The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 15, 2000
Filed:
Dec. 18, 1997
David M Penny, Lawrence, KS (US);
Kenneth F Knapp, DeSoto, KS (US);
Gerald S Harvey, Lawrence, KS (US);
The Master's Dredging Company, Inc., Lawrence, KS (US);
Abstract
An apparatus for destroying aquatic vegetation includes a vegetation shredder supported on a watercraft to project below the water surface so as to engage all portions of the plant proximate to the water surface. A feeder is positioned forwardly of the shredder to positively feed vegetation to the shredder as the watercraft moves in a forward direction. The apparatus further includes a framework defining a suction chamber below the water surface adjacent the submerged portion of the shredder, and an outlet spaced from the suction chamber and above the water surface. The framework and the shredder cooperate to define a sealed passageway extending between the suction chamber and the outlet. The shredder includes a rotatable element which sufficiently shreds the vegetation so that it may be discharged back into the body of water and creates a pumping action as it rotates that serves to draw vegetation toward the suction chamber, propel vegetation and water from the suction chamber through the passageway, and discharge the vegetation and water through the outlet. A side discharge chute is positioned to receive vegetation and water from the outlet and configured to direct the vegetation and water to one or both of the sides of the watercraft.