Patent Abstract:
An erosion control plank is provided. The plank is a lattice of intersecting vertical walls and horizontal walls and includes an opening to permit a stake to secure the plank over an eroded region. The plank can be secured by a stake. The eroded region is filled with appropriate fill material which would pass through the lattice. Plants and other growth are introduced onto the plank and fill material on or through the lattice where their root networks would help secure the fill and the plank and prevent erosion. The plank is rectangular and includes connectors to permit multiple planks to be secured to one another in both a horizontal and vertical relationship, allowing the erosion control planks to fit over any of a variety of eroded surfaces and to prevent erosion from occurring there again. The erosion control planks may also be used on a non-eroded area to prevent the onset of erosion.

Full Description:
PRIORITY DOCUMENTS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/772,668 filed on Mar. 5, 2013, entitled Erosion Prevention Plank With Interior Lattice, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Sloped regions near ponds, lakes, streams, rivers, canals, seashore and the like are subject to erosion due to rain and other physical processes. The rate of erosion is amplified when the natural habitat of vegetation which is indigenous to the region is reduced or eliminated. During a rainstorm, a portion of valuable topsoil as well as property (the ground) adjacent to such regions ends up in the body of water. This happens when the runoff from the rainstorm carries soil and other material down a slope and into a pond, canal or lake water. This process forms gullies about the perimeter of the pond or water pool which accelerates the rate of erosion during subsequent rainfall. Depending on how close a home or building is to the pond or lake, unchecked erosion may eventually be damaging to such structures. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The invention is comprised of an elongated grate which may be connected to one or more adjacent grates, forming a lattice like structure which would be applied atop an erosion region or gully around a pond, lake or other area where erosion is not desired. This permits the erosion region surrounding a pond lake or other area where erosion is not desired to be completely covered by a plurality of interlocked grates. Once the grates are in position over the eroded area, sand, crushed rock, or other ASTM® (a registered trademark of American Society for Testing and Materials Corporation), approved materials will be placed atop the lattice, where they in turn would fill the eroded space below the grate. Once the eroded space is filled with new material, sod with grasses or other plants would be placed atop or in the grates. The growth of the plant life would both secure the grate to the material below, as well as stabilize the fill material by their root systems, securing the grates and the material beneath, preventing such material from erosion. 
         [0004]    The invention is not limited to any dimensions described herein, but may be any dimension which would be applicable to stopping erosion with such a device or method. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1A  is a plan view a first embodiment of the erosion control plank showing linear lattice structure. 
           [0006]      FIG. 1B  is an exploded view of a top left corner of  FIG. 1A  showing a first embodiment of the erosion control plank&#39;s female connection elements. 
           [0007]      FIG. 1C  is an exploded view of a bottom left corner of  FIG. 1A  showing a first embodiment of the erosion control plank&#39;s female and male connection elements. 
           [0008]      FIG. 1D  is the short side view of the first embodiment of the erosion control plank taken along lines D-D of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0009]      FIG. 1E  is a long side view of the first embodiment the erosion control plank taken along line E-E of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0010]      FIG. 1F  is a top plan view of a second embodiment of the erosion control plank. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1G  is an exploded view of the upper left hand corner of the second embodiment of the erosion control plank showing a close-up of the lattice structure. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1H  is a side view of the long side of a second embodiment of the erosion control plank taken along line H-H of  FIG. 1F . 
           [0013]      FIG. 1I  is an exploded view of a second embodiment of the erosion control plank taken from a top portion of  FIG. 1H , showing the slot through which a connecting element of an attachment stake will pass. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1J  is a short side view of a second embodiment of the erosion control plank taken from line J-J  FIG. 1F . 
           [0015]      FIG. 2A  is a top view of a plurality of the first embodiment of the erosion control planks connected together atop an erosion prone region. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2B  is a top view of a plurality of the second embodiment of the erosion control planks connected together atop an erosion prone region. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3A  is a front view of a connected pair of stakes, these stakes would be employed in connecting one erosion control plank to another in the second embodiment of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3B  is an end view of the stakes of  FIG. 3A . 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  shows a side cross sectional view taken from a building to the lake, canal or pond, showing the implementation of the second embodiment of the erosion control planks, restoring a stable slope where an eroded region once existed. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  shows a side cross sectional view of taken from a building to the lake, canal or pond, showing the implementation of another embodiment of the erosion control planks, including a tube filled with material which is covered by fabric to prevent the loss of material used to fill the eroded region. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6A  shows a side cross sectional view taken from above the erosion zone to the lake, canal or pond, showing the implementation of the first embodiment of the erosion control plank, including a deeply buried stake connected by a cord to the central aperture in each of the connected erosion control planks. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6B  shows a side cross sectional view taken from above the erosion zone to the lake, canal or pond, showing the implementation of the first embodiment of the erosion control planks, including a single large stake which passes through the eroded zone and is embedded into the sub-eroded zone. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the erosion control plank. 
           [0024]      FIG. 8A  is a plan view of two connected erosion control planks of the first embodiment of the invention, showing their ability to form a concave curve to more completely cover a concave eroded zone formed proximal to the intersection of a concave curved perimeter of a lake, stream, canal ocean or pond with associated land. 
           [0025]      FIG. 8B  is a plan view of two connected erosion control planks of the first embodiment of the invention, showing their ability to form a convex curve to more completely cover a convex eroded zone formed proximal to the intersection of a convex curved perimeter of a lake, stream, canal ocean or pond with associated land. 
           [0026]      FIG. 9A  is a view of the first embodiment of the invention showing the female portion just prior to connection to the male portion of the connecting elements. 
           [0027]      FIG. 9B  is a view of the first embodiment of the invention showing the female portion connected to the male portion of the connecting elements. 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  shows a stake connected to the central aperture of the first embodiment of an erosion control plank, where the stake is connected to the central aperture by a rope frictionally fit in a v-notch located on the wall of the aperture, and the rope is securely affixed to the stake. 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  shows a broken view of another type of stake which would interfit with the lattice of the erosion control plank. 
           [0030]    The point  410  of stake  400  would penetrate the soil below the void created by the erosion. A first turret  420  and a second turret  430  can be seen in  FIG. 11 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 12  shows a broken perspective view of another type of stake as shown in  FIG. 11 .  FIG. 12  shows the first turret  420 , the second turret  430 , the third turret  440  and the fourth turret  450 . A generally “+” shaped aperture  460  separates the four turrets from one another forming four corners, and proceeds a distance R down from the top of the stake  400 . A plurality of stakes  400  would be placed into to substrate below the eroded region so that the top of the stakes  400  would be level with one another. The erosion control planks  10  or  10 ′ may be placed atop the plurality of stakes  400  which are appropriately placed to receive the intersections of the vertical columns with the horizontal rows, providing a support for the erosion control planks  10  or  10 ′ prior to the eroded zone being filled with fill. Once the fill integrates the void formed by the erosion back to a non-eroded state, plants and the like would be placed in the lattice cells where the root growth would secure the erosion control planks  10  or  10 ′ permanently in position to resist future erosion events. 
           [0032]      FIG. 13  shows three erosion control planks of the first embodiment of the invention connected both horizontally and vertically. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 1A ,  FIG. 7 , and  FIG. 13  a first embodiment of the erosion control plank  10 A is shown. The erosion control plank  10 A is a lattice of a plurality of horizontal walls  20 B intersecting with a plurality of vertical walls  25 B. In the approximate center of the erosion control plank  10 A is a cylindrical aperture  30 A adapted to receive a stake or other means to secure the erosion control plank  10 A in place. However, aperture  30 A can be located anywhere within the horizontal wall and vertical wall borders of plank  10 A. Cylindrical aperture  30 A has a v-shaped notch  100 B in it&#39;s sidewall  102  which would receive a securing means such as rope  120  therein (best seen in  FIG. 10 ). The lattice is comprised of a plurality of cells  32 A which may be an open cell  32 B or a closed cell  32 C. All cells may be referred to as  32 A. Open cells  32 B are the cells which border both the right and left side of the erosion control plank  10 A and have three sidewalls and one opening. Closed cells  32 C have four sidewalls. Both open cells  32 B and closed cells  32 C have an approximate dimension of 6 inches in width, 4 inches in length and 4 inches in depth or height as shown in  FIGS. 1B and 1D . The top most horizontal wall  44 A includes five connection elements. The rightmost connection element is  45 A, which is adjacent connection element  45 B, which is adjacent to connection element  45 C, which in turn is adjacent to connection element  45 D, which in turn is adjacent to the leftmost connection element  45 E. Connection element  45 A is a male connection element, whereas connection elements  45 B,  45 C,  45 D, and  45 E are female connection elements. 
         [0034]    The bottom most horizontal row  48 A also includes 5 connection elements. The rightmost connection element is  49 A, which in turn is adjacent to connection element  49 B, which in turn is adjacent to connection element  49 C, which in turn is adjacent to connection element  49 D, which in turn is adjacent to the leftmost connection element  49 E. Connection element  49 A is a male connection element, whereas connection elements  49 B,  49 C,  49 D, and  49 E are all female connection elements. 
         [0035]    The rightmost connection element and the leftmost connection element of all the horizontal walls intermediate the topmost horizontal wall  44 A and the bottommost horizontal wall  49 A end at a point approximately 6″ from the closest vertical wall. This gives the erosion control plank  10 A, eighteen (18) open cells in the leftmost column, eighteen (18) closed cells in the second column, eighteen (18) closed cells in the third column, and eighteen (18) open cells in the fourth column. 
         [0036]    If an identical erosion control plank  10 A were placed to the right of a first erosion control plank  10 A, the top male connection element  45 A and the bottom male connection element  49 A would connectively interfit with the top female connection element  45 E and the bottom female connection element  49 E connecting the first and second erosion control planks together in a horizontal relationship. Three such erosion control planks are shown connected in  FIG. 2A . 
         [0037]    Referring now specifically to  FIG. 1B  a closeup of the left most top portion of the erosion control plank  10 A is shown. The left most top female connection element  45 E is shown oriented to the left end of the topmost horizontal wall  44 A. The left most top female connection element  45 E is shown proximal to the upward facing female connection element  45 D which lies at the intersection of the top of the leftmost vertical wall and the topmost horizontal wall  44 A. 
         [0038]    Although not shown in  FIG. 1B , the orientation of the two adjacent top female connector elements  45 C and  45 D are also upwardly oriented from where the central vertical wall intersects the topmost horizontal wall  44 A and where the rightmost vertical wall intersects the topmost horizontal wall  44 A respectively. 
         [0039]    Referring now specifically to  FIG. 1C  a closeup of the left most bottom portion of the erosion control plank  10 A is shown. The left most bottom female connection element  49 E is shown oriented to the left of the bottom most horizontal wall  48 A. The left most bottom female connection element  49 E is shown proximal to the upward facing female connection element  49 D which lies at the intersection of the bottom of the leftmost vertical wall and the bottom most horizontal wall  48 A. 
         [0040]    Although not shown in  FIG. 1C , the orientation of the two adjacent bottom male connector elements  49 C and  49 D are also downwardly oriented from where the central vertical wall intersects the bottom most horizontal wall  48 A and where the rightmost vertical wall intersects the bottom most vertical wall  48 A respectively. 
         [0041]    Referring now to  FIG. 1D  a view of the erosion control plank  10 A is shown taken along lines D-D of  FIG. 1A . Female connector elements  45 E,  45 D,  45 C and  45 B are shown in series and adjacent to male connector element  45 A along the topmost horizontal wall  44 A. 
         [0042]    A view of the bottom most horizontal wall  48 A upward would show the female connector element  49 E being all the way to the left, followed by male connectors  49 D,  49 C,  49 B, and  48 A as one moves to the right. These bottom connectors have the orientation as shown in  FIG. 1A . 
         [0043]    Referring specifically to  FIG. 1E , a view of the erosion control plank  10 A is shown taken along lines E-E of  FIG. 1A . Both the topmost male connector  45 A and the bottommost male connector  49 A are shown. Both the topmost male connector  45 A and the bottom most male connector  49 A are shown centrally affixed to the right end of the topmost horizontal wall  44 A and to the right end of the bottom most horizontal wall  48 A.  FIG. 1E  also shows elements of the rightmost open cells of the lattice which are formed of vertical element  25 B and horizontal elements  20 B. 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIG. 1F  a plan view of the second embodiment of the erosion control plank  10  showing a row and columns of a linear lattice  12 A, the linear lattice  12 A having a plurality of cells  12 . In this embodiment of the invention, the erosion control plank  10  is about 72 inches long, see length “a”, and 24 inches wide, see width “b” and 4 inches high, see height “c” (best seen in  FIG. 1J ). This gives the erosion control plank  10  one hundred and eight 4 inch by 4 inch cells, in combination, is referred to as the linear lattice structure  12 A. Each sidewall  12 B of lattice structure  12 A including the length, width and individual cell  12  sidewall  12 B has a dimension of 0.1 inch, and is also referred to as the width of the lattice wall or “e” dimension in  FIG. 1G . The erosion control plank  10  are manufactured from any of a plurality of modern high strength plastics or other material which may have appropriate material properties to be employed, including recycled materials. 
         [0045]      FIG. 1G  is an exploded view of the upper left hand corner of the second embodiment of the erosion control plank  10  showing a close-up of the lattice cells  12 . Each individual cell  12  has 4 sidewalls  12 B which have a thickness dimension of about 0.1 inch, and is also referred to as the lattice wall width or “e” dimension. 
         [0046]    Referring now specifically to  FIG. 1H  a side view taken along line H-H of  FIG. 1F  from the left side toward the erosion control plank  10  is shown. A pair of slots  5 H are shown on the top and the bottom of  FIG. 1H .  FIG. 1H  would be identical if the lines H-H were taken from the right side toward the erosion control plank  10  including the concurrent pair of slots  5 H. Slot  5 H is slightly larger than 0.2 inches in width and is adapted to frictionally fit connecting element  82  of stakes  80  (best seen in  FIGS. 2B ,  3 A and  3 B) which would connect one erosion control plank to another (as best seen in  FIG. 2B ). 
         [0047]    Referring now specifically to  FIG. 1J  a top side view taken along line J-J of  FIG. 1F  is shown. 
         [0048]    The dimensions shown and discussed for the planks  10  and  10 A and stakes  80  and the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1A through 1J  are for a specific embodiment of the invention. Different erosion faces and types of materials eroded may necessitate other dimensions or materials to be employed. Further, the materials utilized are not intended to be any way limiting. 
         [0049]    Referring now to  FIG. 2A , a plan view of three (3) erosion control planks  10 C,  10 D, and  10 E being connected together atop an eroded region  60  intermediate a lake, canal or pond  50  and a house  40  is shown. Grass  70  is shown intermediate the house  40 . 
         [0050]    The three erosion control planks  10 C,  10 D, and  10 E of the first embodiment are shown connected together horizontally. A first cylindrical aperture  30 C is provided on the center of the first erosion control plank  10 C. A second cylindrical aperture  30 D is provided on the center of the second erosion control plank  10 D. A third cylindrical aperture  30 E is provided on the center of the first erosion control plank  10 E. 
         [0051]    Erosion control planks  10 C,  10 D, and  10 E are placed atop the eroded zone  60 , and they are secured together on the top and bottom by a male securing element mating with a female securing element. First erosion control plank  10 C is secured to the second erosion control plank  10 D by the topmost right male connector element  45 A of plank  10 C matingly engaging the topmost left female connector element  45 E′ of plank  10 D. Additionally, the first erosion control plank  10 C is further secured to the second erosion control plank  10 D by the bottommost right male connector element  49 A matingly engaging the bottommost left female connector element  49 E′ of plank  10 D. Second erosion control plank  10 D is secured to the third erosion control plank  10 E by the topmost right male connector element  45 A′ of plank  10 D matingly engaging the topmost left female connector element  45 E″ of plank  10 D. Additionally, the second erosion control plank  10 D is further secured to the third erosion control plank  10 E by the bottommost right male connector element  49 A′ matingly engaging the bottommost left female connector element  49 E″ of plank  10 E. 
         [0052]    The first circular aperture  30 C, the second circular aperture  30 D and the third circular aperture  30 E are adapted to receive a stake or other securing elements there through, which would pass through the eroded region beneath the horizontally connected erosion control planks  10 C,  10 D, and  10 E, with this stake penetrating onto the non-eroded subsurface which is covered by the connected planks,  10 C,  10 D, and  10 E. 
         [0053]    Once the erosion control planks  10 C,  10 D, and  10 E are placed and staked in the proper position, a fill is poured through the lattice of the three planks  10 C,  10 D, and  10 E which fills the eroded region  60  beneath the planks up to the top of the lattice walls. At this point, appropriate plants are introduced into the fill in and below the lattice walls, allowing the roots to grow and eventually permanently secure the eroded region  60  using the structure of the planks  10 C,  10 D, and  10 E to hold the plants  240  and fill materials in position. The plants  240  can be chosen depending on the water type (salt, brackish or fresh) for hardiness as well as for deep root structure. 
         [0054]    All of the connector elements, both male and female, both top and bottom are shown in  FIG. 2A . This is merely an amplification of the single erosion control plank  10 A, where the connection elements are non-primed on plank  10 C, single primed on plank  10 D and double primed on plank  10 E. 
         [0055]    Referring now to  FIG. 2B , a view of three (3) erosion control planks  10  being connected together atop an eroded region  60  intermediate a lake, canal or pond  50  and a house  40  is shown. Grass  70  is shown intermediate the house  40 . In this  FIG. 2B , the top portions  11  of each of the erosion control planks  10  are shown in the grass area  70 . The bottoms  13  of each of the erosion control planks  10  are shown in the low level of water  55  of the lake, canal or pond  50 . Hereinafter, the terms lake, canal, or pond are used interchangeably and can refer to any body of water. 
         [0056]      FIG. 2B  shows three of the erosion planks of the second embodiment affixed together. The first erosion control plank  10  has a top side A, a bottom side B, a right side C and a left side D. 
         [0057]    The second erosion control plank  10 ′ has a top side A′, a bottom side B′, a right side C′ and a left side D′. 
         [0058]    The third erosion control plank  10 ″ has a top side A″, a bottom side B″, a right side C″ and a left side D″. The arrangement of the erosion control planks ( 10 ,  10 ′,  10 ″) are long sides adjacent the long sides (C next to D′) and (C′ next to D″). 
         [0059]    The first and second erosion control planks  10  and  10 ′ are connected by a pair of connecting stakes  80  (best seen in detail in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . Two pairs of connecting stakes  80  connect the top portion A to A′ and then A′ to A″. Another two pair of connecting stakes  80  connect the bottom portion B to B′ and then B′ to B″ as shown. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2B , each square of the lattice  12  is about 4 by 4 inches. 
         [0060]    One of the pair of stakes  80  is designed to be hammered into or by other means inserted through the rightmost top square cell  85  of the lattice of the erosion control plank  10  into the ground below. The other one of the pair of stakes  80  is to be hammered or by other means inserted through the leftmost top square cell  86  of the lattice of the erosion control plank  10 ′. Each one of the stakes in the pair of stakes  80  is connected to the other by a connecting element  82 . The connecting element  82  in this embodiment is 4 inches long. This separates the first erosion control plank  10  from the second erosion control plank  10 ′ by 4 inches. 
         [0061]    A second pair of stakes  80  is designed to be hammered into or by other means inserted through the rightmost top square cell  93  of the lattice of the erosion control plank  10 ′ into the ground below. The other one of the pair of stakes  80  is to be hammered or by other means inserted through the leftmost top square cell  94  of the lattice of the erosion control plank  10 ″. Each one of the stakes in the second pair of stakes  80  is connected to the other by a connecting element  82 . The connecting element  82  in this embodiment is 4 inches long. This separates the second erosion control plank  10 ′ from the third erosion control plank  10 ″ by 4 inches. 
         [0062]    A third pair of stakes  80  is designed to be hammered into or by other means inserted through the rightmost bottom square cell  87  of the lattice of the erosion control plank  10  into the ground below. The other one of the pair of stakes  80  is to be hammered or by other means inserted through the leftmost bottom square cell  88  of the lattice of the erosion control plank  10 ′. Each one of the stakes in the pair of stakes  80  is connected to the other by a connecting element  82 . The connecting element  82  in this embodiment is 4 inches long. This separates the first erosion control plank  10  from the second erosion control plank  10 ′ by 4 inches. 
         [0063]    A fourth pair of stakes  80  is designed to be hammered into or by other means inserted through the rightmost lower square cell  90  of the lattice of the erosion control plank  10 ′ into the ground below. The other one of the pair of stakes  80  is to be hammered or by other means inserted through the leftmost bottom square cell  91  of the lattice of the erosion control plank  10 ″. Each one of the stakes in the second pair of stakes  80  is connected to the other by a connecting element  82 . The connecting element  82  in this embodiment is 4 inches long. This separates the second erosion control plank  10 ′ from the third erosion control plank  10 ″ by about 4 inches. 
         [0064]    By use of the connecting stakes  80  the erosion control planks  10 ,  10 ′ and  10 ″ are secured in position above the eroded area  60 . When initially placing the erosion control planks  10 ,  10 ′ and  10 ″ the perimeter of each, designated by sides (A,B,C,D), (A′B′C′D′) and (A″B″C″D″) respectfully, and the respective portions of the planks  10 ,  10 ′ and  10 ″ are forced into ground in the region of or adjacent the eroded area  60 , whether it be grass, gravel, sand, water or whatever. This is done prior to the placing stakes  80  to secure the erosion control planks ( 10 ,  10 ′,  10 ″) over and in the eroded area  60 . 
         [0065]    This is able to be accomplished because the downward axial compressive force does not exceed the compressive force properties of the material from which the erosion control planks ( 10 ,  10 ′,  10 ″) were chosen to be constructed from. The erosion control planks  10 ,  10 ′ and  10 ″ are manufactured from any of a plurality of modern high strength plastics or other material which may have appropriate material properties to be employed including recycled materials. Different materials may be employed in different environmental circumstances. Any number of erosion control planks  10  can be interconnected. By using different lattice squares to place the stakes  80  both vertical and horizontal designs may be utilized to cover the eroded region  60 . Once the eroded region  60  is covered with a sufficient number of erosion control planks  10 , a fill material is placed through the square apertures of the lattice filling the eroded region  60 . The fill material may be sand, crushed rocks, dirt, or other materials which may pass through the lattice and fill the eroded region  60  below. This fill may be employed in any embodiment of the invention, and may be chosen due to the local environmental conditions. Whatever material is employed it is to be filled to the top or close to the top of the erosion control plank  10 . At this point rolls of sod or the like are placed atop the region where the erosion control planks have been placed. This sod would be watered and once the roots take hold, the erosion into the lake or pond will have been halted or minimized. Thus the property and the house will be protected from heavy rains and flooding through the arresting of the erosion through the use of the erosion control plank  10 . In addition to the sod, not shown, plants  240  can be placed in and on top of the planks after the fill is placed below and in the planks. 
         [0066]    Referring to  FIG. 3A  a front view of the connected pair of stakes  80  are shown. They are connected by element  82  and in this embodiment, element  82  is 4 inches long.  FIG. 3B  is an end view of the stakes of  FIG. 3A . The stakes  80  have a pointed bottom element  100 . Angular fins  110  are provided about the stake  80 . It has been considered that since the sod and grass will root and secure the erosion control board  10  that the stake  80  be manufactured in Eco-friendly fashion or may be biodegradable, likewise the planks herein all embodiments can be biodegradable. 
         [0067]    Referring now specifically to  FIGS. 4 and 5  side sectional views of the landscape from the pond, canal or lake  50  to the house/building/structure  40  is shown. The lake  50  has a variable depth of water  55 . The Low Water Table  200  (hereafter referred to the LWT  200 ) is about the lowest depth the pond/lake  50  would achieve. The High Water Table  210  (hereafter referred to as the HWT) is about the highest depth the lake  50  would achieve. Intermediate the LWT  200  and the HWT  210  is the Design Water Table  220  (hereafter referred to as the DWT) where the lake level  55  is indicated. The bottom  215  of the lake  50  is generally flat, but can be any cross section, and would have the deepest water in the lake  50 . A 2:1 slope  225  comes off the bottom  215  of the lake  50  until it passes the LWT  200 . Approximately at the LWT  200  the 2:1 slope  225  becomes less inclined to about a 4:1 slope  230 . The erosion control planks  10  are designed to have their bottom (see B, B′, and B″ in  FIG. 2B ) placed at approximately at the DWT  220 . The planks  10  would be forced into the surface of the ground all the way to the tops (A, A′, A″ in  FIG. 2B ) and then secured by the stake pairs  80  (best seen in  FIGS. 3A and 3B ). The eroded area  60  under the erosion control planks  10  are filled with sand  260  or other appropriate fill material which fills and shapes the eroded area  240 . This appropriate fill material  260  may be compacted to 98% density at optimum moisture. Grass sod  240  is rolled atop the erosion control planks  10  covering them completely even in the area between the HWT  210  and the LWT  200 . The grass sod  240  is applied in such a fashion that it matches the existing grade  250  which meets the 2:1 slope  225 . At point  265  the slope becomes reasonably flat and this is where the house or building  40  would be. Between the building  40 , during the rain, runoff  270  would both be absorbed into the subsurface  280 . Under the 4:1 slope is a slip surface  290 . The slip surface  290  is an underground boundary between stable soil  285  and an unstable block  300 . Prior to the introduction of the erosion control planks  10 , the material in the unstable block  300  could have moved about the slip surface  290  in the eroded area  240 . However, due to the introduction of the erosion control planks  10 , the 4:1 slope  230  is stable as well as the previously eroded area  240 . 
         [0068]      FIG. 5  shows a fairly similar landscape to that which is shown in  FIG. 4 . In this case, however, there is an extremely eroded condition  350 . In this case, a filter tube  360  filled with a material, is first placed at the bottom of the eroded area  240 . Then the erosion control planks  10  are introduced on the tube  360  and over the eroded area  240  which is then filled with sand, gravel or other appropriate fill material. The tube  360  is fitted with attachment points for the planks (not shown). The special fabric of the tube  360  allows only water to permeate the tube  360 , but not the sand, gravel or other suitable material that was placed there during the installation of the erosion control planks  10 . The tube  360  is filled with material to arrest the material from eroding. This tube  360  variant may be utilized in areas where more rain falls on the average. 
         [0069]      FIG. 6A  shows a side sectional view taken from above the erosion zone to the lake, canal or pond, showing the implementation of the first embodiment of the erosion control plank  10 A, including a deeply buried stake  110 A connected by a cord or rope  120  to the notch  100 B in the cylindrical aperture  30 A in each of the connected erosion control plank  10 A. The fill  260  is shown completely filling the previously eroded area and a plurality of plants  261  have been introduced so that they may grow and their root systems will aid in anchoring the erosion control plank  10 A in place. Plants  261  may be used in conjunction with previously discussed sod, or on top of the sod or in the sod. 
         [0070]      FIG. 6B  shows a side sectional view taken from above the erosion zone to the lake, canal or pond, showing the implementation of the first embodiment of the erosion control plank, including a single large stake  110 C which passes through any of the cells of the plank and the top of stake  110 C engages a vertical wall or a horizontal wall or both a vertical wall and a horizontal wall at its upper end and the other end passes through the eroded zone and is securely embedded into the sub-eroded zone. The fill  260  is shown completely filling the previously eroded area and a plurality of plants  261  have been introduced so that they may grow and their root systems will aid in anchoring the erosion control plank  10 A in place. 
         [0071]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the erosion control plank  10 A and is discussed in detail concurrently with the discussion of  FIG. 1A . 
         [0072]      FIG. 8A  is a plan view of two connected erosion control planks of the first embodiment of the invention, the first erosion control plank  10 C and the second erosion control plank  10 D. Erosion control plank  10 C is connected to erosion control plank  10 D by the top rightmost male connection member  45 A (of plank  10 C) matingly engaging the top leftmost female connection member  45 E′ (of Plank  10 D). The bottom of erosion control plank  10 C is pulled to the right and the bottom of erosion control plank  10 D is pulled to the left, pivoting about the intersection of the connection elements  45 A and  45 E′. This causes the plurality of vertical walls of the lattice of plank  10 C to no longer be in parallel relation to the respective vertical walls of plank  10 D. Further, the plurality of horizontal walls of plank  10 C begin to overlap the plurality of horizontal walls of plank  10 D on their right and left side respectively, the overlap increasing in magnitude from the top of both planks  10 C and  10 D to the bottom of both planks  10 C and  10 D. This causes the bottom leftmost female connection element  49 E′ to not be able to connect to the rightmost male connection element  49 A. Due to the arrangement of male and female connection elements at the bottom of both planks  10 C and  10 D, none of the connection elements connect. The planks  10 C and  10 D can be kept in this concave position, if necessary by the stake  110 A or stake  110 C being secured to the respective plank  10 A, where the stakes  110 A or  110 C pass through the voided eroded region (which would have a concave erosion pattern) securely into the non-eroded region below the voided erosion region. As before, fill is introduced through the lattice openings and fills the voided erosion region to the top of the lattice walls further securing the planks  10 C and  10 D in a concave position in order that the bottom portions of the respective planks  10 A can conform to a concave area of a lake or water shore edge. Plants and the like are then introduced into the connected planks latticework and as they grow the root structure firmly anchors the erosion control planks in place. The placing of the erosion control plank  10 A in such a concave position shows their ability to form a concave curve to more completely cover a concave eroded zone formed proximal to the intersection of a concave curved perimeter of a lake, stream, canal ocean or pond. 
         [0073]      FIG. 8B  is a plan view of two connected erosion control planks of the first embodiment of the invention, the first erosion control plank  10 C and the second erosion control plank  10 D. Erosion control plank  10 C is connected to erosion control plank  10 D by the bottom rightmost male connection member  45 A (of plank  10 C) matingly engaging the bottom leftmost female connection member  45 E′ (of Plank  10 D). The top of erosion control plank  10 C is pulled to the right and the top of erosion control plank  10 D is pulled to the left, pivoting about the intersection of the connection elements  45 A and  45 E′. This causes the plurality of vertical walls of the lattice of plank  10 C to no longer be in parallel relation with the plurality of vertical walls of plank  10 D. Further, the plurality of horizontal walls of plank  10 C begin to overlap the plurality of horizontal walls of plank  10 D on their right and left side respectively, the overlap increasing in magnitude from the bottom of both planks  10 C and  10 D to the top of both planks  10 C and  10 D. This causes the top rightmost female connection element  49 E′ to not be able to connect to the rightmost male connection element  49 A. Due to the arrangement of male and female connection elements at the top of both planks  10 C and  10 D, none of the top connection elements connect. The planks  10 C and  10 D can be kept in this convex position by a stakes  110 A or  110 C being secured to the respective plank  10 A where the stakes  110 A and  110 C pass through the voided eroded region (which would have a concave erosion pattern) securely into the non-eroded region below the voided erosion region. As before, fill is introduced through the lattice openings and fills the voided erosion region to the top of the lattice walls further securing the planks  10 C and  10 D in a convex position. Plants and the like are then introduced into the connected planks latticework and as they grow the root structure firmly anchors the erosion control planks in place. The placing of the erosion control plank  10 A in such a concave position shows their ability to form a concave curve to more completely cover a convex eroded zone formed proximal to the intersection of a convex curved perimeter of a lake, stream, canal ocean or pond. 
         [0074]    It is to be understood that the erosion control plank  10 A can be arranged in combinations of convex and concave orientations to follow an erosion zone of a serpentine stream, river or other non linear water source which causes erosion. 
         [0075]    Referring now specifically to  FIG. 9A , erosion control plank  10 A is about to be connected to erosion control plank  10 B. The male connector element M of plank  10 A is shown prior to being placed in the female connector element F of plank  10 B. 
         [0076]    Referring now to  FIG. 9B , erosion control plank  10 A is shown connected to erosion control plank  10 B by the mating engagement of the male connector element M of plank  10 A into the female connector element F of  10 B. By such mating engagement any number of erosion control planks may be attached to cover even very larger eroded areas. It is also to be understood that the instant invention may be employed in areas in which erosion may not yet have occurred, thus not repairing an eroded area but preventing the area from ever suffering from erosion. 
         [0077]      FIG. 10  shows the cylindrical aperture  30 A with a cylindrical sidewall  102 . Cut into the top side of the cylindrical sidewall  102  is a notch  100 B. A piece of rope  120  or the like is connected to a stake  110 A. The rope  120  may be secured about the stake  110 A by a knot  110 C. The top portion of the rope  120  is cinched into the notch  100 B, securing it to the cylindrical sidewall  102 . Other means may be employed to use the cylindrical aperture  30 A with a stake of another configuration to secure the erosion control plank  10 A to the ground below an eroded region. As known in the art, the stake  110 A is driven into the ground by an elongated rod until stake  110 A is at a desired depth in the ground. The rope  120  is then secured to plank  10 A at notch  100 B. 
         [0078]      FIG. 11  shows a broken view of another type of stake  110 C which would interfit with the lattice of the erosion control plank. 
         [0079]      FIG. 12  shows a broken perspective view of another type of stake as shown in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0080]      FIG. 13  shows three erosion control planks  10 R,  10 S, and  10 T connected together. 
         [0081]    Erosion control plank  10 R is connected to erosion control plank  10 T in a vertical arrangement by three matingly engaging male and female connection elements, first,  49 B and  45 B′, second,  49 C and  45 C′ and third,  49 D and  45 D′. 
         [0082]    Erosion control plank  10 R is connected to erosion control plank  10 S by a single matingly engaging male and female connection elements, namely  49 E′ and  49 A. 
         [0083]    While the invention has been described in its preferred form or embodiment with some degree of particularity, it is understood that this description has been given only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction, sizes, fabrication, and use, including the combination and arrangement of parts, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4