Patent ID: 11877563
Assignee: nan
Field: Other special machines (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC A  Y | IPC A  E

Claim 0:
1. An artificial reef structure configured to be moored to the sea floor, comprising:
(a) an open frame comprising a plurality of links connected by a plurality of joints;
(b) said open frame including a plurality of rings of said links, with each of said rings lying primarily in a plane and each of said rings including five of said links;
(c) said open frame creating a three-dimensional structure;
(d) a connector located in a central position within said open frame;
(e) a plurality of tension members, wherein each of said tension members runs between one of said joints and said connector;
(f) wherein each of said joints, includes,
(i) an anchor point attaching one of said tension members,
(ii) a first leg, a second leg, and a third leg, with each of said first, second, and third legs including a receiver configured to slidably receive an end of one of said links,
(iii) wherein a first angle between said first leg and said attached tension member is acute,
(iv) wherein a second angle between said second leg and said attached tension member is acute,
(v) wherein a third angle between said third leg and said attached tension member is acute;

(e) said central position of said connector being configured so that every link in said structure is placed in compression by said tension members pulling said joints toward said central position;
(f) said tension members lying outside a single plane; and
(g) a mooring line configured to moor said artificial reef structure above said sea floor and below a sea surface.