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Patent 2473650 Summary

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Claims and Abstract availability

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(12) Patent: (11) CA 2473650
(54) English Title: BIO CATCHER
(54) French Title: RAMASSE-PLANTES AQUATIQUES
Status: Deemed expired
Bibliographic Data
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):
  • E02B 15/00 (2006.01)
  • A01D 44/00 (2006.01)
  • B63B 35/32 (2006.01)
  • E02B 15/04 (2006.01)
  • E02B 15/10 (2006.01)
(72) Inventors :
  • BEAUREGARD, ALAIN (Canada)
(73) Owners :
  • BEAUREGARD, ALAIN (Canada)
(71) Applicants :
  • BEAUREGARD, ALAIN (Canada)
(74) Agent: NA
(74) Associate agent: NA
(45) Issued: 2007-10-16
(22) Filed Date: 2004-07-20
(41) Open to Public Inspection: 2005-01-25
Examination requested: 2004-07-20
Availability of licence: N/A
(25) Language of filing: English

Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT): No

(30) Application Priority Data:
Application No. Country/Territory Date
60/489,793 United States of America 2003-07-25

Abstracts

English Abstract

A bio catcher has a comb or rake like device attached to the front of a boat and which can be adjusted to more selectively collect a variety of bio matter, most notably aquatic plants. The device can either push away plants, collect those just at the surface or collect several inches below the surface. Additionaly, a trimmer can be fitted in front of the comb to cut the plants that will then be collected by the comb. In combination with a flat bottom boat and a movable propeller requiring very little depth to operate in, it is possible to use the device in as little as 6 inches of water.


French Abstract

Ramasse-plantes aquatiques muni d'un dispositif ressemblant à un peigne ou à un râteau fixé à l'avant d'un bateau pouvant être ajusté de manière à recueillir de façon plus sélective une variété de matières biologiques, plus précisément des plantes aquatiques. L'appareil peut soit repousser des plantes et ne recueillir que celles qui se trouvent à la surface ou recueillir des plantes sur une profondeur de plusieurs pouces sous la surface. De plus, il est possible de fixer des ciseaux à l'avant du peigne pour couper les plantes qui seront ensuite recueillies par le peigne. En combinaison avec un bateau à fond plat et une hélice amovible pouvant fonctionner en eau très peu profonde, il est possible d'utiliser cet appareil dans aussi peu que 6 pouces d'eau.

Claims

Note: Claims are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.



6

CLAIMS:


1. A bio catcher to collect aquatic plants comprising:
a frame attached to the front of a boat;

a skimmer,

said skimmer attached to said frame;

a threaded adjustment with a handle to adjust the height of said skimmer,

both said threaded adjustment and said skimmer related by way of an armature;
said skimmer having a plurality of tines along its bottom and its sides;

a screen, forming an integral part of said bio catcher, to contain bio matter
once
collected by said tines;

means for moving said skimmer into a configuration bio matter collecting
configuration, a skimmer emptying configuration, and a bio matter pushing
configuration.


2. A bio catcher to collect aquatic plants as in claim 1 wherein:

a trimmer attachment is removably attached in front of said skimmer.

3. A bio catcher to collect aquatic plants as in claim 1 wherein:

a side skimmer is installed on at least one side of said boat.


4. A bio catcher to collect aquatic plants as in claim 3 wherein:

said side skimmer being deployable from a non use configuration to an in use
configuration.


7

5. A bio catcher as in claim 1 having the following method of use:

said skimmer collects bio matter, then moves into an emptying mode to free
said bio
matter for later pick up along with other bundles scattered in an area;

after said area is cleared, said bundles are moved, contained by at least one
said side
skimmer, said screen, and said skimmer.

Description

Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.



CA 02473650 2006-06-05
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Field of the invention ;

The invention relates generally to skimmers and collectors but more
parkicularly to a
collector of aquatic plants and related bio matter on the water surFace.

Background of the irwention :

A number of inventions decribe riettings and other such catch-all collectors
designed
to collect water surface borne debris but they are often designed for trash
and such
debris. Other systems are really underwater weed wackers and have a rather
aggressive approach to the elimination of aquatic plants and can produce
severe
collateral damage.

There is therefore a need for a less aggressive device to handle the removal
of
aquatic plants on or below the surface of water.


CA 02473650 2006-06-05
2

SUMMARY OF T'HE fINVEN71ON

The present invention d'ssdoses a comb or rake like device attached to the
front of a
boat and which can be adjusted to more selectively collect a variety of bio
matter,
most notably aquatic plants. The device can either push away plants, collect
those
just at the surface or collect several inches below the surface. Additionaly,
a trimmer
can be fitted in front of the comb to cut the plants that will then be
collected by the
comb. In combination with a flat bottom boat and a movable propeller rquiring
very
littie depth to operate in, it is possible to use the device in as little as 6
inches of
water.

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of this invention
will
become more readily apparent from the following detailed description of a
prefen-ed
embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the preferred
embodiment of the invention is shown and described, by way of examples. As
will be
realized, the invention is capable of other and different embodiments, and its
several
details are capable of modifcations in various obvious respects, all without
deparbng
from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be
regarded as
illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DE5CRIPTICIN OF THE PREFERRED EMBODiMENT

Fig. 1a Side elevation oF the bio catcher installed on a boat with side
skimmer in
intermediate mode.


CA 02473650 2006-06-05
3

Fig. 1 b detail of the side skimmer in transport mode.

Fig. 1 c detail of the motor with the movable propeller taken out of the
water.

Fig. 2 Side elevation of the skimmer structure with an optional trimmer
attachment
releasably attachable in front and generally below the skimmer.

Fig. 3 Side elevation of the bio catcher in the shallow skimmer configuration
Fig. 4 Side elevation of the bio catcher in the deep skimmer configuration
Flg. 5 Side elevation of the blo catcher in emptying configuration

Fig. 6 Side efevation of the bio catcher when pushing bundles
Fig. 7 Side elevation of the bio catcher when not in use

Fig. 8 Top view of the bio catcher and the boat

Fig. 9 Top view detail of the skimmer structure with optional trimmer
attachment
DETAILED DESCRIQ _Z'ION OF THE PREFERRED EMBOD{MENT

A bio catcher (10) is attached to the front of a boat (12) by way of a frame
(14). A
threaded adjustment (16) with a handle (18) can adjust the height of the
skimmer (20)
and both the threaded adjustment (16) and the skimmer (20) are related by way
of an
armature (26). The height of the skimmer (20) can be adjusted from below the
wateriine (22) as in fig. 1, or at the water iine as in fig. 3. The skimmer
(20) has a
plurality of bottom tines (24) along its bottom and side tines (24') along its
sides,
wherein the side tines (24'), situated on each sides of the skimmer (20) are
used for
containing the aquatic plants within the skimmer (20) until they are dumped
off.
Moreover, different configurations can be given to the skimmer (20) to more
selectively collect a variety of aquatic plants by way of changes in length or
spacing of


CA 02473650 2006-06-05
4

the tines (24). Once collected by the tines (24), the plants are contained by
a screen
(60), which forms an integral part of the bio catcher (10) and which lets
water pass_
The bio catcher (10) can push away plants as in fig. 6; go very deep as in
fig. 4; be
positioned for emptying the skimmer (20) as in fig. 5; fior pushing aquatic
plants or
debns as in fig, 6 , so as to dear a path or pushing bundles of precut plants
so as to
direct them towards the shore or any other suitable location for disposal.
Fig. 7
iiiustrates a configuration suitable for riding the boat (12) without using
the bio catcher
(10), Skimmer moving means (54) are provided for moving the skimmer (20) from
one configuration to the next, generally in the form of a geared electric
motor but
various means such as hydraulically or pnematically actuated means oould be
used
as well.

In the event of hard to manage aquatic plants, an optional firimmer attachment
(30)
can be removably attached in front of the skimmer (20) at a depth and angle of
attack
adapted to the cutting needs of the plants at hand_ The trimmer attachment
(30) is
inspired in shape and function to a hedge tiimmer and is comprised of a
trimmer pivot
and height adjustment means (56) and a trimrner actuator (58), which can be
any
suitable actuating means known in the art.

To cover a larger area with each boat (12) pass, a side skimmer (40) can be
installed
on at least one side of the boat (12), preferably both sides. The side skimmer
(40) is
deployed from a non use configuration as per flg. lb to an intermediate pre
use
conf'igurafion as per fig. 9a by rotating around a vertical pivot (50) so that
the side
skimmer (40) runs parallel to the side of the boat (12), and then into an in
use


CA 02473650 2006-06-05

configuration with an angled deployment as per fig_ 8 by rotating around a
horizontal
pivot (52) wherein a rod (42) for each side skimmer (40) positions the side
skimmer
(40) into a seleGted angle of deployment, which contributes to collecting and
maintaining large bundles of aquatic plants for moving to shore for disposal.
When the
skimmer (20) is in emptying mode as in fig. 5, the boat (12) can ride on top
of the
disposed bundle of aquatic life and the movable propeller (54) can be lifted
ou#, as in
fig. 7c, so that the bundle (not shown) is kept together for later pick-up
along with
other bundles scattered in the area. After the area is cleared, the bundles
are moved,
contained by the side skimmer (40) the screen (60) and, of course, the skimmer
(20).

Representative Drawing
A single figure which represents the drawing illustrating the invention.
Administrative Status

For a clearer understanding of the status of the application/patent presented on this page, the site Disclaimer , as well as the definitions for Patent , Administrative Status , Maintenance Fee  and Payment History  should be consulted.

Administrative Status

Title Date
Forecasted Issue Date 2007-10-16
(22) Filed 2004-07-20
Examination Requested 2004-07-20
(41) Open to Public Inspection 2005-01-25
(45) Issued 2007-10-16
Deemed Expired 2015-07-20

Abandonment History

There is no abandonment history.

Payment History

Fee Type Anniversary Year Due Date Amount Paid Paid Date
Request for Examination $400.00 2004-07-20
Application Fee $200.00 2004-07-20
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 2 2006-07-20 $50.00 2006-07-20
Final Fee $150.00 2007-06-21
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 3 2007-07-20 $50.00 2007-06-21
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 4 2008-07-21 $50.00 2008-05-13
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 5 2009-07-20 $100.00 2009-06-15
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 6 2010-07-20 $100.00 2010-05-28
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 7 2011-07-20 $100.00 2011-06-15
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 8 2012-07-20 $100.00 2012-05-29
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 9 2013-07-22 $100.00 2013-05-22
Owners on Record

Note: Records showing the ownership history in alphabetical order.

Current Owners on Record
BEAUREGARD, ALAIN
Past Owners on Record
None
Past Owners that do not appear in the "Owners on Record" listing will appear in other documentation within the application.
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Document
Description 
Date
(yyyy-mm-dd) 
Number of pages   Size of Image (KB) 
Description 2004-07-20 5 230
Abstract 2004-07-20 1 22
Claims 2004-07-20 2 51
Drawings 2004-07-20 5 227
Representative Drawing 2004-09-02 1 7
Cover Page 2005-01-06 1 32
Representative Drawing 2005-02-09 1 12
Description 2005-08-04 5 136
Claims 2005-08-04 2 31
Drawings 2005-08-04 5 204
Description 2006-06-05 5 124
Claims 2006-06-05 2 29
Representative Drawing 2007-09-20 1 6
Cover Page 2007-09-20 1 34
Assignment 2004-07-20 2 196
Correspondence 2004-08-18 1 9
Prosecution-Amendment 2005-04-25 2 57
Prosecution-Amendment 2005-08-04 12 263
Prosecution-Amendment 2005-12-06 2 39
Prosecution-Amendment 2006-06-05 9 181
Fees 2006-07-20 1 21
Prosecution-Amendment 2007-06-14 2 37
Correspondence 2007-06-21 1 23
Fees 2007-06-21 1 23
Correspondence 2007-08-08 1 22
Fees 2008-05-13 1 24
Correspondence 2010-04-06 1 19
Fees 2009-06-15 1 26
Correspondence 2010-04-15 1 13
Fees 2010-05-28 1 25
Fees 2011-06-15 1 22
Fees 2012-05-29 1 22
Fees 2013-05-22 1 21