Patent US5215406A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5215406A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Artificial ocean reef module and method of module construction
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1992-04-23
•
Granted: 1993-06-01
•
Expires: 2012-04-23
Abstract
Abstract An artificial ocean reef module includes a dome having a hollow interior region, an apex and a lower edge, a ventilation port in the apex leading to the hollow interior region, covered by a hollow guide member having two opposing openings to create a venturi effect to enhance circulation through the dome, and an access port adjacent to the lower edge, leading to the hollow interior region. A base member is preferably secured to the lower edge of the dome. A method of constructing the module, using a hemispherical form having an apex, includes the steps of spreading cement on the outer surface of the form, and creating an opening in the cement at the apex to serve as a module ventilation port. A second embodiment includes a module body formed of concrete and stones and having an outer surface, and a passageway through the module body, the passageway having interior walls, wherein some of the stones protrude from the interior walls for increasing the wall surface area and the module complexity and for limiting predator access to passageway inhabitants. A method of constructing the second embodiment includes the steps of pouring sand into a first form, pressing stones into the sand so that a portion of the stones protrudes above the sand, pouring cement into the first form, permitting the cement to solidify into concrete, removing the form from the concrete, and dislodging the sand from the stones, so that the stones protrude and produce an irregular surface to enhance module complexity.
Inventors
- 👤 J. Harold Hudson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 23:11
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02B; E02B3/00; E02B3/04; E02B3/046; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A10/00; Y02A10/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
An artificial ocean reef module comprising: a dome having a hollow interior region defined by an inner surface, an apex and a lower edge, stones protruding from said inner surface to an extent causing said inner surface to be substantially cragged, for increasing the inner surface area and module complexity, a ventilation port in said apex, leading to said hollow interior region, an access port adjacent to said lower edge, leading to said hollow interior region.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
76 words
An artificial ocean reef module comprising: a dome having a hollow interior region defined by an inner surface, an apex and a lower edge, stones protruding from said inner surface to an extent causing said inner surface to be substantially cragged, for increasing the inner surface area and module complexity, a ventilation port in said apex, leading to said hollow interior region, an access port adjacent to said lower edge, leading to said hollow interior region.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
An artificial ocean reef module according to claim 1, additionally comprising: a hollow guide member having two opposing openings and secured over said ventilation port to create a venturi effect and draw water out of said ventilation port, thereby circulating water through said hollow interior region.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
An artificial ocean reef module according to claim 1, additionally comprising: a planar base member secured to said lower edge of said dome.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
An artificial ocean reef module according to claim 3, wherein said planar base member has a bottom surface, additionally comprising: protrusions on said bottom surface of said planar base member for elevating said planar base member and providing a crawl space for aquatic organisms.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
An artificial ocean reef module according to claim 3, additionally comprising: an access port extending through said planar base member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
An artificial ocean reef module according to claim 1, wherein said dome is formed of concrete.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
An artificial ocean reef module according to claim 3, wherein said planar base member is a concrete slab.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
An artificial ocean reef module according to claim 4, wherein said protrusions are stones protruding out of said planar base member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
75 words
An artificial ocean reef module comprising: a dome having a hollow interior region and a lower edge, a ventilation port leading to said hollow interior region, a hollow guide member having two opposing openings and secured over said ventilation port to create a venturi effect and draw water out of said ventilation port, thereby circulating water through said hollow interior region, an access port adjacent to said lower edge, leading to said hollow interior region.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
75 words
An artificial ocean reef module comprising: a dome having a hollow interior region and a lower edge, a ventilation port leading to said hollow interior region, a hollow guide member having two opposing openings and secured over said ventilation port to create a venturi effect and draw water out of said ventilation port, thereby circulating water through said hollow interior region, an access port adjacent to said lower edge, leading to said hollow interior region.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
69 words
An artificial ocean reef module comprising: a module body formed of concrete and stones and having an outer surface, a passageway through said module body, said passageway having interior walls, wherein some of said stones protrude from said interior walls to an extent causing said interior walls to be substantially cragged, for increasing the interior wall surface area and module complexity and for limiting predator access to passageway inhabitants.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
69 words
An artificial ocean reef module comprising: a module body formed of concrete and stones and having an outer surface, a passageway through said module body, said passageway having interior walls, wherein some of said stones protrude from said interior walls to an extent causing said interior walls to be substantially cragged, for increasing the interior wall surface area and module complexity and for limiting predator access to passageway inhabitants.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
An artificial ocean reef module according to claim 10, wherein some of said stones protrude from said outer surface for increasing module surface area and complexity.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
An artificial ocean reef module according to claim 10, wherein said module body is shaped as an elongate cube.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
85 words
An artificial ocean reef module comprising: a dome having a hollow interior region defined by an inner surface, an apex and a lower edge, a ventilation port in said apex, leading to said hollow interior region, an access port adjacent to said lower edge, leading to said hollow interior region, a hollow guide member having two opposing openings and secured over said ventilation port to create a venturi effect and draw water out of said ventilation port, thereby circulating water through said hollow interior region.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
85 words
An artificial ocean reef module comprising: a dome having a hollow interior region defined by an inner surface, an apex and a lower edge, a ventilation port in said apex, leading to said hollow interior region, an access port adjacent to said lower edge, leading to said hollow interior region, a hollow guide member having two opposing openings and secured over said ventilation port to create a venturi effect and draw water out of said ventilation port, thereby circulating water through said hollow interior region.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
71 words
An artificial ocean reef module comprising: a dome having a hollow interior region defined by an inner surface, an apex and a lower edge, a ventilation port in said apex, leading to said hollow interior region, an access port adjacent to said lower edge, leading to said hollow interior region, a planar base member secured to said lower edge of said dome, an access port extending through said planar base member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
71 words
An artificial ocean reef module comprising: a dome having a hollow interior region defined by an inner surface, an apex and a lower edge, a ventilation port in said apex, leading to said hollow interior region, an access port adjacent to said lower edge, leading to said hollow interior region, a planar base member secured to said lower edge of said dome, an access port extending through said planar base member.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
186 words
A method of constructing an artificial ocean reef module, comprising the steps of: pouring sand into a first form, pressing stones into said sand so that a portion of said stones protrudes above said sand, pouring cement into said first form, discontinuing the pouring of said cement into said first form when said first form is only partly full, creating a first pour cement surface, dislodging said sand from said stones, so that said stones protrude and produce an irregular surface to enhance module complexity, placing a bottomless third form, narrower than said first form, inside said first form extending between two first form walls, covering the portion of said first pour cement surface within said third form with a first layer of stones, pressing said first layer of stones partly into said first pour cement surface, covering said first layer of stones with additional sand, covering said additional sand with a second layer of stones, pouring a second pour of cement over said second layer of stones, after said first and second pours of cement solidify into concrete, dislodging said additional sand from said stones.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
186 words
A method of constructing an artificial ocean reef module, comprising the steps of: pouring sand into a first form, pressing stones into said sand so that a portion of said stones protrudes above said sand, pouring cement into said first form, discontinuing the pouring of said cement into said first form when said first form is only partly full, creating a first pour cement surface, dislodging said sand from said stones, so that said stones protrude and produce an irregular surface to enhance module complexity, placing a bottomless third form, narrower than said first form, inside said first form extending between two first form walls, covering the portion of said first pour cement surface within said third form with a first layer of stones, pressing said first layer of stones partly into said first pour cement surface, covering said first layer of stones with additional sand, covering said additional sand with a second layer of stones, pouring a second pour of cement over said second layer of stones, after said first and second pours of cement solidify into concrete, dislodging said additional sand from said stones.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 15, wherein said second pour of cement produces an upper surface, additionally comprising the step of: pressing stones partly into said upper surface to increase module complexity prior to solidification of said second pour.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 15, wherein said additional sand is dislodged with a pressurized stream of water.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
68 words
An artificial ocean reef module comprising: a dome having a hollow interior region defined by an inner surface, an apex and a lower edge, a layer of stones secured to said inner surface for increasing the inner surface area and module complexity, a ventilation port in said apex, leading to said hollow interior region, an access port adjacent to said lower edge, leading to said hollow interior region.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
68 words
An artificial ocean reef module comprising: a dome having a hollow interior region defined by an inner surface, an apex and a lower edge, a layer of stones secured to said inner surface for increasing the inner surface area and module complexity, a ventilation port in said apex, leading to said hollow interior region, an access port adjacent to said lower edge, leading to said hollow interior region.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
76 words
An artificial ocean reef module comprising: a dome having a hollow interior region defined by an inner surface, an apex and a lower edge, stones protruding from said inner surface to an extent causing said inner surface to be substantially irregular, for increasing the inner surface area and module complexity, a ventilation port in said apex, leading to said hollow interior region, an access port adjacent to said lower edge, leading to said hollow interior region.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
76 words
An artificial ocean reef module comprising: a dome having a hollow interior region defined by an inner surface, an apex and a lower edge, stones protruding from said inner surface to an extent causing said inner surface to be substantially irregular, for increasing the inner surface area and module complexity, a ventilation port in said apex, leading to said hollow interior region, an access port adjacent to said lower edge, leading to said hollow interior region.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1169985A
Cited
US1507085A
Cited
US1916308A
Cited
US2151420A
Cited
US2069715A
Cited
US3704687A
Cited
US3824956A
Cited
US4468885A
Cited
US4997311A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-05-31 | 1996-11-30 | 1997-06-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-05-31 | 2000-11-30 | 2001-06-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-05-31 | 2004-11-30 | 2005-06-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |