Turtle Friendly Beach Cleaning Device

• US 20150144362A1
• Filed: 11/26/2013
• Published: 05/28/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: W. D. Thompson Inc.
• Original Assignee: W. D. Thompson Inc.
• Inventors: THOMPSON, Raymond
• Granted Patent: US 9,297,132 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 171/107
• CPC Class Codes: E01H 12/00 Cleaning beaches or sandboxes

Abstract

The present invention is directed toward a sea turtle friendly beach cleaning assembly designed for removal of seaweed and other debris from a sand beach. The device includes a beach raking assembly including a plurality of tines, in conjunction with a drag bar and a wire basket. When pulled across a sand surface, the device functions by pulling a plurality of “S” shaped tines across the sand surface in a substantially non-invasive manner, thereby eliminating any possible damage to turtle nests. The cooperation of the tine assembly and drag bar function to leave behind a smooth and clean surface free of ruts that would otherwise impede the movements of turtles and hatchlings.

Claims

1. A beach cleaning assembly for cleaning a sand beach comprising in combination:

a first side plate and a second side plate, said side plates in spaced apart relationship, each said side plate having a front edge, a back edge, a top edge, a bottom edge, an inner face, and an outer face;

a drag bar positioned between said first side plate inner face and said second side plate inner face, proximate to each said back edge thereof, said drag bar being substantially perpendicular to said first and second side plate inner faces;

a tine support bar positioned between said first side plate inner face and said second side plate inner face, proximate to each said top edge thereof, said tine support bar being substantially perpendicular to said first and second side plate inner faces; and

a plurality of “

S”

shaped tines, affixed in spaced relation along said tine support bar, said tines being positioned in relation to said drag bar to prevent penetration of greater than two inches (2″

) into said sand beach;

whereby upon being pulled along a sand beach, debris is removed from the sand'"'"'s surface leaving behind a smooth surface that is free of ruts.

2. The beach cleaning assembly of claim 1, further including a plurality of stop members affixed to said tine support bar proximate each tine, and positioned to prevent twisting of said tines during use.

3. The beach cleaning assembly of claim 1, further including a rake basket positioned between said first and second side plate inner faces proximate to each said top edge thereof.

4. The beach cleaning assembly of claim 1 further including a lift frame adapted for attachment to a towing vehicle.

5. A beach cleaning assembly for cleaning a sand beach comprising in combination:

a first side plate and a second side plate, said side plates in spaced apart relationship, each said side plate having a front edge, a back edge, a top edge, a bottom edge, an inner face, and an outer face;

a drag bar positioned between said first side plate inner face and said second side plate inner face, proximate to each said back edge thereof, said drag bar being substantially perpendicular to said first and second side plate inner faces;

a tine support bar positioned between said first side plate inner face and said second side plate inner face, proximate to each said top edge thereof, said tine support bar being substantially perpendicular to said first and second side plate inner faces; and

a plurality of “

S”

shaped tines, affixed in spaced relation along said tine support bar, said tines being positioned in relation to said drag bar to prevent penetration of greater than two inches (2″

) into said sand beach;

a plurality of stop members affixed to said tine support bar proximate each tine, and positioned to prevent twisting of said tines during use;

a rake basket positioned between said first and second side plate inner faces proximate to each said top edge thereof; and

a lift frame adapted for attachment to a towing vehicle;

whereby upon being pulled along a sand beach, debris is removed from the sand'"'"'s surface leaving behind a smooth surface that is free of ruts.