Boat dock and method of installation

Abstract

A kit for installing a boat dock to an underlying bed of a body of water includes a deck frame for supporting a deck surface and guide members configured to slideably engage a support pillar to the deck frame; dock flotation members for floating the deck frame on the body of water; and pillars configured to be engaged to the deck frame by the guide member and to be anchored to the bed to secure the deck frame to the bed. A deck panel consists of an external frame with a reinforced concrete panel within the frame and a method for assembling and installing a dock, supporting a deck frame on or above a body of water; inserting pillars through guide members on the frame to contact the underlying lake bed; and anchoring the pillars to the underlying bed.

1 . A method for installing a dock, wherein the dock comprises a deck frame and rigid deck pillars for connecting the deck frame to an underlying surface, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) supporting the deck frame in an elevated position above the surface with at least one deck support member;   b) inserting the pillars through pilot sleeves, wherein the pilot sleeves are connected to the deck frame and are configured to permit the pillars to slide and/or rotate within the sleeves to accurately guide the pillars to the underlying surface;   c) anchoring the pillars to the surface;   d) engaging the pillars to the deck frame and   e) removing the pilot sleeves from the pillars and the deck frame.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  comprising the further step of attaching decking members to the deck frame. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a solid precast concrete deck is pre-installed on the deck frame prior to said step (a). 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  comprising the further step (f) of removing the at least one deck support member whereby the weight of the deck bears on the pillars. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said step (a) comprises temporarily suspending the deck from overhead until said step (f) is performed. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said step (b) comprises inserting the pillars into corresponding ones of the sleeves, followed by engaging the pilot sleeves and pillar assemblies to the frame. 
     
     
         7 . A method for installing a dock to an underlying bed of a body of water, wherein the dock comprises a deck frame, rigid deck pillars for connecting the deck frame to an underlying surface and a plurality of guide members connected to the deck and configured to secure the deck frame to the pillars, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) floating the deck frame on the body of water;   b) guiding the pillars to the bed by inserting the pillars through said guide members, whereby the pillars extend downwardly from the deck to contact the underlying bed; and   c) anchoring the pillars to the underlying bed.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the guide members slideably engage the pillars to permit the deck frame to travel vertically relative to the pillars following said step (c). 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  comprising the further step of fixedly securing the pillars to the guide members wherein vertical travel of the deck frame is restricted following said step (c). 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the guide members comprise sockets and said step (b) comprises sliding the pillars through the sockets. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said dock further comprises a deck surface pre-installed on the deck frame prior to said step (a). 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the deck surface comprises a concrete slab which is installed to the deck frame by pouring concrete into the frame whereby frame members of the deck frame form a rim around the slab and support members underlying the slab. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising the step of installing a deck surface on said frame. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said step (b) comprises inserting the pillars through pilot sleeves, wherein the pilot sleeves are connected to the deck frame and are configured to permit the pillars to slide and/or rotate within the sleeves to accurately guide the pillars to the surface; said method comprising the further steps following said step (d) of e) removing the pilot sleeves from the pillars and the deck frame. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the pilot sleeves are placed onto the pillars prior to inserting the pillars into the guide members, followed by placing the pilot sleeve and pillar assembly into the guide members. 
     
     
         16 . A kit for installing a boat dock to an underlying bed of a body of water, comprising:
 a) a deck frame comprising frame members for supporting a deck surface and guide members configured to slideably engage a support pillar to the deck frame;   b) at least one dock flotation member for floating the deck frame on the body of water; and   c) at least one pillar configured to be engaged to deck frame by the guide member and to be anchored to the bed whereby the deck frame is secured to the bed.   
     
     
         17 . The kit of  claim 16  wherein the guide member is configured to slideably engage the pillar to the deck frame upon installation of the deck frame to the pillar. 
     
     
         18 . The kit of  claim 16  further comprising a solid deck surface configure to be supported on the deck frame. 
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 18  wherein the solid deck surface comprises a precast concrete slab, and wherein the deck frame includes a solid rim that surrounds the slab. 
     
     
         20 . The kit of  claim 19  wherein the slab and frame are supplied as an integral unit. 
     
     
         21 . The kit of  claim 16  further comprising at least one pilot sleeve configured to rotatably and/or slideably engage the at least pillar and to in turn be engaged to the deck frame whereby the sleeve can be removed following installation of the dock to the bed.