Vertical flow diversion mat system

Claim 1

A hanging mat for stabilizing and protecting shoreline comprising: a plurality of elements wherein each of said elements has the shape of two symmetrically opposed geometric shapes wherein each geometric shape has a first face with a surface area which is 25% larger than the surface area of the second face; said elements are arranged in parallel rows and columns with sufficient space between each of said elements to allow adjacent elements to swing flexibly with respect to each other; a flexible rope, said rope constructed and arranged to pass through said center of each of said elements in two directions and embedded therein to fasten said elements to each other by said rows and by said columns and said rope having loops which can be fastened around a pipe in a support beam; and a support beam comprised of pipe and rebar which is integrally attached to one side of a plurality of elements, then cast with a material capable of forming a strong and resilient substance forming a cast structure, said cast structure being capable of supporting the weight of a plurality of said elements and hanging from a support structure.

Claim 11

A method of making a hanging mat installation for protecting and stabilizing a bulkhead or shore from hydrodynamic forces comprising the steps of: creating a mold having a plurality of units wherein each of said units are arranged in parallel rows and columns with space between each of said units; lacing a rope through said units so that said rope is integral in each unit to connect units to each other in a row and column array with space between each unit and further looping said rope around a pipe contained within a supporting beam mold; spraying a mold release agent on the molds; pouring concrete into said units and beam mold, allowing the units to cure into elements and a beam; releasing elements and beam from the mold; and disposing the beam with integral mat attached on a support structure, hanging said mat such that a portion of said mat swings freely to protect a shoreline or underlying structure without placing the full weight of the mat on said shoreline or underlying structure.

Claim 12

A method of making a hanging mat installation for protecting and stabilizing a bulkhead or shore from hydrodynamic forces comprising the steps of: creating a mold having a plurality of units wherein each of said units are arranged in parallel rows and columns with space between each of said units; lacing a rope through said units so that said rope is integral in each unit to connect units to each other in a row and column array with space between each unit and further looping said rope around a pipe contained within a supporting beam mold; spraying a mold release agent on the molds; pouring concrete into said units and beam mold, allowing the units to cure into elements and a beam; releasing elements and beam from the mold; and disposing the beam with integral mat attached on a support structure, hanging said mat such that a portion of said mat swings freely to protect a shoreline or underlying structure without placing the full weight of the mat on said shoreline or underlying structure.