DOCK SEGMENT COUPLING ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR USING

Abstract

A dock coupling assembly that connects multiple dock segments to one another, wherein the dock coupling assembly comprising a female attachment bracket having a base portion and an offset portion that is connected to the base portion and is out of alignment with the base portion. The female attachment bracket further comprises a vertical flange on an inner surface that travels from a top edge to a bottom edge, and wherein the dock coupling assembly also comprises a male attachment bracket comprising a first outwardly extending engagement member and a second outwardly extending engagement member located on the base plate outer surface along the proximal edge, and wherein the male attachment bracket further comprises a base plate vertical flange that travels from a base plate top edge to a base plate bottom edge.

Claims

1. A dock coupling assembly configured to connect a first dock segment with a second dock segment, the dock coupling assembly comprising; a female attachment bracket comprising a base portion having a longitudinal axis and an offset portion connected to the base portion and laterally offset from the longitudinal axis of the base portion, and wherein the female attachment bracket has an outer surface, an inner surface, a first edge extending along a length of the base portion and the offset portion, a second edge extending along the length of the base portion and the offset portion, a proximal edge on the offset portion, and a distal edge opposite to the proximal edge on the female attachment bracket, and wherein the offset portion has a first receiving channel and a second receiving channel, and wherein the female attachment bracket further comprises a flange on the inner surface and generally perpendicular to the inner surface; a male attachment bracket comprising a base plate having a base plate inner surface, a base plate outer surface, a base plate first edge, a base plate second edge, a base plate proximal edge, and a base plate distal edge, and wherein the male attachment bracket further comprises a first engagement member spaced from a second engagement member, the first engagement member and the second engagement member positioned proximate the proximal edge, and wherein the male attachment bracket further comprises a base plate flange extending between the base plate first edge and the base plate second edge, the base plate flange is generally perpendicular to the base plate inner surface; and wherein the first receiving channel is configured to receive the first engagement member and the second receiving channel is configured to receive the second engagement member.

2. The dock coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein the base plate flange is proximate the base plate proximal edge and extends between the base plate first edge and the base plate second edge.

3. The dock coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein the base portion of the female attachment bracket and the offset portion of the female attachment bracket are connected by an angled connection portion having a first edge and a second edge, and the flange extends between the first edge and the second edge of the angled connection portion.

4. The dock coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein the first receiving channel is an opening in the first edge of the offset portion.

5. The dock coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein the second receiving channel is an arcuate opening in the proximal edge of the offset portion.

6. The dock coupling assembly of claim 1 further comprising a vertical pole grip, the vertical pole grip comprising, a first side, a second side, and a cylindrical channel disposed between the first side and the second side.

7. The dock coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein the flange on the female attachment bracket is proximate the offset portion and extends between the first edge and the second edge of the base portion.

8. The dock coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein the male attachment bracket is configured to be attached to a first dock segment, wherein the base plate inner surface and the base plate flange are configured to engaged a corner of the first dock segment, and wherein the female attachment bracket is configured to be attached to a second dock segment, wherein the inner surface and the flange of the female attachment bracket are configured to engage a corner of the second dock segment.

9. The dock coupling assembly of claim 7 wherein the male attachment bracket has a plurality of openings and the female attachment bracket has a plurality of openings, and wherein the male attachment bracket is configured to engage to a first dock segment with fasteners passing through the plurality of openings and into the first dock segment, and wherein the female attachment bracket is configured to engage to a second dock segment with fasteners passing through the plurality of openings and into the second dock segment.

10. A dock coupling assembly configured to connect a first dock segment with a second dock segment, the dock coupling assembly comprising; a first bracket configured to be attached to a first dock segment comprising a base portion having a longitudinal axis and an offset second bracket connecting portion that is connected to the base portion at an angled connection portion such that the offset second bracket connecting portion is laterally offset from the longitudinal axis of the base portion, and wherein the first bracket has an outer surface, an inner surface, first edge that travels and length of the base portion and the offset second bracket connecting portion, a second edge that travels the length of the base portion and the offset second bracket connecting portion, a proximal edge on the offset second bracket connecting portion, and a distal edge opposite to the proximal edge on the first bracket further, and wherein the first bracket comprises a flange on the inner surface extending from the first edge to the second edge and is generally perpendicular to the inner surface, and wherein the offset second bracket connecting portion has a first receiving channel and a second receiving channel, and wherein the first receiving channel extends from the first edge on the offset second bracket connecting downwards parallel to the proximal edge, and the second receiving channel extends from the proximal edge to below the first receiving channel; a second bracket configured to be attached to a second dock segment comprising a base plate having a base plate inner surface, a base plate outer surface, a base plate top edge, a base plate bottom edge, a base plate proximal edge, and a base plate distal edge, and wherein the second bracket further comprises at least one first bracket engaging member configured to engage with the offset second bracket connecting portion of the first bracket, and wherein the second bracket further comprises a base plate flange extending from the base plate top edge to the base plate bottom edge and that is generally perpendicular to the base plate inner surface; and a pole grip comprising, a first side, a second side, and a cylindrical channel disposed between the first side and the second side.

11. The dock coupling assembly of claim 10, wherein the first dock segment is rectangular and the inner surface of the first bracket and the flange form a right angle that is form fitted to a corner of the first dock segment.

12. The dock coupling assembly of claim 10, wherein the second dock segment is rectangular and the inner surface of the base plate and the base plate flange form a right angle that is form fitted to a corner of the second dock segment.

13. The dock coupling assembly of claim 10, wherein the second receiving channel is arcuate, and the first receiving channel and the second receiving channel are configured to receive a first bracket engaging member.

14. The dock coupling assembly of claim 10, wherein the base plate flange is along the base plate proximal edge.

15. The dock coupling assembly of claim 10, wherein the flange of the female attachment bracket is along the offset second bracket connecting portion.

16. A method for assembling a dock by attaching a first dock segment to a second dock segment, each dock segment comprising a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a top surface, and wherein a female attachment bracket is attached to the first dock segment and a male attachment bracket is attached to the second dock segment, wherein the method comprises the steps of: lowering the second dock segment towards the first dock segment at an angle with the first end lower in height than the first end, wherein the first end of the second dock segment is facing the second end of the first dock segment, and the second end of the first dock segment having one female attachment bracket and the first end of the second dock segment having at least one male attachment bracket, the female attachment bracket comprising: a base portion and an offset portion that is connected to the base portion and is out of alignment with the base portion and having a first receiving channel and a second receiving channel, and wherein the female attachment bracket has an outer surface, an inner surface, a first edge extending a length of the base portion and the offset portion, a second edge extending the length of the base portion and the offset portion, a proximal edge on the offset portion, and a distal edge opposite to the proximal edge on the female attachment bracket, and wherein the female attachment bracket further comprises a flange extending from the inner surface; and wherein the second end of the first dock segment has a right corner and a left corner, and wherein the inner surface and the flange of the female attachment bracket engage the right corner or the left corner of the first dock segment; and the at least one male attachment bracket comprising: a base plate having a base plate inner surface, a base plate outer surface, a base plate first edge, a base plate second edge, a base plate proximal edge, and a base plate distal edge, and wherein the male attachment bracket further comprises a first engagement member and a second engagement member located on the base plate outer surface proximate the proximal edge, and wherein the male attachment bracket further comprises a base plate flange extending from the base plate inner surface; and wherein the first end of the second dock segment has a right corner and a left corner, and wherein the base plate flange and the base plate inner surface engage the right corner or the left corner; inserting the first engagement member into the first receiving channel; swinging the second dock segment axially about the first engagement member within the first receiving channel; and inserting the second engagement member into the second receiving channel until the top surface of the second dock segment is level with the top surface of the first dock segment.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the first receiving channel extends downwards from first edge on the offset portion parallel to the proximal edge, and wherein the second receiving channel extends from the proximal edge to a point below the first receiving channel, and wherein the second receiving channel is arcuate.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein the female attachment bracket further comprises a pole grip, the pole grip comprising, a first side, a second side, and a channel disposed between the first side and the second side.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising a step of attaching a vertical pole to the female attachment bracket, wherein the vertical pole is moved horizontally into the channel and then lowered downwards until a bottom end of the vertical pole contacts a surface while the vertical pole still remains disposed within the channel.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the first dock segment and the second dock segment are at least partially suspended over a body of water, and the surface is either the ground or a bed of the body of water.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] In the drawings:

[0009] FIG. 1 is a side view of a male connecting bracket according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a lower perspective view of the female connecting bracket according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a side view of the female connecting bracket according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 4 is a top view of the male connecting bracket and the female connecting bracket connected to one another according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the female connecting bracket attached to the side and corner of a dock segment according to an aspect of the present disclosure as well as the female connecting bracket being attached to a support post to hold the dock off of the ground and out of a body of water.

[0014] FIG. 6 is a right perspective view of a second dock segment being brought into alignment with a first dock segment already in position. The male connecting bracket will be interlocked with the female connecting bracket.

[0015] FIG. 7 is a right perspective view of a second dock segment being brought into engagement with a first dock segment already in position. The first outwardly extending engagement member of the male connecting bracket is slotted into the first receiving channel of the female connecting bracket.

[0016] FIG. 8 is a right perspective view of a second dock segment that has been brought into alignment with a first dock segment. The first outwardly extending engagement member of the male connecting bracket is slotted into the first receiving channel of the female connecting bracket and the second outwardly extending engagement member of the male connecting bracket is slotted into the second receiving channel of the female connecting bracket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0017] For purposes of description herein, the terms upper, lower, right, left, rear, front, vertical, horizontal, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 8. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

[0018] It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described invention and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the invention disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein.

[0019] It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the disclosure as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations.

[0020] It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting.

[0021] It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing from the concepts of the present disclosure and claimed invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.

[0022] To the extent that the terms includes or including or have or having are used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term comprising as that term is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. Furthermore, to the extent that the term or is employed (e.g., A or B) it is intended to mean A or B or both A and B. When the Applicant intends to indicate only A or B but not both then the term only A or B but not both or similar structure will be employed. Thus, use of the term or herein is the inclusive, and not the exclusive use. Also, to the extent that the terms in or into are used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to additionally mean on or onto. In this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms a, an and the include plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0023] The invention generally relates to a dock segment coupling assembly 12. The dock segment coupling assembly 12 allows for simple assembly and disassembly of adjacent dock segments. The dock segments 14 are typically rectangular and have angled or sharply rounded corners. Most dock segments 14 have corners at right angles. Typical docks and dock segments 14 are made of wood or a metal such as aluminum. Docks are not limited to just those materials, and may be made out of a combination of different materials. Dock segments 14 are connected end after end to form a generally linear structure that begins on the shore of a body of water such as a river or lake and extends outward over the body of water. The dock segments 14 may be attached instead to the right and left sides of other dock segments 14 in order to create differently shaped docks (e.g., an L shaped dock). The dock segments 14 are held above the body of water so that people using the dock as well as the material making up the dock segments 14 stay dry.

[0024] The dock segment coupling assembly 12 is made up of a male connecting bracket 16, or first bracket, and a female connecting bracket 18, or second bracket. The dock segments 14 will typically have male connecting brackets 16 near a first end 20 of the dock segment 14 and female connecting brackets 18 near the second end 22 opposite of the first end 20. The connecting brackets 16, 18 are on both the right or first side 58 of the dock segment 14 as well as the left or second side 60 of the dock segment 14, such that the dock segment 14 is securely locked to the adjoining segment on both of its sides. The different dock segments 14 have generally the same width so that the brackets 16, 18 on adjacent segments are aligned, but the lengths of the segments may vary. Brackets 16, 18 on opposite sides of the dock segments 14, namely the right and left sides, should be mirrored from one another. Parts of a bracket that are found on one surface of a bracket should be inverted and set to the opposite surface depending on what side of the dock segment 14 it is attached to. For example, the female connecting bracket 18 has a vertical pole grip 56 attached to the surface not engaged with the side of the dock as shown in FIG. 7. The vertical pole grip 56 on the right-side bracket will be opposite the vertical pole grip 56 on the left side bracket so it is not between the female connecting bracket 18 and the side of the dock.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 2-4, the female connecting bracket 18 comprises a base portion 24 and an offset portion 26 that is connected to the base portion 24 with an angled connecting portion 28. The base portion 24 has an inner surface 30 and an outer surface 32. The offset portion 26 has an offset inner surface 34 and an offset outer surface 36. The offset portion 26 is out of alignment with a vertical plane defined by the base portion 24 such that the offset inner surface 34 is aligned with the outer surface 32 of the base portion 24 as shown in FIG. 4. The offset inner surface 34 is separated from the inner surface 30 of the base portion 24 by a distance about the thickness of the base portion 24 and the male connecting bracket 16. The female connecting bracket 18 has an upper edge 38 and a lower edge 40 that span the length of the base portion 24, and continue through the offset portion 26. The female connecting bracket 18 generally has a longitudinal axis running in parallel to the upper edge 38 and the lower edge 40 on the base portion 24. The female connecting bracket 18 also has a distal edge 42 and a proximal edge 44 that is opposite the distal edge 42 and located on the offset portion 26. The angled connecting portion 28 is formed integrally with the base portion 24 and the offset portion 26. The angled connecting portion 28 is angled compared to the longitudinal axis of the base portion 24 and the offset portion 26 is offset, but parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base portion 24. The angled connecting portion 28 may be perpendicular with the base portion 24, or it may have any angle smaller than 90 degrees and greater than 0 degrees with the base portion 24. The offset portion 26 has a first receiving channel 46 and a second receiving channel 48. Both channels cut all the way through the offset portion 26 from the offset inner surface 34 through the offset outer surface 36. The first receiving channel 46 begins at the top edge, and moves straight downward for a distance that is at least as long as the width of the channel. The second receiving channel 48 begins at the proximal edge 44 of and moves towards the base portion 24 before terminating directly below the first receiving channel 46. The second receiving channel 48 is slightly arcuate and it starts around a midpoint of the proximal edge 44. The base portion 24 also comprises a plurality of receiving openings 50 to allow fasteners 52 such as screws or bolts to secure the female connecting bracket 18 to a dock segment 14.

[0026] A first alignment flange 54, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, is positioned on the inner surface 30 of the base portion 24 along the proximal edge 44 and the angled connecting portion 28. The first alignment flange 54 forms an angle with the inner surface 30 of the of the base portion 24 such that a corner of the dock segment 14 may be cupped or received by the flange and the inner surface 30. In some embodiments the first alignment flange 54 is generally perpendicular with the inner surface 30 of the base portion 24. The flange helps keep the female connecting bracket 18 in the correct location relative to the end of the dock segment 14 while it is being fastened to the dock segment 14. The female connecting bracket 18 must be positioned correctly on the corner so that the offset portion 26 of the female connecting bracket 18 reaches past the end of the segment by a predetermined amount. The predetermined amount is decided by the alignment flange 54 when the it catches on the end of the dock segment 14. The inner surface 30 in combination with the alignment flange 54 cups the corner of the dock segment 14 and cannot move further along either side of the dock segment 14. This ensures that the connection of the female and male connecting brackets 16 occurs far enough away from the two dock segments 14 that there is a small gap between the dock segments 14 after the dock segments 14 are combined with each other. If the brackets 16, 18 are attached to the dock segment 14 too close to the end of the dock segment 14, then the segments could contact one another and prevent proper attachment. In addition, if the brackets 16, 18 are attached to the dock segment 14 too far from the end of the dock segment 14, then the outwardly extending engagement members 86, 88 on the male connecting bracket 16 may not reach the receiving channels 46, 48 in the female connecting bracket 18. The first alignment flange 54 may be any length from its end to where it connects to the female connecting bracket 18 so long as the length is less than the width of the dock and does not interfere with the flange on the corresponding female connecting bracket 18 on the opposite side of the dock segment 14. The first alignment flange 54 is preferably around inch to about 1 inch.

[0027] In some embodiments the female connecting bracket 18 also includes a vertical pole grip 56. The vertical pole grip can be seen in FIGS. 2-5, and 7. The vertical pole grip 56 is attached to the base portion 24 of the main body and having a first side 58 and a second side 60. The first and second sides are may be curved, such that they form a generally c-shaped grip. The vertical pole grip 56 has a generally cylindrical channel 62 within the first and second sides. A grip opening 64 is positioned about halfway along the first side 58 of the vertical pole grip 56. The grip opening 64 is typically threaded, and allows for the insertion of a fastener 52 such as a screw or bolt. FIG. 5 displays a support pole 66 engaged to the vertical pole grip 56. The support pole 66 is allowed to be side loaded into the vertical pole grip 56 thanks to the c-shape of the vertical pole grip 56. In other dock assembly systems, a post would be passed downward through a cylindrical grip, where the cylindrical grip only has opening at the top and bottom of the grip. In effect, previous dock assembly systems could only attach the posts by moving them down through the grips from above. The vertical pole grip 56 may instead be pipe clamp, ring clamp, sheet metal clamp, or another gripping means. In other embodiments, such as floating docks, the vertical pole grips 56 are not necessary.

[0028] In some embodiments, after a dock segment 14 has been placed, it is attached to support poles 66. A plurality of support poles 66 keeps the dock suspended above the body of water. Due to the general c-shape of the vertical pole grip 56, there is a gap between the first and second sides that opens directly to the channel inside. A support pole 66 is loaded into the vertical pole grip 56 through the gap. Then the support pole 66 is moved downwards while still being held within the grip until it contacts the bed of the body of water. Once the pole is at the proper height, a dock assembler screws a fastener 52, such as a screw, bolt, or pin, into the opening. The fastener 52 may be attached with tools or by hand. The end of the fastener 52 will pass through the opening and contact the support pole 66. As the fastener 52 is tightened, it will push the support pole 66 into the second side 60 of the vertical pole grip 56. The fastener 52 should be tightened enough such that the frictional force between the vertical pole grip 56 and the support pole 66 prevents relative movement between the two. The plurality of receiving openings 50 is usually evenly spaced around the vertical pole grip 56. For example, there could be four total receiving openings 50 with a pair of receiving openings 50 on either side of the vertical pole grip 56.

[0029] FIG. 5-8 show a female connection bracket 18 attached to a dock segment 14. To install the female connecting bracket 18, a dock assembler places the female connecting bracket 18 against either side of a dock segment 14. The base portion 24 is held flat against the side of the dock segment 14, while the first alignment flange 54 reaches past the side and cups the corner and second end 22 of the segment. The first alignment flange 54 catches the end of the dock segment 14 so that the female connecting bracket 18 does not slide backwards along the length of the side. The first alignment flange 54 also ensures that the offset portion 26 can reach the male connecting bracket 16 on a separate dock segment 14 without the two dock segments 14 hitting one another. The upper edge 38 of the female connecting bracket 18 is aligned with the top surface of the dock segment 14. This ensures that the female connecting brackets 18 are aligned with one another which keeps both sides of the dock segments 14 at the same height. The male connecting brackets 16 are similarly aligned such that there are no differences in height between dock segments. If the upper edge 38 of the female connecting bracket 18 is not aligned correctly and does not match the alignment of top side 70 of the male connecting bracket 16 then the dock segment 14 may not be completely horizontal and the surface of the overall dock will be uneven. An uneven dock is dangerous to users because they may trip over a dock segment 14 or slip and fall. If the dock is wet, the danger of injury increases.

[0030] The male connecting bracket 16, as shown in FIG. 1, comprises a flat, typically rectangular, plate 68 having a top side 70, a bottom side 72, a proximal side 74, and a distal side 76. The plate 68 has a dock facing plate inner surface 78 and a plate outer surface 80. The plate 68 includes a pair of engagement member 86 receiving openings 50 along the proximal side 74 of the plate 68. A first engagement member receiving opening 82 is located near the upper corner where the proximal side 74 meets the top side 70, while a second engagement member receiving opening 84 is positioned further below the first engagement member receiving opening 82, about midway along the length of the proximal side 74. A pair of outwardly extending engagement members 86 are inserted into the receiving openings 82, 84. There is a first outwardly extending engagement member 86 for the first receiving opening 82 and a second outwardly extending engagement member 88 for the second receiving opening 84. The outwardly extending engagement members 86, 84 are cylindrical and allow the male connecting bracket 16 and female connecting bracket 18 to interlock with one another by fitting into the receiving channels of the female connecting bracket 18. The outwardly extending engagement members 86, 84 may instead be formed integrally with the plate 68 as opposed to being inserted. In this case, the plate 68 does not include the first and second receiving openings 50. The plate 68 also includes a plurality of fastener receiving openings 90, preferably four fastener receiving openings 90. Fasteners 52, such as screws or bolts, pass through the fastener receiving openings 90 and into a dock segment 14 which couple the male connecting bracket 16 to the dock segment 14. The plate 68 has a second alignment flange 92 on the inner surface 30 of the plate 68 along the proximal side 74, as shown in FIG. 4. The second alignment flange 92 forms an angle with the inner surface 30 of the plate 68 such that a corner of the dock segment 14 may be cupped by the second alignment flange 92 and the inner surface 30. The angle may be about 90, but may vary depending on the shape of the corner of the dock. The second alignment flange is typically around inch to about 1 inch similar to the first alignment flange.

[0031] The receiving channels of the female connecting bracket 18 have a width of at least the diameter of the outwardly extending engagement members 86, 84. The outwardly extending engagement members 86, 84 are able to fit within the receiving channels without becoming stuck or caught anywhere along the length of the receiving channels. The receiving channels may have different widths depending on the width of the outwardly extending engagement members 86, 84. The first and second outwardly extending engagement members 86, 84 themselves may also differ in diameter from one another so long as the outwardly extending engagement members 86, 84 on the opposite side of the dock segment 14 have the same shapes. The distance that the outwardly extending engagement members 86, 84 reach out from the plate 68 can vary. It is preferred that the distance is equal to or greater than the thickness of the offset portion 26 of the female connecting bracket 18.

[0032] To secure the male connecting bracket 16 to a dock segment 14, a dock assembler first holds the male connecting bracket 16 flat against the side of the dock segment 14 with a portion of the plate 68 reaching past the corner of the dock segment 14. The portion of the plate 68 reaching past the corner includes the proximal side 74 and the second alignment flange 92, and only extends far enough for the flange to rest against a first end 20 of the segment. The second alignment flange 92 and the plate inner surface 78 form a generally right-angled surface that fits over the corner of the dock segment 14, and helping to securely hold the plate 68 to the dock segment 14 and prevent it from sliding backwards along the side of the segment. The top side 70 of the plate 68 should be aligned with the top surface of the dock. As with the female connection bracket 18, if the top side 70 of the plate 68 is not aligned correctly and does not match the alignment of upper edge 38 of the female connecting bracket 18, then the dock segment 14 may not be completely horizontal and the surface of the overall dock will be uneven. Aligning the top side 70 with the top surface of the dock segment 14 is an easy way for a dock assembler to accurately assemble the dock and ensure that the dock is safe.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 6-7 Connecting the dock segments 14 to one another requires a dock assembler to interlock the male connecting brackets 16 of a new segment to the female connection brackets 18 of a dock segment 14 already in place. A first dock segment 14 is in position its second end 22 directed outwards towards the body of water. The second end 22 of the dock has a right-side female connecting bracket 18 on its right side and a left side female connecting bracket 18 on its left side. A second dock segment 14 is lowered into position next to the fist dock segment 14 with its first end 20 directed towards the second end 22 of the first dock segment 14. The second dock segment 14 is lowered at an angle relative to the first dock segment 14. The first end 20 has a right male connecting bracket 16 on its right side and a left male connecting bracket 16 on its left side to correspond to the female connecting brackets 18 on the first dock segment 14. The second dock segment 14 is lowered while at an angle with respect to the first dock segment 14. The first outwardly extending engagement members 86 on the brackets 16 of the second dock segment 14 slide into the first receiving channels 46 of the first dock segment 14, as shown in FIG. 7. Once the outwardly extending engagement members 86 reach the end of the first receiving channels 46 and prevent further downward movement, the second dock segment 14 performs a swinging motion with the first outwardly extending engagement 86 members as an axis of rotation. The rotational movement of the second segment brings the second outwardly extending engagement members 88 into the second receiving channels 48. The second receiving channels 48 act as a guide for the outwardly extending engagement members 88 and limit the range of motion of the dock segment 14 to a particular path. The second dock segment 14 continues its rotational motion until it is aligned with the first dock segment 14 as shown in FIG. 8. The second receiving channels 48 may terminate at such a length as to prevent the dock segment 14 from swinging further down and out of alignment with the first dock segment 14. The first receiving channel 46 only allows the first outwardly extending engagement 86 member to move vertically, and therefore prevents horizontal movement of the dock segment 14. The second receiving channel 48 only allows the outwardly extending engagement member 88 to move in the direction of its path, therefore preventing the dock segment 14 from moving vertically. Together, the receiving channels restrict movement in most directions.

[0034] The dock segment 14 may only be removed by performing the inverse of the rotational motion that initially interlocked the male and female connecting brackets 18. The second dock segment is rotated upwards with the first outwardly extending engagement member as an axis of rotation. The second outwardly extending receiving member is thereby moved along the pathway defined by the second receiving channel until it exits the second receiving channel. Once the second outwardly extending engagement member is free, the second dock segment may now be moved in a vertical direction. The dock segment is lifted upwards until the first outwardly extending engagement member is free of the first receiving channel. The dock segment can be moved away from the location of the dock and set aside or stored.

[0035] The female connecting bracket 18 may optionally include a second offset portion 26. The second offset portion 26 is set perpendicular to the original first offset portion 26, and is engaged to the rest of the female connecting bracket 18 via the connecting portion. The second offset portion 26 is directed away from the dock segment 14 that the female connecting bracket 18 is engaged to. In this embodiment, two male connecting brackets 16, and by extension, two dock segments 14, may be connected to a single female connecting bracket 18. For example, in a dock having three dock segments 14, the first dock segment 14 is set up overlapping the shore, and the second dock segment 14 is attached to the first by the male and female connecting brackets 16, 18 as usual. The third dock segment 14 engages to the female connecting bracket 18 with its own male connecting bracket 16, but the first end 20 of the third dock segment 14 faces a side of the second dock segment 14. This arrangement of dock segments 14 forms an L-shape. A fourth dock segment 14 on the side opposite of the third dock segment 14 would form a T-shape. A dock assembler may use this embodiment of the female connecting bracket 18 to create any number of dock configurations with shapes other than a line.