Patent Abstract:
A method of making an island including the steps of: manufacturing a plurality of formations; transporting the formation to a site in a water body; assembling said formations proximate one another; said formations defining an artificial island structure with both below and above water line components. Methods are described, as well as methods and components for both island and existing island and land enhancements.

Full Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
       [0001]    Applicant claims the benefit of the filing date of Feb. 23, 2006 of its U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/776,116, expressly incorporated in its entirety herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to manmade islands and more particularly to components of and methods for constructing manmade islands, and to structures and processes for enhancing existing island and land features. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The available quantity of beachfront or waterfront properties in desirable geographic locations is dwindling. Increasing development reduces the sites available for commercial, residential or resort facilities. One potential solution is the creation of manmade islands or terrain, or enhancing current land terrain. 
         [0004]    One prior system of building artificial islands includes dredging and reclamation processes which involve collecting sand from the sea bottom and blowing the collected sand into a solid formation until an island is formed. By mixing crushed rock with the sand, the process and integrity of the island may be enhanced. The sand is then compacted to meet construction standards. 
         [0005]    This dredging process is met with resistance in some parts of the world as being environmentally damaging. The process requires large dredging ships for long periods of time. 
         [0006]    In addition, the natural currents of water constantly erode the unprotected sand islands. The sand islands do not offer an attachment mechanism or sound base for adding features such as buildings. 
         [0007]    The sand islands do not offer hard edges or options in beach profiles. The standard, natural profile sloped beach is typically the only option available with the dredging process. The dredging system does not offer the option to present unique characteristics of the island. Nor do the prior techniques offer structures defining and housing water front facilities. 
         [0008]    There is a need to produce manmade or artificial islands in areas of the sea, or in lakes or other bodies of water, or to enhance existing land or island features. Such islands and enhancements are desired to provide a sound base on which decorative, aesthetic or inhabitable features or facilities can be placed on a permanent basis and without susceptibility to erosion or other weather or natural occurrences. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The manmade island components and methods according to the invention provide solutions to these circumstances. They provide the opportunity to create exciting, adventurous details on manmade island structures. Coves, atolls, caves, caverns, lagoons, pools, protected harbors, protected wave pool harbors and more are all possible with the components and methods of the present invention. 
         [0010]    In more detail, the present invention contemplates a manmade island structure comprising, initially, artificial or manmade “formations”, such as a reef formation, fabricated on dry land and transported to sea, lake or other water body site for installation and formation of a formation for defining a structure in a above the water body according to a predetermined design. 
         [0011]    The formations are constructed in multiple components or elements, each comprising a part of an entire formation, using typical concrete foundation wall forms where the wall forms are removed once the cement begins to set, and forming cementitious or synthetic facades as a supported shell thereon. A second option is free-forming the formations by placing rebar or other material into the desired shape of the reef and applying the cement mix pneumatically. As the concrete of each reef form cures, each structure will be loaded onto a barge for transportation to the installation site. 
         [0012]    At the island-side of each formation, a concrete foot is provided as an anchoring feature. The weight of the island actually bears down on this area of the formation in order to hold the formation in place. 
         [0013]    One embodiment of the formations defines a sloped beach area accomplished by a sloping concrete beach floor as will be described. Open sand chambers within the formation may also form the natural sloping effect to provide for beach areas while holding the sand in place. The primary materials used in construction are reinforcing steel, concrete, fibers in the concrete mix, prefabricated artificial rock systems and various protective coatings, including but not limited to epoxy, urethane and polyester coatings. 
         [0014]    It will be appreciated that the formations are designed to provide and define many attractive structures and features typically associated with a water body, island or shoreline. Entire coves, atolls, caves, caverns, lagoons, pools, protected harbors, protected wave pool harbors and other facilities and aesthetics can be provided according to the invention herein. 
         [0015]    This invention can be used to extend, enhance or enlarge existing natural islands as well as establishing new islands where no exist. 
         [0016]    The invention can also be used to construct traditional types of buildings at sea that display different architecture, design and themes. 
         [0017]    These and other objectives and advantages of the invention will be readily appreciated from the foregoing, and from the following description and drawings, in which: 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is an elevational view in partial cross-section illustrating a beach entry reef formation according to the invention; 
           [0019]      FIGS. 2  is a elevational view in partial cross-section illustrating a replaceable coral wave break reef formation according to the invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is an elevational view in partial cross-section illustrating a cliff rock from sea floor formation according to the invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is an elevational view in partial cross-section illustrating a cliff walk formation according to the invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is an elevational view in partial cross-section illustrating a spire island formation according to the invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is an elevational view in partial cross-section illustrating a coast line undercut formation according to the invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is an elevational view in partial cross-section illustrating a protected beach walk formation according to the invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is an elevational view in partial cross-section illustrating an elevated sunbathing platform formation according to the invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  is an elevational view in partial cross-section illustrating an erosion protection formation according to the invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 10  is an elevational view in partial cross-section illustrating an animal and fish containment formation according to the invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 11  is an elevational view in partial cross-section illustrating a beach stabilization formation according to the invention; 
           [0029]      FIGS. 12A and 12B  illustrate in partial cross-section two respective book end reef formations according to the invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 13  is an elevational view in partial cross-section illustrating a formation comprising a center support column structure according to the invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 14  is an elevational view in partial cross-section illustrating a slab coral formation according to the invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 15  is an elevational view in partial cross-section illustrating an architectural formation according to the invention and further illustrates a structural foundation for a variety of themed finishes; and 
           [0033]      FIG. 16  is an overhead or plan view illustrating an entire island or atoll according to the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0034]    It will be appreciated that the invention contemplates the use of a plurality of complimentary formation components or elements joined or associated with one another to provide a structural formation for a facility beneath a water body or above a water body. In many variations, a “formation” component or element as that term is used herein, comprises an internal structure or frame supporting a shell comprising a cementitious or synthetic material preferably formed to have or to emulate a reef or rock-like appearance and preferably used with other complimentary formation elements to define a beach, island, cliff, platform housing or other architectural structures as will be described. 
         [0035]    One or more complimentary formation elements are preferably preformed, then transported and placed at an installation site. 
         [0036]    Details of the invention are perhaps best seen in the figures representing and illustrating numerous embodiments, combinations and uses of the reef formation described herein. 
         [0037]    Turning now to the drawings, there is shown in  FIG. 1  an illustrative cross-section of a beach entry reef formation  10 , with one component  11  thereof shown in cross-section. Element  11  is comprised of a base member  12 , a plurality of upright frame members  13 ,  14  and  15 , an upper surface  16  and a natural finish or facade  17  below the water line WL. It will be appreciated that water lines shown in each of the following figures are designated as WL for clarity and brevity. Water line WL is the surface of a water body  18  which may be the sea, a lake or other water body having a floor  19 . 
         [0038]    It will be appreciated that a plurality of similar or complimentary elements  11  can be interconnected operationally to form an entire beach entry area. Sand is disposed over the upper surface  16  of the elements  11  so as to comprise a beach of sloped configuration, both above and below the water line WL. 
         [0039]    It will be further appreciated that, in this configuration as shown in  FIG. 1 , the upright frame members  13 ,  14 ,  15 , which may also comprise walls or structural beams which define chambers therebetween, and those chambers are filled with a ballast material, such as at  23 , and which may be comprised of pebbles, rocks, cementitious materials or other materials suitable for ballast in holding the elements  11  in place. 
         [0040]    It will also be appreciated that base  12  has an inward or land projecting extension or foot  24 , which is also covered by sand and which serves to facilitate the anchoring of the elements  11  and thus the entire formation  10  in an appropriate position with respect to the water body  18 . 
         [0041]    In addition, it will be appreciated that the facade or finish  17  may be formed of any suitable material, such as a synthetic material which is finished to take on or emulate the aesthetic appearance of a coral reef, for example. Accordingly, and while the elements  11  are sunk generally slightly below the floor  19  of the water body  18 , the facade  17  extends both below and above, and presents from the viewpoint of the water body a reef-like configuration. 
         [0042]    Finally, it will be appreciated that pilings, such as illustrated at  25  and  26  may optionally be sunk into the floor  19  of the water body and the elements  11  positioned over those pilings to further secure the reformation  10  in place. In this optional configuration, of course, sufficient apertures or openings are provided in the base  12  to accommodate the pilings  25 ,  26 . 
         [0043]    The beach entry reef formation  10 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , is perhaps the most basic and common profile for island construction. This form emulates the gradual sloping entry from an island into an ocean or sea, lake or other water body, via a 15-30 degree sloping ramp. This reef formation is constructed with engineered concrete and steel reinforcement preferably. Glass fibers and chemical add mixtures to the cement may be added as required and as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art. 
         [0044]    Moreover, a chemical resistant coating can be applied to the concrete structure where deemed desirable. The finish on the ramp or upper surface  16  may be simulated beach pebbles or cement mix with internal coloring, so as to proximate the color of the existing sand to be used. The front edge of the entry form, as noted above, may also display or emulate a simulated coral reef texture to achieve the highest degree of realism possible. 
         [0045]    The beach entry form may be mechanically attached to the ocean floor  19  using piers, columns, pilings  25 ,  26 , soil mails or composite adhesives. Nevertheless, the primary anchoring mechanism for the beach form comprises the weight of both the concrete form, which includes the base  12 , walls  13 ,  14 , 15  and the ramp surface  16 , and any chamber with fill material, as illustrated at  27 . 
         [0046]    It will be further appreciated that an entire island can be constructed using the elements described and shown in  FIG. 1 . For example, a plurality of reef formation elements  11  to form a reef formation  10  can be pre-manufactured on a dry land site and conveyed by barge or other expedient to a site where an island is to be formed. 
         [0047]    There, a plurality of the elements  11  can be sunk in a predetermined fashion and pattern in order to define an entire island, such as island  28  shown in  FIG. 1  and in a water body where there was previously no island. Accordingly, the beach entry reformation  10  comprises a construction which extends both below and above the water line  11  in order to form both under water and above water base to define an island of any particular configuration or design where the island is primarily formed of the sand  22 . Alternately, elements  11  may be used to extend existing island or land mass features. 
         [0048]    Turning now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown therein a replaceable coral wave break formation  30 , including a replaceable element  31  and an underwater element  32 . Underwater element  32  is similar to the element  11  of  FIG. 1 , in that it includes walls or beams  33  and  34 , defining chambers  35 ,  36 . Elements  31 ,  32  can be pre-constructed offsite and moved to an appropriate position in a water body, such as water body  37 , to provide a coral wave break formation  30 , as shown. The lower element or underwater element  32 , in addition, has a cementitious base  38  with an inwardly or land-extending projection  39  for covering by the sand  40  of the island for anchoring purposes. Similarly to the formation of  FIG. 1 , pilings, piers, columns or other devices may be optionally used in order to hold the formation elements  32 ,  31  in place. These are not shown for purposes of clarity. Chambers  35 ,  36  may also be filled with a weighty ballast material, such as any cementitious material, rocks, pebbles or the like, for securing the element  32  in position on the floor  41  of the water body  37 . 
         [0049]    The elements  31  and  32  are operationally interconnected by any suitable expedia, such as a rib  43 , while the element  31  can be removably interconnected with the element  32 , so that the element  31  can be replaced for maintenance or thematic change. Aesthetically, the respective shells  44 ,  45  of elements  32 ,  31  are configured and finished to take on the appearance of a reef or any other suitable rock-like appearance. Upon any undesirable damage of the element  31  due to the surface or at the water line of the water body  37 , the element  31  can be replaced. It will be appreciated that the shells  44 ,  45  of the elements  32 ,  31  are supported by any internal framework structures and may be supplied as an integral shell or may be supplied by pneumatically blowing cement material over a form or other mesh-like material or a rebar matrix in formed shapes as desired. 
         [0050]    The replaceable coral wave break  30  provides a simple, realistic termination of an island  47  edge along a shoreline without offering a sand beach. Such a formation  30  emulates preferably a rugged coral coastline of an island by displaying a sculpted a coral rock finish at the water&#39;s edge and comprising the shell  45  of the element  31 . The formation  30  is constructed, preferably with engineered concrete and steel reinforcement framework (not shown). Glass fiber or chemical add mixtures to the cementitious material may be added as required for aesthetic effect or strength, chemical resistant coatings for saline resistance may be utilized and finishes on the subsurface element  32 , such as a shell  44 , may be provided as simulated coral rockwork or other aesthetic naturally appearing shapes. The formation  30  can be mechanically or chemically attached to the water body floor  41 , using piers, columns, pilings, soil nails or composite adhesives, but the primary anchoring mechanism will be the weight of the concrete form, including the base  38 , the walls  33 ,  34 , the shells  44 ,  45  and any ballast material in the chamber  35 ,  36 . 
         [0051]    Finally, and as noted, the section or element  31  exposed to the water line or breaking waves is replaceable, to allow for easy maintenance or repair. Again, it will be appreciated that a plurality of elements  31 ,  32  in cooperation with each other can be operationally interconnected together to define an entire island  47  or only a portion or shoreline of an island, where none exited before, or as an extension of an existing island. 
         [0052]    Turning now to  FIG. 3 , it will be appreciated that the figure illustrates a cliff rock extending from a sea floor well above a water line WL to provide a dynamic, yet realistic transition from an island  50  to a water body  51  over the floor  52 . Accordingly, the cliff rock formation  53  will preferably emulate a rugged, vertical rock cliff typical of natural islands, such as those found in Greece, for example. The formation  53  is defined by an element  54  and an element  55 , each of which support a shell  56 , which is finished to emulate and present aesthetically a vertical rock cliff. Thus, a plurality of elements  54 ,  55  are operably set, side by side, in connection with an integrated shell  56  to define a formation  53 . Element  54  comprises a base  57  with walls  58 ,  59  defining a chamber  60  and with an upper surface  61 . The element  55  comprises a plurality of frame structural members  63 ,  64 ,  65  and vertical members  66 ,  67 . 
         [0053]    The areas defined by the walls  58 ,  59  and surface  61  of element  54  and the various volumetric areas defined by the structural frame member  63 ,  64 ,  65  and the walls  66 ,  67  may be filled with ballast in order to position an anchor to formation  53 . The elements  54 ,  55  can be constructed offsite and moved by barge or other transport expedients to a site to form a rock wall extending from the water body floor  52 . In addition, elements  54 ,  55 , together with the aesthetic shell or facade  56  can be used to define in whole or in part, an entire island  50 , or only a portion thereof, or an extension of an existing island. As in the other embodiments, the formation and its elements are constructed of engineered concrete and steel reinforcement, preferably, with glass fibers and chemical admixtures as desired or required, chemical resistant coatings for saline resistance and an aesthetic finish of simulated coral or other type of rockwork on the subsurface portion  69  of the shell  56 . 
         [0054]    The formation  53  may be anchored by piers, columns or pilings chemically to the floor  52  or by any other expedient as mentioned with respect to the other embodiments, but the with the primary anchoring mechanism is the weight of the elements as described above and the weight of any ballast filling the various chambers and volumetric areas as illustrated in the figure. 
         [0055]    Turning now to  FIG. 4 , there is illustrated a cliff walk formation  70  comprising an above water facade or shell  71  and a shell  72  extending from above the water line WL of a water body  73  to below that water line toward the water body floor  74 . Essentially, what is shown in  FIG. 4  is somewhat a combination of the structures described above in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . Accordingly, an element comprising the shell  72  includes walls  75  and  76  disposed on a base  77  with a rearward projection  78  thereon and defining chambers which can be filled with ballast as shown. 
         [0056]    A second element  80  comprises a plurality of frame members  81 ,  82  and  83 , together with walls  84  and  85 . The shell  71  may be like that shell  56  described above with respect to  FIG. 3 , while the shell  72  may be like that shell member  16  as described with respect to  FIG. 1  and it will be appreciated that the shell  71  is preferably comprised of a rocklike configuration or emulation and that the intersection at  86  of the shell  71 ,  72  are defined with respect to the shells, so that a person can walk above the shell or on the shell  72  and under the shell  71  as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . Shell  71 , of course, could be covered with a layer of sand (not shown). The formation  70  provides a dynamic, yet realistic transition from an island to the water body  73  and emulates a rugged vertical rock cliff typical of natural islands. This cliff rock formation  70  is constructed as noted with respect to the elements of the formations described in the prior figures, finished in a similar way but as desired with respect to the aesthetic view of the finish or facade and mounted on the floor  74  in a similar way, with the volumetric areas between the frame members and the wall structures being filled as desired with ballast so as to anchor the formation  70 . 
         [0057]    It will be appreciated that the shell  72  can be replaced if decayed as a result of the breaking wave action and the gently sloping beach entry provided by the shell  72  can be finished with an exposed beach pebble texture or the like. Moreover, it will be appreciated that walls or members  81 - 85  may define inhabitable spaces for residential, commercial, resort or hotel facilities or the like. 
         [0058]      FIG. 5  illustrates a spire island formation  90  extending upwardly from a water body floor  91  above the water line WL as shown in the figure. The spire island formation  90  includes a plurality of frame members  92 - 94  and cross-structural members  95 - 97  disposed all on a base  98 , configured to be placed within the floor  91  of the water body  99 . A shell  100  is mounted on the framework  92 - 97  similarly to the shells as described above and the facade provided by the shell  100  is designed aesthetically to provide a realistic transition from below the water line to above the water line in an island or spire island format. Such a formation presents a dynamic and visually exciting formation from the floor  91  to well above the water line WL. It provides a majestic, yet realistic transition from the water line to an exclusive island formed by the shell  100  above the water line WL and emulates a rugged, vertical rock formation typical of Southeast Asia and more specifically Thailand. The exposed shell above the water line WL is constructed to achieve the highest degree of aesthetic realism possible, while other components of the spire island formation  90  are similar to those described above. 
         [0059]    The framework as disclosed in  FIG. 5 , together with the shell, can be manufactured offsite and transported by barge or other facility to a site where it is desired to erect a single or multiple spire islands. The formations  90  are attached to water body floor  91  in any suitable manner as described above and sections of the shell proximate the water line WL may be easily changed out or repaired due to any decay by water wave action. Elevated or sloping beach areas could be added to this formation in a manner as will be appreciated by extending the internal framework in the shell accordingly, such as suggested, for example, in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0060]    Such a spire island formation may also be used as an architectural or structural base for a number of facilities, such as commercial facilities or residential facilities, or resort facilities, such as hotels and the like, all located within appropriate framework as illustrated by the members  92 - 98  of  FIG. 5 . The formation  90  could also serve as a primary design for communication stations, early warning markers or relays, military applications, animal containment structures, sea life parks, sail in amphitheaters and other architectural and thematic projects. 
         [0061]    Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the features as shown in  FIG. 5  can be modified aesthetically and with respect to space and extension in order to provide the architectural base or foundation for a number of buildings and facilities in a place where there was nothing but water before and limited only by the imagination of the designer. 
         [0062]    With further reference to  FIG. 5 , it will be appreciated that the formation  90  can be adapted for use, not only rising from the floor of a water body, but also used upon existing island or land structures to define a natural rock or coral terrain housing a wide variety of residence, commercial, hotel, resort or protected marina facilities within the spaces, and optionally extending outwardly thereof, defined by walls and members  92 - 98  and by shell or shells  100 , or thereunder. 
         [0063]    Moreover, it will be appreciated that the scope of size of the formation may be hundreds of feet in height and in breadth in order to accommodate the noted facilities and that the outside appearance is limited only by the imagination of the shell designer and the interior architect. 
         [0064]      FIGS. 6-9  illustrate further modifications of the invention as will be appreciated, including adaptations of the structures, formations and constructions as described above, to serve different purposes. As an example, in  FIG. 6 , a coastline undercut formation  110  is described, where walls  111  and  112  are provided on a base  113 , having a rearward projection  114 . The shell  115 , such as those described above and providing a coral-like appearance, is provided in chambers defined by the shell  115 , the walls  111 ,  112  and the base  113  can be filled with a ballast for mounting on a floor  116  of a water body  117  below the water line WL. A shell formation  118  is provided extending above the wall  112  and above the shell  115  to provide an undercut emulating the undercut rock profiles typical of saltwater volcanic islands in the Pacific. 
         [0065]    The finish on the subsurface rock shell  115  may be simulated coral or rockwork. The finish on the exposed shell above the water line WL is constructed to emulate the highest degree of rock realism possible. Sand  119  fills in behind the shells  118  and the below water line structure to provide ballasts to anchor the formation  110  while the above water line shell  115  is finished with an exposed beach pebble texture or similar texture with natural sand optional thereon. The overhead feature of the coastline undercut formation  110  offers protection from the elements and provides a protected walkway above the water line WL. 
         [0066]      FIG. 7  illustrates a protected beach walk formation  124 , providing an elevated, protected beach area  125  for walking or the like. The formation  124  includes an element  126  formed of walls  127 ,  128  and base  129 , with a rearwardly projecting element  130 . A shell  131  emulates a coral or rock facade and can be replaceable if decayed by the wave action at the water line WL of water body  132  above water body floor  133 . 
         [0067]    Turning to  FIG. 8 , there is shown an elevated sunbathing platform which constitutes adaptation of the coral wave break formation of  FIG. 2  and the coastline undercut formation of  FIG. 6 , for example. Accordingly, in  FIG. 8 , there is an element  31  replaceably disposed on an element  32  which resides in the water body  136 . A structural formation or element  138  including at least walls  139  and  140  support a shell  141  which rises behind and over the element  31  and supports a sunbathing platform  144 , as illustrated in the figure. 
         [0068]    Elements  31  and  32  are constructed like those described in  FIG. 2  upon a base  145 , similar to that base  38  of  FIG. 2  mounted on or just within the floor  146  of the water body  136 . Accordingly, the construction shown in  FIG. 8  provides an elevated, protected platform for sunbathing, for example. This formation  148  provides an elevated platform for sunbathing as a simulated, cantilevered concrete and sand platform, along with a replaceable coral rock wave break to protect beach sand from erosion. 
         [0069]    Such a formation  148  is particularly useful for installation in areas where undercurrents and tide changes create significant erosion problems. The features as disclosed in  FIG. 8  are similar to those as disclosed with respect to the other embodiments of the invention described above with respect to the interior frame work, mounting and ballast systems. 
         [0070]    As well, it will be appreciated that the cantilevered area of the shell  118  as shown in  FIG. 6  may also be supported by additional framework and internal support as illustrated diagrammatically only in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0071]    In  FIG. 9 , there is illustrated a erosion protection formation  150 . Formation  150  includes a base element  151  mounted on or within a floor  152  of a water body  153  beneath a water line WL. Such an erosion preventing formation may be inserted in an existing island or in an island constructed by the methods described herein, where the natural line of the sand, for example, sloping to the water line and below, is shown in the dotted line at  154 . 
         [0072]    Formation  150  further includes a shell  155  made of suitable cementitious or synthetic material and simulating coral or rock formations. The shell  155  is supported by any suitable internal structures, including framework such as at wall  156  and any other framework not shown. Wall  156 , together with the base  151  and the shell  155  define a chamber into which can be placed a variety of ballast material to maintain the formation  150  in place. It will also be appreciated that formation  150  can be used as an independent element or as a series or independent elements interconnected or spaced apart along a shoreline for the prevention of erosion and that the finish of the shell  155  is treated to emulate rock or coral materials in a natural manner as will be appreciated. 
         [0073]    It will also be appreciated that additional wall structures such as at  157  and covering shells or coatings  158  can be provided on the base  151  where rear portions of the formation  150  are open for receiving ballast. Such formations can be used in areas where undercurrents and tide changes create significant erosion problems. 
         [0074]    Turning now briefly to  FIG. 10 , it will be appreciated that the figure illustrates an overhead or plan view of an animal containment system  170 , wherein the entire structure is built up from the bed or floor of a water body and is designed such as shown in  FIG. 10  to define an animal containment area  171 . In this regard, it will be appreciated that the structures, such as at  172 ,  173 ,  174 ,  175  and  176  can all be manufactured of cementitious or synthetic materials such as those described above and include essentially an internal framework or support of steel or concrete structure and an outer shell of cementitious or synthetic material which is designed and treated to present the aesthetic appearance of a rock or coral facade rising above a water level in order to define the island-like structures  172 - 176 . When these are formed from the sea floor, as shown, it will be appreciated that the areas  171 ,  171 A can be defined as animal, fish or aquatic life containment areas. This is provided by the fact that the island elements  172 - 176  extend from the floor of the water body above that floor and outwardly and upwardly into the atmosphere. Appropriate gates (not shown) are disposed at areas  178 ,  179 ,  180  and  182  to prevent the ingress or egress of animals, fish or other aquatic life. Such gates can be manufactured of any suitable structures and can be raised or lowered where desired, to permit ingress or egress. 
         [0075]    Accordingly, the island structures  172 - 176  can be formed, such as by the elements or features of the preceding  FIGS. 1-9 , to define an island complex which itself defines animal containment areas  171 ,  171 A. Means for accessing the areas by various boats can be provided for viewing. Also, beach structures and/or inhabitable structures can be defined within the island structures  172 - 176  as defined by the utilization of the architectural structures and components previously described. 
         [0076]    Turning now to  FIGS. 11-15 , other applications and modifications and embodiments of the invention herein will be described. As an example, in  FIG. 11 , there is shown a beach stabilization formation  190 , particularly useful for installation in areas of either newly-constructed or existing island where undercurrent or tide changes create erosion problems. The beach stabilization formation  190 , as shown in  FIG. 11 , includes an anchor element  191 , a forward element  192  and a tie element  193 . A water body  194  is defined in part by a floor  195  and a water level WL. 
         [0077]    A beach is defined at  196  comprising an area of sloping sand, running and transitioning from positions above the water line WL to positions below the water line as illustrated. The elements  191 ,  192  may comprise cementitious forms constructed offsite and moved to the positions as shown via barges or other transport facilities. When in place, the area above the ties  193  are filled with sand and the element  192  is provided with a rock or coral simulating surface  197  as shown in solid line, or  198  as shown in phantom line, exposed to the water of the water body  194 . 
         [0078]    A plurality of elements making up a single formation  190  or a single element making up a formation  190  can be used in such areas to prevent and minimize erosion and undercurrent degradation of the sloping sand or beach area  196 . 
         [0079]    Turning now to  FIGS. 12A and 12B , there are various formats shown for defining a perimeter outline of an island made according to the above-described architectural formations noted in the previous figures. Accordingly, in  FIG. 12A , a bookend formation  200  is described having bookend elements  201  and  202  comprised of cementitious or other materials in the formats shown and emulating on their outer surfaces, preferably coral or coral rock faces. These elements  201 ,  202  are secured to the floor  203  of a water body  204 , a ballast or fill material such as rock or pebbles or other cementitious material  205  is disposed between the elements  201 ,  202  and the area above the fill  205  is provided with sand as at  206 , a portion of which extends above the water line WL. 
         [0080]    Elements  201 ,  202  are held in place, preferably by columns, pilings or piers  207 ,  208  as desired. Such architectural formation as described in  FIG. 12A  can thus form a sandbar, for example, just at or slightly off the shorelines defined by the manmade islands of the preceding figures. Pilings (not shown) may extend inside the bookend elements  201 ,  202  for achieving maximum structural integrity. It will be appreciated that  FIG. 12  shows a cross-section of an island, and that a plurality of elements  201 ,  202  may be used to define a perimeter of an island, peninsula or the like. 
         [0081]      FIG. 12B  illustrates a bookend reformation  210  comprised by bookend elements  211 ,  212 , each secured by a piling  213 ,  214 . These differ slightly from the bookend elements  201 ,  202  in that bookend elements  201 ,  202  of  FIG. 12A  are provided with extensions  209  which lie under the fill  217  and/or the sand  218 . In  FIG. 12B , pilings  213 ,  214  are simply extended upwardly into the elements  211 ,  212  and downwardly into the floor  215  of a water body  216  to provide support for the elements  211  and  212  on the floor and to help define an island or a sandbar or perimeter for an existing or a manmade island. 
         [0082]      FIG. 13  illustrates a modification of the invention wherein a center support column is utilized to mount the formation structures as described above and is particularly useful where further support is needed for those structures. Accordingly,  FIG. 13  illustrates a center support column formation  220 , including a center support column  221 , a tie rod  222 , a base  223  and a formation structure  224 , similar to those described above. 
         [0083]    A manmade or natural island  225  has, for example, a sloping shoreline  226  extending from above to below the water line WL of a body of water  227  defined above a floor  228 . The formation  224  may be like those formations described above and by way of example only, without limitation, in  FIGS. 1-4  and  6 - 9 , for example. It will be appreciated that this support column formation is particularly useful for attaching the forms  224  at the perimeter of the island to more centrally located columns  221  installed more toward the center of the island and providing by means of the base  223  and the tie  222  substantial support for counterbalancing and holding the formations  224 . Formations  224 , of course, and as noted, may comprise elements made from a series of internal framework, steel or concrete, covered by shell material as has been described above. 
         [0084]    Turning now to  FIG. 14 , there is described a slabbed coral formation  240 , particularly useful where a sand seabed, lakebed or water body bed does not constitute a suitable substrate for construction purposes. Coral slab formation  240  permits the production of thickened slabs of reinforced concrete to substitute for natural coral rock on which various architectural features as described above may be mounted more securely. However, where the bed of the water body  241 , rising above floor  242  is less substantial, the construction of  FIG. 14  can be utilized. In this configuration, a base  244  of cementitious material is formed offsite and may be transported to the position desired in the water body  241 . These are lowered to the site and these concrete slabs  244  then provide a structural foundation for the subsequent installation of formations on top of the slabs. Accordingly, a formation such as at  246  is also formed on site. Formation  246  may include an element which includes at least a frame member  247  supporting a shell  248  which is formed as noted above, to emulate a coral rock or rock surface or facade. The area of voids between the structural frame member, such as at  247  and the shell  248  are filled, preferably with a cementitious material  249  to provide weight for the element  246 . 
         [0085]    During the construction of the slab  244 , upstanding rods or anchors  250  are provided in the slab and extend upwardly. Once the shell and internal structured element is manufactured and transported to the site, it is lowered over the slab  244  and the cement  249  is filled, in order to hold down the element including the shell  248  and is solidly connected to the slab  244  through the anchor rods  250 . Thereafter, sand, such as at  252 , is poured over the base  244  and over the shell  248  to provide a natural above and below water appearance. 
         [0086]    Turning to  FIG. 15 , there is illustrated therein various adaptations of the formations and construction features noted above. For example,  FIG. 15  illustrates a combination of the coral wave break reef formation of  FIG. 2 , together with primarily underwater formation, which emulates a number of variable architectural and aesthetic structures. Accordingly, the formation  260  in  FIG. 15  is a combination of a coral wave break element  261  such as shown and described in  FIG. 2 , but together with an underwater facade at  262  within the water body  263  and above floor  264 . 
         [0087]    Formation  262  as illustrated in  FIG. 15  comprises, for example only, a themed finish, such as old columns or ruins illustrated or emulated as a shell  265  as part of an element  266 . Element  266  comprises walls  267  and upper surface  268  and a base  269 , similar to those described above and supporting the shell  265 . It will be appreciated that the shell  265  may be supported by any suitable means, such as those described above, and including concrete or steel forms and may be formed in any of a plurality of themed finishes, such as ruins or any other types of effects extending both above and below the water line WL. 
         [0088]    In this connection, and with reference to the various formations as described in this application, various aesthetic and architectural features should be appreciated. For example, rock or rock simulation as an architectural finish can be utilized in connection with these structural features. It will also be appreciated that residential units, commercial facilities, resort condos, hotel suites or timeshare properties can be formed and reside within various portions of the formations ad described herein, both above and below water, while the application of manmade rockwork as the primary and secondary structural and architectural finish material for residential applications can substantially enhance those facilities. 
         [0089]    Moreover, it will be appreciated that a variety of mechanical features can be utilized to provide other aesthetics to the manmade islands and formations described herein. For example, many of the formations as described may also provide options for installation of grading, plumbing and mechanical equipment to create artificial tides, waves and compactions of the sand to hold specific elements in places designed. For example, by creating a continuous artificial current of water above a sand surface, and a continuous suction below the sand bed, the sand can be held in place against the force of this natural current or natural waves. This may eliminate the need for beach dressing and manicuring. A further mechanical feature of the invention, while not shown, could comprise a wave generation machine within a harbor or atoll area of an artificial island made by these techniques as described herein. The wave machine could be used to generate artificial waves directed toward swimming guests or guest areas or in the marine or fish containment area as described above. Air bubblers could be used in the same way. 
         [0090]    Moreover, since the formations described herein are manmade, lighting can be installed, both above and below the water lines and around the perimeters of the manmade island from underwater light fixtures as may be desired. 
         [0091]    Moreover, underwater viewing windows can be installed at the perimeter of the island or in the animal and fish containment areas to allow for viewing from within inside one of the formations as described herein. 
         [0092]    It should be also appreciated that the structures and concepts described herein can be applied or combined with existing artificial or natural island or land structures. The formations described will function to improve, enhance, strengthen, reduce erosion and provide aesthetic structures for human enjoyment. Thus the structures and features described herein can be retrofitted or adapted to existing island or land structures without the artificial bases illustrated, or can be used to provide wholly artificial islands and structures for human habitation and enjoyment. 
         [0093]    Finally and turning to  FIG. 16 , there is shown an overhead view of an entire island  270  which can be made entirely by man and arising from a floor of a water body and above that water body to provide, for example, harbor and fish or animal containment area  271 , internal coves, lakes and streams  272  and a variety of topography such as otherwise illustrated by the various shading, to provide an entire manmade residential, commercial or resort area. For example, sandy or beach areas  273  can be provided while taller structures such as  274  and  275  can be provided for overlooks, residences, hotels or the like. It will be appreciated that in the various areas, the architectural features and formations as described in the preceding figures can be used to define the beach or island perimeter areas, as well as rising above the beach or water line areas and in which hotels, condos, residences, timeshare units and commercial facilities, as well as harbors, marinas, golf courses, and other resort activity areas can be built. 
         [0094]    Accordingly, the invention offers and provides a capacity, both structurally and as a process for providing artificial island and land structures for human commerce, vacation, residence, and resort areas where nothing but water existed before. 
         [0095]    With reference to  FIGS. 10 and 16 , such a manmade island could be built from the sea or water area floor where nothing existed above water level previously. Such an artificial island according to the invention could provide residential, vacation, postal and park areas, hotels, lighthouse, scuba diving, marine, marinas, aquatic and wetland preservation and viewing facilities among other facilities and structures, with the only limit being the imagination of the designer. The structures illustrated and the figures provide the structural base for below and above water line structures for natural aesthetic, buildings, marinas, viewing amphitheaters, natural concert venues and the like. 
         [0096]    It will also be appreciated that where plural formations or elements are used to define an island perimeter, they may be operationally joined or connected in a way to prohibit or reduce water flow or leakage between them. In this regard, the shell surfaces could be adhered together or gaps between them bridged with materials also emulating rock, coral or the like. 
         [0097]    Finally, it will be clearly appreciated that an entire manmade island can be erected with these formations, architectural structures, aesthetic treatments and these methods where nothing existed before but water. Various formations or formation elements can be operably combined to provide an island of varying terrain, including sloping and protected beaches, coral and rock, sea to island transitions, rising terrain, hills, cliffs and mountains and underwater and above water facilities for human use and appreciation. One form of element or formation can be used to transition into another for terrain variations or effect, or to define desirable features such as beach, cliffs, lake, undercuts, erosion protection, harbors marine life, amphitheaters hotel condominiums, resorts, residences, retail space, marinas and the like. Perimeter formations are placed, then the interior is built up, all from the floor of the water body site. 
         [0098]    These variations and modifications will be readily appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains and applicant intends to be bound only by the claims appended hereto.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4