Dock stabilizer

Abstract

A dock stabilizer is provided that attaches about a piling on a dock or a pier to stabilize the dock or pier. In one aspect, the dock stabilizer utilizes a plurality of roller assemblies that are spaced axially and laterally apart from one another to reduce twisting or rocking of the dock. At least one of the roller assemblies may have a roller disposed a predetermined distance from the surface of the dock to counteract a moment arm and provide equilibrium on the dock.

That which is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A dock stabilizer comprising: 
 a base configured for attachment about a piling on a dock; and    a plurality of roller assemblies attached to the base, at least one of the plurality of roller assemblies disposed axially apart from a second one of the plurality of roller assemblies on opposite sides of the base substantially parallel to an axis of the piling, at least one of the roller assemblies having at least one roller disposed apart from the base.    
     
     
         2 . The dock stabilizer of  claim 1 , wherein the base defines an aperture therethrough for passage of the piling.  
     
     
         3 . The dock stabilizer of  claim 3 , wherein the base defines a skirt disposed about the aperture configured for placement through an opening on the dock.  
     
     
         4 . The dock stabilizer of  claim 1 , further comprising means for attaching the base to the dock.  
     
     
         5 . The dock stabilizer of  claim 5 , wherein the means for attaching is selected from the group consisting of a screw, a nail, a bolt, an adhesive, a clamp, a rivet, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         6 . The dock stabilizer of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of rollers are respectively attached apart from the base by a plurality of bars.  
     
     
         7 . The dock stabilizer of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of bars are between about 2 inches to about 14 inches in length.  
     
     
         8 . The dock stabilizer of  claim 8 , wherein the base and the bars are made from a material selected from the group consisting of a metal, a plastic, a wood and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         9 . The dock stabilizer of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of rollers is made from a material selected from the group consisting of a UHMW material, a metal, a plastic, a rubber and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         10 . The dock stabilizer of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of rollers is selected from the group consisting of a wheel, a cylinder, a tapered roller, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         11 . The dock stabilizer of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of rollers has a face, at least one of the faces configured to roll substantially parallel to the axis of the piling.  
     
     
         12 . The dock stabilizer of  claim 1 , wherein a third one of the plurality of roller assemblies is disposed laterally apart from the at least one of the plurality of roller assemblies.  
     
     
         13 . A dock stabilizer comprising: 
 a base configured for attachment about a piling on a dock; and    a plurality of rollers attached to the base, a first roller disposed axially apart from a second roller such that the base is interposed between the first and second rollers, a third roller disposed laterally apart from the first roller such that the piling is interposed between the first and third rollers, a fourth roller disposed laterally apart from the second roller such that the piling is interposed between the second and fourth rollers, the first and third rollers and the second and fourth rollers cooperably configured to equalize a moment arm formed substantially perpendicular to the piling and parallel to the dock.    
     
     
         14 . The dock stabilizer of  claim 13 , wherein the base and the bars are made from a material selected from the group consisting of a metal, a plastic, a wood and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         15 . The dock stabilizer of  claim 13 , wherein the base defines an aperture therethrough for passage of the piling.  
     
     
         16 . The dock stabilizer of  claim 15 , wherein the base defines a skirt configured for insertion through an opening in the dock.  
     
     
         17 . The dock stabilizer of  claim 13 , further comprising means for attaching the base to the dock.  
     
     
         18 . The dock stabilizer of  claim 17 , wherein the means for attaching is selected from the group consisting of a screw, a nail, a bolt, an adhesive, a clamp, a rivet, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         19 . The dock stabilizer of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of rollers are respectively attached apart from the base by a plurality of bars.  
     
     
         20 . The dock stabilizer of  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of bars are between about 2 inches to about 14 inches in length such that the plurality of rollers are disposed from about 2 inches to about 14 inches from the base.  
     
     
         21 . The dock stabilizer of  claim 13 , wherein the base and the plurality of rollers is made from a material selected from the group consisting of a UHMW material, a metal, a plastic, a rubber, a wood and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         22 . The dock stabilizer of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of rollers are selected from the group consisting of a plurality of wheels, a cylinder, a tapered roller, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         23 . The dock stabilizer of  claim 22 , wherein each of the plurality of wheels has a face, at least one of the faces configured to roll substantially parallel to the axis of the piling.  
     
     
         24 . The dock stabilizer of  claim 13 , wherein each of the plurality of rollers has a face configured to roll substantially parallel to the axis of the piling.