Patent US5129756A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5129756A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for and method of coastal erosion control using massive sea block system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1990-09-04
•
Granted: 1992-07-14
•
Expires: 2010-09-04
Abstract
Abstract An erosion control system that uses massive hollow reinforced concrete blocks that can contain bulky fill material such as sand, mud, shell or concrete rip rap. The blocks can be arranged in desired geometric patterns at coastal areas subject to erosion control.
Inventors
- 👤 Jack L. Wheeler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 22:07
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02B; E02B3/00; E02B3/04; E02B3/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of coastal erosion control comprising the steps of: a) transporting a plurality of massive and transportable hollow concretious blocks of concrete to a coastal site where erosion is to be controlled; b) arranging the massive blocks in an array that extends along the erosion site so that the blocks can dissipate wave action; c) filling the hollow blocks with fill material until each of the blocks has a weight of at least twenty five (25) tons; and d) sealing each block after the fill material is added so that wave action cannot scatter the fill material during heavy seas.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of coastal erosion control comprising the steps of: a) transporting a plurality of massive and transportable hollow concretious blocks of concrete to a coastal site where erosion is to be controlled; b) arranging the massive blocks in an array that extends along the erosion site so that the blocks can dissipate wave action; c) filling the hollow blocks with fill material until each of the blocks has a weight of at least twenty five (25) tons; and d) sealing each block after the fill material is added so that wave action cannot scatter the fill material during heavy seas.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein each block has an upper and lower flattened surface area so that a plurality of blocks can be stacked upon each other.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
21 words
The method of claim wherein in step "b" the blocks are spaced apart so that water can flow between the blocks.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the blocks have minimal dimensions of fourteen feet (14') long, eight feet (8') high, and six feet (6') wide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
120 words
Apparatus for controlling coastal erosion comprising: a) a plurality of massive hollow, transportable concrete blocks, each block including four continuous connected side walls and a bottom wall defining a sealed interior; b) scour-reduction means for reducing scouring beneath the blocks when the blocks are installed in a coastal zone to control erosion; and c) means for closing the top of the blocks to form a sealed interior after fill material has been added to the block interior, the blocks being arranged in an array to form a geometric pattern of blocks along a coastal zone where erosion is to be controlled, and in a position spaced from the shoreline so that wave action is dissipated before it reaches the shoreline.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
120 words
Apparatus for controlling coastal erosion comprising: a) a plurality of massive hollow, transportable concrete blocks, each block including four continuous connected side walls and a bottom wall defining a sealed interior; b) scour-reduction means for reducing scouring beneath the blocks when the blocks are installed in a coastal zone to control erosion; and c) means for closing the top of the blocks to form a sealed interior after fill material has been added to the block interior, the blocks being arranged in an array to form a geometric pattern of blocks along a coastal zone where erosion is to be controlled, and in a position spaced from the shoreline so that wave action is dissipated before it reaches the shoreline.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein: the scour-reduction means comprises a ledge projecting outwardly from one of the walls of each block.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising: lifting eye means spaced around the periphery of each block.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein: the scour-reduction means comprises a ledge integral with one of the walls of each block and projecting outwardly therefrom.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein: the scour-reduction means comprises a ring projecting outwardly from the walls of each block.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein: the scour-reduction means comprises a plurality of rings, each block having a ring integral with the wall thereof and projecting outwardly therefrom.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein each block has an upper and lower flattened surface area so that a plurality of blocks can be stacked upon each other.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the blocks are spaced apart so that water can flow between the blocks.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the blocks have minimal dimensions of fourteen feet (14') long, eight feet (8') high, and six feet (6') wide.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
74 words
An apparatus for controlling coastal erosion comprising: a) a massive hollow, transportable concrete block including four continuous connected side walls and a bottom wall defining a sealed interior; b) scour-reduction means for reducing scouring beneath the block when the block is installed in a coastal zone to control erosion; and c) means for closing the top of the block to form a sealed interior after fill material has been added to the block interior.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
74 words
An apparatus for controlling coastal erosion comprising: a) a massive hollow, transportable concrete block including four continuous connected side walls and a bottom wall defining a sealed interior; b) scour-reduction means for reducing scouring beneath the block when the block is installed in a coastal zone to control erosion; and c) means for closing the top of the block to form a sealed interior after fill material has been added to the block interior.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein: the scour-reduction means comprises a ledge projecting outwardly from one of the walls of the block.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein: the scour-reduction means comprises a ledge integral with one of the walls of the block and projecting outwardly therefrom.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein: the scour-reduction means comprises a ring projecting outwardly from the walls of the block.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein: the scour-reduction means comprises a ring integral with the walls of the block and projecting outwardly therefrom.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising: lifting eye means spaced around the periphery of each block.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein each block has an upper and lower flattened surface area so that a plurality of blocks can be stacked upon each other.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the blocks have minimal dimensions of fourteen feet (14') long, eight feet (8') high, and six feet (6') wide.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2014116A
Cited
US3393520A
Cited
US3733831A
Cited
US3957098A
Cited
US3969900A
Cited
US4297052A
Cited
US4279536A
Cited
US4367984A
Cited
GB2051933A
Cited
US4431337A
Cited
US4668123A
Cited
US4394924A
Cited
US4483640A
Cited
US4717286A
Cited
US4571121A
Cited
US4820079A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-07-14 | 1996-01-13 | 1996-07-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-07-14 | 2000-01-13 | 2000-07-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-07-14 | 2004-01-13 | 2004-07-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |