Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
li3Z804
FLOATING APPAR~TUS FOR_WEEDING WATERWAYS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to floating apparatus for
cleaning waterways, such as lakes, canals or the like.
As has been pointed out in U.S. Patent 4,070,978,
which discloses an invention similar to this, by the
same inventor, there are numerous waterways, such as
lakes, canals and the like, which are choked with weeds
and other debris that make the waterways unsuitable for
boats, fishing, swimming and the like water uses.
Various methods have been devised to eliminate this
debris. In most cases, chemicals are used to eliminate
the weeds. However, the effect of such chemicals is
to return the weeds in a few years in greater abundance.
Other devices have been suggested, including the floating
apparatus of the aforementioned patent 4,070,978.
Applicant has recently discovered that he can
improve on the float~ng apparatus of the previous patent
by the use of pontoons and paddle wheels, to enable the
apparatus to be maneuvered more easily and to more
readily clean the weeds from small la~es and ponds.
The device of this invention can also be provided with
various types of implements at the end of the boom in
the manner more fully disclosed in the aforementioned
patent 4,070,978.
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113Z8~)~
SU~ARY O~ TRE INVENTION
In carrying out this invention, in the preferred
form, a floating apparatus is provided which comprises
a structure mounted on pontoons. At least one paddle
wheel, driven in any desired manner is provided, mounted
on the structure, for moving the apparatus. Also
mounted on the structure is an articulated boom,
rotatable completely around the apparatus and provided
with an implement at the end thereof for removing weeds
and the like from a waterway. In the preferred form, a
container is provided in the structure for receiving
the debris removed from the waterway.
The invention which is sought to be protected
will be particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed
in the claims appended hereto. However, it is believed
that this invention and the manner in which its various
objects and advantages are obtained, as well as other
objects and advantages thereof, will be better understood
from the following detailed description of a preferred
embodiment, particularly when considered in the light
of the accompanying drawing. - -
BRIEF DESCRIP~ION OF THE DRAWING
FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the preferred
embodiment of the floating weed cleaning apparatus of
this invention shown with a weeding rake attached; and
FIGURE 2 is a side view of the preferred
embodiment shown in FIGURE 1,
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Reference will now be made to the drawing
wherein like numerals are used to indicate like parts
throughout. In the drawing there is shown a per-
spective and plan view of the present preferred
embodiment of the fl~ating weod cleaning apparatus 10.
As can be seen, apparatus 10 comprises a structure 12
which has mounted thereon an hydraulically actuating
device 14, which actuates the articulated boom 16.
The boom 16 is provided with an implement at the end
thereof for cleaning a waterway, such as the weeding
rake 18, shown. The structure 12 is shown as mounted
or supported on pontoons 20, 22, which provide
flotation for the weeding apparatus 10, as will be
1~3~0'.~
understood. Also provided are a pair of paddle wheels
24, 26 for moving the apparatus over the water. The
paddle wheels can be actuated in any desired manner,
but in the pre~erred embodiment they are actua~ed by
the hydraulic means 14 which is mounted on the structure
12.
The articulated boom 16 is actuated by means
of the hydraulic control device 14, which utilizes
hydraulic valve members ~not shown) in a well known
10 manner. Obviously, the control means operates through
various hydraulic lines to articulate the boom 16, and
to rotate it completely about the structure 12.
In the preferred embodiment, the control device
14 rotates as a unit to allow the operator to observe
the movement of the boom 16 and the rake 18, or other
cleani~g device. As will be apparent, in the preferred
embodiment, the control device 14 will actuate the
hydraulic members such as 28 on the upper or first
portion of boom 16, and 30 which is on the lower or
free end of the boom 16. As will be understood, in
the operation of the weeding appratus 10, the boom 16
will be articulated so as to lower the rake 18 into
the water, and in engagement with the bottom thereof.
.. . .
The boom 16, and the apparatus 10 will be moved to
remove the weeds or other debris from the water bottom.
The debris will be lifted by the rake 18 and deposited
in the container portion 32 of the structure 12.
As is shown, the outer end of the boom 16 is
provided with an hydraulic member 30 which actuates
the rake 18. The rake 18 is first positioned in the
extended attitude shown for scraping the bottom of
the waterway to clean it of weeds and other debris.
The traverse of the rake may be solely by means o~ the
boom 16, or it may be in conjunction with the
apparatus 10. As will be apparent, the apparatus 10
is very agile by reason of the pontoons 20, 22, and
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~.i32~3~4
the paddel wheels 24, 26, so that it can readily act
in concert with the boom 16 in moving the rake 18 to
scrape the bottom of a waterway. After the rake 18
has made the desired traverse of the water bottom, it
5 will be moved or positioned in a carrying attitude,
whereby the weeds and other debris may be lifted and .-
deposited into the container portion 32 of the
- structure 12. The apparatus 10 may be steered or
guided by means of a rudder (not shown) or by means
10 of the paddle wheels 24, 26, or by both such means,
- if desired.
' As wiil be understood, the apparatus 10 may be
: of any desired size and may be powered in any desired
manner. However, in the preferred embodiment,hydraulic
15 means are used. Of course,` various types of cleaning
. implements may be used, as is more fully disclosed in
the aforementioned patent 4,070,978.
While there has been shown and,described the
present preferred embodiment of this invention, it will
20 be understood by those skilled in the ar~ that various
changes may be made in the combination without departing . -
from the spirit and scope of the invention as it is
defined in the appended claims.
