Title: Aquatic debris removing system

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Claims: I claim:

1. An apparatus for removing floating matter from the surface of a body of water, comprising:

a. a buoyant support structure;

b. propeller means associated with and mounted on said buoyant structure for moving said buoyant structure across the surface of said body of water; and

c. scoop means connected to said support structure for removing said floating matter from the surface of said body of water, said scoop means provided with a plurality of substantially parallel elongated tines, said tines being capable of anchorably securing said scoop to the water bottom of said body of water.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said propeller means is mounted on the upper portion of said buoyant structure and above the surface of said body of water, and said propeller means effects motion of said buoyant structure across the surface of said body of water by creating a high speed jet of air with respect to said support structure, and said high speed jet of air created by said propeller means is capable of urging said floating matter across the surface of said body of water.

3. The method of removing randomly floating debris from the surface of a body of water comprising the steps of:

a. providing an apparatus for the removal of floating debris from the surface of a body of water, said apparatus comprising --

(i) a support structure;

(ii) propeller means associated with said buoyant structure for moving said buoyant structure across the surface of said body of water;

(iii) scoop means connected to said support structure for removing said floating debris from the surface of said body of water, said scoop means provided with an anchoring tip portion, said anchoring tip portion capable of anchorably attaching said scoop means to the water bottom of said body of water; and

(iv) stabilizer means on said support structure for maintaining said support structure in a substantially horizontal position on the surface of said body of water;

b. positioning the anchoring tip portion of said scoop means in a lowered position below the surface of said body of water so as to engage said tip portion of said scoop means in an anchoring position with the bed of the body of water;

c. directing said high speed jet of air upon said randomly floating debris so as to urge said floating debris toward a collection point;

d. disengaging the anchoring tip portion of said scoop means from the bed of said body of water;

e. removing said floating debris from the surface of said body of water with said scoop means;

f. positioning said stabilizer to maintain said support structure in a substantially horizontal orientation;

g. discharging said floating debris from said scoop means at a debris disposal site.

Other info:

Inventors: Gainey, Russell H. (Port Sulphur, LA, US)

Application Number: 614689
Filing Date: 1975-09-18
Publication_date: 1979-02-27
Assignee:
Primary Class(es): 210/242.1 210/242.3, 210/923, 440/37
Other Classes:
US Patent Ref:

1889927	Dec, 1932	MacCallum	115/1.
2651874	Sep, 1953	Key	115/1.
2914013	Nov, 1959	Bizjak	115/1.
3326379	Jun, 1967	Caddick	210/242.
3500784	Mar, 1970	Reynolds	115/1.
3561601	Feb, 1971	McNeely	114/5.
3646901	Mar, 1972	Budris et al.	114/5.
3659713	May, 1972	Mueller	210/242.
3698163	Oct, 1972	Kelpin	115/1.
3752317	Aug, 1973	Lithen	210/242.
3756414	Sep, 1973	Crisafulli	210/242.
3762169	Oct, 1973	Graham	210/242.
3788264	Jan, 1974	Gibson	115/1.

Other Refs:
Primary Examiner: Frankfort, Charles E.
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney: