REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application relates and claims priority to applicant's copending U.S. Provisional Application, Serial Number 62/108,706, filed January 28, 2015, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. FIELD OF INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to floating platform modules, and more particularly to a floating platform module that can be used in isolation or joined with other like modules to form a customized floating platform of desired size and configuration.

2. BACKGROUND OF ART

[0003] Floating platforms, coupled with support structure and decking are used for many marine purposes. Common applications of such a float are in its use as a floating dock, a boat slip, a platform for employment of a marine tool, and the like.

[0004] Floating docks, for example, are commonly used in bodies of water that are susceptible to significant changes in water depth, as well as in locations where it is desirable to remove a dock for maintenance and/or seasonal reasons. Due to a floating dock having the property of rising and falling with the level of the water, at least to a limited degree, wave action, and rising and falling tides, the damage that oftentimes will occur to a boat that is tied to a fixed dock is far less severe when the dock also changes its level with the change in water depth. In addition, in those areas where, for example, ice forms along the shore lines during colder months, damage may be done to a permanently installed dock, whereas a floating dock is generally removable from the water so that it can be properly maintained and not subjected to the damage caused by freezing and thawing of the water.

[0005] One drawback to floating docks, as compared to their fixed counterparts, is that the floating docks are less stable due to buoyancy being the primary force that maintains them in position, as opposed to concrete pilings or other solid foundational structure. Thus, improvements to the stability of floating docks are always a desired innovation.

3. OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

[0006] It is a primary object and advantage of the present invention to provide a stable floating platform module. [0007] It is a further object and advantage of the present invention to provide a module that may be interconnected to other modules to form a stable floating platform of desired size and configuration.

[0008] It is an additional object and advantage of the present invention to provide a floating platform module to which deck board may be easily attached and detached when desired.

[0009] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will in part be obvious and in part appear hereinafter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In accordance with the foregoing objects and advantages, the present invention provides a floating platform module and system of platform modules from which a floating platform of desired size and configuration may be constructed. The floating platform module and any floating platform constructed from the modules are stable when placed in water.

[0011] In an aspect of the invention, a floating platform module includes an upper section having an upwardly facing surface and a first elongated edge; a lower section having a downwardly facing surface and a second elongated edge that is positioned opposite from the first elongated edge; a first flange extending downwardly from the first elongated edge; a second flange extending upwardly from the second elongated edge; first and second cavities formed in the lower section each of a first predetermined depth and shape, the first cavity extending co-linearly with the second elongated edge and the second cavity extending parallel to and adjacent the first elongated edge; and a third cavity formed in the lower section between the first and second cavities and of a second predetermined depth and size. When placed in water, the buoyancy of the platform module will cause it to partially sink such that the water level rises to a predetermined depth along its sidewalls. Water will enter the first, second and third cavities which will serve to stabilize the platform.

[0012] In one embodiment, the platform module further includes several air holes formed therethrough and in which are positioned one way check valves. The air holes and check valves are positioned and oriented in relation to the first, second and third cavities such that air will be forced through the check valves when the platform is submerged and as water fills the cavities no air will be able to pass, thereby creating a hydro-lock that entraps the water within the cavities. An optional vacuum pump may also be employed to vacate any residual air that might otherwise remain present in the cavities. [0013] In one embodiment, the predetermined shape of the first and second cavities is triangular with an upwardly extending slot. When the platform module is placed in water, the water level remains at a height that is below the height of the slot. Thus, the water entrapped in the cavities will be at a height higher than the external water level in which the platform is floating, thereby adding further stability to the platform when a load is placed thereupon.

[0014] In another aspect, several floating platform modules may be joined together into a desired size and configuration, thereby permitting custom-sized and shaped docks to be assembled using the modules. To protect the modules against damage from shifting in the water and rubbing or bumping into one another, rubber bumpers may be installed along the edges of the modules to absorb any such vibrations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reading the following Detailed Description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0016] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a floating platform module in accordance with an aspect of the invention;

[0017] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 2-2 of Fig. i ;

[0018] Figure 3 is an end elevation view thereof;

[0019] Figure 4 is a top plan view thereof;

[0020] Figure 5 is a bottom plan view thereof;

[0021] Figure 6 is a perspective view of several floating platform modules joined together to form a larger floating structure in accordance with an aspect of the invention;

[0022] Figure 7 is a top plan view thereof;

[0023] Figure 8 is an enlarged partial view taken at the encircled portion from

Fig. 1; and

[0024] Figure 9 is an enlarged partial view taken at the encircled portion from

Fig. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Referring now to the drawing figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout, a floating platform module, designated generally by reference numeral 10, is provided and shown in Figures 1-6. Floating platform module 10 may be interconnected to other modules 10 to form a floating platform of desired size and configuration as shown in Figures 6 and 7. In addition, while platform module 10 includes the necessary float, support structure and platform to be applied as a floating dock or other marine support structure, it could be applied merely as a float with additional structure and/or platform surfaces integrated therewith.

[0026] Floating platform module 10 comprises an integral unit composed of two halves: an upper portion 12 and a base 14 (it should be noted that while in its preferred form this is composed of a single unitary construction, it could be two (or more) separate pieces joined together). Upper portion 12 and base 14 are arranged such that an end section 16 of upper portion 12 overhangs base 14 and the opposing end section 18 of base 14 extends beyond the corresponding edge of upper portion 12. A flange 20 extends downwardly from and across end section 16, while a flange 22 extends upwardly from and across the edge of end section 18. When interconnecting two modules together, flange 20 from one module 10 will engage flange 22 from the adjacent module 10 to provide a portion of the secure interconnection between the two modules.

[0027] As seen most clearly in Figure 2, the bottom surface of base 14 comprises channels 24, 26 that extend along opposing edges thereof, parallel to the longitudinal axis X-X of module 10, with channel 24 extending into flange 22. Channels 24 and 26 are each triangularly formed but with an elongated slot extending beyond the end of the triangular form in a plane that is transverse to the plane in which module 10 extends. When placed into water, platform module will partially sink into the water to a level where the water level, WL, is above bottom surface by a predetermined amount (e.g., 4"-6"). When partially submerged, water will fill cavities 24 and 26 to provide stability to module 10 as it floats in the water. In addition, the central section of the bottom surface of base 14 is also formed with a cavity 27 to provide further stability to module 10 when floating in water. Relative to the water levels, the upwardly extending slot formed in channels 24 and 26 extends a predetermined distance, D, above the water level line. In one embodiment, the depth of cavity 27 is a predetermined distance, d, below the water level line, WL. The relative distances d and D provided by cavities 24, 26 and 27 with respect to the water level line WL, serve to stabilize platform module 10 in the water even if when a load is placed thereupon (e.g., by a person walking on it). In an alternate embodiment, cavity 27 will be formed such that its depth will extend above the water line WL. By evacuating the air in the space above the water line and allowing it to fill with water, the additional water will serve as further ballast to help stabilize the platform. [0028] With regard to Figures 1, 4, 5, and 8, a series of air holes 28 are formed through module 10 and extend into cavities 24, 26, and 27. In each air hole is a one way check valve 30 that permits air to exit from the cavities, but not enter from above. Thus, as water fills cavities 24, 26 and 27, the air is pushed through check valves 30 until water entirely fills them. As no air can get back through the check valves 30, the water becomes trapped in the cavities; thereby further adding dead weight and thus stability of module 10 is water. As a further aspect, an optional vacuum pump 31 (see Fig. 8) may be employed to vacate any residual air that may otherwise remain in the cavities or to use to pump water into the cavities and ensure the cavities are fully occupied with water.

[0029] A series of predrilled counter-sunk holes 32 are formed along two adjacent edges of the upwardly facing surface of upper portion 12. These openings 32 permit bulkheads to be quickly and easily attached to the platform.

[0030] It should be noted that the upwardly facing surface of platform module 10 is suitable for walking upon or placing a load upon without a need for attaching external boards or decking; if decking is desired for aesthetics, however, they may be easily and quickly attached

[0031] With reference to Figures 6 and 7, a series of platform modules 10 may be interconnected to one another to form a larger platform of desired size and configuration, including one, as shown and for example purposes, that includes multiple boat slips. As seen in Figure 9, between adjacent modules, tubular, rubber buffers 34 are positioned to absorb any shock from movement of one module 10 relative to an adjacent module 10. While bumper 34 is illustrated as being square in cross section, each may also be circular or other shape, and may include openings through which fasteners can pass to secure the

interconnection of the bumper to the modules. As previously described, adjacent modules are positioned such that the flange 20 from one module overlaps with and engages the flange 22 from the adjacent module to further secure the interconnection between the two modules, or an overhanging edge from the upper section may extend over the flange 22 from the lower section with the bumper sandwiched between the two sections and fasteners used to secure the interconnection.

[0032] In another aspect, expandable foam may optionally be injected into the body of modules 10 during manufacture. The expandable foam provides an added level of buoyancy and density to the modules, further adding to the utility of the present invention.