Abstract:
An apparatus and method for removing rooted aquatic weeds. An elongated pole includes a remotely operated arm at its distal end. The arm is movable from a disengaged position to an engaged position. The user pushes the distal end of the pole underwater, until it enters the tendrils of a target weed. The remote control is activated, deploying the arm into an engaged position, generally perpendicular to the pole. Simultaneously, the user begins to rotate the pole until resistance to further rotation is detected. This indicates that the tendrils of the weed have been engaged by the arm. Pushing and pulling forces are applied to the pole, until the user detects that the roots of the weed have been extracted from the soil. Continued rotation of the pole while pulling upwardly brings the weed to the water surface, where it may be pulled completely out of the water.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The invention relates generally to improvements in extraction devices and methods for using same, designed specifically for removing aquatic weeds from waterways, and the like. More specifically, the invention pertains to an apparatus adapted to be immersed underwater having a portion on its distal end which is remotely deployable from a withdrawn position into an extended position for rotational entanglement with the target aquatic weed and removal of same by its roots. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,852,337, issued to Peterson, shows a method and an apparatus for removing aquatic plants from around docks and boating areas. The device employed is a rake with flexible teeth interconnected by a resilient strand of filament. A primary pull rope  28  and a back pull rope  30  are used to maneuver the rake into position, engage the plant, and then pull it out by its roots. 
         [0005]    Another arrangement, designed for engaging underwater plants or roots for anchoring purposes, is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,983,243, granted to Bowers et al. This device relies upon a remotely controlled gripping hook to grasp onto an underwater portion of a plant or a root so that a small boat can be anchored in place. 
         [0006]    A mechanical weed remover is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,547,010, issued to Camp. This device employs a length-adjustable pole, provided with a hand operated lever at one end, and pivotally actuated weed-gripping jaws on the other end. The two mechanisms are interconnected by a cable. 
         [0007]    Another approach to removing weeds is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 2,025,254, granted to Stuart. This weeder has a sharp end  1 , utilized in a first step to cut the weed. Then, the user employs a gripping and lifting blade B to effect the removal of the severed portion of the weed. A wire or cable may be used to interconnect the lever  13  with the blade B. 
         [0008]    A weed extraction apparatus is shown in Patent Application Publication U.S. 2002/0073679, filed by Schench-Williams. A lever on the upper end of a bar is connected to a cable. The cable, in turn, is interconnected to two scissor-like claws. A pair of springs maintains the lever in a position normally perpendicular to the bar and the claws in a position normally open. 
         [0009]    Yet another weeding tool is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,272,548, granted to Taylor. Normally closed, spring-loaded jaws are provided on the lower end of a tubular handle  12 . A trigger  18  is provided on the handle&#39;s upper end. A rod  24  interconnects the trigger to the jaws. The trigger is used to open the jaws while the roots of the weed are dislodged by rotating and manipulating the jaws. Then, upon release of the trigger, the spring urges the jaws into a closed position, engaging the weed for withdrawal. 
         [0010]    Nevertheless, there remains a need for a pole-like apparatus which has a proximate end above the water surface and a distal end which can be immersed underwater for engagement with otherwise unreachable, submersed portions of an aquatic plant or weed. 
         [0011]    The need also exists for an underwater weeding apparatus employing weed engaging means on its distal end which can remotely be deployed by the user, from a withdrawn position to an extended position, to enhance its ability to become entangled with the weed. And, once the weed is so engaged, it can mechanically be removed by its roots and drawn to the water&#39;s surface by the device, through the application of pulling and agitating forces. 
         [0012]    And, the need exists for an underwater weeding apparatus having the weed engaging means which can be manipulated from a withdrawn position to an extended position for weed extraction, and then from an extended position into a withdrawn position after the weed has been removed from the water, so the apparatus can be disengaged from the weed. 
         [0013]    These and other objects of the apparatus and method of the present invention will be described in greater detail below. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    An apparatus and a method for removing rooted aquatic plants or weeds is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an elongated pole provided with a remotely operated arm, or other forms of weed engaging means, at its distal end. A lever is provided on the proximate end of the pole, having an operative interconnection to the arm. Remote control of the arm is thereby accomplished, providing selective movement of the arm from a withdrawn position to an extended position, generally perpendicular to the pole, and from an extended position to a withdrawn position, generally parallel to the pole. 
         [0015]    With the weed engaging means in the withdrawn position, the user pushes the distal end of the pole underwater, until it enters the submersed tendrils of the targeted aquatic weed. The remote control lever is then activated, deploying the arm into an extended position, generally perpendicular to the pole. Simultaneously, the user begins to rotate the pole until resistance to further rotation is detected. This indicates that the tendrils of the weed have been engaged by the arm. 
         [0016]    The user then applies pushing and pulling forces on the pole, until the roots of the weed are extracted from the soil. This is detected by the abrupt reduction of resistance to the pulling, and may sometimes be accompanied by bubbles making their way to the surface. These bubbles are caused by the release of oxygen, when the roots of the weed are removed from the underwater soil. 
         [0017]    Continued rotation of the pole while pulling upwardly maintains the entire weed under control while it is brought to the surface of the water. At that point the weed may be pulled completely out of the water, and placed on the dock or the shore. Lastly, the weed engaging means is moved into a withdrawn position, so the pole can easily be removed from the weed tendrils. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the apparatus for extracting weeds, with the weed engaging means in a withdrawn position; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a view as in  FIG. 1 , but with the weed engaging means in an extended position; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a fragmentary perspective view of the median portion of the pole, showing the length adjustability feature and the locking pin; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a fragmentary perspective view of the remote control lever, showing both the unlocked position and the locked position in broken line; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a fragmentary, perspective view of one embodiment of the weed engaging means located on the distal end of the pole, the withdrawn and extended positions being shown in broken line; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view taken on the line  6 - 6 , in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing the apparatus being rotated, with its weed engaging means in an extended position for engaging the underwater tendrils of an aquatic plant; 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is a fragmentary perspective view of the aquatic weed after the apparatus has been rotated to engage the tendrils; 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  is a view as in  FIG. 8 , but showing pulling and pushing forces being alternatively applied to the apparatus and upon the aquatic weed; 
           [0027]      FIG. 10  is a view as in  FIG. 9 , but showing the oxygen bubbles being released as the weed&#39;s roots are extracted from the soil; 
           [0028]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view showing the aquatic weed being lifted vertically out of the water, after the roots have been pulled free from the soil; 
           [0029]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view showing the extracted aquatic weed being pulled onto a dock; 
           [0030]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view showing the apparatus being withdrawn from the weed tendrils, after the weed engaging means has been moved into a withdrawn position; 
           [0031]      FIG. 14  is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of an alternative construction for the weed engaging means, showing the arms in a withdrawn position; 
           [0032]      FIG. 15  is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the lever mechanism shown at the upper end of  FIG. 14 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 16  is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the weed engaging means shown in  FIG. 14 , but with the arms in an extended position; 
           [0034]      FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view as in  FIG. 15 , but with the lever mechanism rotated into lower position; and, 
           [0035]      FIG. 18  is a fragmentary perspective view of yet another embodiment for the weed engaging means, employing a switch, a battery, and an electrical solenoid having a normally extended position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0036]    Making particular reference to  FIG. 1 , an apparatus  11  for the removal of a aquatic weeds is shown. Apparatus  11  comprises an elongated pole  12 , having a proximate end  13  and a distal end  14 . Pole  12  preferably has telescoping capabilities, so it can easily be adjusted in length for the job at hand For that purpose, a knurled locking ring  16  is provided to apply compressive forces to the juncture between the upper and lower segments of the pole  12 , at the appropriate time. For additional securing, a locking pin  17  is also provided, once a selected aperture  18  in the upper pole segment becomes aligned with the pin bore  19  in the lower pole segment. (See,  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0037]    Weed engaging means  21  is mounted on the distal end  14 , with a first construction thereof being shown most clearly in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . This first construction of weed engaging means  21  comprises a hinge  22 , having an elongated arm  23  as one side thereof. Arm  23  is movable from a withdrawn position, in which the axis of arm  23  is generally parallel to or coincident with the axis of pole  12 , to an extended position in which the axis of arm  23  is generally perpendicular to the axis of pole  12 . The other side  24  of hinge  22  extends into and is mounted within distal end  14  by means of nut and bolt assemblies  26 . It is apparent that arm  23  could also be pivotally mounted directly upon distal end  14 , thereby eliminating the need for hinge  22 . 
         [0038]    To effect the desired movement of arm  23 , remote control means  27  is provided. In one embodiment, remote control means  27  comprises a hinge  28 , having a fixed portion  29  attached to the side of pole  12 , intermediate proximate end  13  distal end  14 . Hinge  28  also includes a movable handle portion  31 , shown most clearly in  FIG. 4 . Handle portion  31  has an adjacent end pivotally mounted on the pole  12  by means of the pivot in hinge  28 , and a remote end for grasping by the user. Handle portion  31  is also mechanically interconnected to arm  23  by a cable  32 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , when handle portion  31  is in a released position cable  32  is generally slack, allowing arm  23  to assume a withdrawn position. However, when handle portion  31  is raised upwardly into a locked position, the cable  32  raises arm  23  upwardly into an extended position. (See,  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0039]    A keeper  33  is provided to maintain handle portion  31  against the pole  12 , in its locked position. Keeper  33  is preferably made from a piece of semi-rigid wire, formed into a loop generally conforming to the circumferential configuration of the pole but including a flat corresponding to portion  31 . (See,  FIG. 4 ). The dimensions of keeper  33  are such that it can be slipped down and snugly over the handle portion  31  in its locked position, but can also be raised upwardly to release portion  31  when desired. 
         [0040]    An alternative embodiment of weed engaging means  21  and remote control means  27  are illustrated in  FIGS. 14-17 . In this arrangement, weed engaging means  21  comprises a first arm  34 , a second arm  36 , and a strip  37  therebetween. Arms  34  and  36  are generally the same size as arm  23 , discussed above, but must have a transverse dimension such that the two arms can be withdrawn and fitted within pole  12 , as shown in  FIG. 14 . In this configuration, weed engaging means is in a withdrawn position. Strip  37  is made from a piece of resilient, flexible material, such as spring metal or plastic. A cylindrical connector plug  38  has a lower end connected to a median portion of strip  37 , and an upper end connected to a rod  39 . 
         [0041]    Rod  39  extends through pole  12  until it reaches rotatable lever assembly  41 . Rod  39  and lever assembly  41  comprise an alternative embodiment for remote control means  27 . Lever assembly  41  includes a lever  42 , a bearing  43 , a shaft  44 , and a disc  46 . As shown in  FIGS. 14 and 16 , the upper end of rod  39  is eccentrically mounted upon the peripheral portion of disc  46 . When lever  42  is pointed downwardly, as shown in  FIG. 15 , rod  39  is in a fully raised position, drawing up connector plug  38 . Strip  37  is also drawn upwardly, folding first arm  34  and second arm  36  into generally parallel relation, with their upper ends nested within distal end  14  of pole  12 . 
         [0042]    When lever  42  is rotated 180° so it is pointed upwardly, as shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , rod  39  is in a fully lowered position, driving connection plug  38  downwardly. As strip  37  emerges from distal end  14 , its spring action deploys arms  34  and  36  outwardly from respective sides of pole  12 . In this configuration, weed engaging means  21  is in an extended position. It is apparent that more arms and strips could readily be added to the connection plug, to provide multiple sets of arms. It is also apparent that spring loaded wires, or other deployable structures, could be substituted for the arms, providing an equivalent function and result. 
         [0043]      FIG. 18  depicts an additional embodiment for weed engaging means  21  and remote control means  27 . As to weed engaging means  21 , this additional embodiment comprises arm  47  mounted to distal end  14  by means of pivot  48 . In  FIG. 18 , arm  47  is shown in a position intermediate its withdrawn position, where it is axially aligned with pole  12 , and its extended position, where it is perpendicular to the axis of pole  12 . The alternative embodiment for remote control means  27  is generally comprises electro-mechanical elements, namely, battery  49 , switch  51 , power leads  52 , and solenoid  53 . An actuator shaft  54  extends from the lower end of solenoid  53  and interconnects to one side of arm  47 . Shaft  54  is pivotally connected at both ends, to allow shaft  54  to withdraw and extend without binding as arm  47  is moved from one position to the other. 
         [0044]    Solenoid  53  is spring-loaded internally, to have a normally extended position when it is de-energized. Thus, with no electrical current passing through solenoid  53 , shaft  54  will be extended, placing arm  47  into a withdrawn position. However, when switch  51  is moved into its on position, electrical current will pass from battery  49 , through power leads  52 , to actuate solenoid  53 . Shaft  54  will then be withdrawn, which will pivot arm  47  outwardly into an extended position. 
         [0045]    The method of extracting an aquatic weed  56 , particularly using the apparatus  11  described above, is shown in  FIGS. 7-13 , inclusive. Typically, the target aquatic weed  56  to be extracted will be an invasive, non-native species, such as  egeria densa.  However, the apparatus and method disclosed herein can be used advantageously to remove any aquatic weed, irrespective of whether it is invasive, non-native, or rooted.  Egeria densa  and similar weeds or plants are particularly troublesome, because they grow rapidly, are not controlled through natural means, and can actually spread through harvesting. In other words, if only the tops of such weeds are removed, the plant will continue to grow from the remaining root portion, and regenerate. Also, fragments of harvested plants can continue to grow, re-root, and spread into new locations. When waterways become filled with this species, boating operations are impaired as propellers become entangled in the weeds. Slips in boat docks may be clogged with weed material, making vessel docking and departure operations more difficult. 
         [0046]    Thus, the user  57 , standing on a dock  58 , begins the operation by grasping the pole  12  and pushing its distal end  14  below the surface of the water  59 , toward the top of a target aquatic weed  56 . At this juncture, the distal end  14  of the pole  12  is located either in or adjacent the submersed tendrils  61  of the targeted aquatic weed  56 , while the proximate end  13  of the pole  12  remains above the surface of the water  59  in the hands of the user  57 . 
         [0047]    The user  57  then deploys the weed engaging means  21 , by actuating remote control means  27  thereby moving weed engaging means  21  from a withdrawn position to an extended position. Depending upon the density of the weed, it may also be desirable to deploy the weed engaging means  21  before the distal end  14  is completely engaged with the weed tendrils  61 . The more dense the weed material, the more desirable it will be to delay this step, until the distal end  14  is at least partially within the mass of the tendrils  61 . 
         [0048]    As the pole  12  sinks farther into the weed  56 , the pole  12  is rotated, either clockwise or counter-clockwise, so that the weed engaging means  21  more fully engages and becomes entangled with the weed tendrils  61 . The user  57  will feel resistance to further rotation, when the weed  56  has been fully engaged and wound up by the apparatus  11 . (See,  FIG. 8 ). It has also been observed that the cable  32  also becomes entangled with the tendrils  61 , assisting in this operation. 
         [0049]    Pulling forces are then applied to the pole  12 , and those forces are directly transferred to the body of the weed and its roots  62 , still secured in the soil  63 . If forces which are either abrupt or too great are applied, the tendrils may break, thereby losing the opportunity to remove the entire weed  56 . Downward pushing forces may also be applied to the pole  12 , alternating with the pulling forces, to urge the roots  62  from their hold on the soil  63 . (See,  FIG. 9 ). 
         [0050]    By observing the surface of the water  59 , the user  57  may see oxygen bubbles  64  which have been released from the soil  63  as the roots  62  are extracted. (See,  FIG. 10 ). This is a good sign that the roots  62  are in the process of being released by the soil  63 . At the same time, the user  57  will feel a lessening to pulling resistance, as the roots  62  give way. Through continuing rotation of the pole  12 , while straight up pulling forces are applied, the entire weed  56  will be maintained under control while it is brought to the surface of the water  59 . This rotation of the weed  56  will also help to cleanse a certain amount of mud off the roots  62 , making removal of the weed  56  from the water an easier process. 
         [0051]      FIG. 11  shows the weed  56  being removed from the water, with all tendrils  61  and roots  62  intact. Typically, the weed  56  is dragged onto the dock  58 , and laid out for drying. As a final step, shown in  FIG. 13 , the user  57  again employs the remote control means  27 , to move the weed engaging means  21  into a withdrawn position. This facilitates the easy removal of the apparatus  11  from the main body of the weed  56 .