New or Improved Drag or Rake, Especially Applicable for Removing Weeds from the Beds of Streams, Canals, Filter-beds, and other Hydraulic Works.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Dec., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 22nd Aug., 1898-Accepted, 12th Nov., 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
New or Improved Drag or Rake, Especially Applicable for Removing
Weeds from the Beds of Streams, Canals, Filter-beds, and other
Hydraulic Works.
I, CHARLES EDWARD LIVESAY, of 33, St. Charles Square, North Kensington,
London, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, M. Inst. C.E., do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows;
The improved weed rake consists of a linked chain A of iron divided into
sections which are connected by swivel joints K. The chain A is fitted at every
foot with iron spikes S having hooked ends as shown in the annexed drawing
the spikes being attached to vertical & horizontal links alternately. The weed
rake is designed especially for removal of weeds from beds of rivers, canals, filter-
beds and other hydraulic works and is drawn over the beds by drag chains at
ends being worked from the banks by men horses or other animals or by machines.
On being so drawn a rolling action is set up by the spikes rotating the chain and
so engaging the weeds, wrapping them up, and tearing them out of the surface
dragged.
The rake when full is drawn on the bank or on a boat which may follow it
and then cleared by hand of the weeds taken up.
15th December 1807
New or Improved Drag or Rake, Especially Applicable for Removing
Weeds from the Beds of Streams, Canals, Filter-beds, and other
Hydraulic Works.
I, CHARLES EDWARD LIVESAY, late of 33, St. Charles Square, North Kensington,
now of 43, The Avenue, Castle Hill, Ealing, in the County of Middlesex, Civil
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement:-
My invention has for its object a drag or rake for the removal of weeds from
the beds of rivers, canals, and for other similar purposes.
A drag or rake constructed according to my invention is shown in the drawings
left with my Provisional Specification, and consists of a linked chain A prefer-
ably of iron, divided into two or more sections 5 to 25 feet long, or other suitable
[Price 8d.1

page_text: lengths, connected with each other by swivel or other equivalent joints K, which
will enable each section to rotate independently of the others. The chain is
fitted at intervals of 12" or more or less apart with spikes S, preferably formed
with hooked ends, as shewn in the drawings, and projecting radially from the
chain about 12 inches in length, and attached to vertical and horizontal links
alternately, or in such manner that each projects from the chain at an angle to
those on either side of it. For convenience of manufacture the spikes after being
made of the approved length may be attached to the chain as shown by being
wrapped round the link and secured by a wire tie, or said spikes may be other-
wise secured to or formed in one with the chain, as will be understood, as well
as that the distance apart and length of the spikes may be varied to suit the
nature of the weeds to be removed.
In using a drag or rake so constructed to clear weeds under water, where
found growing in the beds of ponds, rivers, canals, or other streams, and from
locks, reservoirs, filter-beds, and other hydraulic works, it is dragged over the
bed by men or horses, or other power from the banks of the channel to be cleared.
The drag or rake is to be dragged from both towpaths in the direction of the
length of the channel up or down its bed as figured in the drawing. When only
one towpath of canal can be used, half the width of channel can be weeded at
a time, by the rake being attached to the two ends of a timber boom of thai
length and towed astern of a boat from the towpath. Where the width is too
great, as in a reservoir or filter-bed, the surface may be worked in sections from
opposite banks alternately. In this case it will be found most convenient to use
a boom of suitable length as in the last without the boat. The rake may then
be drawn by a windlass or other means from one bank across the bed, then shifted
the length of the boom, and redrawn to the opposite bank by similar means, and
so alternately until the whole bed is cleared. To clear the rake of weeds, it may
be drawn up on either bank as soon as the spikes become covered up, and the
weeds removed from it by hand, or a boat may follow the rake, which is the best
plan, and take it on board at one end clearing the weeds and dropping the rake
into the bed until its whole length is cleared, when the dragging may be resumed.
In dragging the weed rake, a rolling action is set up by the spikes which rotate
the chain, and the curved ends of which engaging or getting entangled with the
weeds, the latter are rolled up on the chain and torn out of the bed. The swivel
joints connecting the sections permit this rolling action without injury to the
rake itself, or to the drag chain at either end.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. A drag or rake for removing weeds from river beds and like purposes con-
sisting of linked sections coupled by swivel joints and fitted with spikes sub-
stantially as described and illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
2. In a drag or rake for removing weeds from river beds and like purposes, a
chain divided into sections connected by swivel joints substantially as and for
the purpose described.
3. In a drag or rake for removing weeds from river beds spikes which are con-
structed and arranged substantially as described and illustrated in the accompany-
ing drawings.
201
1
1000