Frameless modular floating dock with inflatable pontoons

Abstract

A modular buoyant support apparatus is comprised of buoyant support modules of inflatable pontoons. The pontoons comprise inflatable cylindrical tubular chambers, typically fabricated of polymer coated fabric sheet material. Pontoons are fashioned so that they may be connected directly, in a modular fashion, to the underside of an appropriately configured dock platform. In some embodiments, a pontoon presents a relatively planar surface to the underside of the dock platform. The pontoons connect with attachment mechanisms depending from the dock platform via attachment points integral to or connected to the pontoons. Advantageously, the pontoons may be shipped deflated to the location for the dock and, in situ, both inflated for deployment and deflated for maintenance or relocation.

1 . A modular floating dock, comprising: 
 a plurality of inflatable pontoon modules;    a substantially planar dock platform; and    a means of attaching the modules to the platform.    
   
   
       2 . A modular floating dock according to  claim 1 , wherein the modules are cylindrical tubes.  
   
   
       3 . A modular floating dock according to  claim 1 , wherein the modules are chambered.  
   
   
       4 . A modular floating dock according to  claim 1 , wherein the means of attaching the modules further attaches the modules releasably.  
   
   
       5 . A modular floating dock according to  claim 1 , wherein the platform is configurable and comprised of a plurality of platform modules.  
   
   
       6 . A modular floating dock according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of attachment mechanisms depending from the underside of the dock platform and a corresponding plurality of attachment points affixed to the modules, the means of attaching comprising engagement of the attachment mechanisms to the attachment points.