Flexible concrete for soil erosion prevention

Claim 1

A device for the prevention of soil erosion caused by the action of flowing waters, wave action, heavy rains, and floods, comprising, in combination, flexible rectangular concrete sections for covering said soil; said sections consisting of parallel rows of spaced, identical rows of concrete blocks; each of said blocks having the shape of a truncated pyramid having a rectangular base, and a flat top which is parallel to said base; said blocks being fastened to each other by means of a continuous cable made of plastic or a non-corrosive metal which passes through the centers of each block and is embedded therein; said cable providing a small loop at the exit and entrance of each section, for the purpose of handling the said sections by means of hooks or hoists during transportation and installation, and forming a somewhat larger loop as the cable leaves one row of blocks to enter its next adjacent row; and thin concrete bonds between blocks covering the open cable in spaces between said blocks, to provide sufficient rigidity to each of said sections for easy handling during installation, but said concrete bonds being easily broken to provide the required flexibility fo fit and cover the contour of the soil, manually.

Claim 2

A device for the prevention of soil erosion caused by the action of flowing waters, wave action, heavy rains, and floods, comprising, in combination, flexible rectangular concrete sections for covering said soil; said sections consisting of parallel rows of spaced, identical rows of concrete blocks; each of said blocks having the shape of a truncated pyramid having a rectangular base, and a flat top which is parallel to said base; said blocks being fastened to each other by means of a continuous cable made of plastic or a non-corrosive metal which passes through the centers of each block and is embedded therein; said cable providing a small loop at the exit and entrance of each section, for the purpose of handling the said sections by means of hooks or hoists during transportation and installation, and forming a somewhat larger loop as the cable leaves one row of blocks to enter its next adjacent row; and thin concrete bonds between blocks covering the open cable in spaces between said blocks, to provide sufficient rigidity to each of said sections for easy handling during installation, but said concrete bonds being easily broken to provide the required flexibility fo fit and cover the contour of the soil, manually.