Patent Application
20220106747
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for passive sand dune construction.
Sand dunes are critical to the ecological and physical safety of many seaside environments. Sand dunes allow flora and fauna to grow with some protection. Sand dunes provide privacy to beach homeowners. And sand dunes help mitigate damage from catastrophic coastal storms, like hurricanes.
In particular, many types of wildlife, including animals and vegetation, depend upon well-developed sand dunes in order to survive. For example, turtles incubate their eggs in sand dunes. It is obvious to most that a well-developed sand dune is required for sea turtle procreation. In addition, recently it has been discovered that the presence of microplastic microfibers in sand making up sand dunes can affect the temperature of the sand and therefore in turn affect the habitat of animals such as sea turtles. Plastic has a higher specific heat than natural sand particles. Since the incubation temperature of sea turtles is instrumental in determining a sex ratio of sea turtle hatchlings, it is important to have homogenous sand that has a low concentration of plastic microfibers.
Sand dunes form naturally when wet sand is deposited along the coast and dries out. Dunes traditionally form where the beach is wide enough to allow for the accumulation of wind-blown sand. While dunes erode over time, they are also replenished over time.
Sand dunes can also be created artificially. There are two prevailing methods to do so. The first is to plant certain fauna that tend to make blown sand stay in place. The second is to build a fence that lets sand into a predefined area but does not let it out.
The fences known in the art tend to be permanently placed, slatted fences. These may be deployed in a variety of patterns, such as sawtooth waves. However, they are semi-permanent, create unappealing eyesores for beach goers and interfere with animal life.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a methods and apparatus for creation of sand dunes in specific designated areas with portions of sand with relatively higher homogeneity of natural sand particle.
A first step in constructing the sand dune is to determine and designate one or more areas on which a dune is to be constructed. This determination may be based upon the presence or absence of an active or inactive turtle population, desired flora content, or the needs of other wildlife in the area. Designate one or more areas on which dune is to be constructed.
Once a desirable location is determined, wind direction in that area should be monitored for general trends or specific time periods. This may be determined by, for example, placing a weathervane blade on top of a fence post in an area proximate to the location in which a dune is to be constructed. An anemometer may also be deployed where a wind intensity is desired to be obtained.
In some embodiments, based upon the wind direction, a fence panel may be arranged at a desired angle relative to the wind direction. In some embodiments, this angle may be perpendicular or 0-89.99 degrees. A pattern of panels may then be arranged. This pattern may include a single layer or multiple layers. Where multiple layers are used, these may be at the same or different angles to wind depending upon a desired shape of a dune. By using multiple layers, specific areas of diminished air speed may result, thus creating specifically tailorable patterns of sand.
The size of openings in the fence may also be tailored to wind speed or to the distance sand particles should travel after passing through the fence. In addition, multiple layers of fence panels may have different sized openings to trap sand particles between the panels. Moreover, depending upon the location, the nearby sand may have larger or smaller sized or weighted particles. Accordingly, the relative weight of sand particles may be considered in choosing the placement of fence panels in relation to the area in which to create sand dunes. In some embodiments, the dunes may be supplemented by plastic fiber or artificial sand particles, which may have a different weight and effect on local flora and fauna than natural sand.
After creating one sand dune, more sand dunes may be created in an area. This may be used, for example, to provide protection for turtles against natural predators. For instance, patterns of sand dunes may be used to protect cover from crows and seagulls (compared to the amount of cover that would be available on a beach). Similarly, sophisticatedly placed sand dunes could nurture various flora that could also provide cover from crows or seagulls.
In some embodiments, fences erected in accordance with the present invention may remain proximate to the created sand dune for short, medium, or long terms of engagement. In such embodiments, it may be desirable to suspend fence posts off of ground to allow turtles to pass underneath. A color-coded flag may be placed on a fence post to indicate the relative height of the lowest panel. (For example, a red flag may indicate a relatively low opening between the fence and the sand, while a green flag may indicate a relatively high opening.). This may also be necessary to ensure compliance with local rules during, for example, turtle mating seasons.
A fence post may be configured to support several panel heights for the fence. Moreover, these fences may be stacked to adjust for wind speed or a rate at which a sand dune should be built. For example, a higher fence will capture more sand particles. The fence may be stacked to adjust an amount of protection provided by fence panels from sea wind, which contain salt and sand.
Fence panel slats may be of a material suitable to capture freshwater moisture in the air. They may also collect fresh water to nature plants located proximately to the fence. In some embodiments, the panels may be curved to achieve this purpose.
The construction of the sand dunes may be accomplished via deployment of mobile fence portions that may easily be carried an installed by an able bodied person without the need of special machinery. The mobile fence portions may include a plurality of cross-hatched planks. According to the present disclosure, a set of cross-hatched sand wall planks are attached to a lateral stability bar and a plurality of vertical stability bars. The vertical stability bars may be planted into the ground to create a temporary sand wall apparatus. This allows for ad hoc creation of sand dunes.
In some embodiments, a plurality of these sand wall apparatus may be movably connected to generate a sand passthrough profile. Additionally, in some embodiments, the angles on the cross-hatching pattern of the sand wall planks may be movably adapted. Together, these improvements allow a user to determine a location for a sand dune and adjust the apparatus based on local environmental conditions, such as a volume of sand or a wind velocity.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several embodiments of the disclosure. Together with the description, these drawings serve to explain the principles of the disclosure:
The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for using a sand dune apparatus to construct a sand dune. The sand dune apparatus is a generally portable, cross-hatched fence, having a top, lateral stability bar to hold the cross-hatched planks and a pair of vertical stability bars for securing the fence into the ground.
In the following sections, detailed descriptions of examples and methods of the invention will be given. The description of both preferred and alternative examples, though thorough, are exemplary only. It is understood that, to those skilled in the art, various, modifications, and alterations may be apparent. The examples do not limit the broadness of the aspects of the underlying invention as defined by the claims.
Other sand wall planks 111 may extend diagonally from lateral stability bar 101 and extend through to vertical stability bar 102. These sand wall planks 111 may be attached to vertical stability bar 102, be removably attached to vertical stability bar 102, or simply rest at a location proximate to vertical stability bar 102.
Additional sand wall planks 111 may originate from other sand wall planks 111, rather than to lateral stability bar 101. These may also terminate at ground plane 120 or at vertical stability bar 102 (or a location proximate thereto). A first sand wall plank 111 may be fixably, movably, or removably attached to a second sand wall plank 111 to allow for additional stability.
Vertical stability bars 102 may be fixedly or removably attached to either end of lateral stability bar 101. Vertical stability bars 102 may extend to ground plane 120 or beyond ground plane 120, to allow the sand dune apparatus 100 to be mounted in sand. In some embodiments, the distal end of the vertical stability bar 102 (i.e., the end away from the lateral stability bar 101) may take various shapes that may be useful in helping mount sand dune apparatus 100. For example, the distal end of vertical stability bar 102 may be substantially shaped like a spike or a peg to allow the end to penetrate the ground. In some embodiments, one or more secondary stability bars may be attached to vertical stability bars 102 (or on lateral stability bar 101 or on one or more sand wall planks 111) extending downward at an angle (and in a direction substantially perpendicular to the lateral stability bar 101) to bolster the stability of sand dune apparatus 100 once it is mounted. In some embodiments, the stability of sand dune apparatus 100 may be further secured by burying an anchoring structure proximate to the desired location of sand dune apparatus 100 (such as a piece of plywood), extending secondary stability bars to the anchoring structure, and securing the secondary stability bars into the anchoring structure by means of, e.g., bolts or screws.
In exemplary embodiments, each of the lateral stability bar 101, vertical stability bars 102, and sand wall planks 111 may be comprised of materials appropriate for outdoor, humid conditions. For example, the material may be wood (including a water-treated wood), plastic, PVC, or other similar outdoor-resistant material. The material may be organic to prevent accidental harm to wildlife. In some embodiments, the material may be semi-permeable to allow some quantities of sand to get through the sand dune apparatus 100 without endangering the structural integrity of sand dune apparatus 100. The material may be flexible to allow for dynamic adjustment of a sand passthrough profile based upon wind or other environmental factors. For example, sand wall planks may be made of a stiff but flexible material, such as the vinyl or PVC draft curtains used to regulate airport luggage dispensing.
The cross-hatching of sand wall planks 111 creates a plurality of sand wall holes 112. The size of sand wall holes 112 may be adjusted by varying θ. It may be desirable to adjust the size of sand wall holes 112 based on one or more of: weather conditions, granularity of sand, volume of sand to be collected, sturdiness of mount achieved by vertical stability bars 102, wind conditions, aesthetic considerations (such as a desirability of a view of an ocean), or other similar factors.
While some embodiments of sand dune apparatus 100 may come prefabricated, other embodiments may allow for ad hoc adjustment of angle 0. For example, in one embodiment, one or more sand wall planks 111 may be joined to lateral stability bar 101 by means of a sliding mount. In some embodiments, some of these sand wall planks 111 may also be joined to other sand wall planks 111 by another sliding mount for additional flexibility. As another example, the horizontal or vertical stability bars may include one or more receiving slots for receiving connecting pegs attached to sand wall planks, to allow sand wall planks to be attached according to the necessities of a given situation, such as existing sand depth, wind conditions, shore conditions, and other geographical considerations. In some embodiments, additional sand wall planks 111 may be added to create layers of planks. These additional planks may be at the same or different angles to the wind depending upon a desired shape of a dune. By using multiple layers, specific areas of diminished air speed may result, thus creating specifically tailorable patterns of sand.
In some embodiments, fences erected in accordance with the present invention may remain proximate to the created sand dune for short, medium, or long terms of engagement. In such embodiments, it may be desirable to suspend fence posts off of ground to allow turtles to pass underneath. A color-coded flag may be placed on vertical stability bar to indicate the relative height of the lowest panel. (For example, a red flag may indicate a relatively low opening between the fence and the sand, while a green flag may indicate a relatively high opening.). This may also be necessary to ensure compliance with local rules during, for example, turtle mating seasons.
Referring now to
A benefit of the paired sand dune apparatus 200 is shown in
In contrast, by placing a rear sand dune apparatus 212 at a short, downwind distance away from front sand dune apparatus 211, additional filtration of sand may occur. In the embodiment shown in
While
Referring now to
Stabilization loop 302 may principally comprise a U-bolt. A U-bolt is a bolt shaped like the letter U, having a threaded portion on both ends. An inside diameter and inside height of the U-bolt should be chosen to allow for the creation of a channel through which a vertical stability bar 102 may pass. Depending on the application, more or less room within the U for which the vertical stability bar 102 may move may be desirable. A first pair of nuts 302A may be threaded onto each end of the U-bolt, along with a bolt plate. Two or more nuts 302A allow the nuts to lock against each other and hold the U bolt 203 at a set distance from a surface of the stability bar and/or the dunes apparatus.
In the embodiment shown in
In some applications, vertical stability bars 102 may be planted in the ground (comprising sand or other foundational material), and the remaining components of the stabilized sand dune apparatus 300 may be placed on top of vertical stability bars 102. This deployment may be simplified with the embodiment shown in
Referring now to
Referring now to
As shown in
A fence post (i.e., a vertical stability bar) may be configured to support several panel heights for the fence. Moreover, these fences may be stacked to adjust for wind speed or a rate at which a sand dune should be built. For example, a higher fence will capture more sand particles. The fence may be stacked to adjust an amount of protection provided by fence panels from sea wind, which contain salt and sand.
Referring now to
Angled sand dune apparatus 600 may be desirable for deployment in areas with unusual or uneven sand or wind patterns. It may also be desirable for deployment in areas with unique sheltering needs for flora and fauna. For example, on rockier costs, angled sand dune apparatus 600 may be deployed to create sheltered sand dune coves for local flora and fauna.
Referring now to
At this stage, the spacing and curvature of the bars and panels should be determined based upon a desired deployment. For example, greater spacing and curvature may be desirable where a purpose of the sand dune is to provide shelter for young sea turtles. Differing heights for the sand dune apparatus may be desirable to assist in the propagation of certain vegetation, or, additionally, to protect inland structures from the corrosive effects of particles borne by the wind from the sea.
The location may also take into consideration wind speed, direction, and other tendencies. These may be measured by, for example, placing a weathervane blade on top of a fence post in an area proximate to the location in which a dune is to be constructed. An anemometer may also be deployed where a wind intensity is desired to be obtained.
At step 702, vertical stability bars are attached to a lateral stability bar (having a plurality of sand wall planks attached thereto in a substantially cross-hatched pattern) to assemble a sand dune apparatus. In some embodiments, angles between the sand wall planks may be adjusted to create or modify a sand passthrough profile. A sand passthrough profile can determine a rate, quantity, or pattern of sand that can be blown by the wind (or other natural forces) through the sand wall apparatus. In some embodiments, one or more of the vertical stability bars may be attached to the lateral stability bar by passing the vertical stability bar through a stabilization loop, as described above. In some embodiments, the vertical stability bars may be placed at an appropriate distance apart at the location, and the rest of the sand dune apparatus may be attached thereto. In such embodiments, this attachment may be achieved by passing the vertical stability bars through stabilization loops (as shown in
In some embodiments, additional sand wall planks may be added to create layers of planks. These additional planks may be at the same or different angles to the wind depending upon a desired shape of a dune. By using multiple layers, specific areas of diminished air speed may result, thus creating specifically tailorable patterns of sand.
The size of openings in the fence may also be tailored to wind speed or to the distance sand particles should travel after passing through the fence. In addition, multiple layers of fence panels may have different sized openings to trap sand particles between the panels. Moreover, depending upon the location, the nearby sand may have larger or smaller sized or weighted particles. Accordingly, the relative weight of sand particles may be considered in choosing the placement of fence panels in relation to the area in which to create sand dunes.
The lateral stability bar, vertical stability bars, and sand wall planks may be made of material suitable for outdoor, humid deployment, such as wood or PVC. In addition, the sand wall planks can be made of more or less malleable material to dynamically adjust the rate, quantity, or pattern of sand that can be blown by the wind based upon the wind speed or other environmental factors. (For example, sand wall planks may be made of a stiff but flexible material, such as the vinyl or PVC draft curtains used to regulate airport luggage dispensing.)
In some embodiments, one or more secondary vertical stability bars may be attached to vertical stability bars (or on lateral stability bar or on one or more sand wall planks) extending downward at an angle from the vertical stability bar (and in a direction substantially perpendicular to the lateral stability bar) to bolster the stability of sand dune apparatus once it is mounted.
Optionally, at step 703, step 702 is repeated for a second sand dune apparatus. The first and second sand dune apparatus may be joined together with a connecting apparatus to allow for an adjustment of an alignment between the first and second sand dune apparatus.to modify the sand passthrough profile.
At step 704, the sand dune apparatus (or the first and second sand dune apparatus, if step 703 was completed) is mounted into the ground using the vertical stability bars at the location determined in step 701. The appropriate mounting depth for the vertical stability bars may be based on one or more of: type of ground (e.g., sand versus gravel), anticipated wind speed, anticipated sand transport speed, height of surrounding sand dunes (i.e., the vertical sand transport profile), etc. In some embodiments, the vertical stability bars may be secured in the ground by concrete, wet sand or an ecologically friendly, temporary mounting structure, or secondary stability bars. The secondary stability bars may be secured by attaching them to an anchoring apparatus buried in the ground near the location for sand dune construction, such as by bolting the secondary stability bars to a piece of plywood buried in the ground proximate to the location for sand dune construction.
Once mounted, the sand dune apparatus may serve to catch a certain proportion of sand blown in the direction of the sand apparatus. The sand may then fall on the ground proximate to the sand dune apparatus and begin accumulating. Over time, a sand dune will begin to form in a profile generally based upon the configuration of the sand dune apparatus.
In some embodiments, fences erected in accordance with the present invention may remain proximate to the created sand dune for short, medium, or long terms of engagement. In such embodiments, it may be desirable to suspend fence posts off of ground to allow turtles to pass underneath. A color-coded flag may be placed on a fence post to indicate the relative height of the lowest panel. (For example, a red flag may indicate a relatively low opening between the fence and the sand, while a green flag may indicate a relatively high opening.). This may also be necessary to ensure compliance with local rules during, for example, turtle mating seasons.
At step 705, once the sand dune has reached one or more desired goals, the sand dune apparatus may be removed. A desired goal may include, without limitation, a height of the sand dune, a planar expanse of a sand dune, a quality of sand in the sand dune, a concentration of a type of sand in the sand dune, ecological activity in the sand dune, a stabilization of geographical features proximate to the sand dune, or any other reason for which the location was chosen for sand dune construction. In some embodiments, the dune may be supplemented by plastic fiber or artificial sand particles, which may have a different weight and effect on local flora and fauna than natural sand.
After creating one sand dune, more sand dunes may be created in an area by repeating this method from step 701. This may be used, for example, to provide protection for turtles against natural predators. For instance, patterns of sand dunes may be used to protect cover from crows and seagulls (compared to the amount of cover that would be available on a beach). Similarly, sophisticatedly placed sand dunes could nurture various flora that could also provide cover from crows or seagulls.
Conclusion
Several embodiments of the present disclosure have been described. While this specification contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any disclosures or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular embodiments of the present disclosure. While embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein by way of example using several illustrative drawings, those skilled in the art will recognize the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments or drawings described. It should be understood the drawings and the detailed description herein are not intended to limit the present disclosure to the form disclosed. Instead, the present disclosure is meant to encompass modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of embodiments of the present disclosure, as defined by the appended claims.
The headings used herein are for organization purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word “may” is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the word “include” (and derivatives thereof) means including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures.
The phrases “at least one,” “one or more,” and “and/or” are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B, and C,” “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, or C,” and “A, B, and/or C” means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B, and C together.
The term “a” or “an” entity means one or more of that entity. As such, “a”/“an,” “one or more,” and “at least one” are used interchangeably herein. Additionally, “comprising,” “including,” and “having” can be used interchangeably.
Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in combination in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination an, in some cases, be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or a variation of a sub-combination.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63088104 | Oct 2020 | US |
