US3752102A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Floating dock or the like and floatation unit for use therewith
Assignee: Woodall Industries Inc
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Filing: 1971-09-22
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Granted: 1973-08-14
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Expires: 1991-09-22
Abstract
Abstract A floating dock, raft or the like is made with special plastic floatation units. The floatation units consist of a pair of vacuum formed polyethylene sheets heat sealed together at peripheral flanges thereof. This flange is nailed to the bottom of joists which support the deck material of the dock.
Inventors
- 👤 R Shuman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 00:16
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B35/00; B63B35/34; B63G; B63G8/00; B63G8/14; B63G8/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A floating load supporting structure comprising a framework having a plurality of parallel joists, a deck mounted on said joists and a plurality of floatation units positioned between and supporting said joists, said floatation units being made from upper and lower thin walled plastic members joined at peripheral flange portions thereof to define a water tight compartment between said members, said flange portions being disposed in a horizontal plane located intermediate the upper and lower extremities of said floatation units, and fastener means extending upwardly through said flange portions into said joists to secure said flange portions to said joists.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
A floating load supporting structure comprising a framework having a plurality of parallel joists, a deck mounted on said joists and a plurality of floatation units positioned between and supporting said joists, said floatation units being made from upper and lower thin walled plastic members joined at peripheral flange portions thereof to define a water tight compartment between said members, said flange portions being disposed in a horizontal plane located intermediate the upper and lower extremities of said floatation units, and fastener means extending upwardly through said flange portions into said joists to secure said flange portions to said joists.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The structure set forth in claim 1 in which one thin walled member of said floatation unit is upwardly dished from said flange and in which the other thin walled member of said floatation unit is downwardly dished from said flange.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The structure set forth in claim 1 in which said floatation unit flange portions are heat sealed together.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
64 words
The structure set forth in claim 1 in which said joists comprise lumber of greater height than width. 5. The structure set forth in claim 1 in which one of said floatation unit members incorporates an upwardly formed central portion having a substantially flat upper wall and in which the other floatation unit members incorporates a central downwardly formed portion having an arcuate wall.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The structure set forth in claim 1 in which a lower one of the members of said floatation units incorporates outwardly projecting ribs supportingly connected to said flange portions on the lower side thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
103 words
A floatation unit for floating docks, rafts or the like comprising a pair of formed synthetic resinous top and bottom sheets, said sheets having peripheral flanges sealed together to define a water tight compartment in the space between said sheets, said top sheet being upwardly formed in the area thereof bounded by its said flange and being unobstructed in areas above its said flange on opposite sides thereof to permit a pair of joists or the like to be supported thereon, said bottom sheet having load supporting ribs formed therein and connected to its said flange to reinforce said flanges against downward deflection.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
103 words
A floatation unit for floating docks, rafts or the like comprising a pair of formed synthetic resinous top and bottom sheets, said sheets having peripheral flanges sealed together to define a water tight compartment in the space between said sheets, said top sheet being upwardly formed in the area thereof bounded by its said flange and being unobstructed in areas above its said flange on opposite sides thereof to permit a pair of joists or the like to be supported thereon, said bottom sheet having load supporting ribs formed therein and connected to its said flange to reinforce said flanges against downward deflection.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
The structure set forth in claim 7 in which said top sheet has a central upwardly deformed portion located entirely above the plane of said flange portions and in which said bottom sheet has a downwardly deformed portion located entirely beneath the plane of said flange portions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
The structure set forth in claim 8 in which said top sheet is provided with a raised generally flat top wall at the upper end thereof and in which said bottom sheet is formed with a depressed arcuate wall at the lower end thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The structure set forth in claim 7 in which the flange portions of said sheets are heat sealed together.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The structure set forth in claim 7 in which one of said sheets is formed with inwardly depressed reinforcing ribs.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
The structure set forth in claim 7 in which said flange portions are located in a plane disposed above a point midway between the top of said top sheet and the bottom of said bottom sheet.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The structure set forth in claim 7 in which each of said sheets is provided with a peripheral flange extending entireLy therearound and in which said flanges are heat sealed together.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
The structure set forth in claim 13 including load supporting ribs deformed outwardly from said lower sheet and merging with the flange of said lower sheet to provide columnar support against downward deflection of said lower sheet flange.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-08-13 | 1977-02-12 | 1977-08-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-13 | 1981-02-12 | 1981-08-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-13 | 1985-02-12 | 1985-08-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |