Artificial reef

Abstract

An artificial reef comprises at least one bag which is generally configured to define at least a portion of a reef and which is at least partially fillable with air. An anchor is attached to the bag for maintaining the bag at a desired location substantially underwater. A plurality of such bags may be attached to one another and configured so as to define a reef which enhances the suitability of waves for surfing or which mitigates beach erosion.

1 . An artificial reef comprising: 
 at least one bag which is generally configured to define at least a portion of a reef and which is at least partially fillable with air; and    an anchor attachable to the bag for maintaining the bag at a desired location substantially under water.    
     
     
         2 . The artificial reef as recited in    claim 1   , wherein the bag(s) comprise a plurality of bags attachable to one another so as to define a reef.  
     
     
         3 . The artificial reef as recited in    claim 1   , wherein the bag(s) comprise a plurality of bags which are configurable so as to enhance a wave's suitability for surfing.  
     
     
         4 . The artificial reef as recited in    claim 1   , wherein the bag(s) comprise a plurality of bags configurable in a generally V-shaped configuration.  
     
     
         5 . The artificial reef as recited in    claim 1   , wherein the bag(s) comprise a plurality of bags configurable in a generally Y-shaped configuration.  
     
     
         6 . The artificial reef as recited in    claim 1   , wherein at least one of the bags comprises: 
 an air compartment for containing air; and    a ballast compartment for containing ballast.    
     
     
         7 . The artificial reef as recited in    claim 1   , wherein at least one of the bags comprises: 
 an air compartment for containing air; and    a ballast compartment for containing ballast, the air compartment being larger than the ballast compartment.    
     
     
         8 . The artificial reef as recited in    claim 1   , wherein at least one of the bags comprises: 
 an air compartment for containing air;    a ballast compartment for containing ballast; and    a common wall separating the air compartment from the ballast compartment.    
     
     
         9 . The artificial reef as recited in    claim 1   , wherein at least one of the bags comprises an air compartment having an air inlet/outlet port for facilitating inflation and deflation of the bag.  
     
     
         10 . The artificial reef as recited in    claim 1   , wherein at least one of the bags comprises: 
 an air inlet port for facilitating inflation of the bag(s); and    an air outlet port for facilitating deflation of the bag(s).    
     
     
         11 . The artificial reef as recited in    claim 1   , wherein at least one of the bags comprises: 
 a remotely operated air inlet port for facilitating inflation of the bag(s); and    a remotely operated air outlet port for facilitating deflation of the bag(s).    
     
     
         12 . The artificial reef as recited in    claim 1   , wherein at least one of the bags comprises: 
 a ballast compartment configured to contain water;    a water inlet port for facilitating addition of water to the ballast compartment; and    a water outlet port for facilitating removal of water from the ballast compartment.    
     
     
         13 . The artificial reef as recited in    claim 1   , wherein at least one of the bags comprises: 
 a ballast compartment configured to contain water;    a water inlet port for facilitating addition of water to the ballast compartment;    a remotely operated water inlet valve for controlling water flow into the ballast compartment through the water inlet port;    a water outlet port for facilitating removal of water from the ballast compartment; and    a remotely operated water outlet valve for controlling water flow out of the ballast compartment through the water outlet port.    
     
     
         14 . The artificial reef as recited in    claim 1   , wherein the ballast compartment comprises an opening for facilitating addition of ballast to the ballast compartment and removal of ballast from the ballast compartment.  
     
     
         15 . The artificial reef as recited in    claim 1   , wherein the anchor comprises at least one tether.  
     
     
         16 . The artificial reef as recited in    claim 1   , wherein the anchor comprises at least one weight.  
     
     
         17 . The artificial reef as recited in    claim 1   , wherein the anchor comprises a concrete weight.  
     
     
         18 . The artificial reef as recited in    claim 1   , wherein the anchor comprises: 
 a plurality of rigid supports for maintaining the bag(s) a desired distance above a floor of a body of water; and    a plurality of tethers for holding the bag(s) down.    
     
     
         19 . The artificial reef as recited in    claim 1   , wherein the bag(s) comprise a plurality of bags attached to one another so as to define a reef and wherein the bag(s) are configured such that the shape of the reef defined thereby is modifiable so as to facilitate enhanced control of the reef's ability to modify waves.  
     
     
         20 . The artificial reef as recited in    claim 1   , wherein the bag(s) comprise a plurality of bags attached to one another so as to define a reef and wherein a plurality of the bags are individually inflatable so as to facilitate enhanced control of the reef's ability to modify waves.  
     
     
         21 . The artificial reef as recited in    claim 1   , wherein the bag(s) comprise a plurality of bags attached to one another so as to define a reef and wherein a plurality of the bags are individually inflatable.  
     
     
         22 . The artificial reef as recited in    claim 1   , wherein each of the bag(s) comprise a plurality of bags attached to one another so as to define a reef and wherein a plurality of the bags are individually inflatable so as to facilitate enhanced control of at least one of how fast a wave peels and how hard a face of the wave is.  
     
     
         23 . The artificial reef as recited in    claim 1   , wherein each of the bag(s) comprise a plurality of bags attached to one another so as to define a reef and wherein a plurality of the bags are individually inflatable so provide enhanced control over a depth of the reef to provide enhance control over a size of wave which pitches over proximate the artificial reef.  
     
     
         24 . The artificial reef as recited in    claim 1   , wherein at least some of the bag(s) are configured to facilitate attachment to one another.  
     
     
         25 . The artificial reef as recited in    claim 1   , wherein each of the bag(s) comprises an air inlet for facilitating inflation and an air outlet for facilitating deflation.  
     
     
         26 . The artificial reef as recited in    claim 1   , wherein the bag(s) are defined by pouches formed in a liner, the liner mitigating water leakage from a body of water.  
     
     
         27 . The artificial reef as recited in    claim 1   , wherein a plurality of bags are tied to one another.  
     
     
         28 . The artificial reef as recited in    claim 1   , further comprising eyelets formed to each bag for facilitating tieing of the bags to one another.  
     
     
         29 . The artificial reef as recited in    claim 1   , further comprising hook and loop fasteners attached to the bags to facilitate attachment of the bags to one another.  
     
     
         30 . The artificial reef as recited in    claim 1   , further comprising buckles formed to the bags to facilitate attachment of the bags to one another.  
     
     
         31 . The artificial reef as recited in    claim 1   , further comprising clips formed to the bags to facilitate attachment of the bags to one another.  
     
     
         32 . The artificial reef as recited in    claim 1   , wherein the bags are comprised of vinyl.  
     
     
         33 . The artificial reef as recited in    claim 1   , wherein the bags are comprised of vinyl having a thickness of approximately 0.040 inch.  
     
     
         34 . An artificial reef system comprising: 
 at least one bag which is generally configured to define a reef and which is at least partially filled with air;    an anchor attached to the bag for maintaining the bag substantially under water; and    an air supply system for controlling an amount of air in the bag(s).    
     
     
         35 . The artificial reef system as recited in    claim 34   , wherein the air supply system comprises an air compressor.  
     
     
         36 . The artificial reef system as recited in    claim 34   , further comprising a vacuum pump configured to facilitate removal of air from at least one bag.  
     
     
         37 . The artificial reef system as recited in    claim 34   , further comprising an air reclaim tank in fluid communication with the vacuum pump for storing pressurized air which has been removed from a bag.  
     
     
         38 . The artificial reef system as recited in    claim 34   , further comprising a control panel for controlling an amount of air contained within at least one bag.  
     
     
         39 . A method for modifying a wave, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing an air inflatable artificial reef at a desired location;    inflating the artificial reef at least partially with air; and    anchoring the artificial reef at the desired location.    
     
     
         40 . The method as recited in    claim 39   , further comprising the step of adding ballast to the artificial reef.  
     
     
         41 . The method as recited in    claim 39   , further comprising the step of remotely controlling an amount of air within the artificial reef.  
     
     
         42 . The method as recited in    claim 39   , further comprising the step of remotely controlling an amount of water within the artificial reef.  
     
     
         43 . The method as recited in    claim 39   , wherein the step of inflating the artificial reef comprises providing pressurized air to the reef via an air compressor.  
     
     
         44 . The method as recited in    claim 39   , further comprising the step of removing air from the reef with a vacuum pump.  
     
     
         45 . The method as recited in    claim 39   , further comprising the steps of: 
 removing air from the reef with a vacuum pump; and    storing pressurized air removed from the artificial reef within an air reclamation tank.    
     
     
         46 . A method for mitigating beach erosion, the method comprising the steps of: 
 anchoring an artificial reef in a body of water such that the artificial reef modifies waves in a manner which mitigates beach erosion; and    wherein the artificial reef comprises at least one bag which is at least partially filled with air.    
     
     
         47 . A method for generating waves suitable for recreational use, the method comprising the steps of: 
 expelling water from a chamber with pressurized air to form a wave; and    modifying the wave with an artificial reef, the artificial reef comprising at least one bag which is at least partially filled with air so as to mitigate injuries.    
     
     
         48 . The method for generating waves as recited in    claim 47   , wherein the step of modifying the wave comprises modifying the wave so as to enhance the wave's suitability for surfing.  
     
     
         49 . The method for generating waves as recited in    claim 47   , wherein the step of modifying the wave with an artificial reef comprises modifying the wave with at least one bag which is at least partially filled with air.  
     
     
         50 . An artificial wave generating system for generating waves suitable for surfing, the system comprising: 
 a chamber disposed at least partially within a body of water;    a source of pressurized air in fluid communication with the chamber for expelling water therefrom so as to form a wave; and    an artificial reef configure to modify the wave so as to enhance the wave's suitability for surfing.    
     
     
         51 . The artificial wave generating system as recited in    claim 50   , further comprising a liner at least partially lining the body of water so as to mitigate water leakage therefrom.  
     
     
         52 . The artificial wave generating system as recited in    claim 50   , further comprising: 
 a liner; and    wherein the artificial reef is at least partially defined by a bag formed as a pouch in the liner.    
     
     
         53 . The artificial wave generating system as described in    claim 50   , further comprising: 
 a liner; and    wherein the artificial reef is at least partially defined by at least one bag which is disposed within a pouch formed in the liner.    
     
     
         54 . An artificial reef comprising: 
 at least one bag which is generally configured to define at least a portion of a reef and which is at least partially filled with foam; and    an anchor attachable to the bag for maintaining the bag at a desired location substantially underwater.    
     
     
         55 . The artificial reef as recited in    claim 54   , wherein the foam comprises a flexible foam.  
     
     
         56 . The artificial reef as recited in    claim 54    wherein the foam comprises an open cell flexible foam.  
     
     
         57 . The artificial reef as recited in    claim 54    wherein the foam comprises a flexible, closed cell, polymer foam.  
     
     
         58 . An artificial reef assembly comprising: 
 a base having at least one recess formed therein;    at least one bag configured to be at least partially disposed within the recess of the base; and    a retainer bracket configured to capture the bag at least partially within the recess of the base.    
     
     
         59 . The artificial reef assembly as recited in    claim 58   , wherein the base is comprised of concrete.  
     
     
         60 . The artificial reef assembly as recited in    claim 58   , wherein the retainer bracket is comprised of stainless steel.  
     
     
         61 . The artificial reef assembly as recited in    claim 58   , wherein the base comprises a plurality of recesses formed therein.  
     
     
         62 . The artificial reef assembly as recited in    claim 58   , wherein the retainer bracket comprises a number of openings formed therein, the number of openings conforming generally to the number of recesses formed in the base.  
     
     
         63 . The artificial reef assembly as recited in    claim 58   , wherein each bag comprises an air compartment and a ballast compartment.  
     
     
         64 . The artificial reef assembly as recited in    claim 58   , wherein each bag comprises an air compartment and a ballast compartment, the ballast compartment being configured to be disposed within a recess of the base.  
     
     
         65 . The artificial reef assembly as recited in    claim 58   , wherein the bag comprises an outer liner, an inner liner and a foam material disposed intermediate the inner liner and the outer liner and wherein the outer liner is formed of a more durable material than the inner liner.