Louvered dock system with roost inhibitor

Abstract

The present invention provides for a modular dock system with louvered planks which can be rotated away from their horizontal configuration. The planks have bristles along their upper edge to discourage bird roosting.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A dock system comprising: 
 a pair of parallel support members having a plurality of evenly spaced first rotational support members;    a plurality of elongated planks having a second rotational support member at each end for cooperating rotatably with one of said first rotational support members and supporting said planks between said supports, at least one elongated plank having a plurality of bristles affixed to an elongated edge, and    means for rotating at least two of said planks at least 45°.    
     
     
         2 . A dock comprising: 
 a plurality of parallel elongated planks each rotatable about an axis parallel to its length,    at least one support member perpendicular to said plurality of planks rotatably supporting said planks, and    at least one plank having bristles along an elongated edge.    
     
     
         3 . The dock of  claim 2  wherein said plurality of planks is rotatable between a first position where said planks are oriented substantially parallel to the horizon and a second position where said bristles are elevated.  
     
     
         4 . The dock of  claim 3  wherein said series of parallel planks are spaced apart to form a substantially uniform space between planks in said first position and said bristles substantially fill at least one of said spaces.  
     
     
         5 . The dock of  claim 2  wherein each of said planks has bristles along an elongated edge.  
     
     
         6 . The dock of  claim 2  wherein at least one plank has bristles along each of its elongated edges.  
     
     
         7 . The dock of  claim 6  wherein each of said planks has an upper surface perpendicular to said elongated edges and a lower surface perpendicular to said elongated edges, and said bristles are located along a first of said elongated edges adjacent to upper surface and along the second of said elongated edges adjacent said lower surface.  
     
     
         8 . The dock of  claim 2  further comprising an electrical drive system for rotating said planks.  
     
     
         9 . The dock of  claim 2  further comprising a lever operated chain drive system for rotating said planks.  
     
     
         10 . A dock system including at least one dock module comprising: 
 a pair of support members of a first predetermined length sand a plurality of planks of a second predetermined length;    said support members having a plurality of evenly spaced openings for rotatably supporting said planks; and    said planks having pintles for rotatably supporting said planks within said openings.    
     
     
         11 . The dock system of  claim 10  comprising a plurality of said dock modules.  
     
     
         12 . The dock system of  claim 10  further comprising an electrical drive system for rotating said planks.  
     
     
         13 . The dock system of  claim 10  further comprising a lever operated chain drive system for rotating said planks.