AU2017202097A1 - Erosion resistant device and method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

An erosion resistant device 10 comprising a frame 20, a front wall 30, an inclined ramp 40 and a lining material 52. The erosion resistant device 10 is for protecting 5 waterside features from water, wind or sand erosion. The device 10 includes: (1) the frame 20 that defies an interior 50 and a material lining 52. The frame 20 has a low front wall 30 and a high rear structure 26 such that a ramp 40 mounted above the front wall 30 and the rear structure 26 extends from the top 23 of the front wall to the top 29 of the rear structure 26 at an upward incline from the front to the rear. The material 0 lining 52 is placed around and over the frame 20 and permits ingress and egress of water and air, but retains coarse sand particles 54 in the interior 50. The device 10 is adapted to receive and retain a deposit of sand 54 or another weighty substance in the interior 50. 5 Fig. 1 25 14a r _ Fig. I

Description

EROSION RESISTANT DEVICE AND METHOD THEREFOR

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to an erosion resistant device and method for implementing same. More particularly, this invention relates to an erosion resistant device for addressing problems of erosion in sand landscapes and a method for implementing same.

BACKGROUND ART

The following references to and descriptions of prior proposals or products are not intended to be, and are not to be construed as, statements or admissions of common general knowledge in the art. In particular, the following prior art discussion should not be assumed to relate to what is commonly or well known by the person skilled in the art, but to assist in the inventive process undertaken by the inventor(s) and in the understanding of the invention.

Previous attempts to address erosion of vegetation on beaches and associated sand depletion have included flexible mesh joining laterally laid wooden slats that tend to bind the sand and create a physical, resistant ground base. Other methods include concrete landscaping, rock walls and staggered, normally timber sleeper, barriers. However, such efforts do not facilitate vegetative growth and tend to replace the natural landscape, rather than preserve and develop it.

An object of the present invention is to ameliorate the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative thereto.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

The invention according to one or more aspects is as defined in the independent claims. Some optional and/or preferred features of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

Accordingly, in one aspect of the invention there is provided:

An erosion resistant device for protecting waterside features from water, wind or sand erosion, including: a frame defining an interior and having a low front wall and a high rear structure such that a ramp mounted above the front wall and the rear structure extends from the top of the front wall to the top of the rear structure at an upward incline from the front to the rear; and material lining around and over the frame that permits ingress and egress of water and air, but retains coarse sand particles in the interior, the device being adapted to receive and retain a deposit of sand or another weighty substance in the interior.

In another aspect, the invention provides: A method of manufacture of an erosion resistant device comprising the steps of: a) assembling a frame defining an interior and having a low front wall and a higher rear structure; b) lining the frame with a material that permits ingress and egress of water and air, but retains coarse sand particles in the interior; c) mounting a ramp to the top of the frame, whereby the ramp is inclined upwardly.

The method may further include depositing sand or another weighty substance in the interior to provide an eco-friendly weight for the frame.

In still another aspect, the invention provides: A method of installing an erosion resistant device according to the above statements, the steps including: i) providing a section of terrain between a source of erosion and a preservation area to be restored, protected or developed; ii) lining the rear of the front wall with one or more sheet of material and placing one or more sheets of material above a base of the frame; iii) placing the frame of the erosion resistant device in the section such that the front wall faces the source of erosion; and iv) partially or wholly filling the interior with a weighty insoluble material.

With further preference, step iii) of the above method of installation may comprise: x) digging a trench along the section of terrain between the source of erosion and the preservation area to be restored, protected or developed; and y) placing the erosion resistant device in the trench such that the front wall faces the source of erosion.

The sequencing of steps ii) and iii) is reversible or interchangeable.

The method may still further include, in step iii), screeding off the top of the weighty material and then mounting the ramp above the front wall and the rear structure.

FRAME

The frame may be made of timber or some other eco-friendly material. The timber structure may comprise timber beams, struts, boards, slats and ribs, or other timber elements, that may be joined by preferably rust-resistant fasteners, such as stainless steel or galvanised bolts or nails. The device may be formed from steel or aluminium, and may be welded or bolted together. The frame may be formed by being moulded or cast, and may be blow-moulded. However, preferably the frame is formed from timber.

The frame’s sides may be open structures that support the lining material extending across the frame’s sides. The open structures may provide an avenue of low resistance for egress of water that enters the interior.

FRONT WALL

The front wall is preferably formed from one or more solid panels. The front wall may comprise panels or boards that span the frame’s sides. The front wall may provide a barrier that deflects water sideways or up the ramp. The front wall may be a solid wall with minimal or no gaps.

REAR WALL

The rear wall may include substantially upright posts that extend upright between the rear end of the base of the frame and the rearmost end of joists adapted to support the ramp. The rear structure is therefore generally open between the upright posts.

However, as the interior is filled with weighty material such as sand, the weighty material may partially or wholly fill the interior and form a continuous mound extending through the rear plane of the rear structure.

RAMP

The ramp may comprise a panel or board. The ramp may comprise slats in longitudinal or lateral alignment. The ramp may be an open structure with gaps between parallel-aligned members. The ramp preferably comprises a plurality of timber boards aligned longitudinally) front to back. The ramp may include lateral ribs. The lateral ribs may extend proud of a ramp body. The ribs may interfere with or disrupt water and air flow travelling front to back. The ribs may reduce the velocity and momentum of water and air flow, breaking up the source of erosion before it reaches the preservation area.

The ramp may extend beyond the rear structure. The ramp may extend significantly beyond the rear structure. The ramp’s inclination may remain constant through the section between the front wall and rear structure, and beyond the rear structure. The ramp may be curved in concave fashion, so that a rear portion has a steeper incline than a front portion. The ramp may be stepped upwardly at a constant or graded incline. The ramp may be convex and may provide a smooth transition from a rear ramp area to the preservation area, such that the rear ramp area is just above, or at about the same level, as the preservation area.

LINING MATERIAL

The lining material is preferably a mesh with a gauge adapted to retain standard sized sand particles found at the beach. Sand particle sizes can vary, depending on prevailing environment and climatic conditions. Preferably the gauge is sufficient to retain sand particles in the range greater or equal to 500pm. The lining material is preferably adapted to provide an eco-friendly weight for the frame.

The lining material may be a geotextile. The lining material may be a non-woven membrane. The geotextile material may be Bidim™ and information on that product may be found at www.geofabrics.com.au. Bidim™ is a nonwoven needle punched geotextile made from polyester. It is available in 6m wide rolls and may be used to provide separation, filtration, protection or reinforcement. Applicant has found that geotextiles are effective to retain sand particles in the interior, whilst permitting ingress and egress of fluids, such as water or air. As time goes on the lining material merges with the natural environment as sand, debris, roots and other vegetable matter inculcate the material’s fibres.

Preferably, one or more sheets of lining material are applied to the rear of the front wall. Preferably, one or more sheets of lining material are placed above a base of the frame.

MODULAR LIKE DEVICES

The device may be modular. The device may be attachable to like devices. Like devices may be installed side by side. A plurality of devices may be installed in series to form an elongate erosion resistant installation. Adjacent like devices may be attached by adhesive, twine, welding or fasteners. Alternatively, adjacent like devices may rest side by side and be kept substantially in place by filling the interior with sand to weigh them down.

The device may be between 1 and 4m, preferably 2 - 3m, and most preferably about 2.4m, in length (corresponding to the length of the front wall. Multiple devices may be joined in series together, end on end. Multiple devices may be spaced end to end from each other about 10mm - 2m, preferably 1 - 1.5m, and most preferably 1.2m, apart.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be better understood from the following non-limiting description of preferred embodiments, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic and sectional end view of an erosion resistant device according to one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a frame component shown in Fig.l; and

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the frame of Fig. 2 together with a lining material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred features of the present invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it is to be understood that the features illustrated in and described with reference to the drawings are not to be construed as limiting on the scope of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown:

An erosion resistant device 10 comprising a frame 20, a front wall 30, an inclined ramp 40 and a lining material 52. The erosion resistant device 10 is for protecting waterside features from water, wind or sand erosion. The device 10 includes: (1) the frame 20 that defines an interior 50 and a material lining 52. The frame 20 has a low front wall 30 and a high rear structure 26 such that a ramp 40 mounted above the front wall 30 and the rear structure 26 extends from the top 23 of the front wall 30 to the top 29 of the rear structure 26 at an upward incline from the front to the rear. The material lining 52 is placed around and over the frame 20 and permits ingress and egress of water and air, but retains coarse sand particles 54 in the interior 50. The device 10 is adapted to receive and retain a deposit of sand 54 or another weighty substance in the interior 50.

FRAME

Prior to installation, the frame 20 is formed using timber components 21,22,24,26,28 joined by fasteners, including nails, screws or bolts. Each portion of the frame 20 substantially lies in a single substantially vertical or upright plane extending normal to front plane F and a rear plane R that a front wall 30 and a rear structure 26, respectively, lie in. Each frame 20 portion is laterally joined by timber boards or panels 32a,b forming the front wall 30. A lower section of the frame 20 is formed by a base beam 28, a pair of spaced upright front and rear stud members 22,26a, and a horizontal beam 24 extending front to rear and bridging between the joins 23,25 at the upper ends of the vertical studs 22,26a. The front join 23 at the front end of the upper horizontal beam 24, the front vertical stud 22 and the front end of the base beam 28, may each be fastened to the front wall timber boards 32a,b.

The plurality of timber boards 32a,b extend laterally between frame portions 20 and are vertically stacked adjacent and abutting one another. Alternatively, the front wall 30 may consist of a single board. The front wall 30 advantageously forms a solid barrier, resisting the influx of water into an interior 50 defined by and between the lower sections of the frame 20 portions.

The rear structure 26 consists of a the lower vertical column 26a that may terminate at the rear join 25, or may extend in a single post member substantially vertically upwardly in the form of an upper section 26b. The upper end of the upper section 26b may support a joist member 21 at its upper extent or intermediate its length. Alternatively again, the vertical posts members 26a,b may be separate members vertically joined end on end.

RAMP

The joist 21 is set at an inclined angle Θ of between 10 and 60° and all the ranges in between, preferably 20 - 40° and all the ranges in between, and most preferably about 25 - 35°, and in the embodiment shown about 30°. The angle of inclination Θ of the joist 21, and consequently the ramp 40 that is mounted thereupon, is to some extent dependent on the existing landscape and the natural gradient of the ground into or onto which the frame 20 may be installed. Steeper gradients will necessarily require a greater angle of inclination θ so that the ramp’s 40 angle of inclination Θ generally follows the ground’s 14a,b gradient. Furthermore the angle of inclination Θ of the ramp 40 may be greater where predicted tidal heads and/or wave forces are greater.

The ramp 40 may rearwardly extend beyond the rear structure 26 whereby to absorb predicted tidal heads and/or wave forces at the higher end of the range. The rearward extreme edge of the ramp may extend up to or near to a zone of vegetation in a preservation area 16. Ideally, the ramp does not block the midday sun from the vegetation in the preservation area 16.

The ramp includes a plurality of laterally aligned boards 42 alternatingly interposed by timber members 44 that are upstanding on their respective edges to present baffles or ribs above the line of the laterally aligned boards 42. The upstanding members 44 are adapted to interrupt the flow of tidal, wind or wave propelled water, sand or wind up that would otherwise affect the preservation area 16. The upstanding members 44 may be shaped variously and may stand more proud of the boards 42 at the lower end of the ramp and may be gradually reduced in height relative to the boards 42 as the ramp inclines upwardly.

The upper extension section 26b of the rear structure 26 supports the joist 21 at the top 29 of the rear structure 26. The ramp 40 may have an extension 46 that extends rearwardly beyond the plane R of the rear structure 26. The extension 46 may be set at the same or a slightly increased or decreased angle of inclination relative to the angle of inclination Θ. The extension’s 46 angle of inclination may be increased relative to the angle of inclination Θ where the terrain rearward of the rear structure 26 is steep and it is preferable that the extension 46 not interrupt or interfere with the vegetation in the preservation area 16. Alternatively, the preservation area may plateau rearward of the rear structure 26, whereby a flatter extension with a smaller angle of inclination is desirable. The extension 46 is optional. The ramp may rearwardly terminate at the top 29 of the rear structure 26.

INSTALLATION

Installation of the erosion resistant device 10 includes the steps of: a) assembling the frame 20 defining the interior 50 between the low front wall 30 and the higher rear structure 26 as shown Fig. 2; b) as shown in Fig. 3, lining the frame 20 with the material 52 that permits ingress and egress of water and air, but retains coarse sand particles 54 in the interior 50. The lining material 52 is draped over the joists 21 and the base 28, A sheet or sheets of material 52 extend from the base 28 and up the interior of the front wall 30 to line the interior side of the front wall 30; and c) mounting the ramp 40 to the top of the frame 20, whereby the ramp 40 is inclined upwardly from the front to the rear as shown in Fig. 1.

The method may further include depositing the sand 54 or another weighty substance in the interior 50 to provide an eco-friendly weight for the frame 20. The interior 50 may be partially or entirely filled with sand 54. The sand 54 is ideally screed in line with the inclined joists 21 before the ramp 40 is mounted to the frame 20.

The method of installing the erosion resistant device 10 may also include the steps of: i) providing a section of terrain between a source of erosion and a preservation area 16 to be restored, protected or developed (eg. between the planes R and F); ii) lining the rear of the front wall 30 with one or more sheets of material 52 above the base 28 of the frame 20 or between the beams of the base 28; iii) before or after step ii), placing the frame 20 in the section such that the front wall 30 faces the source of erosion approaching along the ground section 14a in the direction 12; and iii) partially or wholly filling the interior 50 with the weighty material 54.

With further preference, steps i) and iii) of the above method of installation may comprise: x) forming a trench 18 along a section of terrain between a source of erosion and the preservation area 16 to be restored, protected or developed; y) placing the frame 20 of the erosion resistant device 10 in the trench 18 such that the front wall 30 faces the source of erosion and preferably lies below the ground level surface of the terrain 14a; and z) partially or wholly filling the frame’s interior 50 with sand 54 or stone and optionally screeding the top layer of sand 54 in line with the inclined joists 21.

Step ii) may include lining the front and base of the interior the interior 50 by attaching the lining 52 to a top portion of an inside surface of the of the top front board 32b extending the roll or sheet of material 52 laterally across a first of the front studs 22 and attaching the material 52 along its length to the top portion of the inside surface of the upper board 32b. The material may then be extended around the next front stud 22 and further attached to an end portion of the top board 32b. The material 52 may be in the form of a rolled out sheet material that loosely covers the reverse side of the front wall 30, and extends between the horizontal beams of the base 28.

The gap between the rear studs 26a may be left open and the sand 54 or other weighty material may partially or wholly fill the interior 50 and spill passed the rear structure 26, forming a continuous connection and material mass with the preservation area 16.

DEFINITIONS AND CFARIFICATIONS

In this specification, the term “interior” 50 is taken to mean the space defined by the frame 20, the front wall 30 and the ramp 40. The interior 50 may comprise the space between the lining 52 draped or stretched atop and/or between the beams of the base 28, the front wall 30, the lining 52 draped between the inclined joists 21, and the substantially upright plane in which the rear structure 26 stands, although the latter may open to the rear and may provide no physical barrier between the posts of the rear structure 26.

Throughout the specification and claims the word “comprise” and its derivatives are intended to have an inclusive rather than exclusive meaning unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise. That is, the word “comprise” and its derivatives will be taken to indicate the inclusion of not only the listed components, steps or features that it directly references, but also other components, steps or features not specifically listed, unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise.

In the present specification, terms such as “apparatus”, “means”, “device” and “member” may refer to singular or plural items and are terms intended to refer to a set of properties, functions or characteristics performed by one or more items or components having one or more parts. It is envisaged that where an “apparatus”, “means”, “device” or “member” or similar term is described as being a unitary object, then a functionally equivalent object having multiple components is considered to fall within the scope of the term, and similarly, where an “apparatus”, “assembly”, “means”, “device” or “member” is described as having multiple components, a functionally equivalent but unitary object is also considered to fall within the scope of the term, unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise.

Orientational terms used in the specification and claims such as vertical, horizontal, top, bottom, upper and lower are to be interpreted as relational and are based on the premise that the component, item, article, apparatus, device or instrument will usually be considered in a particular orientation, typically with the ramp 40 uppermost.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations may be made to the methods of the invention described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (5)

1. The Claims defining the invention are as follows:

   1. An erosion resistant device for protecting waterside features from water, wind or sand erosion, including: a frame defining an interior and having a low front wall and a high rear structure such that a ramp mounted above the front wall and the rear structure extends from the top of the front wall to the top of the rear structure at an upward incline from the front to the rear; and material lining around and over the frame that permits ingress and egress of water and air, but retains coarse sand particles in the interior, the device being adapted to receive and retain a deposit of sand or another weighty substance in the interior.
2. 2. A method of manufacture of an erosion resistant device comprising the steps of: a) assembling a frame defining an interior and having a low front wall and a higher rear structure; b) lining the frame with a material that permits ingress and egress of water and air, but retains coarse sand particles in the interior; c) mounting a ramp to the top of the frame, whereby the ramp is inclined upwardly.
3. 3. The method according to Claim 2, further including the step of depositing sand or another weighty substance in the interior to provide an eco-friendly weight for the frame.
4. 4. A method of installing an erosion resistant device according to Claim 1, the steps further including: i) providing a section of terrain between a source of erosion and a preservation area to be restored, protected or developed; ii) lining the rear of the front wall with one or more sheet of material and placing one or more sheets of material above a base of the frame; iii) before or after step ii), placing the frame of the erosion resistant device in the section such that the front wall faces the source of erosion; and iv) partially or wholly filling the interior with a weighty material.
5. 5. The method according to Claim 4, wherein steps i) and ii) respectively include: x) forming a trench along a section of terrain between a source of erosion and the preservation area to be restored, protected or developed; y) placing the frame of the erosion resistant device in the trench such that the front wall faces the source of erosion and preferably lies below the ground level surface of the terrain; and z) partially or wholly filling the frame’s interior with sand and optionally screeding the top layer of sand in line with the inclined joists.