US-20260125868-A1 - SHORELINE STABILIZATION DEVICE

US20260125868A1US 20260125868 A1US20260125868 A1US 20260125868A1US-20260125868-A1

Abstract

A system is provided for shoreline stabilization using a plurality of shoreline stabilization devices, having a base portion, which may be a solid structure or be formed from at least first two of the shoreline stabilization devices arranged in an end to end configuration on opposite sides of an imaginary line running perpendicular to the two shoreline stabilization devices; the base portion having a central protrusion or having at least one of the shoreline stabilization devices positioned perpendicular to and on top or in between the first two shoreline stabilization devices, and atop the imaginary line; and at least a second two of the plurality of shoreline stabilization devices each positioned on opposite sides of the imaginary line at an angle to provide at least two angled shoreline stabilization devices, forming an angle between a slope of between about 1.5:1 and 2:1.

Inventors

Frederick Worth Creech
Mary-Margaret Sykes McKinney

Assignees

THE DAVEY TREE EXPERT COMPANY

Dates

Publication Date: 20260507
Application Date: 20260106

Claims (20)

1 . A system for shoreline stabilization comprising: a) a plurality of shoreline stabilization devices; b) wherein at least a first two of the plurality of shoreline stabilization devices are arranged in an end to end configuration on opposite sides of an imaginary line running perpendicular to the at least first two shoreline stabilization devices, wherein the ends of the at least first two shoreline stabilization devices nearest the imaginary line align with one another at least in part; c) wherein at least one of the plurality of shoreline stabilization devices is positioned perpendicular to and on top or in between the first two shoreline stabilization devices, and atop the imaginary line; and d) wherein at least a second two of the plurality of shoreline stabilization devices are each positioned on opposite sides of the imaginary line at an angle relative to the at least first two shoreline stabilization devices to provide at least two angled shoreline stabilization devices, wherein each of the at least second two shoreline stabilization devices have a first end on top of at least a portion of one of the first two shoreline stabilization devices and a second end resting on at least one of the perpendicular shoreline stabilization devices to form an angle between a slope of between about 1.5:1 and 2:1.
2 . The system for shoreline stabilization according to claim 1 , wherein the at least first two shoreline stabilization devices are arranged in the end to end configuration in a collinear arrangement on opposite sides of the imaginary line, such that the ends of the at least first two shoreline stabilization devices nearest the imaginary line fully align with one another.
3 . The system for shoreline stabilization according to claim 1 , wherein the at least first two shoreline stabilization devices are arranged in the end to end configuration in a staggered arrangement on opposite sides of the imaginary line, wherein the ends of the at least first two shoreline stabilization devices that are towards one another only partially align with one another.
4 . The system for shoreline stabilization according to claim 1 , wherein the at least first two shoreline stabilization devices are arranged in the end to end configuration on opposite sides of the imaginary line such that the two ends of the at least first two shoreline stabilization devices that are towards one another are in contact with one another.
5 . The system for shoreline stabilization according to claim 1 , wherein the system comprises a plurality of sets of shoreline stabilization devices, wherein each set comprises the at least first two shoreline stabilization devices and the at least second two angled shoreline stabilization devices, wherein each set is separated from an adjacent set by a defined gap, wherein each of the at least second two angled shoreline stabilization devices span the defined gap formed by two of the adjacent first shoreline stabilization devices on a same side of the imaginary line, and wherein the defined gap is narrower than a width of the shoreline stabilization device spanning the defined gap.
6 . The system for shoreline stabilization according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one perpendicular shoreline stabilization device is a plurality of perpendicular shoreline stabilization devices.
7 . The system for shoreline stabilization according to claim 6 , wherein the plurality of perpendicular shoreline stabilization devices are arranged end to end along at least a majority of the length of the system for shoreline stabilization.
8 . The system for shoreline stabilization according to claim 6 , wherein the plurality of perpendicular shoreline stabilization devices are stacked one atop the other for a number of stack layers from 2 to 6, wherein each stack layer is arranged end to end along at least a majority of the length of the system for shoreline stabilization.
9 . The system for shoreline stabilization according to claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of shoreline stabilization devices comprises: a) a plurality of primarily calcium carbonate material obtained from living sources; b) a cement that is capable of binding the plurality of primarily calcium carbonate material in a block; and c) wherein the plurality of primarily calcium carbonate material is bound together in a block form by the cement.
10 . The system for shoreline stabilization according to claim 9 , wherein the block form comprises one or more reinforcing rods.
11 . The device for shoreline stabilization according to claim 10 , wherein the reinforcing rods are rebar.
12 . The system for shoreline stabilization according to claim 9 , wherein the plurality of primarily calcium carbonate material is aquatic shells.
13 . The system for shoreline stabilization according to claim 9 , wherein the cement is a bio-cement.
14 . A system for shoreline stabilization comprising: a) a base section having a central protrusion from a top surface of the base section, wherein the central protrusion traverses at least a portion of a length of the base section; wherein the base section further has on the top surface of the base section and on each side of the central protrusion, an inset notch running lengthwise along at least a portion of the base section; and b) a plurality of shoreline stabilization devices positioned on opposite sides of, and along the length of, the central protrusion, with a defined gap between adjacent shoreline stabilization devices on each side of the central protrusion, wherein each of the plurality of shoreline stabilization devices have a first end resting in the inset notch on the top surface on one side of the central protrusion and a second end resting on the central protrusion to form an angle between an underside of the shoreline stabilization devices and the top surface of the base section having a slope of between about 1.5:1 and 2:1.
15 . The system for shoreline stabilization of claim 14 , wherein each pair of shoreline stabilization devices on opposite sides of the central protrusion are positioned to fully align with one another across the central protrusion.
16 . The system for shoreline stabilization of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of shoreline stabilization devices on opposite sides of the central protrusion are positioned in a staggered arrangement such that the defined gap defined by two adjacent shoreline stabilization devices on one side of the central protrusion aligns with the end of a shoreline stabilization device on an opposite side of the central protrusion.
17 . The system for shoreline stabilization of claim 14 , wherein the base section comprises: a) a plurality of primarily calcium carbonate material obtained from living sources; b) a cement that is capable of binding the plurality of primarily calcium carbonate material in a block; and c) wherein the plurality of primarily calcium carbonate material is bound together in a block form by the cement.
18 . The system for shoreline stabilization according to claim 17 , wherein the block form comprises one or more reinforcing rods.
19 . The system for shoreline stabilization according to claim 18 , wherein the reinforcing rods comprise rebar.
20 . The system for shoreline stabilization according to claim 17 , wherein the plurality of primarily calcium carbonate material is aquatic shells.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of US non-provisional application number Ser. No. 18/470,994, filed Sep. 20, 2023, pending, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 17/702,017 filed on Mar. 23, 2022, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,946,215, each of which is incorporated herein in by reference in their entireties. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to various configurations of a plurality of shoreline stabilization devices and the shoreline stabilization systems produced thereby. Description of Related Art The erosion of coastal shorelines (and other similar shorelines) by both natural and man-made activities has become a very serious and urgent matter having detrimental effects in some areas of the world. There has been much work in developing shoreline stabilization devices, especially ones capable of supporting aquatic life. Both attenuation of erosion by waves, as well as a need to reinforce the shoreline, are the primary uses of such devices. While there are many examples of such shoreline devices, there are serious and inadequate problems with the currently used devices. These problems include use of plastics, introduction of loose fibers to the shoreline, a lack of means to prevent wave erosion, the need to regrade the shoreline, the need to position plants in the device, and devices that are primarily made of cement. In addition, shoreline stabilization may need to be customized to the type of shoreline and to the extent of erosion. What is needed is a system of arranging shoreline devices that best supports living growth, shoreline fortification, and wave erosion reduction without the drawback of the current ways of arranging the shoreline device(s). BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It has been discovered that a particular positioning and configuration of shoreline stabilization devices can provide a system for shoreline stabilization having improved aquatic habitat function, oyster recruitment, and wave attenuation when compared to other positional configurations. An additional advantage of the present invention provides an attenuation of wave energy rather than a deflection of wave energy at the locations of installation of the system of the present invention. A further advantage of the present invention provides stabilization of shorelines during storm activity, particularly strong oceanic storms such as hurricanes, by creating a system that disrupts strong tidal movement and maintains aquatic habitat function even under such extreme conditions. Accordingly, the present invention in certain embodiments relates to a system for shoreline stabilization comprising: a plurality of shoreline stabilization devices;wherein at least a first two of the plurality of shoreline stabilization devices are arranged in an end to end configuration on opposite sides of an imaginary line running perpendicular to the at least first two shoreline stabilization devices, wherein the ends of the at least first two shoreline stabilization devices nearest the imaginary line align with one another at least in part;wherein at least one of the plurality of shoreline stabilization devices is positioned perpendicular to and on top or in between the first two shoreline stabilization devices, and atop the imaginary line; andwherein at least a second two of the plurality of shoreline stabilization devices are each positioned on opposite sides of the imaginary line at an angle relative to the at least first two shoreline stabilization devices to provide at least two angled shoreline stabilization devices, wherein each of the at least second two shoreline stabilization devices have a first end on top of at least a portion of one of the first two shoreline stabilization devices and a second end resting on at least one of the perpendicular shoreline stabilization devices to form an angle between a slope of between about 1.5:1 and 2:1. In other embodiments, the present invention relates to a system for shoreline stabilization comprising: a base section having a central protrusion from a top surface of the base section, wherein the central protrusion traverses at least a portion of a length of the base section; wherein the base section further has on the top surface of the base section and on each side of the central protrusion, an inset notch running lengthwise along at least a portion of the base section; anda plurality of shoreline stabilization devices positioned on opposite sides of, and along the length of, the central protrusion, with a defined gap between adjacent shoreline stabilization devices on each side of the central protrusion, wherein each of the plurality of shoreline stabilization devices have a first end resting in the inset notch on the top surface on one side of the central protrusion and a second end resting on the central protrusion to form an angle between an underside of the shoreline stabilization dev