Marine debris grapple device and method
OwnerTor G. Vincentinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A marine debris grapple apparatus and method gives largely increased bottom coverage, as compared to conventional marine debris grapples, while providing shock absorption and a release mechanism from heavy snags. The device is engineered to the working loads of the specific vessel to provide maximum efficiency and safety. The device includes a tow line, a weight at the connection of the tow line with the main line, and a plurality of grapples attached to the main line via a grapple line. The combination of increased coverage, shock absorption and a release mechanism, together with a specific tow patters, results in a tremendous efficiency over conventional grappling methods.
Claims10
A marine debris grapple apparatus comprising:
- a weight;
- a mainline in contact with the weight;
- and
- at least one grapple hook in contact with the mainline, the grapple hook including a grapple line designed to have a lesser breaking strength than the breaking strength of the mainline.
A marine debris grapple attachment comprising:
- a tow line adapted to attach to a surface vessel on a first tow line end;
- a weight attached to a second tow line end;
- a mainline attached to the weight at a first end thereof;
- a plurality of grapple lines attached to the mainline;
- and
- a plurality of grapple hooks attached to the plurality of grapple lines.
A method for collecting debris from a seafloor, comprising:
- attaching a plurality of grapple hooks to a mainline via a grapple line;
- attaching an end of the mainline to a weight;
- attaching a tow line from the weight to a surface vessel;
- releasing a plurality of grapple hooks into a body of water;
- moving the surface vessel along the surface of a body of water and causing the weight and grapple hooks to drag along the seafloor;
- and
- lifting the weight off the seafloor when debris is caught by one of the grapple hooks, wherein the lifting of the weight provides shock absorption.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.