PROTECTIVE FENDER FOR DOCK POSTS

DEFENSE DE QUAI

English Abstract

The protective fender includes a cushion body that has the shape of
an elongated longitudinally cut half cylinder with an inner and an outer
surface. The two edges of the inner surfaces include each a slap member
that extends therefrom and embraces the dock posts. The slaps can be
tailored to avoid the deck when embracing the posts so that a sufficiently
large area above and below the deck can be protected to account for tide
changes. Different embodiments for the fastening assemblies used can be
implemented with laces, Velcro pads or snap buttons, all intended to keep
the cushion body along the post at a position between the post and the
approaching boat. The fender can be readily removed, when required.

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A fender for protecting approaching vessels from hitting dock
structures including a plurality of posts supporting a deck, comprising:
A. elongated cushion means having an upper and lower ends, and outer
and inner surfaces wherein said elongated cushion means have a
semi-cylindrical shape with a longitudinal coextensive concave wall
corresponding to said inner surface;
B. slap members extending from said inner surface and having
cooperative dimensions to embrace one of said posts and causing said
elongated cushion means to be coaxially disposed with respect to said
post and secured thereto between said post and said approaching
vessels and wherein said slap members are designed to avoid said
deck when embracing said post; and
C. means for fastening said slap members so that said elongated cushion
means is kept at a predetermined position on said post.
2. The fender set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for fastening said
slap members include lace means and said slap members include a plurality of
cooperatively positioned openings that permit the passing of said lace means
through thereby fastening said slap members together and against each other
embracing said post.
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3. The fender set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for fastening said
slap members includes Velcro pads that cooperatively engage with each other
thereby fastening said slap members together and against each other embracing
said post.
4. The fender set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for fastening said
slap members includes lace means and said slap members include a plurality of
cooperatively positioned snap button assemblies thereby fastening said slap
members together and against each other embracing said post.
5. The fender set forth in claim 4 wherein said elongated cushion means
is filled with air.
6. The fender set forth in claim 5 wherein said elongated cushion means
is made out of a soft sponge material.
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Description

2180766
I. TITLE: "PROTECTIVE FENDER FOR DOCK POSTS"
II. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention.
The present invention relates to a protective fender for dock posts, and
more particularly, to the type that wraps around the marine dock posts.
2. Description of the Related Art.
Many different designs of fenders exist today. However, none of them
provides the features of the present invention, including their ready installation
and removal, increased protection and their aesthetic appeal. Typically, dock
fenders are permanently mounted to dock structures, mostly to the posts that
support the dock. Many times this protection is not sufficient or compatible with
the vessels that use those docks, specially when this is done on a temporary
basis ( i.e.,renting a dock space seasonally). Installation of conventional
permanent fenders is an investment that most temporary users are not inclined
to make. Removing the conventional fender fixtures is impractical. These
problems enhance the need for effective protection of today's luxurious vessels
with fenders tailored to their needs.
III. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is one of the main objects of the present invention to provide a fender
that protects vessels from the posts and other structures found in docks.
It is another object of this invention to provide a protecting fender that is
portable, easy to install and remove from the location where it is being used.
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2180766
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a protecting
fender that is compatible with different types of dock posts and neighboring
structures.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide such a fender that is
inexpensive to manufacture and maintain while retaining its effectiveness.
Further objects of the invention will be brought out in the following part of
the specification, wherein detailed description is for the purpose of fully
disclosing the invention without placing limitations thereon.
IV. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
With the above and other related objects in view, the invention consists in
the details of construction and combination of parts as will be more fully
understood from the following description, when read in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 represents an isometric illustration of a part of a marine dock
wherein the present invention is used.
Figure 2 shows a partial isometric view from the upper portion of a
protective fender covering a dock post, as seen from the rear of the installed
fender in figure 1.
Figure 3 illustrates an isometric view from the top of the fender shown in
figure 2. This protective fender has a lace member that passes through several
openings, to fasten the fender to the post.
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2180766
Figure 4 is a representahon of an alternate embodiment for invention with
Velcro straps.
Figure 5 is a representation of a second alternate embodiment for
invention with several snap buttons.
V. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawings, where the present invention is generally
referred to with numeral 10, it can be observed that it basically includes cushion
elongated body 20 and slaps 30 with fastening mechanism 40 corresponding to
lace members 42. Two alternate embodiments 10' and 10" are shown in figures
4 and 5, respectively. Fastening mechanism 40' corresponds to Velcro pads or
straps 48' and 49' in alternate embodiment 10'. Similarly, fastening mechanism
40" includes snap buttons 41" and 43" that are cooperatively located to provide
a snug embrace to post P.
Body 20 of fender 10, in the preferred embodiment, has upper and lower
ends 27 and 28, outer and inner surfaces 22 and 24. Outer surface 22 comes in
direct contact with an approaching boat or vessel, and protects the boat from
marine dock posts P, which support platform or deck D. In this manner, the
boats are not exposed to hard impacts against dock posts P and other
neighboring structures. Inner surface 24 directly covers dock post P and from its
ends 25 and 26 extend slaps 30 and 31, respectively. Upper and lower slaps 30
and 31, in the preferred embodiment shown in figures 2 and 3, have several
openings 44 through which lace members 42 pass, thereby fastening protective
fender 10 to dock post P, as is seen in figures 1, 2 and 3. Slaps 30 and 31 can be
tailored to avoid the deck when embracing the posts so that a sufficiently largearea above and below the deck can be protected to account for tide changes.
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- 218076~
In figure 4, first alternate embodiment 10' is shown. Embodiment 10' has
body 20' with upper and lower ends 27' and 28'. Fastening mechanism 40'
comprises Velcro pads 48 ' and 49' corresponded to the loop and hook types,
and they are cooperatively mounted on slaps 30'. Slaps 30' extend from the
ends of inner surface 24' of body 20', cooperatively embracing post P.
In figure 5, alternate embodiment 10" is shown. Embodiment 10" has
body 20" with upper and lower ends 27" and 28". Slaps 30", in the second
alternate embodiment shown, has several snap button assemblies defining
fastening mechanism 40". Button assemblies include a corresponding plurality
of male and female snap button members 41" and 43", that are cooperatively
mounted substantially at the edge of slaps 30". As in the preferred and first
alternate embodiments 10 and 10', inner surface 24" and embracing slaps 30"
cover dock post P. Outer surfaces 22' and 22", as surface 22 in the preferred
embodiment 10, come in direct contact with an approaching boat or vessel.
Protective fenders 10; 10' and 10" are, preferably, made out of a flexible
plastic material. Bodies 20; 20' and 20"are, preferably, elongated half cylinders
with a longitudinal coextensive concave wall that defines inner surfaces 24; 24'and 24". Bodies 20; 20' and 20" can be hollow and filled with air or solid foam
or any spongy material. Any material that can absorb the shock of the
embarkation against dock posts P can be used.
The foregoing description conveys the best understanding of the objectives
and advantages of the present invention. Different embodiments may be made
of the inventive concept of this invention. It is to be understood that all matter
disclosed herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting
sense.
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Representative Drawing