Abstract: The erosion control blanket of blocks comprises a plurality of concrete blocks having a preselected configuration and being joined to adjacent blocks of the configuration by at least one of a plurality of embodiments of a reinforcing lattice structure. Individual blankets may be joined together to create a desired configuration for a substrate covering. Provision of the blocks in a blanket configuration provides a process of laying the blocks with attached lattice which is time and labor saving.

Abstract: Concrete blocks are formed with intersecting grooves in the underside thereof which assume aligned condition when the blocks are assembled into side by side relationship to form panels. Polymer or welded wire grids are received within the aligned grooves to hold the blocks in the panel configuration. The grids are held in elevated seated condition within the grooves during assembly of the blocks into the panel configuration. Stands or wire connectors may be provided for the latter purpose. In the preferred embodiment the blocks are L-shaped and formed with passages extending therethrough and the grooves intersect these passages. Grout or fill may be placed within the passages of the assembled panels. In certain embodiments, the blocks may be disposed in side-by-side relationship and stacked to form retaining walls for earthen formations, with rods received within the grooves of the blocks to hold the blocks in alignment and the grids extending from the blocks to serve as soil reinforcements.

Abstract: A bag that self-closes from pressure of material insertable into the bag comprising (A) an openable overlapping elastic structure in which an innermost elastic material is disposed to completely cover an opening in the bag; and (B) an outermost elastic material disposed to completely overlap the innermost elastic material.

Abstract: Multiple sections of grid-like sheet material extend centrally through a thickness of a plurality of staggered rows of concrete panels to form a geomattress of unlimited dimensions. The sheet material preferably includes a plurality of parallel strands and perpendicular, intersecting bars. At least one bar extends within each concrete panel in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the concrete panel to add strength to the formed geomattress and aid in lifting of the geomattress by the sheet material. The geomattress is formed by placing a section of sheet material above bottom mold halves filled with concrete and then filling top mold halves positioned above the sheet material with concrete. Gaps formed between adjacent rows of staggered panels and tapered sidewalls of the panels allow bending of the geomattress to aid in lifting the geomattress and to conform to a limited extent to the contour of the area onto which the geomattress is placed.

Abstract: An erosion control block of octagonal shape, having a pair of arms extending from a peripheral side edge thereof, and a pair of cavities formed in the block with openings to the peripheral side edge. The block interlocks with other similar blocks and provides an effective interlocked matrix of such blocks. The arms have enlarged ends that loosely fit within the cavities, thereby allowing rotation about a vertical axis of one block with regard to another block. When two blocks are interlocked and rotated to the fullest extent, peripheral edges of the blocks abut, thereby placing a radial tension strain on the neck of the arm, rather than a lateral strain, thereby reducing the possibility of breakage of the arms.

Abstract: A system of concrete blocks is provided for use as a revetment for preventing soil erosion in which individual blocks are sized and shaped to be cable interconnected to form a matrix or mats. The matrix or mat or blocks overlies and holds in place a layer of porous and permeable geo-textile overlying the protected soil area. The shape of the individual blocks is such as to permit growth of vegetation therethrough and to channel water flowing over the surface of the blocks to increase the downward pressure on the geo-textile layer.

Abstract: An interlocking grid matrix system is adapted for placement over terrain for use as a revetment. The grid matrix system includes a plurality of substantially identical revetment blocks which are interconnected to allow for omnidirectional movements relative to each other. Each revetment block includes a precast grid body having a first major surface, a second major surface, and an edge extending between the major surfaces to define a periphery for the grid body. The grid body further includes a plurality of spaced ears which are joined to and extend from the edge and a plurality of locking channels disposed inwardly of the edge between the ears. Each channel opens to each major surface and the edge and is specifically configured to releasably interlock with an ear of an adjacent grid body such that movement in any direction is permitted between adjacent revetment blocks while maintaining an interlocking relationship therebetween.

Abstract: A beach stabilizer for minimizing erosion of sand and soil is disclosed. The device comprises a plurality of elements having first and second spaced apart surfaces on opposite sides of a center plane extending therethrough. The elements are interconnected to form at least one string and are arranged on a surface defined by the sand so that the center planes of adjacent elements are disposed in transverse relation to each other. At least one vertical pile is partially submerged in the sand and is associated with the at least one string so as to permit vertical adjustment while maintaining the location of the at least one string on the sand.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there is provided an erosion barrier, and revetments made therefrom, for reducing erosion of shoreline and building shoreline including a plurality of vehicle tires connected together by cables to form a mat or mesh which may be placed along a shoreline or the bottom of the marsh or sea.

Abstract: An articulated, predominantly concrete mat. Discrete, concrete blocks conforming generally to rectangular solids are arranged in a grid, preferably a rectangular grid. A geogrid of a type capable of being handled in one piece by itself is embedded in each block. In a preferred form, the geogrid is a flexible, one-piece sheet of oriented, polymeric material. In an alternative form, the geogrid is a weave of flexible, discrete straps of oriented, polymeric material that are joined where they intersect. Each block has a hole extending therethrough and communicating with an aperture of the geogrid.

Abstract: An anti-scouring device for preventing scouring of the bed of a flowing stream at an upstream or downstream location proximate a dam has a plurality of rows of concrete members, positioned in the direction of flow of the stream, on the bed of the stream. The concrete members have a base and at least one downwardly extending penetrating member which secures the member to the bed. The concrete members may have downwardly extending legs and upwardly extending retention posts and be linked together in the rows by a flexible linkage. Or, the concrete members may have downwardly extending intersecting webs to serve in securing the members to the bed. Methods for forming the anti-scouring device on the bed are also provided.

Abstract: A stair-like revetment structure is formed by using sloping blocks. At the rear end of the block main body having an approximately rectangular and a rearwardly sloping flat step are provided rear engagement pods opening like a wedge at the rear of the main body and front engagement pods having an approximately same shape as the rear engagement pods extending adjacent a concave portion at the center bottom of the front of the main body, the concave portion being provided between the front and the rear engagement pods. This results in a low cost simplified sloping block structure.

Abstract: A block for a revetment is disclosed. It comprises a square-shaped block member having a slant under-surface, leg members having the same height and provided at four corner portions of the slant under-surface of the block member, a through hole formed at a central portion of an upper-surface of the block member all the way down to the under-surface thereof, a concave groove having a generally half dimension as that of the through hole and formed on both left and right side portions of the block member, a recess formed on both front and rear surface portions at locations spaced apart by 1/4 of the length of the block member from the left and right sides respectively and an iron reinforcing bar buried in the block member and projecting within the recess.

Abstract: A flexible blanket for protection or stabilization of underwater structures and pipe lines, unstable beds and embankments, comprising a plurality of segments (1) arranged in one or more layers (10) each one segment in height, the segments of the or each layer (10) being disposed substantially contiguously at least at a median zone (2) of their height dimension, each segment (1) tapering substantially regularly from a maximum cross section at said medium zone (2) to a minimum cross section at one or both ends thereof, and each segment being so bonded to each adjacent segment in the region of their respective median zones that the segments are held substantially contiguously but are free to pivot relative one to another about the bond in so far as is permitted by said taper, the arrangement of the tapers being such that each segment is capable of pivoting with more than one degree of freedom.

Abstract: An erosion control revetment and wall made from preformed blocks which are secured to elongate support members by interlocking sleeves. The block is formed with transversely extending slots which extend from the top end to the bottom end of the block and have an enlarged opening on the top end for receiving a tubular sleeve which encircles the elongate support members. The outer diameter of the sleeve is snugly received within the enlarged opening, but is larger than the width of the remainder of the slot, preventing unintended removal of the block from the support member. The elongate support members may be semi-rigid rods or cables. The revetment is formed from alternating rows of blocks which are offset by one elongate support member relative to blocks in adjacent rows. Alternatively, the blocks may be assembled into a wall having vertically aligned blocks or blocks which are offset relative to one another in adjacent rows.

Abstract: Each disc of a plurality of strings of concrete discs is pinned at opposite edges to a connecting link, a link between adjacent discs to form a chain. Alternate discs in the string lie substantially in the same plane, adjacent discs lying in intersecting planes. The discs stand on edge to prevent substantial erosion of soil from one side of the string to the other.

Abstract: A jacket for protecting rope, cable, chain or other connecting means used to interconnect blocks, grids or other forms in a revetment structure. The protective jacket comprises tubing which extends in substantially continuous form through the revetment structure and surrounds the connecting means and protects it from abrasion, as well as from degradation and deterioration caused by contact with water, salt sand, ice, sunlight and ultraviolet light, and other components of the environment.

Abstract: A structure for protecting a bank against erosion, the structure including a plurality of sacks of cementitious material which are positioned in side-by-side relationship to form a protective skirt; and a plurality of staples having arms which are impaled into adjacent sacks to connect them together, the staples being resiliently deformable for the protective skirt to be capable of articulation for accommodating ground movement and scouring.

Abstract: The erosion control system of the present invention typically includes at least first and second primary elements each having at least three sides and a height H. Each primary element includes a truncated conical aperture located in alignment with the midsection of each side and set back into the interior of each primary element. The conical aperture includes a lower diameter d.sub.1 and an upper diameter d.sub.2 less than d.sub.1. A link interconnects the first and second primary elements and includes a height h<H. The link includes first and second truncated conical end sections each having a lower diameter d.sub.3 .ltoreq.d.sub.1 and an upper diameter d.sub.4 .ltoreq.d.sub.2. The conical side surfaces of the end sections are oriented generally parallel to the conical side surfaces of the apertures of the primary elements. A strut is coupled to the first and second end sections of the link to maintain a fixed distance between the end sections.

Abstract: A revetment protecting coasts and structures thereon against erosion from waves and flowing water. The revetment comprises a plurality of heavy and thick plate bodies (1a-1d) located side by side and directly on the inclined surfaces of the coast. Each plate body comprises at a first pair of opposite ends hinge pins (1', 1") for a flexible securing of the plate body (1d) to the adjacent plate body (1c). Furthermore, the plate body comprises a plurality of substantially vertical water penetration holes (4', 4") as well as two hinge openings (2', 2") located at a second pair of opposite ends of said body. The hinge openings are shaped in such a manner that they beyond penetration of water also may receive pins (1', 1") of the adjacent plate bodies (1a). In this manner a revetment is obtained which is water-permeable, coherent, appropriately heavy and flexible, and which furthermore in an easy manner may be mounted by unskilled persons.

Abstract: An apparatus for aligning and loading inserts for soil erosion prevention blocks having a rollable main frame with an insert holder frame movably coupled thereto. Secured within the insert holder frame is an aligning frame which receives the inserts and aligns them in the desired manner. The inserts are supported within the insert holder frame by a plurality of hooks affixed to movable rods, such rods preferably tied together such that the rods may be moved simultaneously, causing the hooks to release the inserts uniformly.

Abstract: This invention consists of a flexible type of concrete guard against the erosion of soil by flowing waters and wave action. It consists of rows of comparatively small, identical concrete blocks which form rectangular sections which are placed upon the ground surface which has previously been covered with a filter cloth. The said blocks are held together by a continuous wire cable which is embedded centrally in each block, and which passes through each row of blocks, forming a small loop as it leaves one of said rows to enter its next adjacent row, by means of which one section can be joined with the other, and pinned to the ground.

Abstract: A cellular precast grid and mat for use as revetment. The grid, which may typically be cast of concrete, is substantially rectangular, having a flat bottom and, in its middle, two optional vertical openings of rectangular cross section with two inwardly sloping sides. The grid also has two vertical U-shaped channels on each longer opposed side and a two-tier vertical channel on each shorter opposed side, which vertical channel can accept projecting portions of the shorter side of two like grids positioned in abutting relationship, thereby permitting arrangement of grids into revetment of abutting staggered interlocking rows of grids. The grids may be individually placed with or without interconnecting pins or may be interconnected into mats by passing cables through tunnels passing horizontally through the grids parallel to the longer sides.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for use in controlling soil erosion comprising a matrix of cellular concrete blocks, having foliage growth passageways therethrough, and held together by a series or system of cables or the like passing through internal passageways within each block. The cables are anchored into the ground to retain the blocks in position.

Abstract: A wall comprising concrete blocks each having a longitudinally extending, wedge-shaped groove in one side thereof, the groove communicating with a pair of bores that extend through the block. The block is molded in a hollow shell or frame open at its top and bottom, the frame removably mounting a support from which depends a pair of cores by means of which the block bores are formed. Associated with the frame is a compactor and ejector member having at its lower end a base adapted to be accommodated snugly within the frame and having on its lower surface elongate, wedge-shaped grooving means that forms the groove in the block. The grooving means is longitudinally slotted to accommodate the core support and the grooving means and the base also are bored to accommodate the cores.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a system for depositing and protecting sediment on the floor of a body of water by means of an elongated plate-like structure which includes a pair of opposite longitudinally extending side portions and a center portion therebetween with upper surfaces of the longitudinally extending side portions being in diverging relationship to each other in a direction toward the floor of a body of water, and means are provided for at least partially overlying the longitudinally extending side portions and projecting laterally therebeyond for protecting the same from damage due to dragging ship's anchors, fishing gear, and the like.