FR3132190A1 - OYSTER BASKET LONGLINE INSERT - Google Patents

Abstract

An oyster basket longline insert adapted to prevent displacement of an oyster basket relative to a longline supporting the oyster basket in water, comprising: a hollow clip adapted to attach the oyster basket to the longline; and an insert with dimensions adapted to be inserted into the pliers, the insert having an at least partially cylindrical body, the body having a maximum diameter. less than 50 mm, the insert being made of a flexible material.

Description

OYSTER BASKET LONGLINE INSERT Field of the invention

The present disclosure relates to an oyster basket longline insert system for culturing molluscs under aquaculture conditions. If an application of the present disclosure applies to shellfish culture, it would also be applicable to processes for suspending objects from longlines in water.

State of the art

It is common to cultivate molluscs such as oysters on a commercial scale in artificial environments during the early stages of their growth. Typically, the spat is then transferred to marine environments in what is called the “grow-out phase”. The cultivation of oysters is done as follows: initially, the larvae are grown in special tanks until they reach a juvenile size which allows their transfer to tanks placed in the intertidal or subtidal zones. In general, the tanks are shaped like baskets with perforated walls allowing water to circulate through the baskets, with the oysters taking advantage of the water current to filter nutrients from the water and eliminate impurities.

In adjustable longline oyster culture, baskets are typically suspended from longlines spanning hundreds of meters, with multiple longlines attached in parallel in one pattern. These longlines generally consist of a taut monofilament with a protective sheath or "drip tube" placed over the monofilament to reduce wear. Posts are implemented to support the taut longline and typically spaced along the longline to allow suspension of at least one basket between adjacent posts. Typically, the drip tube extends the entire length of the longline. Special clips are used to attach the baskets to the drip tube which can be attached both along the longline (parallel arrangement) or across pairs of longlines (perpendicular arrangement).

In recent times, it has been found that positioning baskets in rougher waters can promote oyster growth. However, in rougher water conditions problems arose that had not been encountered in calmer water conditions. In particular, it was noted that the clips used to rotatably attach the oyster baskets to the drip tubes were subject to wear, just as the drip tubes are where the clips are attached. In rougher waters, it is not uncommon for the clips and therefore the baskets to move back and forth along the drip tube, colliding with the support posts. The baskets are also known to have made complete 360° rotations around the longline. This frequently results in twisting of the drip tube, and harmful effects may otherwise occur when, for example, the twisting is in opposite directions at opposite ends of the drip tube.

Those skilled in the art estimate the costs and the need for labor necessary to replace said clips, and even more to remove the clips and baskets suspended from a longline in order to allow a complete replacement of the longline.

Summary

The present disclosure presents in one aspect an insert of an oyster basket longline configured to prevent movement of an oyster basket relative to a long longline supporting the oyster basket in the water. The oyster basket longline insert includes a hollow clamp configured to connect the oyster basket to the longline, and an insert dimensioned to fit into the clamp, the insert having an at least partly cylindrical body , the insert being made of a flexible material.

In one embodiment, the body may have a maximum diameter of less than 20 mm.

In one embodiment, the insert may include a quadrilateral projection extending from an exterior surface, the projection may be configured to engage a portion of the clamp.

In another embodiment, the projection can be hollow.

In another embodiment, the insert may include an interior surface, the interior surface may include a plurality of projections designed to maintain the clamp in a stable position relative to the longline.

In yet another embodiment, the projections may be oriented concentrically along a longitudinal axis of the insert.

In another embodiment, the insert can be configured so as to prevent the pliers from rotating around the longline.

In yet another embodiment, the insert can be configured so as to prevent the translational movement of the pliers along the longline.

In another aspect, the present disclosure discloses a method of preventing movement of an oyster basket relative to a longline in an aquatic environment. The method includes positioning a flexible insert in a hollow portion of a clamp attaching the oyster basket to the longline until the insert engages in a notch provided in the clamp to positively secure the insert in the pliers.

In one embodiment, the insert may include a quadrilateral projection extending from an exterior surface, the projection configured to engage a portion of the clamp.

In another embodiment, the method can also include preventing the rotational movement of the pliers around the longline, including the insert.

In yet another embodiment, the method can also include preventing the translational movement of the gripper along the longline, the insert included.

Summary description of the drawings

The accompanying drawings which are incorporated into and form part of this specification, illustrate several modes of carrying out the invention and serve to explain, together with the description, the advantages and principles of the invention. In the drawings:

there illustrates a perspective view of a known clip and a longline comprising a dripping tube from which the clip is intended to be suspended in rotation;

there illustrates a perspective view of an aquaculture basket suspended from a long drip tube using clips, and a device protecting the clip and the longline according to one embodiment of the present invention;

there shows an exploded perspective view of a device protecting the clip and the longline in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

there presents an assembly view of the protective device of the clip and the longline of the when attached to the longline;

there shows an exploded perspective view of a device protecting the clip and the longline in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

there shows an exploded perspective view of a device protecting the clip and the longline in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

there presents a perspective view of a protective device for the clip and the longline according to an additional embodiment;

there shows a perspective view of a protective device for the clip and the longline according to yet another embodiment;

there shows an end view of a ratchet clip of the clip protector and the longline of the in a detached configuration;

there shows an end view of a ratchet clip of the clip protector and the longline of the in an engaged configuration;

there presents a perspective view of a protective device for the clip and the longline according to an additional embodiment;

there shows a cross-sectional perspective view of a hollow claw and oyster basket longline insert;

there shows a second perspective view of a hollow claw and oyster basket longline insert from the ;

there illustrates a detached view of the hollow pliers and the insert of the oyster basket longline of Figures 11 and 12, partially engaged on a longline; And

there presents a detailed view of the hollow pliers and the insert of the oyster basket longline of Figures 11 and 12, partially engaged on a longline of the .

It goes without saying that the general description which precedes and the detailed description which follows are both exemplary and explanatory only, not limiting the scope of the invention as claimed, unless otherwise stated. In this specification and these claims, the word "comprising" and its derivatives, including "comprise" and "comprise", include each of the integers indicated but do not exclude the inclusion of one or more integers. The claims as filed with this application are included by reference in the description.

detailed description

The detailed description of the invention which follows refers to the accompanying drawings. Although the description includes exemplary modes of execution, other modes of execution are conceivable, modifications being able to be made to the modes of execution described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Where possible, the same reference numbers will be used in the drawings and the following description to refer to identical and similar parts. The dimensions of some of the parts shown in the drawings may have been modified and/or exaggerated for purposes of clarity or illustration.

The present invention relates to a clip and longline protective device 10 (materialized in the following as 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d and 10e, other variants being possible). In one embodiment, the protective device 10 comprises a means of attachment 12 to a suspension longline or a protective sleeve for the longline (often called drip tube) 6 and an element 14 allowing a basket fixing clip , such as the known clip 2 represented in the , to be coupled in rotation to the fixing means 12, preventing direct contact between clip and longline. In a wider embodiment, the element 14 making it possible to couple in rotation the clip for fixing the basket to the longline while preventing direct contact between the clip and the longline is designed to be attached directly to the longline, that is to say that the element 14 and the fixing means 12 are one and the same element. In an alternative embodiment, the element 14 making it possible to couple in rotation the basket fixing clip to the longline is part of the basket fixing clip.

The result is that the clip 2 and therefore the basket 16 suspended therefrom can always rotate in the manner intended for them, and in a manner favoring the cultivation of oysters, but avoiding wear by friction of the longline (or the drip tube) or clip having previously occurred as a result of direct attachment of the clip to the longline (or drip tube). Those skilled in the art will note that due to the lack of need to exchange the longline, the drip tube (if implemented) or the basket fixing clip due to their wear, will reduce the need for hand labor and the overall cost of maintaining an oyster farm.

In one aspect of an additional embodiment of the invention, the protective device 10 further comprises a means of preventing the clip from sliding along the longline 6 in order to avoid a back and forth movement. of the basket along the longline in more turbulent conditions.

shows an example of a basket 16 suspended from a drip tube 6 attached along its length to spaced support posts 20, two clips 2 being used and fixed in a known manner to the top of the basket and attached in the manner proposed in the present invention to the drip tube 6. It should be noted that any clip and longline protective device 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d or 10e of those subject to the different modes of execution described in this document can be used, as well as any protective device of different design considered to fall within the scope of the invention.

A protective device 10a conforming to one embodiment is shown in Figures 3 to 4. As shown, the means for fixing to the tube can be designed in the form of a clamp 12a in two parts comprising a first clamp element 22 and a second clamp element 24 which each comprise an elongated semi-circular central portion 26 and semi-circular end wall portions 28 of greater radial dimension than the central portions 26. In assembled condition, as shown to the , the two clamp elements 22 and 24 form a cylindrical central part and two circular end wall parts at their ends.

Each element 22 and 24 may comprise a semi-circular internal channel 30 respectively, which, once assembled, constitutes an internal channel of circular section extending over the entire length of the clamp 12a, the size of the channel allowing the reception of the drip tube 6 (or monofilament longline without drip tube, or any other type of support rope). The internal surface of each channel 30 may be provided with gripping means 32 adapted to grip the tube 6 when the clamp is in the assembled state and thus prevent the sliding movement of the clamp 12a along the tube. In the embodiment shown, these are designed in the form of rigid projections which are provided cantilevered on the internal surface of each channel 30, even if other gripping means would be conceivable. This can be important in conditions in which the aim is to prevent the movement of baskets along the longlines, as well as in more turbulent conditions in which, as is known, baskets collide with longline support posts and baskets. adjacent.

The first and second clamp elements 22 and 24 can be engaged by means of a snap-fit assembly, the highlighting how each of the semi-circular end wall portions 28 may include a locating tab 34 and a locking opening 36 associated therewith. In one embodiment, the first and second clamp elements 22 and 24 are identical to facilitate their manufacture. Those skilled in the art will note that each tab 34 of an element aligns with a locking opening 36 of another element, as shown in , so that each leg is sheltered by and locked inside the opposite opening with a snap hook. Snap-fit assemblies are considered known in the state of the art, which is why the way in which the lug and the locking opening cooperate will not be described in detail. Each of the semi-circular parts 28 of the end wall has hollowed-out bodies, not only to accommodate the tabs but also to reduce the volume of material used and therefore manufacturing costs.

In this embodiment, the element allowing the rotary attachment of the clip 2 to the clamp 12a while preventing direct contact between the clip 2 and the drip tube 6 is in the form of a sacrificial support element 14a. The shape of the sacrificial support element 14a is cylindrical and essentially corresponds to the shape of the cylindrical central part of the clamp 12a.

The element 14a has an open edge 38 allowing its quick and easy installation on the cylindrical central part of the clamp 12, and it is designed so as to pivot around the central part and to be able to rotate freely.

Consequently, the attachment part 5 of the clip 2 is hooked on the sacrificial support element 14a instead of being hooked on the tube 6 so that the clip 2 and the support element 14a are free to rotate together around the clip. Those skilled in the art will therefore note that the protective device 10 constitutes a barrier between the clip 2 and the longline or the drip tube 6 such that neither of the two elements is exposed to friction as a result of the rotation and /or sliding of the clip along the tube. The elements are therefore not subject to any wear and do not need to be replaced. The only element requiring replacement will be the sacrificial support element 14a, the manufacture of which is rapid and economical. The present invention therefore offers, among other things, an advantage in terms of labor and cost to aquaculturists. Furthermore, the carrier element 14a is prevented from sliding along the tube by the circular portions of the end wall of the clamp 12a, consequently preventing the sliding of the carrier element 14a and therefore of the clip and the basket. along the longline and they collide with other baskets or posts.

An additional embodiment 10b of the present invention is illustrated in and demonstrates an alternating locking configuration between the first and second clamp elements constituting clamp 12b, which, although subject to slight variations in design, are also designated 22 and 24 for brevity. Instead of using a snap lock between the elements of the clamp 22 and 24, the protective device 10b according to this embodiment comprises an articulated connection 40. The same sacrificial element is used and marked as 14b. Although not shown, the clamp elements also include locking means for locking the clamp elements together when in the "closed position". For example, a ratchet type locking device could be used (such as e.g. shown in the mode of execution of the ). In addition to the different connection between the clamp elements, the protective device 10b functions in the same way as the protective device 10a, which is why we will not repeat here a description of the similar or similar characteristics.

A protective device 10c in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention emerges from the , illustrating an alternative device for attaching to the drip tube 6. Rather than using a rigid clamp, as has been described for the previous embodiments, the protective device 10c uses a cylindrical sleeve 12c configured in a manner similar to the sacrificial support element 14 in the sense that it is a cylindrical structure with open edges adapted to be mounted on the longline. In one embodiment, the internal surface of the cylindrical sleeve 12c may include a suitable waterproof adhesive 42 or the like to ensure secure mounting of the sleeve 12c to the tube. In one embodiment, the adhesive can be such that the sleeve 12c can also be easily removed from the tube 6. In another embodiment, the constituent material and the longevity of the sleeve are sufficient to maintain it around the longline without the need for adhesive.

The sleeve 12c can be made of a material allowing the rotation of the sacrificial support element 14c around this first. In such an embodiment, the sleeve 12c acts in the same way as the clamps 12a and 12b described previously, that is to say it offers a safe surface along the tube 6 around which the element sacrificial and the clamp can rotate. As shown, the sleeve 12c may include extra thicknesses 44 at opposite ends which may consist of the same material as the sleeve, serving to prevent sliding of the sacrificial element.

In an alternative embodiment not illustrated, the protective device could be constituted by two clamping elements which, instead of being of elongated design and configured to close on one another to engage, have a groove allowing rotation/pivot locking on the support longline.

It goes without saying that other modes of execution are conceivable, including for example a mode in which, instead of providing two lockable elements as shown in the first and second modes of execution, the protective device of the longline is a one-piece element.

There shows for example a protective device 10d in the form of a sacrificial cylindrical element 14d acting in the same way as the means 12d for rotating attachment to the longline. The rotating attachment 5 of the basket clip illustrated in for example, can be clipped onto the sacrificial element and thus rotate with it around the longline. Two ratchet clamps 46 spaced apart from each other are biased on the element 14d and capable of being firmly tightened so as to prevent the element from sliding along the longline, while allowing rotation in the form of C of the insert around the longline. Another solution would be to tighten the clips in such a way as to prevent rotation of the sacrificial element, however to achieve this the sacrificial element would have to consist of a material which prevents wear of the basket clip - as there would be a grip by friction between these two elements. The clips 46 can also act as end stops to prevent the basket clip from sliding past the ends of the C-shaped sacrificial element.

There represents a similar mode of execution 10e, however instead of being clipped to the longline 6, the sacrificial element 14e is rotatably engaged in the longline by its own nature and design. The sacrificial element still functions as a 12th rotating attachment to the longline. As shown, the two clamp elements 46 can also be implemented, acting as end stops to prevent the element and/or the clamp from sliding along the longline. A cross section of said pliers locking onto the longline is illustrated in Figures 8a-8b. In an embodiment not shown, in which the longline 7 lacks a drip tube, the sacrificial element 14d/14e could in fact be a length of a drip tube extending between the two posts of adjacent support.

There shows a protective device 10f according to yet another embodiment, in which the sacrificial element 14f is part of a set of basket clips 48, the sacrificial element comprising a part capable of pivoting directly around a longline of support, or around a surface of a 12f clamp as demonstrated in the mode of execution of the . In this embodiment, the sacrificial element could be removable from the basket clip so that it can be easily replaced.

Figures 11 to 14 show a hollow claw (110) and an oyster basket longline insert (112) configured to prevent movement of an oyster basket (not shown) relative to a longline (114). The dimensions and design of the longline (114) allow it to support the oyster basket in the water. The hollow tongs (110) may be configured to attach the oyster basket to the longline (114). The size of the insert (112) is adapted to fit into the clamp (110), the insert having an at least partially cylindrical body, the insert being made of a flexible material. It should be noted that naturally, the diameter can be of any size serving the intended purpose.

As notably shown in the , the insert (112) may include a quadrilateral-shaped projection (116) extending from an exterior surface (not shown). The projection (116) may be designed to engage a portion of the clamp (118) and be hollow. As shown in particular in Figures 11, 13 and 14, the insert (112) has an interior surface (120). The interior surface (120) may have a plurality of projections (122) configured to hold the clamp (110) in a stable position relative to the longline (114). As also shown in Figures 11, 13 and 14, the projections (122) are oriented concentrically along a longitudinal axis (124) of the insert (112). As shown in Figures 11, 13 and 14, the insert (112) is designed to prevent both rotary movement of the clamp (110) around the longline (114) and translational movement of the clip (110). ) along the longline (114) or can prevent both the rotary movement of the clip (110) around the longline (114) and the translational movement of the clip (110) along the longline (114).

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the hollow clip (110) and an insert of an oyster basket longline (112) illustrated in Figures 11 to 14 may be useful in a method of preventing movement of an oyster basket compared to a longline in an aquatic environment. The instant method involves positioning a flexible insert (112) in a hollow portion of a clamp (110) connecting the oyster basket (not shown) to the longline until (110) the insert takes into a notch provided in the clamp to positively fix the insert in the clamp. The insert (112) includes a quadrilateral projection (116) extending from an exterior surface (not shown), the projection configured to engage a portion of the clamp (118). Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the method includes preventing the rotational movement of the pliers (110) around the longline, the insert (112) included. Those skilled in the art will further appreciate that the method includes preventing translational movement of the gripper (110) along the longline, including the insert (112).

Furthermore, it is clear that other means preventing the clip from sliding depending on the longline or a protective sleeve different from that proposed in this document could be implemented.

Please note that the insert may undergo various modifications. Simply exemplary, the insert can be adapted to uses other than that intended for longlines, such as for example use on steel reinforcement bars. Furthermore, the insert may include gripping projections in a flexible material such as, for example, a rope. When used on surfaces such as a rope, a preferred solution is the arrangement of a plurality of projections which may be hard projections for better grip in the rope. Those skilled in the art will understand that the projections could, for example, be points. The insert may also be designed to engage a smooth surface, a patterned surface and/or a helical structure surface, etc.

In addition, depending on the size of the object placed in the insert, it will be desirable for the diameter of the insert to be large enough to suit the dimensions of the diameter of said object. For example, when it comes to a rope with a diameter of 25 mm, the insert may have a slightly larger diameter to accommodate the rope. In the same way, it will be useful for the diameter of the body to be large enough to be compatible with the dimensions of the object placed in the insert so that the body is wide enough to be compatible with the dimensions of the diameter of the object. Indeed, those skilled in the art will appreciate that a mode of execution of the body disclosed can be presented with a diameter capable of allowing the resumption of an insert and an object, both having a diameter adapted in size and design to fit into the body. In an exemplary manner, the body can have a maximum diameter. 50mm. It will also be noted that the maximum diameter. of the body will, alternatively, be 25 mm.

Other advantages and improvements can very well be made to the present invention without departing from its scope. Although the invention has been represented and described in what are intended to be the most practical and preferred modes of execution, variations covered by the scope and spirit of the invention are conceivable, which is not restricted to the details disclosed herein, but are included within the scope of the claims to include any equivalent device and apparatus.

Reference to any prior art in this specification does not constitute, and should not be construed as, an acknowledgment or suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia.

Claims (10)

Reinforcing bar, or oyster basket longline insert designed to prevent movement of an oyster basket relative to a longline (114) supporting the oyster basket in the water, comprising:
a hollow clamp (110) configured to attach the oyster basket to the longline (114); And
an insert (112) with dimensions suitable for inserting into the clamp (110), the insert (112) having an at least partially cylindrical body, the body having a maximum diameter. less than 50 mm, the insert (112) being made of a flexible material. A reinforcement bar or basket longline insert according to claim 1, wherein the insert (112) comprises a quadrilateral projection (116) extending from an exterior surface, the projection (116) being adapted to engage in a part of the clamp (110). Reinforcing bar insert, or basket longline according to claim 2, wherein the projection (116) is hollow. A reinforcing bar or basket longline insert according to any preceding claim, wherein said insert (112) has an interior surface, the interior surface having a plurality of projections (116) adapted to hold the clamp (110). ) in a stable position relative to the longline (114). A reinforcement bar or basket longline insert according to claim 4, wherein the projections (116) can be oriented concentrically along a longitudinal axis of the insert (112). A reinforcing bar or basket longline insert according to any preceding claim, wherein the insert (112) includes projections (122) to prevent rotational movement of the clamp (110) around the longline . A steel reinforcement bar or basket longline insert according to any preceding claim, wherein the insert (112) includes projections (122) to prevent translational movement of the clamp (110) along longline. A method of preventing the movement of an oyster basket relative to a longline (114) in an aquatic environment, the method comprising:
positioning a flexible insert (112) of a longline insert according to one of claims 1 to 7 in a hollow part of a clamp (110) clamping the oyster basket to the longline (114) up to what the insert takes in a notch provided in the clamp (110) to positively fix the insert (112) inside the clamp (110). A method according to claim 8, wherein the insert (112) comprises a quadrilateral projection (116) extending from an exterior surface, the projection (116) being adapted to engage a portion of the clamp (110). Method according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising preventing the rotational movement of the pliers (110) around the longline (114), the insert (112) being included in the pliers (110).