System for fattening molluscs

Abstract

A system of fattening for molluscs having supporting frames with first coupling members for the uprights that make up components and, carriers of the breeding compartments, and second coupling members on the flotation tubes of a moveable platform. The members and the uprights have aligned openings and that are actuated by removable coupling devices allowing the uprights to be attached or uncoupled. A crossbar, with an arrangement of connectors, keeps the components and provides an easily handled module that can be separated from the supporting frame along with the breeding compartments.

Claims

1. A system of fattening for molluscs, for use in marine environments, comprising: a plurality of separate portable modules releasably connectable to a platform, wherein a module of said plurality of separate portable modules comprises a first component and a second component carrying breeding compartments; a supporting frame for the first component and the second component, each of the first component and the second component comprising a pair of longitudinally spaced uprights between which are located brackets that carry the breeding compartments; and a single crossbar connecting the first component and the second component, which are aligned longitudinally, and by the upper ends of respective uprights of said first component and said second component; wherein the supporting frame is located substantially horizontally above two flotation tubes of the platform, the supporting frame having an upper section having first coupling members spaced longitudinally thereon to receive the uprights and a lower section with second coupling members constructed with a lower face fitted to an upper edge of the flotation tubes on said platform; wherein said first coupling members and said uprights have respective and corresponding openings for coupling, designed to receive a removable coupling device that is applied horizontally to connect the first coupling members and said uprights in such a way that said first component and said second component can be maintained or separated with respect to the supporting frame and consequently the platform.

2. The system of fattening for molluscs, according to claim 1, wherein the module further comprises hooks to aid separation of the module from the supporting frame.

3. The system of fattening for molluscs, according to claim 1, wherein two or more of the plurality of separate portable modules are connected on to the upper section by at least one crossbar with connectors creating a modular set that can be handled by a lifting device.

4. The system of fattening for molluscs, according to claim 1, wherein the brackets are counterbalanced on each side of a pair of uprights, aligned vertically and orientated at angles that are between 30°-45° to the horizontal.

5. The system of fattening for molluscs, for use in marine environments, of claim 1, wherein the platform further comprises horizontal tubes placed about a periphery of the platform having a plurality of small diameter tubes hanging therefrom interconnected by a weighted chain forming a protective barrier.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) One example of embodiment of a system for fattening of molluscs, but not limited to this, is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the front elevation illustrating the detail of a module in the system, with its components separated just before being coupled to the supporting frame.

(3) FIG. 2 is a front elevation corresponding to FIG. 1 and illustrates the module with its components assembled and a conventional attaching arrangement added to the upper upright and the module placed between two floater tubes of a platform.

(4) FIG. 3 is a profile view, corresponding to FIG. 1, showing several modules connected on the upper side by crossbars with hooks and the modular set incorporated onto the platform floater tubes.

(5) FIG. 4 is a plan view, corresponding to FIG. 3.

(6) FIG. 5 is a profile view, at a smaller scale than previous ones, showing the general setup of the proposed fattening system and illustrates an operating position where the unit made up of several modules, or modular set, is being removed from the moveable platform, designed as a navigable installation in this preferred setup.

(7) FIG. 6 is a schematic front elevation of a protecting barrier, at a smaller scale, of the system in a working position.

(8) FIG. 7 is a schematic plan illustrating a protecting barrier, at a smaller scale, of the system at a distance from the moveable platform.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

(9) With respect to the figures mentioned above, the fattening system is made up of a supporting frame (1) designed to be coupled between the two flotation tubes (2) of a platform (3) and each one, to carry, first (4) and second (5) components that carry the breeding compartments (6).

(10) The supporting frame (1) is made from square-section extruded tubular aluminium bars that are in general laid out horizontally between two flotation tubes (2) parallel to the platform (3) which provide an upper face (8) in addition to a lower and reverse face (9). The upper face (8) has, vertical and spaced, first (10) tubular coupling members, these have diametrically facing openings for attachment (11) on their edge suitable for receiving removable coupling devices (12), such as conventional pins, which also cross respective openings for coupling (13) placed on the lower sections of the uprights (7), with the aim of assuring that the components (4) and (5) are anchored to the structure (1). The supporting frame (1) has second coupling members (14) on its lower side (9) and close to the ends, preferably obtained via roto-moulding, as is illustrated in the figures, each one with a lower face (15) open at the same point on the upper edge of the flotation tubes (2) of the platform (3).

(11) Each component (4) and (5) that carries the compartments (6) is made from a pair of uprights (7), usually of extruded aluminium placed vertically and separated longitudinally at a distance that is preferably less than the length of the compartment (6) to be held. The components (4) and (5) and, with these, the uprights (7) are longitudinally aligned, spaced and connected on the upper side by a crossbar (16), usually extruded aluminium and normally with a hooking arrangement (17), defining a module (18) that can be independently handled and separated from the supporting frame (1) and that keeps them on the flotation tubes (2) of the platform (3). A large number of brackets (20) are arranged, connected between each pair of uprights (7), vertically spaced and aligned.

(12) As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the brackets (20) are counterbalanced on both sides of the pair of uprights (7) and placed at an angle of between 30°-45°, which aids the flow of water and nutrients through them. The breeding compartments (6), are usually made from metallic mesh and can be seen over the brackets (20).

(13) Supporting braces (21) are located on the uprights (7) and situated under the brackets (20) to help withstand the growing weight of the molluscs.

(14) Several modules (18) with rearing compartments (6) are shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, it can be observed that on the corresponding supporting frame (1) a modular set (19) is created connected to the flotation tubes (2) of the platform (3), this includes crossbars (22) with hooks (17), best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, for handling as is shown schematically in FIG. 5, where the separation of one of the modular sets (19) can also be seen with the help of a crane (23) located on the auxiliary vessel (24), once the devices (12) have been extracted from the openings for coupling (11) on the first coupling members (10) and from the openings for coupling (13) on the uprights (7).

(15) In the proposed example, the platform (3) as well as the flotation tubes (2), are constructed with floater tubes (25) that have a larger diameter and incorporate vertical floaters (26) on the corners, in addition to the lateral moorings and walkways (not illustrated).

(16) The protecting barrier is constructed with a flotation unit that has two horizontally placed tubes (27) which, at their point of connection there is an end joint at the edge of the vertical tube (28) of larger diameter, forming an angle of 140° but whose size can vary, but which can be maintained with the help of a crossbar (29). From each one of the tubes (27) hang a row of small diameter tubes (30) joined to each other at the lower part via a covered chain (31). The tubes (27), (28), (29) and (30) are preferably made from high-density extruded polyethylene. When in use the barrier is anchored with the aid of dead-weights (32) around 15 or 20 metres from the supporting frame.

(17) The invention has been described according to the illustrated embodiment. Obviously, it is possible to include other details that modify it and/or replace certain elements or arrangements with others that are similar or to add complementary now known devices, without them affecting the essential concept of the invention.