Adjustable porous groynes and method for shoreline reclamation

• US 5,720,573 A
• Filed: 01/03/1996
• Issued: 02/24/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 01/03/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Beach Reclamation Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Beach Reclamation Incorporated
• Inventors: Beggs, Thomas J. IV, Spencer, L. Clay, Benedict, Charles E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Taylor, Dennis L.
• Application Number:
  US08/582,253
• Time in Patent Office: 783 Days
• Field of Search: 405/52, 405/21, 405/60, 405/63, 405/70, 405/71, 405/72, 405/32, 256/40, 256/23
• US Class Current: 405/21
• CPC Class Codes: E02B 3/04 Structures or apparatus for, or methods of, protecting banks, coasts, or harbours E02B1/003 takes precedence; sealing or joints E02B3/16

Abstract

A method for shoreline reclamation which includes utilizing groyne structures including stanchions to which are mounted at least one porous screen and wherein the screen is vertically adjustable as material is deposited during the reclamation process.

Claims

1. A method of reclaiming land along a shoreline or offshore by causing the deposit and retention of particulate material utilizing a plurality of spaced groynes, each groyne including a plurality of spaced stanchions which support at least one screen means having upper and lower portions and side edges, and the at least one screen means being elevatable with respect to material being deposited and wherein the screen means is formed having a plurality of openings therethrough through which water will flow and cause the particulate material to deposit but which are of the size to prohibit passage of larger solid material carried in tidal currents comprising the steps of:

a) placing the stanchions in spaced relationship relative to one another extending from the shoreline or offshore;

b) mounting the at least one screen means to the spaced stanchions so that the lower portion thereof is engageable with the shoreline or offshore to thereby create a buildup of newly deposited solid materials adjacent the lower portion thereof;

c) preserving the buildup of newly deposited solid materials by periodically elevating at least the lower portion of the at least one screen means so that the lower portion thereof is maintained substantially at the height of newly deposited solid materials.

2. The method of claim 1 in which said lower portion of said at least one screen means is elevated by gathering the lower portion vertically upwardly toward the upper portion.

3. The method of claim 2 including guiding said edges of the at least one screen means vertically upwardly along the stanchions as the lower portion is elevated.

4. The method of claim 1 in which said lower portion of said at least one screen means is elevated by winding said upper portion about a horizontally extending support structure.

5. The method of claim 4 including guiding said edges of the at least one screen means vertically upwardly along the stanchions as the lower portion is elevated.

6. A porous groyne for shoreline and offshore reclamation comprising:

a plurality of spaced stanchions, at least one screen means supported between said stanchions, said screen means having an upper portion and a lower portion and having a plurality of openings therein through which water and some suspended solids may pass, means for supporting said screen means relative to said stanchions and elevating means for periodically elevating said lower portion of said screen means relative to said stanchions so that the lower portion thereof is maintained substantially at the height of newly deposited solid materials.

7. The porous groynes of claim 6 in which said elevating means includes at least one horizontal support member mounted between said stanchions, said upper portion of said screen means being secured to said support means, and drive means for rotating said support means to thereby wind said screen means about said support means.

8. The porous groyne of claim 7 in which said driving means includes locking means for retaining said lower portion of said screen means in an elevated position.

9. The porous groyne of claim 6 in which said elevating means includes at least one horizontal support member mounted between said stanchions, drive means for rotating said at least one said support member, and at least one funicular member connecting said support member to said bottom portion of said screen means whereby when said drive means rotates said at least one support member, said funicular member will be wound about said support member, thereby raising said lower portion of said screen means.

10. The porous groyne of claim 9 in which said driving means includes locking means for retaining said lower portion of said screen means in an elevated position.

11. The porous groyne of claim 9 in which said at least one support means includes at least one take-up reel mounted to a rod, said at least one funicular member being wound about said at least one take-up reel.

12. The porous groyne of claim 11 including guide means mounted about each of said spaced stanchions, said at least one funicular member having a first end portion mounted about a first take-up reel means and a second end portion mounted to a second take-up reel means and an intermediate portion extending through said guide means and along said lower portion of said screen means.

13. The porous groyne of claim 11 in which said driving means includes locking means for retaining said lower portion of said screen means in an elevated position.

14. The porous groyne of claim 6 including a pair of opposing channel members extending along said stanchions in opposite orientation with respect to one another, said screen means including a frame having opposite side frame elements, said opposite side frame elements being guided by said opposing channel members whereby said screen means may be vertically raised relative to said stanchions.