Protectable device and method for protecting same

Abstract

An apparatus comprising a corkscrew, a substantially flexible shaft operably attached to said corkscrew at a first end of the shaft, and one or more projections extending from the shaft between said first end of the shaft and a second end of the shaft. Methods of using the apparatus are also disclosed.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] (CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 232,759, filed August 13, 2021, and the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 307,220, filed February 7, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. [Background technology]

[0002] Erosion caused by hydraulic scouring of material and sediments has significant impacts on rigid structures such as bridges, submerged supports, pipelines, cables, and ecological areas such as marshes, marshes, and / or wetlands, deltas, beaches, barrage islands, riverine environments, coastal areas, and low-lying cities.

[0003] Additionally, increasingly powerful storm surges are stripping and eroding coastlines, affecting the quality of life and economic activity of coastal communities that depend on the coastal economy, and vulnerable communities are more likely to suffer flooding and / or seawater intrusion due to loss of beaches and dunes.

[0004] Increased flooding from storm surges is causing greater damage to infrastructure and loss of life.

[0005] Additionally, valuable wetland habitat is being degraded by erosion from the edges of cordgrass, marsh grasses, and other plant species, leading to habitat loss and economic losses due to the collapse of both commercial and recreational fisheries.

[0006] Typically, rigid structures are used to prevent or reduce the amount of abrasion, but these rigid structures have many drawbacks, including being totally ineffective, tending to have unintended consequences such as accelerating or redirecting scouring, disrupting ecosystems including preventing species migration, and being difficult to transport and install / remove due to their weight. Traditional "hard" coastal erosion controls such as piers, groins, revetments, and breakwaters are becoming ineffective and unsupported.

[0007] Sand replacement, referred to in the industry as "beach nourishment," is the current response to beach loss, but this strategy has many negative drawbacks, including: (a) nourishment is expensive; (b) beaches are unavailable to the public during beach replenishment, resulting in beach closures and economic losses; (c) adequate quality replacement sand is increasingly difficult to obtain; (d) replacement sand particles are different in size, shape, composition, or color from the existing naturally occurring sand, resulting in adverse ecological effects; (e) the added sand is less stable than naturally occurring sand, resulting in accelerated erosion and the need for continued replenishment; and (f) offshore sand nourishment by dredging destroys marine life at the dredging site and destroys coastal life where and when the sand is deployed, adversely affecting and dramatically altering coastal ecosystems, coral reefs, offshore habitats, and commercial and recreational fisheries.

[0008] What is desired is a device that overcomes these shortcomings and is easier to transport, install, reposition, and / or remove with minimal tools and cost.Embodiments of the present disclosure provide devices and methods that address the above needs.

[0009] Additionally, what is needed is protection from storm surge intrusion into low-lying cities, communities, and vulnerable areas, where storm surge containment is necessary to limit damage to infrastructure and prevent loss of life. The disclosed device can be utilized to absorb and break up wave energy, acting as a limiting force against penetrating waves. The disclosed device can be installed in multiple ways, including torqued into sediment layers, bolted into hard substrates, screwed into plates, welded, inserted into sleeves, attached to temporary structures, etc., to create a flexible limiting barrier against storm surge and wave penetration.

[0010] Additionally, there is a need for an apparatus and method for mitigating wetland and shoreline edge erosion.

[0011] Additionally, an apparatus and method for protecting vulnerable seedling plantings during thin-lay planting projects is desired. The apparatus and method of the present disclosure may include a variety of flags and / or predator decoys to discourage eating of the new seedling plantings.

[0012] Additionally, what is needed is an apparatus and method for protecting the sediment added to a shoreline during beach replenishment until it has been substantially stabilized by compaction by natural processes.

[0013] Additionally, what is needed is an apparatus and method for accumulating and retaining sediment and releasing the sediment by change of position at higher or predetermined water flow velocities to increase and / or affect sediment loading in sediment diversion projects.

[0014] Additionally, what is needed is an apparatus and method that accumulates and holds sediment in a given area and releases it by changing position at higher or faster water velocities to allow for the sweeping of sediment through areas where sediment should be avoided, such as harbors, wharves, shipping channels, etc.

[0015] Additionally, what is needed is a method and apparatus for preventing the scraping and / or accumulation of sediment on an ocean, river, lake, or seabed.

[0016] Additionally, what is needed are devices and methods that can affect the direction of hydraulic flow, for example, by creating uneven water flow pressures. The devices and methods can create uneven water flow pressures, which can cause the water to flow to areas of lower pressure and resistance, resulting in mixing of the water column.

[0017] Additionally, what is needed are devices and methods for capturing, retaining and accumulating windblown sand or sediment to facilitate the formation of dunes or mounds at desired locations. These methods and devices can be of various heights, can form substantially rounded hill-like structures of various shapes and sizes, and can be arranged singly or in arrays to produce desired lengths and / or profiles and structures.

[0018] Additionally, what is needed is an apparatus and method for protecting unstable sand, whether newly applied or not, from wind erosion.

[0019] Additionally, what is needed are devices that can accumulate windblown sand to form dunes. Once the deposits are deposited, these devices can be repositioned by releasing the torque, adjusting upwards or sideways, allowing additional deposits to accumulate, providing fine control over the height and shape of the dunes.

[0020] Additionally, what is needed is an apparatus and method for capturing, retaining and accumulating waterborne sediments that flow into basins for wetland, marsh and land creation purposes.

[0021] Additionally, what is needed are devices that can be deployed in small or large numbers to act as absorbent breakwater fields, similar to "constructed wetlands," to mitigate storm surges through hydraulic energy absorption.

[0022] Additionally, what is needed is a device that can be easily deployed and re-deployed to create crevices, chambers, or pockets that act as artificial reef-like habitats providing nurseries, predator refuges, etc. for nektonic and sedentary species.

[0023] Additionally, what is needed is a device that can reduce turbidity in large bodies of water by trapping sediment flowing through estuaries, streams, and rivers that flow into these bodies of water. Increased turbidity due to increased waterborne sediment flowing into oceans, seas, sounds, etc., adversely affects flora and fauna.

[0024] Additionally, what is needed is a relatively easily installed and removed device that may serve as an attractive medium and habitat for wild oyster pedivellage attachment. These devices may be driven into estuaries or marine sediments in bodies of water where free-swimming wild oyster larvae are present and relatively abundant. Once the oyster larvae have attached to the oyster larvae accumulation / habitat device, the device remains in place until the oyster larvae are firmly established on the overhang. The entire device is then removed and relocated to another location where it can be reintroduced into the environment. When spawning of collected oysters and / or wave and storm surge mitigation are the objectives, this second location may be in an area where the presence of oysters and / or oyster reefs are desired for commercial oyster production, water filtration, cleaning, turbidity reduction, pollution remediation, creation of oyster-based ecosystems, seeding of new wild oyster populations.

[0025] Additionally, what is needed is a device that includes chambers, gaps, and / or pockets that can be relatively easily and reliably attached to cliff faces in loose sediment form to hold naturally deposited sediment or to be manually filled with sediment and / or plant growth media. The structure of the device can provide structural stabilization that allows vegetative growth on this sediment media. The resulting flora feeds its root system into the existing cliff face, anchoring and / or binding the existing sediment source, acting to mitigate and / or prevent erosion, landslides, and / or landslides. Once the vegetation has stabilized, the device can be removed and reused to secure another area. Alternatively, these devices can be manufactured from bioplastics, biodegradable plastics, mycelium plastics, or other degradable materials, allowing the coils to be reused in a new location while the frame structure is disassembled. Multiple devices can be driven into the cliff escarpment to form a lattice-like storage space. The completed installation is subjected to slurry hydroseeding. The germinated flora feeds its root system into the loose sediment and binds the source.

[0026] Additionally, what is needed is a relatively lightweight, portable breakwater device that can be relatively easily installed, removed, and / or relocated. Traditional breakwaters are immovable rocks, stones, concrete, or similar heavy materials designed to withstand wave forces while influencing wave trajectories. The disclosed device may be substantially hollow and constructed of any suitable material, including holes, such that the internal cavity is at least partially filled with water. The device may include at least one vertical tunnel hole that allows at least one corkscrew device to pass through the device. A flange on top of the coil may be larger than the diameter of the tunnel hole, such that the corkscrew device and breakwater device configuration are maintained. A torquable head may be attached to the flange, and the coil may be torqued and driven into the body of water to install, such that the breakwater device may remain substantially fixed for extended periods of time.

[0027] Additionally, what is needed is an apparatus with one or more horizontal shafts that can move vertically on another shaft such that the one or more horizontal shafts remain above the water level in which the apparatus is located as the water level changes, and these one or more horizontal shafts can reduce wave and / or current energy in the water in which the apparatus is located.

[0028] Additionally, what is needed are preferably replacement protrusions that are removable from the shaft and can be replaced with other replacement protrusions when the original replacement protrusions, or the protrusions originally installed, become worn and / or damaged and / or do not function as desired due to interaction with the environment.

[0029] These replacement protrusions may be formed of any suitable material, such as a substantially flexible woven material.

[0030] Additionally, what is needed are floating platforms that include and / or are coated with biota attractant materials, such as calcium-containing materials, carbonate-containing materials, or calcium carbonate-containing materials. These floating platforms can be secured to the bottom of the body of water, or if two or more floating platforms are included, they can be connected to each other. The floating platforms are buoyant to float within the water column and can affect wave energy as waves pass through the water column. These floating reefs can provide a platform for shellfish, such as mussels and oysters, which can provide aquaculture and food for fish and other species, re-establishing the natural species balance.

[0031] Additionally, what is needed is a device that includes a current generating mechanism, such as a triboelectric device (TENGS), that can generate power through the influence of kinetic energy from wind and / or water moving a portion of the device.

[0032] Additionally, what is needed is a device that can be attached to bridge foundations, river or marine structural foundations, turbines and drilling platforms, etc. to mitigate hydraulic scour. These devices absorb hydraulic energy by bending, creating friction, creating chaotic water currents, and interrupting the flow of water.

[0033] Additionally, what is needed is a device that can be deployed by ship or barge to prevent hydrodynamic scour that can lead to undermining of pipelines and cables below the seafloor. The absorbent overhangs function to accumulate sediment and mitigate erosion. Deployed by ship or barge, these devices have a pointed bottom and stabilizing flanges that sink to the seafloor and passively embed to mitigate scour undermining and prevent conduit rupture. Summary of the Invention

[0034] The present disclosure relates to an apparatus comprising a corkscrew, the apparatus including a substantially flexible or inflexible shaft, the shaft operably attached to the corkscrew at a first end of the shaft, and one or more flexible or inflexible protrusions extending from the shaft between the first end of the shaft and a second end of the shaft.

[0035] The methods and apparatus disclosed herein can be implemented and operated for many different applications and results. In this section, a discussion of some of the possible impacts is provided.

[0036] Modifying and controlling hydrodynamic water flows:

[0037] The device of the present disclosure is capable of generating hydraulic regulation. 1. The device of the present disclosure may be installed in or on sand, mud, soil, riverbed, riverbank, beach, shoreline, ocean bottom, or other terrestrial substrate. i. The device of the present disclosure can be driven into a substrate by applying a torque (such as to the top bolt cap) which is transferred through the shaft of the device to a coil with a sharp bottom tip. Twisting the device can cause the coil to spiral into the substrate, securing the device in place. ii. The devices of the present disclosure may also be installed on a substrate by various types of mechanical attachments to piles, columns, pedestals, footings, foundations, rock formations, breakwaters, concrete embankments, or other types of structural supports, which themselves are secured to the substrate of interest by other typical means. iii. The device of the present disclosure can be attached to a weighted base, placed on the surface of the water, submerged in a river or lake bed, ocean or sea bed and held in place by the weighted base and stabilizing flanges. 1. In some embodiments, flexible dynamic members are attached to weighted pointed bases. These can be deployed in desired areas by lowering into the water from a ship or barge. 2. The weighted pointed assembly sinks to the bottom of the water or ocean, anchors itself and functions accordingly. 3. The sharp point allows penetration into the deposit and the flange acts to stabilize the assembly. 4. Once deployed, these devices function to prevent scouring of fixed structural supports such as drilling platforms and wind turbine towers. They also prevent exhumation of buried infrastructure, pipes and cables by accumulating sediment and mitigating erosion. 2. The devices of the present disclosure function to affect and regulate water flow and can result in head loss, energy absorption, disruption, deflection, slowing, obstruction, interception, wave reduction, turbulence, chaotic flow dynamics, flow regulation, and / or friction losses. 3. Devices of the present disclosure may be deployed in sufficient numbers to create arrays or groups in which the effect of individual devices is amplified, multiplied and / or synergistically increased by the group as a whole. 4. The device of the present disclosure can function like an artificial wetland and absorb wave and storm surge energy.

[0038] Water waves, storm surges, tidal forces, and currents modification and control: 1. When a current carrying sediment slows or is interrupted, the sediment falls out of suspension. Sediment deposits form when sediment falls out of suspension in the water, and a sediment layer builds up. i. The device of the present disclosure can accumulate sediment to increase the elevation of marshes or coastal habitats. ii. The device of the present disclosure can accumulate sediment to capture sand on sandy shorelines. iii. The disclosed device can accumulate sediment and prevent scour undermining of buried underwater pipelines and cables and / or undermining of underwater structural supports. iv. The device of the present disclosure is capable of accumulating, holding and then releasing sediment for sediment diversion projects. v. The device of the present disclosure can directionally regulate the flow of water. 2. Reduction in wave energy leads to less coastal and sediment scouring.

[0039] Modifying and controlling river processes: 1. The device of the present disclosure may function to accumulate, trap, capture, and / or secure sediment deposits during slow river (low-water) water flows. i. The disclosed device can be passively oriented in an upright vertical position when water flow is slow or low, in which state the perforated baffles capture, accumulate and retain sediment. 1. Vertical installation promotes settling and captures and retains sediment. 2. The disclosed device can be made to function to release trapped sediment at fast river (high water) flow velocities by passively tilting to a horizontal position due to increasing water pressure on the baffle. The release point can be adjusted by altering the spring buckling threshold of the barrel / antenna. i. The device of the present disclosure may be tilted into strong and fast river currents. ii. As the water flow increases, lateral pressure is exerted on the baffles, causing the springs to buckle and tilt the device, resulting in a change in orientation from vertical to horizontal. iii. The device of the present disclosure no longer accumulates or retains sediment while in a horizontal position. Accumulated sediment becomes free to be washed away by high and fast river currents. 1. The horizontal position occurs when the water level in the river is high and the subsequent flow is fast. 2. Horizontal position allows accumulated sediment to be released into the fast flowing current. 3. The disclosed apparatus can function to control river processes, allowing for the engineering control of sediment deposition and transport, which is advantageous for sediment diversion projects. i. The disclosed device can collect and store sediment when low / slow river flow is not suitable for the diversion gate opening and can release sediment when high river flow results in gate openings that can sweep the sediment inward. ii. This results in an increased net gain in sediment load that enters the floodgates and is available to reach the destination retention basin, which contains the land-building sediments. 4. The device of the present disclosure can be deployed to capture and hold river sediment upstream of areas where it is desired to be free of sediment buildup when river flows are low / slow. When the river flow is high, fast and strong enough, the device can tilt to a horizontal position and sweep the sediment past areas where it is desired to avoid sediment buildup, releasing the captured sediment. i. This feature can be used to prevent sediment buildup in downstream channels, reducing the need for dredging. 5. The devices of the present disclosure may function to promote mixing in the river's water column and / or affect water flow by redirecting existing water currents upwards, downwards, or side to side. i. The device creates a change in pressure, affecting the direction of water flow. ii. The device can direct water flow upwards or downwards to control mixing in the water column and affect water column turbidity, salinity, biota, oxygen levels, pathogen viability, contamination, total and dissolved solids concentrations, and water flow velocity. 1. Control of mixing in the river water column allows for subtle engineering control of restoration, rehabilitation, and / or sediment diversion projects. iii. The ability of the device to affect upward or downward flow may promote sediment deposition or promote sediment discharge. 1. The device can powerfully guide the river flow downward, causing the discharge and removal of sediment by the river flow. 2. The device can strongly guide the discharged river sediment flow upward, causing sediment removal transport by the river current. 3. The device can redirect river flow downwards to affect sedimentation in a given area.

[0040] Cleaning sediment and / or preventing sediment build-up in water beds or floors: 1. The disclosed device can have fins with horizontal or partial horizontal surfaces relative to the current flow. Horizontal surfaces act to create a wobble effect as minute fluctuations in the flow cause the fins to rise and fall rapidly. A resonance point can be created that further increases the movement of these fins. The vertical movement of the fins further absorbs energy, creating vortices in the flow and disrupting the steady flow. This disruption reduces the structural cleaning ability.

[0041] The effect of hydraulic flow by causing uneven water pressure: 1. The device of the present disclosure may have defects in that the fins are not of equal width. The fins are arranged in a gradient from small to large or large to small. 2. When pressure in a water stream becomes uneven, the current water flows towards areas of less pressure or resistance, causing mixing of the water column. 3. Mixing of the water column 4. The fins can be designed to form a cone with one or more levels. 5. Water flowing across the diagonal of a cone causes a change of direction.

[0042] The present disclosure can also be directed to a method of installing an apparatus comprising contacting an upper surface of a substrate with a first end of the apparatus having a corkscrew, a substantially flexible shaft operably attached to the corkscrew at a first end of the shaft, one or more protrusions extending from the shaft between the first end of the shaft and a second end of the shaft, and applying a torque to the corkscrew. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0043] The present disclosure will be better understood by reference to the following drawings, which are provided to illustrate certain embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure.

[0044] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of an apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0045] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0046] FIG. 3A is a diagram of one embodiment of a protrusion of a device of the present disclosure.

[0047] FIG. 3B is a diagram of one embodiment of a protrusion of a device of the present disclosure.

[0048] FIG. 4 is a front view of one embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] FIG. 5 is a front view of one embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] FIG. 6 is a front view of one embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a portion of one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0052] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a portion of one embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] FIG. 9A is a front view of one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0054] FIG. 9B is a front view of one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0055] FIG. 9C is a front view of one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0056] FIG. 9D is a front view of one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0057] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a portion of one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0058] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a plate holder according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a protrusion according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] 13A-13E are diagrams of protrusions according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0061] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention.

[0062] FIG. 15 is a top view of one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0063] FIG. 16 is a bottom view of one embodiment of the present invention.

[0064] FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a portion of one embodiment of the present invention.

[0065] FIG. 18 is a front view of one embodiment of the present invention.

[0066] FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a portion of one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0067] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0068] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0069] FIG. 22 is a top view of one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0070] FIG. 23 is a front view of one embodiment of the present invention.

[0071] FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a portion of one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0072] FIG. 25 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0073] FIG. 26 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0074] FIG. 27 is a side view of one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0075] FIG. 28 is a front view of one embodiment of the present invention.

[0076] FIG. 29 is a front view of one embodiment of the present invention.

[0077] FIG. 30 is a side view of one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0078] FIG. 31 is a perspective view of a protrusion according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0079] FIG. 32 is a top view of a protrusion according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0080] FIG. 33 is a side view of one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0081] FIG. 34 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0082] FIG. 35 is a side view of one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0083] FIG. 36 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0084] FIG. 37 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0085] FIG. 38 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0086] FIG. 39 is a side view of one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0087] FIG. 40 is a top view of one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0088] FIG. 41 is an enlarged perspective view of one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0089] FIG. 42 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0090] FIG. 43 is an enlarged top view of one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0091] FIG. 44 is a side view of one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0092] FIG. 45 is a side cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0093] FIG. 46 is an enlarged perspective horizontal cross-sectional view of a shaft of one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0094] FIG. 47 is an enlarged top horizontal cross-sectional view of a shaft of one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0095] FIG. 48 is an enlarged top horizontal cross-sectional view of a shaft of one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0096] [Figure 49] A geographic representation showing the approximate geography and approximate location of the experimental elements installed.

[0097] [Figure 50] 1 is a graphical representation of sediment levels over time. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0098] In the discussion and claims of this specification, the term "about" indicates that the recited value may be somewhat modified as long as the modification does not result in non-compliance of the process or device. For example, for some elements, the term "about" may refer to a variation of ±0.1%, while for other elements, the term "about" may refer to a variation of ±1% or ±10%, or any point therein.

[0099] As used herein, the terms "substantially" or "substantially" are broad terms and are used in their ordinary sense to include, but are not limited to, the majority, but not necessarily complete, of what is specified. This is equally true when used in a negative sense to refer to a complete or nearly complete lack of an action, feature, characteristic, state, structure, item, or result. For example, a "substantially" flat surface means that it is completely flat or close enough to being flat to have the same effect as being completely flat.

[0100] As used herein, terms such as "a," "an," and "the" are not intended to refer to only a single entity, but include a general class for which a specific example is used for illustrative purposes.

[0101] As used herein, terms defined in the singular are intended to include terms defined in the plural and vice versa.

[0102] References herein to "one embodiment," "particular embodiment," "some embodiments," or "an embodiment" indicate that the described embodiment may include a particular configuration or feature, but not all embodiments necessarily include the particular configuration, structure, or feature. Moreover, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, when a particular configuration, structure, or feature is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art to affect such configuration, structure, or feature in connection with other embodiments, whether or not explicitly stated.

[0103] For purposes of the following description, in the present invention, the terms "top", "bottom", "right", "left", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom" and their derivatives refer to the orientation of the depicted figures. The terms "overlying", "on", "located on" or "topped" mean that a first element is on a second element, with an intervening element in contact between the first and second elements. The terms "directly in contact" or "attached" mean that a first element and a second element are connected to the interface of the two elements without an intervening element.

[0104] Any reference herein to a range of values ​​expressly includes each number contained within that range, including fractions and whole numbers. By way of example, reference herein to a range of "at least 50" or "at least about 50" includes integers such as 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, and the like, and decimals such as 50.1, 50.2, 50.3, 50.4, 50.5, 50.6, 50.7, 50.8, 50.9, and the like. As a further example, references herein to the range "less than 50" or "less than about 50" include integers such as 49, 48, 47, 46, 45, 44, 43, 42, 41, 40, etc., and decimals such as 49.9, 49.8, 49.7, 49.6, 49.5, 49.4, 49.3, 49.2, 49.1, 49.0, etc.

[0105] The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus 100 as seen in Figure 1. The apparatus 100 includes a corkscrew 102, which may be of any suitable length, such as from 1 inch to about 50 feet. Although the corkscrew 102 is shown as spirally wound in a clockwise direction in the embodiment of Figure 1, in other embodiments, the corkscrew 102 may be spirally wound in a counterclockwise direction.

[0106] The first end 104 of the corkscrew may be substantially blunt or substantially pointed and is configured to penetrate an upper surface of the substrate upon contacting the substrate and receiving a rotational force as described below. Upon penetrating the substrate and applying continued rotational force through the first end 104 of the corkscrew, the device 100 is drawn further into the substrate until at least a portion of the corkscrew 102 is within the substrate.

[0107] Optional stops may also be included in any portion of the corkscrew 102 to stop or reduce the rotational progress of the corkscrew 102 and / or to provide stability to the device 100.

[0108] As used herein, the term "substrate" may be any man-made and / or naturally occurring material, such as, but not limited to, sand, gravel, soil, mud, clay, and combinations thereof, that can be moved at least to some extent so that the corkscrew 102 can penetrate the substrate an appropriate distance.

[0109] The top surface of the substrate can be underwater, the water being salt water and / or fresh water. In other embodiments, the top surface of the substrate can be partially underwater and / or partially out of water, depending on tides, etc. In other embodiments, the top surface or the entire substrate can be above water.

[0110] The cross-sectional size of the corkscrew 102 may be any suitable size, such as from about 1 / 16 inch to about 30 inches in diameter. Additionally, the cross-sectional shape of the corkscrew 102 may be any suitable shape, such as a circle, a triangle, a rectangle, a square, an oval, a pentagon, a star, a cross, a polygon with six or more sides, or an irregular shape.

[0111] The corkscrew 102 may be formed of any suitable material, such as plastic, glass, ceramic, metal, carbon-based material, elastomer, rubber, and combinations thereof, and may be rigid, substantially rigid, flexible, or substantially flexible. Additionally, various portions of the corkscrew 102 may be formed of different materials and / or have different flexibility compared to other portions of the corkscrew 102.

[0112] As used herein, the term "rigidity," or any derivative thereof, is a broad term used in its ordinary sense and refers to the bending stiffness of a material that generally avoids significant deformation and / or maintains very close to its original shape after application of pressure.

[0113] The term "flexible" as used herein, or any derivative thereof, is a broad term and may refer to a material that is substantially deformable and can bend, unbend, expand, contract, fold, unfold, or otherwise substantially deform or change shape upon application of force. The material may be any suitable flexibility, such as a material having a flexibility coefficient of about 0.1 GPa to about 10,000 GPa, about 0.1 GPa to about 1,000 GPa, about 0.1 GPa to about 100 GPa, about 1 GPa to about 50 GPa, about 10 GPa to about 25 GPa, etc., and may substantially or completely return to its original shape upon removal of the force.

[0114] The corkscrew 102 may be of any suitable diameter, such as having an outer diameter 110 of between about ½ inch and about 60 inches. The corkscrew 102 may also have any suitable pitch 108 between adjacent axially aligned portions of the corkscrew 102, such as a pitch of between ½ inch and about 60 inches.

[0115] The second end 106 of the corkscrew 102 is operably attached to the shaft 122 at the first end 120 of the shaft 122. In some embodiments, the corkscrew 102 and the shaft 122 are formed of a single material. In other embodiments, the corkscrew 102 and the shaft 122 are coupled / operably attached to each other in any suitable manner, such as mechanical coupling (e.g., welding, bonding, bracketing, bolting, connection via a separate elastic element, etc.) and / or adhesive. Additionally, the corkscrew 102 and the shaft 122 can be operably attached to each other at any portion between the ends of the helical twist of the corkscrew 102. The corkscrew 102 can be configured such that the central deposit plug remains intact within the structure of the corkscrew 102 itself, and the deposit plug has a connection with the surrounding deposit field.

[0116] Optionally, a substantially planar disk 124 of any suitable shape and size may surround or partially surround the shaft 120 near the first end 120 of the shaft 122 .

[0117] Also optionally, a bar-shaped disk or other protrusion may extend from shaft 122 near first end 120. This may act as a stop and provide a stabilizing force to device 100. This optional disk or other protrusion may also limit the side-to-side movement imparted to the coil.

[0118] Optionally, a pilot hole can be first formed by the auger post digger to allow the initial stage of the device 100 to start below the surface and allow deeper penetration of the corkscrew 102. The pilot hole can also act as a stabilizing cradle to hold the device 100 as it is torqued.

[0119] The cross-sectional size of shaft 120 can be any suitable size, such as from about 1 / 16 inch to about 10 inches in diameter. Additionally, the cross-sectional shape of shaft 122 can be any suitable shape, such as a circle, a triangle, a rectangle, a square, an oval, a pentagon, a star, a cross, a six or more sided polygon, or an irregular shape.

[0120] The shaft 122 may be formed of any suitable material, such as plastic, glass, ceramic, metal, carbon-based material, elastomer, rubber, rope, cable, thread, wire, string, chain, twine, strands, synthetic fibers, fishing line, sisal, coconut, or other fibers, and combinations thereof, and may be rigid, substantially rigid, flexible, or substantially flexible.

[0121] Additionally, various portions of the shaft 122 may be formed of different materials and / or may have different flexibility as compared to other portions of the shaft 120. Specifically, the shaft 122 may be flexible or substantially flexible along one or more portions of its length between the first end 120 of the shaft 122 and the second end 126 of the shaft 122. Also, the shaft 122 may be flexible or substantially flexible along the entire length between the first end 120 of the shaft 122 and the second end 126 of the shaft 122.

[0122] Additionally, the flexibility of shaft 122 can absorb forces from waves and / or running water and / or wind, which in some embodiments can act to reduce forces on the substrate on which device 100 is placed, reducing the effects of scouring. Additionally, device 100 can reduce the overall force and distance traveled by waves and storm surges. Additionally, in some embodiments, the flexibility of shaft 122 can slow the flow of water, allowing sediment to fall out of suspension in the water and / or wind, thereby limiting the distance traveled and inland incursion of waves and / or other moving water.

[0123] As seen in FIG. 1, one or more protrusions 128 extend from the shaft 126 between the first end 120 of the shaft 122 and the second end 126 of the shaft 122. In this embodiment, a plurality of protrusions 128 are shown, but other embodiments may include one, two or more protrusions, such as any number of protrusions between one and about 10,000 or more protrusions. The one or more protrusions 128 may act to increase turbulence, such as through head loss, friction loss, and / or chaotic flow, in the water surrounding the device 100. This may impede the flow of water through and / or past the device 100 and / or absorb forces from waves and / or running water and / or wind, which in some embodiments act to reduce forces against a substrate on which the device 100 is placed. The one or more protrusions 128 may also act to slow the flow of water past and / or through the device 100, such that the slower water may tend to cause any suitable sediment and / or sand particles to fall out of suspension. In this embodiment, the one or more protrusions 128 begin a distance away from the corkscrew 102 on the shaft 120, although in other embodiments, the bottom of the one or more protrusions 128 may be in contact with or near the corkscrew 102, such that little or none of the shaft 120 is visible between the bottom of the one or more protrusions 128 and the corkscrew 102.

[0124] In some embodiments, each of the one or more protrusions 128 may be operably attached to the shaft 126 in any suitable manner, such as by a fixed mechanical coupling (e.g., welding, coupling, bracket, bolting, snug fit, loose connection, connection by a separate resilient element, etc.), and / or by a loose fit / ability to rotate freely in one or both directions, and / or by adhesive, etc.

[0125] In other embodiments, the one or more protrusions 128 may be configured with a curve such that forces act differently on different portions of the one or more protrusions 128. Additionally, the one or more protrusions 128 may be configured to generate torque only in one direction about the shaft 122, either clockwise or counterclockwise. Also, the one or more protrusions 128 may be prevented from rotating in a direction opposite to the direction in which they are set to rotate. If the one or more protrusions 128 are configured to rotate only in a direction opposite to the helical structure of the corkscrew 102 (such that the one or more protrusions 128 are prevented from rotating in the same direction as the helical structure of the corkscrew 102), the one or more protrusions 128 may act as a helical driving force for the corkscrew 102 when subjected to a force substantially perpendicular to the surface of the one or more protrusions 128, such as a force from a wave or a water current, etc.

[0126] The one or more protrusions 128 may be of any suitable size and shape, and may be spaced apart at any suitable length between the first end 120 of the shaft 122 and the second end 126 of the shaft 122. Further, the one or more protrusions may be spaced apart at any suitable locations around the circumference of the shaft 122.

[0127] In some embodiments, one or more of the one or more protrusions 128 may be curved in one or more directions and / or planes in a configuration to absorb more force on one side of each of the one or more protrusions 128 due to energy transfer resulting from both the incoming and outgoing waves and / or water currents. This curvature may create rotational pressure on the shaft 122 and, therefore, the corkscrew 102.

[0128] One or more of the protrusions 128 can be formed from a unitary piece of material, or one or more of the protrusions 128 can be formed from two or more pieces of material bonded together. One or more of the protrusions 128 can all be formed from the same material or different materials compared to the other protrusions 128. One or more of the protrusions 128 can be formed from any suitable material, such as, for example, plastic, glass, ceramic, metal, carbon-based material, elastomer, rubber, rope, cable, thread, wire, string, chain, twine, twisted mason line, synthetic fibers, fishing line, sisal, coconut fiber, and combinations thereof. Also, one or more of the protrusions 128 can be rigid, substantially rigid, flexible, or substantially flexible.

[0129] In one embodiment, the one or more protrusions 128 are bristle-like and can extend from about ¼ inch to about 60 inches from the shaft 122. In yet other embodiments, the one or more protrusions 128 can be a mesh material or any other perforated material.

[0130] 1 and 2, the one or more projections 128 can include one or more plates 130 extending from an inner central support 132 (shown in FIG. 3A). In other embodiments, the one or more projections 128 can include one, two, four or more plates, up to about 100. The one or more plates 130 (including the central support 132) can be formed from a single piece of material, or the one or more plates 130 and the central support 132 can be formed from two or more pieces of material that are operatively connected.

[0131] A more detailed view of the one or more protrusions 128 can be seen in Figure 2. The one or more protrusions 128 can have any suitable height, such as from about ¼ inch to about 12 inches, between the first end of the shaft 122 and the second end 126 of the shaft, and can extend from about ¼ inch to about 60 inches from the shaft 122. Some or all of the one or more protrusions 128 can include a dome-shaped portion near its center, such that the shaft 122 passes through the one or more protrusions 128 such that the one or more protrusions 128 are spaced a fixed distance from one another.

[0132] Optionally, the plates 130 may have one or more through-holes 109 that extend through the depth of the plates 130. All of the plates 130 of the device 100 may include through-holes 109, some of the plates 130 of the device 100 may include through-holes 109, or none of the plates 130 of the device 100 may include through-holes 109. The through-holes may be any suitable number, such as from 1 to 100, and may be any suitable size, such as from about 1 / 16 inch to about 10 inches. Additionally, the through-holes 109 may be positioned in any suitable location and pattern within each plate 130.

[0133] The second end 126 of the shaft may include an optional torque applying mechanism 134. The torque applying mechanism 134 may be any structure configured to transmit torque to the shaft 122, such as a bolt head (shown in FIG. 2), a handle, etc. The torque applying mechanism 134 may be operably attached to the second end 126 of the shaft in any suitable manner and may prevent the one or more protrusions 128 from becoming dislodged from the shaft 122. The torque applying mechanism 134 may also transmit torque to the corkscrew 102 for attaching and detaching the corkscrew 102 from a substrate.

[0134] A more detailed view of the one or more protrusions 128 can be seen in Figure 3A, which shows only one of the one or more protrusions 128, without the other elements. As seen in this embodiment, four plates 130 are included and joined around a central support 132. The central support 132 is dimensioned to extend around the shaft 122.

[0135] Another embodiment of the one or more protrusions 128 is shown in FIG. 3B. This embodiment of the one or more protrusions 128 includes a dome 133 that can create a separation space between adjacent protrusions 128 when adjacent protrusions 128 are disposed on the shaft 122. The dome 133 can be of any suitable height such that any suitable distance between adjacent protrusions 128 can be substantially maintained, and the dome 133 can be formed of additive material (operably connected to the central support 132 in any suitable manner), or the dome 133 can be formed as a single piece of material having a surface of the central support 132.

[0136] Embodiments of the device 100 may optionally include an extension shaft 135 operably attached to the shaft second end 126. The extension shaft 135 may include a flag 137, or any other suitable marking element that may enhance visibility of the device 100.

[0137] Another embodiment of the device, device 200, is shown in FIG.

[0138] Elements shown in Figure 5 are equivalent to elements in Figure 1, with the first digit in this embodiment being a 2 rather than a 1 in the embodiment of device 100. For example, corkscrew 102 of device 100 is equivalent in structure and composition to corkscrew 202 of the embodiment of device 200. Thus, all reference numbers having the same last two digits between device 200 and device 100 are equivalent or the same in structure and configuration.

[0139] In the device 200, a protrusion 228 including one or more plates 230 (without through holes in this embodiment) extends along the length of the upper shaft 220B. The upper shaft 220 includes a first end 226B that is operably connected to a barrel spring 221 that is connected to a second end 226A of the lower shaft 220A. The first end 222A of the lower shaft 220A can be operably connected to a substantially planar disc 224 or directly to a portion of the corkscrew 202. The barrel spring 221 may be of any suitable size, have any suitable spring constant, and be formed of any suitable material, such as plastic, glass, ceramic, metal, carbon-based material, elastomer, rubber, and combinations thereof.

[0140] As used herein, the term "barrel spring" may refer to any elastic element of any material and / or any device having a spring constant or other elastic properties of any material, including, but not limited to, torsion springs, extension springs, compression springs, and barrel springs. The term "barrel spring" refers to a substantially cylindrical arrangement of wound coils, the substantially cylindrical arrangement having one substantially equal diameter, or two or more diameter coils along the length of the substantially cylindrical element. A "barrel spring" may be non-telescopic or may be telescopic, allowing a smaller coil to be pushed down or up to be positioned within a larger coil during compression / expansion.

[0141] Alternatively, the barrel spring 221 may be more vertical, with one or more plates 230 on the lower shaft 220A and one or more plates 230 on the upper shaft 220B.

[0142] Barrel spring 221 provides flexibility to device 200 beyond that of upper shaft 220A and / or lower shaft 220A.

[0143] A more detailed view of apparatus 200 including barrel spring 221 can be seen in Figure 6. As can be seen, barrel spring 221 is operably attached at its upper end to first end 222B of upper shaft 220B and at its lower end to second end 226A of lower shaft 220A. In addition to being included in apparatus 200, barrel spring 221 can be included in any suitable location in any embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0144] Another close-up view of the device 200 is shown in FIG. 7, showing the corkscrew 202 and the substantially flat disc 224 operably attached to the corkscrew 202 at one or more points. The corkscrew 202 can optionally be operably attached to itself at the connection point 203, or alternatively, portions of the corkscrew 202 just touch at the connection point 203. FIG. 8 provides another close-up view of the device 200, in which the substantially flat disc 224 can be seen. In this embodiment, as with other embodiments of the invention, the substantially flat disc 224 can be any suitable shape, such as a rectangle as seen in FIG. 8. In this embodiment, the substantially flat disc 224 can be operably attached to the corkscrew at each opposing end of the substantially flat disc 224.

[0145] Another embodiment of the device, device 300, is shown in Figures 9A-9D.

[0146] 9A-9D are equivalent to those in Figures 1 and 5, with the first digit in this embodiment being a 3 rather than a 1 in the embodiment of device 100 or a 2 in the embodiment of device 200. For example, corkscrew 102 in device 100 is equivalent in structure and configuration to corkscrew 302 in the embodiment of device 300. Thus, all reference numbers having the same last two digits between device 300, device 200 and device 100 are equivalent or the same in structure and configuration.

[0147] 9A includes multiple protrusions, with a first protrusion 328A of larger diameter above a second protrusion 328B of smaller diameter. In this embodiment, protrusion 328A is further from the corkscrew 302 than protrusion 328B, although in other embodiments the larger diameter protrusion may be closer to the corkscrew 302 than the smaller diameter protrusion.

[0148] In other embodiments, three or more protrusions of different diameters may be included along the length of shaft 320 in any suitable pattern.

[0149] 9B, device 300 includes multiple protrusions, with protrusion 328C being of smallest diameter and increasing in diameter to protrusion 328D, a larger diameter protrusion, as the protrusions move away from substantially flat disk 324. This increase in diameter can be a constant step increase for each additional protrusion and / or can be a variable increase for each additional protrusion.

[0150] 9C, device 300 includes multiple protrusions, with protrusion 328C being of smallest diameter and increasing in diameter to a larger diameter protrusion, protrusion 328D, as the protrusions approach the substantially flat disk 324. This increase in diameter can be a constant step increase for each additional protrusion and / or can be a variable increase for each additional protrusion.

[0151] The device 300 of FIG. 9D has three sets of shafts and protrusions 325. Each set of shafts and protrusions 325 can be the same or similar to other devices of the present disclosure. Although three sets of shafts and protrusions 325 are shown in FIG. 9D, in other embodiments, one, two, four or more shafts and protrusions 325 can be operably attached to the substantially flat disk. Also, although each set of shafts and protrusions 325 is shown in FIG. 9D as having the same dimensions, in other embodiments, each set of shafts and protrusions 325 can have the same dimensions as all other sets of shafts and protrusions 325. Alternatively, each set of shafts and protrusions 325 can have different dimensions compared to all other sets of shafts and protrusions 325.

[0152] Another embodiment of the device, device 400, is shown in Figure 10. The elements shown in Figure 10 are equivalent to those in Figures 1, 5 and 9, with the first digit in this embodiment being 4 rather than 1 in the device 100 embodiment, 2 in the device 200 embodiment and 3 in the device 300 embodiment. For example, corkscrew 102 in device 100 is equivalent in structure and configuration to corkscrew 402 in the device 400 embodiment. Thus, all reference numbers having the same last two digits between device 400, device 300, device 200 and device 100 are equivalent or the same in structure and configuration.

[0153] 10 is a close-up view of the device 400. In this embodiment, the projection 428 is comprised of a plate holder 401 and one or more plates 430. The plate holder 401, which is shown in more detail below, is configured to extend around a portion, most, or all of the shaft 420. The plate holder 401 may be rotatable in both directions about the shaft 420, may be rotatable in only one direction (clockwise or counterclockwise), or the plate holder 401 may be fixed to the shaft 420. The shaft 420 may be operably attached to a substantially planar disk 424. Additionally, in this embodiment, each plate holder 401 may be oriented to be offset from the plate holder above 401 such that one or more plates 430 from each layer of plate holders 401 are not aligned.

[0154] The plate holder 401 maintains each of the one or more plates 430 in a fixed position relative to the plate holder 401 itself. In this embodiment, the plate holder 401 is shown as maintaining six plates 430 substantially equally spaced around the circumference of the plate holder 401. However, in other embodiments, each of the one or more plates can be positioned at any interval around the circumference of the plate holder 401. Also, in other embodiments, the plate holder 401 can maintain one plate, two plates, three plates, four plates, five plates, seven plates, or more. The plate holder 401 is shown in further detail in FIG. 11. The plate holder 401 includes a shaft cavity 405 that allows the shaft 420 to pass through the shaft cavity 405 and maintain the position of the plate holder 401. The plate holder 401 also has at least one plate channel 407, for example, six individual plate channels 407 in this embodiment. Each of the at least one plate channel 407, as well as the plate holder 401 itself, is dimensioned to receive a portion of a plate 430 within the plate channel 407. The portion of the plate 430 may be operably attached to the plate channel 407 such that the plate 430 is maintained during operation of the apparatus 400.

[0155] Two further views of the protrusion 428 are shown in Figures 12 and 13A-13D. Figure 12 is a view of the protrusion 428 with a plate holder 401 including six plates 430 (one plate for each plate channel 407). In the embodiment of Figure 12, each of the plates 430 includes a plurality of through holes 432. In the embodiment of Figure 13A, another view of the protrusion 428 with a plate holder 401 including six plates 430 (one plate for each plate channel 407) is shown. In the embodiment of Figure 13A, each of the plates 430 does not include a through hole.

[0156] In the embodiment of Figure 13B, each of the plates 430' is bent into a helical or twisted configuration. In the embodiment of Figure 13B, each of the plates 430' is curved along an axis that is substantially parallel to the shaft cavity 405 of the plate holder 401. In the embodiment of Figure 13B, each of the plates 430' does not include a through hole, although in other embodiments, one or more of the plates 430' can include a through hole.

[0157] In the embodiment of FIG. 13C, each plate 430'' has a main branch 431 attached to the plate holder 401, and each main branch 431 has one or more sub-branches 431' which are fractal structures having one or more sub-sub-branches 431''. One skilled in the art will appreciate that further branching is possible for each of the plates 430''. In the embodiment of FIG. 13C, each plate 430'' does not include through holes, although in other embodiments, one or more of the plates 430'' may include through holes.

[0158] In the embodiment of FIG. 13D, each plate 430'' is of a curved configuration, and any suitable radius of curvature may be used for any portion of each plate 430''. In the embodiment of FIG. 13D, each of the plates 430'' is curved on each side of an axis substantially parallel to the shaft cavity 405 of the plate holder 401. In the embodiment of FIG. 13D, each plate 430'' does not include a through hole, although in other embodiments, one or more of the plates 430'' can include a through hole.

[0159] Each plate holder 401 can be of any suitable size and shape, and thus the shaft cavity 405 can be of any suitable size and shape to accommodate any suitable size and shape shaft 420. Additionally, each plate holder 401 can be of any suitable size and shape, and thus the height of the plate holder 401 and the dimensions of the plate channel 407 can be modified to accommodate any plate 430 of any suitable thickness and width.

[0160] In the embodiment of FIG. 13E, each plate 430'''' is bent into a helical or twisted configuration. In the embodiment of FIG. 13E, each plate 430'''' is curved along an axis that is substantially parallel to the shaft cavity 405 of the plate holder 401. In the embodiment of FIG. 13E, each plate 430'''' does not include a through hole, although in other embodiments, one or more plates 430'''' can include a through hole.

[0161] Each of the plates 430'''' includes a substantially flat portion 431 that is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the shaft. The substantially flat portion 431 can modulate the energy of the water as it passes around the substantially flat portion 431. Alternatively, or in addition to modulating the water energy, the plates 430'' can flex and / or vibrate up and down due to contact with the water as the water passes through the substantially flat portion 431.

[0162] Another embodiment of the device, device 500, is shown in FIG.

[0163] 1, 5, 9, and 10, the first digit of this embodiment is 1, whereas the first digit of the embodiment of device 100 is 1, the first digit of the embodiment of device 200 is 2, the first digit of the embodiment of device 300 is 3, or the first digit of the embodiment of device 400 is 4. For example, the corkscrew 102 of device 100 is equivalent in structure and configuration to the corkscrew 502 of the embodiment of device 500. Thus, all reference numbers having the same last two digits among device 500, device 400, device 300, device 200, and device 100 are equivalent or the same in structure and configuration.

[0164] 14 shows the device 500 from the perspective of the second end 526 of the shaft 520. In this embodiment, the shaft 520 extends from the second end 526 and is operably attached to a substantially flat disk 524.

[0165] In this embodiment, a number of protrusions 528 are shown with each plate 530 extending from the plate holder 501 .

[0166] 15 is a top view of the device 500 viewed vertically from above the second end 526 of the corkscrew 502. FIG. 16 is a bottom view of the device 500 viewed vertically from below the bottom of the corkscrew 502.

[0167] 1, 5, 9, 10, and 14, the first digit of which is 1 in the embodiment of device 100, 2 in the embodiment of device 200, 3 in the embodiment of device 300, 4 in the embodiment of device 400, or 5 in the embodiment of device 500, but the first digit of this embodiment is 6. For example, protrusion 128 of device 100 is equivalent in structure and configuration to protrusion 628 of the embodiment of device 600. Thus, all reference numbers having the same last two digits among device 600, device 500, device 400, device 300, device 200, and device 100 are equivalent or the same in structure and configuration.

[0168] In this embodiment, a cord 639 is operably attached to the shaft 620 of the device 600. The cord 639 may be operably attached to rotate clockwise about the shaft 620, to rotate counterclockwise about the shaft 620, to rotate both clockwise and counterclockwise about the shaft 620, or to be fixed to the shaft 620 without rotation. In this embodiment, two cords 639 are shown, but in other embodiments, one cord, three or more cords can be interspersed at any suitable location along the shaft 620.

[0169] Each cord 639 may be formed of any synthetic and / or natural material and may be a single length of material or several lengths of material braided and / or joined together. For example, each cord 639 may be formed of one or more lengths of flexible or substantially inflexible material, such as, but not limited to, man-made and / or natural materials, rope, cable, thread, wire, string, chain, twine, twisted masonry string, synthetic fibers, fishing line, sisal, coconut fiber, and combinations thereof.

[0170] Each cord 639 can extend a predetermined distance from shaft 620, with each cord 639 being substantially the same length as the other cords and / or each cord being a different length than the other cords.

[0171] The elements shown in Fig. 18 are equivalent to those in Figs. 1, 5, 9, 10, 14 and 17, and the first digit in this embodiment is 7, whereas in the embodiment of device 100 the first digit is 1, in the embodiment of device 200 the first digit is 2, in the embodiment of device 300 the first digit is 3, in the embodiment of device 400 the first digit is 4, in the embodiment of device 500 the first digit is 5 or in the embodiment of device 600 the first digit is 6. For example, the corkscrew 102 of device 100 is equivalent in structure and configuration to the corkscrew 702 of the embodiment of device 700. Thus, all reference numbers having the same last two digits between device 700, device 600, device 500, device 400, device 300, device 200 and device 100 are equivalent or the same in structure and configuration.

[0172] In the embodiment of FIG. 18, a plurality of cords 739 function as protrusions extending from shaft 720. In this embodiment, there are several vertical layers extending along substantially the entire length of shaft 720. However, in other embodiments, the plurality of cords 739 can extend along a portion of shaft 720, while other portions of shaft 720 have no protrusions or no protrusions similar to those of FIGS. 1-17.

[0173] Additionally, each cord 739 can extend a predetermined distance from shaft 720, with each cord 739 being substantially the same length as the other cords, and / or each cord being a different length than the other cords.

[0174] In this embodiment, each of the plurality of cords 739 is operably attached to the shaft 720 of the device 700 (shown in more detail in FIG. 19). Each of the plurality of cords 739 may be operably attached to rotate clockwise around the shaft 720, to rotate counterclockwise around the shaft 720, to rotate both clockwise and counterclockwise around the shaft 720, or to be fixed to the shaft 720 without rotation.

[0175] A close-up view of device 700 is shown in Figure 19. In Figure 19, it can be seen that each of the plurality of cords is attached to a cord holder 701. While cord holder 701 in this embodiment has six cords 739 operatively attached thereto, in other embodiments, each cord holder 701 can have one cord, two cords, three cords, four cords, five cords, seven or more cords. Furthermore, each layer of the plurality of cords 739 is created by a cord attached to cord holder 701, with approximately 17 "layers" of cord holders 701 being seen in Figure 19.

[0176] The elements shown in Fig. 20 are equivalent to those in Figs. 1, 5, 9, 10, 14, 17 and 18, and the first digit in this embodiment is 8, rather than 1 in the embodiment of apparatus 100, 2 in the embodiment of apparatus 200, 3 in the embodiment of apparatus 300, 4 in the embodiment of apparatus 400, 5 in the embodiment of apparatus 500, 6 in the embodiment of apparatus 600 or 7 in the embodiment of apparatus 700. For example, plate 130 of apparatus 100 is equivalent in structure and configuration to plate 830 of the embodiment of apparatus 800. Thus, all reference numbers having the same last two digits among apparatus 800, apparatus 700, apparatus 600, apparatus 500, apparatus 400, apparatus 300, apparatus 200 and apparatus 100 are equivalent or the same in structure and configuration.

[0177] In the embodiment of FIG. 20, rather than the plurality of projections 828 being secured to the shaft with a corkscrew or other fastening mechanism, the plurality of projections of the device 800 are operably attached to a structural shaft 861. The structural shaft 861 may be any device that supports a structure over a body of water. In this embodiment, as an example, a road bridge 863 is supported by the structural shaft 861. Although not shown, the structural shaft 861 is configured to be fully submerged or partially submerged within a body of water, such as a stream, river, inlet, waterway, lake, or any portion of any ocean, pond, lake, etc. As an example, the water level of the body of water may be any level represented by dashed lines 859A, 859B, 859C, or any other portion of the adjacent structural shaft 861.

[0178] The structural shaft 861 may be of any suitable cross-sectional shape, such as a circle, a triangle, a rectangle, a square, an oval, a pentagon, a star, a polygon with six or more sides, or an irregular shape. The plate holders 801 may be of a corresponding shape, and each plate holder 801 may be fixed to the plate holder 801 vertically above and / or below the plate holder 801. Furthermore, each plate holder 801 may rotate clockwise around the structural shaft 861, may rotate counterclockwise around the structural shaft 861, may rotate both clockwise and counterclockwise around the structural shaft 861, or may be fixed to the structural shaft 861 without rotation. In the embodiment of FIG. 20, seven plate holders 801 are seen, but in other embodiments, one, two, three, four, five, six, eight or more plate holders 801 may be located at various portions of the structural shaft 861.

[0179] An expanded view of Figure 20 is shown in Figure 21. In Figure 21, each plate holder 801 is configured to hold 24 plates 830. However, in other embodiments, each plate holder 801 can be configured to hold between 1 and 23 plates, or 25 or more plates.

[0180] A top view of Figure 21 is shown in Figure 22, with structural shaft 861 removed for purposes of illustration. As shown in Figure 22, each plate 830 is operably attached to plate holder 801 in plate channel 807, with shaft cavity 805 shown in this embodiment with a substantially circular cross-section.

[0181] The elements shown in Fig. 23 are equivalent to those in Figs. 1, 5, 9, 10, 14, 17, 18 and 20, with the first digit being 1 in the embodiment of device 100, 2 in the embodiment of device 200, 3 in the embodiment of device 300, 4 in the embodiment of device 400, 5 in the embodiment of device 500, 6 in the embodiment of device 600, 7 in the embodiment of device 700 or 8 in the embodiment of device 800, but with the first digit being 9 in this embodiment. For example, the corkscrew 102 of device 100 is equivalent in structure and configuration to the corkscrew 902 of the embodiment of device 900. Thus, all reference numbers with the same last two digits between device 900, device 800, device 700, device 600, device 500, device 400, device 300, device 200 and device 100 are equivalent or the same in structure and configuration.

[0182] In the embodiment of Figure 23, protrusion 928 is shown, which includes four plates 930. A perspective view further illustrating plates 930 is shown in Figure 25. In this embodiment, protrusion 928 includes four plates 930, however, in other embodiments, protrusion 928 can include one plate, two plates, three plates, five plates, or more plates.

[0183] In the configuration of device 900 shown in FIG. 23, protrusion 928 is in a floating configuration because (i) the water level 925 on the surface of protrusion 928 (away from substantially planar disk 924) is high enough to provide sufficient buoyancy to protrusion 928, (ii) the water at water level 925 moves at or below a velocity threshold, and / or (iii) the force of barrel spring 921 is sufficient to maintain protrusion 928 in the configuration shown in FIG. 23. In this embodiment, protrusion 928 may be operably attached / connected along at least a majority of the length of upper shaft 920B, which is operably attached to barrel spring 921. Barrel spring 921 is also operably attached to lower shaft 220A, which is operably attached to substantially planar disk 924. The substantially planar disk 924 is then operably attached to corkscrew 902.

[0184] In this embodiment, the plates 930 are attached to one another to form a protrusion 928 with a space provided between the four plates to accommodate the upper shaft 920B extending from the barrel spring 921 towards the first end 926B. However, in other embodiments, the plate holder can include a shaft cavity and a plate channel for operably attaching each plate to the plate holder.

[0185] In this embodiment, each of the plates 930 includes a through-hole region 931 and a solid region 929. The size of the through-hole region 931, the size of the through-holes themselves, and the pattern of the through-holes themselves can be modified to suit any suitable result for particular environmental conditions or particular desired results of use of the device 900.

[0186] In this embodiment, protrusion 928 is operably mounted to shaft 920B. Protrusion 930 may be operably mounted to rotate clockwise about shaft 920B, to rotate counterclockwise about shaft 920B, to rotate both clockwise and counterclockwise about shaft 920B, or to be fixed to shaft 920B without rotation.

[0187] 23, typically occurs when the water movement is below a velocity threshold: the device 900 comes into contact with the water and sediments therein, and the device 900 acts to disturb the sediments in the water, causing an increase in sediments in the vicinity of the device 900.

[0188] An expanded view of the device 900 of Figure 23 is shown in Figure 24. As can be seen in Figure 24, through-holes 932 are arranged in a pattern within through-hole region 931.

[0189] Figure 25 provides a perspective view of the device 900 in a floating configuration, with the water level not shown. As can be seen in Figure 25, each of the four plates 928 is substantially perpendicular to adjacent plates 928, although in other embodiments the angles between the plates and the number of plates 928 can be increased or decreased.

[0190] 26 is a diagram of device 900 in a non-floating configuration. In this figure, protrusion 928 is in a non-floating configuration because (i) the water level 925 on the surface of protrusion 928 is low enough (towards substantially flat disk 924) that protrusion 928 is not sufficiently buoyant, (ii) the water around device 900 is moving above a velocity threshold, and / or (iii) the force of barrel spring 921 is insufficient to maintain protrusion 928 in the configuration shown in FIG.

[0191] 26, the barrel spring 921 is extended and the upper shaft 920B is substantially perpendicular to the lower shaft 920A. However, in other embodiments, any suitable angle can be formed between the upper shaft 920B and the lower shaft 920A. The angle between the upper shaft 920B and the lower shaft 920A in any water or current condition can be customized by controlling (i) the buoyancy of the protrusion 928, and / or (ii) the spring force of the barrel spring 921.

[0192] A side view of the protrusion 928 in a non-floating configuration is shown in FIG.

[0193] 28 are equivalent to the elements of Figures 1, 5, 9, 10, 14, 17, 18, 20 and 23, except that in an embodiment of device 100 the first digit is 1, in an embodiment of device 200 the first digit is 2, in an embodiment of device 300 the first digit is 3, in an embodiment of device 400 the first digit is 4, in an embodiment of device 500 the first digit is 5, in an embodiment of device 600 the first digit is 6, in an embodiment of device 700 the first digit is 7, in an embodiment of device 800 the first digit is 8, or in an embodiment of device 900 the first digit is 9, whereas in this embodiment the first digit is 10. For example, protrusion 128 of device 100 is equivalent in structure and configuration to protrusion 1028 of an embodiment of device 1000. Therefore, in terms of structure and configuration, all reference numbers having the same last two numbers among device 1000, device 900, device 800, device 700, device 600, device 500, device 400, device 300, device 200, and device 100 are equivalent or identical.

[0194] The device 1000 is shown in Figure 28. Although not shown, the projection 1028 is operably connected to a shaft, which is operably connected to a substantially planar base 1054. The substantially planar base 1054 is in turn operably attached to an anchor 1056. In some embodiments, the substantially planar base 1054 and the anchor 1056 are a single, unitary structure. In this embodiment, the anchor 1056 is shown as being substantially conical, however, in other embodiments, the anchor 1056 can be any suitable shape.

[0195] The device 1000 is configured to be placed on an undersurface of a body of water, with the anchor 1056 configured to penetrate a portion of the undersurface and substantially maintain a position of the device on the undersurface, and the substantially planar base 1054 configured to contact a portion of the undersurface to substantially maintain an orientation of the device 1000.

[0196] 29 are equivalent to the elements of Figures 1, 5, 9, 10, 14, 17, 18, 20, 23, and 28, except that in the embodiment of device 100 the first digit is 1, in the embodiment of device 200 the first digit is 2, in the embodiment of device 300 the first digit is 3, in the embodiment of device 400 the first digit is 4, in the embodiment of device 500 the first digit is 5, in the embodiment of device 600 the first digit is 6, in the embodiment of device 700 the first digit is 7, in the embodiment of device 800 the first digit is 8, in the embodiment of device 900 the first digit is 9, in the embodiment of device 900 the first digit is 10, but in this embodiment the first digit is 11. For example, shaft 1120 of device 1100 is equivalent in structure and configuration to shaft 120 of the embodiment of device 100. Thus, in terms of structure and configuration, all reference numbers having the same last two numbers between device 1000, device 900, device 800, device 700, device 600, device 500, device 400, device 300, device 200 or device 100 are equivalent or identical.

[0197] The device 1100 is shown in Figure 29. The projection 1128 is operably connected to a shaft 1120, which is operably connected to a substantially planar base 1154. The substantially planar base 1154 is in turn operably attached to an anchor 1156. In some embodiments, the substantially planar base 1154 and the anchor 1156 are a single, unitary structure. In this embodiment, the anchor 1156 is shown as being substantially conical, however, in other embodiments, the anchor 1156 can be any suitable shape.

[0198] In this embodiment of the device 1100, three conical protrusions 1128 are operably attached to the shaft 1120. However, other embodiments may include one conical protrusion, two conical protrusions, four or more conical protrusions, tapering vertically upward and / or vertically downward.

[0199] The device 1100 is configured to be placed on an undersurface of a body of water, with the anchor 1156 configured to penetrate a portion of the undersurface and to substantially maintain a position of the device on the undersurface, and the substantially planar base 1154 configured to contact a portion of the undersurface to substantially maintain an orientation of the device 1100.

[0200] The apparatus 1100 is configured to be dropped from a vessel into relatively deep water where it rests on the floor and is held in place substantially by anchors 1156. In this embodiment, the conical protrusions 1128 function to direct water flow downward (and / or upward) to affect scouring of sediments beneath and adjacent the apparatus 1100. In this embodiment, the substantially planar base 1154 has a number of openings that may be configured to redirect water flow to access sediments beneath the apparatus 1100.

[0201] 30 are equivalent to the elements of Figures 1, 5, 9, 10, 14, 17, 18, 20, 23, 28, and 29, except that in an embodiment of device 100 the first digit is 1, in an embodiment of device 200 the first digit is 2, in an embodiment of device 300 the first digit is 3, in an embodiment of device 400 the first digit is 4, in an embodiment of device 500 the first digit is 5, in an embodiment of device 600 the first digit is 6, in an embodiment of device 700 the first digit is 7, in an embodiment of device 800 the first digit is 8, in an embodiment of device 900 the first digit is 9, in an embodiment of device 1000 the first digit is 10, in an embodiment of device 1100 the first digit is 11, but in this embodiment the first digit is 12. For example, one or more protrusions 1228 of device 1200 are equivalent in structure and configuration to one or more protrusions 128 of an embodiment of device 100. Thus, in structure and configuration, all reference numbers having the same last two numbers are equivalent or the same among device 1100, device 1000, device 900, device 800, device 700, device 600, device 500, device 400, device 300, device 200, and device 100.

[0202] The device 1200 is shown in FIG. The projections 1228 are operably connected to a shaft 1220, which is operably connected to a substantially planar base / anchor 1256. In some embodiments, the substantially planar base / anchor 1256 is a single, unitary structure. In this embodiment, the substantially planar base / anchor 1256 is shown as having a substantially conical cross-section that penetrates at least a portion of the substrate 1271, however, in other embodiments, the substantially planar base / anchor 1256 can be any suitable shape. The substrate 1271 can be any seabed, riverbed, lakebed, or ocean bed.

[0203] In this embodiment of device 1200, a plurality of protrusions 1228 are operably attached to shaft 1220. In this embodiment, shaft 1220 may be substantially flexible and may be formed from any suitable flexible material, such as rope, cable, thread, wire, string, chain, twine, twisted mason line, synthetic fibers, fishing line, and the like.

[0204] The device 1200 is configured to be placed on the underside (bottom) of a body of water with the substantially planar base / anchor 1256 configured to pierce a portion of the underside and substantially maintain the position of the device on the underside. One end of the shaft 1220 can be operably connected to the substantially planar base / anchor 1256 at a substantially planar base / anchor connection point 1269. The other end of the shaft 1220 can be connected to the float 1265 at a float connection point 1273.

[0205] The float 1265 is configured to maintain at least a portion of the shaft 1220 at a fixed distance from the substrate 1271. In some embodiments, the float 1265 may be in the water column at a fixed distance from the substrate 1271, but is itself still submerged. In other embodiments, such as that shown in FIG. 30, the float may be wholly or partially above the water level 1267.

[0206] The float 1265 can be of any suitable material (foam, plastic, wood, rubber, glass, metal, combinations thereof, etc.) and construction (solid, hollow, partially solid, partially hollow, etc.) so as to have sufficient buoyancy to maintain at least a portion of the shaft 1220 at a distance away from the substrate 1271.

[0207] The device 1200 is configured to be dropped from a watercraft into relatively shallow water or installed by a human or robot, where it is placed on the floor and held substantially in place by a substantially planar base / anchor 1256.

[0208] 31-33 are equivalent to the elements of FIGS. 1 , 5, 9, 10, 14, 17, 18, 20, 23, 28, 29, and 30, except that in an embodiment of apparatus 100 the first digit is 2, in an embodiment of apparatus 200 the first digit is 2, in an embodiment of apparatus 300 the first digit is 3, in an embodiment of apparatus 400 the first digit is 4, in an embodiment of apparatus 500 the first digit is 5, in an embodiment of apparatus 600 the first digit is 6, in an embodiment of apparatus 700 the first digit is 7, in an embodiment of apparatus 700 the first digit is 8, in an embodiment of apparatus 800 the first digit is 9, in an embodiment of apparatus 900 the first digit is 9, in an embodiment of apparatus 1000 the first digit is 10, in an embodiment of apparatus 1100 the first digit is 11, or in an embodiment of apparatus 1200 the first digit is 13. For example, the corkscrew 1302 of the device 1300 is equivalent in structure and configuration to the corkscrew 102 of the embodiment of the device 100. Thus, all reference numbers with the last two numbers are equivalent or the same in structure and configuration among the devices 1200, 1100, 1000, 900, 800, 700, 600, 500, 400, 300, 200, and 100.

[0209] The device 1300 is shown in Figure 31. The protrusions 1328 are operably connected to a shaft 1320, which is operably connected to a substantially planar disc 1324 (or in some embodiments directly to the corkscrew 1302). In this embodiment of the device 1300, a plurality of protrusions 1328 are operably attached to the shaft 1320.

[0210] The multiple protrusions 1328 may be spaced apart from one another on the shaft 1320 by any suitable spacing mechanism or structure. Also, the number of protrusions 1328 may be any suitable value, such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20 or more. The corkscrew 1302 is configured to penetrate the top surface of the substrate by rotational force such that the shaft 1320 is partially or fully submerged. Details of the protrusions 1328 are shown in Figures 32 and 33.

[0211] 32, the protrusion 1328 includes four plates 1330. In this embodiment, the protrusion 1328 includes four plates 1330, but in other embodiments, the protrusion 1328 can include one plate, two plates, three plates, five plates, or more. Although not shown, each of the plates 1330 can include one or more through holes.

[0212] Each of the protrusions 1328 may be the same shape as the other protrusions 1328 or may be different from one another, such as, for example, protrusions 128 of the embodiment of device 100. Each protrusion 1328 may be substantially concave, as shown in Figures 31 and 32, each protrusion 1328 may be substantially flat, or each protrusion 1328 may be substantially convex.

[0213] Each protrusion 1328 includes a shaft cavity 1305 configured to extend around the shaft 1320. The shaft cavity 1305 can be configured by itself or in combination with another mechanism to allow the protrusion 1328 to rotate in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions about the shaft 1320, in an exact clockwise direction about the shaft 1320, in an exact counterclockwise direction about the shaft 1320, or to secure the protrusion 1328 against rotation about the shaft 1320.

[0214] Any portion of the protrusion 1328 may be at least partially embedded, at least partially formed, and / or at least partially coated with an attractant material configured to attract biota, such as, but not limited to, planktonic, nektonic, and / or benthic species. Benthic species include animals of the phylum Mollusca, such as bivalve mollusks, including, but not limited to, clams, oysters, mussels, and scallops. The attractant may be any suitable material, such as calcium-containing materials, carbonate-containing materials, and calcium carbonate-containing materials. Additionally, any portion of the protrusion 1328 may include grooves and / or depressions and / or rough surfaces, any and all of which may function as a method to enhance the ability of biota to attach and / or retain on the protrusion 1328.

[0215] The plates 1330 (if the protrusion 1328 includes more than one plate 1330) are laterally spaced apart from one another by optional plate gaps 1311. Each plate may include one or more optional protrusions 1313 and may be arranged with any dimensions and shape on the upper surface of the plate 1330 and / or the lower surface of the plate 1330.

[0216] As can be seen in FIG. 33, a top view further illustrating plate 1330 is shown in FIG.

[0217] 34 and 35 are equivalent to the elements of FIGS. 1 , 5, 9, 10, 14, 17, 18, 20, 23, 28, 29, 30, and 31-33, except that in an embodiment of apparatus 100 the first digit is 1, in an embodiment of apparatus 200 the first digit is 2, in an embodiment of apparatus 300 the first digit is 3, in an embodiment of apparatus 400 the first digit is 4, in an embodiment of apparatus 500 the first digit is 5, in an embodiment of apparatus 600 the first digit is 6, in an embodiment of apparatus 700 the first digit is 7, in an embodiment of apparatus 800 the first digit is 8, in an embodiment of apparatus 900 the first digit is 9, in an embodiment of apparatus 1000 the first digit is 10, in an embodiment of apparatus 1100 the first digit is 11, in an embodiment of apparatus 1200 the first digit is 12, or in an embodiment of apparatus 1300 the first digit is 13, whereas in this embodiment the first digit is 14. For example, corkscrew 1402 of device 1400 is equivalent in structure and configuration to corkscrew 102 of embodiment of device 100. Accordingly, all reference numbers with two last numbers are equivalent or the same in structure and configuration among device 1300, device 1200, device 1100, device 1000, device 900, device 800, device 700, device 600, device 500, device 400, device 300, device 200, and device 100.

[0218] The device 1400 is shown in FIG. 34. In this embodiment, the protrusion 1428 is configured to be secured to a relatively loose deposit form, such as a cliff face. The protrusion 1428 can include one or more protruding cells 1443, each having a protruding opening 1445. In this embodiment, many protruding cells 1443 are shown, but in other embodiments, fewer or more protruding cells 1443 may be included in a single protrusion 1428 in any suitable pattern and size. Additionally, while each protruding cell 1443 is shown as being hexagonal, in other embodiments, each protruding cell 1443 may be the same shape as the other protruding cells 1443 or may be a different shape than the other protruding cells 1443, and each protruding cell 1443 may be any suitable polygonal, curved, and / or irregular shape.

[0219] The device 1400 also includes a fixed flange 1441 on one end of the shaft 1420 that includes a torque-transmitting element, such as a bolt head, that can translate rotation from the fixed flange 1441 to the corkscrew 1402. The device 1400 can be placed on the form until the bottom surface of the projection 1428 contacts at least a portion of the form.

[0220] Optionally, a user can fill one or more of the protruding openings 1445 with additional forms and / or vegetation (including seeds). Each protruding opening 1445 is open so that the roots of any vegetation can penetrate into the existing forms.

[0221] The protrusion 1428 may be formed of any suitable material such as plastic, glass, ceramic, metal, carbon-based material, elastomer, rubber, and combinations thereof. A suitable material for the protrusion 1428 may be a biodegradable material such that the corkscrew 1302 can be removed and the protrusion 1428 can maintain its installed configuration over time.

[0222] In this embodiment, only one device 1400 is shown, but several devices 1400 may be placed adjacent to and / or in contact with one another along any portion of the periphery of the protrusion 1428 of each device 1400.

[0223] A side view of the device 1400 is shown in Figure 35. In other embodiments, the protrusions 1428 can have a concave, convex, or irregular shape.

[0224] The elements shown in Figures 36 and 37 are comparable to the elements of Figures 1, 5, 9, 10, 14, 17, 18, 20, 23, 28, 29, 30, 31-33, and 34-35, and in which the first digit in an embodiment of device 100 is 1, the first digit in an embodiment of device 200 is 2, the first digit in an embodiment of device 300 is 3, the first digit in an embodiment of device 400 is 4, the first digit in an embodiment of device 500 is 5, the first digit in an embodiment of device 600 is 6, and the first digit in an embodiment of device 600 is 7. In some embodiments, the first digit is 7, in some embodiments of device 700 the first digit is 8, in some embodiments of device 800 the first digit is 8, in some embodiments of device 900 the first digit is 9, in some embodiments of device 1000 the first digit is 10, in some embodiments of device 1100 the first digit is 11, in some embodiments of device 1200 the first digit is 12, in some embodiments of device 1300 the first digit is 13, or in some embodiments of device 1400 the first digit is 14, while in this embodiment the first digit is 15. For example, corkscrew 1502 of device 1500 is similar in structure and composition to corkscrew 102 of device 100 embodiment. Thus, all reference numbers having the last two digits are equivalent or identical in structure and configuration to device 1400, device 1300, device 1200, device 1100, device 1000, device 900, device 800, device 700, device 600, device 500, device 400, device 300, device 200, and device 100.

[0225] The device 1500 is shown in an unassembled state in FIG. 36. In this embodiment, the protrusions 1528 are configured to be secured to the bottom of a body of water and / or exposed sand / sediment / granular / mud / soil surface. The protrusions 1528 may be solid, partially solid, or substantially hollow. In this embodiment, the protrusions 1528 are shown in a truncated pyramid shape, but in other embodiments, the protrusions 1528 may be any suitable polygonal, curved and / or irregular shape, and any suitable size.

[0226] The protrusion 1528 includes at least one corkscrew tunnel 1547, although in other embodiments, the protrusion 1528 can include two or more corkscrew tunnels 1547, such that two or more corkscrews 1502 can be used in conjunction with the protrusion 1528 to secure the protrusion 1528 in a desired position.

[0227] The device 1500 also includes a fixed flange 1541 on one end of the shaft 1520, the fixed flange 1541 including a torque-transmitting element, such as a bolt head, that can translate rotation from the fixed flange 1541 to the corkscrew 1502. The device 1500 can be installed in the configuration until the corkscrew 1502 passes through the corkscrew tunnel 1547 and the fixed flange 1541 contacts the top surface of the protrusion 1528 and the bottom surface of the protrusion 1528 contacts the surface of the floor of the body of water, or at least a portion of the exposed sand / sediment / granular / mud / soil surface.

[0228] The protrusion 1528 may include one or more protrusion fill holes 1549 configured to allow water / sand / sediment / granular / mud / soil to enter the internal cavity of the protrusion 1528.

[0229] The protrusion 1528, when not filled with water and / or sand / sediment / granular / mud / soil, is relatively lightweight and may be configured to be manually carried by a human user.

[0230] The device 1500 is shown in an assembled state in FIG. 37 with the corkscrew 1502 passing through the corkscrew tunnel 1547 and the fixing flange 1541 contacting the upper surface of the projection 1528 .

[0231] 38 and 39 are equivalent to elements in FIGS. 1, 5, 9, 10, 14, 17, 18, 20, 23, 28, 29, 30, 31-33, 34-35, and 36-37, and in the embodiment of device 100 the first digit is 1, in the embodiment of device 200 the first digit is 2, in the embodiment of device 300 the first digit is 3, in the embodiment of device 400 the first digit is 4, in the embodiment of device 500 the first digit is 5, in the embodiment of device 600 the first digit is 6, in the embodiment of device 700 the first digit is 7 In an embodiment of device 1600, the first digit is 7, in an embodiment of device 800, the first digit is 8, in an embodiment of device 900, the first digit is 9, in an embodiment of device 1000, the first digit is 10, in an embodiment of device 1100, the first digit is 11, in an embodiment of device 1200, the first digit is 12, in an embodiment of device 1300, the first digit is 13, in an embodiment of device 1400, the first digit is 14, in an embodiment of device 1500, the first digit is 15, while in this embodiment the first digit is 16. For example, corkscrew 1602 of device 1600 is equivalent in structure and composition to corkscrew 102 of embodiment of device 100. Thus, all reference numbers having the last two digits are equivalent or identical in structure and configuration among device 1500, device 1400, device 1300, device 1200, device 1100, device 1000, device 900, device 800, device 700, device 600, device 500, device 400, device 300, device 200, and device 100.

[0232] A perspective view of the device 1600 is shown in Figure 38. In this embodiment, a horizontal shaft 1620' is attached to a vertical shaft 1620' via a shaft connector 1651. The shaft connector 1651 is configured to slide vertically up and down on the vertical shaft 1620' depending on the buoyancy of the device 1600 and the height of the water in which the device 1600 is placed. In some embodiments, the device 1600 may be designed with sufficient buoyancy so that the horizontal shaft 1620'' will remain at or within a few inches or feet of the fluctuating water levels.

[0233] In this embodiment, the shaft connectors 1651 are attached to four horizontal shafts 1620'', however in other embodiments the shaft connectors 1651 can be attached to one, two, three, five or more horizontal shafts 1620''. The horizontal shafts 1620'' can act to reduce wave energy and / or current energy in the water in which the apparatus 1600 is installed.

[0234] Each horizontal shaft 1620'' can include a protrusion 1628 that can be fixed to the horizontal shaft 1620'', that rotates exactly clockwise around the horizontal shaft 1620'', that rotates exactly counterclockwise around the horizontal shaft 1620'', or that rotates both clockwise and counterclockwise around the horizontal shaft 1620''. Each protrusion 1628, as with other protrusions described herein, can be of any suitable configuration and size, and as with other protrusions described herein, may or may not include a through hole.

[0235] Another embodiment of the device 1600 is shown in side view in Figure 39. In this embodiment, a horizontal shaft float 1653 is included. The horizontal shaft float 1653 may be operably connected to one or more horizontal shafts 1620'' and / or shaft connectors 1651. The horizontal shaft float 1653 may be of any suitable buoyant construction, shape, size, and material.

[0236] Two additional embodiments of protrusions are shown in Figures 40-43. The protrusions in Figures 40-43 are designed to be removable from and / or positioned on the shaft so that they can be replaced or to replace the protrusion originally attached if the protrusion becomes worn and / or broken and / or no longer functions as expected due to interaction with the environment.

[0237] One embodiment of the replacement protrusion 1728R1 is shown in Figures 40 and 41. In this embodiment, four plates 1730 are shown, however other embodiments may include one, two, three, five or more plates 1730. The plates 1730 are substantially flexible and capable of forming a shaft cavity 1705 of sufficient diameter / circumference to extend around the shaft of any device of the present disclosure.

[0238] 41, the plate extension 1730' extends a distance above the adjacent plate 1730 and is attached by a connecting mechanism 1755. The connecting mechanism 1755 can be any structure capable of maintaining the position of the plate extension 1730' relative to the adjacent plate 1730', such as a buckle mechanism, fastener, ratchet mechanism, clip mechanism, zipper mechanism, cable tie mechanism, adhesive, etc.

[0239] The replacement prongs 1728R1 may be formed of any suitable material, such as plastic, glass, ceramic, metal, carbon-based material, elastomer, rubber, woven material such as nylon, and combinations thereof.

[0240] A second embodiment of a replacement protrusion 1728R2 is shown in Figures 42 and 43. The protrusion 1728R2 in Figure 42 is one length of material that can be folded over to contact itself along four different plates 1730''. The portions of material that contact each other at the plate seams 1757 can be attached to each other by any suitable method, such as adhesive, sewing, stapling, etc.

[0241] The connecting mechanism 1755 can be any structure capable of maintaining the position of the two portions of the plate 1730'' relative to one another, such as a buckle mechanism, fastener, ratchet mechanism, clip mechanism, zipper mechanism, cable tie mechanism, adhesive, etc.

[0242] The replacement prongs 1728R2 may be formed of any suitable material, such as plastic, glass, ceramic, metal, carbon-based material, elastomer, rubber, woven material such as nylon, and combinations thereof.

[0243] Plate 1730'' is substantially flexible and capable of forming a shaft cavity 1705 of sufficient diameter / circumference to extend around the shaft of any device of the present disclosure.

[0244] The device 1800 is shown in FIG. 44. The device 1800 includes a substantially planar base / anchor 1856. In some embodiments, the substantially planar base / anchor 1856 is a single, unitary structure. In this embodiment, the substantially planar base / anchor 1856 is shown as having a substantially conical cross-section that can penetrate at least a portion of the substrate, however, in other embodiments, the substantially planar base / anchor 1856 can be any suitable shape. The substrate can be any seabed, riverbed, lakebed, or ocean bed.

[0245] In this embodiment of the device 1800, three lobes 1828 are operably attached to the three shafts 1820. In this embodiment, three lobes 1828 are shown, but other embodiments may include one, two, four or more lobes 1828.

[0246] In this embodiment, three shafts 1820 are shown, although other embodiments may include one, two, four or more shafts 1820. The shafts 1820 may be substantially flexible and may be formed of any suitable flexible material, such as rope, cable, thread, wire, string, chain, twine, twisted mason line, synthetic fibers, fishing line, etc.

[0247] The device 1800 is configured to be placed on the underside of a body of water with a substantially planar base / anchor 1856 configured to pierce a portion of the underside and substantially maintain the position of the device on the underside. Each protrusion 1828 is sufficiently buoyant to remain at least partially within the water column. Each protrusion 1828 can be of any suitable material (foam, plastic, wood, rubber, glass, metal, combinations thereof, etc.) and construction (solid, hollow, partially solid, partially hollow, etc.) such that the protrusion 1828 is sufficiently buoyant to maintain at least a portion of the shaft 1820 a distance away from the anchor 1856.

[0248] A vertical cross-sectional view of device 1800 is shown in Figure 45. As can be seen in this embodiment, each projection 1828 includes a hollow portion for creating buoyancy.

[0249] shaft * 20 is shown in Figure 46. Shaft * 20 may be any shaft or portion of any shaft in the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the shaft * 20 includes a power generating element 75. In this embodiment, the power generating element 75 may be a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) element. In this embodiment, a charge generating layer 75A and a charge collecting layer 75B are shown, and other components such as charge trapping and storage layers are present but not shown. However, in other embodiments, the power generating element 75 may be any structure capable of converting mechanical motion into an electric charge, such as a piezoelectric element.

[0250] In addition, the included shaft * 20 may also have a built-in battery or other power storage device. * 20 wire and / or one or more other shafts * 20 to electrically connect the collected electricity to each shaft * It can also be transmitted over distances of up to 20 meters.

[0251] In use, shaft *20 will be exposed to many environmental forces, such as waves, currents, tides and / or wind forces, over a significant period of time. Thus, during use, the shaft * The generating element 75 of the 20 is capable of receiving such physical forces and converting them into an electric charge.

[0252] shaft * A top view of 20 is shown in FIG.

[0253] shaft ** 20 is shown in FIG. 48. In this disclosure, the shaft ** 20 may be any shaft or portion of any shaft. In this embodiment, the shaft ** 20 may be substantially hollow and at least partially filled with strands 77 that extend through at least a portion of the shaft** 20. In this embodiment, seven strands 77 are shown, although in other embodiments, one, two, three, four, five, six, eight, or more strands 77 may extend through the shaft. * 20, and each strand 77 may be of the same cross-sectional shape or of a different shape, including any polygonal, curved, or irregular shape.

[0254] Each strand 77 may be of the same or different material as the other strands 77, such as plastic, glass, ceramic, metal, carbon-based material, elastomer, rubber, rope, cable, thread, wire, string, chain, twine, wire, synthetic fiber, fishing line, sisal, coconut fiber, and combinations thereof, and the material may be rigid, substantially rigid, flexible, or substantially flexible.

[0255] Strand 77 can adjust the shaft depending on environmental conditions and operational goals. * 20 shafts to change flexibility and / or stiffness * can be included in 20.

[0256] The present disclosure is further illustrated in the following examples. EXAMPLES

[0257] A controllable test was conducted for 18 days in March to determine and measure how the disclosed device affects sediment deposition in a natural system. To conduct this test, one device similar to the device in FIG. 1 was installed after 4 days of baseline data measurements. The device included a corkscrew and a shaft with 20 protrusions along the shaft, each of which included six plates. Each of the six plates was approximately 1 inch high and approximately 6 inches long, and each of the six plates included six through holes. Each protrusion extended around the shaft, and each protrusion was configured to rotate freely in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions.

[0258] On day one, a portion of marsh was selected that forms part of a flowing river that periodically reverses its flow depending on the tides. The portion selected is a portion of a tidal river that communicates with a portion of the Great South Bay in Long Island, New York. A substantially flat portion of this marsh / river was specifically selected. In particular, the location of the device installation in the marsh / river was exposed at low tide and submerged approximately 20 inches at high tide. The width of the marsh / river at the location where the device was installed was approximately 8 feet.

[0259] On day 1, four yardsticks (designated 1, 2, 3, and 4) were each driven approximately 12 inches into the marsh / river substrate. Yardstick 1 was placed adjacent to the future site of the device to be installed, in the location shown in Figure 49, while yardsticks 2, 3, and 4 were installed both upstream and downstream.

[0260] Sediment deposition data was then collected for the next four days without the disclosed device being installed. After four days, the disclosed device was installed at a location adjacent to Yardstick 1. After device installation, daily measurements were collected for a total of 18 days, with each measurement taken at low tide conditions. These measurement data are shown in Figure 50.

[0261] As shown in Figure 50, at the location adjacent to the disclosed device (Yardstick 1), a significant increase in sediment depth was measured within a few days, and that increased level was substantially maintained and increased slightly while the disclosed device was in place.

[0262] The described embodiments and examples of the present disclosure are intended to be illustrative rather than limiting, and are not intended to represent all embodiments or examples of the present disclosure. Although the basic novel features of the present disclosure have been illustrated, described, and pointed out in its various specific embodiments, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made in the form and details of the illustrated apparatus, as well as in their operation. Those skilled in the art can make these without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. For example, all combinations of these elements and / or method steps that perform substantially the same functions in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are expressly intended to be within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, it should be recognized that the structures and / or elements and / or method steps illustrated and / or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the present disclosure can be incorporated into other disclosed or described or suggested forms or embodiments as a general matter of design choice.

Claims

1. A corkscrew and a shaft having a first end operably attached to said corkscrew; one or more protrusions extending from the shaft between the first end of the shaft and the second end of the shaft; and the second end of the shaft is configured to transmit torque to both the first end of the shaft and the corkscrew; the one or more projections include a central support; the central support is operably connected to one or more plates or is formed from a single piece of material with the one or more plates; each of the one or more plates has a height direction substantially parallel to the shaft and a depth direction substantially perpendicular to the height direction; The one or more plates include one or more through holes along the depth axis.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the central support comprises a dome extending from a substantially planar surface of the central support.

3. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the one or more protrusions include one or more first protrusions and one or more second protrusions, and wherein a diameter of the one or more first protrusions is smaller than a diameter of the one or more second protrusions.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the central support is a plate holder operably connected to the one or more plates, the plate holder comprising a shaft cavity and at least one plate channel.

5. 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the one or more plates are selected from the group consisting of: one or more plates twisted along an axis substantially parallel to the shaft cavity; one or more plates including a main branch and one or more sub-branches; one or more plates that are curved and curved on each side of an axis substantially parallel to the shaft cavity; and one or more plates twisted along an axis substantially parallel to the shaft cavity and with a substantially flat portion substantially perpendicular to the axis of the shaft cavity.

6. 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the shaft comprises an upper shaft and a lower shaft, the device further comprising a barrel spring operably connecting the upper shaft to the lower shaft, and the one or more protrusions include a single protrusion operably connected along at least a majority of the length of the upper shaft.

7. The device of claim 6 , wherein the one protrusion includes a through-hole region and a solid region.

8. The device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more protrusions comprise calcium.

9. The device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more protrusions comprises one protrusion, the one protrusion comprising one or more protrusion cells and one or more protrusion openings.

10. The device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more protrusions include one protrusion, the one protrusion including a hollow cavity and at least one corkscrew tunnel.

11. 10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one horizontal shaft slidably connected to the substantially flexible shaft by a shaft connector, wherein the one or more protrusions extend from the at least one horizontal shaft between a first end of the at least one horizontal shaft and a second end of the at least one horizontal shaft.

12. Anchor and a substantially planar base operably connected to the anchor; a shaft having a first end operably attached to the substantially planar base; two or more protrusions extending from the shaft between the first end of the shaft and the second end of the shaft; and the two or more protrusions extend from the shaft along an entire length of the shaft and contact one or more adjacent protrusions between the first end of the shaft and the second end of the shaft; the two or more projections comprise a central support, the central support being operably connected to one or more plates or the central support being formed from a single piece of material with the one or more plates; each of the one or more plates has a height direction substantially parallel to the shaft and a depth direction substantially perpendicular to the height direction; The one or more plates include one or more through holes along the depth axis.

13. The device described in claim 1, wherein the one or more through holes include a plurality of through holes.

14. The device described in claim 1, wherein each of the one or more through holes is circular.

15. The device described in claim 12, wherein the one or more through holes include a plurality of through holes.

16. The device described in claim 12, wherein each of the one or more through holes is circular.

17. The device described in claim 1, wherein the one or more protrusions include two or more protrusions extending from the shaft along the entire length of the shaft and contacting adjacent one or more protrusions between a first end of the shaft and a second end of the shaft.

18. The device described in claim 1, wherein each of the one or more protrusions contacts the shaft.

19. The device described in claim 12, wherein each of the two or more protrusions contacts the shaft.

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