Abstract: A method of and rake for removal of aquatic plants; the method has the steps of pulling a rake over an underwater bottom, engaging aquatic plants with flexible, resilient teeth and a flexible, resilient filament strung between the teeth, pulling the plant out of the bottom with the filament and distributing stress among the teeth through the filament when the rake snags an immovable obstruction; the rake has a cross bar, a plurality of elongate flexible and resilient teeth attached to the bar, and a flexible and resilient high tensile strength filament strung to and between all of the teeth. The filament pulls out plants and distributes stress among the teeth. An improved rake tooth has structure for holding a transverse filament adjacent a tip of the tooth.

Abstract: A harvester for plants and weeds, particularly aquatic plants, pulls the plants by winding them onto a rotating, endless cable. Tension in the cable is controlled, and an operative portion of the cable is positionable for varying its height and angle to the horizontal. The harvester is mountable on a boat having an adjustable freeboard and multiple, individually driven, retractable paddle wheels provide maximum maneuverability during use and compactness during transport.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for improving the yield of harvested marketable shellfish obtained originally from contaminated water sources including a stainless steel enclosure 12, formed of an angle bar open frame defining a bottom 19, four sides (not designated) and an open top 20. A pair of hinged closure doors 22, 23 serve to selectively close top 20 of enclosure 12. A heavy gauge stainless steel mesh 21 is welded to the frame of enclosure 12 and doors 22, 23. In operation, contaminated shellfish 13 are harvested from known contaminated waters under the supervision of a government inspector. Enclosure 12 is filled with the contaminated shellfish to a depth of approximately six-inches, or approximately half-volume, and the inspector seals the container with seal 30 through eyelets 27, 28. Seal 30 is numbered and/or dated by the crimping tool at 30a and the enclosure transported to and deployed in known uncontaminated waters for a period of at least fifteen days.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved sand trap rake and golf ball retriever which attaches to a golf club bag and which generally consists of a plate member having teeth and a cord-like system. When used as a sand trap rake, the disclosed device is coupled to a golf club which acts as the rake handle; and when used as a ball retriever, the plate member is thrown past the golf ball and drawn back toward the golfer with the cord-like system.

Abstract: Aquatic plants and their entangled roots can be removed from a lake or other body of water by pulling a lake rake out onto the lake, then pulling the lake rake, with a load of plants and their roots, back in to a central collection site on shore. Multi-purpose teeth of this rake are shaped and positioned to glide across the surface of a lake on the outbound trip, to dig below rooted plants on the inbound trip, and to pass over small crevices or uneven joints on a ramp, truck or trailer at the collection site. Embodiments of the invention may be constructed in a variety of sizes from standard size materials that are commercially available, such as aluminum, steel or plastics.

Abstract: The invention concerns a procedure for undermining underwater terrain (S) thus creating an upward rising current (Tj) able to lift items lying on the terrain (S) or half-buried in it, in order to collect them in a recovery net. The invention also covers devices to be used for harrowing and cleaning shell-fish beds or for dredge-fishing shell-fish.

Abstract: In the operation of certain agricultural and industrial pursuits an excess of various chemicals results. For example, an excess of phosphorus results from the use of fertilizers in the general farming operations of stimulate the growing of grass in the dairy rich areas of central Florida. This excess quantity of phosphorus finds its way into the streams and rivers, and contaminates any of the streams and bodies of water that receive the outflow of these chemically rich waters. For example, the Kissimmee River flows through the dairy rich lands of central Florida and contaminates Lake Okeechobee into which they flow. Many other chemicals used as lubricants and additives in industrial operations that also are discharged into the various bodies of water are harmful to the fish and aquatic plants whose presence is necessary to recycle and purify the water.

Abstract: Unwanted aquatic weeds are removed by first dragging the bottom of a lake with a horizontal bar to loosen the weeds from the bottom. The uprooted and broken weed stalks are permitted to float to the surface of the lake. The weeds are scooped from the water by a mesh scoop capable of being carried to a dumping area and emptied. The method is carried out by a self-propelled hull having a boom pivotally attached to a forward end thereof. The boom is adapted to receive various implements on its free end. One such implement is a horizontal drag bar with downwardly depending tines to drag the lake bottom and another of the implements is the wire mesh scoop mentioned above. The tines of the first implement each preferably include at least a portion that is angled forwardly, so that when the boom is lowered sufficiently to meet the lake bottom the angled portion of the tine if substantially orthogonal to the lake bottom.

Abstract: A self-propelled dredge includes a floating hull and a propulsion unit associated with the hull to propel the hull at the direction of an operator. Preferably, the propulsion unit includes a pair of paddlewheels disposed on opposite sides of the hull and independently operable to provide maneuverability to the hull. A boom is mounted on the front end of the hull in cantilevered fashion and a bucket is attached to the distal end of the boom to scoop material from the bottom of a body of water during operation of the dredge. Rigging is provided between the hull and the boom to allow the operator to raise and lower the boom to dip the bucket into and out of the water. The bucket has a pivotable scoop portion that actually receives the material being dredged and a stationary cover portion that is affixed to the boom.

Abstract: A system for harvesting and processing aquatic plants growing on the surface of a body of water includes a shore mounted harvesting apparatus which gathers the plants from the surface of the water and conveys them to a first chopper assembly which rips and shreds the plants to a first manageable size. The harvester assembly includes a first rotating drum positioned in the water which forces the plants upward and into engagement with a second rotating drum having a plurality of spiral wound vanes which engage the material and forces it along the passageway into further engagement with a third rotating drum which cooperates with a cutting bar to serrate and shred the material. The shredded material is thereafter transferred to a chopping assembly which comminutes the aquatic plants into very small pieces.

Abstract: A navigable water craft having a first tool mounted on the bow area for removing pollutants. The tool may be a basket or scoop which is mounted to be raised and lowered such as through hydraulic rams. Additionally, the basket may be mounted to be rotated about a vertical axis from side-to-side of the craft. At the stern area is mounted a weed removal tool preferably in the form of a triangular rigid structure which, in use, is lowered to be dragged on the sea bed by a line wound on a winch mounted on the craft. A control station including a operator's seat is located between the stern and bow forwardly of the winch which preferably is located in an open recessed compartment. To protect the steering rudder of the craft, a barrier is positioned at the stern to prevent the weed removal tool from engaging the rudder during raising or lowering of the tool.

Abstract: Underwater weed cutter that includes a front base plate or mounting member that pivotally mounts a pair of blade mounts for movement between a weed cutting position extending diverging rearwardly and a generally parallel storage position, the blade mounts mounting the blades to be on remote side edges of the mounts when the mounts are in a weed cutting position and adjacent one another when the mounts are in a storage position, an elongated back brace that is connected at its opposite ends to portions of the blade mounts remote from the mounting member when the cutter is in a weed cutting position, a pair of parallel runners having one ends connected to the brace in transverse spaced relationship and opposite ends pivotally connected to the respective mount when the cutter is in a weed cutting position, a combination weed deflector and runner, a handle mount assembly pivotally mounted on the front member for movement between a weed cutting position and a storage position, and a handle mounted by said assembly

Abstract: The present invention relates to a floating containment barrier grid structure (20) for containment of floating aquatic plants (26) in a body of water (30). The barrier grid structure (20) includes a plurality of interconnected square barrier segments (24), the top edge of the barrier segments extending above the surface of the water so as to prohibit substantial wave action. The floating containment barrier grid structure (20) being anchored by cables (38) and stakes (40) in a somewhat tensioned state while floating in the body of water (30). The barrier grid structure (20) being tensioned to enable portions of the barrier grid structure (20) to be submerged beneath the surface of the water by a harvesting machine (28) while harvesting the floating aquatic plants (26).

Abstract: A system for conditioning and removing aquatic plants growing on the surface of a body of water includes a water craft having at least one rotatable drum, the specific density of which is less than one. Conditioning ribs extend away from the outer peripheral surface of the drum and a prime mover is provided for moving the craft across an area of compacted aquatic plants. The drum is rotated to permit the ribs to separate and condition the plants for a relatively uniform distribution across the surface of the water. The craft has means, such as a rope, cable or pushing fork for drawing the aquatic plants into a conveyor for removal. The water craft is provided with a steering mechanism of rugged construction permitting relatively facile movement.

Abstract: An apparatus primarily adapted for removing cranberries from vines in a flooded bog bed includes a self-propelled, wheeled chassis and at least a pair of forwardly mounted, transversely extending reel assemblies. Each reel assembly includes a support frame having a base portion and a pair of arms. A reel is rotatably supported on the arms of the support frame. The reel includes an elongated shaft and a plurality of spaced discs interconnected by rods. A trunnion drive motor is secured to one of the arms and is directly coupled to the shaft to rotate the reel during harvesting operations. The base portion of the frame is pivotally secured to a spindle support arm at a free end thereof. The opposite end of the spindle support arm is pivoted to the wheeled chassis. The reels may pivot about an axis transverse to the base portion of the frame and move vertically to conform to the bog bed.

Abstract: A cutting tool for use in conjunction with the propeller assembly of a boat to prevent underwater foliage from fouling the drive mechanism of the boat. The shank end of the tool is secured to the motor housing and supports the cutting blade end thereof in close proximity with the propeller hub. As the hub rotates, underwater foliage encountered by the propeller assembly is swept into contact with the cutting edges of the blade whereupon the foliage is cut and the cutting thrown away from the motor.

Abstract: A method of removing aquatic plants growing from the bed of a lake or other body of water includes the steps of moving a horizontally oriented bar through the plants beneath the surface of the water, permitting the plant stalks to wrap themselves around the bar. As the bar continues to move, the plant stalks are pulled and either broken at a point between the bar and the roots or are pulled out of the lake bottom by the roots. Once the plants have been broken off or pulled out of the bottom, the bar is moved to a desired position and the plant stalks severed to free them from the bar. An apparatus for carrying out the method provides a plant-engaging bar mounted on the free end of a boom pivotally mounted on a hull floating in the water. The boom can be lowered to place the bar beneath the surface of the water and the hull has a propulsion system to move it through the water, thereby moving the bar through the plant beds.

Abstract: Aquatic weeds are harvested by dragging a cable through such weeds in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cable while rotating the cable around its longitudinal axis, whereby the weeds are wound around the cable and thus pulled from the bottom of the waterway. The cable passes around a drum on a frame, the frame and cable being rotated together on a platform. The platform is mounted on a land or water based vehicle. The calbe can be winched into the frame between blades which cut the weeds from the cable.

Abstract: A harvester for harvesting only the blade or lamina from a mature kelp plant uses a plurality of harvester mechanisms for movement through a kelp bed adjacent the sea bottom. Each mechanism has a pair of helically formed spindles parallel to each other for relative counter-rotation, the helices being of opposite hand. A kelp stipe, encountering the spindles is moved upwardly thereby to bring the attached lamina into a channel forward of the spindles, adjacent which channel a cutter is positioned. When the lamina starts to engage the spindles they separate slightly and operate a linkage which in turn actuates the cutter to sever the lamina. The severed laminae are collected in a basket connected to the harvesting mechanisms. By harvesting only the lamina the plant can regenerate a new lamina and it is possible to have repeated harvests from a single plant.

Abstract: Apparatus for weed removal from a pond, the apparatus including a buoyant raft, a vacuum pickup hose, and a collecting means.

Abstract: Aquatic harvesting apparatus employs a harvesting barge with vertical and horizontal weed cutters and a tunnel extending from the cutting throat through the entire length of the harvesting barge for discharge of the cut weeds into a collection container coupled to the stern. The cut vegetation is not elevated from the water during this procedure. The collection container is paneled with mesh and has a gate which can be opened to receive the weeds and closed to seal the container. The container can be towed to shore or elevated by a crane.

Abstract: A method of controlling, harvesting and handling large acreages of aquatic growths and other underwater products and materials through the use of satellite harvesters coupled to a land or water based transfer pumping station for delivery of the harvest to a remote spoil, storage or processing area.

Abstract: Apparatus for harvesting aquatic plants from a body of water includes transporting means, such as a trailer or a floating craft, adapted to move into the body of water. A centrifugal pump mounted on one end of the transported is adapted to be at least partially submerged in the body of water, the pump including a housing having an opening for transmitting water and aquatic plants therein into the housing. The centrifugal pump pumps water and the aquatic plants from the body of water. An envelope surrounds at least a portion of the opening in the housing and extends outward from the housing and the opening for restricting water flow into the opening.

Abstract: A floating aquatic weed cutting apparatus is disclosed which is highly maneuverable and particularly useful for cutting along banks and around obstacles. The cutter bar is disposed entirely outwardly of one of the lateral sides of a flotation device. The cutter bar may be moved about an axis parallel to the central axis of the flotation device to change the angular disposition of the cutter bar for cutting along submerged banks and around obstacles in the water. The entire cutter may be elevated with respect to the flotation device to raise or lower the cutter bar from or into the water.

Abstract: An aquatic weed cutter for cutting aquatic plants and their root systems. The aquatic weed cutter includes a water vehicle having a drive system connected to at least two shafts that project out of the vehicle. Each shaft has a circular cutting blade mounted at the distal end of the shaft. The cutting blades are positioned for rotation in a generally vertical plane for cutting aquatic plants and their root systems, as well as for propelling the vehicle through the water. The drive system is also used to control the position of the shafts below the surface of the water in order to position the tips of the cutting blades at various distances below as well as above the surface of the water bed. The shafts are positioned from one another in order to provide an overlapping relationship between each cutting blade. A forward cleaning blade is placed forward of each of the cutting blades with teeth having leading and trailing pitched portions to keep the cutting blades clean of debris.

Abstract: Marine sediment contains organic matter which can be extracted to provide a source of energy, by extracting the organic matter from the marine sediment when in the form of a slurry, and separating the organic matter from the extracted material.

Abstract: A portable frame adapted to be mounted on a beach adjacent a lake. The portable frame has a reversible motor and a pair of drive wheels driven by the motor. A rake is provided with an elongated handle. The drive wheels of the frame are adapted to engage the handle of the rake to move the rake backward and forward powered by the motor. The rake has teeth which fold inward when the rake is moved forward into the lake along the lake floor powered by the motor and the teeth will remain upright when the rake is powered back out of the lake, so that the teeth will engage the weeds and will take or pull the weeds out of the bottom of the lake as the rake is powered back out of the lake.

Abstract: A floating apparatus including a barge having a plurality of hydraulically actuated stabilizers for positioning the barge at a location. An hydraulically actuated, articulated boom is rotatably mounted on the barge and provided with any of a plurality of instrumentalities at the free end thereof for weeding, dredging or cleaning waterways.