MANMADE ISLAND AND METHODS

Abstract

A method of making an island including the steps of: manufacturing a plurality of formations; transporting the formation to a site in a water body; assembling said formations proximate one another; said formations defining an artificial island structure with both below and above water line components. Methods are described, as well as methods and components for both island and existing island and land enhancements.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM

Applicant claims the benefit of the filing date of Feb. 23, 2006 of its U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/776,116, expressly incorporated in its entirety herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to manmade islands and more particularly to components of and methods for constructing manmade islands, and to structures and processes for enhancing existing island and land features.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The available quantity of beachfront or waterfront properties in desirable geographic locations is dwindling. Increasing development reduces the sites available for commercial, residential or resort facilities. One potential solution is the creation of manmade islands or terrain, or enhancing current land terrain.

One prior system of building artificial islands includes dredging and reclamation processes which involve collecting sand from the sea bottom and blowing the collected sand into a solid formation until an island is formed. By mixing crushed rock with the sand, the process and integrity of the island may be enhanced. The sand is then compacted to meet construction standards.

This dredging process is met with resistance in some parts of the world as being environmentally damaging. The process requires large dredging ships for long periods of time.

In addition, the natural currents of water constantly erode the unprotected sand islands. The sand islands do not offer an attachment mechanism or sound base for adding features such as buildings.

The sand islands do not offer hard edges or options in beach profiles. The standard, natural profile sloped beach is typically the only option available with the dredging process. The dredging system does not offer the option to present unique characteristics of the island. Nor do the prior techniques offer structures defining and housing water front facilities.

There is a need to produce manmade or artificial islands in areas of the sea, or in lakes or other bodies of water, or to enhance existing land or island features. Such islands and enhancements are desired to provide a sound base on which decorative, aesthetic or inhabitable features or facilities can be placed on a permanent basis and without susceptibility to erosion or other weather or natural occurrences.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The manmade island components and methods according to the invention provide solutions to these circumstances. They provide the opportunity to create exciting, adventurous details on manmade island structures. Coves, atolls, caves, caverns, lagoons, pools, protected harbors, protected wave pool harbors and more are all possible with the components and methods of the present invention.

In more detail, the present invention contemplates a manmade island structure comprising, initially, artificial or manmade “formations”, such as a reef formation, fabricated on dry land and transported to sea, lake or other water body site for installation and formation of a formation for defining a structure in a above the water body according to a predetermined design.

The formations are constructed in multiple components or elements, each comprising a part of an entire formation, using typical concrete foundation wall forms where the wall forms are removed once the cement begins to set, and forming cementitious or synthetic facades as a supported shell thereon. A second option is free-forming the formations by placing rebar or other material into the desired shape of the reef and applying the cement mix pneumatically. As the concrete of each reef form cures, each structure will be loaded onto a barge for transportation to the installation site.

At the island-side of each formation, a concrete foot is provided as an anchoring feature. The weight of the island actually bears down on this area of the formation in order to hold the formation in place.

One embodiment of the formations defines a sloped beach area accomplished by a sloping concrete beach floor as will be described. Open sand chambers within the formation may also form the natural sloping effect to provide for beach areas while holding the sand in place. The primary materials used in construction are reinforcing steel, concrete, fibers in the concrete mix, prefabricated artificial rock systems and various protective coatings, including but not limited to epoxy, urethane and polyester coatings.

It will be appreciated that the formations are designed to provide and define many attractive structures and features typically associated with a water body, island or shoreline. Entire coves, atolls, caves, caverns, lagoons, pools, protected harbors, protected wave pool harbors and other facilities and aesthetics can be provided according to the invention herein.

This invention can be used to extend, enhance or enlarge existing natural islands as well as establishing new islands where no exist.

The invention can also be used to construct traditional types of buildings at sea that display different architecture, design and themes.

These and other objectives and advantages of the invention will be readily appreciated from the foregoing, and from the following description and drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevational view in partial cross-section illustrating a beach entry reef formation according to the invention;

FIGS. 2 is a elevational view in partial cross-section illustrating a replaceable coral wave break reef formation according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view in partial cross-section illustrating a cliff rock from sea floor formation according to the invention;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view in partial cross-section illustrating a cliff walk formation according to the invention;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view in partial cross-section illustrating a spire island formation according to the invention;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view in partial cross-section illustrating a coast line undercut formation according to the invention;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view in partial cross-section illustrating a protected beach walk formation according to the invention;

FIG. 8 is an elevational view in partial cross-section illustrating an elevated sunbathing platform formation according to the invention;

FIG. 9 is an elevational view in partial cross-section illustrating an erosion protection formation according to the invention;

FIG. 10 is an elevational view in partial cross-section illustrating an animal and fish containment formation according to the invention;

FIG. 11 is an elevational view in partial cross-section illustrating a beach stabilization formation according to the invention;

FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate in partial cross-section two respective book end reef formations according to the invention;

FIG. 13 is an elevational view in partial cross-section illustrating a formation comprising a center support column structure according to the invention;

FIG. 14 is an elevational view in partial cross-section illustrating a slab coral formation according to the invention;

FIG. 15 is an elevational view in partial cross-section illustrating an architectural formation according to the invention and further illustrates a structural foundation for a variety of themed finishes; and

FIG. 16 is an overhead or plan view illustrating an entire island or atoll according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be appreciated that the invention contemplates the use of a plurality of complimentary formation components or elements joined or associated with one another to provide a structural formation for a facility beneath a water body or above a water body. In many variations, a “formation” component or element as that term is used herein, comprises an internal structure or frame supporting a shell comprising a cementitious or synthetic material preferably formed to have or to emulate a reef or rock-like appearance and preferably used with other complimentary formation elements to define a beach, island, cliff, platform housing or other architectural structures as will be described.

One or more complimentary formation elements are preferably preformed, then transported and placed at an installation site.

Details of the invention are perhaps best seen in the figures representing and illustrating numerous embodiments, combinations and uses of the reef formation described herein.

Turning now to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 an illustrative cross-section of a beach entry reef formation 10, with one component 11 thereof shown in cross-section. Element 11 is comprised of a base member 12, a plurality of upright frame members 13, 14 and 15, an upper surface 16 and a natural finish or facade 17 below the water line WL. It will be appreciated that water lines shown in each of the following figures are designated as WL for clarity and brevity. Water line WL is the surface of a water body 18 which may be the sea, a lake or other water body having a floor 19.

It will be appreciated that a plurality of similar or complimentary elements 11 can be interconnected operationally to form an entire beach entry area. Sand is disposed over the upper surface 16 of the elements 11 so as to comprise a beach of sloped configuration, both above and below the water line WL.

It will be further appreciated that, in this configuration as shown in FIG. 1, the upright frame members 13, 14, 15, which may also comprise walls or structural beams which define chambers therebetween, and those chambers are filled with a ballast material, such as at 23, and which may be comprised of pebbles, rocks, cementitious materials or other materials suitable for ballast in holding the elements 11 in place.

It will also be appreciated that base 12 has an inward or land projecting extension or foot 24, which is also covered by sand and which serves to facilitate the anchoring of the elements 11 and thus the entire formation 10 in an appropriate position with respect to the water body 18.

In addition, it will be appreciated that the facade or finish 17 may be formed of any suitable material, such as a synthetic material which is finished to take on or emulate the aesthetic appearance of a coral reef, for example. Accordingly, and while the elements 11 are sunk generally slightly below the floor 19 of the water body 18, the facade 17 extends both below and above, and presents from the viewpoint of the water body a reef-like configuration.

Finally, it will be appreciated that pilings, such as illustrated at 25 and 26 may optionally be sunk into the floor 19 of the water body and the elements 11 positioned over those pilings to further secure the reformation 10 in place. In this optional configuration, of course, sufficient apertures or openings are provided in the base 12 to accommodate the pilings 25, 26.

The beach entry reef formation 10, as shown in FIG. 1, is perhaps the most basic and common profile for island construction. This form emulates the gradual sloping entry from an island into an ocean or sea, lake or other water body, via a 15-30 degree sloping ramp. This reef formation is constructed with engineered concrete and steel reinforcement preferably. Glass fibers and chemical add mixtures to the cement may be added as required and as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art.

Moreover, a chemical resistant coating can be applied to the concrete structure where deemed desirable. The finish on the ramp or upper surface 16 may be simulated beach pebbles or cement mix with internal coloring, so as to proximate the color of the existing sand to be used. The front edge of the entry form, as noted above, may also display or emulate a simulated coral reef texture to achieve the highest degree of realism possible.

The beach entry form may be mechanically attached to the ocean floor 19 using piers, columns, pilings 25, 26, soil mails or composite adhesives. Nevertheless, the primary anchoring mechanism for the beach form comprises the weight of both the concrete form, which includes the base 12, walls 13, 14,15 and the ramp surface 16, and any chamber with fill material, as illustrated at 27.

It will be further appreciated that an entire island can be constructed using the elements described and shown in FIG. 1. For example, a plurality of reef formation elements 11 to form a reef formation 10 can be pre-manufactured on a dry land site and conveyed by barge or other expedient to a site where an island is to be formed.

There, a plurality of the elements 11 can be sunk in a predetermined fashion and pattern in order to define an entire island, such as island 28 shown in FIG. 1 and in a water body where there was previously no island. Accordingly, the beach entry reformation 10 comprises a construction which extends both below and above the water line 11 in order to form both under water and above water base to define an island of any particular configuration or design where the island is primarily formed of the sand 22. Alternately, elements 11 may be used to extend existing island or land mass features.

Turning now to FIG. 2, there is shown therein a replaceable coral wave break formation 30, including a replaceable element 31 and an underwater element 32. Underwater element 32 is similar to the element 11 of FIG. 1, in that it includes walls or beams 33 and 34, defining chambers 35, 36. Elements 31, 32 can be pre-constructed offsite and moved to an appropriate position in a water body, such as water body 37, to provide a coral wave break formation 30, as shown. The lower element or underwater element 32, in addition, has a cementitious base 38 with an inwardly or land-extending projection 39 for covering by the sand 40 of the island for anchoring purposes. Similarly to the formation of FIG. 1, pilings, piers, columns or other devices may be optionally used in order to hold the formation elements 32, 31 in place. These are not shown for purposes of clarity. Chambers 35, 36 may also be filled with a weighty ballast material, such as any cementitious material, rocks, pebbles or the like, for securing the element 32 in position on the floor 41 of the water body 37.

The elements 31 and 32 are operationally interconnected by any suitable expedia, such as a rib 43, while the element 31 can be removably interconnected with the element 32, so that the element 31 can be replaced for maintenance or thematic change. Aesthetically, the respective shells 44, 45 of elements 32, 31 are configured and finished to take on the appearance of a reef or any other suitable rock-like appearance. Upon any undesirable damage of the element 31 due to the surface or at the water line of the water body 37, the element 31 can be replaced. It will be appreciated that the shells 44, 45 of the elements 32, 31 are supported by any internal framework structures and may be supplied as an integral shell or may be supplied by pneumatically blowing cement material over a form or other mesh-like material or a rebar matrix in formed shapes as desired.

The replaceable coral wave break 30 provides a simple, realistic termination of an island 47 edge along a shoreline without offering a sand beach. Such a formation 30 emulates preferably a rugged coral coastline of an island by displaying a sculpted a coral rock finish at the water's edge and comprising the shell 45 of the element 31. The formation 30 is constructed, preferably with engineered concrete and steel reinforcement framework (not shown). Glass fiber or chemical add mixtures to the cementitious material may be added as required for aesthetic effect or strength, chemical resistant coatings for saline resistance may be utilized and finishes on the subsurface element 32, such as a shell 44, may be provided as simulated coral rockwork or other aesthetic naturally appearing shapes. The formation 30 can be mechanically or chemically attached to the water body floor 41, using piers, columns, pilings, soil nails or composite adhesives, but the primary anchoring mechanism will be the weight of the concrete form, including the base 38, the walls 33, 34, the shells 44, 45 and any ballast material in the chamber 35, 36.

Finally, and as noted, the section or element 31 exposed to the water line or breaking waves is replaceable, to allow for easy maintenance or repair. Again, it will be appreciated that a plurality of elements 31, 32 in cooperation with each other can be operationally interconnected together to define an entire island 47 or only a portion or shoreline of an island, where none exited before, or as an extension of an existing island.

Turning now to FIG. 3, it will be appreciated that the figure illustrates a cliff rock extending from a sea floor well above a water line WL to provide a dynamic, yet realistic transition from an island 50 to a water body 51 over the floor 52. Accordingly, the cliff rock formation 53 will preferably emulate a rugged, vertical rock cliff typical of natural islands, such as those found in Greece, for example. The formation 53 is defined by an element 54 and an element 55, each of which support a shell 56, which is finished to emulate and present aesthetically a vertical rock cliff. Thus, a plurality of elements 54, 55 are operably set, side by side, in connection with an integrated shell 56 to define a formation 53. Element 54 comprises a base 57 with walls 58, 59 defining a chamber 60 and with an upper surface 61. The element 55 comprises a plurality of frame structural members 63, 64, 65 and vertical members 66, 67.

The areas defined by the walls 58, 59 and surface 61 of element 54 and the various volumetric areas defined by the structural frame member 63, 64, 65 and the walls 66, 67 may be filled with ballast in order to position an anchor to formation 53. The elements 54, 55 can be constructed offsite and moved by barge or other transport expedients to a site to form a rock wall extending from the water body floor 52. In addition, elements 54, 55, together with the aesthetic shell or facade 56 can be used to define in whole or in part, an entire island 50, or only a portion thereof, or an extension of an existing island. As in the other embodiments, the formation and its elements are constructed of engineered concrete and steel reinforcement, preferably, with glass fibers and chemical admixtures as desired or required, chemical resistant coatings for saline resistance and an aesthetic finish of simulated coral or other type of rockwork on the subsurface portion 69 of the shell 56.

The formation 53 may be anchored by piers, columns or pilings chemically to the floor 52 or by any other expedient as mentioned with respect to the other embodiments, but the with the primary anchoring mechanism is the weight of the elements as described above and the weight of any ballast filling the various chambers and volumetric areas as illustrated in the figure.

Turning now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated a cliff walk formation 70 comprising an above water facade or shell 71 and a shell 72 extending from above the water line WL of a water body 73 to below that water line toward the water body floor 74. Essentially, what is shown in FIG. 4 is somewhat a combination of the structures described above in FIGS. 1 and 3. Accordingly, an element comprising the shell 72 includes walls 75 and 76 disposed on a base 77 with a rearward projection 78 thereon and defining chambers which can be filled with ballast as shown.

A second element 80 comprises a plurality of frame members 81, 82 and 83, together with walls 84 and 85. The shell 71 may be like that shell 56 described above with respect to FIG. 3, while the shell 72 may be like that shell member 16 as described with respect to FIG. 1 and it will be appreciated that the shell 71 is preferably comprised of a rocklike configuration or emulation and that the intersection at 86 of the shell 71, 72 are defined with respect to the shells, so that a person can walk above the shell or on the shell 72 and under the shell 71 as illustrated in FIG. 4. Shell 71, of course, could be covered with a layer of sand (not shown). The formation 70 provides a dynamic, yet realistic transition from an island to the water body 73 and emulates a rugged vertical rock cliff typical of natural islands. This cliff rock formation 70 is constructed as noted with respect to the elements of the formations described in the prior figures, finished in a similar way but as desired with respect to the aesthetic view of the finish or facade and mounted on the floor 74 in a similar way, with the volumetric areas between the frame members and the wall structures being filled as desired with ballast so as to anchor the formation 70.

It will be appreciated that the shell 72 can be replaced if decayed as a result of the breaking wave action and the gently sloping beach entry provided by the shell 72 can be finished with an exposed beach pebble texture or the like. Moreover, it will be appreciated that walls or members 81-85 may define inhabitable spaces for residential, commercial, resort or hotel facilities or the like.

FIG. 5 illustrates a spire island formation 90 extending upwardly from a water body floor 91 above the water line WL as shown in the figure. The spire island formation 90 includes a plurality of frame members 92-94 and cross-structural members 95-97 disposed all on a base 98, configured to be placed within the floor 91 of the water body 99. A shell 100 is mounted on the framework 92-97 similarly to the shells as described above and the facade provided by the shell 100 is designed aesthetically to provide a realistic transition from below the water line to above the water line in an island or spire island format. Such a formation presents a dynamic and visually exciting formation from the floor 91 to well above the water line WL. It provides a majestic, yet realistic transition from the water line to an exclusive island formed by the shell 100 above the water line WL and emulates a rugged, vertical rock formation typical of Southeast Asia and more specifically Thailand. The exposed shell above the water line WL is constructed to achieve the highest degree of aesthetic realism possible, while other components of the spire island formation 90 are similar to those described above.

The framework as disclosed in FIG. 5, together with the shell, can be manufactured offsite and transported by barge or other facility to a site where it is desired to erect a single or multiple spire islands. The formations 90 are attached to water body floor 91 in any suitable manner as described above and sections of the shell proximate the water line WL may be easily changed out or repaired due to any decay by water wave action. Elevated or sloping beach areas could be added to this formation in a manner as will be appreciated by extending the internal framework in the shell accordingly, such as suggested, for example, in FIG. 1.

Such a spire island formation may also be used as an architectural or structural base for a number of facilities, such as commercial facilities or residential facilities, or resort facilities, such as hotels and the like, all located within appropriate framework as illustrated by the members 92-98 of FIG. 5. The formation 90 could also serve as a primary design for communication stations, early warning markers or relays, military applications, animal containment structures, sea life parks, sail in amphitheaters and other architectural and thematic projects.

Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the features as shown in FIG. 5 can be modified aesthetically and with respect to space and extension in order to provide the architectural base or foundation for a number of buildings and facilities in a place where there was nothing but water before and limited only by the imagination of the designer.

With further reference to FIG. 5, it will be appreciated that the formation 90 can be adapted for use, not only rising from the floor of a water body, but also used upon existing island or land structures to define a natural rock or coral terrain housing a wide variety of residence, commercial, hotel, resort or protected marina facilities within the spaces, and optionally extending outwardly thereof, defined by walls and members 92-98 and by shell or shells 100, or thereunder.

Moreover, it will be appreciated that the scope of size of the formation may be hundreds of feet in height and in breadth in order to accommodate the noted facilities and that the outside appearance is limited only by the imagination of the shell designer and the interior architect.

FIGS. 6-9 illustrate further modifications of the invention as will be appreciated, including adaptations of the structures, formations and constructions as described above, to serve different purposes. As an example, in FIG. 6, a coastline undercut formation 110 is described, where walls 111 and 112 are provided on a base 113, having a rearward projection 114. The shell 115, such as those described above and providing a coral-like appearance, is provided in chambers defined by the shell 115, the walls 111, 112 and the base 113 can be filled with a ballast for mounting on a floor 116 of a water body 117 below the water line WL. A shell formation 118 is provided extending above the wall 112 and above the shell 115 to provide an undercut emulating the undercut rock profiles typical of saltwater volcanic islands in the Pacific.

The finish on the subsurface rock shell 115 may be simulated coral or rockwork. The finish on the exposed shell above the water line WL is constructed to emulate the highest degree of rock realism possible. Sand 119 fills in behind the shells 118 and the below water line structure to provide ballasts to anchor the formation 110 while the above water line shell 115 is finished with an exposed beach pebble texture or similar texture with natural sand optional thereon. The overhead feature of the coastline undercut formation 110 offers protection from the elements and provides a protected walkway above the water line WL.

FIG. 7 illustrates a protected beach walk formation 124, providing an elevated, protected beach area 125 for walking or the like. The formation 124 includes an element 126 formed of walls 127, 128 and base 129, with a rearwardly projecting element 130. A shell 131 emulates a coral or rock facade and can be replaceable if decayed by the wave action at the water line WL of water body 132 above water body floor 133.

Turning to FIG. 8, there is shown an elevated sunbathing platform which constitutes adaptation of the coral wave break formation of FIG. 2 and the coastline undercut formation of FIG. 6, for example. Accordingly, in FIG. 8, there is an element 31 replaceably disposed on an element 32 which resides in the water body 136. A structural formation or element 138 including at least walls 139 and 140 support a shell 141 which rises behind and over the element 31 and supports a sunbathing platform 144, as illustrated in the figure.

Elements 31 and 32 are constructed like those described in FIG. 2 upon a base 145, similar to that base 38 of FIG. 2 mounted on or just within the floor 146 of the water body 136. Accordingly, the construction shown in FIG. 8 provides an elevated, protected platform for sunbathing, for example. This formation 148 provides an elevated platform for sunbathing as a simulated, cantilevered concrete and sand platform, along with a replaceable coral rock wave break to protect beach sand from erosion.

Such a formation 148 is particularly useful for installation in areas where undercurrents and tide changes create significant erosion problems. The features as disclosed in FIG. 8 are similar to those as disclosed with respect to the other embodiments of the invention described above with respect to the interior frame work, mounting and ballast systems.

As well, it will be appreciated that the cantilevered area of the shell 118 as shown in FIG. 6 may also be supported by additional framework and internal support as illustrated diagrammatically only in FIG. 8.

In FIG. 9, there is illustrated a erosion protection formation 150. Formation 150 includes a base element 151 mounted on or within a floor 152 of a water body 153 beneath a water line WL. Such an erosion preventing formation may be inserted in an existing island or in an island constructed by the methods described herein, where the natural line of the sand, for example, sloping to the water line and below, is shown in the dotted line at 154.

Formation 150 further includes a shell 155 made of suitable cementitious or synthetic material and simulating coral or rock formations. The shell 155 is supported by any suitable internal structures, including framework such as at wall 156 and any other framework not shown. Wall 156, together with the base 151 and the shell 155 define a chamber into which can be placed a variety of ballast material to maintain the formation 150 in place. It will also be appreciated that formation 150 can be used as an independent element or as a series or independent elements interconnected or spaced apart along a shoreline for the prevention of erosion and that the finish of the shell 155 is treated to emulate rock or coral materials in a natural manner as will be appreciated.

It will also be appreciated that additional wall structures such as at 157 and covering shells or coatings 158 can be provided on the base 151 where rear portions of the formation 150 are open for receiving ballast. Such formations can be used in areas where undercurrents and tide changes create significant erosion problems.

Turning now briefly to FIG. 10, it will be appreciated that the figure illustrates an overhead or plan view of an animal containment system 170, wherein the entire structure is built up from the bed or floor of a water body and is designed such as shown in FIG. 10 to define an animal containment area 171. In this regard, it will be appreciated that the structures, such as at 172, 173, 174, 175 and 176 can all be manufactured of cementitious or synthetic materials such as those described above and include essentially an internal framework or support of steel or concrete structure and an outer shell of cementitious or synthetic material which is designed and treated to present the aesthetic appearance of a rock or coral facade rising above a water level in order to define the island-like structures 172-176. When these are formed from the sea floor, as shown, it will be appreciated that the areas 171, 171A can be defined as animal, fish or aquatic life containment areas. This is provided by the fact that the island elements 172-176 extend from the floor of the water body above that floor and outwardly and upwardly into the atmosphere. Appropriate gates (not shown) are disposed at areas 178, 179, 180 and 182 to prevent the ingress or egress of animals, fish or other aquatic life. Such gates can be manufactured of any suitable structures and can be raised or lowered where desired, to permit ingress or egress.

Accordingly, the island structures 172-176 can be formed, such as by the elements or features of the preceding FIGS. 1-9, to define an island complex which itself defines animal containment areas 171, 171A. Means for accessing the areas by various boats can be provided for viewing. Also, beach structures and/or inhabitable structures can be defined within the island structures 172-176 as defined by the utilization of the architectural structures and components previously described.

Turning now to FIGS. 11-15, other applications and modifications and embodiments of the invention herein will be described. As an example, in FIG. 11, there is shown a beach stabilization formation 190, particularly useful for installation in areas of either newly-constructed or existing island where undercurrent or tide changes create erosion problems. The beach stabilization formation 190, as shown in FIG. 11, includes an anchor element 191, a forward element 192 and a tie element 193. A water body 194 is defined in part by a floor 195 and a water level WL.

A beach is defined at 196 comprising an area of sloping sand, running and transitioning from positions above the water line WL to positions below the water line as illustrated. The elements 191, 192 may comprise cementitious forms constructed offsite and moved to the positions as shown via barges or other transport facilities. When in place, the area above the ties 193 are filled with sand and the element 192 is provided with a rock or coral simulating surface 197 as shown in solid line, or 198 as shown in phantom line, exposed to the water of the water body 194.

A plurality of elements making up a single formation 190 or a single element making up a formation 190 can be used in such areas to prevent and minimize erosion and undercurrent degradation of the sloping sand or beach area 196.

Turning now to FIGS. 12A and 12B, there are various formats shown for defining a perimeter outline of an island made according to the above-described architectural formations noted in the previous figures. Accordingly, in FIG. 12A, a bookend formation 200 is described having bookend elements 201 and 202 comprised of cementitious or other materials in the formats shown and emulating on their outer surfaces, preferably coral or coral rock faces. These elements 201, 202 are secured to the floor 203 of a water body 204, a ballast or fill material such as rock or pebbles or other cementitious material 205 is disposed between the elements 201, 202 and the area above the fill 205 is provided with sand as at 206, a portion of which extends above the water line WL.

Elements 201, 202 are held in place, preferably by columns, pilings or piers 207, 208 as desired. Such architectural formation as described in FIG. 12A can thus form a sandbar, for example, just at or slightly off the shorelines defined by the manmade islands of the preceding figures. Pilings (not shown) may extend inside the bookend elements 201, 202 for achieving maximum structural integrity. It will be appreciated that FIG. 12 shows a cross-section of an island, and that a plurality of elements 201, 202 may be used to define a perimeter of an island, peninsula or the like.

FIG. 12B illustrates a bookend reformation 210 comprised by bookend elements 211, 212, each secured by a piling 213, 214. These differ slightly from the bookend elements 201, 202 in that bookend elements 201, 202 of FIG. 12A are provided with extensions 209 which lie under the fill 217 and/or the sand 218. In FIG. 12B, pilings 213, 214 are simply extended upwardly into the elements 211, 212 and downwardly into the floor 215 of a water body 216 to provide support for the elements 211 and 212 on the floor and to help define an island or a sandbar or perimeter for an existing or a manmade island.

FIG. 13 illustrates a modification of the invention wherein a center support column is utilized to mount the formation structures as described above and is particularly useful where further support is needed for those structures. Accordingly, FIG. 13 illustrates a center support column formation 220, including a center support column 221, a tie rod 222, a base 223 and a formation structure 224, similar to those described above.

A manmade or natural island 225 has, for example, a sloping shoreline 226 extending from above to below the water line WL of a body of water 227 defined above a floor 228. The formation 224 may be like those formations described above and by way of example only, without limitation, in FIGS. 1-4 and 6-9, for example. It will be appreciated that this support column formation is particularly useful for attaching the forms 224 at the perimeter of the island to more centrally located columns 221 installed more toward the center of the island and providing by means of the base 223 and the tie 222 substantial support for counterbalancing and holding the formations 224. Formations 224, of course, and as noted, may comprise elements made from a series of internal framework, steel or concrete, covered by shell material as has been described above.

Turning now to FIG. 14, there is described a slabbed coral formation 240, particularly useful where a sand seabed, lakebed or water body bed does not constitute a suitable substrate for construction purposes. Coral slab formation 240 permits the production of thickened slabs of reinforced concrete to substitute for natural coral rock on which various architectural features as described above may be mounted more securely. However, where the bed of the water body 241, rising above floor 242 is less substantial, the construction of FIG. 14 can be utilized. In this configuration, a base 244 of cementitious material is formed offsite and may be transported to the position desired in the water body 241. These are lowered to the site and these concrete slabs 244 then provide a structural foundation for the subsequent installation of formations on top of the slabs. Accordingly, a formation such as at 246 is also formed on site. Formation 246 may include an element which includes at least a frame member 247 supporting a shell 248 which is formed as noted above, to emulate a coral rock or rock surface or facade. The area of voids between the structural frame member, such as at 247 and the shell 248 are filled, preferably with a cementitious material 249 to provide weight for the element 246.

During the construction of the slab 244, upstanding rods or anchors 250 are provided in the slab and extend upwardly. Once the shell and internal structured element is manufactured and transported to the site, it is lowered over the slab 244 and the cement 249 is filled, in order to hold down the element including the shell 248 and is solidly connected to the slab 244 through the anchor rods 250. Thereafter, sand, such as at 252, is poured over the base 244 and over the shell 248 to provide a natural above and below water appearance.

Turning to FIG. 15, there is illustrated therein various adaptations of the formations and construction features noted above. For example, FIG. 15 illustrates a combination of the coral wave break reef formation of FIG. 2, together with primarily underwater formation, which emulates a number of variable architectural and aesthetic structures. Accordingly, the formation 260 in FIG. 15 is a combination of a coral wave break element 261 such as shown and described in FIG. 2, but together with an underwater facade at 262 within the water body 263 and above floor 264.

Formation 262 as illustrated in FIG. 15 comprises, for example only, a themed finish, such as old columns or ruins illustrated or emulated as a shell 265 as part of an element 266. Element 266 comprises walls 267 and upper surface 268 and a base 269, similar to those described above and supporting the shell 265. It will be appreciated that the shell 265 may be supported by any suitable means, such as those described above, and including concrete or steel forms and may be formed in any of a plurality of themed finishes, such as ruins or any other types of effects extending both above and below the water line WL.

In this connection, and with reference to the various formations as described in this application, various aesthetic and architectural features should be appreciated. For example, rock or rock simulation as an architectural finish can be utilized in connection with these structural features. It will also be appreciated that residential units, commercial facilities, resort condos, hotel suites or timeshare properties can be formed and reside within various portions of the formations ad described herein, both above and below water, while the application of manmade rockwork as the primary and secondary structural and architectural finish material for residential applications can substantially enhance those facilities.

Moreover, it will be appreciated that a variety of mechanical features can be utilized to provide other aesthetics to the manmade islands and formations described herein. For example, many of the formations as described may also provide options for installation of grading, plumbing and mechanical equipment to create artificial tides, waves and compactions of the sand to hold specific elements in places designed. For example, by creating a continuous artificial current of water above a sand surface, and a continuous suction below the sand bed, the sand can be held in place against the force of this natural current or natural waves. This may eliminate the need for beach dressing and manicuring. A further mechanical feature of the invention, while not shown, could comprise a wave generation machine within a harbor or atoll area of an artificial island made by these techniques as described herein. The wave machine could be used to generate artificial waves directed toward swimming guests or guest areas or in the marine or fish containment area as described above. Air bubblers could be used in the same way.

Moreover, since the formations described herein are manmade, lighting can be installed, both above and below the water lines and around the perimeters of the manmade island from underwater light fixtures as may be desired.

Moreover, underwater viewing windows can be installed at the perimeter of the island or in the animal and fish containment areas to allow for viewing from within inside one of the formations as described herein.

It should be also appreciated that the structures and concepts described herein can be applied or combined with existing artificial or natural island or land structures. The formations described will function to improve, enhance, strengthen, reduce erosion and provide aesthetic structures for human enjoyment. Thus the structures and features described herein can be retrofitted or adapted to existing island or land structures without the artificial bases illustrated, or can be used to provide wholly artificial islands and structures for human habitation and enjoyment.

Finally and turning to FIG. 16, there is shown an overhead view of an entire island 270 which can be made entirely by man and arising from a floor of a water body and above that water body to provide, for example, harbor and fish or animal containment area 271, internal coves, lakes and streams 272 and a variety of topography such as otherwise illustrated by the various shading, to provide an entire manmade residential, commercial or resort area. For example, sandy or beach areas 273 can be provided while taller structures such as 274 and 275 can be provided for overlooks, residences, hotels or the like. It will be appreciated that in the various areas, the architectural features and formations as described in the preceding figures can be used to define the beach or island perimeter areas, as well as rising above the beach or water line areas and in which hotels, condos, residences, timeshare units and commercial facilities, as well as harbors, marinas, golf courses, and other resort activity areas can be built.

Accordingly, the invention offers and provides a capacity, both structurally and as a process for providing artificial island and land structures for human commerce, vacation, residence, and resort areas where nothing but water existed before.

With reference to FIGS. 10 and 16, such a manmade island could be built from the sea or water area floor where nothing existed above water level previously. Such an artificial island according to the invention could provide residential, vacation, postal and park areas, hotels, lighthouse, scuba diving, marine, marinas, aquatic and wetland preservation and viewing facilities among other facilities and structures, with the only limit being the imagination of the designer. The structures illustrated and the figures provide the structural base for below and above water line structures for natural aesthetic, buildings, marinas, viewing amphitheaters, natural concert venues and the like.

It will also be appreciated that where plural formations or elements are used to define an island perimeter, they may be operationally joined or connected in a way to prohibit or reduce water flow or leakage between them. In this regard, the shell surfaces could be adhered together or gaps between them bridged with materials also emulating rock, coral or the like.

Finally, it will be clearly appreciated that an entire manmade island can be erected with these formations, architectural structures, aesthetic treatments and these methods where nothing existed before but water. Various formations or formation elements can be operably combined to provide an island of varying terrain, including sloping and protected beaches, coral and rock, sea to island transitions, rising terrain, hills, cliffs and mountains and underwater and above water facilities for human use and appreciation. One form of element or formation can be used to transition into another for terrain variations or effect, or to define desirable features such as beach, cliffs, lake, undercuts, erosion protection, harbors marine life, amphitheaters hotel condominiums, resorts, residences, retail space, marinas and the like. Perimeter formations are placed, then the interior is built up, all from the floor of the water body site.

These variations and modifications will be readily appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains and applicant intends to be bound only by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A method of making an island including the steps of:

manufacturing a plurality of formations;

assembling said formations proximate one another; said formations defining an artificial island structure and having both below and above water line components.

2. A method as in claim 1 including anchoring said formations on an island side thereof with the weight of island structures bearing downwardly on an island side of said formations.

3. A method as in claim 1 including defining an island boundary with said formations oriented about said boundary.

4. A method as in claim 3 including filling an area within said boundary defined by said formations with material to define island structures.

5. A method as in claim 1 including the step of filling said formations with ballast.

6. A method as in claim 5 including filling said formations with sand as ballast.

7. A method as in claim 5 including filling said formations with cementitious material as ballast.

8. A method as in claim 1 including anchoring said formations with pilings.

9. A method as in claim 1 including manufacturing said formations with cementitious forms.

10. A method as in claim 1 including manufacturing said formations in a structural matrix format and applying cementitious material thereto to form a formation shell.

11. A method as in claim 1 including the step of forming a formation surface with sand pockets to define a beach.

12. A method as in claim 1 including the step of combining said formations with artificial structures of natural or architectural shapes.

13. Apparatus defining an island in a water body and comprising:

at least one formation,

said formation including at least one support member and a shell,

said shell treated to provide a natural appearance of at least one of a rock facade or a coral facade,

said shell having at least one portion of said shell surface disposed beneath a surface of said water body.

14. Apparatus as in claim 13 wherein another portion of said shell surface is disposed above said surface of said water body.

15. Apparatus as in claim 13 including a second shell, said shell disposed above the surface of said water body.

16. Apparatus as in claim 13 wherein said formation includes a matrix of support members with sand shell supported by portions of said support members.

17. Apparatus as in claim 16 wherein said shell is pneumatically sprayed on said matrix of support members.

18. Apparatus as in claim 13 wherein at least one portion of said shell is simulated rock.

19. Apparatus as in claim 13 wherein at least one portion of said shell is simulated coral.

20. Apparatus as in claim 13 wherein at least one portion of said shell is simulated beach pebbles.

21. Apparatus as in claim 13 further including an anchor member embedded in a portion of said island and a tie member extending from said anchor member to said formation.

22. Apparatus as in claim 21 further including a base member extending between said anchor member and said formation.

23. Apparatus as in claim 13 wherein said shell is disposed entirely under a surface of said water body.

24. Apparatus as in claim 23 further including a cementitious support base and members extending from said support base into said formation to anchor said formation.

25. Apparatus as in claim 13 wherein said portion of sand shell beneath the surface of said water body emulates a predetermined design theme.

26. A manmade island comprising a plurality of artificial shell formations integrated to define an island perimeter;

said shell formations defining a rock, coral or beach emulating surface; and

an island within said island perimeter.

27. A manmade island as in claim 26 including a plurality of islands defining a marine holding area for marine life.

28. A manmade island as in claim 26 including internal spaces defined in said shell formations for human inhabitation.

29. A manmade island as in claim 26 wherein said shell formations define a varied island topography of both beach and rock emulations.

30. A manmade island as in claim 26 wherein said shell formations define at least above water structure of varied topography.

31. A method of building an island in a water body comprising the steps of:

sinking formations in said water body to a floor thereof and defining an underwater island perimeter with said formations;

depositing a fill material into an area within said perimeter;

depositing sand onto said fill material with a portion of said sand extending above and within said underwater island perimeter.

32. A method as in claim 31 including depositing sand onto foot members extending inwardly of said underwater perimeter.

33. A method as in claim 31 including securing said formations to a floor of said water body on pilings extending upwardly from said floor.

34. A manmade island in a water body having a floor, said island comprising:

a plurality of island perimeter defining elements, said elements extending upwardly from said floor and having upper surfaces disposed beneath the surface of said water body,

a fill material in an island area defined within said perimeter, and

sand disposed in said area as sand fill, a portion of said sand extending above the surface of said water body within said perimeter.

35. A manmade island as in claim 34 including extension members extending inwardly of said perimeter from bottom portions of said elements and at least one of said fill material or said sand disposed on said extension members.

36. A manmade island as in claim 34 including pilings, extending upwardly from said floor onto said elements for securing said elements in place on said floor.