US20160347430A1

US20160347430A1 - Modular floating dock system and method

Info

Publication number: US20160347430A1
Application number: US15/082,451
Authority: US
Inventors: Jorge Allen
Original assignee: R2 Trading LLC
Current assignee: R2 Trading LLC
Priority date: 2014-08-14
Filing date: 2016-03-28
Publication date: 2016-12-01

Abstract

A floating dock includes at least two floats each having a hollow body, the hollow body including a solid top surface, at least one solid side surface, and a bottom and at least one removable fastener connecting the at least two floats to form the floating dock. The hollow body defines at least a portion of a linking system that is configured to receive the at least one removable fastener for removably connecting the at least two floats to form the floating dock. The bottom of the hollow body may be defined by an open bottom that allows for stacking of the floats. The open bottom may be sealed by a removable cover when the float is in use.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/826,313, filed Aug. 14, 2015, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/037,386, filed Aug. 14, 2014, which application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to modular dock systems. In particular, the present disclosure relates to modular dock systems that include open bottom floats to facilitate storage when not in use.

BACKGROUND

Modular floating dock systems for use on bodies of water are known for their convenience and customizability. Some modular dock systems include individually sealed units that are attachable to one another to create the complete dock. This allows the user to configure a floating dock of many shapes and sizes. Additionally, a modular dock system is convenient in environments where there is a need to remove the dock on a fairly frequent basis (i.e. during the winter). Such systems can be often be assembled and/or removed without the use of heavy machinery or large amounts of manpower.
After most modular dock systems are removed from the water there is a need to store the dock system, thus creating a problem for many users, especially those with limited amounts of storage space or land. Moving the modular dock systems from storage to the water and back can also cause rapid wear in the modular units (i.e. holes in their sealed bodies) possibly compromising their ability to float. Additionally, because existing modular docking systems include individually sealed modular units, the units are not manufactured to be efficiently stored to conserve space, rather, such units can be cumbersome to handle, store and ship. Finally, manufacturing an individually sealed unit can be costly as each sealed unit needs to be tested to ensure that it is water tight. For these and other reasons, improvements to the modular docking system are desirable.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the following disclosure, the above and other issues are addressed by the following.
According to an example aspect, the disclosure is directed to a float for forming a floating dock comprising a hollow body, the hollow body including a solid top surface, at least one solid side surface, and an open bottom, wherein the hollow body defines at least a portion of a linking system that is configured for removably connecting a plurality of similar floats to form a floating dock. The open bottom allows stacking of the float with a plurality of similar floats. The float may include a removable cover for sealing the open bottom when the float is in use.
According to another aspect, the disclosure is directed to a floating dock unit comprising at least two floats each having a hollow body, the hollow body including a top, at least one solid side surface, and a bottom, and at least one removable fastener connecting the at least two floats to form the floating dock unit.
According to yet another aspect, the disclosure is directed to a fastener for removably linking a plurality of floats to form a floating dock unit. The fastener includes a shaft portion, the shaft portion having a proximal end and a distal end, the shaft portion defining a generally uniform transverse cross-section as the shaft portion extends between the proximal end and the distal end, a tip portion provided at the distal end of the shaft portion, the tip portion defining a cross-section that has a different configuration than the transverse cross-section of the shaft portion, and a head portion attached at the proximal end of the shaft portion, the head portion defining a flange extending outwardly from the shaft portion, the head portion further defining at least one slot extending at least partially from an outer edge of the of the head portion toward a center of the head portion.
According to yet another aspect, the disclosure is directed to a method for constructing a floating dock comprising using a single fastener to connect at least two floats to form a floating dock unit, wherein each float includes a hollow body defining a top, at least one solid side surface, and a bottom, wherein the hollow body further defines at least a portion of a linking system that is configured for removably connecting a plurality of similar floats to form the floating dock.
According to yet another aspect, the disclosure is directed to a floating dock kit comprising at least two floats each having a hollow body, the hollow body including a top, at least one solid side surface, and a bottom, wherein the hollow body defines at least a portion of a linking system that is configured for removably connecting the at least two floats, wherein the portion of the linking system defined by the hollow body includes at least one channel formed integrally with the hollow body and at least one attachment protruding from the at least one solid side surface of the hollow body. The floating dock kit further includes at least one fastener, each fastener including a shaft portion, the shaft portion having a proximal end and a distal end, the shaft portion defining a generally uniform transverse cross-section as the shaft portion extends between the proximal end and the distal end, a tip portion provided at the distal end of the shaft portion, the tip portion defining a cross-section that has a different configuration than the transverse cross-section of the shaft portion, and a head portion attached at the proximal end of the shaft portion, the head portion defining a flange extending outwardly from the shaft portion, the head portion further defining at least one slot extending at least partially from an outer edge of the of the head portion toward a center of the head portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings are illustrative of particular embodiments of the present disclosure and therefore do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. The drawings are not to scale and are intended for use in conjunction with the explanations in the following detailed description. Embodiments of the present disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like numerals denote like elements.

FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of two stackable floats according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a top view of one of the stackable floats of FIG. 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a plurality of floats arranged in a stack according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing of an assembled portion of a dock or a dock unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a schematic drawing of a fastener configured for forming the floating dock unit shown in FIG. 4 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5A is a cross-section of the fastener depicted in FIG. 5 along section line A-A;

FIG. 5B is a cross-section of the fastener depicted in FIG. 5 along section line B-B;

FIG. 6 illustrates a portion of one of the stackable floats of FIGS. 1 and 2, the portion defining a float attachment for forming a floating dock unit;

FIG. 7 is a side view of a modular dock system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of the modular dock system depicted in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a side view of another modular dock system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 10 illustrates a top view of the modular dock system depicted in FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the invention, which is limited only by the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the claimed invention.
The present disclosure describes, generally, a modular dock system that is capable of being assembled and disassembled repeatedly and conveniently. In some of the various embodiments described herein, the modular dock system can include a plurality of floats, each constructed to have an open bottom. Such a design allows for efficient shipping and storage of the floats by allowing stacking of the floats, which also increases durability of the dock system. Each float may also include a removable cover for sealing the open bottom, e.g., during use of the system.
In some embodiments, a plurality of floats may be secured together to form a dock unit using a fastener. The fastener is configured to secure together at least two floats at both the top and bottom portions of the floats to ensure stability of the floating dock unit. In other embodiments, a filler may be used between each float after multiple floats have been secured together to ensure a flat dock deck surface. In other embodiments, the floats may be used in combination with a deck panel to form a dock system. In some embodiments, the floats may be inverted and secured to a deck panel to form one version of the dock system. In certain embodiments, the deck panel may be configured to be secured to other like deck panels. In still other embodiments, a modular dock system may be formed from a deck panel that includes a plurality of ports, wherein each port may be sized to fit an upper portion of a float.
FIG. 1 shows two stackable floats 10 (e.g., 10 a and 10 b) in a stacked arrangement, wherein the floats 10 are configured to form the different modular docking systems of the present disclosure as will be described in further detail below. In FIG. 1, the floats 10 a, 10 b are shown in a storage formation.
In the depicted embodiment, the floats 10 a, 10 b are shown to be generally cube-shaped; however, it is considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure that the floats 10 a, 10 b may take the form of a variety of different three-dimensional geometric shapes including, but not limited to, a cuboid or prism. Each float 10 a, 10 b is made up of a hollow body 12. The hollow body 12 includes a top side 14, side walls 16, and an open bottom side 18. In some embodiments, to facilitate more compact stacking of the floats, the open bottom side 18 may have an opening with an area larger than that of the area of the top side. In such an embodiment, the larger area of the open bottom 18 allows for the comparatively smaller top side 14 of another float to fit easily within the open bottom 18 to facilitate stacking. In some embodiments, the hollow body 12 can define a sealed interior compartment to improve the floating ability of the floats. The interior compartment can be filed with air, foam, or like substance. In such an embodiment, the sealed interior compartment can be positioned anywhere between the top side 14 and the bottom side 18 of the float 10. However, in certain embodiments, the sealed interior compartment may be located near the top side 14 of the float. Such an arrangement still provides open-bottom floats and allows for stackability thereof.
In other embodiments, the interior compartment may be defined by a fillable bladder that is secured to the float. Such a bladder can be configured to be filled with air or like gas to add extra floatation to the float. Plumbing to fill the bladders can be ported out through the hollow body to allow for the compartment to be filled from the exterior of the float.
It should be noted that even though the floats 10 have been depicted and described as having an open bottom 18, in other embodiments, the bottoms of the floats may be closed and define solid bottom surfaces. In yet other embodiments, each float may include a removable cover 19 for sealing the open bottom 18 (as shown, e.g., in FIG. 9). The cover 19 may be used when the floats 10 have been assembled to form a dock unit and may be removed when the floats 10 need to be stacked.
The hollow body 12 can also define a linking system 20. The linking system 20 can take the form of a variety of different configurations that allow for the effective securing of both the upper part of the float, near the top side 14, and the lower part of the float, near the bottom side 18. In the depicted example embodiment, the linking system 20 includes a plurality of channels 22 at the top side 14 of the hollow body 12. In the depicted example, the channels 22 are located near, or at, the corners of the top side 14. In some embodiments, the linking system 20 can also include a plurality of attachments 24 at or near the bottom side 18 of the hollow body 12, wherein the attachments 24 may also be referred to as lower attachments 24. In the depicted embodiment, the attachments 24 protrude transversely from the corners defined by the sidewalls 16 of the hollow body 12.
Additionally, each attachment 24 each includes a hole 26 that is sized to accept a fastener. As will be described in further detail below, the channels 22 and the attachments 24 defining the linking system 20 are positioned and the fastener is generally configured such that a single fastener may be used to secure two floats as long as there is general alignment between the features. While only two attachments 24 per float 10 a, 10 b are shown in FIG. 1, it is appreciated that a plurality of attachments (such as four attachments) 24 may be positioned around the hollow body 12. Preferably, the number of attachments 24 matches the number of channels 22. Additionally, it is preferred that the attachments 24 and channels 22 are positioned generally on the corners of each float. In some embodiments, each attachment 24 can be located on one of two horizontal planes. Attachments 24 adjacent to one another on the same float 10 can be positioned on different horizontal planes to allow for the overlapping of attachments 24 when two like floats are proximately positioned (this can be seen in FIG. 4). If more than two attachments 24 are provided on a float, such as four attachments 24, then the attachments 24 can be located on one of four different horizontal planes which allows the overlapping of attachments 24 when four like floats 10 are proximately positioned (similar to the two floats shown in FIG. 4).
The floats 10 can be molded from a polymer or like material to withstand water saturation. In addition, the polymer can be manufactured to withstand deterioration over a broad range of conditions and seasons as the floats 10 may be used in hot weather on the water and then can be stored outside during the winter/colder times of the year. In some embodiments, the attachments 24 may be molded as an integral part of the hollow body 12. In other embodiments, the attachments 24 may be secured to the hollow body 12 by way of fasteners or plastic welding. Each float 10 can be manufactured in a variety of different sizes depending on the desired application so long as the structural integrity of the float 10 and the linking system 20 remains strong enough of maintain any weight or wear and tear inherent in the desired application.
FIG. 2 shows a top view of a float 10. From the top view, in the depicted embodiment, it can be seen that the channels 22 and the attachments 24 are generally vertically aligned to accept a fastener. Additionally, the open bottom 18 is sized to be larger than the top side 14 of the float 10. As stated above, such a configuration can facilitate stacking of the floats 10, as shown in FIG. 3. When the floats 10 are being stored, or being shipped, each float 10 may be stacked on top of another float 10 to save storage space. This allows the user the ability to stack the floats 10 in a small space like a garage, a shed, a basement, a small plot of land or a similar space. Additionally, this allows the manufacturer to ship multiple floats 10 in a cost effective manner as the stack of floats 10 does not occupy a large footprint, with respect to the size of each individual float 10.
FIG. 4 shows a schematic drawing of an assembled dock unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The assembled dock unit 28 includes two proximately positioned floats 10 a, 10 b secured together by two fasteners 30 a, 30 b. The assembled floats 10 a, 10 b and fasteners 30 a, 30 b can form a substantially flat deck surface 31. The fasteners 30 a, 30 b can be configured to engage a single channel 22 and a single attachment 24 of each float 10 a, 10 b. By engaging each channel 22, which is located near the top side 14 of each float 10 a, 10 b, and each attachment 24, which is positioned near the open bottom 18 of each float 10 a, 10 b, the floating dock unit 28 gains stability in its assembled form. When securing two floats using a fastener 30, the attachments 24 of the floats are brought together in an overlapping configuration and a single fastener 30 is inserted through the holes 26 of the overlapping attachments 24. This arrangement allows for a fastener with a single engaging structure to engage the attachments of two floats. In other embodiments, a non-overlapping configuration may be used, where a fastener that includes a separate engaging structure for each attachment is utilized.
While only two floats 10 a, 10 b are shown fastened by the fasteners 30 a, 30 b in FIG. 4 to form a dock unit, it should be understood that the process for securing the two floats may be repeated to form a larger dock unit that includes more floats, as noted above. With the modular structures of the present disclosure, dock units of many differing shapes and sizes may be formed.
As shown in the depicted embodiment, each fastener 30 can include a structure that secures or locks the fastener in place to prevent accidental removal. This may be advantageous for a dock unit that is placed in a body of water that in susceptible to waves or varying weight distributions on the deck surface 31. In certain embodiments, it is advantageous to size the fasteners, the channels, and the holes of the attachments to allow for a tolerance that can accommodate slight shifting of the fasteners or the floats. By having such a tolerance, it allows for the assembled dock unit to flex and adapt to changing conditions (i.e. waves and different weight distributions on the deck surface).
The assembled dock unit 28 of FIG. 4 can also include a filler structure 42 to fill in the gap that may be present between the two floats 10 a, 10 b once they are fastened. The filler structure 42 creates a more uniform, flat deck surface 31. In some embodiments, each filler 42 may rest in the gap between the floats 10 a, 10 b. In other embodiments, the filler 42 may be secured to each fastener or float. When secured to each fastener or float, the filler can either have a tight or lose fit depending on the dock application. In some embodiments, each filler 42 can have attachments on either end in the form of a hook or like structure to engage each fastener to prevent accidental removal of the filler 42. In other embodiments, the filler 42 can act as a conduit for plumbing, electrical or like connections. For example, the filler 42 can conceal wires for dock lighting. In other embodiments, plumbing, electrical or like wired connections can be positioned in the gap between the two floats. The filler 42 may conceal such connections to create a uniform flat deck surface.
To assemble each dock portion 28 that is, for example, formed from two floats 10, a user may proximately align the two floats 10 a, 10 b so that the open bottom 18 of each float is positioned against the ground or water surface, depending on the location the user chooses to use for assembly. Once proximately aligned, the floats 10 a, 10 b may be secured together by using a single fastener 30 with the linking systems 20 of each of at least two individual floats 10 a, 10 b. In some embodiments, the user may engage the fastener 30 with each channel 22 of each float 10 a, 10 b and each attachment 24 of each float 10 a, 10 b. In some embodiments, once multiple fasteners have been used to secure multiple floats, a filler 42 may be added to each gap that exists between adjacent floats. The open bottoms 18 may be sealed with removable covers 19 as mentioned above.
In some embodiments, the assembled dock can include one or more solar panels. The solar panel(s) can be used to power a variety of items that require electricity including, but not limited to, dock lighting, pumps, or boat lifts. Additionally, the solar panel(s) can be electrically connected to a cell or a battery so that the charge can be stored for later usage. For example, a user can use the charge stored in the battery or cell at times when there is not adequate sunlight to power up the solar panel(s).
FIG. 5 is a schematic drawing of a fastener 30 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The fastener 30 includes a shaft 32, a head 34, and a tip 36. The fastener 30 also defines a flange 38 around the outer edge of the fastener head 34. As noted before, the head 34 can include a plurality of slots 40 therein for accepting a portion of the filler structure 42.
The shaft 32 extends from the head 34 to the tip portion 36 of the fastener. In some embodiments, the shaft 32 can have a generally uniform cross-section along its entire length. The transverse cross section of the shaft is configured to generally match that of the hole 26 of each attachment 24. The shaft 32 can also be configured to provide a generally loose fit within each hole 26 of each attachment 24 of each float 10. FIG. 5A depicts one example cross-section of the shaft 32 in FIG. 5. As shown, the cross-section of the depicted shaft 32 includes a plurality of ribs 33.
The tip portion 36 of the fastener 30 is located at the opposite end of the shaft 32 as the head portion 34. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5B, the tip portion 36 can have a cross-section that is different than that of the rest of the shaft 32. The tip portion 36 can be shaped to secure the fastener 30 in the hole 26 of each attachment 24 of each float 10 (seen in FIG. 6). The tip portion 36, as depicted, includes a larger transverse cross-sectional dimension than the attachment hole 26 to ensure a snap-fit interlock between the fastener 30 and the attachment 24. While similar in size to allow the tip portion 36 to frictionally fit through the hole 26, the tip portion 36 is large enough to limit removal of the fastener 30 from the attachment hole 26 without a substantial force being placed on the fastener 30 in the opposite direction. In other embodiments, the tip portion 36 can be sized to simply press-fit within each hole 26 of each attachment 24 on each float 10 rather than including a larger flange-like structure.
Even though the present disclosure depicts and describes a fastener 30 defining features for forming a snap-fit interlock with the floats 10, in other embodiments, the fasteners used for securing the floats 10 may include bolt/nut type threaded connections. For example, in such embodiments, once the shaft portion of such a fastener has been inserted though the holes 26 of each of the attachments 24 of the floats 10, nuts can be used at opposite ends of the attachments 24 to secure the floats 10.
FIGS. 7-8 illustrate an embodiment of a modular dock system 100 according to the present disclosure, wherein the dock system 100 is formed by using floats 110 similar to floats 10 described above that form the modular dock units.
The dock system 100 includes a plurality of floats 110 and a deck panel 150. As noted, each float 110 can be similar to those floats 10 depicted in FIG. 1 of the present disclosure, complete with attachment portions 124. Additionally, the modular dock system 100 can include a deck panel 150 configured to accept a plurality of floats 110. The deck panel 150 can include an upper side 152 that includes a deck surface 154, and a lower side 156 that includes a variety of connection structures 158 to secure a plurality of floats. As seen in FIGS. 7-8, in forming the dock system 100, the floats 110 may be inverted (as opposed to the configuration of the floats in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1) and the attachments 124 may be positioned upwardly. The attachments 124 may be used to lock the floats 110 to the deck panel 150. The lower side 156 of the deck panel 150, in the depicted embodiment, includes a series of slots, or channels, to secure each inverted float 110 to the deck panel 150. The attachments 124 of the floats 110 can be secured in the slots of the deck panel 150. By doing so, the open bottom side of the float 118 is placed against the deck panel 150 in a manner that is tight enough to allow little to no air or water into the inverted float 110. In some embodiments, the open bottom 118 of each float 110 can include in an additional gasket to facilitate a seal between the float 110 and the deck panel 150.
Since the attachments 124 that are provided on the corners of the floats 110 may be positioned at different horizontal planes as noted above (for allowing connection of the floats with fasteners outside of a deck panel), the slots or channels at the lower side 156 of the deck panel 150 may be wide enough to accommodate such attachments 124 that are provided at different horizontal planes.
It should be noted that although the depicted example shows the interlock between the floats 110 and the deck panel 150 to be formed by securement of the attachment portions 124 to connection structures 158 such as slots or channels formed at the lower side 156 of the deck panel 150, in other embodiments, other portions of the floats 110 may be used to attach the floats 110 to the deck panel 150. For example, in other embodiments, a lip formed around the edge defining the open bottom of a float may be used to snap-fit the float into a mating channel formed at the lower side 156 of the deck panel 150.
The assembled dock system 100 can include a variety of different attachment structures 160 for securing the deck panel 150 to other like assembled panels 150 to create a larger floating dock. Tongue and groove like construction can be used for the attachment structures 160 to secure the deck panels 150 to one another. In certain embodiments, each deck panel 150 can include a series of flanges or tongues that can be accepted by a matching groove of an adjoining panel. In certain embodiments still, those flange(s) of the deck panel(s) that are not being used for interlocking the panels may be used to attach a bumper structure to the other perimeter of the dock to facilitate docking of watercraft. As noted above, in some embodiments, the assembled dock system 100 can include one or more solar panels. The solar panel(s) can be used to power a variety of items that require electricity including, but not limited to, dock lighting, pumps, or boat lifts. Additionally, the solar panel(s) can be electrically connected to a cell or a battery so that the charge can be stored for later usage. For example, a user can use the charge stored in the battery or cell at times when there is not adequate sunlight to power up the solar panel(s).
FIGS. 9-10 show an alternative modular dock system 200. The dock system includes a plurality of floats 210 that are similar in configuration to floats 10 and 110 and a deck panel 250. As noted, each float 210 can be similar to those depicted in FIGS. 1 and 7 of the present disclosure, complete with attachments 224. Additionally, the modular dock system 200 can include a deck panel 250 configured to accept a plurality of floats 210. The deck panel 250 defines a deck surface 254. In the depicted embodiment, the deck panel 250 also includes a plurality of ports 262, each being configured to fixedly receive a portion of a float 210. Each port 262 may be sized to frictionally receive the float 210 so that, once secured in the port 262, the top side 214 of the float 210 is flush with the deck surface 254. In such embodiments, since the floats 210 are placed within the deck panel 250 with the tops 214 facing upwardly and the open bottoms 218 facing downwardly, each port 262 can be tapered to match the taper angle defined by the side walls 216 of each float 210. In this manner, the tapered walls defining the port 262 prevent the float 210 from extending too far through the port 262 and above the deck surface 254. In some embodiments, the deck panel 250 can include locking features to secure each float 210 within each port. In some embodiments, the locking features can include a variety of movable locking structures such as movable tabs to secure each float 210 in each port 262.
Also as noted above, when the floats 210 have been assembled and connected to the deck panel 250 for use, the open bottoms 218 may be sealed with removable covers 19, as shown in FIG. 9.
The assembled deck panel 200 can include a variety of different attachment structures 260 to secure the panel to other like assembled panels to create a larger floating dock. Tongue and groove like construction can, again, be used to secure the deck panels to one another. A bumper can also be secured to the deck panel using the tongue-groove construction. As mentioned above, in certain embodiments, the assembled dock system 200 may utilize solar panel(s) for powering a variety of items that require electricity.
The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the inventive aspects. Since many embodiments of the disclosure can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventive aspects, the inventive aspects resides in the claims hereinafter appended.

Claims

1. A float for forming a floating dock comprising:

a hollow body, the hollow body including a solid top surface, at least one solid side surface, and an open bottom,

wherein the hollow body defines at least a portion of a linking system that is configured for removably connecting a plurality of similar floats to form a floating dock.

2. The float of claim 1, further comprising a removable cover for sealing the open bottom.

3. The float of claim 1, wherein the hollow body of the float is configured to allow for stacking of the float with a plurality of similar floats.

4. The float of claim 1, wherein the open bottom defines an opening having a transverse cross-sectional area that is larger than that defined by the solid top surface.

5. The float of claim 1, wherein the portion of the linking system defined by the hollow body is configured for receiving at least one removable fastener.

6. The float of claim 5, wherein the at least one removable fastener includes a flange portion, a tip portion, and a shaft portion extending therebetween.

7. The float of claim 5, wherein the at least one removable fastener is defined by a deck panel configured to overlay a plurality of connected floats.

8. The float of claim 5, wherein the linking system further includes the at least one removable fastener.

9. The float of claim 1, wherein the portion of the linking system defined by the hollow body includes at least one channel formed integrally with the hollow body.

10. The float of claim 9, wherein the at least one channel includes a plurality of channels provided generally around a perimeter of the float.

11. The float of claim 1, wherein the hollow body is substantially cube-shaped.

12. The float of claim 1, wherein the solid top surface is substantially flat.

13. The float of claim 1, wherein the portion of the linking system defined by the hollow body includes at least one attachment protruding from the at least one solid side surface of the hollow body.

14. The float of claim 13, wherein the at least one attachment is configured to receive at least one removable fastener.

15. The float of claim 13, wherein the at least one attachment includes a plurality of attachments protruding from the at least one solid side surface of the hollow body.

16. The float of claim 15, wherein at least two of the plurality of attachments are provided at different horizontal planes for overlapping with corresponding attachments of other floats.

17. A floating dock unit comprising:

at least two floats each having a hollow body, the hollow body including a top, at least one solid side surface, and a bottom; and

at least one removable fastener connecting the at least two floats to form the floating dock unit.

18. The floating dock unit of claim 17, wherein the hollow body defines at least a portion of a linking system that is configured to receive the at least one removable fastener for removably connecting the at least two floats.

19. The floating dock unit of claim 18, wherein the at least one removable fastener includes a flange portion, a tip portion, and a shaft portion extending therebetween.

20. The floating dock unit of claim 19, wherein the portion of the linking system defined by the hollow body includes at least one channel formed integrally with the hollow body and at least one attachment protruding from the at least one solid side surface of the hollow body, wherein the flange portion of the at least one removable fastener engages the at least one channel of the at least two floats, and the shaft portion and the tip portion of the at least one removable fastener engage the at least one attachment of the at least two floats.

21. The floating dock unit of claim 17, wherein the at least one removable fastener is defined by a deck panel configured to connect the at least two floats.

22. The floating dock unit of claim 21, wherein the deck panel includes at least two ports configured to receive the at least two floats, wherein the tops of the floats define solid surfaces, wherein the at least two floats are secured within the at least two ports so that the solid top sides of the at least two floats form a substantially flat dock surface with the deck panel.

23. The floating dock unit of claim 21, wherein the deck panel includes at least two ports configured to receive the at least two floats, wherein the at least two floats are secured within the at least two ports so that the bottoms of the at least two floats are positioned adjacent the deck panel.

24. The floating dock unit of claim 17, further comprising at least one filler member configured to fit between the at least two floats so as to eliminate a gap therebetween for providing a substantially flat dock surface.

25. The floating dock unit of claim 17, wherein one of at least the bottom and the top of the hollow body is defined by a solid surface.

26. The floating dock unit of claim 25, wherein the solid surface is defined by a removable cover configured to seal the hollow body.

27. A fastener for removably linking a plurality of floats to form a floating dock unit, the fastener comprising:

a shaft portion, the shaft portion having a proximal end and a distal end, the shaft portion defining a generally uniform transverse cross-section as the shaft portion extends between the proximal end and the distal end;

a tip portion provided at the distal end of the shaft portion, the tip portion defining a cross-section that has a different configuration than the transverse cross-section of the shaft portion; and

a head portion attached at the proximal end of the shaft portion, the head portion defining a flange extending outwardly from the shaft portion, the head portion further defining at least one slot extending at least partially from an outer edge of the of the head portion toward a center of the head portion.

28. A method for constructing a floating dock comprising:

using a single fastener to connect at least two floats to form a floating dock unit, wherein each float includes a hollow body defining a top, at least one solid side surface, and a bottom, wherein the hollow body further defines at least a portion of a linking system that is configured for removably connecting a plurality of similar floats to form the floating dock.

29. A floating dock kit comprising:

at least two floats each having a hollow body, the hollow body including a top, at least one solid side surface, and a bottom, wherein the hollow body defines at least a portion of a linking system that is configured for removably connecting the at least two floats, wherein the portion of the linking system defined by the hollow body includes at least one channel formed integrally with the hollow body and at least one attachment protruding from the at least one solid side surface of the hollow body; and

at least one fastener, each fastener including:

30. The floating dock kit of claim 29, further comprising at least one filler member configured to fit between the at least two floats so as to eliminate a gap therebetween for providing a substantially flat dock surface.