U.S. patent application number 10/360126 was filed with the patent office on 2004-08-12 for beach stabilizing blocks.
Invention is credited to Gibbs, Richard A..
Application Number | 20040156680 10/360126 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32823946 |
Filed Date | 2004-08-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040156680 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gibbs, Richard A. |
August 12, 2004 |
Beach stabilizing blocks
Abstract
A device and method for stabilization of beaches and building
walls, patios and similar simple structures consisting of blocks
with trapezoidal or rectangular shapes which have staking or
interlocking means of interconnecting blocks and where the top has
an open area allowing fill by slurries of water and sand, gravel or
clay and the escape of clarified water during and after
filling.
Inventors: |
Gibbs, Richard A.; (Montauk,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RICHARD A. GIBBS
431 E LAKE DR
Montauk
NY
11954
US
|
Family ID: |
32823946 |
Appl. No.: |
10/360126 |
Filed: |
February 8, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
405/15 ; 405/107;
405/114 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02B 3/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
405/015 ;
405/107; 405/114 |
International
Class: |
E02B 003/04; E02B
003/10 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A device to retard beach erosion that consists of a hollow
container which has top and bottom, said top and bottom having
interlocking stacking means, and which has top portion oriented
vents allowing fill by water and by flow of water and sand or clay
or dirt mixes formed by wave action and which due to top venting of
the water traps said sand within said container.
2. The device in claim 1 where holes are molded into said container
as through tubes from top to bottom of said container and where
said holes are sealed from the interior of said container such that
leakage around said holes is minimal, and where fastening rod means
are inserted through said holes to form attachments to soil, rock,
or other containers.
3. The device in claim 1 where specifically, holes are arrayed in
the sides within the top 15% of the height of said side, said holes
acting as fill and vent areas to allow introduction of water and
sand mixtures and to then allow venting of the water component of
said mixture.
4. The device in claim 1 where channels are further added to allow
water to drain through said container over said top and under said
bottom to prevent hydraulic pressure movement of said
containers.
5. The device in claim 1 where said container may be embedded into
a sand, soil or mud beach area by the action of waves and further
containers may be mounted on top of said containers to create a
self reinforcing beach barrier.
6. The Device in claim 1 where said container has ends and said
ends are provided with interlocking attaching means to attach said
container ends to a fixed pylon attachment means or to another
container.
7. The device in claim 1 where at least one of the vertical sides
of said container is at an angle to the vertical axis, and where
said angled side improves drainage and provides wave force
dissipation.
8. A method to stabilize beaches or build barriers in areas subject
to wave action where a container filled with water is placed on
said beach as part of a barrier, and where waves subsequently wash
over said container, and where top holes in said container allow
entry of water and sand that comprises said waves, and where said
sand is trapped within said container and where said water then is
displaced in part from said container by later wave action which
delivers further sand and water mixture to said container.
9. A trapezoidal shaped beach barrier block which has a top surface
and a bottom surface in parallel horizontally oriented planes, and
a first and third side which are oriented in parallel vertical
plane, and where the second and fourth side is a plane angled in
respect to the vertical axis to form a truncated wedge shape, and
where filling means is provided at the top surface of said beach
barrier block which allows entry of water and sand from waves
impacting on the top of said beach barrier block.
10. The beach barrier block in claim 9 where staking means through
said beach barrier block is provided to fasten said barrier block
to beaches and to other barrier blocks.
11. The beach barrier block in claim 9 where attaching means in the
top or in the sides of said beach barrier block is provided to
fasten said barrier block to other barrier.
12. The claim in 10 where said staking means are wells formed with
at lease a seal to said bottom of said beach barrier block and
which surround through holes from said top surface to said bottom
surface of said barrier blocks.
13. The claim in 11 where additional knobs or projections mating
with recesses in the surface of additional beach barrier blocks
interlock two or more of said barrier blocks.
14. The claim in 11 where the blocks are used as foundations or as
building elements in construction.
15 A beach barrier block which has truncated pyramidal shape which
has a top surface and a bottom surface in parallel horizontally
oriented planes, and four other sides which are oriented in planes
angled in respect to the vertical axis to form a truncated
pyramidal shape, and where filling means is provided at the top
surface of said beach barrier block which allows entry of water and
sand from waves impacting on the top of said beach barrier
block.
16. The beach barrier block in claim 15 where staking means through
said beach barrier block is provided to fasten said barrier block
to beaches and to other barrier blocks.
17. The beach barrier block in claim 15 where attaching means in
the top or in the sides of said beach barrier block is provided to
fasten said barrier block to other barrier blocks.
18. The claim in 16 where said staking means are wells formed with
at lease a seal to said bottom of said beach barrier block and
which surround through holes from said top surface to said bottom
surface of said barrier blocks.
19. The claim in 17 where said attaching means are additional knobs
or projections mating with recesses in the surface of additional
beach barrier blocks interlock two or more of said barrier blocks.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The invention refers to a large fillable shaped device to
stabilize beach areas or form walls and protective barriers and a
method to employ this device which is water and sand tillable, top
vented to allow escape of water, and can have various interlocks to
form larger structures.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART
[0002] The creation of sea walls, breakwaters and similar beach
conservation and breakwater devices is well documented and the
subject of many patents on stabilization structures and artificial
breakwater structures.
[0003] A typical ocean beach is a constantly moving accumulation of
sand, mud, and gravel. The action of waves brings sand into the
beach area and deposits it from further out (deeper water) at times
and at other times the wave action strips the sand accumulation
away and re-deposits it elsewhere. Beaches and breakwaters are thus
moving objects except where they are fixed by rock deposits or
similar retaining walls or manmade barriers which act as anchors
around which the deposition and removal of sandy soils
continues.
[0004] The earliest and perhaps the best barrier to shifting of
beach areas are piles of very large (ton or more) rocks. The rocks
break the force of the waves and yet allow the water of the waves
to slowly percolate through the rock piles diminishing the
hydraulic forces that would exist if water were trapped behind a
wall or similar retainer. The shapes of the rocks also diverts the
force of the waves in many directions and balances these split
forces so that the rocks are not easily moved, even by very large
waves and tides. It is common for sand to accumulate behind the
stones forming a jetty and to thus reinforce the jetty or barrier
formed by the rocks. The accumulation of sand behind barriers is a
major factor in the formation of beaches and a factor in
stabilization of these beaches. At present there are few practical
and easy to install ways to create a barrier around which a beach
might form. The closest present way to stabilize uses chained
together automobile tires, an unsightly and possibly contaminating
method.
[0005] Walls have frequently been used to prevent sand loss from
beaches but walls are poor at breaking up the force of waves with
relatively large flat areas of (nearly) simultaneous wave impact
greatly stressing and eventually cracking the walls. As noted
above, walls also retain water and this hinders the free draining
of water that is important in beach formation, and walls may allow
sand to drain from behind the wall thus actually speeding the
errosion that the walls were to prevent.
[0006] Alternates to the walls are logs of cement that have
interlocking points that run both parallel to the wave fronts
impacting on the beach and also have extended members going
perpendicular to the wave fronts that in front break up the waves
and behind the wall of logs stabilize and hold sand. The logs are
typically built with large gaps between the layers like log houses
with alternate logs removed. A similar system is also used in
highway construction to stabilize steep soil banks near bridges
etc. The logs also allow drainage of soil and sand from behind the
barrier.
[0007] The properties of the log style barriers illustrate many of
the features desired in beach stabilization or beach area
construction. First the barriers are substantial, will not float
away, and allow fill behind them. There is a need for a barrier
that has similar properties--i.e. a barrier that would be
substantial, would fill, and is easier than cement logs to handle
and install.
[0008] Sand and soil retention is also common in flood areas and at
shores where sandbags are filled and stacked to form walls of sand
that keep water out of that break up wave actions. The bags are
fragile and such is useful only for relatively short times and the
stacks are easily overturned due to the small size of the
sandbags.
DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0009] The creation of very large hollow barrier blocks which are
either trapezoidal in cross section or are truncated pyramidal
shapes or large rectangular boxes which can be filled by water and
by sand through natural wave action or by pumped slurry is shown in
this device and method to provide a way to stabilize beach areas.
Each of the trapezoidal or pyramidal blocks are elements
interlocking by one of more of locking stakes or interlocking
projections in the shaped elements that provide beach erosion
barriers. These-beach barrier blocks have most of the advantages of
large rocks but are economical and easier to handle. Since they are
filled on site with sand and/or gravel, the blocks are
transportable and can be used to form comparatively seamless walls
or barriers. In fact any pumpable material could be used as fill
within one of the barrier blocks.
[0010] The invention shows a number of shapes including trapezoidal
shapes of very large fillable barrier blocks. The trapezoidal shape
allows the blocks to be stacked in a variety of patterns which have
interlocking sides, make high barriers, or control drainage. Some
of the various stacking patterns of the barrier blocks further
allow free flow of fluids from behind the barrier blocks while
other patterns minimize the fluid flows. While the barrier blocks
are first filled with water or sand water slurry after placement,
top addition holes allow the sand loaded waves that break over
these barrier block assemblies to displace part of the water with
sand, eventually by natural wave action filling the barrier blocks
with sand through displacement of the water. In a similar manner,
blocks filled with slurry settle forming a solid bottom layer and
top water layer. As more slurry is added the block fills with
solids hydraulically packed--the construction ideal of wet clay
fill for stability can thus be formed with this concept. Sand and
gravel may also be used as fill.
[0011] The stacking of barrier blocks that are of various shapes
allows either a jagged wall upon which the waves impact, or allows
a flatter wall with a variety of open spaces for water flow. As the
shape is further expanded to pyramidal, both side drain areas and
the jagged shapes facing the waves are possible with stacked
barrier blocks.
[0012] The stacking and holding of the barrier blocks by gravity
forces alone is possible, however it has been shown that
interlocking projections and depressions on the surfaces of the
blocks add to the utility and makes walls and barriers formed of
the blocks more stable. A series of stake wells is further provided
so long stakes may be driven through stacks of barrier blocks.
[0013] The most interesting aspect of this concept is the utility
as a building element for walls. Barriers, or even sheds and patios
where a series of the filled blocks are combined in specific
layouts.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0014] In FIG. 1, the beach barrier block is shown in one
embodiment made by the well known process of thermoforming of the
components with subsequent assembly and sealing. FIG. 1 shows a
cross sectional beach barrier block with trapezoidal shape and the
stake wells sectioned with two top vents 9.
[0015] FIG. 2 shows an assembly drawing of a more complex beach
barrier block with the top that includes four vent cutouts 9A, five
stake wells 5A, which is assembled from a top and a boat like
bottom section.
[0016] FIG. 3 shows another view of an assembly, this time for an
inverted model with stakes shown and attachments between the
modules and side and end attachments.
[0017] FIG. 4 shows an end type of barrier block with alternate
round section as a terminal and shapes for specific joining uses
such as interlocking fingers.
[0018] FIG. 5 shows a slanted intermediate part which could fit
between or act as spacers for other parts.
[0019] FIG. 6 shows a right angled corner part.
[0020] FIG. 7 shows the Beach Barrier concept simplified and with a
stake 12A used in well 5C to hold a block. There is a set of 6
blocks shown each attached to each other on sides and top to
bottom. The sloped surface is towards waves to dissipate the wave
forces and cause the waves to wash over fill vents 9F filling the
block.
[0021] FIG. 8 shows an altered form of the barrier block with end
grooves 13E, and end projections 61B, vents and stakes for wells. A
facia 80 in brick pattern is shown.
[0022] FIG. 9 shows cube shape blocks with side alignment and
attachment slots 90 and top projecting X shape 91 which fits within
bottom X indention 92. The fill slot is triangular cutout 9G
[0023] FIG. 10 shows a series of barrier blocks where two are
joined by joining clips 101 and held to the beach soil by stakes
12C. Cutout 9H is for fill.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0024] In the most preferred embodiment of this invention as shown
in cross section as FIG. 1, a large shaped block 2 which is
thermoformed from ultraviolet stabilized high density polyethylene
sheet. The shape, in cross section, consists of at least one side 1
sloping at 45 degrees, separated by a 24 inch flat bottom 10. The
height of the block is 2.5 feet which makes each sloping side
approximately 3.5 feet long and the top 7 feet long. The block has
a depth of 2 feet and front and back in this case are straight
sides perpendicular to the plane of the bottom. The plane of the
top is parallel to the plane of the bottom. The shape of this
embodiment is thus a truncated wedge. Fill ports 9 are top
cutouts.
[0025] While there will be at least one stake well 5, in this
embodiment a total of five stake wells 5 consisting of an 18 inch
high conical tube with a top dimension of 2 inches and a bottom
dimension of 3.5 inches is thermoformed from the material of the
bottom of the shape with one well central in the bottom and the
other four wells arranged near (approx. four inches) from the
corners of the 2 foot by 2 foot flat bottom in that flat bottom
area. As is well known in the art of thermoforming, the wells may
be pressure assisted in the process of thermoforming so they retain
reasonable wall thickness.
[0026] After thermoforming the bottom, the now shaped sheet is
trimmed with minimal edges as shown in FIG. 2 as 11 in a large
hydraulic trim stamping) press by a shaped die. This operation
leaves extended lips projecting in the plane of the top from all
sides.
[0027] As shown in FIG. 2, top 6 is thermoformed from high density
polyethylene sheet which is essentially flat except for
interlocking edge retainers which fit over and form a snap fit with
the extended projecting lip like edges 11 of the truncated wedge
shape bottom 1A. The top is also trimmed in a hydraulic trim press.
In this embodiment the wells are marked upon the top 8 and the
wells project to at least touch the top at the marked depressions
for wells. When the wells terminate within less than {fraction
(1/8)} inch of the top when the unit is fully assembled, the wells
may be joined to the top as noted below. Such joinder of wells and
tops is not mandatory in this invention.
[0028] Cutouts 9A which are at least 6 square inches are located on
the top within two inches of the edge of the top part.
[0029] The part is assembled by snapping the top onto the bottom.
In most uses the top snap fit will be adequate and since it can be
assembled on location will provide considerable economies in
shipping the units. For sea wall uses subjected to strong impact
forces, it will be necessary to thermally weld or to glue or
otherwise attach the top to the bottom after assembly.
[0030] Extra stability and strength is available if the wells 5 are
then welded or snapped onto the depressions 8. For staking the
stakes may be driven through the depressions or the depressions may
be cutout.
[0031] In use the top and bottom are snapped into place and units
are set into a shallow trench dug into the beach area. The barrier
blocks are placed in one of several ways. For maximum dissipation
of wave forces the units are stacked with the top upward and filled
with water or water and sand slurry as they are located. The top
markings show where the stake wells are located and before placing
another unit on the top, the stake wells that will be used are
drilled open with a hole drill through the top part and the well
top material left from thermoforming the wells. A stacked set of
blocks is shown in FIG. 7 with stakes 12A and interlocking edges
61A and 13D. In many cases all of the stake wells 5C will be
drilled out for maximum staking flexibility. This opening of the
wells may also be performed in the die cutting of the mold, but
this is not essential and it is usually more convenient to perform
the final cutout of holes to be used for stakes at the site.
[0032] FIG. 2 shown the assembly of the parts with the top 6A
having depressions marking the location of the staking wells 8A and
the top cutouts for draining shown 9A. The overlooking edge going
downward is shown as 7. The projecting lip 11 in the bottom 1A
interacts with the overlocking edge 7 to close and lock the beach
block to the top and make this a single large block, closed on all
sides with only the cutouts 9A allowing access to the interior. In
the cases where the wells 5A are sealed by welding or mechanical
snaps to the cover these wells provide further stability, and even
when they are not attached, the wells support the top and prevent
collapse, thus allowing thinner walls.
[0033] When the blocks are formed and assembled they can be placed
in a number of places and ways for use. The blocks may be filled
with only water for a temporary installation and then pumped out
when the installation must be moved.
[0034] In permanent or long term uses of the beach blocks, the
ideal method to fill is to pump sand or sand and gravel slurries
into the top slots of the beach blocks. The sand is allowed time to
settle and the water to rise towards the top and then further
slurry is added until the blocks are substantially filled with
solids, well packed by natural hydraulic settlement processes.
These well packed blocks are essentially permanent.
[0035] In use two major goals can be filled with the units. If the
flat, non angled sides of the barrier blocks are set toward the
waves, a wall is created that could be straight but in the other
orientation, rotated 90 degrees, a stepped wall can also be formed.
Any type of stake can be applied in the stake wells in the top
barrier block staked with stakes to a set of stake holes in the a
next lower barrier block unit to create a stepped wall of large
blocks that will offer the fastest fill with sand and will have
large open holes for water drain.
[0036] For dissipation of the wave front energy while continuing
the sand fill feature of the barrier blocks 2C, the sloped sides of
the wedge shape are faced into the wave front where each sloped
section curls a part of the wave force around and reverses it, thus
using the wave force to help dissipate itself, The barrier blocks
in both arrangements are staked with stakes into walls and
interlocked to form a wall shape of any length. The stakes may also
be driven into the ground to stabilize the entire wall unit.
[0037] In a second embodiment the top of the thermoformed barrier
block is 6 feet long and two rows of stake wells are arrayed 1/3 of
the width from the outer edge of the block and every 18 inches to
allow a wide variety of stacking patterns.
[0038] The shape can also be rectangular and such a large
rectangular shape has considerable use as a building element in
sheds or as the floors, supporting base of walls surrounding decks
and patios.
[0039] In a third embodiment the size of the top is 6 feet by six
feet and the bottom is a truncated pyramid with a height of 2 feet
and a flat area of two feet square. Rows of stake wells are arrayed
1/3 from all edges and spacing of holes along the rows is 18
inches.
[0040] In a fourth embodiment shown as FIG. 3, the top of the
truncated shape is upward and the larger bottom downward, the
staking wells, 5B, whet their stakes 12 are supplemented with
interlocking projections 13 and recesses that allow easy stacking
in a variety of patterns. The projections may be used for example
to join two units end to end or they may be used for other
attachments. A series of shaped grooves is also shown which are
alternate or supplementary methods of attachment of blocks end to
end. The blocks retain the top entry hole for filling 9B.
[0041] In a fifth embodiment the interlocking knobs and matching
recesses replace the staking wells on the top and bottom of the
truncated wedge or truncated pyramid shape.
[0042] In a sixth embodiment the interlocking knobs and recesses
are added to the sloping sides of the barrier blocks of the
truncated wedge or truncated pyramid shape.
[0043] In a seventh embodiment the barrier block is deployed after
glue or weld seals are formed between the top and bottom parts.
[0044] In an eighth embodiment the barrier block is formed by
rotomolding polyolefin or vinyl plastic within a sheet metal mold
and the stake holes are thru molded and fill holes are cut after
molding.
[0045] In a ninth embodiment the barrier block is formed in one
piece by injection blow molding methods in one piece with cutouts
for stakes and fill made after the molding.
[0046] In a tenth embodiment shown as FIG. 4, a view of a circular
end part 40 for a wall or barrier is shown with attachment grooves
13A and top cutout 9C.
[0047] In an eleventh embodiment shown as FIG. 5, an angled joiner
part is shown with end grooves 13B and top hole 9D in part 50.
[0048] In a twelfth embodiment shown as FIG. 6, a right angle top
view of a block with end grooves both internally trending as 13C
and outwardly projecting as 61 in part 60. The filling cutout is
shown as 9E.
[0049] FIG. 7 shows one typical shape with external stakes fitting
within shaped grooves and corner stakes 12A fitting into corner
wells 5C in part 72. Shaped external stake 71 fits into shaped
grooves 13D to hold the part to the ground. A total of 6 blocks is
shown with angled sides to a wave front or to sand or other
material to be stabilized. If the angles are to waves they act to
dissipate and break up the upward forces of the water while in sand
or soils the angles hold the blocks from movement.
[0050] FIG. 8 shows the another embodiment, a wall-shaped block
with a narrow width, at least one side of which has a decorative
surface 80, There is a plethoria of top cutouts 9G and a series of
stakes 12B which fit into wells 5D. While not essential, this
embodiment also has end shaped grooves 13E and shaped projections
61B which help hold the wall in place and to other wall units.
[0051] FIG. 9 shows blocks with deep edge grooves 90 which can
accommodate either surrounding stakes or other projections in
different blocks and a top and bottom interlock, in this case in
the shape of an X 91,92. A triangular top fill port is shown as
9G
[0052] FIG. 10 shows the final embodiment, in this case a set of
two blocks attached with side clips 101 and held down by stakes
12C. The fill hole is shown as 9H.
[0053] It should be understood that the terms and words used herein
are specific to this invention and descriptive of it. Any use of
the words in a more general context is not anticipated herein.
Likewise, this invention shown a number of possible embodiments but
cannot show or extrapolate every use of a filled top draining
interlockable device but that the basic concepts herein are common
to other shapes and attachment methods.
* * * * *