US3691737A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Technique for recovering sea moss and the like
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-09-30
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Granted: 1972-09-19
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Expires: 1990-09-30
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for harvesting marine vegetation such as sea moss which tends to grow on and about submerged rocks and the like. The device employed in practising the invention includes a flexible hose having a specially constructed harvester head attached to one end. Water is pumped through the hose at a substantial velocity to develop a substantial suction at the submerged harvesting head. When the harvesting head is moved adjacent a sea moss plant, the plant is ingested into the head. The drag on the ingested plant which is developed by the water flow is insufficient to break the bushy part of the plant from the stem but does impart a firm, steady pull on the plant. The harvester head includes a specially formed inlet opening having a reversely bent flow path which is defined by a pair of spaced, parallel edges. The edges in the harvester head engage the stem of the ingested plant to cause the stem to wrap about the edges in a general S-shaped configuration. The wrapping of the stem about the edges in combination with the firm steady drag on the ingested bushy portion of the plant firmly grips the stem. Thus, when the head is pulled, the stem breaks at its weakest point. The separated portion of the plant than flows through the hose to a collecting net or other appropriate collecting device.
Inventors
- 👤 William S Hodgson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 08:28
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01D; A01D44/00; F; F02; F02B; F02B61/00; F02B61/04; F02B61/045
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
A method for harvesting marine plants having a frond and a stem secured to a submerged member comprising: providing a conduit having an outlet end and a submergible inlet end; locating said inlet end of said conduit in proximity to said marine plant; ingesting said marine plant into said inlet by developing water flow within said conduit through the inlet end thereof; maintaining a firm drag about said ingested plant by continuing said water flow through said conduit; wrapping the stem portion of said plant about a pair of spaced surfaces in a reversely bent configuration to frictionally grip said wrapped portion of said stem, said firm drag on said plant and said wrapping of said stem cooperating to effect a firm grip on said plant; and tugging on the inlet end of said conduit to tension said stem along its length and effect separation thereof at the weakest point of said stem.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
153 words
A method for harvesting marine plants having a frond and a stem secured to a submerged member comprising: providing a conduit having an outlet end and a submergible inlet end; locating said inlet end of said conduit in proximity to said marine plant; ingesting said marine plant into said inlet by developing water flow within said conduit through the inlet end thereof; maintaining a firm drag about said ingested plant by continuing said water flow through said conduit; wrapping the stem portion of said plant about a pair of spaced surfaces in a reversely bent configuration to frictionally grip said wrapped portion of said stem, said firm drag on said plant and said wrapping of said stem cooperating to effect a firm grip on said plant; and tugging on the inlet end of said conduit to tension said stem along its length and effect separation thereof at the weakest point of said stem.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method for harvesting marine plants as defined in claim 1 wherein said spaced surfaces comprise a pair of spaced edges.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
67 words
A method of harvesting marine plants as defined in claim 1 wherein said step of collecting said separated portion of said plant at the other end of said conduit comprises: providing a collection net about the outlet end of said conduit, said mesh being adapted to entrap the separated plant portions emitted from the conduit outlet but permitting the water emitted from said conduit to pass therethrough.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
157 words
A method of gripping a marine plant having a frond and a stem secured to a submerged member in readiness to pull said plant and separate said plant along its stem comprising: providing a conduit having an inlet end and developing a continuous water flow through said conduit; locating the inlet end of said conduit in proximity to said plant to ingest said plant and maintain a steady pull on said plant in response to the drag developed by said water stream through said conduit; constraining said stem of said plant in a reversely bent wrapped configuration about a pair of members adjacent the inlet of said conduit whereby the combined effects of said drag on said plant and said engagement of said stem with said members will effect a sufficient grip on said plant to enable the plant to be separated along its stem in response to subsequent tugging on the inlet end of said conduit.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
157 words
A method of gripping a marine plant having a frond and a stem secured to a submerged member in readiness to pull said plant and separate said plant along its stem comprising: providing a conduit having an inlet end and developing a continuous water flow through said conduit; locating the inlet end of said conduit in proximity to said plant to ingest said plant and maintain a steady pull on said plant in response to the drag developed by said water stream through said conduit; constraining said stem of said plant in a reversely bent wrapped configuration about a pair of members adjacent the inlet of said conduit whereby the combined effects of said drag on said plant and said engagement of said stem with said members will effect a sufficient grip on said plant to enable the plant to be separated along its stem in response to subsequent tugging on the inlet end of said conduit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
66 words
A method of gripping a plant as defined in claim 4 wherein said step of said constraining said plant stem and said reversely bent configuration comprises: providing a pair of spaceD members at and defining the inlet of said conduit, said spaced members being disposed in relation to the portion of said conduit downstream of said inlet to guide said stem in said reversely bent configuration.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of harvesting a marine plant having a frond and a stem secured to a submerged member comprising: imparting a tension to the free, frond end of said plant, said tension being of a magnitude less than that required to tear said stem at the weakest portion thereof; wrapping said stem about a pair of spaced members in a reversely bent configuration to grip said stem of said plant frictionally, said combined effects of said tensioning of said frond end of said plant and said frictional gripping of said stem portion of said plant being effective to retain said plant firmly; and pulling on said plant to develop a tension in said stem sufficient to break said stem at said weakest portion.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of harvesting a marine plant having a frond and a stem secured to a submerged member comprising: imparting a tension to the free, frond end of said plant, said tension being of a magnitude less than that required to tear said stem at the weakest portion thereof; wrapping said stem about a pair of spaced members in a reversely bent configuration to grip said stem of said plant frictionally, said combined effects of said tensioning of said frond end of said plant and said frictional gripping of said stem portion of said plant being effective to retain said plant firmly; and pulling on said plant to develop a tension in said stem sufficient to break said stem at said weakest portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as defined in claim 6 wherein said tensioning of the frond end of said plant comprises: subjecting said frond end to a steady, hydrodynamic drag.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
136 words
A head for harvesting submerged marine plants having a frond and a stem attached to a submerged object comprising: wall means defining a flow passage through said head and an inlet and outlet to enable water to be ingested through said head whereby when said head is located in proximity to said plant, said plant will be ingested into said head through said inlet, the water stream flowing through said head imparting a dynamic drag to said ingested plant; said wall means defining at least one blunt surface in the region of said inlet which is adapted to engage frictionally the stem of said ingested plant and grip said stem, said dynamic drag and said grip being cooperative to enable said head to be pulled to break said plant at the weakest portion of said stem.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
136 words
A head for harvesting submerged marine plants having a frond and a stem attached to a submerged object comprising: wall means defining a flow passage through said head and an inlet and outlet to enable water to be ingested through said head whereby when said head is located in proximity to said plant, said plant will be ingested into said head through said inlet, the water stream flowing through said head imparting a dynamic drag to said ingested plant; said wall means defining at least one blunt surface in the region of said inlet which is adapted to engage frictionally the stem of said ingested plant and grip said stem, said dynamic drag and said grip being cooperative to enable said head to be pulled to break said plant at the weakest portion of said stem.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
A harvesting head as defined in claim 8 wherein said at least one surface for engaging frictionally the stem of said plant is located in relation to said flow passage as to require said stem to be wrapped about said at least one surface when ingested into said head.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
A harvesting head as defined in claim 8 wherein said surfaces on said head are arranged to constrain said stem in a reversely bent configuration.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
A harvesting head as defined in claim 10 wherein said wall means defining said head are formed so that the flow path within said head downstream of said inlet is of a generally U-shaped configuration.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
79 words
A harvesting head as defined in claim 11 wherein said surfaces for constraining said stem in a reversely bent configuration comprises: a first surface formed by one of said walls, said first surface defining a portion of said inlet opening; a second surface on a wall opposite said one wall, said second surface being spaced from said first surface, said second surface being disposed downstream of said first surface and defining the bight region of said U-shaped flow path.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
A harvester head as defined in claim 12 wherein said first and second surfaces comprise substantially parallel blunt edges.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
114 words
A harvesting head as defined in claim 13 further comprising: said wall means including a top wall, a bottom wall and sidewalls defining said flow passage, said bottom wall terminating in a transverse edge at the inlet end of said head; said top wall having a curved extension portion at the inlet end of said head, said extension being curved downwardly and about said transverse edge of said bottom wall, said extension terminating in a transverse, rearwardly facing edge spaced from said transverse edge of said bottom wall, said transverse edge at the end of said curved extension comprising said first surface and said transverse edge of said bottom wall comprising said second surface.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
A harvesting head as defined in claim 14 wherein said transverse edges are substantially greater in length than the distance between said spaced edges to define a narrow inlet opening.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
146 words
An apparatus for harvesting submerged marine plants having a frond and a stem attached to a submerged object comprising: means for imparting a hydrodynamic drag to the frond end of said plant, said drag being of a magnitude which is itself insufficient to break the stem of said plant; means for gripping the stem of said plant to an extent which itself would be insufficient to enable said stem to be broken by tugging on said gripping means, said gripping means and said hydrodynamic drag being cooperative, in combination, to enable said plant to be pulled under a force sufficient to break said stem at the weakest portion thereof; said gripping means being adapted to release said plant when said stem is broken; means for collecting said severed portions of said plants; and means for transporting said severed portions of said plants to said collection means.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
146 words
An apparatus for harvesting submerged marine plants having a frond and a stem attached to a submerged object comprising: means for imparting a hydrodynamic drag to the frond end of said plant, said drag being of a magnitude which is itself insufficient to break the stem of said plant; means for gripping the stem of said plant to an extent which itself would be insufficient to enable said stem to be broken by tugging on said gripping means, said gripping means and said hydrodynamic drag being cooperative, in combination, to enable said plant to be pulled under a force sufficient to break said stem at the weakest portion thereof; said gripping means being adapted to release said plant when said stem is broken; means for collecting said severed portions of said plants; and means for transporting said severed portions of said plants to said collection means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
110 words
An apparatus for harvesting submerged marine plants as defined in claim 16 wherein said means for imparting said hydrodynamic drag to said plant comprises: a flexible hose having an outlet and a submergible inlet; means for inducing the flow of water through said hose to enable ingestion of said plant at the inlet end thereof, said inlet end being so constructed and arranged to include said means for firmly gripping said ingested plant whereby said stem may be broken is response to a pull imparted on the inlet end of said hose; said transporting means comprising said hose, said collecting means being located adjacent the outlet end of said hose.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 17 wherein said means for inducing said water flow comprises: flow induction means connected to the outlet end of said hose for inducing said flow, said flow induction means being free from moving mechanical parts and presenting an unobstructed flow area therethrough.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
113 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 18 wherein said flow induction means comprises: a venturi eductor having a neck portion of reduced cross-sectional flow area; a jet pipe positioned within said eductor and having an outlet end disposed adjacent and within said neck; means for pumping water through said jet pipe to develop a reduced static pressure within said eductor; and means connecting said outlet of said flexible hose to said eductor upstream of said neck portion thereof whereby said reduced pressure within said eductor will induce flow within said hose to draw water and the separated portion of said plants through said hose, eductor and out of the outlet of said eductor.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
58 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 19 wherein said means for pumping water through said jet pipe to develop said reduced static pressure within said inductor comprises: a submergible water pump; means operatively connecting said water pump to the output shaft of an outboard marine engine, said engine being supported to maintain said pump in said submerged condition.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
57 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 19 further comprising: baffle means secured to the outlet end of said eductor and in spaced relation thereto to receive the thrust of the water ejected from said outlet of said eductor, said baffle being effective to substantially negate the effect of thrust developed by said eductor and preclude boat propulsion.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 19 wherein said means for collecting said separated plants comprises: a mesh net secured to the outlet of said eductor to entrap said separated plants.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 22 further comprising: baffle means secured to the outlet end of said eductor and in spaced relation thereto to receive the thrust developed by said eductor and to preclude substantially propulsion of said boat thereby.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-09-19 | 1976-03-20 | 1976-09-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-19 | 1980-03-20 | 1980-09-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-19 | 1984-03-20 | 1984-09-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |