TRASH REMOVAL SYSTEM

Abstract

A trash removal system is configured to enable a diver to remove debris from water. The trash removal system comprises a line mechanically coupled to a boat and extending downward in the water. Hooks are mechanically coupled to the line and configured to receive the debris from the diver. Shelf nets are mechanically coupled to the line and configured to receive debris from the diver. The diver can affix debris to the hooks or insert debris into the shelf nets that can be drawn to the boat with a crank removing the debris from the water.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to provisional patent application U.S. Ser. No. 61/807,617 filed on Apr. 2, 2013, the entire contents of which is herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The embodiments herein relate generally to devices that can be used to remove debris from the ocean.

Since 2010, oceanic research has determined that plastic debris in the ocean is 2.5 to 27 times greater than previously estimated due to subsurface plastic debris particularly during high wind events. Prior to embodiments of the disclosed invention, removing plastic debris from the various depths in the ocean escaped any comprehensive solution at all. Rather, mere dredge nets tended to needlessy harm wildlife. Embodiments of the present invention solve this problem.

SUMMARY

A trash removal system is configured to enable a diver to remove debris from water. The trash removal system comprises a line mechanically coupled to a boat and extending downward in the water. Hooks are mechanically coupled to the line and configured to receive the debris from the diver. Shelf nets are mechanically coupled to the line and configured to receive debris from the diver. The diver can affix debris to the hooks or insert debris into the shelf nets that can be drawn to the boat with a crank removing the debris from the water.

In some embodiments, the boat is mechanically coupled to an air pump that emits air bubbles into the trash removal system. This assists the diver in affixing debris to the hooks or inserting debris into the shelf nets.

In some embodiments, the shelf net includes a first shelf net section detachably coupled to a second shelf net section. The first shelf net section comprises a plurality of cavities and is mechanically coupled to a pin. The second shelf net section comprises a plurality of extension members and is mechanically coupled to clasp. The diver can insert the debris into the shelf net, align the plurality of cavities with the plurality of extension members and then mechanically couple the pin to the clasp to close the shelf net and store the debris.

In some embodiments, a door is attaché to the shelf net in order to allow access to the shelf net. This can be useful in rough water that may shake other shelf net designs open.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The detailed description of some embodiments of the invention is made below with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals represent corresponding parts of the figures.

FIG. 1 is a side schematic overview of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2A is a detail schematic view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2B is a detail schematic view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2C is a detail schematic view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2D is a detail schematic view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3A is a detail schematic view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3B is a detail schematic view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3C is a detail schematic view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3D is a detail schematic view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4A is a detail schematic view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4B is a detail schematic view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4C is a detail schematic view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4D is a detail schematic view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

By way of example, and referring to FIG. 1, one embodiment of submarine trash removal system 10 comprises a plurality of hooks 12 mechanically coupled to line 14. Line 14 can be attached to boat B. In some embodiments, line 14 extends beneath a waterline. Hooks 12 generally tend to be buoyant are designed as either single hooks—a single eye, shank and point; double hooks—a single eye merged with two shanks and points; or triple—a single eye merged with three shanks and three evenly spaced points. Line 14 is further mechanically coupled to shelf net 16 which can be created in a variety of ways as shown in FIGS. 2A through 4D below.

Trash removal system 10 can be enhanced in some embodiments by air compressor 20 which distributes air bubbles 22 throughout trash removal system 10. Air compressor 20 is connected to boat B with air and power lines 24. The presence of air bubbles 22 enables divers D to insert debris T into shelf nets 16 or onto hooks 12 with greater ease than in the absence of air bubbles 22. Debris T can then be carried to boat by turning hand crank 34 to recall trash removal system 10 as shown in more detail in FIG. 5, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D show an alternate embodiment of shelf net 160. A first shelf net section is mechanically coupled to pin 130 and a second shelf net section is mechanically coupled to clasp 126. This enables diver D to insert debris T into shelf net 160 and then mechanically couple pin 130 to clasp 126 to close shelf net 160 in order to remove shelf net 160 from the water without debris T falling out. Only one end of the first shelf net section needs to be connected to the second shelf net section as water pressure will ensure that debris T does not fall out of shelf net 160 in transit.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D show an alternate embodiment of shelf net 260. A first shelf net section is mechanically coupled to pin 230 and a second shelf net section is mechanically coupled to clasp 226. This enables diver D to insert debris T into shelf net 260 and then mechanically couple pin 230 to clasp 226 to close shelf net 260 in order to remove shelf net 228 from the water without debris T falling out. In this embodiment, the first shelf net section comprises a plurality of cavities and the second shelf net section comprises a plurality of extension members. The extension members fit into the cavities to assist pin 230 and clasp 226 from coming apart in rough water or when there are high speed winds.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D show an alternate embodiment of shelf net 360. Here, shelf net 360 is mechanically coupled to a plurality of doors 332, though in some embodiments there may be as few as one door or as many as six doors. This construction allows diver D to insert debris T into shelf net 360 by opening and closing door 332 as needed. Door 332 can be latched or locked in any known manner including utilizing a pin and latch as noted above.

FIG. 5 show a theory of how shelf 440 can be used to transport equipment, tubes, emergency supplies to diver D without the need for diver D to return to boat B. Hand crank 434 is mechanically coupled to pulley 438. Pulley 438 is mechanically coupled to line 414. Line 414 is mechanically coupled to reflectors 450 which can be used to reflect light so that diver D can see shelf 440 and can be used to receive line 14 as hand crank 34 is turned.

FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 show a few theories of how to use hand crank 34. Hand crank 34 is mechanically coupled to pulley 38. Pulley 38 is mechanically coupled to line 14 and can be used to receive line 14 as hand crank 34 is turned. Line 14 can be attached to reflectors 50 to be easily seen under water. Line 14 can be mechanically coupled shelf net 16 or trash removal system 10. Any kind of crank, such a motor driven crank, can be effective in some embodiments.

In other embodiments trash removal system 10 can be used to catch fish, to do this, hooks 12 can be covered with bait and bait fish can be placed inside shelf net 16. Shelf 434 can be used to transport bait down to divers D to bait hooks 12.

Persons of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that numerous design configurations may be possible to enjoy the functional benefits of the inventive systems. Thus, given the wide variety of configurations and arrangements of embodiments of the present invention the scope of the invention is reflected by the breadth of the claims below rather than narrowed by the embodiments described above.

Claims

1. A trash removal system, configured to enable a diver to remove debris from water; the trash removal system comprising:

a line mechanically coupled to a boat and extending downward in the water;

hooks mechanically coupled to the line and configured to receive the debris from the diver;

shelf nets mechanically coupled to the line and configured to receive debris from the diver;

wherein the diver can affix debris to the hooks or insert debris into the shelf nets which can be drawn to the boat with a crank removing the debris from the water.

2. The trash removal system of claim 1, wherein the boat is mechanically coupled to an air pump that emits air bubbles into the trash removal system assisting the diver in affixing debris to the hooks or inserting debris into the shelf nets.

3. The trash removal system of claim 1, wherein the shelf net further comprises:

a first shelf net section detachably coupled to a second shelf net section;

the first shelf net section mechanically coupled to a pin; and

the second shelf net section mechanically coupled to a clasp;

wherein the diver can insert the debris into the shelf net and then mechanically couple the pin to the clasp to close the shelf net and store the debris.

4. The trash removal system of claim 1, wherein the shelf net further comprises:

a first shelf net section detachably coupled to a second shelf net section;

the first shelf net section comprises a plurality of cavities and is mechanically coupled to a pin; and

the second shelf net section comprises a plurality of extension members and is mechanically coupled to clasp;

wherein the diver can insert the debris into the shelf net, align the plurality of cavities with the plurality of extension members and then mechanically couple the pin to the clasp to close the shelf net and store the debris.

5. The trash removal system of claim 1, wherein the shelf net further comprises a door which can be used to access the shelf net.

6. A process for removing debris from a body of water prevents harm to marine life by specifically targeting debris for removal, the process comprising:

lowering a trash removal system into the water; wherein the trash removal system comprises hooks and shelf nets attached to a line;

snaring the debris with the hooks;

inserting the debris into the shelf nets; and

raising the trash removal system from the water thus removing the debris with the debris removal system.

7. The process of claim 6, further comprising: closing the shelf nets; wherein the shelf net further comprises a first shelf net section detachably coupled to a second shelf net section and is closed by linking the first shelf net section to the second shelf net section.

8. The process of claim 6, further comprising: lowering an pump into the trash removal system; providing air bubbles to the trash removal system with the air pump; wherein the air bubbles facilitate moving the debris.