Patent ID: 9663912
Date: 2017-05-30
CPC Classifications: E01H

Claim:
1. A litter separating apparatus, comprising: a frame including a plurality of longitudinal members, and a plurality of transverse members each extending in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal members; a tow portion provided at a front end portion of the frame; a churn-up mechanism arranged at a front portion of the frame; and a mesh member formed by a plurality of walls including a bottom wall, a rear wall and side walls, arranged at a rear portion of the frame; wherein: during operation, when the litter separating apparatus travels on a surface of sand ground by being towed by a towing vehicle, said churn-up mechanism churns up scattered litter along with sand, and throws thus churned up litter into said mesh member which catches the litter; the mesh member comprises an encircling portion, said encircling portion having an opening formed therein; said opening being operable to selectively open at least at a side facing a traveling direction of the litter separating apparatus; the mesh member is mounted on the longitudinal members located on opposite sides; the mesh member is attached upwardly pivotally to one of the longitudinal members located on one of the opposite sides, an opening-closing plate is provided to an open-side edge of one of the side walls of the mesh member, on the longitudinal member to which the mesh member is pivotally attached, the opening-closing plate is pivotable around the open-side edge, and further comprising a springed hinge and a stopper; wherein the opening-closing plate is pivotally attached to the encircling portion by the springed hinge, and is biased by the springed hinge so as to close the opening of the mesh member, and is fixed substantially at a right angle to one side wall of the mesh member; and wherein during operation, said stopper stops a biasing force of the springed hinge such that the opening-closing plate faces the same direction as one of the side walls, and wherein the opening-closing plate selectively opens and closes the opening at least partially.