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

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.

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; andan 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, andsand 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.