EROSION CONTROL APPARATUS

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/534,921, filed Dec. 11, 2023, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/308,752, filed May 5, 2021, which claims benefit and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/023,323, filed May 12, 2020, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to structures that help reduce erosion, and in particular to structures that help reduce erosion along river banks and shorelines caused by environmental forces such as wind and water currents.

A variety of structures have been used along river banks and shorelines in attempts to reduce further erosion of the river banks and shorelines. For example, sandbags have been placed along river banks and/or shorelines with the hopes of preventing or reducing erosion due to environmental forces. While such sandbags may be effective in reducing erosion, filling sandbags and placing them into the water along river banks and shorelines is time-consuming and back-breaking work.

Limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches should become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems with aspects of the embodiments set forth in the remainder of the present disclosure.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An erosion control apparatus generally includes a flexible container or mat having a mouth or opening to its interior. The container or mat may be secured to a surface such as the bed or floor of a body of water. The container or mat may be positioned such that environmental forces (e.g. wind or water currents) direct sediment into the interior of the container or under the mat via its mouth. In some embodiments, the container may include a cord attached to the mouth of the container and configured to close the mouth of the container as the container is filled with sediment. In particular, the cord may include a noose at one end and may be anchored at the opposite end. A loop of the noose may circumscribe the mouth of the container and tighten around the mouth as sediment urges the mouth away from the anchored end of the cord.

Advantages, aspects, novel features, as well as, details of illustrated embodiments will be more fully understood from the following description and figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of an erosion control apparatus per one or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the erosion control apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the erosion control apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4A is a front view depicting a channel of a container mouth of the erosion control apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4B is a front view depicting a series of holes of a container mouth of the erosion control apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the container mouth shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the erosion control apparatus of FIG. 1 when container interior is empty of sediment and the container mouth is in an open position.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the erosion control apparatus of FIG. 1 when container interior is partial full of sediment and the container mouth is in a partially-closed position.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of the erosion control apparatus of FIG. 1 when the container interior is full of sediment and the container mouth is in a closed position.

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of an erosion control apparatus with a leading edge biased with a spring and the container interior empty of sediment.

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of the erosion control apparatus of FIG. 9 when the container interior is partially full and the container mouth is in a partially-closed position.

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of the erosion control apparatus of FIG. 9 when the container interior is full of sediment and the container mouth is in a closed position.

FIG. 12 shows a shoreline with two erosion control apparatus anchored to a bed of a body of water.

FIG. 13A depicts a top view of an erosion control apparatus comprising a container mouth affixed to a lower side of the container.

FIG. 13B depicts an end view of the erosion control apparatus of FIG. 13A with the container interior empty of sediment and the container mouth in an open position.

FIG. 13C depicts an end view of the erosion control apparatus of FIG. 13A with the container interior full of sediment and the container mouth in a closed position.

FIG. 14A depicts a top view of an erosion control apparatus comprising a cord that couples a container mouth to a trailing end of the container with the container interior empty of sediment and the container mouth in an open position.

FIG. 14B depicts an end view of the erosion control apparatus of FIG. 14A with the container interior empty of sediment and the container mouth in an open position.

FIG. 14C depicts a top view of the erosion control apparatus of FIG. 14A with the container interior full of sediment and the container mouth in a closed position.

FIG. 14D depicts an end view of the erosion control apparatus of FIG. 14C with the container interior full of sediment and the container mouth in a closed position.

FIG. 15A depicts a top view of an erosion control apparatus comprising a cord that couples a first container mouth to a second container mouth with the container interior empty of sediment and the container mouths in an open position.

FIG. 15B depicts an end view of the erosion control apparatus of FIG. 15A with the container interior empty of sediment and the container mouths in an open position.

FIG. 15C depicts a top view of the erosion control apparatus of FIG. 15A with the container interior full of sediment and the container mouths in a closed position.

FIG. 15D depicts an end view of the erosion control apparatus of FIG. 15C with the container interior full of sediment and the container mouths in a closed position.

FIG. 16 depicts a mat of fluid-permeable material and fold lines for forming the erosion control apparatus of FIGS. 17A-18B.

FIG. 17A depicts a bottom side of an erosion control apparatus formed by folding a fluid-permeable, flexible mat per fold lines shown in FIG. 16.

FIG. 17B depicts a top side of the erosion control apparatus formed by folding a fluid-permeable, flexible mat per fold lines shown in FIG. 16.

FIG. 18A depicts a top view of the erosion control apparatus of FIGS. 17A and 17B after anchored to a ground surface.

FIG. 18B depicts a side view of the erosion control apparatus of FIGS. 17A and 17B after anchored to a ground surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following discussion presents various aspects of the present disclosure by providing examples thereof. Such examples are non-limiting, and thus the scope of various aspects of the present disclosure should not necessarily be limited by any particular characteristics of the provided examples. In the following discussion, the phrases “for example,” “e.g.,” and “exemplary” are non-limiting and are generally synonymous with “by way of example and not limitation,” “for example and not limitation,” and the like.

As utilized herein, “and/or” means any one or more of the items in the list joined by “and/or”. As an example, “x and/or y” means any element of the three-element set {(x), (y), (x, y)}. In other words, “x and/or y” means “one or both of x and y.” As another example, “x, y, and/or z” means any element of the seven-element set {(x), (y), (z), (x, y), (x, z), (y, z), (x, y, z)}. In other words, “x, y and/or z” means “one or more of x, y, and z.”

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular examples only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “includes,” “comprising,” “including,” “has,” “have,” “having,” and the like when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. Thus, for example, a first element, a first component or a first section discussed below could be termed a second element, a second component or a second section without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure. Similarly, various spatial terms, such as “upper,” “lower,” “side,” and the like, may be used in distinguishing one element from another element in a relative manner. It should be understood, however, that components may be oriented in different manners, for example a structure may be turned sideways so that its “top” surface is facing horizontally and its “side” surface is facing vertically, without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.

In the drawings, various dimensions (e.g., layer thickness, width, etc.) may be exaggerated for illustrative clarity. Additionally, like reference numbers are utilized to refer to like elements through the discussions of various examples.

The following description refers to various example illustrations, which are provided to enhance the understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. It should be understood that the scope of this disclosure is not limited by the specific characteristics of the examples provided and discussed herein.

The present disclosure is generally directed to various embodiments of an erosion control apparatus. In some embodiments, the erosion control apparatus may include a flexible container having a mouth or opening to its interior. The container may be secured to a surface such as the bed or floor of a body of water. The container may be positioned such that environmental forces (e.g. wind or water currents) direct sediment into the interior of the container via its mouth. The container may include a cord attached to the mouth of the container and configured to close the mouth of the container as the container is filled with sediment. In particular, the cord may include a noose at one end and may be anchored at the opposite end. A loop of the noose may circumscribe the mouth of the container and tighten around the mouth as sediment urges the mouth away from the anchored end of the cord.

Referring now to FIG. 12, two erosion control apparatus 10 are depicted. As shown, the erosion control apparatus 10 may be anchored to a floor, bed, or surface 1 of a body of water. The erosion control apparatus 10 may be anchored such that container mouths 40 are otherwise directed toward environmental forces (e.g., wind and/or water currents) that carry sediment. In this manner, the erosion control apparatus 10 may receive sediment via container mouths 40 and thus may fill with sediment over a period of time without human intervention. As further shown, topology or other factors may result in environmental forces 2 being directed toward the erosion control apparatus 10 from multiple directions. As such, erosion control apparatus 10 may be oriented in a staggered configuration so as to direct container mouths 40 of different erosion control apparatus 10 toward different environmental forces.

Further details of one embodiment of the erosion control apparatus 10 are shown in FIGS. 1-3. As shown, the erosion control apparatus 10 may include a container 20, a cord 50, anchors 70, and float 90. The container 20 may include a container upper side 22 and a container lower side 32 opposite the container upper side 22. The container upper side 22 may include a leading end 24, a trailing end 26 opposite the leading end 24, and lateral sides 28. The lateral sides 28 may join the leading end 24 to the trailing end 26. The container lower side 32 may include a leading end 34, a trailing end 36 opposite the leading end 34, and lateral sides 38. The lateral sides 38 may join the leading end 34 to the trailing end 36. The container 20 may also include a container mouth 40 between the leading ends 24, 34. The container mouth 40 provides an opening to a container interior 30.

As shown in FIG. 3, a float 90 may be coupled to the leading end 24 of the container upper side 22. The float 90 may bias the container upper side 22 away from the container lower side 32 when the container 20 is anchored to a bed of a body of water. Such biasing may separate the leading ends 24, 34 apart by a distance D1 that is greater than a diameter D2 of the container mouth 40. In this manner, a funnel upper portion 23 of the container upper side 22 and a funnel lower portion 33 of the container lower side 32 may be drawn toward the trailing ends 26, 36 and into the container 20. As such, funnel portions 23, 33 may form or define a funnel 25 from the leading ends 24, 34 to the container mouth 40. In particular, the funnel 25 may receive water and accompanying sediment via a wider opening at the leading ends 24, 34 and direct such water and sediment toward a smaller opening at the container mouth 40.

In some embodiments, the container 20 may be formed from a flexible material such as burlap. Further, the flexible material may be permeable to a fluid such as water that flows into the container interior 30 via the container mouth 40, but not permeable or at least less permeable to sediment carried by the fluid. Due to the container mouth 40 and the permeable material, sediment may be carried into the container interior 30 via environmental forces such as wind and water currents and trapped within the container interior 30. As such, the container interior 30 may fill with sediment over a period of time without further human intervention after installation.

The cord 50 may include a first end attached the container mouth 40 and a second end attached to an attachment point 35 toward the trailing ends 26, 36. As shown in FIG. 3, the cord 50 may draw the container mouth 40 toward the trailing ends 26, 36. In particular, a length L1 of the cord 50 between the container mouth 40 and the attachment point 35 may be shorter than a length L2 between the leading ends 24, 34 and the attachment point 35. Due to its shorter length, the cord 50 may draw the container mouth 40 into the container interior 30 and position the container mouth 40 between the leading ends 24, 34 and the trailing ends 26, 36.

The cord 50 may be configured to close the container mouth 40 as sediment accumulates in the container interior 30. In particular, the cord 50 may form a noose in which a loop 52 of the noose circumscribes the container mouth 40. See, e.g., FIG. 4A. As sediment fills the container interior 30, the sediment may urge the container mouth 40 away from the trailing ends 26, 36 and the attachment point 35. Such urging pulls the cord 50 and tightens the noose or reduces the circumference of the loop 52. The circumference of the loop 52 and the length of the cord 50 may be designed such that the cord 50 effectively closes the container mouth 40 when the container interior 30 is full of sediment.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the container mouth 40 may be covered by netting 42. The netting 42 may help prevent fish and other wildlife from entering the container mouth 40 and potentially being trapped within the container.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 5, the leading end 41 of the container mouth 40 may be folded-over and stitched or otherwise affixed to a container surface to form a channel 43 that circumscribes the container mouth 40. The cord 50 and in particular the loop 52 may pass through the channel 43 and circumscribe the container mouth 40. The channel 43 may generally retain the loop 52 about the container mouth 40. Due to such retaining of the loop 52, as the circumference of the loop 52 is reduced due to tightening of the noose, the circumference of the container mouth 40 is likewise reduced.

In various embodiments, the cord 50 may be retained about the container mouth 40 via other mechanisms. For example, as shown in FIG. 4B, the channel 43 may be replaced with a sequence of holes 45 that circumscribe the container mouth 40. The loop 52 of the cord 50 may be threaded through the sequence of holes 45. In some embodiments, grommets may be placed in the holes 45 to reinforce the holes 45. Similar to the channel 43, the holes 45 generally retain the loop 52 about the container mouth 40. Due to such retaining of the loop 52, as the circumference of the loop 52 is reduced due to tightening of the noose, the circumference of the container mouth 40 is likewise reduced.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3 and 6-8, the erosion control apparatus 10 may include several anchors 70 that anchor the container 20 to a bed of a body of water. To this end, the erosion control apparatus 10 may include a plurality of anchor points 72 about a periphery of the container 20. In some embodiments, the anchors 70 may be coupled to the anchor points 72 via one or more ties or lines (not shown) that pass through the anchor points 72. In other embodiments, the anchors 70 may pass through the anchor point 72 and into the bed of a body of water. In some embodiments, the anchor points 72 are merely holes that pass through the material forming the container 20. In such embodiments, the anchor points 72 may further include grommets that are placed in the holes to reinforce the anchor points 72. In other embodiments, the anchor points 72 may include tabs, hooks, or other protrusions that may be either fastened to the anchors 70 via ties, lines, straps, etc. or may directly engage the anchors 70 themselves.

Furthermore, the anchors 70 may take various forms. For example, the anchors 70 may comprise stakes that are to be driven into the bed via impact. In other embodiments, each anchor 70 may include a threaded end that permits screwing the anchor 70 into the bed of the body of water.

As explained above, the erosion control apparatus 10 may include a float 90 attached to the leading end 24 of the container upper side 22. FIGS. 9-11 depict an erosion control apparatus 11 that may be generally implemented in the same manner as the erosion control apparatus 10 shown in FIGS. 1-8. However, the float 90 of the erosion control apparatus 10 has been replaced with a wire spring 92. In particular, one end of the wire spring 92 may be coupled to the leading end 24 of the container upper side 22. The other end of the wire spring 92 may be coupled to the bed of the body of water via an anchor 70. In this manner, the wire spring 92, like the float 90, may bias the leading end 24 of the container upper side 22 away from the leading end 34 of the container lower side 32. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the leading ends 24, 34 and adjoining funnel portions 23, 33 may funnel sediment toward the container mouth 40.

One advantage of the embodiment of FIGS. 9-11 is that the erosion control apparatus 11 does not rely upon water level to position the leading end 24. As such, the embodiment of FIGS. 9-11 may be more suitable for installations where the water is shallow. The embodiment of FIGS. 9-11 may also be suitable for land installations in which wind is relied upon to carry sediment into the container interior 30.

Referring now to FIGS. 13A-13C, another erosion control apparatus 13 is depicted. In particular, FIG. 13A provides a top view of the erosion control apparatus 13. FIG. 13B provides a view of the leading end of the container 20 in which sediment has yet to accumulate and place the container mouth 40 in a closed position. Further, FIG. 13C provides a view of the leading end of the container 20 in which accumulated sediment has placed the container mouth 40 in a closed position.

As shown, the erosion control apparatus 13 may be implemented similarly to the erosion control apparatus 10 of FIGS. 1-8. The erosion control apparatus 13, however, lacks the cord 50 of the erosion control apparatus 10. Instead, the erosion control apparatus 13 secure the funnel 25 to the container lower side 32. In particular, the funnel lower portion 33 may be affixed to the container lower side 32 via tacking, stitching, and/or fasteners 37. As depicted, one or more tacks, stitches, etc. may affix the funnel lower portion 33 to the container lower side 32 along a central line of funnel lower portion 33. As a result of such affixing, sediment may enter the container interior 30, settle on the funnel upper portion 23, and effectively close the container mouth 40 as the container 20 fills with sediment.

Referring now to FIGS. 14A-14D, another erosion control apparatus 14 is depicted. In particular, FIG. 14A provides a top view of the erosion control apparatus 14 in which sediment has yet to place the container mouth 40 in a closed position. FIG. 14B provides a view of the leading end of the container 20 in which sediment has yet to place the container mouth 40 in a closed position. Conversely, FIG. 14C provides a top view of the erosion control apparatus 14 in which sediment has accumulated and placed the container mouth 40 in a closed position. FIG. 14D provides a view of the leading end of the container 20 in which sediment has accumulated and placed the container mouth 40 in a closed position.

As shown, the erosion control apparatus 14 may be implemented similarly to the erosion control apparatus 10 of FIGS. 1-8. The erosion control apparatus 14, however, lacks the noose of the erosion control apparatus 10. Instead, the cord 50 of the erosion control apparatus 14 may be secured or fixed to the container mouth 40. In particular, one end of the cord 50 may be affixed stitched, tacked, passed through one or more holes and/or grommets, and/or otherwise secured to a bottom portion of the container mouth 40. The other end of the cord 50 may be attached to the trailing end 26, 36 of the container 20 at an attachment point 35 in a manner similar to the erosion control apparatus 10 of FIGS. 1-8. As a result of affixing the cord 50 to the container mouth 40, the cord 50 may draw the container mouth 40 toward the trailing end of the container 20 as the container 20 fills with sediment. Such drawing of the container mouth 40 toward the trailing end of the container 20 may orient or otherwise effectively close the container mouth 40 such that sediment is retained in the contain 20.

Referring now to FIGS. 15A-15D, another erosion control apparatus 15 is depicted. In particular, FIG. 15A provides a top view of the erosion control apparatus 15 in which sediment has yet to place the container mouths 40, 40′ in a closed position. FIG. 15B provides a view of the leading end of the container 20 in which sediment has yet to place the container mouths 40, 40′ in a closed position. Conversely, FIG. 15C provides a top view of the erosion control apparatus 15 in which sediment has accumulated and placed the container mouths 40, 40′ in a closed position. FIG. 15D provides a view of the leading end of the container 20 in which sediment has accumulated and placed the container mouths 40, 40′ in a closed position.

As shown, the erosion control apparatus 15 may be implemented similarly to the erosion control apparatus 10 of FIGS. 1-8. However, the erosion control apparatus 15 includes a first mouth 40 at the leading end 24, 34 of the container 20 and a second mouth 40′ at the trailing end 26, 36 of the container 20. The second mouth 40′ may be implemented similarly to the first mouth 40. Namely, trailing ends 26, 36 of the container 20 may be drawn into the container interior 30 to provide funnel portions of a funnel 25′. As such, sediment, water, etc. may be funneled to toward respective mouths 40, 40′ from both the leading end and the trailing end of the container 20.

Moreover, as shown, a first end of the cord 50 may be coupled to the first mouth 40 and a second end of the cord 50 may be coupled to the second mouth 40′. In various embodiments, the first end of the cord 50 may include a first noose around the first mouth 40 and a second noose around the second mouth 40′ in a manner similar to the erosion control apparatus 10 of FIGS. 1-8. As such, the cord 50 may tighten the nooses around the mouths 40, 40′ as the container 20 fills with sediment.

In various other embodiments, the first end of the cord 50 may be affixed to a bottom portion of the first mouth 40 and a bottom portion of the second mouth 40′ in a manner similar to the erosion control apparatus 14 of FIGS. 14A-14D. As a result of affixing the cord 50 to the container mouths 40, 40′, the cord 50 may draw the container mouths 40, 40′ toward the container interior 30 as the container 20 fills with sediment. Such drawing of the container mouths 40, 40′ may orient or otherwise effectively close the container mouths 40, 40′ such that sediment is retained in the contain 20.

Referring now to FIGS. 16-18B, aspects of another erosion control apparatus 17 are shown. In particular, FIG. 16 depicts a mat 110 from which the erosion control apparatus 17 may be formed. FIG. 17A provides a bottom view of the erosion control apparatus 17 and FIG. 17B provides a top view of the erosion control apparatus 17. FIG. 18A and FIG. 18B respectively provide a top view and a side view of the erosion control apparatus 17 after being anchored to a ground surface 1.

As shown in FIGS. 16-18B, the mat 110 may comprise a sheet of fluid-permeable, flexible material that provides the mat 110 with edges 111-114, a top side 115, and a bottom side 116 opposite the top side 115 of the mat 110. In particular, the mat 110 may include a first lateral edge 113 and a second lateral edge 114 opposite the first lateral edge 113. The mat 110 may also include a first longitudinal edge 111 and a second longitudinal edge 112 opposite the first longitudinal edge 111. The first longitudinal edge 111 and the second longitudinal edge 112 may each extend longitudinally between the first lateral edge 113 and the second lateral edge 114 of the mat 110.

In an example embodiment, the mat 110 has a width of 6 feet between its longitudinal edges 111, 112 and a length of 10 feet between its lateral edges 113, 114. Moreover, the fold lines 121, 122 are each positioned 10 inches away from their respective longitudinal edge 111, 112, and the fold lines 123, 124 are each positioned 20 inches from their respective lateral edge 113, 114. The above dimensions of the mat 110 and fold lines 121-124 are provided merely for context. Embodiments of the erosion control apparatus 17 may be implemented with different lateral and/or longitudinal dimensions as well as different longitudinal and/or lateral offsets for the fold lines 121-124. For example, embodiments of the erosion control apparatus 17 may be implemented with fold lines that are offset from their respective edges by less than 10%, by less than 15%, or by less than 20% of the respective length and/or width.

The erosion control apparatus 17 of FIGS. 17A-18B may be formed by folding edges 111-114 of the mat 110 along respective fold lines 121-124. More specifically, the first longitudinal edge 111 of the mat 110 may be folded under the mat 110 along fold line 121. Such folding of the first longitudinal edge 111 may form a first longitudinal flap 131 under the bottom side 116 of the mat 110. A base of the first longitudinal flap 131, which runs along the fold line 121, may define a first longitudinal side 231 of the erosion control apparatus 17. Moreover, the first longitudinal flap 131 in combination with the bottom side 116 of the mat 110 may form a first longitudinal pocket 141 of the erosion control apparatus 17. In particular, the first longitudinal edge 111 of the mat 110 and the bottom side 116 of the mat 110 may define a pocket opening from a central portion of the mat 110 to an interior of the first longitudinal pocket 141. Further, the base of the first longitudinal flap 131, which runs along the fold line 121, may provide or otherwise correspond to a bottom of the first longitudinal pocket 141.

Similarly, the second longitudinal edge 112 of the mat 110 may be folded under the mat 110 along fold line 122. Such folding of the second longitudinal edge 112 may form a second longitudinal flap 132 under the bottom side 116 of the mat 110. A base of the second longitudinal flap 132, which runs along the fold line 122, may define a second longitudinal side 232 of the erosion control apparatus 17. Moreover, the second longitudinal flap 132 in combination with the bottom side 116 of the mat 110 may form a second longitudinal pocket 142 of the erosion control apparatus 17. In particular, the second longitudinal edge 112 of the mat 110 and the bottom side 116 of the mat 110 may define a pocket opening from a central portion of the mat 110 to an interior of the second longitudinal pocket 142. Further, the base of the second longitudinal flap 132, which runs along the fold line 122, may provide or otherwise correspond to a bottom of the second longitudinal pocket 142.

Further, the first lateral edge 113 of the mat 110 may be folded under the mat 110 along fold line 123. Such folding of the first lateral edge 113 may form a first lateral flap 133 under the bottom side 116 of the mat 110. A base of the first lateral flap 133, which runs along the fold line 123, may define a first lateral side 233 of the erosion control apparatus 17. Moreover, the first lateral flap 133 in combination with the bottom side 116 of the mat 110 may form a first lateral pocket 143 of the erosion control apparatus 17. In particular, the first lateral edge 113 of the mat 110 and the bottom side 116 of the mat 110 may define a pocket opening from a central portion of the mat 110 to an interior of the first lateral pocket 143. Further, the base of the first lateral flap 133, which runs along the fold line 123, may provide or otherwise correspond to a bottom of the first lateral pocket 143.

Similarly, the second lateral edge 114 of the mat 110 may be folded under the mat 110 along fold line 124. Such folding of the second lateral edge 114 may form a second lateral flap 134 under the bottom side 116 of the mat 110. A base of the second lateral flap 134, which runs along the fold line 124, may define a second lateral side 234 of the erosion control apparatus 17. Moreover, the first lateral flap 133 in combination with the bottom side 116 of the mat 110 may form a second lateral pocket 144 of the erosion control apparatus 17. In particular, the second lateral edge 114 of the mat 110 and the bottom side 116 of the mat 110 may define a pocket opening from a central portion of the mat 110 to an interior of the second lateral pocket 144 may be formed between. Further, the base of the second lateral flap 134, which runs along the fold line 124, may provide or otherwise correspond to a bottom of the second lateral pocket 144.

In various embodiments, the lateral edges 113, 114 may be folded under the mat 110 after folding the longitudinal edges 111, 112 under the mat 110. In such embodiments, the lateral flaps 133, 134 may cover portions of the longitudinal flaps 131, 132 as shown in FIG. 17A. However, other embodiments may fold the longitudinal edges 111, 112 under the mat 110 after folding the lateral edges 113, 114 under the mat 110. In yet other embodiments, the edges 111-114 may be folded under the mat 110 in a different order. Regardless of the order, such folding of the edges 111-114 may form pockets 141-144 that aid in trapping sediment under the erosion control apparatus 17.

In various embodiments, the flaps 131-134 may be coupled to the mat 110 so as to retain the flaps 131-134 under the mat 110. To this end, each flap 131-134 may be affixed to the mat 110 via tacking, stitching, and/or other fastening techniques. As depicted, one or more tacks, stitches, and/or other fasteners 247 may affix the flaps 131-134 to the bottom side 116 of the mat 110 so as to define pockets 141-144. As a result of such affixing, sediment carried under the mat 110 may be trapped in the pockets 141-144 and/or otherwise retained under a central portion of the mat 110 surrounded by sides 231-234 of the erosion control apparatus 17.

Referring now to FIGS. 18A and 18B, the erosion control apparatus 17 may include several anchors 70 that anchor the mat 110 of the erosion control apparatus 17 to a bed, floor, or other ground surface 1. To this end, the erosion control apparatus 17 may include a plurality of anchor points 72 about a periphery of the erosion control apparatus 17. In some embodiments, the anchors 70 may be coupled to the anchor points 72 via one or more ties or lines 73 that pass through the anchor points 72. In other embodiments, the anchors 70 may pass through a respective anchor point 72 and into the bed of a body of water. In some embodiments, the anchor points 72 are merely holes that pass through the flexible material of the mat 110. In such embodiments, the anchor points 72 may further include grommets that are placed in the holes to reinforce the anchor points 72. In other embodiments, the anchor points 72 may include tabs, hooks, or other protrusions that may be either fastened to the anchors 70 via ties, lines, straps, etc. or may directly engage the anchors 70 themselves.

Furthermore, the anchors 70 may take various forms. For example, the anchors 70 may comprise stakes that are to be driven into the bed via impact. In other embodiments, each anchor 70 may include a threaded end that permits screwing the anchor 70 into the bed of the body of water.

Moreover, the erosion control apparatus 17 may be anchored with slack between opposing sides 231-234 of the erosion control apparatus 17. For example, in one embodiment, the erosion control apparatus 17 may have a length of 80 inches and a width of 52 inches. For such an embodiment, the erosion control apparatus 17 may be anchored to the surface 1 with 14 inches of longitudinal slack and 8 inches of lateral slack. Such slack may provide the erosion control apparatus 17 with room to expand as sediment fills pockets 141-144 and a central volume between the bottom side 116 of the mat 110 and the surface 1 to which it is anchored. The above dimensions for the erosion control apparatus 17 and the corresponding slack are provided merely for context. Embodiments of the erosion control apparatus 17 may be implemented with different lateral and/or longitudinal dimensions as well as different amounts of longitudinal and/or lateral slack. For example, embodiments of the erosion control apparatus 17 may be anchored to surface 1 with a longitudinal slack and/or a lateral slack of less than 10%, less than 15%, or less than 20% of the respective length and/or width.

As shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B, rocks, sandbags, and/or other props 270 may be positioned along one or more sides of the erosion control apparatus 17 so as to prop up or lift sides of the erosion control apparatus 17 from a ground surface 1. In this manner, the props 270 may create or otherwise provide openings, channels, or mouths 40 for fluid to carry sediment under the mat 110 of the erosion control apparatus 17. In the depicted embodiment, props 270 are positioned between the lateral sides 233, 234 of the erosion control apparatus 17 and the ground surface 1 to which it is anchored. However, it should be appreciated that props 270 may additionally and/or alternatively be positioned between the longitudinal sides 231, 232 of the erosion control apparatus 17 and the ground surface 1 so as to provide corresponding openings, channels, or mouths 40 along such sides 231, 232. Such openings, channels, or mouths 40 may be directed toward environmental forces (e.g., wind and/or water currents) that carry sediment. In this manner, a central area under the mat 110 of the erosion control apparatus 17 may receive sediment via openings, channels, or mouths 40 and thus may accumulate sediment over a period of time without human intervention.

In some embodiments, the mat 110 may be formed from a sheet of flexible material such as a sheet of burlap or a sheet of coir. Further, the flexible material may be permeable to a fluid such as water that flows under the mat 110 via the mouth 40, but not permeable to or at least less permeable to sediment carried by the fluid. In some embodiments, the flexible material may be woven or otherwise formed with openings or pores having an average pore diameter or pore width of less than one eighth of an inch, one sixteenth of an inch, less than one thirty-second of an inch, or less than one sixty-fourth of an inch. Due to such permeability, the flexible material may permit fluid to pass or permeate through the mat 110 from an central portion of the mat 110 to an external environment while generally retaining fluid-carried sediment under the mat 110 and/or in its pockets 131-134. Thus, sediment may be carried under the mat 110 via environmental forces such as wind and/or water currents. Further, the area under the mat 110 may collect with sediment over a period of time without further human intervention after installation.

While particular embodiments have been shown, it will be understood that the present disclosure is not limited thereto since modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teaching. It is, therefore, the appended claims which define the true spirit and scope of the disclosure.

For example, while erosion control apparatus 13, 14, 15, 17 are depicted without a float 90, each erosion control apparatus 13, 14, 15, 17 may include one or more floats 90 in a manner similar to the erosion control apparatus 10 of FIGS. 1-8. Similarly, erosion control apparatus 13, 14, 15, 17 are depicted without a wire spring 92; however, each erosion control apparatus 13, 14, 15, 17 may include one or more wire springs 92 in a manner similar to the erosion control apparatus 11 of FIGS. 9-11. Furthermore, erosion control apparatus 13, 14, 15 are depicted without anchors 70 or anchor points 72. However, each erosion control apparatus 13, 14, 15 may include one or more anchors and/or anchor points 72 similar to the erosion control apparatus 10, 11, 17. Moreover, the erosion control apparatus 13, 14, 15, 17 may include netting 42 over mouths 40, 40′ similar to erosion control apparatus 10.