Cable operated dredging scoop

Claim 2

A scoop for removing material from an excavation comprising rigid upstanding rear, front and side walls defining an open bottom, each rear, front, and side wall being continuous throughout their area to prevent free entry of material into the scoop except through the open bottom, blade means on the bottom edge of the rear wall to facilitate removal of material from the bottom of the excavation when the scoop is moved forwardly along the bottom thereof, a mesh panel defining at least a portion of the top of the scoop to enable passage of water therethrough but entrapping solid material in the scoop to enable the scoop to remove material from the bottom of a body of water with the water flowing through the top of the scoop, each of the walls including slot-like openings permitting flow of water therethrough whereby the scoop will not remove any substantial quantity of water from the body of water, skid means below the bottom of the side walls of the scoop and provided with substantial width for supporting the same during forward movement, skid means on the rear surface of the rear wall for supporting the scoop when the side walls extend upwardly from the rear wall when the scoop is moving in a reverse direction with the rear wall being lowermost, means connected to the scoop for moving the scoop in a reverse direction and tilting the forward end of the scoop upwardly when the scoop is moved in a reverse direction, and means connected to the forward portion of the scoop for moving the scoop forwardly to remove material from an excavation.

Claim 3

The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein the top of the scoop includes a solid panel defining a portion thereof, the solid panel being disposed rearwardly of the mesh panel, said top forming solid panel including a slot-like opening to enable passage of water therethrough, said mesh panel enabling passage of water therethrough with less restriction than the solid panel.

Claim 4

A scoop for removing material from an excavation comprising upstanding rear, front and side walls defining an open bottom, blade means on the bottom edge of the rear wall to faciliate removal of material from the bottom of the excavation when the scoop is moved forwardly along the bottom of an excavation, a mesh panel defining at least a portion of the top of the scoop to enable passage of water therethrough but entrapping solid material in the scoop to enable the scoop to remove material from the bottom of a body of water with the water flowing through the top of the scoop, each of the walls including slot-like openings permitting flow of water therethrough whereby the scoop will not remove any substantial quantity of water from the body of water, skid means on the bottom of the scoop for supporting the same during forward movement, skid means on the rear surface of the rear wall for supporting the scoop when the side walls extend upwardly from the rear wall when the scoop is moving in a reverse direction with the rear wall being lowermost, means connected to the scoop for moving the scoop in a reverse direction and tilting the forward end of the scoop upwardly when the scoop is moved in a reverse direction, and means connected to the forward portion of the scoop for moving the scoop forwardly to remove material from an excavation, said means for moving the scoop in a reverse direction including a flexible member connected to the upper forward portion of the scoop and extending above the top thereof for exerting rearward force on the scoop at the top front edge thereof to tilt the forward end of the scoop upwardly toward a vertical position, and flexible members connected between the rear upper portions of the scoop and the flexible member which extends to the forward upper portion of the scoop for exerting force at three points on the scoop during reverse movement, said flexible members extending to the rear upper portions of the scoop being slack until the scoop approaches vertical orientation during reverse movement.

Claim 5

A scoop for removing material from an excavation comprising upstanding rear, front and side walls defining an open bottom, blade means on the bottom edge of the rear wall to faciliate removal of material from the bottom of the excavation when the scoop is moved forwardly along the bottom of an excavation, a mesh panel defining at least a portion of the top of the scoop to enable passage of water therethrough but entrapping solid material in the scoop to enable the scoop to remove material from the bottom of a body of water with the water flowing through the top of the scoop, each of the walls including slot-like openings permitting flow of water therethrough whereby the scoop will not remove any substantial quantity of water from the body of water, skid means on the bottom of the scoop for supporting the same during forward movement, skid means on the rear surface of the rear wall for supporting the scoop when the side walls extend upwardly from the rear wall when the scoop is moving in a reverse direction with the rear wall being lowermost, means connected to the scoop for moving the scoop in a reverse direction and tilting the forward end of the scoop upwardly when the scoop is moved in a reverse direction, and means connected to the forward portion of the scoop for moving the scoop forwardly to remove material from an excavation, said means for moving the scoop in a reverse direction including a flexible member connected to the upper forward portion of the scoop and extending above the top thereof for exerting rearward force on the scoop at the top front edge thereof to tilt the forward end of the scoop upwardly toward a vertical position, and flexible members connected between the rear upper portions of the scoop and the flexible member which extends to the forward upper portion of the scoop for exerting force at three points on the scoop during reverse movement, said flexible members extending to the rear upper portions of the scoop being slack until the scoop approaches vertical orientation during reverse movement.

Claim 6

The structure as defined in claim 3 wherein said skid means on the rear wall includes an elongated runner having an inclined end portion for facilitating movement of the runner along the bottom surface of the excavation during reverse movement of the scoop, and means detachably securing the runner to the rear wall for removal thereof.

Claim 7

The structure as defined in claim 3 wherein said skid means on the rear wall includes a wheel assembly including a rotatable wheel for supporting the scoop when the scoop is moved in a reverse direction, and means detachably mounting the wheel assembly from the rear wall of the scoop.

Claim 8

The structure as defined in claim 3 wherein said skid means on the bottom of the scoop includes a pair of runners having upturned forward ends to facilitate movement of the scoop over the bottom of an excavation, means angularly adjustably supporting the runners from the scoop to vary the angular orientation thereof in relation to the scoop.

Claim 9

The structure as defined in claim 3 wherein said means for moving the scoop forwardly includes forwardly diverging plate members connected to the vertical forward side corners of the scoop and a central vertical plate on the front of the scoop, each of said plates including a plurality of apertures for adjustable connection with a towing device.

Claim 10

The structure as defined in claim 7 wherein said means for moving the scoop forwardly also includes forwardly extending flexible members adjustably connected to each of said plates, said flexible members being connected to a single tension member capable of linear movement for pulling the scoop in a forward direction.

Claim 11

The structure as defined in claim 3 wherein the front and rear walls are rigidly interconnected by reinforcing tie bars extending upwardly and rearwardly from the front wall to the rear wall.