Hinge for docks
View Patent ↗This invention relates to a hinge for interconnecting sections of a floating dock and for interconnecting walkways with floating docks. This hinge protects docks from being damaged by stress exerted by the side to side or up and down motion of the wave, storm or high winds. This hinge can also be used for reconstructing old damaged docks. The hinge comprises two stackable sheet of twisting members which are preferably flat, each having an arcuate front end for facilitating a twisting motion of the twisting members relative to each other, a mounting plate, and a central opening for accomodating a pivot rod; a fastener for keeping the hinge components together; and, preferably washers to protect the outside surfaces of the twisting members from abrasion. One side of the hinge preferably attaches to a dock section having a dock joint bracket while the other end preferably attaches to a plain corner bracket to allow vertical pivotal movement of the dock sections in response to wave motions. A cover is provided if a gap is formed by the space occupied by the hinge.
1. A hinge for interconnecting sections of a dock or for interconnecting walkways to a dock, comprising:
two flat stackable sheets of twisting members, each having an arcuate front end opposite a base for facilitating a twisting motion, a mounting plate at the base, and a central opening;
a pivot rod inserting through the central opening;
a fastener for keeping the hinge components together;
a grease zerk for greasing the hinge;
means for mounting the hinge to dock sections of a dock; and,
means for rendering vertical pivotal movement of the dock sections.
2. The hinge of claim 1 further comprising a washer.
3. The hinge of claim 1 further comprising means for covering a gap formed by the hinge between interconnecting dock sections.
4. The hinge of claim 3 wherein the means for covering the gap is a marine plywood laid on top of the interconnecting dock sections having an unbolted beveled arched edge on one end and a bolted beveled horizontal edge on the other end, the beveled edges extending beyond the interconnected vertical faces of the dock sections; and, lateral side ends coterminally aligning with the lateral side ends of the dock sections.
5. The hinge of claim 1 wherein the means for rendering vertical pivotal movement of the dock is the mounting plate of one twisting member connecting to a dock joint bracket attached to a dock section and the mounting plate of the other twisting member connecting to a plain corner bracket attached to an opposite dock section.
6. The hinge of claim 1 further comprising means for preventing abrasion between contacting surfaces.
7. The hinge of claim 1 wherein the base of the stackable sheets is horizontal.
8. The hinge of claim 1 wherein the mounting plates are oriented perpendicular to the plane of the flat stackable sheets.
9. The hinge of claim 1 further comprising a gusset to reinforce the attachment of the mounting plates to the dock sections.
10. The hinge of claim 1 wherein the pivotal rod is a bolt.
11. The hinge of claim 1 wherein the fastener is a nut when the pivotal rod is a bolt.
12. The hinge of claim 1 further comprising a lifting bracket.
13. The hinge of claim 1 wherein the arcuate front of the stackable sheets have vertical sides extending diagonally at each end and terminating at the mounting plates.
14. A method for interconnecting dock sections that can withstand damage from strong wave current and wind, comprising:
a) stacking two flat sheets of twisting members resulting in an upper and a lower twisting member, each having an arcuate front end opposite a base, a central hole, and a mounting plate and orienting the mounting plate of the upper sheet opposite or away from the mounting plate of the lower sheet;
b) aligning the central hole of the upper and lower sheets of twisting members;
c) introducing a pivot rod through the aligned central holes;
d) fastening the stacked twisting members together thereby forming an assembled hinge;
e) greasing the assembled hinge through a grease zerk;
f) mounting the assembled hinge by attaching the mounting plate of one twisting member to a dock joint bracket attached to a dock section and the mounting plate of the other twisting member to a plain corner bracket attached to an opposite dock section; and,
g) covering a gap, if formed by the hinge between the interconnected dock sections to prevent injury to users.
15. The method of claim 14 further comprising between step b) and c), placing a washer having a center hole on top of the upper twisting member in such a way that the center hole aligns with the central holes of the twisting members.
16. The method of claim 14 further comprising between step d) and e), placing a washer having a center hole at the bottom of the lower twisting member in such a way that the center hole aligns with the central holes of the twisting members.