Method and system to control weeds

Abstract

A weed control system for a body of water. The system includes an elongate support member, a weed contacting member including an elongate member suspended from the support member and having a longitude oriented in the same direction as a longitude of the support member, and water activated means to develop thrust for moving the support member and the weed contacting member in a repeating pattern through the body of water such that the weed contacting member repeatedly contacts any weeds in a path of weed contacting member.

1 . A weed control system for a body of water, the system comprising: 
 an elongate support member; 
 a weed contacting member including an elongate member suspended from the support member and having a longitude oriented in the same direction as a longitude of the support member; and  
 water activated means to develop thrust for moving the support member and the weed contacting member in a repeating pattern through the body of water such that the weed contacting member repeatedly contacts any weeds in a path of the weed contacting member.  
   
   
   
       2 . The weed control system of  claim 1 , wherein the water activated means includes a nozzle.  
   
   
       3 . The weed control system of  claim 1 , wherein the water activated means moves the weed contacting member in a repeating, circular pattern.  
   
   
       4 . The weed control system of  claim 1 , wherein the weed contacting member is flexibly attached to the support member which is located approximately on or above a surface of the body of water.  
   
   
       5 . The weed control system of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate member of the weed contacting member includes a cross-bar, and the weed contacting member further includes a plurality of tines extending from the cross-bar.  
   
   
       6 . The weed control system of  claim 1 , wherein the support member is rotatably coupled to a stationary unit proximate the body of water.  
   
   
       7 . A weed control system for a body of water, the system comprising: 
 an elongate support member;    an elongate weed contacting member suspended from the support member to descend beneath the surface of the body of water and having a length extending in a same direction as a length of the support member; and    a driver to move the support member in a repeating pattern such that the weed contacting member also moves in a repeating pattern and repeatedly contacts any weeds beneath the support member.    
   
   
       8 . The weed control system of  claim 7 , wherein the support member includes an elongated pipe having a first end rotatably coupled to a stationary unit proximate the body of water.  
   
   
       9 . The weed control system of  claim 7 , wherein the driver includes a water activated driver coupled to the support member.  
   
   
       10 . The weed control system of  claim 9 , wherein the water activated includes a water nozzle.  
   
   
       11 . The weed control system of  claim 7 , further including a buoyant member coupled to the support member to keep the support member at or above a surface of the body of water.  
   
   
       12 . The weed control system of  claim 7 , wherein the elongate support member is adapted to move across the surface of the body of water.  
   
   
       13 . A weed control system for a body of water, the system comprising: 
 an elongate support member;    an elongate weed contacting member suspended from the support member to descend beneath the surface of the body of water, the elongate weed contacting member attached to the elongate support member by a connection portion, wherein a length of the connection portion is variable to allow the height of the weed contacting member to be raised and lowered; and    a driver to move the support member in a repeating pattern such that the weed contacting member also moves in a repeating pattern and repeatedly contacts any weeds beneath the support member.    
   
   
       14 . The weed control system of  claim 13 , wherein the elongate support member includes a length extending in a same direction as a length of the support member.  
   
   
       15 . The weed control system of  claim 13 , wherein the driver includes a water-activated driver coupled to the support member.  
   
   
       16 . The weed control system of  claim 15 , wherein the water activated includes a water nozzle.  
   
   
       17 . A method of controlling weeds in a lake or river, the method comprising repeatedly brushing a bed of weeds with a weed contacting member which is suspended and freely hanging down from a support member located proximate a surface of the lake or river.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein repeatedly brushing includes moving the weed contacting member in a repeating pattern such that the weed contacting member repeatedly brushes against any weeds to disintegrate the weeds.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the weed contacting member is moved through the lake or river with a thrust of between x lb. and 7 lbs.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the weed contacting has a length extending in a same direction as a length of the support member.