Apparatus for removing marine organisms and the like

Abstract

A simple apparatus for removing deposits such as marine organisms from underwater structures by utilizing natural force such as waves tides, comprises plural floating bodies linked together. The linked floating bodies repeatedly collide with the underwater structure to remove deposits. The linked bodies can be hollow or solid. A protective cover, comprising two cup-like parts, is preferably provided on the outer circumference of each of the linked bodies. The protective cover may have bridge-like projections for enhancing removal of attached matter, and may be surrounded by a socket ring. Freely rotating collars are provided to prevent accumulation of marine organisms and the like on parts of the removal apparatus that do not directly contact the underwater structures.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for removing marine organisms and the like from a surface of an underwater structure by floating the apparatus in proximity to said surface and causing the apparatus to collide repeatedly with said surface, comprising a plurality of link bodies articulably connected together in a series, each link body having an outer surface having an annular portion and an associated protective cover, the annular portion of the outer surface of each link body being surrounded by its associated protective cover.  
     
     
         2 . The apparatus for removing marine organisms and the like according to  claim 1 , wherein the annular portion of each link body is in the form of a circular annulus, and in which a clearance is provided between the annular portion of each link body and its associated protective cover, whereby the protective covers can rotate about the link bodies.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus for removing marine organisms and the like according to  claim 1 , wherein the annular portion of each link body is in the form of a circular annulus, and in which a clearance is provided between the annular portion of each link body and its associated protective cover, whereby the protective covers can rotate about the link bodies, and wherein each protective cover includes regions engageable with its associated link body when the protective cover moves relative to its associated link body in either direction along the length of the connected series of link bodies.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus for removing marine organisms and the like according to  claim 1 , wherein each protective cover comprises a pair of separable cup-shaped elements having interfitting projections and recesses which snap together to hold the separable, cup-shaped elements together in covering relationship with an associated link element.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus for removing marine organisms and the like according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a part of a circumferential outer face of each protective cover comprises a plurality of bridge-like projections for collision against a surface of the underwater structure.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus for removing marine organisms and the like according to  claim 1 , wherein each protective cover is rotatable on its associated link body about an axis extending in the direction of the connected series of link bodies, and wherein at least a part of a circumferential outer face of each protective cover comprises a plurality of elongated bridge-like projections for collision against a surface of the underwater structure, the elongated bridge-like projections extending substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the protective cover.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus for removing marine organisms and the like according to  claim 1  wherein each protective cover comprises a pair of separable cup-shaped elements having interfitting projections and recesses which snap together to hold the separable, cup-shaped elements together in covering relationship with an associated link element, and wherein the projections which snap together with said recesses have radially extending portions that constitute bridge-like projections for collision against a surface of the underwater structure.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus for removing marine organisms and the like according to  claim 1 , wherein each of said link bodies has opposite ends, each end having an ear extending therefrom for articulating connection to a next link body in said series, wherein each ear has at least one substantially planar face for engagement with a corresponding substantially planar face of an ear of an adjacent link body, and wherein the ears on the opposite ends of each body are disposed so that the planes of the substantially planar faces thereof cross each other.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus for removing marine organisms and the like according to claims  1 , wherein the protective cover is made of a resin having a durometer hardness in the range from 75 to 85.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus for removing marine organisms and the like according to  claim 1 , wherein a socket ring is provided on the portion of the protective cover surrounding said annular portion of the outer surface of each link body.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus for removing marine organisms and the like according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a part of a circumferential outer face of each protective cover comprises a plurality of bridge-like projections, wherein a socket ring is provided on said part of the circumferential outer face, and wherein the socket ring has an inner face with recesses receiving and closely fitting said bridge-like projections.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus for removing marine organisms and the like according to  claim 1 , wherein each protective cover is rotatable on its associated link body about an axis extending in the direction of the connected series of link bodies, and wherein a socket ring is provided on the portion of the protective cover surrounding said annular portion of the outer surface of each link body, the socket ring having an outer face with a plurality of projections elongated in directions substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the protective cover.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus for removing marine organisms and the like according to  claim 1 , wherein each protective cover is rotatable on its associated link body about an axis extending in the direction of the connected series of link bodies, wherein at least a part of a circumferential outer face of each protective cover comprises a plurality of bridge-like projections, and wherein a socket ring is provided on the portion of the protective cover surrounding said annular portion of the outer surface of each link body, the socket ring having an inner face with recesses receiving and closely fitting said bridge-like projections, and the socket ring also having an outer face having plurality of projections elongated in directions substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the protective cover.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus for removing marine organisms and the like according to  claim 1 , wherein a socket ring is provided on the portion of the protective cover surrounding said annular portion of the outer surface of each link body, and wherein the socket ring is made of a resin having a durometer hardness ranging from 75 to 85.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus for removing marine organisms and the like according to  claim 1 , wherein the link bodies are articulably connected together by linking elements and in which each of at least a plurality of said linking elements is surrounded by a freely rotating collar having a circular or elliptical shape.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus for removing marine organisms and the like according to  claim 1 , wherein the link bodies are articulably connected together by linking elements and in which each of at least a plurality of said linking elements is surrounded by a freely rotating collar having an ellipse-like, elongated circular shape.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus for removing marine organisms and the like according to  claim 1  wherein said plurality of link bodies constitutes a first removal tool, and including a second removal tool located below the first removal tool, the second removal tool also comprising a second plurality of link bodies articulably connected together in a series, each link body of the second plurality having an outer surface having an annular portion and an associated protective cover, the annular portion of the outer surface of each link body of the second plurality also being surrounded by its associated protective cover, and the apparatus also including a flexible link connecting the first and second removal tools, at least part of the flexible link being covered by a resin pipe which limits the motion of the linking tool.