Artificial reef
OwnerDavid A. Van Doreninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An artificial reef of lightweight construction employs a dome-shaped, thin-walled enclosure of plastic material having apertures therein to permit acquatic life to enter and exit. The enclosure has a circular perimeter that is provided with a circumferential trough integrally formed with the enclosure. At a staging area adjacent the installation site, concrete ballast is poured into the trough to form a perimetrical weight which holds the reef in position on the desired underwater surface. The construction allows the reef to be installed from the surface of the water by releasing it over the site and permitting it to parachute downwardly through the water until it comes to rest.
Claims8
An artificial reef for enhancing aquatic habitat comprising:
- a hollow, relatively lightweight enclosure presenting a shell-like wall having a plurality of apertures therein to allow aquatic life to enter and exit the enclosure,
- said enclosure further having a perimeter presenting a base adapted for overlying engagement with an underwater supporting surface, and
- weight means on said base for maintaining said enclosure at a desired location on said surface, whereby to sink said enclosure and secure it in place,
- said base including a relatively lightweight trough projecting radially from said enclosure, receiving said weight means and extending around said perimeter to provide an annular footprint on said surface to hold the reef in place.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.