Modular inflatable dock

Abstract

An apparatus and methods for a modular inflatable dock portion are provided for being assembled into various desirable arrangements over waterways. The modular inflatable dock portion comprises an envelope having a shape for floating on water. The envelope preferably is comprised of a pliable, lightweight, water-resistant material. Hinges are disposed along sides of the envelope and configured for joining with adjacent modular inflatable dock portions. The hinges allow movement between joined dock portions to accommodate hydrodynamic phenomena typically encountered by floating docks. A chamber within the envelope is configured for being inflated with air or other suitable gas. Drop stitches are disposed within the chamber and configured to maintain an overall shape and size of the envelope. The drop stitches may be arranged in the envelope in a manner that causes the inflatable dock portion to maintain a desired configuration regardless of internal pressure within the chamber.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An inflatable dock portion, comprising:
 an envelope comprising a shape for floating on water;   multiple hinges along sides of the envelope for joining with adjacent dock portions;   a chamber within the envelope for being inflated; and   a valve for altering pressure within the chamber.   
     
     
         2 . The inflatable dock portion of  claim 1 , wherein the chamber is configured to be inflated with air or other suitable gas by way of the valve. 
     
     
         3 . The inflatable dock portion of  claim 1 , wherein the envelope is comprised of a pliable, lightweight, water-resistant material. 
     
     
         4 . The inflatable dock portion of  claim 1 , wherein one or more handles are disposed on the sides of the envelope and configured to facilitate hand carrying the inflatable dock portion. 
     
     
         5 . The inflatable dock portion of  claim 1 , wherein the multiple hinges are configured to allow movement between joined dock portions to accommodate hydrodynamic phenomena typically encountered by floating docks. 
     
     
         6 . The inflatable dock portion of  claim 1 , wherein the shape includes various polygonal shapes as well as shapes including curved sides, such as circular, ellipsoid, ovoid, and the like. 
     
     
         7 . The inflatable dock portion of  claim 1 , wherein the chamber comprises a single volume extending throughout the envelope. 
     
     
         8 . The inflatable dock portion of  claim 1 , wherein the chamber comprises multiple smaller chambers in fluid communication with one another. 
     
     
         9 . The inflatable dock portion of  claim 1 , wherein the inflation valve configured to receive a complementary pump or nozzle for inflating the envelope. 
     
     
         10 . The inflatable dock portion of  claim 1 , wherein drop stitches are disposed within the chamber and configured to maintain an overall shape and size of the envelope. 
     
     
         11 . The inflatable dock portion of  claim 10 , wherein the drop stitches are arranged with a substantially uniform density within the chamber. 
     
     
         12 . The inflatable dock portion of  claim 10 , wherein the drop stitches comprise a multiplicity of filaments attached to the top and the bottom of the envelope. 
     
     
         13 . The inflatable dock portion of  claim 12 , wherein the filaments are configured to maintain a consistent distance between the top and the bottom of the envelope regardless of the internal pressure within the chamber. 
     
     
         14 . The inflatable dock portion of  claim 1 , wherein the drop stitches are arranged in the envelope in a manner that causes the inflatable dock portion to maintain a desired configuration regardless of internal pressure within the chamber. 
     
     
         15 . The inflatable dock portion of  claim 1 , wherein the drop stiches include vertical lengths that are varied throughout the envelope to affect how the inflatable dock portion responds to changes in internal pressure. 
     
     
         16 . The inflatable dock portion of  claim 1 , wherein the drop stiches include vertical lengths that are varied throughout the envelope to affect how the inflatable dock portion supports weight. 
     
     
         17 . The inflatable dock portion of  claim 1 , wherein the drop stiches include vertical lengths that are configured to maintain a stable a center region of the inflatable dock portion during changing environmental temperatures encountered throughout the day. 
     
     
         18 . The inflatable dock portion of  claim 1 , wherein the drop stiches include vertical lengths that are configured to ensure that edges of the inflatable dock portion are capable of supporting a desired amount of weight without sinking into the water. 
     
     
         19 . A method for an inflatable dock portion, comprising:
 configuring an envelope for floating on water;   forming a chamber within the envelope for being inflated;   coupling a valve with the chamber for altering pressure within the chamber; and   attaching multiple hinges along sides of the envelope for joining with adjacent dock portions.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein configuring the envelope includes configuring a shape of the envelope that is suitable for floating on water and being joined with adjacent dock portions.