Abstract
The present invention is an artificial surfing reef for modifying a body of water's bathymetry to create surfing waves. The artificial surfing reef is a shaped structure made up of many sized and shaped Expanded Polystyrene Geo Foam blocks. As swell moves toward the shore, its bottom is resisted by the leading edge of the Expanded Polystyrene Geo Foam artificial surfing reef. As the swell transverses over the Expanded Polystyrene Geo Foam Artificial reef, the wave topples over and forms a plunging surfing wave. An earth anchor, connected to a cable, linked to a round shaped anchor disc, is attached to each Expanded Polystyrene Geo Foam block for maintaining the foam artificial reef at a desired location submersed underwater. A plurality of Expanded Polystyrene Geo Foam blocks may be attached to one another and configured so as to define a surf reef, which enhances the suitability of waves for surfing.
Claims
1. An artificial reef system comprising a plurality of artificial reefs, each one of the artificial reefs is made of a plurality of expanded polystyrene geo foam blocks, each one of the plurality of expanded polystyrene geo foam blocks is attachable to an earth anchor, each earth anchor is attached to a galvanized cable, each galvanized cable is attached to a round anchor disc, each round anchor disc is in a recess in the top of each expanded polystyrene geo foam block for maintaining the block at a desired location substantially under water, and wherein at least two expanded polystyrene geo foam blocks are configured to facilitate attachment to one another, and wherein the at least two expanded polystyrene geo foam blocks are attached to each other by applying a plasticized gypsum composition spray over the at least two expanded polystyrene geo foam blocks, and wherein the plasticized gypsum composition spray over the at least two expanded polystyrene geo foam blocks creates a water proof seal.
2. The artificial reef system as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of the artificial reefs is configurable in a boomerang shaped configuration, said at least one of the artificial reefs configurable in a boomerang shape comprises a plurality of artificial reef sections, said artificial reef sections include a ramp reef section, a platform reef section, a ledge reef section, a focus point reef section, a wedge reef section, and a pinnacle reef section.
3. The artificial reef system as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of the artificial reefs comprises a plurality of artificial reef sections, wherein the artificial reef sections include varying peel angle sections from 20-70 degrees, and wherein the varying peel angle sections modify a speed of a wave propagating along the artificial reef system to enhance suitability for recreational water activities.
4. The artificial reef system as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of the artificial reefs comprises a plurality of artificial reef sections, wherein the artificial reef sections include varying bottom slope contours that range from 1:4 slope gradient to 1:25 slope gradient, wherein the varying bottom slope contours create at least one of a plunging wave and spilling wave.
5. The artificial reef system as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of the artificial reefs comprises a plurality of artificial reef sections, wherein the artificial reef sections comprise at least one of a surfing maneuver section selected from the group consisting of a barrel surfing maneuver section, an aerial surfing maneuver section, a weaving surfing maneuver section, a cut back surfing maneuver section, and a reo surfing maneuver section.
Description
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) These, and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood when considered with respect to the following detailed description, appended claims and accompanying drawings wherein:
(2) FIG. 1A is a view of the Expanded Polystyrene Geo Foam blocks anchored down to the bottom of the body of water;
(3) FIG. 1B is a view of the Expanded Polystyrene Geo Foam Blocks anchored to an adjoining block.
(4) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a surf pool comprising a premier artificial surf reef, secondary inner surf reef and side reefs, comprising a plurality of individual Expanded Polystyrene Geo Foam blocks to form the surf reefs in a body of water;
(5) FIG. 3 is top view of the boomerang-shaped artificial surf reef comprising a plurality of Expanded Polystyrene Geo Foam Blocks.
(6) FIG. 4 is a top view of the different artificial reef maneuvering sections that illustrate different peels angels to allow surfers to perform different surfing maneuvers on the various sections.
(7) FIG. 5 is a top view of the different artificial reef maneuvering sections that illustrate different slope gradients to allow surfers to perform different surfing maneuvers on the various sections.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
(8) The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.
(9) The artificial reef of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2, 3 and 4 which depict presently preferred embodiments thereof.
(10) Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, the artificial reef of the present invention may optionally be configured to have a generally boomerang shape, so as to enhance the suitability of waves passing thereover for surfing and other recreational water activities. By orienting the artificial reef of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 such that the reef elements and the reef sections of the artificial reef cause the wave to break in a manner which enhances their suitability for surfing.
(11) When waves encounter the reduced water, depth defined by the artificial reef, then those waves tend to break or topple over. Because of its boomerang-shape, with a wedge running along the sides, the artificial reef causes waves to break in two different directions and in a manner wherein the break tends to run generally parallel to the beach. Thus, for waves which are generally parallel or diagonal to the beach, the artificial reef causes a break to form proximate the apex thereof and then to move generally parallel to the beach in a manner which enhances the wave's suitability for surfing by increasing the amount of time that the wave may be ridden. Also, the time at which the wave peels and the degree of peeling may be substantially controlled by the depth and placement of the artificial reef. In this manner, the face of the wave may be modified in a manner which enhances the wave suitability for surfing.
(12) Thus, the boomerang-shaped artificial reef tends to form two separately breaking waves, each wave traveling in an opposite direction along the beach. These two waves may each be utilized for recreational activities such as bodysurfing, board surfing, and boogie boarding.
(13) FIG. 1A illustrates how the Geo Foam Blocks 1 are anchored to the bottom of the surf pool to form the bottom bathymetry which is optimal for surfing. At the top of each Geo Foam Block is a round recessed circle 4, placed in the round recessed area is a round plastic anchoring disc 5. The earth anchor 2 is driven into the ground 6. Attached to the earth anchor is a cable 3. When the cable is pulled tight through the disc 5, the block becomes secure to the ground 6.
(14) FIG. 1B illustrates how two Geo Foam Blocks 1 are anchored securely to each other. At the side of each Geo Foam Block is a round disc 5. The cable 3 is driven through both blocks. When the cable is pulled tight through the disc 5, the blocks 1 become secured to each other. Sprayed over top of the Geo Foam blocks is a gypsum plastic membrane 26 that holds the geo foam blocks together and creates a water proof membrane over top of the Artificial Geo Foam Reef.
(15) FIG. 2 illustrates Geo Foam Blocks 9 being placed in the surf pool 8 to create surfing reefs. The first surf reef is a premier surf reef 7. As the wave transverses the length of the surf pool, the wave then breaks over a second inner reef 10. While the wave is breaking over the premier and secondary reefs the waves are also breaking along a side surf reef 11.
(16) FIG. 3. Illustrates a boomerang-shaped reef made of Geo Foam Blocks. The reef has different breaking elements to create different breaking waves. The waves come up a straight breaking direction to the reef 17. The first part of the reef structure is a ramp 12. The waves are refracted towards the favored orthogonal direction as they travel up a ramp. The waves then convergence as the wave travels up the focus 13 part of the reef. As the wave transverses down the side of the reef, it encounters a ridge, wedge and ledge. The waves are refracted away from the forward orthogonal direction prior to breaking on a wedge 18. The wedge is the main wave breaking component of most surf breaks. Very little refraction occurs as waves travel up the ledge part of the reef 15. The steeper seabed gradient and the deflection in isobath orientation results in a hollower and faster section in the wave as it travels up a ridge 14. Just before the wave breaks over the wedge, ridge and ledge part of the surf reef the wave encounters a platform 16, which is a flat horizontal plane and therefore has little effect on the advancing wave. The platform 16, joins different components of the reef without altering wave orientation or causing excessive shoaling. The last wave breaking component that the wave encounters toward the end of the surf reef is the pinnacle 19. The pinnacle increases breaker intensity in the same way as a ridge, except it does so more abruptly and affects a smaller area. Pinnacles often define the take-off zone and help surfers to catch waves, as do focuses.
(17) FIG. 4. Illustrates an artificial reef made of geo foam blocks 1 that consist of different reefs sections, that consist of different peel angles. Each different section with the different peel angles creates a section that creates different kinds of maneuvers. In the current invention the artificial reef sections have different sections that are created by changing the peel angle. By changing the various peel angles of each section from a range of 20-90 degrees, will change the type of wave, which will allow surfers to do different surfers maneuvers on each section. Sections of the artificial reef that contain low peel angles from 20-45 degrees, will create very fast waves, that will allow for very advanced and experienced maneuvers. These sections will be focused to the more experienced or pro surfer. Peel angles that range from 46-55 degrees will allow intermediate surfers to perform standard maneuvers. Peel angles from 56-70 degrees will allow beginners to advanced beginners to standard surfing maneuvers such as riding laterally along the wave or pumping. Also within the artificial reef sections will have different slope gradients ranging from 1-4 slope to a 1-25 slope along the wave breaking path. The lower slopes from 1-4 to 1-12 will produce plunging barreling breaking waves within the sections with these slope ranges. The higher slope gradients from 1-13 to 1-25 will create more gentle spilling waves. More geared to beginner surfers. The lower the peel angle on the artificial reef the faster the wave will transverse along the breaking path of the reef. The first section of the artificial reef 24 has a very low peel angle between 25-45 degrees. This section will be geared and focused to more experienced surfers. In this section will allow more down the line tube riding or barrel riding. The second section of the artificial reef 22 has a peel angle from 46-55 degrees which allows for more intermediate standard surfing maneuvers. The third section of the artificial reef 20 has a peel angle from 56-70 degrees, which will create a slower wave for advanced beginners and beginners to start to learn very basic maneuvers. This third section of reef will create a more mellow spilling wave, which will be focused toward beginner surfers.
(18) FIG. 5 Illustrates an artificial reef made of geo foam blocks, that consist of different reefs sections, that consist of different peel angles and different bottom gradient slopes. Each different section with the different slope gradients creates a section that creates different kinds of maneuvers. In the current invention the artificial reef sections have different sections that are created by changing the bottom slope gradient. By changing the various slope gradients 1-4 to 1-25 of each section, will change the type of wave, which will allow surfers to do different surfers maneuvers on each section. Also within the artificial reef sections will have different slope gradients ranging from 1-4 slope to a 1-25 slope along the wave breaking path. The lower slopes from 1-4 to 1-12 will produce plunging barreling breaking waves within the sections with these slope ranges. The higher slope gradients from 1-13 to 1-25 will create more gentle spilling waves. More geared to beginner surfers. The first reef section has a steeper sloped gradient 25 ranging from 1-4 to 1-12, which will create a more plunging or barreling wave. The second section of the artificial reef 23, this section will have a slope gradient of 1-7 to 1-11 range, which will create a lower vortex ratio and a skinner barrel formation. The slope gradient in this third section 21 will be between 1-13 to 1-25. This third section of reef will create a more mellow spilling wave, which will be focused toward beginner surfers.
