Fixed, Adjustable, and Bumper Attachment Devices and Methods of Use Thereof

Abstract

An adjustable attachment device includes an elongate body defining a plurality of openings and an attachment bracket attached to and slidable relative to the body and defining an opening. The adjustable attachment device selectively and adjustably interconnects a fixed piling and a floating dock assembly. A fixed attachment device includes a main portion defining an opening and a generally triangular end portion defining an opening. The fixed attachment device rigidly interconnects a fixed piling and a floating dock assembly. A bumper attachment device includes a first and second end portions defining openings and a rotatable bumper. The bumper attachment device is connected to a floating dock assembly.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . An adjustable attachment device, comprising:
 an elongate body extending from a first end to a second end thereof along a longitudinal axis, the body defining a plurality of openings;   an attachment bracket attached to the body such that the attachment bracket is slidable relative to the body along the longitudinal axis, the attachment bracket defining an opening.   
     
     
         2 . The adjustable attachment device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the body defines a main portion attached to the attachment bracket, a first end portion proximate the first end of the body, and a second end portion proximate the second end of the body; and   the first end portion of the body extends outwardly away from the main portion of the body along a first direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and the second end portion of the body extends outwardly away from the main portion of the body along the first direction.   
     
     
         3 . The adjustable attachment device of  claim 2 , wherein the first end portion of the body at least partially defines a first one of the plurality of openings defined in the body and the second end portion of the body at least partially defines a second one of the plurality of openings defined in the body. 
     
     
         4 . The adjustable attachment device of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the main portion of the body defines a first track passing completely through the body and a second track passing partially into the body, the second track spaced apart from the first track along the first direction; and   the attachment bracket is configured to interface with each of the first track and the second track as the attachment bracket is slid relative to the body.   
     
     
         5 . The adjustable attachment device of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the attachment bracket defines a main portion attached to the main portion of the body and an end portion extending outwardly away from the main portion of the attachment bracket along a second direction opposite the first direction; and   the end portion of the attachment bracket defines the opening in the attachment bracket.   
     
     
         6 . The adjustable attachment device of  claim 5 , wherein the end portion of the attachment bracket is in non-overlapping relationship with the body. 
     
     
         7 . The adjustable attachment device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a translation bracket attached to the attachment bracket such that the body is at least partially sandwiched between the translation bracket and the attachment bracket.   
     
     
         8 . The adjustable attachment device of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the body defines a track passing completely through the body and the attachment bracket is configured to interface with the track as the attachment bracket is slid relative to the body; and   the translation bracket is attached to the attachment bracket by at least one fastener passing through the track defined in the body.   
     
     
         9 . The adjustable attachment device of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable attachment device is made of marine-grade high-density polyethylene, metal, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         10 . A system, comprising:
 a fixed piling;   a floating dock assembly; and   the adjustable attachment device of  claim 1 ,   wherein each of the plurality of openings defined in the body is configured to receive a corresponding fastener for connecting the adjustable attachment device to the floating dock assembly and wherein the opening defined in the attachment bracket is configured to receive the fixed piling therethrough, such that the adjustable attachment device selectively and adjustably interconnects the fixed piling and the floating dock assembly.   
     
     
         11 . A fixed attachment device, comprising:
 a main portion and a generally triangular end portion extending outwardly away from the main portion along a first direction;   a first opening defined in the main portion; and   a second opening defined in the end portion.   
     
     
         12 . The fixed attachment device of  claim 11 , wherein the fixed attachment device is made of marine-grade high-density polyethylene, metal, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         13 . A system, comprising:
 a fixed piling;   a floating dock assembly; and   the fixed attachment device of  claim 11 ,   wherein the second opening is configured to receive a corresponding fastener for connecting the fixed attachment device to the floating dock assembly and wherein the first opening is configured to receive the fixed piling therethrough, such that the fixed attachment device rigidly interconnects the fixed piling and the floating dock assembly.   
     
     
         14 . A bumper attachment device, comprising:
 a bumper extending from a first end to a second end thereof along a longitudinal axis;   a first end portion proximate the first end of the bumper and defining a first opening; and   a second end portion proximate the second end of the bumper and defining a second opening,   wherein the bumper is disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion and is configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         15 . The bumper attachment device of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the bumper defines a contact plane parallel to the longitudinal axis; and   neither the first end portion nor the second end portion extend into the contact plane defined by the bumper.   
     
     
         16 . The bumper attachment device of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the first end portion defines an outer edge obliquely angled relative to the longitudinal axis; and   the second end portion defines an outer edge obliquely angled relative to the longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         17 . The bumper attachment device of  claim 16 , further comprising a first rod extending between and interconnecting the first end portion and the second portion, wherein the first rod passes through the bumper such that the bumper rotates about the first rod. 
     
     
         18 . The bumper attachment device of  claim 17 , further comprising a second rod spaced apart from the first rod and extending between and interconnecting the first end portion and the second portion, wherein the second rod passes through the bumper such that the bumper rotates about the second rod. 
     
     
         19 . The bumper attachment device of  claim 16 , wherein at least the first end portion and the second end portion are each made of marine-grade high-density polyethylene, metal, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         20 . A system, comprising:
 a floating dock assembly; and   the bumper attachment device of  claim 16 ,   wherein each of the first opening and the second opening are configured to receive a corresponding fastener for connecting the bumper attachment device to the floating dock assembly.