CA2028580A1 - Device for the removal of aquatic vegetation - Google Patents
Device for the removal of aquatic vegetationInfo
- Publication number
- CA2028580A1 CA2028580A1 CA 2028580 CA2028580A CA2028580A1 CA 2028580 A1 CA2028580 A1 CA 2028580A1 CA 2028580 CA2028580 CA 2028580 CA 2028580 A CA2028580 A CA 2028580A CA 2028580 A1 CA2028580 A1 CA 2028580A1
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- Prior art keywords
- vegetation
- aquatic
- harvester device
- water
- engaging means
- Prior art date
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Abstract
DEVICE FOR THE REMOVAL OF AQUATIC VEGETATION
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An aquatic harvester device is disclosed for the safe and efficient removal of vegetation from a river, lake or ocean bed. The harvester device comprises a mesh-form, rigid, elongate body of generally S-shaped cross-section, which has a raised forward face with a smooth edge and a downwardly extending rearward face carrying a plurality of spikes or teeth. In operation, the smooth-edged forward face engages the vegetation while the teeth disposed on the rearward face of the device uproot the plants, effectively removing the plants from the water bed. A method of using the aquatic harvester device is also disclosed and comprises the steps of: lowering the aquatic harvester device to the floor of a body of water at a suitable distance from shore, over which distance it is desired to clear vegetation; pulling the harvester device while submerged over the floor of the body of water towards the shore, the forward face of the device engaging underwater vegetation while the teeth of the rearward face uproot same. The uprooted plants are carried with the harvester device for the duration of operation; and can be released from the harvester device after retrieval of the harvester device from the body of water.
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An aquatic harvester device is disclosed for the safe and efficient removal of vegetation from a river, lake or ocean bed. The harvester device comprises a mesh-form, rigid, elongate body of generally S-shaped cross-section, which has a raised forward face with a smooth edge and a downwardly extending rearward face carrying a plurality of spikes or teeth. In operation, the smooth-edged forward face engages the vegetation while the teeth disposed on the rearward face of the device uproot the plants, effectively removing the plants from the water bed. A method of using the aquatic harvester device is also disclosed and comprises the steps of: lowering the aquatic harvester device to the floor of a body of water at a suitable distance from shore, over which distance it is desired to clear vegetation; pulling the harvester device while submerged over the floor of the body of water towards the shore, the forward face of the device engaging underwater vegetation while the teeth of the rearward face uproot same. The uprooted plants are carried with the harvester device for the duration of operation; and can be released from the harvester device after retrieval of the harvester device from the body of water.
Description
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This invention relates to a device for the removal of aquatic vegetation from the floor of a body of water such as a lake, river or the like. More particularly, the invention pertains to an aquatic harvester device comprising a mesh-form, rigid, elongate body of generally S-shaped cross~section, which has a raised forward face with a smooth edge and a downwardly extending rearward face carrying a plurality of spikes or teeth. The invention also relates to a method of using the aquatic harvester device.
Waterfront land owners and users often experience difficulty in traversing by watercraft or the like ;~ relatively shallow waters adjacent the shore due to proliferation of unwieldy aquatic plant and weed growth.
The satisfactory removal of such aquatic vegetation to provide clearance for the free mobility of watercraft can be a difficult and dangerous task.
Hitherto, various means for aquatic plant removal have been attempted, all of which sufLer from significant problems and/or disadvantages. For example, chemicals have been successfully used to completely eliminate and/or control agyatic plant growth. ~owever, due to society's ever increasing environmental awareness, the use of chemicals for this purpose has met with steadfast public resistance. Various mechanical devices have also been used with relatively limited success. For example, V-shaped cutting devices (such as described in United States Patent No. 2,702,975) comprising a pair of elongated knife members which extend in a common plane to form a V-shaped structure, cut the water plants at their stems leaving the root systems intact. Such a device provides only a temporary solution to the problem in that, by leaving the root systems intact, the plants are able to recover in a relatively short period of time. Accordingly, the use of a V-shaped cutting de~ice necessitates the frequent periodic reuse thereof in order to maintain the desired .
~2~
clearance. Furthermore, the exposed sharp blades of the ~
shaped cutting device represent a significant danger to the operator, and human life in general, which has resulted in substantial consumer resistance to its use.
Another aquatic plant removal device is described in United States Patent No. 4,852,337 (Peterson) which comprises a rake with an elongated transverse bar, a structure for pulling the rake underwater, a plurality of flexible and resilient teeth and a stress distributing structure. Between the tine of each tooth is strung a filament designed to engage underwater plants and pull the plants from the bed by the roots. Although the teeth of this device are resilient and bend in response to underwater obstructions, the filament tends to become snagged on rocks, or the like, and thereby to halt the device, requiring it to be dislodged. Moreover, in response to an obstruction, the filament can break requiring the device to be removed from the water and repaired before operation may continue.
United States Patent No. 3,057,139 (Lane et al.) describes a basket-type device for collecting vegetation in roll form. Distinct disadvantages of this device include its bulkiness, the complexity of its design and the requirement of a crane for operation.
Finally, United States Patent No. 2,961,817 (Mitchell) teaches a drag rake for cutting and raking underwater plant growth which comprises a generally flat metal blade having a sharpened cutting edge on the inside profile with metal spikes protruding above and below the blade and has, interspaced between the spikes, at least four metal runners. Again, the question of operator safety is at issue in light of the exposed blade and, moreover, cutting as opposed to uprooting of the aquatic plants is subject to rapid regrowth and consequently necessitates periodic repeated raking throughout the summer season.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a safe and efficient device for the removal of aquatic vegetation on a relatively permanent basis from the floor of a ~ody of water such as a lake, river, ocean or the like.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved and economical device for the removal of underwater plant life which overcomes inherent disadvantages of prior aquatic plant rem~Yal devices~
It is a still further object of the invention to : provide a simple and convenient method for using the aquatic harvester device.
Accordingly, the invention provides an aquatic harvester device for the removal of vegetation from the floor of a body of water comprising: a rigid, elongate body which has a forward face terminating in first vegetation-engaging means capable of assuming a raised position and a downwardly extending rearward face carrying second vegetation-engaging means; and means for permitting pulling of the rigid body over an underwater floor while submerged with said first vegetation-engaging means in the raised position and said second vegetation-engaging means in substantial contact with the underwater floor, whereby to remove vegetation therPfrom.
The invention also provides a method o~ removing aquatic vegetation from the floor of a body of water, comprising the steps of: lowering the aquatic harvester device to the floor of a body of water at a suitable distance from shore, over which distance it is desired to clear vegetation; pulling the harvester device while submerged over the floor of the body of water towards the shore, the first vegetation-engaging means of the forward fa~e of the device engaging un~erwater vegetation while the second vegetation-engaging means of the rearward face uproot same, the uprooted plants being carried with the harvester device the duration of operation; retrieving the !2 ~ ~ $ ~
harve.ster device from the body of water; and releasing the collected veyetation from the harvester device.
In a preferred embodiment, the aquatic harvester device comprises a mesh-~orm, rigid, elongate body of generally S-shaped cross-section, which has a raised forward face with a smooth edge and a downwardly extending rearward face carrying a plurality of teeth: and means for pulling the rigid body over the underwater floor while submerged.
10The aquatic harvester device of the present invention is designed to safely and efficiently remove water vegetation (including water weeds and plants) from the bed o~ a river, lake or other body of water in which such vegetation grows.
15The S-shaped cross-section of the device is integral to its harvesting action in that the smooth-edged forward face engages the water vegetation causing the stems thereof to bend onto the smooth contour of forward face of the device. Approximately simultaneously, the teeth disposed on the rearwaxd face of the device uproot the water plants, effectively removing the plants ~rom the ~- water bed. The dislodged plants then fall into the trough of the device, as defined by the forward half of the inverted S-shaped cross-section, and are carried with the - 25 device for the duration of operation. The cycle of engaging and uprooting water plants repeats continuously until the plant removal operation is completed.
-The open mesh-form of the rigid body allows the device to ~low through water with relatively little resistance~ This is of particular relevance when lowering ;1~ the harvester device to the floor of a body of water. The op~n structure enables lowering of the device to be performed accurately and without lateral surfing action whi~h might occur with a solid structure. This can be important in water depths over about 8 to 10 ~eet. It is necessary that the device be of sufficient weight that it readily sinks to the water floor and remains on the ~loor when being pulled while in operation. Accordingly, the aquatic harvester device of invention is preferably made of a corrosion-resistant metal. Of particular preference is treated iron such as painted or galvanized iron. However, heavy-duty plastics, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is also suita~le as are other materials which provide sufficient weight, rigidity and corrosion resisting properties. If necessary, to achieve optimum weight for operation, individual weights can be added to the body of the device to increase the total weight thereo~.
The type of surface of the water floor is a factor in the operable performance of the aquatic harvester device. For example, a water floor comprising mostly sand and without many significant surface obstructions will allow the harvester to smoothly remove aquatic vegetation in a uniform manner, whereas a rocky water floor with substantial obstructions will obviously result in a more uneven clearance o~ vegetation. However, it should be emphasized that, due to the upwardly curved contour of the - forward face, the device will simply ride over many obstructions if present on the water floor~ The unique design of the forward face results in a substantial reduction in interruption of operation to dislodge the device caught on obstructions as compared to conventional devices of this type.
The device can be operated with reasonable ease when the body is from about 2 to 8 feet in length, ~ preferably about 4 to 5 ~eet. A shorter body length is ; 30 particularly convenient when it is necessary to navigate the device over a constricted area between multitudinous obstructions on the water floor. Alternatively, two or more of the harvester devices could be connected end-to-end in order to achieve an effective body length such that optimal operation may be obtained. For example, two 4 foot ~ devices could be connected end to end to effectively form ,d ~ ~
an 8 foot device, allowing the number of nacessary repeated operations to clear an area of vegetation to be reduced.
This can bs particularly advantageous when clearing large areas of a water floor with few obstructions.
In an alternative embodiment of the device, at least two skids are disposed in spaced relation on the lower side of the device in order to hold the device in the optimal disposition for operation with the forward face in the raised position. The skids are designed to slide along the water floor maintaining the device in the preferred operable disposition while also enhancing ease of operation.
In the accompanying drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention~
Figure 1 is an isometric view from above of a - preferred form of aquatic harvester device according to an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view from below of the device depicted in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is an end view of the aquatic harvester device shown in Fi~ure l; and Figure 4 is an end view of the aquatic harvester device of Figure 1 shown in operative position.
Referring now to the drawings, the preferred form of the aquatic harvester device of the present invention is shown in Figures 1 and 2. The device is defined by a generally S-shaped profile 10, which shape provides strength and rigidity to the device without the need for additional rein~orcement. The body of the device is in mesh-form 20 and is Pormed on its forward face with a relatively smooth edge 30, while rearward face 40 carries a plurality of spaced spikes or teeth 50 depending therefrom. The spikes or teeth 50 are advantageously spaced apart from each other by a distance of about 2 to 10 cm so as to optimize plant root removal ability. Two metallic rings 60 are provided for pulling the aquatic harvester through the water, one ring being disposed at each end thereof. The rings also provide pivot means useful when disengaging collected vegetation upon completion of operation. The rings are connected to each end of a rigid cross-bar 65 disposed transversely with respect to the body of the device. Three V-shaped brackets 68 attached to the forward and rearward faces 30 and 40 secure the cross-bar 65 by a weld to the harvester device.
A rope, cable or the li~e can be looped through each of the rings 60 and used to pull the device along the waterbed in operation. As the ropes are placed under tension, the pivotal effect upon the device tends to cause the teeth to dig into the ground and effectively uproot water plants therefrom. Depending on the situation, the pulling of the rope or cable can be effected manually or by means of an automated device such as a crank or tractor.
With reference to Figure 3, an end view of the preferred form of the aquatic harvester device as depicted in Figures 1 and 2 is shown. The forward half of the S-shaped profile of the device 10 defines a rounded trough70. During operation, the leading edge 30 of the forward face engages water plants in the stem mid- region causing the plants to bend rearwardly over the smooth contour thereof and into and across the trough 70. Approximately simultaneously, the depending teeth 50 carried on the rearward face 40 scrape across the water bed and effectively pull at and uproot the water plants. The dislodged plants, having fallen into and over the trough 70, ar~ carried with the aquatic harvester device for the duration of operation. The cycle of water plant engagement and uprooting repeats continuously until operation is terminated.
Referring now to Figure 4, an end view of the aquatic harvester device is shown in operative position.
Generally, while in operation, the device is disposed in a specific optimum position, which position is of ~$
significance to the efficiency of plant removal action. In the embodiment of Figure 4, when the harvester device is in operation, the metal rings 60 are disposed at approximately 30 with respect to the water floor 100. In contrask, when the device is at rest, the metal rings 60 are disposed at approximately 60 to the horizontal as depicted in Figure 3. Furthermore, optimal operation o the aquatic harvester device is found to occur when the ratio o~ the height A of the forward vertical projection of the front edge 30 above the water floor 100 to the horizontal length B of the lateral horizontal projection is about 2:3. However, the device is operable over the range of the above ratios of from about 1:5 to 1.5:1. With reference to Figure 4, the term "forward vertical projection" as used herein refers to the height A from the forward edge 30 to the water floor 100. The term "bottom horizontal projection" refers to the horizontal distance B from the teeth 50 to a point 130 on the water floor vertically below the forward edge 30.
As shown in Figure 4, during operation the harvester device travels along the water floor 100, the ~: smooth edge of the forward face 30 engaging water plants -- 110 at their stem mid-portions causing the plants to bend rearwardly onto and over the smooth-edged face 30 and into ~: the rounded trough 70. Meanwhile, the teeth 50 of the rearward face 40 scrape across the water floor 100 effectively uprooting the engaged water plants 110, which plants 110 once dislodged fall into the trough 70 and are carried with the device for the duration of operation.
Throughout plant removal action, the disposition of the - 30 device is preferably such that the above-discussed ratio of ~:i A to B is about 2:3. However, as mentioned, the device is ~ operable over a range of ratios A/B of from about 1:5 to ;~ 1.5:1.
The preferred method of using the device depicted : 35 in Figures 1 to 4 comprises the steps of: lowering the inventive device onto khe floor of a body of water at a 2 ~
suitable distance from shore, over which distance it is desired to clear vegetation; pulling the harvester device over the distance to be cleared, for instance by means of a rope, cable or the like 120, looped through the metal 5 rings 60; retrieving the device from the body of water; and releasing the collected vegetation by means of a reverse flip and several complete turns of the device.
In practice, it has been found convenient to transport the aquatic harvester device by watercraft, such 10 as an aluminium boat, to the point from shore from which it is desired to commence clearance of vegetation. A single operator can lift the device from the boat and lower it to the waterfloor by means of a rope looped through the rings disposed at each end of the device. From shore, by means 15 of the rope, a single operator can pull the harvester device over the waterfloor; which pulling will initiate the continuously repeated cycle of plant removal action of the device as described above. Once the device has been pulled the distance to be cleared ~usually to the shoreline) the ; 20 operator can retrieve the device from the water. On shore the operator can disengage the aquatic vegetation collected d and carried on the device by simply effecting a reverse -~ flip and several complete turns of the device about its - axis. The rings can be readily gripped to provide a pivot 25 means useful for this purpose. This manipulation of the device causes the collected vegetation to become disengaged ~- and fall to the ground.
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..
This invention relates to a device for the removal of aquatic vegetation from the floor of a body of water such as a lake, river or the like. More particularly, the invention pertains to an aquatic harvester device comprising a mesh-form, rigid, elongate body of generally S-shaped cross~section, which has a raised forward face with a smooth edge and a downwardly extending rearward face carrying a plurality of spikes or teeth. The invention also relates to a method of using the aquatic harvester device.
Waterfront land owners and users often experience difficulty in traversing by watercraft or the like ;~ relatively shallow waters adjacent the shore due to proliferation of unwieldy aquatic plant and weed growth.
The satisfactory removal of such aquatic vegetation to provide clearance for the free mobility of watercraft can be a difficult and dangerous task.
Hitherto, various means for aquatic plant removal have been attempted, all of which sufLer from significant problems and/or disadvantages. For example, chemicals have been successfully used to completely eliminate and/or control agyatic plant growth. ~owever, due to society's ever increasing environmental awareness, the use of chemicals for this purpose has met with steadfast public resistance. Various mechanical devices have also been used with relatively limited success. For example, V-shaped cutting devices (such as described in United States Patent No. 2,702,975) comprising a pair of elongated knife members which extend in a common plane to form a V-shaped structure, cut the water plants at their stems leaving the root systems intact. Such a device provides only a temporary solution to the problem in that, by leaving the root systems intact, the plants are able to recover in a relatively short period of time. Accordingly, the use of a V-shaped cutting de~ice necessitates the frequent periodic reuse thereof in order to maintain the desired .
~2~
clearance. Furthermore, the exposed sharp blades of the ~
shaped cutting device represent a significant danger to the operator, and human life in general, which has resulted in substantial consumer resistance to its use.
Another aquatic plant removal device is described in United States Patent No. 4,852,337 (Peterson) which comprises a rake with an elongated transverse bar, a structure for pulling the rake underwater, a plurality of flexible and resilient teeth and a stress distributing structure. Between the tine of each tooth is strung a filament designed to engage underwater plants and pull the plants from the bed by the roots. Although the teeth of this device are resilient and bend in response to underwater obstructions, the filament tends to become snagged on rocks, or the like, and thereby to halt the device, requiring it to be dislodged. Moreover, in response to an obstruction, the filament can break requiring the device to be removed from the water and repaired before operation may continue.
United States Patent No. 3,057,139 (Lane et al.) describes a basket-type device for collecting vegetation in roll form. Distinct disadvantages of this device include its bulkiness, the complexity of its design and the requirement of a crane for operation.
Finally, United States Patent No. 2,961,817 (Mitchell) teaches a drag rake for cutting and raking underwater plant growth which comprises a generally flat metal blade having a sharpened cutting edge on the inside profile with metal spikes protruding above and below the blade and has, interspaced between the spikes, at least four metal runners. Again, the question of operator safety is at issue in light of the exposed blade and, moreover, cutting as opposed to uprooting of the aquatic plants is subject to rapid regrowth and consequently necessitates periodic repeated raking throughout the summer season.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a safe and efficient device for the removal of aquatic vegetation on a relatively permanent basis from the floor of a ~ody of water such as a lake, river, ocean or the like.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved and economical device for the removal of underwater plant life which overcomes inherent disadvantages of prior aquatic plant rem~Yal devices~
It is a still further object of the invention to : provide a simple and convenient method for using the aquatic harvester device.
Accordingly, the invention provides an aquatic harvester device for the removal of vegetation from the floor of a body of water comprising: a rigid, elongate body which has a forward face terminating in first vegetation-engaging means capable of assuming a raised position and a downwardly extending rearward face carrying second vegetation-engaging means; and means for permitting pulling of the rigid body over an underwater floor while submerged with said first vegetation-engaging means in the raised position and said second vegetation-engaging means in substantial contact with the underwater floor, whereby to remove vegetation therPfrom.
The invention also provides a method o~ removing aquatic vegetation from the floor of a body of water, comprising the steps of: lowering the aquatic harvester device to the floor of a body of water at a suitable distance from shore, over which distance it is desired to clear vegetation; pulling the harvester device while submerged over the floor of the body of water towards the shore, the first vegetation-engaging means of the forward fa~e of the device engaging un~erwater vegetation while the second vegetation-engaging means of the rearward face uproot same, the uprooted plants being carried with the harvester device the duration of operation; retrieving the !2 ~ ~ $ ~
harve.ster device from the body of water; and releasing the collected veyetation from the harvester device.
In a preferred embodiment, the aquatic harvester device comprises a mesh-~orm, rigid, elongate body of generally S-shaped cross-section, which has a raised forward face with a smooth edge and a downwardly extending rearward face carrying a plurality of teeth: and means for pulling the rigid body over the underwater floor while submerged.
10The aquatic harvester device of the present invention is designed to safely and efficiently remove water vegetation (including water weeds and plants) from the bed o~ a river, lake or other body of water in which such vegetation grows.
15The S-shaped cross-section of the device is integral to its harvesting action in that the smooth-edged forward face engages the water vegetation causing the stems thereof to bend onto the smooth contour of forward face of the device. Approximately simultaneously, the teeth disposed on the rearwaxd face of the device uproot the water plants, effectively removing the plants ~rom the ~- water bed. The dislodged plants then fall into the trough of the device, as defined by the forward half of the inverted S-shaped cross-section, and are carried with the - 25 device for the duration of operation. The cycle of engaging and uprooting water plants repeats continuously until the plant removal operation is completed.
-The open mesh-form of the rigid body allows the device to ~low through water with relatively little resistance~ This is of particular relevance when lowering ;1~ the harvester device to the floor of a body of water. The op~n structure enables lowering of the device to be performed accurately and without lateral surfing action whi~h might occur with a solid structure. This can be important in water depths over about 8 to 10 ~eet. It is necessary that the device be of sufficient weight that it readily sinks to the water floor and remains on the ~loor when being pulled while in operation. Accordingly, the aquatic harvester device of invention is preferably made of a corrosion-resistant metal. Of particular preference is treated iron such as painted or galvanized iron. However, heavy-duty plastics, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is also suita~le as are other materials which provide sufficient weight, rigidity and corrosion resisting properties. If necessary, to achieve optimum weight for operation, individual weights can be added to the body of the device to increase the total weight thereo~.
The type of surface of the water floor is a factor in the operable performance of the aquatic harvester device. For example, a water floor comprising mostly sand and without many significant surface obstructions will allow the harvester to smoothly remove aquatic vegetation in a uniform manner, whereas a rocky water floor with substantial obstructions will obviously result in a more uneven clearance o~ vegetation. However, it should be emphasized that, due to the upwardly curved contour of the - forward face, the device will simply ride over many obstructions if present on the water floor~ The unique design of the forward face results in a substantial reduction in interruption of operation to dislodge the device caught on obstructions as compared to conventional devices of this type.
The device can be operated with reasonable ease when the body is from about 2 to 8 feet in length, ~ preferably about 4 to 5 ~eet. A shorter body length is ; 30 particularly convenient when it is necessary to navigate the device over a constricted area between multitudinous obstructions on the water floor. Alternatively, two or more of the harvester devices could be connected end-to-end in order to achieve an effective body length such that optimal operation may be obtained. For example, two 4 foot ~ devices could be connected end to end to effectively form ,d ~ ~
an 8 foot device, allowing the number of nacessary repeated operations to clear an area of vegetation to be reduced.
This can bs particularly advantageous when clearing large areas of a water floor with few obstructions.
In an alternative embodiment of the device, at least two skids are disposed in spaced relation on the lower side of the device in order to hold the device in the optimal disposition for operation with the forward face in the raised position. The skids are designed to slide along the water floor maintaining the device in the preferred operable disposition while also enhancing ease of operation.
In the accompanying drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention~
Figure 1 is an isometric view from above of a - preferred form of aquatic harvester device according to an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view from below of the device depicted in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is an end view of the aquatic harvester device shown in Fi~ure l; and Figure 4 is an end view of the aquatic harvester device of Figure 1 shown in operative position.
Referring now to the drawings, the preferred form of the aquatic harvester device of the present invention is shown in Figures 1 and 2. The device is defined by a generally S-shaped profile 10, which shape provides strength and rigidity to the device without the need for additional rein~orcement. The body of the device is in mesh-form 20 and is Pormed on its forward face with a relatively smooth edge 30, while rearward face 40 carries a plurality of spaced spikes or teeth 50 depending therefrom. The spikes or teeth 50 are advantageously spaced apart from each other by a distance of about 2 to 10 cm so as to optimize plant root removal ability. Two metallic rings 60 are provided for pulling the aquatic harvester through the water, one ring being disposed at each end thereof. The rings also provide pivot means useful when disengaging collected vegetation upon completion of operation. The rings are connected to each end of a rigid cross-bar 65 disposed transversely with respect to the body of the device. Three V-shaped brackets 68 attached to the forward and rearward faces 30 and 40 secure the cross-bar 65 by a weld to the harvester device.
A rope, cable or the li~e can be looped through each of the rings 60 and used to pull the device along the waterbed in operation. As the ropes are placed under tension, the pivotal effect upon the device tends to cause the teeth to dig into the ground and effectively uproot water plants therefrom. Depending on the situation, the pulling of the rope or cable can be effected manually or by means of an automated device such as a crank or tractor.
With reference to Figure 3, an end view of the preferred form of the aquatic harvester device as depicted in Figures 1 and 2 is shown. The forward half of the S-shaped profile of the device 10 defines a rounded trough70. During operation, the leading edge 30 of the forward face engages water plants in the stem mid- region causing the plants to bend rearwardly over the smooth contour thereof and into and across the trough 70. Approximately simultaneously, the depending teeth 50 carried on the rearward face 40 scrape across the water bed and effectively pull at and uproot the water plants. The dislodged plants, having fallen into and over the trough 70, ar~ carried with the aquatic harvester device for the duration of operation. The cycle of water plant engagement and uprooting repeats continuously until operation is terminated.
Referring now to Figure 4, an end view of the aquatic harvester device is shown in operative position.
Generally, while in operation, the device is disposed in a specific optimum position, which position is of ~$
significance to the efficiency of plant removal action. In the embodiment of Figure 4, when the harvester device is in operation, the metal rings 60 are disposed at approximately 30 with respect to the water floor 100. In contrask, when the device is at rest, the metal rings 60 are disposed at approximately 60 to the horizontal as depicted in Figure 3. Furthermore, optimal operation o the aquatic harvester device is found to occur when the ratio o~ the height A of the forward vertical projection of the front edge 30 above the water floor 100 to the horizontal length B of the lateral horizontal projection is about 2:3. However, the device is operable over the range of the above ratios of from about 1:5 to 1.5:1. With reference to Figure 4, the term "forward vertical projection" as used herein refers to the height A from the forward edge 30 to the water floor 100. The term "bottom horizontal projection" refers to the horizontal distance B from the teeth 50 to a point 130 on the water floor vertically below the forward edge 30.
As shown in Figure 4, during operation the harvester device travels along the water floor 100, the ~: smooth edge of the forward face 30 engaging water plants -- 110 at their stem mid-portions causing the plants to bend rearwardly onto and over the smooth-edged face 30 and into ~: the rounded trough 70. Meanwhile, the teeth 50 of the rearward face 40 scrape across the water floor 100 effectively uprooting the engaged water plants 110, which plants 110 once dislodged fall into the trough 70 and are carried with the device for the duration of operation.
Throughout plant removal action, the disposition of the - 30 device is preferably such that the above-discussed ratio of ~:i A to B is about 2:3. However, as mentioned, the device is ~ operable over a range of ratios A/B of from about 1:5 to ;~ 1.5:1.
The preferred method of using the device depicted : 35 in Figures 1 to 4 comprises the steps of: lowering the inventive device onto khe floor of a body of water at a 2 ~
suitable distance from shore, over which distance it is desired to clear vegetation; pulling the harvester device over the distance to be cleared, for instance by means of a rope, cable or the like 120, looped through the metal 5 rings 60; retrieving the device from the body of water; and releasing the collected vegetation by means of a reverse flip and several complete turns of the device.
In practice, it has been found convenient to transport the aquatic harvester device by watercraft, such 10 as an aluminium boat, to the point from shore from which it is desired to commence clearance of vegetation. A single operator can lift the device from the boat and lower it to the waterfloor by means of a rope looped through the rings disposed at each end of the device. From shore, by means 15 of the rope, a single operator can pull the harvester device over the waterfloor; which pulling will initiate the continuously repeated cycle of plant removal action of the device as described above. Once the device has been pulled the distance to be cleared ~usually to the shoreline) the ; 20 operator can retrieve the device from the water. On shore the operator can disengage the aquatic vegetation collected d and carried on the device by simply effecting a reverse -~ flip and several complete turns of the device about its - axis. The rings can be readily gripped to provide a pivot 25 means useful for this purpose. This manipulation of the device causes the collected vegetation to become disengaged ~- and fall to the ground.
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Claims (14)
1. An aquatic harvester device for the removal of vegetation from the floor of a body of water comprising:
a rigid, elongate body which has a forward face terminating in first vegetation-engaging means and capable of assuming a raised position and a downwardly extending rearward face carrying second vegetation-engaging means;
and means for permitting pulling of the rigid body over an underwater floor with said first vegetation-engaging means in the raised position and said second vegetation-engaging means in substantial contact with the underwater floor, whereby to remove vegetation therefrom.
a rigid, elongate body which has a forward face terminating in first vegetation-engaging means and capable of assuming a raised position and a downwardly extending rearward face carrying second vegetation-engaging means;
and means for permitting pulling of the rigid body over an underwater floor with said first vegetation-engaging means in the raised position and said second vegetation-engaging means in substantial contact with the underwater floor, whereby to remove vegetation therefrom.
2. An aquatic harvester device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body is of generally S-shaped cross-section.
3. An aquatic harvester device as claimed in claim 1, which is formed of an open structure to permit flow of water therethrough in a relatively unobstructed manner.
4. An aquatic harvester device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said open structure is of mesh-like form.
5. An aquatic harvester device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said first vegetation-engaging means comprises a smooth upper edge of said forward face and said second vegetation-engaging means comprises a plurality of spaced teeth or spikes.
6. An aquatic harvester device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said teeth or spikes are spaced apart from each other by a distance of from about 2 to 10 cm.
7. An aquatic harvester device as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, wherein the body is formed of a corrosion-resistant metal.
8. An aquatic harvester device as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, wherein the body is formed of galvanized, painted or coated iron.
9. An aquatic harvester device as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, wherein the body is formed of heavy-duty polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
10. An aquatic harvester device as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, wherein the means for permitting pulling of the rigid body comprises a ring disposed at each end of the device, said each ring being adapted for connection to a rope.
11. An aquatic-harvester device as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, wherein the disposition of the device while in operation is such that the ratio of the forward vertical projection of first vegetation-engaging means above the floor to the lateral horizontal projection between first and second vegetation-engaging means is in the range of from about 1:5 to 1.5:1.
12. An aquatic harvester device as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, wherein the disposition of the device while in operation is such that the ratio of the forward vertical projection of said first vegetation-engaging means above the floor to the lateral horizontal projection between first and second vegetation-engaging means is about 2:3.
13. An aquatic harvester device as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, further comprising at least two skids disposed on the bottom face in spaced relationship to each other for the purpose of maintaining said first vegetation-engaging means in said raised position during operation of the device.
14. A method of removing aquatic vegetation from the floor of a body of water, comprising the steps of:
lowering an aquatic harvester device as defined in claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, to the floor of a body of water at a suitable distance from shore, over which distance it is desired to clear vegetation;
pulling the harvester device while submerged over the water floor towards the shore, the first vegetation-engaging means of the forward face of the device engaging stems of underwater vegetation while approximately simultaneously the second vegetation-engaging means of the rearward face uproots same, the uprooted plants being carried with the harvester device for the duration of operation;
retrieving the harvester device from the body of water; and releasing the collected vegetation from the harvester device.
lowering an aquatic harvester device as defined in claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, to the floor of a body of water at a suitable distance from shore, over which distance it is desired to clear vegetation;
pulling the harvester device while submerged over the water floor towards the shore, the first vegetation-engaging means of the forward face of the device engaging stems of underwater vegetation while approximately simultaneously the second vegetation-engaging means of the rearward face uproots same, the uprooted plants being carried with the harvester device for the duration of operation;
retrieving the harvester device from the body of water; and releasing the collected vegetation from the harvester device.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2028580 CA2028580A1 (en) | 1990-10-25 | 1990-10-25 | Device for the removal of aquatic vegetation |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2028580 CA2028580A1 (en) | 1990-10-25 | 1990-10-25 | Device for the removal of aquatic vegetation |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2028580A1 true CA2028580A1 (en) | 1992-04-26 |
Family
ID=4146260
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2028580 Abandoned CA2028580A1 (en) | 1990-10-25 | 1990-10-25 | Device for the removal of aquatic vegetation |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2028580A1 (en) |
-
1990
- 1990-10-25 CA CA 2028580 patent/CA2028580A1/en not_active Abandoned
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| FZDE | Dead |