US4474504A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Underwater erosion control system having primary elements including truncated conical recesses for receiving articulated interconnect links
Assignee: LAWYERS TITLE TRUST N 7610-T AN ARIZONAL TRUST HAVING A POST OFFICE ADDRESS
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Filing: 1983-04-20
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Granted: 1984-10-02
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Expires: 2003-04-20
Abstract
Abstract The erosion control system of the present invention typically includes at least first and second primary elements each having at least three sides and a height H. Each primary element includes a truncated conical aperture located in alignment with the midsection of each side and set back into the interior of each primary element. The conical aperture includes a lower diameter d 1 and an upper diameter d 2 less than d 1 . A link interconnects the first and second primary elements and includes a height h<H. The link includes first and second truncated conical end sections each having a lower diameter d 3 ≦d 1 and an upper diameter d 4 ≦d 2 . The conical side surfaces of the end sections are oriented generally parallel to the conical side surfaces of the apertures of the primary elements. A strut is coupled to the first and second end sections of the link to maintain a fixed distance between the end sections.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard F. Whitman
- 👤 Ronald R. Tankersley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 10:17
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02B; E02B3/00; E02B3/04; E02B3/12; E02B3/14; E01; E01C; E01C5/00; E01C5/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
An erosion control system comprising: a. first and second primary elements each having at least three sides and a height H, each side of said primary element including a truncated conical aperture having a lower surface diameter d 1 and an upper surface diameter d 2 smaller than d 1 , said aperture communicating with the side of said primary element and defining a gap in said aperture; and b. a link for interconnecting said first and second primary elements having a height h≦H and including i. first and second truncated conical end sections each having a lower diameter d 3 ≦d 1 and an upper diameter d 4 ≦d 2 , the conical side surfaces of said end sections being parallel to the conical side surfaces of the apertures in said primary elements; and ii. a strut coupled to said first and second end sections for maintaining a fixed distance between said end sections.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
An erosion control system comprising: a. first and second primary elements each having at least three sides and a height H, each side of said primary element including a truncated conical aperture having a lower surface diameter d 1 and an upper surface diameter d 2 smaller than d 1 , said aperture communicating with the side of said primary element and defining a gap in said aperture; and b. a link for interconnecting said first and second primary elements having a height h≦H and including i. first and second truncated conical end sections each having a lower diameter d 3 ≦d 1 and an upper diameter d 4 ≦d 2 , the conical side surfaces of said end sections being parallel to the conical side surfaces of the apertures in said primary elements; and ii. a strut coupled to said first and second end sections for maintaining a fixed distance between said end sections.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The erosion control system of claim 1 wherein said primary elements are equal in size.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The erosion control system of claim 1 wherein said truncated conical apertures are positioned in alignment with the midsection of each side of said primary elements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The erosion control system of claim 1 wherein h<H, d 3 <d 1 , and d 4 <d 2 .
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The erosion control system of claim 1 wherein said first and second primary elements and said link are fabricated from concrete.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The erosion control system of claim 1 further including a filter fabric mat positioned in contact with the lower surfaces of said first and second primary elements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The erosion control system of claim 4 wherein the width of the base of said gap exceeds the width of the top of said gap.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The erosion control system of claim 1 wherein the width of the gap in said aperture determines the angular range through which said link can be articulated with respect to said primary elements.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
174 words
An erosion control system comprising: a. first and second primary elements each having at least three sides and a height H and including: i. a truncated conical aperture located in alignment with the midsection of each side and set back into the interior of said primary element, said aperture having a lower diameter d 1 and an upper diameter d 2 smaller than d 1 ; ii. a passageway having a first end intersecting said conical aperture and a second end intersecting the side of said primary element; and b. a link for interconnecting said first and second primary elements having a height h≦H and including i. first and second truncated conical end sections having a lower diameter d 3 ≦d 1 and an upper diameter d 4 ≦d 2 , the conical side surfaces of said end sections being parallel to the conical side surfaces of the apertures in said primary elements; and ii. a strut coupled to said first and second end sections for maintaining a fixed distance between said end sections.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
174 words
An erosion control system comprising: a. first and second primary elements each having at least three sides and a height H and including: i. a truncated conical aperture located in alignment with the midsection of each side and set back into the interior of said primary element, said aperture having a lower diameter d 1 and an upper diameter d 2 smaller than d 1 ; ii. a passageway having a first end intersecting said conical aperture and a second end intersecting the side of said primary element; and b. a link for interconnecting said first and second primary elements having a height h≦H and including i. first and second truncated conical end sections having a lower diameter d 3 ≦d 1 and an upper diameter d 4 ≦d 2 , the conical side surfaces of said end sections being parallel to the conical side surfaces of the apertures in said primary elements; and ii. a strut coupled to said first and second end sections for maintaining a fixed distance between said end sections.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The erosion control system of claim 9 wherein said primary elements are configured as equilateral triangles.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The erosion control system of claim 10 wherein h<H, d 3 <d 1 and d 4 =d 2 .
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
The erosion control system of claim 11 wherein the average width of the first end of said passageway is less than the average width of the second end of said passageway for permitting relative articulating motion between said link and said primary elements.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The erosion control system of claim 12 wherein the width of the first end of said passageway is less than d 4 .
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The erosion control system of claim 13 wherein said strut includes a trapezoidal cross section.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
43 words
The erosion control system of claim 14 wherein the width of the upper horizontal surface of said trapezoidal strut is less than d 4 and wherein the width of the lower horizontal surface of said trapezoidal strut is less than d 3 .
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The erosion control system of claim 11 wherein said strut is bilaterally symmetric.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The erosion control system of claim 9 wherein said first and second primary elements and said strut are fabricated from concrete.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
53 words
The erosion control system of claim 11 wherein said strut is locked together with said first and second primary elements when said strut is elevated such that the outer surface of said conical end sections engages and locks together with the inner conical surface of said apertures in said first and second blocks.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-10-02 | 1988-04-02 | 1988-10-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-10-02 | 1992-04-02 | 1992-10-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-10-02 | 1996-04-02 | 1996-10-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |