ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION BLOCK

An ecological restoration block installed to a predetermined height along rivers or river banks. The ecological restoration block includes a body, having a first cell in which earth and sand are stored, and second and third cells for storing water, provided on respective sides of the first cell, with partitioning walls therebetween, a first migration channel, formed diagonally on a front part of the body to make movement of animals possible, a cover provided on an upper part of the body to open an upper side of the first cell, and a flow pipe, which crosses the first cell and connects internal space of the second and third cells. The ecological restoration block of this invention can effectively preserve wild animals and plants by providing protective habitat at the front part of the body and by allowing the animals to move freely through the first and fourth migration channels.

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Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to an environment-friendly ecological restoration block which is installed at a predetermined height along the side of streams or rivers located close to forests. More specifically, the present invention pertains to a block having a path on the front side thereof, along which wild animals can move, and having an inside space in which water is collected in dry seasons, and from which the wild animals can drink.

BACKGROUND ART

Generally a revetment is built along streams or riversides, and the revetment is constructed to a predetermined height to resist soil pressure from the ground and protect the earth bank.

However, the conventional revetments problems of low environmental friendliness as they are made from concrete mortar or stones.

In particular, conventional cement retaining walls serve only to maintain the ground of rivers or river banks, without providing a function of storing water. Naturally, rainwater drains rapidly and a dry spell follows quickly. As a result, small animals, reptiles, and insects inhabiting the rivers have a hard time surviving due to water shortages during dry spells.

In addition, because the surface of the retaining wall is smooth, animals living along the rivers are lose their habitat because of blocked migration channels.

Moreover, with the conventional cement retaining walls, the water of the river flows off rapidly, and as a result, animals living along the rivers have a hard time surviving due to water shortage.

DISCLOSURE Technical Problem

This invention aims to provide migration channels so that animals inhabiting along the streams or rivers can freely move, habitat for animals and plants, and breeding places for fish, and thus proposes ecological restoration blocks, which are ideal for wild animals and plants to live.

Another purpose of this invention is to store water during heavy rain and to maintain the amount of water at a certain level in streams or rivers; to provide ecological restoration blocks with filtration elements that purify the out-flowing water and extend water-holding time so that animals and plants in or around the block can use water held in the partitioned cells of the block during dry spells.

Technical Solution

In an aspect of the present invention for realizing one or more objects of the invention, the ecological restoration block, which is supposed to be installed to a predetermined height along rivers or river banks, includes a body, having a first cell in which earth and sand are stored, and second and third cells for storing water, provided on respective sides of the first cell, with partitioning walls therebetween; a first migration channel, formed diagonally on a front part of the body to make movement of animals possible; a cover provided on an upper part of the body to open an upper side of the first cell; and a flow pipe, which crosses the first cell and connects internal space of the second and third cells.

In another aspect of the present invention for realizing one or more objects of the invention, the ecological restoration block, which is installed to a predetermined height along rivers or river banks, includes a body having a central cell for storage of water and side cells for storage of earth and sand, positioned on both sides of the central cell, the side cells composed of a wall of the central cell and a wall of an adjacent block; a first migration channel formed diagonally on a front part of the body to make movement of animals possible; a cover provided on a top of the central cell; and a filtration part provided at a bottom of the central cell for purifying quality and adjusting speed of out-flowing water.

In a further aspect of the present invention for realizing one or more objects of the invention, the ecological restoration block installed along rivers or river banks includes a body having a first cell made up of multiple partitioning walls for storage of earth and sand, and a second cell for storage of water; a first migration channel formed diagonally at a front part of the body for movement of animals; a cover with an opening formed in a top of the body, opposite the first cell; and a plurality of flow pipes positioned at a bottom of the first cell and having multiple external penetration holes for drawing water from the first cell into the second cell.

Advantageous Effects

There are cases in which concrete blocks are installed in a river conservation project to protect the bank of a stream or a river. In such cases, the ecological restoration block of this invention can effectively preserve wild animals and plants by providing protective habitat at the front part of the body and by allowing the animals to move freely through the first and fourth migration channels.

Also, this invention is effective in controlling floods and regulating the amount of water in the rivers by holding water in cells.

Additionally, the filtration part in the cells purifies out-flowing water and extends the water-holding time, so animals and plants in or around the ecological restoration block can survive using the water stored in the cells of the block during dry spells.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of the ecological restoration block in accordance with a first embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of A-A′ of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an overall perspective view of the filtration part in accordance with the first embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of B-B′ of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an overall perspective view of a modification of the cover of the ecological restoration block in accordance with the first embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 6 is the ecological restoration block in an installed state in accordance with the first embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 7 is an overall perspective view in accordance with a second embodiment of the ecological restoration block of this invention;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of C-C′ of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an overall perspective view in accordance with the second embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of D-D′ of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is the installed state of the ecological restoration block in accordance with the second embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 12 is an overall perspective view of the ecological restoration block in accordance with a third embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of E-E′ of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of F-F′ of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is an overall perspective view of the ecological restoration block in accordance with a modification of the third embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 16 is an analytical perspective view illustrating the body depicted in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a front perspective view depicting the front part of the ecological restoration block in accordance with an application of the third embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 18 a rear perspective view depicting the front part of the ecological restoration block in accordance with an application of the third embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 19 is the ecological restoration block in an installed state between concrete blocks in accordance with third embodiment of this invention; and

FIG. 20 is a front view of the ecological restoration blocks in a state of being installed side by side in accordance with the third embodiment of this invention.

 MAJOR REFERENCE NUMERALS AND SYMBOLS OF DRAWINGS

  • 100, 200, 300, 300a: Ecological restoration block
  • 110, 210, 310: Body
  • 110a, 210a, 310a: Front part
  • 110b, 110c, 310b, 310c: Side wall
  • 110d, 310d: Rear wall
  • 111, 311: Assembly protrusion
  • 112, 312: first cell
  • 114, 314: second cell
  • 115: Connection hole
  • 116: third cell
  • 117, 217, 317: Protective habitat room
  • 118, 318: Central partitioning wall
  • 119, 219: Entrance
  • 120, 220, 320: Cover
  • 124, 324: Opening
  • 126, 226, 326: Penetration hole
  • 130, 330: Flow pipe
  • 140, 240: Filtration part
  • 142, 242: Inflow pipe
  • 144, 244: Outflow pipe
  • 146, 246: Internal space
  • 148, 248: Internal partitioning wall
  • 149, 249: Inflow hole
  • 150, 250, 350: first migration channel
  • 52, 252, 352: second migration channel
  • 154, 254, 354: third migration channel
  • 156, 256, 356: fourth migration channel
  • 210b, 310e: Floor
  • 210c: Rear wall
  • 212: Central cell
  • 213: Stair 214: Left cell
  • 215: Connection hole
  • 216: Right cell
  • 218: Side wall
  • 222: Connection stair
  • 315: first connection hole
  • 316: second connection hole
  • 358: fifth migration channel
  • 359: sixth migration channel
  • 360: first notch
  • 370: Partitioning wall

MODE FOR INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to preferred embodiments of this invention.

First Embodiment

In the ecological restoration block 100, there are the first cell 112, second cell 114, and third cell 116. The first cell 112 stores earth and sand and the second cell 114 and the third cell 116, composing the body, store water.

As seen in FIG. 1, the body 110 is composed of the front part 110a, side walls 110b and 110c, and rear wall 110d, all of which define internal space. The internal space is provided with two central walls 118, which define the second cell 114 and the third cell.

In the first cell 112, earth and/or sand that flows in with water is stored, whereas in the second cell 114 and third cell 116, only water is stored, because the second cell 114 and the third cell 116 are provided with a cover, which will be explained later. Here, the floor of the first cell 112 is structured to have an opening.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, when the ecological restoration block 100 is installed vertically by putting a body 110 directly on top of another body 110, the first cell 112 of the lower body 110 and the first cell of the upper body are arranged in a straight line, so that the upper first cell and a corresponding lower one can both be filled with earth and sand. By this method, the ecological restoration block 100 is prevented from being pushed forward by the pressure of the earth and sand.

Though it is not shown in the figure, when the ecological restoration block 100 is installed in a zigzag form by putting a body 110 on top of another 110, the first cell 112 of the lower body 110 and the cell 105 composed of the left and right side of the upper body 110 are arranged to be positioned in a straight line. Additionally, the first cell 112 of the upper block 100 and the cell 105 containing the left and right side of the lower body 110 can both be filled with earth and sand. In this method, the first cell 112 of the block 100 is prevented from being pushed forward by the pressure of the earth and sand.

As shown in FIG. 2, a flow pipe 130 is provided, which crosses the internal space of the first cell 112 and penetrates into the space of the second 114 and the third cell 116, in which water is stored.

This flow tube 130, made of a length of regular pipe, is placed to connect with the second cell 114 and the third cell 116 so that the opened left/right tips may have the same orientation. Here, the height of the tip connecting with the second cell 114 must be higher than that of the tip connecting with the third cell 116 in order that the water in the second cell 114 can flow into the third cell 116 through the flow tube 130. Thus, the water flowing into the second cell 114 through the flow tube 130 can be drawn into the third cell 116 and stored there.

As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the filtration part is provided with an inflow pipe 142 and an outflow pipe 144 in the floor of the third cell 116. The filtration part 140 has the shape of a cylinder or rectangular parallelepiped with multiple internal spaces 146 formed by multiple partitioning walls 148 provided with the inflow pipe 149. The internal space is filled with a material such as charcoal. Here, the filtration part 140 is placed on the floor of the third cell 116, and water flows into the filtration part through the inflow pipe 142, and flows out through the outflow pipe 144 embedded in the partitioning wall 118. The outflow pipe embedded in the partitioning wall 118 is located on the floor of the third cell 116, being connected with the partitioning wall 118, to drain water.

Thus, the water drawn into the third cell flows into the internal space 146 of the filtration part 140, and is purified by special materials such as charcoal, and goes out through the outflow pipe 144.

Then, the inflow hole 149 formed in the internal partitioning wall 148 and another inflow hole 149 formed in the adjacent partitioning wall 148 are arranged in a staggered manner to make sure that water can be stored longer in the third cell 116 by making the moving route from the inflow pipe 142 to the outflow pipe 144 longer.

At the front part 110a, protruding from the front of the body 110 is the first migration channel 150, which is formed diagonally to make it possible for animals to move upward through the channel from the bottom of the block 100. Here, it is also possible to provide the first migration channel 150 in a stair form.

At the body 110, the second migration channel 152 is formed to have an upward slope, and is connected with the first migration channel 150 through the third migration channel 154.

If the body 110 of the block 100 is installed together with other blocks, and the first migration channel 150 having an upward slope is formed on the front part 110afront part 110a of the body, animals can move freely from the bottom to the top of the block 100 through the channel 150. The body 110 has at least one entrance 119 in the front part 110afront part 110a thereof, which is connected with the third cell 116. From the entrance 119, the fourth declining migration channel 156 is connected to the bottom of the front part 110a. When blocks are installed, this migration channel 156 is positioned such that it is connected with the second migration channel 152 of the adjacent body 110.

In the above-mentioned manner, the first, second, third, and fourth migration channels 150, 152, 154, 156 at the front part 110afront part 110a of the body 110 are interconnected, and animals can move freely from one location of the river to another. Through the entrance 119, which is formed such that it is connected with the third cell 116, animals can survive during dry spells using the water stored in the third cell 116.

Another characteristic of this invention is that a concave protective habitat room 117 is formed in the lower part of the second cell 114 of the body 110. The entrance of the habitat room 117 is open to the side of the front part 110a, and the opposite side is closed like a cave. The protective habitat room 117 is formed such that it has a predetermined depth facing backward from the front part 110afront part 110a of the body 110.

When the ecological restoration block 100 is provided with protective habitat rooms in the manner illustrated above, small rodents including field mice, amphibians including frogs and toads, and birds can inhabit in the habitat room 117, and additionally, plants can grow in the earth and sand stored in the protective habitat room 117, thus creating an environment-friendly ecosystem.

In addition, there has to be at least one connection hole 115 formed such that it is connected with the first cell 112 of the front part 110a of the body. The connection hole 115 is preferably shaped like a cone such that it has a wide entrance at the front part 110afront part 110a and a narrow exit at the first cell 112. Here, the cone shape is more preferable, in which the cross sectional diameter from the middle to the exit is substantially the same.

By shaping the connection hole such that it has a wide entrance at the front part 110a and a narrow exit on the side of the first cell 112, the earth and sand stored in the first cell 112 do not flow out, and only water flows out from the first cell 112 through the connection hole 115.

As shown in FIG. 1, at the left end of the body 110, a connection hole 115a can be formed such that it opens toward the second cell 114 at the front part 110a so as to be connected to the second cell 114 from the starting point of the second migration channel 152. At the right end of the body 110, a connection hole 115b can be provided with an opening facing the third cell 116 in the front part 110a so as to be connected to the third cell 116 from the ending part of the fourth migration channel 156. In this case, the connection hole 115b formed in the right side of the front part 110a is formed to have a stair shape in the middle part thereof, with a wide entrance at the front part 110afront part 110a and the narrow path of the stair shape at the part that is connected to the third cell 116.

If the ecological restoration blocks 100 with connection holes 115a, 115b are installed side by side, a cell 105 in which earth and sand are stored can be made from a combination of the above-mentioned second cell 114 and the 3d cell 116 of the next block, and a channel is formed from the connection of the connection holes 115a and 115b in the left and right sides. By blocking part of the connection hole 115b on the right side of the front part 110afront part 110a, the earth and sand stored in the cell 105 do not flow outside, but only water drawn into the cell 105 flows out through the mentioned channel.

Additionally, earth and sand are stored in the channel formed by the two connection holes 115a, 115b. The stored earth and sand provide a good place for plants to grow, restoring the ecosystem around the rivers.

In the present invention, the top of the first cell 112 is open, but the second and third cells 114 and 116 are provided with a closed cover 120. The cover 120, as shown in FIG. 1, 2, is provided such that it covers the upper open part of the body 110, which forms a connection stair 128, and two covers are provided for each internal space in the second cell 114 and the third cell 116.

As seen in the FIG. 5, there is an assembly protrusion 111 on top of the body 110 and an assembly groove in the corresponding position on the underside, both of which can be used with a device to cover the upper open part of the body 110. Here, the cover 120 is provided on the top of the second cell and the third cell 114, 116, and has an opening 124 having a predetermined size in the corresponding position on the underside.

Either when one cover is provided or when two covers 120 are provided on both sides of the opening 124, each cover must have at least one penetration hole 126 to make sure water flows into the second cell 114 and the third cell 116 at each cover. As water is stored in the cells through the above-mentioned penetration hole 126, animals may drink the water in the cells through the entrance 119 formed in the front of the body 110.

In this case, the opening 124 or the top of the first cell 112 can be provided with a mesh to prevent foreign materials such as grass, leaves, etc from flowing in.

As shown in the FIG. 6, at the front part 110a of this invention, nature-friendly, natural-stone-like patterns may be provided. As the natural-stone-like pattern is composed of grooves of various shapes, it can be a beautiful landscape and can harmonize with the surrounding environment when blocks are installed. Such multi-patterned grooves, along with the first, second, third, and fourth migration channels 150, 152, 154, 156, can provide good migration channels for small animals, reptiles, insects, etc, thus improving the ecosystem around rivers.

Second Embodiment

In accordance with the second-best mode of the ecological restoration block 200 of this invention, the central cell 212, left cells 214, 216 and right cells 214, 216 are formed. The central cell 212 water is for storing water, and the left cells 214, 216 and right cells 214, 216 of the body are for storing earth and sand.

The body comprises the front part 210a, the floor 210b, the side wall 218, and the rear wall 210c; the body also includes the central cell 212, the left cell 214, 216 whose internal space is defined by the side wall and the side wall 218 of an adjacent block, and the right cell 214, 216.

In the above-mentioned left/right cells 214, 216, earth and sand that enter with water are stored; the central cell 212 is provided with a cover 220, which will be illustrated later, to make sure that earth and sand are blocked and that only water flows in and is stored in a predetermined amount.

Additionally, on top of the above-mentioned body 210, there is an assembly protrusion 211. So if the blocks 200 are fixed vertically one over another, the assembly protrusion 211 and the opposing groove will make assembly easier by keeping the blocks in place. Needless to say there must be assembly grooves at a position opposite the assembly protrusion at the bottom of the body 210 to prevent the slippage of the installed blocks.

As shown in FIG. 11, when a block 200 is fixed vertically over another, the central cell 212 of the lower body is arranged to be in line with the central cell 212 of the upper body to ensure that the left cell 214 and the right cell 216 of the cell 205 are both filled with earth and sand. In this manner, the ecological restoration block 200 can be prevented from being pushed forward by the earth pressure generated on the installation side.

On the floor of the above-mentioned central cell 212, as shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, there is a filtration part 240 provided with the inflow pipe 242 and the outflow pipe 244. The filtration part 240 has a cylinder or rectangular paralleled shape and an internal space; the internal space 246 is divided into several internal spaces having partitioning walls with inflow holes. The above-mentioned internal space 246 is filled with a special substance such as charcoal, which is compressed. Here, the filtration part 240 is embedded in the floor of the central cell 212, into which water flows through the inflow pipe and out of which water flows through the outflow pipe 244, or one side of the filtration part 240 can be positioned to touch the side wall 218 at the bottom of the central cell 212 to make sure that water flows out.

The water flowing into the interior space of the filtration part 240 through the inflow pipe goes out through the outflow pipe 244 after being purified by a special substance such as charcoal.

Here, the inflow pipe 249 provided at the parting wall 148 and another inflow pipe 249 provided at the adjacent partitioning wall 248 are positioned in a staggered arrangement in order that water can be stored longer in the central cell 212 by making the moving route longer from the inflow pipe 242 to the outflow pipe 244.

At the front side 210a, protruding from the front of the body 210 is the first migration channel 250, which is diagonally formed to make sure that animals can move upward through the channel from the bottom of the block 200. Here, the first migration channel 250 can be formed to have a stair shape.

At the above-mentioned body 210, the second migration channel 252 is formed to have an upward slope, and is connected with the first migration channel 250 via the third migration channel 254.

If the body 210 of the block 200 is installed with another block, and if the first migration channel 250 having an upward slope is formed on the front 210a of the body, animals can move freely from the bottom to the top of the block 200 via the sloped first migration channel 250.

The body 210 has at least one penetration-type entrance 219 formed in the middle of the first migration channel 250 so as to be connected with the central cell 212.

Additionally, in the body 210, the fourth migration channel 256 is formed to have an upward slope from the protective habitat room 217, and extends to the right corner of the front side 210a. When the block is installed, it is positioned to make sure that the fourth migration channel 256 is connected to the second migration channel 252 of the adjacent body 210.

In the above-mentioned manner, the first, second, third, and fourth migration channels 250, 252, 254, 256 in the front 210a of the body 210 are interconnected, and animals can move freely from one location of the river to another. Through the entrance 219, which is formed to be connected with the central cell 212, animals can survive during dry spells using the water stored in the central cell 212.

Ideally, the side wall 218, which forms the internal wall of the central cell 212, has a stair shape 213. The reason is to allow animals to go into the central cell 212 and go out without difficulty when the water stored in the central cell 212 becomes shallow.

This invention also provides a concave protective habitat room 217 formed in the lower part of the body 210. The entrance of the habitat room 217 is exposed to the front part 210a, and the opposite side is closed, like a cave. The protective habitat room 217 is formed to have a predetermined depth, and faces backward from the front 210a of the body 210.

When the ecological restoration block 200 having protective habitat rooms 217 is installed in the manner illustrated above, small rodents, including field mice, amphibians including frogs and toads, and birds can inhabit the habitat room 217, and additionally, plants can grow in the earth and sand stored in the habitat room 217, thus creating an environment-friendly ecosystem.

In addition, there is at least one connection hole 215, which is formed such that it is connected with the left cell 214 of the front part 210a of the block. Ideally, the connection hole 215 has a cone shape having a wider entrance at the front 210a and a narrow exit formed on the left cell 214 side. Here, the cone shape is ideally formed such that the cross sectional diameter of the space is the same from the middle to the exit.

In the above-mentioned structure, at least one connection hole 215 that penetrates into the right cell 216 of the front part 210a can be formed. The connection hole 215 of this type, which connects the left cell 214 and the right cell 216, can be formed in both the left and right sides of the body 210, or it is possible for the connection hole 215 to be formed in either the left or right side, and correspondingly to be connected to the left cell 214 or to the right cell 216.

If the connection hole 215 has a wide entrance at the front part 210a and a narrow exit formed at the side of the left and right cells 214, 216, the earth and sand stored in the left and right cells 214 and 216 do not flow outside, but only water drawn into the left and right cells 214 and 216 flows outside.

As shown at FIG. 7, the connection hole 215 can be formed with one opening in the side of the left cell 214 at the front, which connects with the second migration channel, so as to be connected to the left cell 214 on the left side of the front 210a, and there can be another connection hole 215b with an opening in the side of the right cell 216 at the front 210a, so as to be connected to the right cell 216. Here, the middle part of the connection hole 215b formed in the right side of the front part 210a can be formed to have a stair shape, the entrance thereof, which is formed at the front, being wide, and the part of the stair shape that is connected with the right cell 216 being narrow.

If the blocks 200 are installed side by side, the left cell 214 and right cell 216 of adjacent blocks combine to form a cell 205 having a predetermined space, and two connection holes 215a, 215b formed in the left/right ends of the front part 210a combine to form a channel. Because part of the connection hole 215b formed in the right side of the front 210a has a stair shape, it is possible to prevent the outflow of the earth and sand from the cell 205, and to allow the water to flow out from the cell 205 through the channel.

Additionally, earth and sand enter and are stored in the channel formed in the left/right sides of the body 210 by the two connection holes 215a and 215b. The stored earth and sand provide a good place for plants to grow, restoring the ecosystem around the rivers.

In the present invention, the cover 220 is provided to seal the central cell 212, and the cover is attached to a connection stair 222 at the upper part of the body, and covers the upper opening of the body 210.

Here, the cover 220 has more than one connection hole, 226 having predetermined sizes, through which water flows into the central cell 212.

As shown in FIG. 11, at the front part 210a of this invention, nature-friendly, natural-stone-like patterns may be formed. As the natural-stone-like pattern is composed of grooves in multiple patterns, it creates a beautiful landscape and harmonizes with the surrounding environment when blocks are installed. Such multi-patterned grooves, along with the first, second, third, and fourth migration channels 250, 252, 254, and 256, can be good migration ways for small animals, reptiles, and insects, etc, thus restoring the ecosystem.

The above-mentioned ecological restoration blocks 100, 200 can be installed with the body 110, 210 between the blocks or with the body positioned in an irregular arrangement. For example, the bodies 110, 210 can be fixed between the blocks along the slope of the first migration channels 150 and 250 formed in the front part 110a and 210a, or bodies having habitat rooms 117 and 217 can be installed side by side.

When installed as above, the first migration channels 150 and 250, formed at the front part 110a and 210a, can be vertically interconnected at an incline. At the same time, by assembling the fourth migration channel 156 and 256 and the second migration channel 152 and 252 such that they are interconnected, the fourth channel 156 and 256 is connected, through the first, second, and third migration channels 152, 154, 150, 252, 254, and 250, to the entrance 119 and 219 formed in the front part 110a and 210a.

Animals can move to other positions of the river through the first, second, third and fourth migration channels 150, 152, 154, 156, 250, 252, 254, and 256, and can drink water, through the entrance, stored in the third cell 116 or the central cell 212.

In addition, the cover 120, 220 attached to the upper part of the body 110, 210 can prevent foreign materials from flowing in from the rivers or river banks, and so only water filtered through the penetration holes 126, 226 can be stored in the cells.

Additionally, owing to the filtration part 140, 240 in the central cell 212 or the third cell 116, water does not flow out rapidly. Also, foreign materials are filtered through the filtration part, and as a result purified water can flow out, preventing environmental pollution.

If concrete blocks are installed at a river conservation project to protect a bank, the ecological restoration block can effectively preserve wild animals and plants by providing them with protective habitat at the front part of the body and by allowing animals to migrate freely through the first and fourth migration channels.

Also, this invention is effective in controlling floods and regulating the amount of water in rivers by storing water in cells. Additionally the filtration part in the cells purifies outgoing water and extends the water-holding time, and thus animals and plants in and around the block can use the water stored in the cells of the block in dry spells.

Third Embodiment

As shown in FIG. 19, the ecological restoration block 300 in accordance with the third mode of this invention can be installed by inserting it between concrete blocks 10, which form a retaining wall having a predetermined height. However, the assembly method is not limited thereto. As seen in FIG. 20, the retaining wall having a predetermined height can also be built by assembling an ecological restoration block having a protective habitat room 317 and an ecological restoration block having the first notch 300a.

The ecological restoration block 300 of this invention contains multiple internal cells 312 and 314, which form the body 310 in which water can be stored.

As seen in FIG. 12, the body 310 is composed of the front part 310a, the floor 310e, side walls 310b, 310c, and a rear wall 310d, which together define an internal space. The internal space is provided with the central walls 318, which form the first cell 312 and the second cell 314. In the first cell 312, earth and sand are stored, and in the second cell 314, water from the first cell 312 is stored.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the pair of second cells 314 formed on both left and right sides of the first cell 312 holds water, and keeps the water level constant by means of the flow pipe 330 provided at the bottom of the first cell 312.

The flow pipe 330 is a hollow pipe, both ends of which are open and exposed in the second cell 314, and on the outside, there are multiple penetration holes 332. Thus, the water coming into the first cell 312 through the penetration hole 332 is stored in the pair of second cells 314.

Here, the flow pipe 330 can be provided a certain height from the floor 310e of the body 310 in order to maintain the water at a predetermined level, but it is also possible to furnish the flow pipe near the floor 310e.

The front part 310a, protruding forward from the body 310, forms stairs in a diagonal arrangement, providing the first migration channel 350 through which small animals, reptiles and insects can freely move.

In addition, at the lower part of the front 310a, there has to be at least one connection hole 315, formed such that it is connected with the first cell 312. This first connection hole 315 is ideally formed near the protective habitat room 317 at the lower part of the front 310a.

Therefore, the water in the first cell 312 flows outside through the first connection hole 315 and falls at the entrance of the protective habitat room 317, providing water to the animals living in the habitat room 317.

In addition, there has to be at least one second connection hole 316 that is connected with the second cell 314 of the front part 310a. The second connection hole 316 ideally can be located in the upper part of the second migration channel 352, which is formed such that it is sloped downward from the front part 310a and extends to the side of the front 310a.

Additionally, the second migration channel 352 is interconnected with the first migration channel 350 via the third migration channel 354 formed at an incline at the front 310a.

The above-mentioned body 310 can be installed between the concrete blocks 10 along the slope of the first migration channel 350, or can be installed with another body 310. In such cases, the first migration channel 350 can have a structure that is vertically connected along a slope. If the channels are connected upward and downward, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, animals and insects can freely move up and down through the first migration channel 350.

As seen in FIG. 12, in this invention, a cover 320 is provided with an opening 324 at a position opposite the first cell 312. This cover 320 is provided with an assembly protrusion 311 on top of the body 310 and an assembly groove at a corresponding position on the underside, and covers the open upper side of the body 310.

On the left and right sides of the opening 324, at least one penetration hole 326 is optionally provided to draw water into the second cell 314.

A sieve can be placed at the above-mentioned opening 324 in order to prevent foreign materials such as tree leaves, grass, etc from entering.

The front part 310a of this invention has a nature-friendly, natural-stone-like pattern formed thereon. Because the natural-stone-like pattern is composed of grooves having various shapes, it creates a beautiful landscape along the rivers, river banks and surrounding areas. Such multi-patterned grooves can be good migration channels for small animals, reptiles, insects, etc.

In this invention, a concave habitat room 317 can be provided in the lower part of the body 310. In such a habitat room 317, as shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, the entrance to the habitat room 317 is exposed to the front part 310a and the opposite side is closed, like a cave. The protective habitat room 317 is formed to have a predetermined depth facing backward from the front 310a of the body 310.

The habitat room 317 of this invention can provide good habitat for small rodents, frogs, toads, and other amphibians, as well as some birds.

As shown in FIG. 19 and FIG. 20, when the body 310 is installed to construct a retaining wall, the body 310 is ideally positioned above the first migration channel 350 of the lower body 310.

The above-mentioned body 310 can be provided with the fourth migration channel 356 formed at an incline upward from the protective habitat room 317 and extending to the side of the front 310a. In this manner, the fourth migration channel 356 can be connected with the second migration channel 352 of the adjacent body 310, and water from the second connection hole 316 will flow into the protective habitat room 317.

As shown in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, the first cell 312, formed in the body 310, can be provided with partitioning walls 370 having multiple penetration holes 372 therein.

These partitioning walls 370 are formed along the connection grooves 319 formed inside the middle wall 318, which forms the first cell 312, and thus the partitioning walls provide habitat between the front 310a and the partitioning wall 370.

Therefore, the water flowing into the first cell 312 along with earth and sand flows outside through the penetration hole 372 formed in the partitioning walls 370, but the earth and sand remain. In this case, the opening 324 formed in the cover 320 is ideally provided such that it is opposite the space where earth and sand are stored.

Also, the second notch 318a is ideally provided at the front tip of the central partitioning wall 318 to ensure that animals can freely move to the habitat formed between the front part 310a and the partitioning wall 370.

Thus, in the body 310, where the first cell 312 is provided with a partitioning wall 370, as shown in FIG. 15, FIG. 17, and FIG. 18, the first notch 360, which opens upward, can be provided at a position opposite the first cell 312. In this manner, when the water level rises in the river where a retaining wall is constructed, the water can be stored in the first cell 312.

At this first notch 360, a fifth migration channel 358, which extends in a stair-type downward slope from the front to the rear so as to be connected with the first cell 312, is ideally provided.

Additionally, at the front 310a of the body 310, where the first notch is provided, a plurality of six migration channels 359 is preferably provided in the form of slopes, and connects the channels with the first notch 360.

What's more, the front part 310a of the body 310, having the habitat room 317 or the first notch 360, as shown in FIG. 12, can have cut sections 372, 374, 376, and 378 formed in the front, corner or side thereof. In the case in which many bodies are installed together, the cut sections 372, 374, 376, and 378 between the front part 310a and an adjacent front part can provide good habitat for animals and plants.

When animals and plants use the space made by the cut sections 372, 374, 376, 378, the environment-friendliness will increase, and the restorative power will improve.

In the ecological restoration blocks 300 and 300a of this invention, composed of the above-mentioned parts, as shown in FIG. 19 and FIG. 20, the body 310 can be installed between concrete blocks 10, or can be connected with other bodies in series. For instance, the body 310 can be positioned between concrete blocks 10 along the slope of the first migration channel 350, formed in the front 310a, or the body 310 having protective habitat room 317 or the body 310 having the first notch 360 can be installed beside another body of the same type.

If installed in this way, the first migration channels 350 formed at the front 310a can be installed to be vertically connected at an incline. Therefore, the second connection holes can be connected through the first, second, and third migration channels 352, 354.

In addition, the habitat room 317 is connected to the second and third migration channels 352, 354 of the adjacent body 310 via the fourth migration channel 356.

Small animals can move from one place to another along the river or river bank through the first, second, third, and fourth migration channels 350, 352, 354, 356, and can use the water flowing out through the second connection hole 316 and the water that is generated through the first connection hole 315 around the protective habitat room 317.

The cover 320 positioned at the upper part of the body 310 can prevent foreign materials from entering the upper part of the body 310, makes the water flow into the first cell 312 through the opening 324, and helps store the water in the second cell 314 through the flow pipes 330 provided in the first cell 312.

When the bodies 310 of this invention are installed side by side, the habitat rooms 317 are interconnected through the fourth migration channel 356, and the first notches 360 are connected via the sixth migration channel 359.

In other words, the fourth migration channel 356 formed upward over the habitat room 317 is extended to the side of the front 310a. Then the second migration channel 352 is extended downward from the second connection hole of the adjacent body 310, is and connected to the third migration channel 354, and the upper end of the second migration channel 352 is connected with the habitat room 317 of another body 310, which is placed on the top thereof. In this manner, animals and insects can easily move from one habitat room 317 to another.

If the body 310 is installed between concrete blocks 10 or in a row at a river conservation project near a forest to protect rivers or river banks, small animals, reptiles, insects, etc. can move up and down or from one location to another along the first migration channel 350 or sixth migration channel 359.

In addition, small animals, reptiles, and insects can survive during dry spells, drinking water from the first and second connection holes stored in the first and second cells.

Providing multiple habitat rooms 317 along rivers or river banks, this invention can provide good habitat for various small animals, reptiles, birds, insects, etc. If the protective habitat rooms 317 are placed in the water, they can provide good habitat for fish, providing them with good breeding places, thus helping to make retaining walls, rivers or river banks more nature-friendly.

In addition, if the first notch 360 is fixed at the front of the body 310, water can be stored in the first and second cells 312, 314 through the first notch 360, controlling the amount of water in a flood, in dry spells, however, the first and second cells 312, 314 can serve a reservoir, gradually draining the stored water.

The present invention has been explained in detail above with reference to figures in terms of preferred embodiments thereof, but this invention is not limited to these embodiments. Anyone skilled of the art in this field may find that the embodiments can be applied or modified in diverse ways without going beyond the extent of the technology and the rights claimed in this invention. Such simple modifications or design changes of this invention are also understood to fall within the scope of rights claimed in this invention.

Claims

1. An ecological restoration block to be installed to a predetermined height along rivers or river banks, comprising:

a body, having a first cell in which earth and sand are stored, and second and third cells for storing water, provided on respective sides of the first cell, with partitioning walls therebetween;
a first migration channel, formed diagonally on a front part of the body to make movement of animals possible;
a cover provided on an upper part of the body to open an upper side of the first cell; and
a flow pipe, which crosses the first cell and connects internal space of the second and third cells; and
a filtration part provided at a bottom of the third cell for purifying quality and adjusting speed of out-flowing water.

2. (canceled)

3. The ecological restoration block according to claim 1, further comprising protective concave habitat rooms, which are formed to a predetermined depth facing backward from a front part of a lower part of the second cell.

4. The ecological restoration block according to claim 1, further comprising at least one connection hole, which penetrates the front part of the body to allow water to flow out, leaving the earth and sand behind.

5. The ecological restoration block according to claim 1, wherein the filtration part has an inflow pipe, multiple internal spaces formed by partitioning walls with inflow holes in a side thereof, an outflow pipe to drain water stored in the internal space, and substances provided in the internal spaces.

6. (canceled)

7. The ecological restoration block according to claim 1, wherein the body has at least one entrance at the front part of the body, the entrance being connected to the third cell.

8. (canceled)

9. An ecological restoration block installed to a predetermined height along rivers or river banks, comprising:

a body having a central cell for storage of water and side cells for storage of earth and sand, positioned on both sides of the central cell, the side cells composed of a wall of the central cell and a wall of an adjacent block;
a first migration channel formed diagonally on a front part of the body to make movement of animals possible;
a cover provided on a top of the central cell; and
a filtration part provided at a bottom of the central cell for purifying quality and adjusting speed of out-flowing water.

10. The ecological restoration block according to claim 9, further comprising protective concave habitat rooms, which are formed to a predetermined depth facing backward from a front part of a lower part of the central cell.

11. (canceled)

12. The ecological restoration block according to claim 9, wherein the filtration part has an inflow pipe, multiple internal spaces formed by partitioning walls with inflow holes in a side thereof, an outflow pipe for outflow of water stored in the internal spaces, and substances provided in the internal spaces.

13. The ecological restoration block according to claim 5, wherein inflow holes are arranged to be staggered relative to inflow holes formed in an adjacent internal partitioning wall in order to lengthen a water-flowing channel.

14. (canceled)

15. The ecological restoration block according to claim 9, wherein the body has at least one entrance that penetrates the central cell of the front part.

16. (canceled)

17. The ecological restoration block according to claim 9, wherein one of the walls forming the space of the central cell are formed as stairs.

18. An ecological restoration block installed along rivers or river banks, comprising:

a body having a first cell made up of multiple partitioning walls for storage of earth and sand, and a second cell for storage of water;
a first migration channel formed diagonally on a front part of the body to make movement of animals possible;
a cover with an opening formed in a top of the body, opposite the first cell; and
at least one flow pipe positioned at a bottom of the first cell and having multiple external penetration holes for drawing water from the first cell into the second cell.

19. The ecological restoration block according to claim 18, wherein the body has at least one first connection hole provided in a lower part of the front part of the body so as to penetrate into the first cell.

20. The ecological restoration block according to claim 18, wherein the body has at least one second connection hole provided in an upper part of the front part of the body so as to penetrate into the second cell.

21. The ecological restoration block according to claim 20, wherein the body has a second migration channel that extends at a downward slope from the second connection hole to a corner of the front part of the body.

22. (canceled)

23. The ecological restoration block according to claim 18, further comprising protective concave habitat rooms, which are formed to a predetermined depth facing backward from the front part of the lower part of the body.

24. (canceled)

25. (canceled)

26. The ecological restoration block according to claim 18, wherein the first cell is provided with multiple partitioning walls containing many penetration holes.

27. The ecological restoration block according to claim 18, wherein the body further has a first notch, which is open upward at a position opposite the first cell.

28. The ecological restoration block according to claim 27, wherein the first notch is provided with a fifth migration channel connected with the first cell.

29. (canceled)

30. (canceled)

31. The ecological restoration block according to claim 12, wherein inflow holes are arranged to be staggered relative to inflow holes formed in an adjacent internal partitioning wall in order to lengthen a water-flowing channel.

Patent History
Publication number: 20100290842
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 14, 2009
Publication Date: Nov 18, 2010
Inventor: Eul-Jae Cho (Gyeongbuk)
Application Number: 12/812,614
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Shoring, Bracing, Or Cave-in Prevention (405/272)
International Classification: E02B 3/14 (20060101); E02D 29/02 (20060101); E02B 3/04 (20060101);