Patent ID: 9523210
Filing Date: 2016-12-20
CPC Classification: B65H,E04H,E06B,Y10T

Claim Text:
1. A device for skimming the surface of a body of water to collect debris floating on the surface, comprising: an elongate handle having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis, said distal end having a plurality of locking tabs extending circumferentially therefrom; a hollow body interconnected to the handle such that the distal end of the handle extends within the hollow body, the proximal end of the handle extends exterior of the hollow body providing a grippable surface, and the hollow body travels with the handle during a skimming operation; a spool on which an elongate continuous length of webbing is wound, said spool being housed within said hollow body and said webbing being extendable from the spool through a slot formed in the hollow body and automatically retractable onto the spool through said slot via rotation of said spool within said hollow body, and the distal end of the handle that extends within the hollow body extends through said spool and forms an axis about which the spool is located and rotates; a spring and washer extending about the distal end of the handle and located within the hollow body for properly aligning the spool within the housing and for urging an opposite end of the spool against said locking tabs which prevent release of the spool from the handle; a flange made of a strip of elastomeric material and extending outwardly from the hollow body, parallel to said slot and longitudinal axis of said handle, and at a location on the hollow body diametrically opposed from said slot; and said webbing having a proximal end to which an end piece is connected, said end piece being of a shape to prevent passage through said slot into the hollow body and having a fastening element for securing said end piece to an edge of a structure of the body of water for removably mounting the end piece to the structure; and said handle and hollow body being sufficiently portable and lightweight to enable carrying and manipulation of the device by hand and to enable ready removability of the entire device from the body of water when not in use.