Abstract
Examples of the disclosure provide for an apparatus for actively restoring and promoting marine life. Said apparatus includes a mounting component and a receiver component. Said mounting and receiving components are capable of mechanically joining with each other. Said mounting component provides a base for stable attachment of a living sessile organism. Said receiver component provides stable anchoring for said mounting component. Various embodiments of said apparatus function to facilitate propagation, protective transport and efficient out planting of said organisms in a submerged marine environment.
Claims
1. A two-component apparatus for mechanically attaching live sessile marine organisms to an underwater object comprising: an upper component and a lower component; said upper component is portable; said upper component comprising a living sessile organism which said organism is permanently attached to said upper component by means of chemical adhesive; said upper component comprising physical features compatible with corresponding features of said lower component suitable for the mechanical joining of said upper component to said lower component; said lower component comprising physical features compatible with corresponding features of said upper component suitable for the mechanical joining of said lower component to said upper component; said lower component is permanently fixed to an object submerged in a marine environment;
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: said lower component is permanently affixed to an object which is intended to be submerged in a marine environment;
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: said lower component is incorporated into the form of an object which is intended to be submerged in a marine environment;
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: said lower component comprising a plurality of said compatible features; said features comprising mechanical joinery to a plurality of said upper components. said lower component comprising of a form, a portion of which cantilevers outward from said component's anchoring point thereby creating spaces suitable for habitat.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: a portion of said mounting component comprising a male threaded appendage suitable for mechanically mating with, and joining to, the receiver threaded sleeve which is suitable for mechanically mating with, and joining to, the receiver component of said attachment apparatus which has a similarly sized female threaded appendage suitable for such purpose
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: a portion of said mounting component comprising a female threaded appendage suitable for mechanically mating with, and joining to, the receiver threaded sleeve capable of mechanically mating with, and joining to, the receiver component of the attachment apparatus comprising a similarly sized male threaded appendage for such purpose.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: a portion of said mounting component comprising a barbed appendage suitable for mechanically mating with and fixing to the receiver component of the apparatus comprising a sized female sleeve suitable for gripping said appendage when appendage is inserted into said sleeve.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: a portion of said mounting component comprising a male snap lock appendage suitable for mechanically mating with and fixing to the receiver component of the apparatus comprising a sized female sleeve suitable for gripping said appendage when appendage is inserted into said sleeve.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: a portion of said mounting component comprising a male twist lock appendage suitable for mechanically mating with and fixing to said receiver component of the apparatus comprising a sized female sleeve suitable for gripping said appendage when appendage is inserted into said sleeve.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: a portion of said mounting component comprising a female threaded appendage suitable for mechanically mating with, and joining to, the receiver threaded sleeve capable of mechanically mating with, and joining to, the receiver component of the attachment apparatus comprising a similarly sized male threaded appendage for such purpose.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: a portion of said components comprising a partial coating of a polymer adhesive prior to joining.
11. A two-component apparatus for temporarily mechanically attaching live sessile marine organisms to a transportable object comprising: an upper component and a lower component; said upper component is portable; said upper component comprising a living sessile organism which said organism is permanently attached to said upper component by means of chemical adhesive; said upper component comprising physical features compatible with corresponding features of said lower component suitable for the mechanical joining of said upper component to said lower component; a lower component comprising: a tray shape form; a plurality of receiver holes recessed into the upper surface of said form; said receiver holes comprising physical features compatible with corresponding features of said upper component suitable for the mechanical joining of said lower component to said upper component;
12. A two-component apparatus for temporarily mechanically attaching live sessile marine organisms to an assemblage suitable for submerged propagation of said organisms comprising: an upper component and a lower component; said upper component is portable; said upper component comprising a living sessile organism which said organism is permanently attached to said upper component by means of chemical adhesive; said upper component comprising physical features compatible with corresponding features of said lower component suitable for the mechanical joining of said upper component to said lower component; A lower component comprising: A linear shape form; a plurality of receiver holes recessed into the outer surfaces of said form; said receiver holes comprising physical features compatible with corresponding features of said upper component suitable for the mechanical joining of said lower component to said upper component;
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention showing an apparatus composed of a mounting component with attached living sessile organism and receiver component.
[0034] FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention showing an apparatus composed of a mounting component with attached living sessile organism and receiver component.
[0035] FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention showing an apparatus composed of a mounting component with attached living sessile organism and receiver component.
[0036] FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention showing an apparatus composed of a mounting component with attached living sessile organism and a receiver component.
[0037] FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention showing an apparatus composed of a mounting component with attached living sessile organism and a receiver component.
[0038] FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention showing an apparatus composed of a mounting component and a receiver component.
[0039] FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention showing a plurality of apparatus within a container shaped vessel.
[0040] FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention showing a submerged assembly.
[0041] FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention showing an assembly of a plurality of undulating, canopy forming cantilever shaped receiver components.
[0042] FIG. 9A illustrates a partially cut away view of said receiver component 56 which is the preferred embodiment as illustrated and described in FIG. 9.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0043] FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment the apparatus is composed of a mounting component with attached living sessile organism 5 and a receiver component 1. Said mounting component has an obverse exterior surface area 6 capable of supporting living sessile organisms 7 which is affixed to said obverse surface 6 with an adhesive substance such as polyepoxide or cyanoacrylate 8. Said receiver component 1 of the two-part mechanical attachment apparatus has an annular sleeve 2 with female threads 3 with at least one open end located on the surface of the base form 4 of said receiver component 1. An appendage with male threads 9 projects downwardly from the reverse exterior side of said mounting component 5. Said male threads have a pitch and diameter compatible with the pitch and diameter of female threads 3 which facilitate the mechanical joining of said components. In this embodiment, a temporary plug 10 is inserted into said annular sleeve of said receiver component 1 in order to prevent fouling of said interior threads 3 by marine growth in the event said receiver component 1 is submerged for a sufficient period of time for said growth to occur prior to insertion of said mounting component 5. Said plug 10 is removed prior to joining said mounting component 5 to said receiver component 4 of said attachment apparatus. Said receiver component 5 is fixed to, inserted into, or intrinsically incorporated as a part of, substrate which is submerged or intended to be submerged in a marine environment prior to the union of said mounting component 5 together with said receiver component. The method for joining said mounting component 5 with said receiver component 4 is a two-step process. The first step is to remove said temporary protective plug 10, if required, from said receiver component 1. The second step is to align said threaded appendage 9 of said mounting component 5 with said annular opening of receiver component 1. Said mounting component 5 and said receiver component 1 are then joined by screwing said mounting component 5 into said receiver component 1 to firmness.
[0044] FIG. 2 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment the apparatus is composed of a mounting component with attached living sessile organism 13 and a receiver component 11. Said receiver component 11 is composed of a cylindrical stud with exterior male threads 12 which projects upwardly from the exterior surface of a base form 4. Said mounting component 13 has an obverse exterior surface area 14 which is capable of supporting the adherence of the living organisms 7 which is affixed to said obverse surface area 14 with an adhesive substance such as polyepoxide or cyanoacrylate 8. An annular sleeve 15 with interior female threads, having a thread pitch and interior diameter compatible with the thread pitch and diameter of said exterior male threads 12 is located within the interior of said mounting component 13. The bottom of said annular sleeve 15 is open to the exterior of said mounting component 13. In this embodiment, the exterior male threads of said receiving component 11 may be temporarily covered by a cap 16 to prevent fouling by marine growth. The method for joining said mounting component 13 to said receiver component 11 is a two-step process. The first step is to remove said temporary protective cap 16, if required, from said receiver component 11. The second step is to align bottom opening of said annular sleeve 15 with the receiver component 11. Said mounting component 13 and said receiver component 11 are then joined by screwing said mounting component 13 onto said receiver component 11 to firmness.
[0045] FIG. 3 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment the apparatus is composed of a mounting component with attached living sessile organism 19 and a receiver component 17. Said mounting component 19 has an obverse exterior surface area 6 capable of supporting living sessile organisms 7 which is affixed to said obverse surface 6 with an adhesive substance such as polyepoxide or cyanoacrylate 8. Said mounting component 19 has a downwardly projecting barbed appendage 20 located on the reverse side of said obverse surface area 6. A single or plurality of semi-flexible discs, fins or barbs project outward from the central axis of said appendage 20. Said receiver component 17 is fixed to, formed or drilled into substrate 4 and has an annular or rectilinear hole 18 which is in an orientation in which the vertical axis of said receiver component 17 is approximately perpendicular to the average surrounding surface plane of said substrate 4. The open end of said hole 18 is flush with the surface of said substrate 4 and exposed to the exterior area surrounding said substrate 4.
[0046] The length of said hole 18 is deeper than said barbed appendage 20 is long. The interior cross-sectional diameter of said hole 18 is sufficiently smaller than the exterior cross-sectional diameter of said barbed appendage 20 in order to provide for a firm fit capable of resisting dislodgement. In this embodiment, said annular hole 18 may be temporarily occupied by a plug 21 to prevent fouling of the interior area of said receiver component 17 by marine growth.
[0047] The method for joining said mounting component 19 to said receiver component 17 is a two-step process. The first step is to remove said temporary protective plug 21, if required, from said receiver component 17. The second step is to align said barbed appendage 20 with the interior of said hole 18. Said component 17 and said component 19 are then joined by pushing said mounting component's appendage 20 into said hole 18 to firmness.
[0048] FIG. 4 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment the apparatus is composed of a mounting component with attached living sessile organism 25 and a receiver component 22. Said mounting component has an obverse exterior surface area 6 capable of supporting living sessile organisms 7 which is affixed to said obverse surface 6 with an adhesive substance such as polyepoxide or cyanoacrylate 8. Said receiver component has an annular sleeve 23 with an open end located on the surface of a base form 4 and an enlarged interior undercut 24. An appendage 26 projects downwardly from the reverse exterior side of said mounting component 25. Said appendage 26 is sufficiently flexible to provide for the temporary deformation of projecting barbs 27 to compress and then express into said enlarged interior undercut 24. The interior of said hole 23 may be temporarily occupied by a plug 28 to prevent fouling by marine growth.
[0049] The method for joining said mounting component 25 to said receiver component 22 is a two-step process. The first step is to remove said temporary protective plug 31, if required, from said receiver component 22. The second step is to align said appendage 26 with the interior of said hole 23. Said component 25 and said component 22 are then joined by pushing said appendage 26 into said hole 23 causing the temporary deflection of said barbs 27 until the correct penetration depth is achieved at which point each said barbs 27 release their tension and lock into place within said undercut 24.
[0050] FIG. 5 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment the apparatus is composed of a mounting component with attached living sessile organism 32 and a receiver component 29. Said mounting component has an obverse exterior surface area 6 capable of supporting living sessile organisms 7 which is affixed to said obverse surface 6 with an adhesive substance such as polyepoxide or cyanoacrylate 8. Said receiver component has an annular sleeve 30 with an open end located on the surface of a base form 4. The surface wall of said sleeve has a plurality of vertical channels which terminate with an enlarged undercut 31. An appendage 33 projects downwardly from the reverse exterior side of said mounting component 32. Said appendage 33 has intermittent projecting barbs 34 positioned at the base. Said barbs 34 conform in size and shape to said undercuts located in said sleeve 30. The interior of said sleeve 30 may be temporarily occupied by a plug 35 to prevent fouling by marine growth.
[0051] The method for joining said mounting component 32 to said receiver component 29 is a two-step process. The first step is to remove said temporary protective plug 35, if required, from said receiver component 29. The second step is to align said appendage 33 with the interior of said sleeve 30. Said component 32 and said component 29 are then joined by fully pushing said appendage 33 into said sleeve 30 and then twisting said mounting component 32 causing said barbs 34 to lock into said undercuts located in said sleeve 30.
[0052] FIG. 6 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment the apparatus is composed of a mounting component 5 and a receiver component 36. Said mounting component 5 is as described in FIG. 1. Said receiver component 36 is a rectangular tray shaped form 37 composed of rigid material with a single opening 38 which serves as a handle. Said receiver component 36 has a plurality of openings 40. Each said opening 40 is perpendicular to the plane surface of said rectangular form 37. Each said opening 40 has an interior wall with female threads capable of mating with the male threaded portion of said mounting component 5. Said receiver component 36 has a plurality of perforations 39 which are oriented and positioned to facilitate temporarily securing receiver component 36 to another form. The method for joining said mounting component(s) 5 with said receiver component 36 is to align the male threaded portion of said mounting component 5 with each said threaded opening 40. Said mounting component 35 and said receiver component 36 are then joined by screwing said mounting component 5 into said opening 40 to partial firmness.
[0053] FIG. 7 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment a plurality of apparatus 37, as described in FIG. 6 are illustrated within a container shaped vessel 41. Said vessel 41 is composed of a solid bottom, four side walls and an open top. Said vessel 41 has a plurality of formed channels 44 which are perpendicular to the bottom plane of said vessel 41 and located on two opposing interior sides. Said channels 44 are organized and sized to accommodate insertion of each apparatus 37. Said vessel 41 contains a single opening 43 located on each of two opposing walls which serve as handles. Said vessel 41 is sufficiently deep to allow for said apparatus, when fully inserted, to be completely submerged in water.
[0054] FIG. 8 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment a submerged assembly 45 is illustrated. Said assembly is composed of a central post 46 to which linear receiver components 47 are attached. Each said receiver component contains a plurality of female threaded annular sleeves 2 capable of coupling with said mounting component with attached living sessile organism 5 as described in FIG. 1 and further illustrated in Detail 1. In this embodiment said post 46 terminates in a screw shaped form 48 which is twisted into a soft substrate 49 by means of a removable turning rod 50 which is temporarily inserted into a hole 51 located in said post 46. Alternatively, said post 46 is anchored into a ballast form 54 which contains a female threaded hole 53, Said hole 53 is capable of being mechanically joined to the male threaded terminus 52 of alternate post 46 as illustrated in Detail 2.
[0055] FIG. 9 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment an assembly 55 of a plurality of undulating, canopy forming cantilever shaped receiver components 56 is illustrated. Each said receiver component 56 contains a plurality of annular sleeves 2 as illustrated and described in FIG. 1 which are capable of being joined by said mounting component with attached living sessile organism 5 as also illustrated and described in FIG. 1. Said receiver components 56 are attached to and held in place by, a male threaded apparatus 58 which is permanently fixed with an adhesive substance 59 to a substrate 57 that is submerged or intended to be submerged in a marine environment. The attachment of receiver component 56 to substrate 57 creates a partially open interstitial habitat space 60 which is located between the undersurface of receiving component 56 and the upper surface of substrate 57. Said habitat space 60 is of varying size and complexity.
[0056] FIG. 9A illustrates a partially cut away view of said receiver component 56 which is one of a plurality of similar receiver components comprising the assembly 55 of the preferred embodiment as illustrated and described in FIG. 9. In this illustration said receiver component 56 is partially illustrated with a cut away view to better illustrate the preferred form of attachment by said male threaded apparatus 58. Said receiver components 56 are attached to and held in place by, said male threaded apparatus 58 which is permanently fixed to said substrate 57 with an adhesive substance 59. A nut shape form 61 is threaded onto said apparatus 58 which firmly secures receiver component 56 in position.
