Levee system

[0001] Priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/989,162, filed Nov. 20, 2007, incorporated herein by reference, is hereby claimed.

[0002] Not applicable

[0003] Not applicable

[0004] 1. Field of the Invention

[0005] The present invention relates to portable and/or quickly constructed levees. More particularly, the present invention relates to a levee apparatus that employs base panels and inclined panels that interlock to provide a generally triangular cross section with an interior that can be filled with a selected fill material (e.g. soil, sand, gravel, etc.), wherein alternating projections and sockets/apertures along edges of the panels interlock to form a connection of each panel to other of the panels.

[0006] 2. General Background of the Invention

[0007] Levees are often constructed of earthen material. In some locations the side of an earthen levee is lined with concrete. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has for years constructed earthen levees with a portion of a side of the levee being covered with a layer of reinforced concrete. At the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers facility at Vicksburg, Miss., concrete levee mats have been fabricated for years.

[0008] Portable levee systems have been patented as noted in the following table of possibly related art.

[0009] The following U.S. Patents are incorporated herein by reference:

[0010]

TABLE
Pat. No.	TITLE	ISSUE DATE
274,449	Building Brick	Mar. 20, 1883
277,732	Method of Constructing Levees and	May 15, 1883
	Embankments
390,175	Hollow Building Block or Brick	Sep. 25, 1888
945,859	Building Block	Jan. 11, 1910
1,002,161	Sea Wall Construction	Aug. 29, 1911
1,552,077	Block for Building Construction	Sep. 01, 1925
2,466,343	Jetty	Apr. 05, 1949
3,441,140	Drain Filter	Apr. 29, 1969
3,645,100	Leaching Chamber Unit for Soil	Feb. 29, 1972
	Absorption System
4,073,245	Levee Forming Apparatus and Method	Feb. 14, 1978
4,175,888	Block for Constructing Breakwater	Nov. 27, 1979
4,189,252	Undersea Platform Construction System	Feb. 19, 1980
4,192,628	Flow Distributor for Leaching Fields	Mar. 11, 1980
4,341,050	Construction Module	Jul. 27, 1982
4,345,856	Composition and Process for Stabilizing	Aug. 24, 1982
	Embankments
4,431,337	Wave Dissipation Caisson	Feb. 14, 1984
4,465,399	Artificial Reef Assembly Construction	Aug. 14, 1984
	and a Method
4,661,014	Prefabricated Civil Engineering	Apr. 28, 1987
	Module, Method for the Construction
	of a Structure Including Said Module
	and Resulting Structure
4,869,620	Method and Apparatus for Constructing	Sep. 26, 1989
	Seawalls and Docks
4,903,782	Levee Squeezer	Feb. 27, 1990
4,954,013	Means and Method for Stabilizing	Sep. 04, 1990
	Shorelines
5,017,042	Fluid Directing Systems	May 21, 1991
5,118,222	Method and Apparatus for Constructing	Jun. 02, 1992
	Seawalls and Docks
5,403,125	Method and Apparatus for Providing	Apr. 04, 1995
	Underground Barrier
5,599,136	Structure for Topography Stabilization	Feb. 04, 1997
	and Runoff Control
5,971,661	Water Containment Device and Levee	Oct. 26, 1999
	for Impeding a Flow of Water
6,012,872	Flood Control System	Jan. 11, 2000
6,390,154	Portable Levee System and Portable	May 21, 2002
	Levee System Bag
6,443,652	Aggregate Chamber Leach Lines for	Sep. 03, 2002
	Leaching Effluent and Associated
	Method
6,485,230	Submersible Modular Dike and Method	Nov. 26, 2002
	for Segregating Body of Water
2002/0197112	Structure and Method for Detecting	Dec. 26, 2002
	an Inflated State of a Flexible Mem-
	brane Dam
6,558,075	Permanent and Semi-Permanent Groyne	May 06, 2003
	Structures and Method for Shoreline
	and Land Mass Reclamation
2003/0118407	Transportable Dam and a Method of	Jun. 26, 2003
	Erecting the Same
2003/0156903	Frame Members for a Portable Dam	Aug. 21, 2003
6,637,474	Portable Levee System	Oct. 28, 2003
2004/0047688	Liquid Containment/Diversion Dike	Mar. 11, 2004
2004/0131430	Retaining Wall Block and Drainage	Jul. 08, 2004
	System
2004/0156680	Beach Stabilizing Blocks	Aug. 12, 2004
2004/0234340	Mobile Levee System	Nov. 25, 2004
2004/0261890	Portable Levee System	Dec. 30, 2004
2005/0053429	Modular Retaining Wall	Mar. 10, 2005
2005/0158122	Method for Constructing Check Dam	Jul. 21, 2005
	or Fire Prevention Dam Using Gear-
	Type Block
2005/0260038	Hydraulic Dam	Nov. 24, 2005
2006/0000179	Building Block	Jan. 05, 2006
2006/0275081	Modular Dike for Shore Protection	Dec. 07, 2006
7,214,005	Sectionalized Flood Control Barrier	May 08, 2007
2007/0116522	Flood Levee and Barrier Module and	May 24, 2007
	System
2007/0154264	Portable Dike and Floatation Device	Jul. 05, 2007
2007/0196178	Portable Levee System	Aug. 23, 2007
JP56-77413	Dam	Jun. 25, 1981
JP2112512	Wave Dissipation Submerged Dike	Apr. 25, 1990
JP6041934	Submerged Breakwater	Feb. 15, 1994
ES2097789	Breakwater	Apr. 16, 1997
WO99/03659	Concrete Block, Joint for the Same,	Jan. 28, 1999
	and Structure of Concrete Blocks
WO99/11868	Dike Module	Mar. 11, 1999
WO99/57376	A Technique and a Device for Building	Nov. 11, 1999
	Protective Sea Walls or Artificial
	Reefs Made of Modular Parts
EP1,193,348	Modular Elements to be Cast and	Apr. 03, 2002
	Fixed in Seabeds or the Like for the
	Re-formation of Aquatic Life
WO02/068770	Fluent Material Confinement System	Sep. 06, 2002
EP1,418,376	Method and Structure for Connecting	May 12, 2004
	Difficult− TO− Join
	Pipes to be Used at High
	Temperature
EP1,508,643	Flood Barrier	Feb. 23, 2005

[0011] The present invention provides an improved levee apparatus that employs multiple interlocking panels to form an elongated hollow structure with an interior that accepts a selected fill material such as sand, gravel, soil or the like.

[0012] In various embodiments reinforcement is provided in the interlocking panels, such as re-bar and/or wire mesh. In one embodiment reinforcement can be used to lock one or more of the interlocking panels.

[0013] In one embodiment one or more of the panels can comprise concrete.

[0030] FIGS. 1-8 and 13 show the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, designated generally by the numeral 10 in FIGS. 6-8. Levee apparatus 10 provides a base panel 12 that interlocks with a pair of inclined side panels 29. Base panels 12 are place end-to-end. Side panels 29 are then connected to the base panels 12. Side panels 29 are connected to each other at apex 66. The panel 12 and the inclined side panels 29 are connected in a staggered, brick lay type pattern as shown in FIGS. 5-8 and 13. Once connected together, the panels 12, 13 form a generally triangular cross section (see FIG. 7).

[0031] In FIGS. 1-2, a side panel 29 is shown in more detail. Side panel 29 has end edges 30, 31, upper surface 44, lower surface 45, upper edge 49 and lower edge 50. Side panel 29 has projections 32 that are spaced apart along upper edge 49. A gap 33 is placed between each pair of projections 32.

[0032] At end edge 31, there is a notch 34 near upper edge 49 and a notch 35 next to lower edge 50. Similarly, there are projections 36 and gaps 37 along lower edge 50. A beveled or inclined surface 40 is provided next to each gap 37. These surfaces 40 are bearing surfaces that bear against contact area 43 on the upper surface 20 of base panel 12. Surfaces 40, 41, 42 surround each gap 37. Each gap 33 can be generally rectangular in shape, surrounded by three surfaces that are normal to both the upper 44 and the lower 45 surfaces of side panel 29. Projections 38, 39 are next to end edge 30. Each projection 38, 39 can share an edge with end edge 30 as shown in FIG. 1.

[0033] Base panel 12 is shown in more detail in FIGS. 3 and 4. Base panel 12 has end edges 13, 14 and side edges 15, 16. A plurality of apertures 17 are provided along each edge 15, 16 as shown in FIGS. 3-4. Each aperture 17 extends through panel 12, communicating with upper surface 20 and lower surface 21 as shown in FIGS. 3-4.

[0034] Notches 18, 19 are provided on panel 12. Notch 18 is positioned next to the side edge 15 and communicating with the end edge 13. Notch 19 is positioned next to the side edge 16 and communicating with the end edge 14.

[0035] Each aperture 17 is bordered by a beveled or inclined surface 22 that forms an acute angle with panel 12 lower surface 21 as shown in FIGS. 3-4. Each aperture 17 is also surrounded by or bordered by surfaces 23, 24, 25 that are surfaces preferably normal to surfaces 20, 21. Each notch 18, 19 is surrounded by or bordered by surfaces 26 (beveled or inclined), 27, 28. A contact or load transfer area 43 on base panel 12 is engaged and contacted by a diagonally extending or beveled surface 40 of a side panel 29 as shown in FIGS. 1-5 and 13. Each base panel 12 and side panel 29 can be reinforced with reinforcing steel 71 or any other suitable reinforcement.

[0036] To erect levee apparatus 10, base panels 12 are placed end-to-end as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The end edge 13 of one base panel 12 is place next to and aligned with the end edge 14 of another base panel 12. Side panels 29 can be attached to base panels 12 in an alternating, brick layered type pattern of FIGS. 5-6 and 13 (see arrows 46, 67). Each side panel 29 thus preferably attaches to a pair of base panels 12 as well as to a pair of side panels 29 at apex 66 (see FIG. 7).

[0037] Bolted connections 52 can be used to affix each pair of side panels to support 47 as shown in FIG. 7. Each bolted connection 52 can employ a bolt or fastener 53 that engages an internally threaded opening 54 in support panel 47. An opening 55 is a bolt opening that enables each fastener to pass through a panel 29.

[0038] An air space 56 is provided below the erected side panels 29 as shown in FIG. 7. Fill opening 57 enables a selected fill material 59 (e.g. sand, soil, gravel) that is suitable for the construction of levees to be added to space 56. Cap or cover 58 seals or covers fill opening 57 before and after filling space 56 with fill material 59.

[0039] FIGS. 9-11 show an alternate levee apparatus 11 that uses a plurality of inclined panels 63 secured to a water bed 61 that is under a water body 60. Piling 62, triangular panels 63 and fill material 65 hold panels 63 in an inclined position. In various embodiments the angle of inclination can be about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 89, and 90 degrees with the water bed 61. In various embodiments the angle of inclination can be in a range of between about any two of the above referenced angles.

[0040] Once piling 62, panels 63, 64 and fill material 65 have been erected, levee apparatus 10 (FIGS. 1-8 and 12-13) can be erected upon fill material 65 as shown in FIG. 11.

[0041] Arrows 68 in FIG. 11 show water flow over levee 11 during a storm surge. Water flows over levee 11 carrying accretions 69 that accumulate to form a new land mass that supports plant life 70 for replenishment of wetlands that have eroded.

[0042] FIG. 12 illustrates that side panels 29 can be erected and interlocked at apex 77 and held in position using piling 62 rather than base panel 12. In FIG. 12, the side panels 29 would be interlocked and brick layed staggered fashion as with the embodiment of FIGS. 1-11. However, pilings 62 support two panels 29 in an inclined position forming a generally triangularly shaped levee which can be back filled with a selected fill material such as sand, gravel, soil, or the like. In FIG. 12, notice that the side panels 29 can be of differing sizes to accommodate changes in elevation of water bottom 61.

[0043] FIGS. 14 and 15 show an additional alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention designated generally by the numeral 72. Levee apparatus 72 is comprised of a plurality of sections 73, 74, 75 and possibly additional sections that are connected end to end as shown in FIG. 14. Each section provides a first end portion 76 that interlocks with a second end portion 77. The end portion 76 provides a socket 78 that is receptive of an end portion 77 of another section as shown in FIG. 15. A stop 79 limits the amount of penetration of end portion 76 into socket 78 as shown in FIG. 15.

[0044] Each section 73, 74, 75 can provide an opening 80 that can be closed using a cap 81. Opening 80 and cap 81 enable fill material such as sand, gravel, soil, or other suitable fill material to be added to the interior 82 of each section 73, 74, 75. The levee apparatus 72 shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 could be employed in situations such as those shown and described with respect to FIGS. 1-13.

[0045] As an alternative to the sections 73, 74, 75 shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, similarly connecting interlocking sections could be provided wherein each section has a gradual taper along its length. An end portion of each section is of a slightly larger, generally triangular cross section. The other end portion of that section is of a smaller, generally triangular cross section. In such a case, an end portion of one such tapered section fits into the end portion of another such tapered section. In this embodiment a section can be pulled longitudinally from a mold for forming the panel. Alternatively, the mold can be made in interlocking sections which lock when section is poured and cured, and unlock after section has cured.

[0046] In one alternative embodiment can be included a variation of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 through 11. In this embodiment the upper portion of the levee barrier (panels 29) does not span from edge to edge of the lower portion of the barrier (panels 63)—as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. Instead, a smaller portion (with spaced apart edges) compared to the larger lower portion is used. In various embodiments the upper portion can span about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, and 95 percent of the width of the upper part of the lower portion. In various embodiments the spanning percentage can be in a range of between about any two of the above referenced percentages.

[0047] The following is a list of parts and materials suitable for use in the present invention.

[0048]

PARTS LIST
Part Number	Description
10	levee apparatus
11	levee apparatus
12	base panel
13	end edge
14	end edge
15	side edge
16	side edge
17	aperture
18	notch
19	notch
20	upper surface
21	lower surface
22	diagonally extending surface
23	surface
24	surface
25	surface
26	diagonally extending surface
27	surface
28	surface
29	inclined side panel
30	end edge
31	end edge
32	projection
33	gap
34	notch
35	notch
36	projection
37	gap
38	projection
39	projection
40	diagonally extending surface
41	surface
42	surface
43	contact area
44	upper surface
45	lower surface
46	arrow
47	support
48	lower surface
49	arrow
50	upper edge
51	lower edge
52	bolted connection
53	fastener
54	internally threaded opening
55	bolt opening
56	air space
57	fill opening
58	cap
59	fill material
60	water body
61	waterbed
62	piling
63	inclined panel
64	triangular panel
65	fill
66	apex
67	arrow
68	arrow
69	accretions
70	plant life
71	reinforcing steel
72	levee apparatus
73	section
74	section
75	section
76	first end portion
77	second end portion
78	socket
79	stop
80	opening
81	cap
82	interior

[0049] All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. All materials used or intended to be used in a human being are biocompatible, unless indicated otherwise.

[0050] The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.