Compressible roller for use in stabilizing a floating dock

Abstract

A roller assembly for a floating dock, wherein the roller assembly is adapted to roll along a piling as the dock moves in a generally vertical direction, and dampen movement of the floating dock relative to the piling when the dock moves in a generally horizontal direction. The roller assembly includes a connecting bracket attachable to the dock and a wheel rotatably coupled to the connecting bracket. The wheel is compressible against the piling in response to horizontal movement of the dock relative to the piling, wherein the compression of the wheel dampens such horizontal movement to stabilize the dock, and dampen impact loads.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A compressible roller assembly configured for use on a floating dock for stabilizing the dock relative to an adjacent piling defining a longitudinal piling axis, the compressible roller assembly comprising:
 a connecting bracket connectable to the floating dock; and   a wheel rotatably coupled to the connecting bracket and rotatable about a rotation axis generally perpendicular to the piling axis when the connecting bracket is coupled to the floating dock, the wheel at least partially defining an internal reservoir, the wheel being sized and configured to be engageable with the piling in response to movement of the floating dock relative to the piling in a direction substantially perpendicular to the piling axis, movement of the floating dock along the longitudinal piling axis causing rotation of the wheel about the rotation axis when the wheel is engaged with the piling; and   a compressible medium located within the internal reservoir and adapted to impart a dampening force on the floating dock via the connecting bracket in response to engagement between the wheel and the piling to mitigate further movement of the floating dock toward the piling.   
     
     
         2 . The compressible roller assembly recited in  claim 1 , wherein the connecting bracket is a U-shaped bracket having an end plate positioned between a pair of opposed side plates. 
     
     
         3 . The compressible roller assembly recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a hub connected to the wheel, the hub and the wheel collectively defining the internal reservoir. 
     
     
         4 . The compressible roller assembly recited in  claim 1 , wherein the wheel is formed of polyethylene. 
     
     
         5 . The compressible roller assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the wheel includes a plurality of circumferential grooves formed therein. 
     
     
         6 . The compressible roller assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the compressible medium includes a compressible foam material. 
     
     
         7 . The compressible roller assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the compressible medium includes a fluid. 
     
     
         8 . A floating dock adapted for use with a piling defining a longitudinal piling axis, the floating dock comprising:
 a dock platform positionable adjacent the piling; and   a first roller assembly connected to the dock platform, the first roller assembly comprising:
 a connecting bracket connectable to the dock platform; and 
 a wheel rotatably coupled to the connecting bracket and rotatble about a rotation axis generally perpendicular to the piling axis, the wheel at least partially defining an internal reservoir, the wheel being sized and configured to be engageable with the piling in response to movement of the dock platform relative to the piling in a direction substantially perpendicular to the piling axis, movement of the dock platform along the longitudinal piling axis causing rotation of the wheel about the rotation axis when the wheel is engaged with the piling; and 
 a compressible medium located within the internal reservoir and adapted to impart a dampening force on the dock platform via the connecting bracket in response to engagement between the wheel and the piling to mitigate further movement of the dock platform toward the piling. 
   
     
     
         9 . The floating dock recited in  claim 8 , wherein the connecting bracket is a U-shaped bracket having an end plate positioned between a pair of opposed side plates. 
     
     
         10 . The floating dock recited in  claim 8 , further comprising a hub connected to the wheel, the hub and the wheel collectively defining the internal reservoir. 
     
     
         11 . The floating dock recited in  claim 8 , wherein the wheel is formed of polyethylene. 
     
     
         12 . The floating dock of  claim 8 , wherein the wheel includes a plurality of circumferential grooves formed therein. 
     
     
         13 . The floating dock of  claim 8 , wherein the compressible medium includes a compressible foam material. 
     
     
         14 . The floating dock of  claim 8 , wherein the compressible medium includes a fluid. 
     
     
         15 . The floating dock of  claim 8 , further comprising a second roller assembly coupled to the dock platform in spaced relation to the first roller assembly, the second roller assembly comprising:
 a connecting bracket connectable to the dock platform; and   a wheel rotatably coupled to the connecting bracket and rotatble about a rotation axis generally perpendicular to the piling axis, the wheel at least partially defining an internal reservoir, the wheel being sized and configured to be engageable with the piling in response to movement of the dock platform relative to the piling in a direction substantially perpendicular to the piling axis, movement of the dock platform along the longitudinal piling axis causing rotation of the wheel about the rotation axis when the wheel is engaged with the piling; and   a compressible medium located within the internal reservoir and adapted to impart a dampening force on the dock platform via the connecting bracket in response to engagement between the wheel and the piling to mitigate further movement of the dock platform toward the piling.   
     
     
         16 . The floating dock of  claim 15 , wherein the second roller assembly is positioned in opposed relation to the first roller assembly. 
     
     
         17 . A compressible roller assembly configured for use on a floating dock for stabilizing the dock relative to an adjacent piling defining a longitudinal piling axis, the compressible roller assembly comprising:
 a connecting bracket connectable to the floating dock; and   a compressible body rotatably coupled to the connecting bracket and rotatable about a rotation axis generally perpendicular to the piling axis when the connecting bracket is coupled to the floating dock, the compressible body being sized and configured to be operatively engageable with the piling in response to movement of the floating dock relative to the piling in a direction substantially perpendicular to the piling axis, movement of the floating dock along the longitudinal piling axis causing rotation of the compressible body about the rotation axis when the compressible body is operatively engaged with the piling;   the compressible body being adapted to impart a dampening force on the floating dock via the connecting bracket in response to operative engagement between the compressible element and the piling to mitigate further movement of the floating dock toward the piling.   
     
     
         18 . The compressible roller assembly as recited in  claim 17 , further comprising an outer roller body coupled to the compressible body and extending over a radially outward portion thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The compressible roller assembly as recited in  claim 18 , further comprising an inner roller body coupled to the compressible body and extending over a radially inward portion thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The compressible roller assembly as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the compressible body is formed of compressible foam.