Beach Maintenance System
A system and method for maintaining and/or reclaiming sand or stone levels of a beach or shoreline for the purpose of mitigating erosion. The beach maintenance system preferably includes a series of support members, flexible webbing stretched between each support member, an anchoring system, and a discharge system. Primary support members preferably form a line generally orthogonal to the shoreline. Preferably, this array of support members spans from a point inland from the high tide line to a point further into the water than, the low tide boundary. In addition to support members running perpendicular to the shoreline, smaller arrays of support, members are preferably aligned generally parallel or tangent to the first array. Preferably, each of this group of arrays span the shoreline such that there is a series of webbing groups running parallel to the shoreline.
This non-provisional patent application claims the benefit of an earlier-filed provisional patent application. The provisional application was assigned serial number 62/016,771. It was filed on Jun. 25, 2014.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTNot Applicable
MICROFICHE APPENDIXNot Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of maintaining and preventing erosion of beaches and shorelines. More specifically, the invention comprises a series of support members with a flexible, porous barrier, such as webbing, running between each support member in order to accrete sand, pebbles, and other natural materials in transport due to wind or wave energy.
2. Description of the Related Art
Beaches and shorelines around the world are an integral part of human society. Beaches serve as natural attractions, foster tourism, and contribute to economies, as well as provide protection for critical ecosystems and valuable property. Local and greater economies, such as cities and even states, depend greatly on the presence of beaches, and the associated natural environments. These coastal environments are critical in protecting and maintaining coastal and aquatic systems, to support habitats and food chains, tourism, storm protection, and recreation.
Shorelines and beaches are greatly endangered due to several different factors. Coastal erosion, being an ever present threat, has increased due to natural influences such as rising sea levels and storm events, as well as, due to human interference such as seawall construction, beach sand mining, and overdevelopment.
Currently, approximately forty percent of the worlds' population lives within 100 kilometers of the coast. Therefore, it is critical that an innovative, natural solution be found to help mitigate the impacts of coastal erosion in a manner that is compatible and works in conjunction with the natural environment.
Previous methods of beach restoration or coastal protection, such as dredging, hauling in non-native sand, seawalls, or riprap were not effective over time, were costly, and sometimes caused extensive ecological damage.
Due to tidal and climatological influences, coastal regions are very dynamic. Technology such as dredging or hauling in non-native sand is costly and does little to mitigate the overall impact of erosion. The proposed system mitigates the impact of erosion by reclaiming native sand lost to local systems.
Therefore, what is needed is a system which allows for maintenance of beaches utilizing a sustainable, soft technology consisting of a non-permanent structure and webbing that is installed parallel and perpendicular to the shoreline, and works in conjunction with nature and its processes. The present invention achieves this objective, as well as others that are explained in the following description.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention comprises a system and method for reclaiming and/or maintaining sand, stone, or natural materials, natural or indigenous to beaches or shorelines affected by erosion. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the beach maintenance system includes a series of support members, flexible webbing stretched between each support member, an anchoring system, and a discharge system. One arrangement of support members preferably forms a line generally orthogonal to the shoreline. Preferably, this array of support members spans from a point above the high tide line (inland from the high tide line) to a point beyond the low tide line (further into the water at various distances), sometimes extending to oceanic ridges, according to project design. Webbing stretches between each support member in order to capture or recapture natural materials in transport, which are suspended in the water or air, and are caused to fail out of suspension when, wind or wave load is reduced as a result of encountering the perpendicular line of support members and webbing, ultimately causing the natural/indigenous material to accrete in a native formation, pattern or slope ratio, in addition to support members running perpendicular to the shoreline, smaller arrays of support members are preferably aligned generally parallel or tangent to the shoreline (perpendicular to the first line of support members). These parallel arrays are attached to the orthogonal array at various locations along the first array. The smaller arrays are utilized to capture or recapture wind-blown or water-spray sand, which falls out of suspension when, encountering the smaller array, and accretes in a native formation or pattern.
Preferably, each of this group of arrays span the shoreline such that there is a series of webbing groups running parallel to the shoreline. Thus, the series of perpendicular arrays of support members and webbing facilitates an accretion, of sand, pebbles, and other natural materials in order to maintain the structure of the beach, preserve habitats, and mitigate erosion.
The system is modeled after nature, both in structural, design and processes. Specifically, the system is modeled after the function of mangrove roots, creating a support structure which naturally accretes sand and protects critical habitats. This system also emulates the natural pattern that coastal systems follow in accretion and erosion processes, it reclaims native sand transported and lost off-shore in storm events. Over a great length, of time the system eventually migrates and repopulates a beach. However, this system works with nature to speed recovery processes which occur following periods of disturbance. Because this system is not a permanent structure, and is flexible in nature, the “soft” groynes are extended off-shore to the nearest sand ridge before, during, or after periods of disturbance. This soft solution to coastal erosion works with natural processes occurring as a result of severe weather, and is deployed or removed to capitalize on natural conditions in order to recapture native sand sources, quickly rebuilding beaches, and protecting habitats and property. Additionally, this system works with and allows nature to build the beach in a natural formation, or slope ratio.
Given that coastal erosion is an ongoing, permanent influence on mankind and critical ecosystems, it is important that a sustainable solution be found.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS10 beach maintenance system
12 accretion array
14 primary accretion array
16 oceanic ridge
18 low tide boundary
20 high tide boundary
22 secondary accretion array
24 support member
26 support line
28 webbing
30 anchoring line
32 beach
34 buried end
36 natural particulate materials
38 extended array
40 extended support member
42 eyebolt
44 water spray
46 body of water
48 sand
50 reservoir
52 reservoir tubing
54 valve
56 pump
58 nozzle array
60 nozzle
62 new beach level
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides a maintenance system to be used for the accretion of sand, small pebbles, and other natural materials on a beach.
In addition to primary array 14, accretion array 12 preferably includes secondary accretion array 22. At least one secondary accretion array 22 is preferably attached to each primary accretion array 14. Secondary accretion array 22 is attached to primary array 14 whereby an angle between 0 and 180 degrees is formed. Preferably, secondary arrays 22 are perpendicular (90 degree angle) to primary array 14 and vary in length, as illustrated. The details of each array are discussed in further detail in the subsequent text.
While anchoring line 30 maintains the structure of webbing 28 proximate beach 32, support line 26 and support members 24 preferably keep webbing 28 upright. Although webbing is shown in a horizontal configuration, the webbing can also be configured diagonally or lattice-like in design. Preferably, webbing 28 is attached to support line 26. In addition, support line 26 is preferably connected to the upper end (hot buried end) of support member 24. Those familiar with the art will note that there are multiple means which can be used to attach support line 26 to support member 24. One such technique is to mount eyebolts to the top end of each support member 24. Then, support line 26 is preferably inserted through each eyebolt which would keep support line 26, and consequently, webbing 28 upright. The eyebolts may be threaded into support member 24 or preferably manufactured integral to the support members.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, support line 26 is fabricated from a heavy duty, corrosive-resistant material. Preferably, webbing 28 is constructed from cotton, nylon, plastic, or another flexible, interwoven, porous material that is capable of withstanding a harsh, environment such as large, crashing waves of seawater. The porosity of webbing 28 can be optimized depending on the maintenance site and other research acquired by the installers of the system. In addition, support member 24 is preferably constructed from a strong, corrosion-resistant material such as galvanized steel, in fact, those familiar with the art will realize that it is important for most materials which are used in beach, maintenance system 10 to be able to withstand a certain level of corrosion and harshness in the environment. The reader will note that much of beach maintenance system 10 is submerged underwater during the accretion process. Thus, it is preferable to provide corrosive-resistant materials for the system, especially in the case of oceanic beaches which are exposed to seawater.
The reader will note that
In addition to extended array 38,
Once the user is satisfied with the level of accumulated sand and natural materials, beach maintenance system 10 is ready to be removed. In order to remove accretion array 12 more easily, anchoring line 30 is tilled, with pressurized water. Filling anchoring line 30, and in this case the discharge line, with pressurized water can be achieved in several ways.
The preceding description contains significant detail regarding the novel aspects of the present invention. It should not be construed, however, as limiting the scope of the invention but rather as providing illustrations of the preferred embodiments of the invention. Thus, the scope of the invention should be fixed by the following claims, rather than by examples given.
Claims
1. A beach maintenance system for mitigating erosion on a beach which includes an oceanic ridge, a shoreline, a low tide boundary, and a high tide boundary, comprising:
- a. at least one primary accretion array, including, i. at least a first support member and a second support member, each having a first end and a second end, ii. a support line attached to said first end of said support members, iii. an anchoring line proximate said second end of said support members, iv. wherein said support line spans from said first support member to said second support member and from said second support, member to any additional support members, v. webbing connecting said support line to said anchoring line, vi. wherein said anchoring line and said support line maintain said, webbing in a generally planar alignment, vii. wherein said second ends of said support members are driven into said beach;
- b. wherein said at least one primary accretion array is generally perpendicular to said shoreline;
- c. at least one secondary accretion array attached to said at least one primary accretion array, including, i. at least one secondary support member having a first end and a second end, ii. a secondary support line attached to said first end of said at least one secondary support member, iii. a secondary anchoring line proximate said second end of said secondary support member, and iv. webbing connecting said secondary support line to said secondary anchoring line.
2. The beach maintenance system of claim 1, wherein said secondary array forms an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 180 degrees with said primary accretion array.
3. The beach maintenance system of claim 1, further comprising at least one extended accretion array, including:
- a. an extended support member having a first end and a second end,
- b. wherein said first end of said extended support member is attached to said first end of said support member of said primary array and extending upwards therefrom,
- c. an extended support line,
- d. wherein said extended support line is attached to said second end of said extended support member, and
- e. webbing attached to said extended support line.
4. The beach maintenance system of claim 1, wherein said support line is attached to said support members by inserting said support line through a series of eyebolts mounted to said top end of said support members.
5. The beach maintenance system of claim 1, wherein said anchoring line is steel.
6. The beach maintenance system of claim 1, wherein said anchoring line is comprised of tubing.
7. The beach maintenance system of claim 6, wherein said anchoring line is fluidly attached to a reservoir.
8. The beach maintenance system of claim 7, wherein said reservoir is capable of releasing an amount of water to fill said anchoring line.
9. The beach maintenance system of claim 6, wherein said anchoring line is fluidly attached to a pump.
10. The beach maintenance system of claim 9, wherein said pump is capable of pumping an amount of water into said anchoring line.
11. A beach maintenance system for mitigating erosion on a beach which includes an oceanic ridge, a shoreline, a low tide boundary, and a high tide boundary, comprising:
- a. at least one primary accretion array, including, i. at least a first support member and a second support member, each having a first end and a second end, ii. a support line attached to said first end of said support members, iii. an anchoring line proximate said second end of said support members, iv. wherein said support line spans from said first support member to said second support member and from said second support member to any additional support members, v. webbing connecting said support line to said anchoring line, vi. wherein said anchoring line and said support line maintain said webbing in a generally planar alignment, vii. wherein said second ends of said support members are secured to said beach.
- b. wherein said at least one primary accretion array is generally perpendicular to said shoreline;
- c. at least one secondary accretion array attached to said at least one primary accretion array, including, i. at least one secondary support member having a first end and a second end, ii. a secondary support line attached to said first end of said at least one secondary support member, iii. a secondary anchoring line proximate said second end of said secondary support member, iv. webbing connecting said secondary support line to said secondary anchoring line,
- d. wherein said secondary array forms an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 180 degrees with said primary accretion array;
- e. at least one extended accretion array, including, i. an extended support member having a first end and a second end, ii. wherein said first end of said extended support member is attached to said first end of said support member of said primary array and extending upwards therefrom. iii. an extended support line, iv. wherein said extended support line is attached to said second end of said extended support member, and v. webbing attached to said extended support line.
12. The beach maintenance system of claim 11, wherein said support line is attached to said support members by inserting said support line through a series of eyebolts mounted to said top end of said support members.
13. The beach maintenance system of claim 11, wherein said anchoring line is steel.
14. The beach maintenance system of claim 11, wherein said anchoring line is comprised of tubing.
15. The beach maintenance system of claim 14, wherein said anchoring line is fluidly attached to a reservoir.
16. The beach maintenance system of claim 15, wherein said reservoir includes a valve capable of releasing an amount of water to fill said anchoring line.
17. The beach maintenance system of claim 14, wherein said anchoring line is fluidly attached to a pump.
18. The beach maintenance system of claim 17, wherein said pump is capable of pumping an amount of water into said anchoring line.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 25, 2015
Publication Date: Dec 31, 2015
Inventor: Linda Parker (Carrabelle, FL)
Application Number: 14/750,167