CA2140317A1 - Beaver dam culvert block - Google Patents
Beaver dam culvert blockInfo
- Publication number
- CA2140317A1 CA2140317A1 CA 2140317 CA2140317A CA2140317A1 CA 2140317 A1 CA2140317 A1 CA 2140317A1 CA 2140317 CA2140317 CA 2140317 CA 2140317 A CA2140317 A CA 2140317A CA 2140317 A1 CA2140317 A1 CA 2140317A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- rods
- block
- culvert
- cross bar
- rod
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
- E02B8/00—Details of barrages or weirs ; Energy dissipating devices carried by lock or dry-dock gates
- E02B8/02—Sediment base gates; Sand sluices; Structures for retaining arresting waterborne material
- E02B8/023—Arresting devices for waterborne materials
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
- E02B5/00—Artificial water canals, e.g. irrigation canals
- E02B5/08—Details, e.g. gates, screens
- E02B5/085—Arresting devices for waterborne materials, e.g. gratings
Abstract
A culvert block inhibits beavers from carrying dam forming debris downstream through the block. The block comprises a frame formed by end supports and upper and lower cross bars. A plurality of vertical rods are located across the frame supported by the cross bars. The rods are separated from one another sufficiently to permit water without debris to pass between the rods. The rods are individually vertically movable to and away from a debris blocking position in the frame and each rod has an upper end portion extending above the upper cross bar to form a rod grip for raising and lowering the rods relative to the frame.
Description
.
TITLE: BEAVF~ DAM CULV~T BLOCK
FIELD OF THE T~VFNT~ON
The present invention relates to a culvert block which inhibits beavers from carrying beaver dam forming debris downstream through the block.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In areas inhibited by beavers, the building of beaver dams often results in very serious and expensive ecological and safety problems. These beaver dams which can be very substantial in size alter the normal water flow patterns through rivers and creeks. Typically, they produce a water backlog and when the dam eventually gives way because of the upstream water pressure on the dam, there is often a tremendous overflow of water beyond the creek or river bed. This overflow results in a wash out of the area into which the overflow occurs.
To date, there is nothing in the way of a simple and practical means of preventing beavers from building dams other than to try and physically break down the dams after they have been started or completely built. However, even this does not inhibit the beaver from starting fresh or building a dam in a relatively remote location which is not monitored for the break down of the dams.
SUMMA~Y OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a river or stream block which is specifically designed to inhibit beavers from carrying dam forming debris through the block.
Beavers will often build their dams at the downstream end of a culvert and therefore the block of the present invention is specifically designed to provide blockage to the culvert.
21gO317 More particularly, the culvert block of the present invention comprises a frame formed by end supports and upper and lower cross bars. The frame itself is substantially open and therefore, relatively light in weight-making it easy to handle by one or two people.
Provided in the frame are a plurality of vertical rods positioned in side by side relationship supported by the cross bars across the frame. The rods are separated from one another sufficiently to permit water without debris to pass between the rods. The rods themselves are individually vertically movable to and away from a debris blocking position in the frame and each rod has an upper end portion extending above the upper cross bar to form a rod grip for raising and lowering the rods relative to the frame.
The block is positioned on the upstream side of the culvert and relies upon support from the culvert to hold it in position. Any beavers attempting to pass through the block are unable to carry dam forming materials of any significant size and therefore cannot effectively build a, dam downstream behind the block. According to the beavers inherent nature, it will not attempt to build the dam on the upstream side of the culvert at the block.
BRI~F DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above as well as other advantages ànd features of the present invention will be described in greater detail according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention in which;
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a culvert block according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in the debris blocking position at the upstream end of a culvert;
-Figure 2 is a further perspective view of the culvert block of Figure 1 with a number of the blocking rods removed from the debris blocking position;
Figure 3 is a front view of the culvert block of Figures 1 and 2 away from the culvert;
Figure 3a is a front view of a modified culvert block according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 4 is a top view looking down on a section of the upper cross bar of the culvert block of Figures 1 through 3;
Figure 5 is a top view of the lower cross bar of the culvert block of Figures 1 through 3;
Figure 6 is a rear perspective view of the lower cross bar region of the culvert block of Figures 1 through 3;
Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view looking through the side of the lower cross bar region of the culvert block of Figures 1 through 3.
D~TATTl~n DE~CRIPTION ACCORDING TO T~ pREFERRF~n ODTM~NTS OF T~ PRF.~ENT T~VF~TION
Figure 1 shows a culvert block generally indicated at 1 at the upstream end of a culvert C. The culvert block comprises a pair of outside supports 3 in the form of elongated bars having downwardly projecting lower ends 7 as best seen in Figure 3 of the drawings. Each of these bars is provided at its upper end with a laterally extending handle 5 which is of assistance in lifting the bars as later described. However, the handles 5 are not necessary because the upper end of the bar itself can be used on its own as a handle.
Continuing with Figure 3 of the drawings, the frame further comprises upper and lower cross bars 11 and 19 respectively extending between the outside supports 3.
.
cross bar 11 comprises a horizontal face 13 and a vertical face 15 positioned to the rear of the cross bar. A
plurality of rectangular open ended brackets 17 are mounted to the rear face 15 of cross bar 11.
In the case of the lower cross bar 19, it is formed by a forwardly facing vertical face 21 and a rearwardly projecting horizontal face 23. A plurality of open ended brackets 25 are provided on the back side of the vertical face 21 of cross bar 19.
The two vertical faces 15 and 21 of the upper and lower cross bars respectively provide a mounting surface of the cross bars to the two end supports 3.
A plurality of vertical debris blocking rods 27 are slideably mounted to the frame. As shown in the drawings, these rods are positioned side by side with one another across the culvert block. There is however sufficient space between each of the rods to allow water without - debris to pass between the blocking rods. However, there is not sufficient space between the rods to allow a beaver carrying debris sufficiently large to form a dam to pass through the culvert block . If the beaver itself can pass between the rods, it will not be able to carry the debris with it which remains trapped on the upstream side of the blocking rods.
The overall construction including the frame with the movable rods is easily mounted in position in front of the culvert as shown in Figure 1. The lower ends 7 of the outside supports 3 which preferably have a metal construction, extend well below the lower cross bar 19 and can easily be embedded into the creek or river bottom by pushing downwardly on the handles 5 at the upper ends of supports 3. In addition, securing chains 9 are preferably provided which secure the supports by tying the chains back 21~3~7 ~, down to any secure object at the culvert or by simply pinning the chains into the ground area on either side of the river or creek.
The upper end of the outside support members 3 rest against the culvert itself as shown in Eigures 1 and 2 of the drawings and because the water flows continuously downstream past the culvert block it is effectively held in position by the water pressure and the securing of the lower ends of the supports as described above. Here it should be noted that the lower cross bar 19 should be positioned such that although it is located under water, it is not embedded into the creek or river bottom.
One of the keys to the present invention is that blocking rods 27 are moved very easily away from and back to the debris blocking position. Each of the rods has an upper end portion which extends above the upper cross bar 11. In addition, each rod is preferably provided with an upper end handle such as transverse handles 29 shown in the drawings. These handles facilitate gripping of the blocking rods which are easily accessible to one standing on top of the culvert as will be appreciated from Eigure 1.
Brackets 17 and 25 to the rear of the upper and lower cross bars respectively provide releasable securing points for the movable blocking rods in the frame. As will be seen in Figures 4 through 6 of the drawings, each of the rods in its preferred construction has a T-shaped configuration and each of the brackets is in the form of an open ended rectangle. This combination of shapes allows a fitting between the rods and the brackets which is sufficiently tight to prevent the rods from shifting around in position while at the same time provides clearance for an easy fitting of the rods into the brackets.
TITLE: BEAVF~ DAM CULV~T BLOCK
FIELD OF THE T~VFNT~ON
The present invention relates to a culvert block which inhibits beavers from carrying beaver dam forming debris downstream through the block.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In areas inhibited by beavers, the building of beaver dams often results in very serious and expensive ecological and safety problems. These beaver dams which can be very substantial in size alter the normal water flow patterns through rivers and creeks. Typically, they produce a water backlog and when the dam eventually gives way because of the upstream water pressure on the dam, there is often a tremendous overflow of water beyond the creek or river bed. This overflow results in a wash out of the area into which the overflow occurs.
To date, there is nothing in the way of a simple and practical means of preventing beavers from building dams other than to try and physically break down the dams after they have been started or completely built. However, even this does not inhibit the beaver from starting fresh or building a dam in a relatively remote location which is not monitored for the break down of the dams.
SUMMA~Y OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a river or stream block which is specifically designed to inhibit beavers from carrying dam forming debris through the block.
Beavers will often build their dams at the downstream end of a culvert and therefore the block of the present invention is specifically designed to provide blockage to the culvert.
21gO317 More particularly, the culvert block of the present invention comprises a frame formed by end supports and upper and lower cross bars. The frame itself is substantially open and therefore, relatively light in weight-making it easy to handle by one or two people.
Provided in the frame are a plurality of vertical rods positioned in side by side relationship supported by the cross bars across the frame. The rods are separated from one another sufficiently to permit water without debris to pass between the rods. The rods themselves are individually vertically movable to and away from a debris blocking position in the frame and each rod has an upper end portion extending above the upper cross bar to form a rod grip for raising and lowering the rods relative to the frame.
The block is positioned on the upstream side of the culvert and relies upon support from the culvert to hold it in position. Any beavers attempting to pass through the block are unable to carry dam forming materials of any significant size and therefore cannot effectively build a, dam downstream behind the block. According to the beavers inherent nature, it will not attempt to build the dam on the upstream side of the culvert at the block.
BRI~F DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above as well as other advantages ànd features of the present invention will be described in greater detail according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention in which;
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a culvert block according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in the debris blocking position at the upstream end of a culvert;
-Figure 2 is a further perspective view of the culvert block of Figure 1 with a number of the blocking rods removed from the debris blocking position;
Figure 3 is a front view of the culvert block of Figures 1 and 2 away from the culvert;
Figure 3a is a front view of a modified culvert block according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 4 is a top view looking down on a section of the upper cross bar of the culvert block of Figures 1 through 3;
Figure 5 is a top view of the lower cross bar of the culvert block of Figures 1 through 3;
Figure 6 is a rear perspective view of the lower cross bar region of the culvert block of Figures 1 through 3;
Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view looking through the side of the lower cross bar region of the culvert block of Figures 1 through 3.
D~TATTl~n DE~CRIPTION ACCORDING TO T~ pREFERRF~n ODTM~NTS OF T~ PRF.~ENT T~VF~TION
Figure 1 shows a culvert block generally indicated at 1 at the upstream end of a culvert C. The culvert block comprises a pair of outside supports 3 in the form of elongated bars having downwardly projecting lower ends 7 as best seen in Figure 3 of the drawings. Each of these bars is provided at its upper end with a laterally extending handle 5 which is of assistance in lifting the bars as later described. However, the handles 5 are not necessary because the upper end of the bar itself can be used on its own as a handle.
Continuing with Figure 3 of the drawings, the frame further comprises upper and lower cross bars 11 and 19 respectively extending between the outside supports 3.
.
cross bar 11 comprises a horizontal face 13 and a vertical face 15 positioned to the rear of the cross bar. A
plurality of rectangular open ended brackets 17 are mounted to the rear face 15 of cross bar 11.
In the case of the lower cross bar 19, it is formed by a forwardly facing vertical face 21 and a rearwardly projecting horizontal face 23. A plurality of open ended brackets 25 are provided on the back side of the vertical face 21 of cross bar 19.
The two vertical faces 15 and 21 of the upper and lower cross bars respectively provide a mounting surface of the cross bars to the two end supports 3.
A plurality of vertical debris blocking rods 27 are slideably mounted to the frame. As shown in the drawings, these rods are positioned side by side with one another across the culvert block. There is however sufficient space between each of the rods to allow water without - debris to pass between the blocking rods. However, there is not sufficient space between the rods to allow a beaver carrying debris sufficiently large to form a dam to pass through the culvert block . If the beaver itself can pass between the rods, it will not be able to carry the debris with it which remains trapped on the upstream side of the blocking rods.
The overall construction including the frame with the movable rods is easily mounted in position in front of the culvert as shown in Figure 1. The lower ends 7 of the outside supports 3 which preferably have a metal construction, extend well below the lower cross bar 19 and can easily be embedded into the creek or river bottom by pushing downwardly on the handles 5 at the upper ends of supports 3. In addition, securing chains 9 are preferably provided which secure the supports by tying the chains back 21~3~7 ~, down to any secure object at the culvert or by simply pinning the chains into the ground area on either side of the river or creek.
The upper end of the outside support members 3 rest against the culvert itself as shown in Eigures 1 and 2 of the drawings and because the water flows continuously downstream past the culvert block it is effectively held in position by the water pressure and the securing of the lower ends of the supports as described above. Here it should be noted that the lower cross bar 19 should be positioned such that although it is located under water, it is not embedded into the creek or river bottom.
One of the keys to the present invention is that blocking rods 27 are moved very easily away from and back to the debris blocking position. Each of the rods has an upper end portion which extends above the upper cross bar 11. In addition, each rod is preferably provided with an upper end handle such as transverse handles 29 shown in the drawings. These handles facilitate gripping of the blocking rods which are easily accessible to one standing on top of the culvert as will be appreciated from Eigure 1.
Brackets 17 and 25 to the rear of the upper and lower cross bars respectively provide releasable securing points for the movable blocking rods in the frame. As will be seen in Figures 4 through 6 of the drawings, each of the rods in its preferred construction has a T-shaped configuration and each of the brackets is in the form of an open ended rectangle. This combination of shapes allows a fitting between the rods and the brackets which is sufficiently tight to prevent the rods from shifting around in position while at the same time provides clearance for an easy fitting of the rods into the brackets.
2~40317 , The lower horizontal face 23 on the lower cross bar provides a stop for the bottom end of each of the slideable blocking rods 27. However the brackets 25 are elevated from the lower end stop and are angled upwardly rearwardly from the lower cross bar. This positioning and shaping of the different components is specifically designed to prevent dirt and debris from collecting in the lower brackets 25 when the blocking rods are pulled up out of their blocking position. The open ended construction of the brackets ensures that mud or dirt in the river or stream will simply fall down through the brackets and the upward rearward cutting of the lower brackets 25 provides a clearance space between the bottoms of the brackets and the bottom stop 23 on the lower cross bar such that water flowing past the lower cross bar will simply carry the mud or other dirt away from the brackets. This feature is particularly important when considering that the lower cross bar 19 is positioned near the bottom of the creek or river and would otherwise clog up making it very difficult to locate the lower end of the rod within the bracket particularly since the bracket is located under water and may not be visible to the person operating the culvert block.
During normal useage of the culvert block, debris such as large leafs, sticks, etc. will tend to collect on it at the upstream side of the culvert. A passer-by can then simply lift the blocking rods individually -to gradually release any blockage at the front of the culvert.
ThiS then allows a controlled flow of the water past the block.
Generally speaking, it is not necessary to pull the blocking rods completely out of the upper brackets which then act as a guide to direct the lower ends of the rods back into the lower brackets. For reasons given above, the 214031~
~_.
lower brackets do not tend to clog up and therefore are readily accessible to receive the lower ends of the rods.
Figure 3a shows a somewhat modified culvert block including movable rods 27 having handles 29 as described above. In addition, this culvert block includes movable rods 27a having handles 29a. The rods 27a are slightly taller than the rods 29 so that if the rods are spaced relatively closely together, there is less congestion at the upper ends of the rods allowing the operator to first lift up the taller rods 27a making the shorter rods 27 more easily accessible.
Although various preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described herein in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that variations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.
During normal useage of the culvert block, debris such as large leafs, sticks, etc. will tend to collect on it at the upstream side of the culvert. A passer-by can then simply lift the blocking rods individually -to gradually release any blockage at the front of the culvert.
ThiS then allows a controlled flow of the water past the block.
Generally speaking, it is not necessary to pull the blocking rods completely out of the upper brackets which then act as a guide to direct the lower ends of the rods back into the lower brackets. For reasons given above, the 214031~
~_.
lower brackets do not tend to clog up and therefore are readily accessible to receive the lower ends of the rods.
Figure 3a shows a somewhat modified culvert block including movable rods 27 having handles 29 as described above. In addition, this culvert block includes movable rods 27a having handles 29a. The rods 27a are slightly taller than the rods 29 so that if the rods are spaced relatively closely together, there is less congestion at the upper ends of the rods allowing the operator to first lift up the taller rods 27a making the shorter rods 27 more easily accessible.
Although various preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described herein in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that variations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (6)
1. A culvert block to inhibit beavers from carrying dam forming debris downstream through said block, said block comprising a frame formed by end supports and upper and lower cross bars, a plurality of vertical rods across said frame supported by said cross bars, said rods being separated from one another to permit water without debris to pass between said rods, said rods being individually vertically moveable to and away from a debris blocking position in said frame and each rod having an upper end portion extending above said upper cross bar and forming a rod grip for raising and lowering the rods relative to said frame.
2. A culvert block as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said lower cross bar includes a vertical face and a horizontal face which provides a bottom stop for said rods and a first set of rod receiving open brackets secured on said vertical face above said horizontal face of said bottom cross bar.
3. A culvert block as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said brackets are located behind and are angled rearwardly upwardly from said vertical face of said lower cross bar.
4. A culvert block as claimed in Claim 2, including a second set of rod receiving open brackets secured to said upper cross bar.
5. A culvert block as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the rod grips of said rods include transverse rod handles.
6. A culvert block as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the rod grips of said rods are at varying heights across said culvert block.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2140317 CA2140317A1 (en) | 1995-01-16 | 1995-01-16 | Beaver dam culvert block |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2140317 CA2140317A1 (en) | 1995-01-16 | 1995-01-16 | Beaver dam culvert block |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2140317A1 true CA2140317A1 (en) | 1996-07-17 |
Family
ID=4155052
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2140317 Abandoned CA2140317A1 (en) | 1995-01-16 | 1995-01-16 | Beaver dam culvert block |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2140317A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2011000016A1 (en) | 2009-07-02 | 2011-01-06 | Gernot Mahr | Bar screen |
| WO2014033334A1 (en) * | 2012-09-03 | 2014-03-06 | Fundación Cidaut | Protection system for avoiding obstacles in roadside trenches |
-
1995
- 1995-01-16 CA CA 2140317 patent/CA2140317A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2011000016A1 (en) | 2009-07-02 | 2011-01-06 | Gernot Mahr | Bar screen |
| WO2014033334A1 (en) * | 2012-09-03 | 2014-03-06 | Fundación Cidaut | Protection system for avoiding obstacles in roadside trenches |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Dead |