SHORELINE STABILIZATION DEVICE

Abstract

A device designed to stabilize a shoreline which helps to prevent erosion, provides and supports a place for aquatic life to thrive, and is made from a plurality of primarily calcium carbonate material sourced from living creatures and is cemented together using a commercially available cement or bio-cement material.

Claims

1. A block for placement in the water near the shoreline for shoreline stabilization comprising: a) a plurality of primarily calcium carbonate material obtained from once living material from an organism; b) a cement that is capable of holding the primarily calcium carbonate material in a block shape; and c) wherein the block is formed by taking the primarily calcium carbonate material and casting the primarily calcium material in a form utilizing the cement to hold the primarily calcium carbonate material in a selected block shape.

2. The block for placement in the water near the shoreline for shoreline stabilization according to claim 1, wherein the block comprises one or more reinforcing rods.

3. The block for placement in the water near the shoreline for shoreline stabilization according to claim 2, wherein the reinforcing rods are rebar.

4. The block for placement in the water near the shoreline for shoreline stabilization according to claim 1, wherein the calcium carbonate material is aquatic shells.

5. The block for placement in the water near the shoreline for shoreline stabilization according to claim 1, wherein the cement is a bio-cement.

6. The block for placement in the water near the shoreline for shoreline stabilization according to claim 1, wherein there is a hole through the block.

7. The block for placement in the water near the shoreline for shoreline stabilization according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of blocks are connected.

8. A method of making a block for shoreline stabilization comprising: a) selecting a plurality of primarily calcium carbonate material obtained from once living material from an organism; b) placing the primarily calcium carbonate material in a shaping mold structure; c) pouring cement into the shaping mold sufficient that when the cement hardens the block can be removed from the mold; and d) removing the block from the mold.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a block of oyster shells showing a hole through the center of the block of the present invention.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an elongated, rectangular block of cemented oyster shells of the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a wedge-shaped block in a shaping mold of the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a plurality of blocks strung together with rope of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of multiple molds in one structure of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] While this invention is susceptible to embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings, and will herein be described in detail, specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure of such embodiments is to be considered as an example of the principles and not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments shown and described. In the description below, like reference numerals are used to describe the same, similar, or corresponding parts in the several views of the drawings. This detailed description defines the meaning of the terms used herein and specifically describes embodiments in order for those skilled in the art to practice the invention.

Definitions

[0016] The terms “about” and “essentially” mean±10 percent.

[0017] The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or as more than one. The term “plurality”, as used herein, is defined as two or as more than two. The term “another”, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having”, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled”, as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically.

[0018] The term “comprising” is not intended to limit inventions to only claiming the present invention with such comprising language. Any invention using the term comprising could be separated into one or more claims using “consisting” or “consisting of” claim language and is so intended.

[0019] Reference throughout this document to “one embodiment”, “certain embodiments”, “an embodiment”, or similar terms means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of such phrases in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments without limitation.

[0020] The term “or”, as used herein, is to be interpreted as an inclusive or meaning any one or any combination. Therefore, “A, B, or C” means any of the following: “A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B, and C”. An exception to this definition will occur only when a combination of elements, functions, steps, or acts are in some way inherently mutually exclusive.

[0021] The drawings featured in the figures are for the purpose of illustrating certain convenient embodiments of the present invention and are not to be considered as limitation thereto. The term “means” preceding a present participle of an operation indicates a desired function for which there is one or more embodiments, i.e., one or more methods, devices, or apparatuses for achieving the desired function and that one skilled in the art could select from these or their equivalent in view of the disclosure herein, and use of the term “means” is not intended to be limiting.

[0022] As used herein, the term “device for shoreline stabilization” refers to one or more blocks of primarily calcium carbonate material that are positioned in the water near the shoreline. The blocks can be positioned independent of other blocks or tied together connecting all the blocks into a group of blocks. The blocks are made by selecting a primarily calcium carbonate material and casting them in a form utilizing cement (as shown in the figures). The device can also, in one embodiment, have reinforcing rods like rebar to stabilize the block, especially for blocks that are larger. The limiting factor of the size of the blocks is the weight and how well it conforms to the shoreline in shape.

[0023] As used herein, the term “primarily calcium carbonate material” refers to once living material from a living organism that produces portions of the organism that are primarily made up of calcium carbonate. Included are aquatic shells, like oysters (shown in the figures), egg shells, snail shells, pearls, and the like. A collection of these materials is treated with cement in a block form to produce a block of the material, once the cement dries.

[0024] As used herein, the term “cement” refers to any biocompatible material, which can be used to hold the primarily calcium carbonate material together in a block form and be resistant to wave action, storms, and the like. Examples include, but are not limited to, portland cement. In one embodiment, the cement is a bio-cement compatible with the primarily calcium carbonate material which has the capability of supporting growth on the block formation by the primarily calcium carbonate material and cement. Examples include quicklime made from oyster shells.

[0025] As used herein, the term “block” refers to a solid piece of a plurality of primarily calcium carbonate material held together with cement and in one embodiment, with a bio-cement. In one embodiment, the block has one or more flat sides, though any shape is contemplated. While the block can be any size, the smallest practical block will be about 25 pounds in size. The shape can be determined by the geometries of the shoreline to be protected, the energy needed to be attenuated, and the overall desired aesthetic. The blocks, in one embodiment, can have holes to allow water to pass back and forth through the block or to connect the blocks (e.g., with a rope, or the like).

[0026] As used herein, the term “reinforcing rod” refers to a rigid rod such as steel rebar that can be used to stabilize the blocks, especially very large blocks during manufacturing, by placement in the block before the cement cures. Other materials for reinforcing rods include, but are not limited to scrap metal and t-posts.

[0027] In making the blocks, a plurality of primarily calcium carbonate material, such as oyster shells shown in the figures, is placed in a shaping mold structure of the desired shape. If a hole is desired in the block, the mold structure can have additional structures (e.g., as shown in the figures) to create a hole. Next, a cement or a bio-cement is poured into the mold, such that when it hardens, the block can be removed from the mold structure for use after the cement cures. If reinforcement, such as a reinforcing bar is desired, the reinforcing bar can be added to the mold and positioned as needed by the mold shape and size, and exact material used. The blocks can then be positioned in the water near the shoreline in order to stabilize the shoreline.

DRAWINGS

[0028] Now referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a block of oyster shells showing a hole in the center through the block. As shown, oysters 1 have been cemented together using a cement 2. The resulting block 3 is a cube shape with hole 4 running through the middle for tying the block 3 to other blocks (see FIG. 4).

[0029] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an elongated, rectangular block 20 of cemented oyster shells 20a without a hole in the rectangular block 20.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a wedge-shaped block in a shaping mold. In this view, wedge-shaped block 30 is positioned in mold structure 31, with a second structure 32 positioned to create a hole in the block 30, like the one in FIG. 1.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a perspective view depicting a plurality of the resulting blocks 3 of FIG. 1 tied together with a rope 40, in order for the plurality of primarily calcium carbonate material resulting blocks 3 to be carried to the water as a unit.

[0032] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of multiple molds 50 in one structure being used to create the blocks 51.

[0033] Those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may make modifications resulting in other embodiments employing principles of the present invention without departing from its spirit or characteristics, particularly upon considering the foregoing teachings. Accordingly, the described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative, and not restrictive, and the scope of the present invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description or drawings. Consequently, while the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, modifications of structure, sequence, materials, and the like apparent to those skilled in the art still fall within the scope of the invention as claimed by the applicant.