Floating structure system for dock installation and method

Abstract

A dock installation system to facilitate installation of dock platforms comprises one or more inflatable supports configured to be positioning under a dock platform. The inflatable support is sized and shaped to floatingly support the dock platform when suitable inflated. An attachment device for the inflatable support, the attachment device is configured to releasably secure the inflatable support to the dock platform when positioned under same. A method for installing a dock system comprises positioning the inflatable support(s) under a dock platform. The inflatable support is inflated to support the dock platform. The inflated support with the dock platform thereon is displaced to a desired position onto a body of water onto which the dock platform is to be installed, the inflated support floatingly supporting the dock platform. The dock platform is fixed at the desired position. The inflated support is removed.

1 . A method for installing a dock system comprising:
 positioning at least one inflatable support under a dock platform;   inflating the at least one inflatable support for same to support the dock platform such that the dock platform is entirely floatingly supported from end to end by the at least one inflatable support;   displacing the inflated support with the dock platform thereon to a desired position onto a body of water onto which the dock platform is to be installed, the inflated support floatingly supporting the dock platform from end to end;   fixing the dock platform at the desired position; and   removing the inflated support.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein fixing the dock platform at the desired position comprises installing posts against underwater ground at the desired position of the dock platform such that the dock platform is supported by the posts. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein installing posts on underwater ground comprises translating posts to contact with the underwater ground, and locking the posts at a set vertical position. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein positioning at least one inflatable support under a dock platform comprises positioning one said inflatable support at each end of the dock platform. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein positioning one said inflatable support at each end of the dock platform comprises positioning the inflatable supports transversely to a longitudinal dimension of the dock platform. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein displacing the inflated support with the dock platform thereon to a desired position comprises displacing the at least one inflatable support from a position on a shore. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising attaching the at least one inflatable support to the dock platform before displacing same with the dock platform thereon. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein removing the inflated support includes deflating at least partially the inflated support. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising repeating the positioning, inflating, displacing, fixing and removing with another of the dock platform, and wherein fixing includes attaching the dock platforms to one another. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein inflating the at least one inflatable support for same to support the dock platform comprises inflating the at least one inflatable support and stopping when the at least one inflatable support has reached an inflation height less than a maximum inflation height. 
     
     
         11 . A dock installation system comprising:
 at least one inflatable support configured to be positioning under a dock platform, the at least one inflatable support sized and shaped to floatingly support the dock platform from end to end when suitably inflated, and   an attachment device for each of the at least one inflatable support, the attachment device being configured to releasably secure the at least one inflatable support to the dock platform when positioned under same.   
     
     
         12 . The dock installation system according to  claim 11 , wherein the at least one inflatable support has a length greater than a width of the dock platform and a lesser than a length of the dock platform. 
     
     
         13 . The dock installation system according to  claim 11 , further comprising an attachment strap fixed to the at least one inflatable support and configured for releasably attaching the at least one inflatable support to the dock platform. 
     
     
         14 . The dock installation system according to  claim 13 , wherein the attachment strap has complementary Velcro™ strips thereon. 
     
     
         15 . The dock installation system according to  claim 11 , wherein the at least one inflatable support has an elongated inflatable body, and wherein a closeable port of the at least inflatable support is at a longitudinal end of the elongated inflatable body. 
     
     
         16 . The dock installation system according to  claim 15 , wherein the elongated inflatable body has a cylindrical shape when fully inflated. 
     
     
         17 . The dock installation system according to  claim 11 , comprising two of the at least one inflatable support, and a pump for inflating the at least one inflatable support. 
     
     
         18 . The dock installation system according to  claim 11 , further comprising at least one wear pad on an underside of the at least one inflatable support. 
     
     
         19 . The dock installation system according to  claim 18 , wherein the at least one wear pad is made of a material different than a material of the at least one inflatable support.