An object retrieval system providing an expanse of flexible material variably configured by travel of a material support element between a first position and a second position which generates movement in objects that collect on the material surface for retrieval.
There are a variety of circumstances under which objects collect within a particular area and must be retrieved. Retrieval of these objects can be time consuming and expensive due to the number of objects, the amount of objects that collect, or the nature of the typography in which the objects collect. As but one non-limiting example, a significant problem for golf courses can be that golf balls collect in water traps. A conventional manner of retrieving the golf balls and other debris that falls into these water traps can be to periodically hire divers. The divers manually collect the submerged golf balls and debris by hand.
Specifically, with respect to utilizing divers to retrieve objects from water traps or pond, a significant problem can be that the process is time consuming and expensive. Divers must be specially trained to work underwater which commands greater pay than for grounds keepers. The golf balls or other debris which collects at the bottom of the water trap or pond must be retrieved by hand. Moreover, this type of work can be more hazardous than routine grounds keeping activities. Additionally, the collection of golf balls or other objects from water traps or ponds can be motivated by the value of the golf balls or other objects which can be recovered. However, collection of golf balls manually from the bottom of a water trap or pond can exceed the value of the recovered golf balls or other ojects.
Another manner of retrieving golf balls and debris from water traps in golf course is to submerge a net under the surface of the water and periodically lift the net above the surface of the water with an inflatable device as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,447,205 or with a lift device such as that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,161,988.
A significant problem with either of these methods can be that the net has fixed securement to a portion of the lift or inflatable device. As the portion of the lift or inflatable device travels from a first position to a second position the net can become unequally tensioned across the surface. This unequal tensioning can lead to a failure of the device to move objects and debris toward the secured perimeter for a variety of reasons. In certain cases, the net can be torn because fixed securement of the lift device to the net creates localized tension in the net that cannot otherwise be released. In other cases, the secured perimeter of the net comes undone and the net loses tension sufficient to maintain a surface on which objects or debris can travel to the perimeter. Finally, the travel of the lift may be restricted to prevent damage to the net resulting in insufficient elevation in portions of the net to allow travel of objects toward the secured perimeter.
The instant invention provides an object retrieval system which addresses each of the above-described problems.