Abstract: The present invention provides a rake system for removing floating and submerged vegetation and debris from ponds. The rake system includes: a handle; a frame that includes a first cutting member, a second cutting member, one or more entrapment meshes, a floating member; and a line connected the proximal end of the handle. Methods for removing floating and submerged vegetation and debris from ponds are also disclosed.

Abstract: A water rake for skimming vegetation and debris off ponds includes a handle and a frame. The frame is attached to the handle and the handle extends rearward from the frame. The frame has an open area closed by a net or web to capture the vegetation or debris as the rake is pulled through the water. A plurality of spaced-apart prongs are connected at base ends to the frame and extend from the frame generally in a rearward direction to retain collected vegetation and debris in the net or web, or otherwise collected in the frame.

Abstract: A frame for a fishing dredge which has a sea bed engaging portion and an upper portion. Teeth are resiliently mounted on the frame to extend beyond the seabed engaging portion of the frame such that at least two of the teeth are resiliently mounted to move independently of one another. This feature allows the frame to move over obstacles encountered on the sea bed. The frame is also provided with funnelling means adapted to direct water into and through the frame in order to clear debris from the frame.

Abstract: A fishing dredge and in particular to a belly (62) for a fishing dredge which comprises a sea bed engaging portion (63) and an upper portion (65). The sea bed engaging portion has a plurality of rotatably mounted rollers (47) and connectors (51) which together form a mesh such that at least one of the rollers forms part of the mesh. The belly (62) can roll across the sea bed thereby reducing the damage to the sea bed caused by dragging existing dredging apparatus across the sea bed.

Abstract: A method for configuring a shellfish dredge is described. In an embodiment of the invention, a bag on a shellfish dredge has a front side and a back side and is attached to a tow. The front side of the bag has a pair of end peaks, one or more central peaks and an open area for catching shellfish. The end peaks are attached to the tow and the central peaks are attached to vertical chains connected to the tow. The bag is of a depth to catch and contain shellfish.

Abstract: A method for configuring a shellfish dredge is described. In an embodiment of the invention, a bag on a shellfish dredge has a front side and a back side and is attached to a tow. The front side of the bag has a pair of end peaks, one or more central peaks and an open area for catching shellfish. The end peaks are attached to the tow and the central peaks are attached to vertical chains connected to the tow. The bag is of a depth to catch and contain shellfish.

Abstract: The assembly comprises a frame-truss subassembly, to which are attached an internal subassembly for directing a flow of encountered water during dragging and a subassembly for collecting and discharging shellfish. An external subassembly is used for encasing the frame-truss subassembly together with the internal subassembly and the subassembly for collecting and discharging shellfish. The frame-truss subassembly includes a pair of lateral trusses, spaced at a distance commensurable with a width of the assembly. The internal subassembly includes an anterior panel with a forwards oriented concavity and a posterior panel with a backwards oriented concavity. The subassembly for collecting and discharging, disposed behind the internal subassembly includes a louver platform, a grid receptacle supported by the platform and a mechanism for topple over the grid receptacle. At least two sets of a multiplicity of hinged flaps are used.

Abstract: A method and device for collecting animals living on or in a water bottom such as crustaceans and shellfish and fish, wherein a collecting device (5) is moved over the bottom, which collecting device is provided with a device for moving the animals from or off the water bottom, in particular at least one tine (14) that can penetrate into the bottom and with which said animals can be taken or forced from or off the bottom, while said at least one tine is provided with a fluid outlet through which under pressure, a fluid, in particular water, is forced into the bottom, such that a top layer of the bottom is stirred up and animals living therein or thereon are dislodged, which animals are captured in the collecting device.

Abstract: A slit trench-excavating plough has an elongate frame supporting components of the plough, a number of side wall-supporters movable longitudinally, about and laterally relative to the frame, a number of wedge-shaped cutters pivoted laterally relative to the supporters. The cutters can be turned by an underground driver coupled between the cutter and the supporter to control the direction of excavation and steer the apparatus. The supporters can be moved by the drivers and rams coupled between the frame and the supporters simultaneously in opposite directions to advance the apparatus continuously.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a dredging assembly which includes a vessel having at least one opening therein. A dredging pole of a predetermined length is positioned in and extends through the opening and is positioned substantially perpendicular to the vessel when in the dredging position. A dredging wheel is positioned at the lower end of the dredging pole with a vertically movable tension wheel at an upper end of the dredging pole and a reversing wheel spaced horizontally from the dredging pole. An endless cable is mounted on the dredging pole extending around the tensioning wheel, dredging wheel and reversing wheel and a plurality of the scoops are mounted on the endless cable, wherein the scoops are turned upside down by the reversing wheel for dumping the material carried therein.

Abstract: An excavating hoe or bucket includes a hoe or bucket body which is movable across an excavation area, and a structure for providing the hoe body or bucket body with a variable load capacity. The variable load capacity may be provided by a network of flexible line members such as chains, which may be disconnected from each other and reattached at different attachment or insertion locations, to increase or decrease the load capacity of the hoe or bucket.

Abstract: A device for removing undesirable aquatic vegetation from lake bottoms. The device includes a weed trap and an elongated handle pivotally mounted thereto. The trap is formed of mesh, screen, etc. and includes at least one flat side and an open top. A cutting bar is disposed along a top edge of the flat side. A releasable latch is provided to selectively latch the handle to the trap.