Patent ID: 6357150
Filing Date: 2002-03-19
Classification: B63H,E02F

Abstract:
A drive wheel assembly (22) adapted for use for propelling a dredging apparatus (10) in a body of water, the drive wheel assembly (22) comprising:a carrier wheel (24) rotatably coupled to the dredging apparatus (10), the carrier wheel (24) including an axis member (28) at the center thereof defining the center of rotation of the carrier wheel (24), a first member (32) coupled to one end of said axis member and a second member (30) coupled to the other end of said axis member; a pivotation member (34) having opposed end portions, one end portion of said pivotation member being coupled to the center axis member (28) of said carrier wheel (24); an orientation wheel (26) pivotally connected to the opposed end portion (38) of said pivotation member (34); and a plurality of spade devices (40) pivotally connected to said carrier wheel (24) and to said orientation wheel (26), each spade device (40) including an arm portion (44) and a blade portion (42), each arm portion (44) having opposed end portions (46, 48), one end portion (46) of each arm portion (44) being pivotally coupled to the orientation wheel (26) and the opposite end portion (48) of each arm portion (44) being pivotally coupled to the first member (32) associated with said carrier wheel (24), each blade portion (42) having a portion (50) thereof pivotally coupled to the second member (30) associated with said carrier wheel (24) whereby said spade devices (40) are positioned in a substantially vertical orientation relation to the horizontal.