a cubicle and/or modular floating dock assembly.
Referring first to
The adjustable attachment device 100 may also include one or more attachment brackets 130. In examples, the adjustable attachment device 100 may generally include a selected number of attachment brackets 130 corresponding to a number of fixed pilings or other fixed structures to which the adjustable attachment device 100 is desired to be attached. The attachment bracket(s) 130 may be attached to the body 110. In variations, the attachment bracket 130 may be attached to the body 110 such that the attachment bracket 130 is slidable relative to the body 110. The attachment bracket 130 may be slidable relative to the body 110 along the longitudinal axis A. In some examples, the attachment bracket 130 may be slidable relative to the body 110 along a full or substantially full length of the body 110, such as between the first end 118 and the second end 119 thereof. The attachment bracket 130 of the adjustable attachment device 100 may also define one or more openings 140.
With continued reference to
The body 110 of the adjustable attachment device 100 may define one or more end portions 114, 116. A first one 114 of the end portions may be positioned proximate the first end 118 of the body 110. A second one 116 of the end portions may be positioned proximate the second end 119 of the body 110. As shown, the first end portion 114 of the body 110 may extend outwardly away from the main portion 112 of the body 110 along a first direction 2. The first direction 2 may be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A. The second end portion 116 of the body 110 may similarly extend outwardly away from the main portion 112 of the body 110 along the first direction 2. The first end portion 114 of the body 110 may be spaced apart from the second end portion 116 of the body 110 along the longitudinal axis A.
In examples, the first end portion 114 of the body 110 may at least partially define a first one 120 of the openings defined in the body 110. The second end portion 116 of the body 110 may at least partially defines a second one 122 of the openings defined in the body 110. The end portions 114, 116 of the body 110 may generally be of any size and/or shape as desired to suit a particular application. By way of non-limiting example, the end portions 114, 116 of the body 110 may generally be triangular in shape. Such a triangular shape for the end portions 114, 116 of the body 110 may, in certain applications, allow the adjustable attachment device 100 to be more readily connected (e.g., via the openings 120, 122 at least partially defined in the respective end portions 114, 116) to a floating dock assembly 500 having modular cubical units, such as is shown in
The attachment bracket 130 may, in certain constructions, define a main portion 132. The main portion 132 of the attachment bracket 130 may be attached to the main portion 112 of the body 110. The attachment bracket 130 may define an end portion 134. The end portion 134 of attachment bracket 130 may extend outwardly away from the main portion 132 of the attachment bracket 130 along a second direction 4. The second direction 4 may be opposite the first direction 2. The end portion 134 of the attachment bracket 130 may define the opening 140 in the attachment bracket 130. As may be understood with reference to
With specific reference to
With reference back to
With reference now to
With continued reference to
As may now be appreciated, the adjustable attachment device 100 may be employed in a system 10 such as that shown in
The adjustable attachment device 100 may be of any size, shape, and/or material as desired to suit a particular application. By way of non-limiting example, the adjustable attachment device 100 may be made of marine-grade high-density polyethylene (HDPE), metal, or combinations thereof. By way of further non-limiting example, in certain variations in which fixed pilings to which the adjustable attachment device is to be attached are spaced apart by about 19.5″ (outside-to-outside hole on portion that attaches to the floating dock assembly) on center, the adjustable attachment device 100 may define a distance of about 21.25″ between the openings 120, 122 defined in the body 110 of the adjustable attachment device 100. In examples, the body 110 of the adjustable attachment device 100 is a unitary and monolithic design including the main portion 112 and the first and second end portions 114, 116, although other examples of the disclosure are not so limited. The bumper attachment device 300 may generally be of any size and/or shape as desired to suit a particular application. By way of a first non-limiting example, the bumper attachment device 300 may have a length of about 24″. In such first non-limiting example, the bumper attachment device 300 may generally be capable of connecting to a floating dock assembly of a known design via two attachment points spaced apart from one another by about 21.25″ (e.g., lengthwise across a single modular cube of a cubicle, modular floating dock assembly). By way of a second non-limiting example, the bumper attachment device 300 may have a length of about 48″. In such second non-limiting example, the bumper attachment device 300 may generally be capable of connecting to a floating dock assembly of a known design via three attachment points spaced apart from one another by about 21.25″ (e.g., lengthwise across multiple modular cubes of a cubicle, modular floating dock assembly). By way of further non-limiting example, the bumper attachment device 300 may have a length of from about 24″ to about 96″, with greater lengths generally being capable of connecting to a floating dock assembly of a known design via more attachment points spaced apart from one another (e.g., lengthwise across multiple modular cubes of a cubicle, modular floating dock assembly.
In the example illustrated in
Turning now to
The fixed attachment device 200 may have an end portion 220. The end portion 220 of the fixed attachment device 200 may extend outwardly away from the main portion 210 of the fixed attachment device 200 along a first direction 2. The end portion 220 of the fixed attachment device 200 may define an opening 240.
The end portion 220 of the fixed attachment device 200 may generally be triangular in shape. Such a triangular shape for the end portion 220 of the fixed attachment device 200 may, in certain applications, allow the fixed attachment device 200 to be more readily connected (e.g., via the opening 240 at least partially defined in the end portion 200) to a floating dock assembly 500 having modular cubical units, such as is shown in
With reference now to
With continued reference to
As may now be appreciated, the fixed attachment device 200 may be employed in a system 20 such as that shown in
The fixed attachment device 200 may be of any size, shape, and/or material as desired to suit a particular application. By way of non-limiting example, the fixed attachment device 200 may be made of marine-grade high-density polyethylene (HDPE), metal, or combinations thereof. By way of further non-limiting example, the fixed attachment device 200 may generally be of a lachrymiform (i.e., generally teardrop) shape. As previously described, such a shape for the fixed attachment device 200 (e.g., resulting in a triangular shape for the end portion 220 of the fixed attachment device 200) may, in certain applications, allow the fixed attachment device 200 to be more readily connected (e.g., via the opening 240 at least partially defined in the end portion 240) to a floating dock assembly 500 having modular cubical units, such as is shown in
Turning now to
The bumper attachment device 300 may include one or more end portions 320, 340. A first one 320 of the end portions may be positioned proximate the first end 318 of the bumper 310. A second one 340 of the end portions may be positioned proximate the second end 319 of the bumper 310. As shown, the bumper 310 may be disposed between the first end portion 320 and the second end portion 340. The bumper 310 may be configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis A. In this way, the bumper 310 may “roll” up and down with changes in tide or marine wakes, thereby minimizing or preventing undesirable rubbing against a watercraft abutting the bumper 310 (e.g., as shown in
In examples, the first end portion 320 of the bumper attachment device 300 may at least partially define a first opening 330. The second end portion 340 of the bumper attachment device 300 may at least partially define a second opening 350. In examples, the bumper attachment device 300 may generally define a number of openings corresponding to a selected number of attachment points of a floating dock assembly to which the bumper attachment device 300 is desired to be attached. The end portions 320, 340 of the bumper attachment device 300 may generally be of any size and/or shape as desired to suit a particular application. By way of non-limiting example, the end portions 320, 340 of the bumper attachment device 300 may generally be at least partially triangular in shape. Such a triangular shape for the end portions 320, 340 of the bumper attachment device 300 may, in certain applications, allow the bumper attachment device 300 to be more readily connected (e.g., via the openings 330, 350 at least partially defined in the respective end portions 320, 340) to a floating dock assembly 500 having modular cubical units, such as is shown in
With continued reference to
In variations, the contact plane CP defined by the bumper 310 may be spaced apart from the first and second end portions 320, 340 of the bumper attachment device 300. For example, as shown in
The first end portion 320 of the bumper attachment device 300 may define an outer edge 322. In some examples, the outer edge 322 of the first end portion 320 of the bumper attachment device 300 may be angled relative to the longitudinal axis A. In some examples, such as is shown in
With specific reference to
With continued reference to
With reference now to
As may now be appreciated, the bumper attachment device 300 may be employed in a system 30 such as that shown in FIG. CC including a floating dock system 500, which may be of a known design. The bumper attachment device 300 may be lowered to the floating dock assembly 500. At least one of the bumper attachment device 300 and the floating dock assembly 500 may be moved relative to the other, as necessary, to align the first and second openings 330, 350 defined in the first and second end portions 320, 340, respectively, of the bumper attachment device 300 with corresponding attachment points defined in the floating dock assembly 500. A fastener 331 may then be passed through the first opening 330, thereby connecting the first end portion 320 to the floating dock assembly 500. If the second opening 350 defined in the second end portion 340 of the bumper attachment device 300 was not previously (or is no longer) aligned with a second attachment point of the floating dock assembly 500, the bumper attachment device 300 may be moved (e.g., swung about the fastener 331), as necessary, to align the second opening 350 with a corresponding attachment point defined in the floating dock assembly 500. A fastener 351 may then be passed through the second opening 350, thereby connecting the second end portion 340 to the floating dock assembly 500. In this way, that the bumper attachment device 300 may be rigidly (e.g., and releasably) attached to the floating dock assembly 500. Use of the bumper attachment device 300 may thus provide a means for preventing undesirable contact between a watercraft or another object and a floating dock assembly to which the bumper attachment device 300 is attached. In this way, use of the bumper attachment device 300 may minimize or prevent undesirable rubbing against a watercraft abutting the bumper 310 (e.g., as shown in
The bumper attachment device 300 may be of any size, shape, and/or material as desired to suit a particular application. By way of non-limiting example, at least the first and second end portions 320, 340 of the bumper attachment device 300 may be made of marine-grade high-density polyethylene (HDPE), metal, or combinations thereof. By way of further non-limiting example, in certain variations in which attachment points to which the bumper attachment device is to be attached are spaced apart by about 19″ on center, the bumper attachment device 300 may define a distance of about 15″ between the first and second openings 330, 350 defined in the first and second end portions 320, 340, respectively, of the bumper attachment device 300.
It should be noted that the drawings and descriptions of the examples are for exemplary purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the disclosure. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the present disclosure contemplates various examples. Additionally, it should be understood that the concepts described above with the above-described examples may be employed alone or in combination with any of the other examples described above. It should further be appreciated that the various alternative examples described above with respect to one illustrated example can apply to all examples as described herein, unless otherwise indicated.
Unless explicitly stated otherwise, each numerical value and range should be interpreted as being approximate as if the word “about,” “approximately,” or “substantially” preceded the value or range. The terms “about” and “approximately” can be understood as describing a range that is within 15 percent of a specified value unless otherwise stated.
Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” “may,” “e.g.,” and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain examples include, while other examples do not include, certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required for one or more examples or that one or more examples necessarily include these features, elements and/or steps. The terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like are synonymous and are used inclusively, in an open-ended fashion, and do not exclude additional elements, features, acts, operations, and so forth.
While certain examples have been described, these examples have been presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, nothing in the foregoing description is intended to imply that any particular feature, characteristic, step, module, or block is necessary or indispensable. Indeed, the novel methods and articles described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form of the methods and articles described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions disclosed herein. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of certain of the inventions disclosed herein.
It will be understood that reference herein to “a” or “one” to describe a feature such as a component or step does not foreclose additional features or multiples of the feature. For instance, reference to a device having or defining “one” of a feature does not preclude the device from having or defining more than one of the feature, as long as the device has or defines at least one of the feature. Similarly, reference herein to “one of” a plurality of features does not foreclose the invention from including two or more, up to all, of the features. For instance, reference to a device having or defining “one of a X and Y” does not foreclose the device from having both X and Y.
Claims
1. An adjustable attachment device, comprising:
- an elongate body extending from a first end to a second end thereof along a longitudinal axis, the body defining a plurality of openings;
- an attachment bracket attached to the body such that the attachment bracket is slidable relative to the body along the longitudinal axis, the attachment bracket defining an opening.
2. The adjustable attachment device of claim 1, wherein:
- the body defines a main portion attached to the attachment bracket, a first end portion proximate the first end of the body, and a second end portion proximate the second end of the body; and
- the first end portion of the body extends outwardly away from the main portion of the body along a first direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and the second end portion of the body extends outwardly away from the main portion of the body along the first direction.
3. The adjustable attachment device of claim 2, wherein the first end portion of the body at least partially defines a first one of the plurality of openings defined in the body and the second end portion of the body at least partially defines a second one of the plurality of openings defined in the body.
4. The adjustable attachment device of claim 2, wherein:
- the main portion of the body defines a first track passing completely through the body and a second track passing partially into the body, the second track spaced apart from the first track along the first direction; and
- the attachment bracket is configured to interface with each of the first track and the second track as the attachment bracket is slid relative to the body.
5. The adjustable attachment device of claim 2, wherein:
- the attachment bracket defines a main portion attached to the main portion of the body and an end portion extending outwardly away from the main portion of the attachment bracket along a second direction opposite the first direction; and
- the end portion of the attachment bracket defines the opening in the attachment bracket.
6. The adjustable attachment device of claim 5, wherein the end portion of the attachment bracket is in non-overlapping relationship with the body.
7. The adjustable attachment device of claim 1, further comprising:
- a translation bracket attached to the attachment bracket such that the body is at least partially sandwiched between the translation bracket and the attachment bracket.
8. The adjustable attachment device of claim 7, wherein:
- the body defines a track passing completely through the body and the attachment bracket is configured to interface with the track as the attachment bracket is slid relative to the body; and
- the translation bracket is attached to the attachment bracket by at least one fastener passing through the track defined in the body.
9. The adjustable attachment device of claim 1, wherein the adjustable attachment device is made of marine-grade high-density polyethylene, metal, or combinations thereof.
10. A system, comprising:
- a fixed piling;
- a floating dock assembly; and
- the adjustable attachment device of claim 1,
- wherein each of the plurality of openings defined in the body is configured to receive a corresponding fastener for connecting the adjustable attachment device to the floating dock assembly and wherein the opening defined in the attachment bracket is configured to receive the fixed piling therethrough, such that the adjustable attachment device selectively and adjustably interconnects the fixed piling and the floating dock assembly.
11. A fixed attachment device, comprising:
- a main portion and a generally triangular end portion extending outwardly away from the main portion along a first direction;
- a first opening defined in the main portion; and
- a second opening defined in the end portion.
12. The fixed attachment device of claim 11, wherein the fixed attachment device is made of marine-grade high-density polyethylene, metal, or combinations thereof.
13. A system, comprising:
- a fixed piling;
- a floating dock assembly; and
- the fixed attachment device of claim 11,
- wherein the second opening is configured to receive a corresponding fastener for connecting the fixed attachment device to the floating dock assembly and wherein the first opening is configured to receive the fixed piling therethrough, such that the fixed attachment device rigidly interconnects the fixed piling and the floating dock assembly.
14. A bumper attachment device, comprising:
- a bumper extending from a first end to a second end thereof along a longitudinal axis;
- a first end portion proximate the first end of the bumper and defining a first opening; and
- a second end portion proximate the second end of the bumper and defining a second opening,
- wherein the bumper is disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion and is configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis.
15. The bumper attachment device of claim 14, wherein:
- the bumper defines a contact plane parallel to the longitudinal axis; and
- neither the first end portion nor the second end portion extend into the contact plane defined by the bumper.
16. The bumper attachment device of claim 14, wherein:
- the first end portion defines an outer edge obliquely angled relative to the longitudinal axis; and
- the second end portion defines an outer edge obliquely angled relative to the longitudinal axis.
17. The bumper attachment device of claim 16, further comprising a first rod extending between and interconnecting the first end portion and the second portion, wherein the first rod passes through the bumper such that the bumper rotates about the first rod.
18. The bumper attachment device of claim 17, further comprising a second rod spaced apart from the first rod and extending between and interconnecting the first end portion and the second portion, wherein the second rod passes through the bumper such that the bumper rotates about the second rod.
19. The bumper attachment device of claim 16, wherein at least the first end portion and the second end portion are each made of marine-grade high-density polyethylene, metal, or combinations thereof.
20. A system, comprising:
- a floating dock assembly; and
- the bumper attachment device of claim 16,
- wherein each of the first opening and the second opening are configured to receive a corresponding fastener for connecting the bumper attachment device to the floating dock assembly.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 19, 2021
Publication Date: Apr 20, 2023
Inventors: Phillip Thompson (Deland, FL), Juddson Tyler Spore (Deland, FL)
Application Number: 17/505,210