Abstract:
A structure that can be made in many different shapes composed of primarily soft limestone slabs and formed in a manner to a frame whereby ample surface area is provided for securement thereon of crustaceans, coral and other aquatic life. Additionally the present invention includes a base portion to support the present invention and handles or straps to assist in placement of the device in the ocean.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to oceanic reefs and, more specifically, to the creation, enhancing or expansion of oceanic reefs by the formation and placement of a plurality of differently shaped structures formed of a frame, typically tetrahedron shaped conjoined with a plurality of slabs forming the majority of the device&#39;s surface. The slabs are manufactured of concrete which forms a plate for embedding rocks, such as soft limestone or other indigenous rocks that allow marine animals to burrow. 
     The present invention functions to promote the formation of an oceanic reef by providing ample surface area formed of soft limestone providing an area for marine wildlife to anchor themselves to enable the start of an oceanic life cycle with an increased fish populace. 
     While there are other devices for creating an artificial oceanic reef that may be suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention, as hereinafter described. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     A primary object of the present invention is to provide a block-like structure composed of primarily soft limestone utilized for the development of artificial oceanic reefs. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a block-like structure having a formed extending surface area ideal for the attachment thereto of crustaceans and other aquatic life forms. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a block-like structure having a frame with attachable slabs of soft limestone to provide an easily attachable environment for ocean life 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a block-like structure having loops and attachments to help facilitate in placing of the present invention. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a block-like structure that may be constructed having a base portion to support the device when placed. 
     Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
     The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a block-like structure that can be made in many different shapes composed of primarily soft limestone slabs and formed in a manner to a frame whereby ample surface area is provided for securement thereon of crustaceans, coral and other aquatic life. Additionally the present invention includes a base portion to support the present invention and handles or straps to assist in placement of the device in the ocean. 
     The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawing, which forms a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawing, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
     The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
       In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an illustrative view of the present invention in use; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspectives view of a support structure of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a detailed view of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an alternate shape of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an alternate shape of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an alternate shape of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS 
     Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the figures illustrate the Artificial Reef of the present invention. With regard to the reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the various drawing figures.
           10  Artificial Reef of the present invention     12  support structure     14  soft stone     16  concrete     18  marine life     20  fish     22  base of  12       24  frame member of  12       26  interior of  12       28  recess of  16       30  boring marine animals     32  coquina (south Florida limestone)     34  crustaceans     36  worms     38  coral     40  cylindrical reef     42  footpads of  40       44  center post of  40       46  hoist bar     48  pyramid-shaped reef with square footprint     50  square reef       

     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of the invention (and several variations of that embodiment). This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments, practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For definition of the complete scope of the invention, the reader is directed to appended claims. 
       FIG. 1  is an illustrative view of the present invention  10  in use. The present invention is an artificial reef  10  having a manufactured support structure  12  in a plurality of shapes. Rock, such as Florida or other soft limestone  14 , soft limestone  14  is excellent reef material and is embedded into concrete walls  16  assembled about the support structure  12 . The added benefit of embedding the stone  14  in the concrete  16  reef is to allow vertical relief from the bottom. This exposes more of the stone  14  for marine life  18  to attach itself to. By using small stones  14  instead of one large stone  14 , much more surface area is exposed for the marine life  18  to attach to. The stone  14  allows marine boring animals (worms) and other marine life forms  18  such as crustaceans to drill into the stone  14  for easy attachment, attracting fish  20  and other marine life  18  to the artificial reef  10 . 
       FIG. 2  is a perspectives view of a support structure  12  of the present invention. Shown is a support structure  12  of the present invention&#39;s artificial reef having a manufactured support structure  12  in a plurality of shapes and rock types, such as soft limestone that is an excellent reef material, embedded into concrete walls assembled about the support structure  12 . The added benefit of embedding the stone in the concrete is to allow vertical relief from the base  22 . Frame members  24  extend from the base  22  to support the concrete walls. This exposes more of the soft stone for marine life to attach itself to. By using small stones instead of one large stone, much more surface area is exposed for the marine life to attach to. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the present invention  10 . Shown is the artificial reef  10  comprising a manufactured support structure  12  in a plurality of shapes and soft rock types  16  that are embedded into concrete walls  16  assembled about the frame members  24  of the support structure  12 . The benefit of embedding the soft stone  14  in the concrete walls  16  is to allow vertical relief from the base  22 . This exposes more of the soft stone  14  for marine life to attach itself to. By using small stones  14  instead of one large stone  14 , much more surface area is exposed for the marine life to attach to. The soft limestone  14  allows marine boring animals (worms) and other marine life forms such as crustaceans to drill into the stone  14  for easy attachment, attracting fish and other marine life to the artificial reef  10 . The interior  26  of the reef  10  is substantially hollow and accessible through a plurality of recesses  28  disposed within the walls  16  thereof. 
       FIG. 4  is a detailed view of the soft rock  14 . Shown is one example of the soft rock  14  used in the support structure. As illustrated, soft rock  14  such as coquina (south Florida limestone)  32  or other soft limestone  14  is excellent reef material and is embedded into concrete walls assembled about the support structure. The soft rock  14  allows marine boring animals  30  such as worms  36  and crustaceans  34  to drill into the stone  14  for easy attachment, attracting fish  20 , coral  38  and other marine life  18  to the artificial reef. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an alternate shape of the present invention  10 . The present invention  10  can be fabricated in any shape without deviating from the objectives thereof. Shown is a cylindrical reef  40  having a support structure  12  with foot pads  42  as a base  22  and frame members  24  including a center post  44  with spoke-like members emanating therefrom. A hoist bar  46  is disposed on the top of the center post  44  to assist in the installation thereof. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an alternate shape of the present invention  10  having a square base  22  and a pyramid shape  48 . 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an alternate shape of the present invention  10 . Shown is the artificial reef  10  fabricated in as a square reef  50  including a hoist bar  46 . The benefit of embedding the stone in the concrete is to allow vertical relief from the bottom. This exposes more of the stone for marine life to attach itself to. By using small stones instead of one large stone, much more surface area is exposed for the marine life to attach to. The soft limestone allows marine boring animals (worms) and other marine life forms such as crustaceans to drill into the stone for easy attachment, attracting fish and other marine life to the artificial reef  10 . 
     It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above. 
     While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 
     Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention