GB2393374A - Treatment cradle and treatment tray for fish - Google Patents

Abstract

A fish treatment cradle formed of a removable cloth sling supported on a wooden frame with two folding legs. The frame comprises two side struts connected by three substantially horizontal bars formed from wooden dowels. The supporting legs which are pivotally connected to each of the two side struts are connected near their free ends by another substantially horizontal wooden dowel. The legs may be folded out to support the frame at an angle to the bench or work-surface on which the device is placed. The cloth sling is attached to the horizontal dowels by hook and loop tape. The removable treatment tray which may be made from a plastic material has a pair of folding legs and is attached to the uppermost dowel rail of the frame. There may be preformed holes in the tray to receive treatments pots.

Description

TREATMENT CRADLE FOR FISH

TECHNICAL FIELD:

This invention r elates to a treatment cradle for topical fish treatments.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

The treatment cradle was designed for the safe & easy handling of fish when anthatised or sedated for the treatment of open wounds on lessions any other bodily disorder to which fish keepers experience from time to time.

The cradle opens from a flat & folded position to stand upright and level on a bench or work-

surface with two sets of legs on either side, these sets of legs are ajoined together by round wooden dowels over which the removeable cover for holding the sedated fish is placed. The treatment area is divided in half for the b eatment of large or small fish alike.

ESSENTIAL TECHNICAL FEATURES:

According to the present invention there is provided a treatment cradle for the safe handling of sedated fish comprising of two sets of folding legs with a pivot fixing point set to an exact position made from stainless steel, this forms the stabilising past of the cradle as shown in fig I. From the sets of legs joining the two sides together are four wooden dowels set to exact positions, these four wooden bars are set for two purposes, purpose one is to give extra stability to the leg sections and the second purpose and main point is to affix the material fi om which forms the main holding and treatment area.

The material which forms the treatment area is affixed to the wooden bars by means of velcro (RTM) webbing which is stiched into it's exact positions for securing it to the wooden bars.

Affixed to the front of the treatment area are a number of narrow looped webbing points above the movable holding straps, these are provided for the purpose of lopping the main holding straps through, a second set of these loops are provided on the second support bar also for looping

the adjustable straps through, just below this second looped webbing strap is a large velcro (RTM) webbing strap stiched into position for the final securing position of the holding straps This main webbing runs almost the full length of the front lower level face side of the cradle, all these measurements and position will be drawn in fig 2.

The straps mentioned in the above paragraph are four in number and are all the same length, the main securing strap which holds the four securing straps is divided into four sections of equal distances securley Fixed to the main holding area, these four straps move totally fi-om left to right in all four equal loops, the four holding straps are looped around the main securing back strap and stitched securly. From a set position on the holding strap is a piece of velcro (RTM) webbing this runs to the end of the securing strap, this is pr-'vi deaf for the purpose of securing the holding strap when fish treatment is taken place, also these straps can be placed in any position across the holding area or used singlelery for treating small fish or in varying stages as the fish gain in size uptil the largest size fish is accomodated in the holding area, these straps are not removable fiom the main holding area and are penenatley fixed onto the holding strap.

Once all the holding area material is affixed to the wooden dowels the straps on the treatment area should be facing forward towards the immedate front working area.

EXAMPLE SPEClFICS: There know follows a specific embodiment of the invention describing each sections of the treatment cradle individully with accompanying drawings for each section.

Fig 1: Shows the perspective section of the leg end sections in the open and closed position with fixing points for the wooden dowels from which the holding area is affixed.

FIG I:- LEG CROSS SECTION

These are the techical specification to accompany fig I drawing for the treatment cradle.

N.B:- this cross section is of internal side of the left hand leg section and needs to be "handed" to produce the right hand leg section. Points I 4 do not pass totally through either side of leg sections and one set is approximatley half way through.

Following the scale of 1:2 leg section I is fixed to leg section 2 by way of pivot point I, this point is fixed on centre lines of each leg section I and 2 by means of stainless steel fixing bolt with a spacer in between to allow the treatment cradle to be folded away when not in use.

POINTS 1 - 4:

These points are rebated into each leg section at set points from the bottom of the cradle legs working upwards to the top of the leg sections, these points are set along the centre lines of each leg section. These points are located for the purpose of holding the wooden dowels from which the material holding area is hung and positioned from. There second purpose is to hold apart the leg sections I and 2 at there set distance.

LEG SECTION 1:

This leg section foams the main leg being the longer of the two and has three out of the foor holding positions for the wooden dowels. Points I, point 2, and point 3 are set along the centre line of leg section I. The top and bottom of leg section I is cut so that it will sit flush and level with a bench or work-surface.

From a set point on leg section 1 leg section 2 is affixed by means of pivot point I this allows leg section 1 and leg section 2 to fold closed when not in use, leg section 2 is shorter in length finishing flush with the front of leg section 1, it also has point 4 set at an approx position along the cenb e line of leg section 2 at a set point fi om the bottom of leg section 2 this point 4 is also used for securing the holding area at this bottom point and serves as a restrante point to stop leg section I and leg section 2 from collapsing flat with the bench or work surface.

FIG IA:-

This drawing relates to the internal right hand side of leg sections 1 and 2 which forms the opposite end to the treatment cradle, all points from 14 are set to exact positions from the base of each leg section I and 2 working towards the top of the leg section.

The pivot point is also set at the same position using the same stainless steel fixings & spacers as in leg section I the bottoms of leg sections I and 2 are cut at an angle so they also sit flat on the bench or work surface.

FIG IB:-

This drawing relates to the external sides of both sets of legs. Note that leg section 2 is to be on the outside of leg section I this enables both the sections to fold and unfold to form the frame from which the material is hung from do not pass fully through any of the leg sections at any point. The only parts that passes through totally on either side are the stainless steel pivot points with the spacers in serted in between leg section I and leg section 2 and a surcuring nut on the outside edge of leg section 2, this therefore allows both leg section I and 2 to fold flat when not in use.

N.B this drawing needs to be "handed" to show the opposite end and external side of the left hand side see figure I B/]

FIG 2:- FRONT PLAN SECTION

These are the technical specifications to accompany fig 2 do awing for the treatment cradle.

Following the scale of 1:2 leg section I sits on the inside of leg section 2 these two leg sections are fixed to "ether at pivot point 1, this pivot point need a spacer fitted in between leg section I and leg section 2 this allows both leg sections to move freeley so that the cradle can be folded flat for storage when not in use.

Points I to 3 are fixed to leg section I and span accross to the second set of legs, point I is the lowest point around which the holding area material is aff xed.

Point 4 r uns at the same level from leg section 2 sparing the distance to the second set of legs as the same position as point 1 on leg section I. Point 4 on leg section 2 is a fixing position for the holding area material which is then 1 coped and fixed around each points] to 3, there is a right sequence to pass and fixed to all 4 points making the treatment area ready for usage.

All 4 points are set to exact measurements on both set of legs so that the cradle & treatment area are level.

The timbers anddowels usedin the construction offthetreatment cradle aretanalisedandcoated with two coats of an exteror grade varnish to prevent water damage and rot setting in, the pivot point I and spacers are stainless steel so as to avoid any rusting as the treatment cradle is to be used along side or near water and damp fish. The material used for the main treatment area is porus so that any running water will drain through and is removable so that it may be wash to avoid the transfers all of parasitic or fungical infections from fish to fish.

FIG 3:- MAIN TREATMENT AREA

These are the technical specifications to accompany FIG 3 drawing for the main b eatment area

of the cradle.

There will be two sets of drawings in this section Fig 3/1 showing the front side of the treatment area and fig 3/2 showing the revese side of the treatment cat adle both sets of drawing will follow the scale of 1:2 and will show exact positions of all straps, loops and webbing positions also the exact positions on the reverse side of the treatment area for the webbing so that the material can be affixed around all points I - 4, there is a light sequence to affix the material to points 1 - 4 which will be explained later in this section.

Fig 3/1 shows the front section of the treatment area and includes all four securing straps with their main restrant webbing Points A:A the loops above Points B: B through which A:A is passed through, the loops below on point 2 which are Points C:C and finally Points D:D which is the final securing point to which Points A:A are affixed to when holding the sedated fish for topical treatments of any kind.

These straps also have a sequence order to ensure that once in place correctly the sedated fish being treated cannot move around freely causing itself any futher injuries whilst being treated, if this sequence is not followed correctley the fish being treated could become free from the restrant straps and injure itself father.

Once this sequence had been fitted through the holding loops the fish keeper may dicid to leave a past section of the sucking straps in their main positions as they only need to be pased through the holding loops once for the enital set up of the treatment cradle as the main length of the main sucering straps are long enough to r each any point in their divided holding section.

Fig 3/2:- this section drawing shows the reverse side of the treatment cradle with the area's of webbing which are off a two past material used for affixing the treat ment cradle to points I - 4 these area's will be refered to as Point l/A to 4/A this will show fixing points of webbing and the two past material with be reffered to as Z/Z which will be 1 past of the webbing and W/W which will be the 2"d past of the webbing used to fix the treatment area to points I - 4.

The way the b eatment cradle is fixed.

The correct way to affix the treatment area is by following these guides when first assembling the treatment cradle, this guide is as follows and must be followed carfully.

START:- Once the frame is in the uptight and open position facening forwards and with the reverse side of the treatment area showing start at point 4 pulling Z/Z around the bar and affix it to the webbing W/W and press firmly together, then pull the material tight towards the front of the cradle making sure that the treatment area is underneath point I, then the treatment area needs to be affixed around POINT I again using both paints of webbing Z/Z and W/W once again press firmly together these two points are now secure and the frame will not slide apart. From this point the treatment area needs to travel upwards Tom point 1 to point 2 this is also fixed around point 2 by way of webbing bars Z/Z & W/W there should be an extra amount of slack material which will lay almost flat with the base ofthe cradle, with the remander of the treatment area there will be webbing Z/Z and W/W which are secured around point 3 this know means that the treatment area is affixed to points I - 4 following these guides. This is also the way in which the treatment area can be removed for the purpose of washing and cleaning of the cradle itself.

Once fixed into position the restraning straps should be facing outwards and to the main working area this is now ready for use.

The main treatment does not need to be r emoved after every single treatment but can be removed periodically for cleaning, it does not need any special procedures in cleaning and can be put through a standard washing machine, this will not affect the performance of the cradle. The only thing that could possabley happen to the material is it could become stained by some of the treatment cream's or anti fungul & bacterial spray's iodine dips or potassium swabs which are used in fish treatments. If these are left on the cradle to dry they will not cause any discomfort or discolouration to the next fish being treated and will not cause any burns or further injuries to come to the fish.

TREATMENT TRAY FOR TREATMENT CRADLE:

This tray is an additional part for the treatment cradle which enables the person using the cradle to have all of the nessecary equipment and medicines to hand when giving topecail treatments to the injured or sick fish, this is given by means of a purpose made tray wheel hooks onto the top of the cradle on point 4 at either side of the cradle by the leg sections, the back of this table is supported by 2 no legs which m e fixed & hinged in either coiner of the table which will fold down when the table is in use giving the whole back section it's support and stability for this function FIG 1:B PLAN SECTION DRAW[NG:

Looking from left to right on this drawing shows the treatment tray with all the main area's of importance in there exact positions these are following the scale of 1:2 is a ressesed area for the purpose of placing bottles of topecail spray treatments which the fish keeper may use when treating the affected fish, the reason for this recessed area has a specific r eason to prevent the fish keeper from knocking over the bottles when in use and to keep them in a safe position whilst fish treatment takes place so that they are ready to use and easily obtained fi om the tray making any treatments required as easy as possible for both the fish and the fish keeper, this area has been made to take a medium sized bottle and can fold upto 3 no bottles at any one time, the resseced area has two wooden slats at the bottom set to exact positions to prevent the bottles falling through it is also deepend by timber packers to increased the depth of this area giving the bottles extra stability

Alongside this area are four number holes which are cut clean through the table, these four holes are provided to place in plastic measuring cups, N: B these are generally supplied with the various differenttypes of medicines suppliedintheretailsection ofthe fisUkeepingmarket:-thepurpose of these four holes is to ensure that once the cups are in position it is almost impossiable for the fish keeper to dislogde them fiom these points when any treatment takes place, these cups can be removed and washed out once all treatments have taken place and can be stored in the fish keepers medicail box, in between the two areas is a flat surface on which the fish keeper can place such items as twezer's, cotton buds, sieges and tubes of cream or just for placing used swabs etc on.

All materials used in the construction of the treatment tray are made fi om timber and have 2 no. coats of an exterior grade waterproof varnish to seal the timber and prevent any water damage to the treatment tray, all fixing points used zinc coated screws and are countersunk into position to avoid any sharp edges on which the fish keeper may cut themselves on.

All other drawings relating to this tray are enclosed and use the same scale 1:2, which show FIG I:A through section & FIG I:C end view of the tray.

Claims (8)

CLAIMS:

1) A treatment cradle & treatment tray when assembled together makes one unit, which folds flat when in storage, with a removable material insert which is washable.

2) A treatment cradle which includes a pivot point which enables it to fold flat & stored as discribed in claim 1.

3) A fame which makes the bases of the treatment cradle which is then covered in a material insert from which treatment takes place.

4) A material insert as discribed in claim 3 which is removable as in claim I which can be washed after treatment has taken place this insert has fixed points fi-om which movable straps are placed to restrain the item r equired. These straps can be fixed to any point across the fiont of the treatment cradles bar.

5) A tray which affixes to the top of the cradle as discribed in claim 1 from which treatment items can be placed for use.

6) A treatment tray which affixes to the cradle at the front and is supported by two folding legs at the rear, this trays has specific features from which items can be placed during treatment only & removed after treatment has taken place.

7) A fi ame, tray & insert as claimed in any proceeding claims which is made from plastic, wood, metal & material or any combination of these materials.

A treatment tray & cradle substantially described in all the above claims.

1

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Claims:

1. A collapsable frame, comprising of two sets of supporting sections with pivoting points which enables it to collapse, Joined together with four supporting bars from which a supporting insert is fixed on this supporting insert are securing straps above & below these securing straps are a number of loops through which the securing straps pass through & below the bottom set of loops is a reusable fixing point for the securing straps, and at the top of the collapsable frame is a treatment tray which has two hinged supporting sections, a ressesed area, their is also provided four holes & a flat work surface, plus two rebated fixing points which enable the tray to attach to the collasable frame.

2. A collapsable frame as described in claim I with all the features listed above plus a supporting insert which affixes to the supporting bars by means of reusable fixings.

3. A collapsable frame as described in claim 1 with all the features listed above plus a supporting insert with reusable fixing as in claim 2 plus a set of ajustable straps which are used for securing on these straps are reusable fixings.

4. A collapsable frame as described in claim I with all the features listed above plus a supporting insert with reusable fixings as in claim 2 a set of ajustable straps with reusable fixings as in claim 3 plus two sets of securley fixed loops above and below ajustable straps through which straps pass through for securing.

5. A collapsable frame as described in claim I with all the features list above plus a supporting insert with reusable fixings as in claim 2 a set of ajustable straps with reusable fixings as in claim 3 plus two sets of securley fixed loops above & below ajustable straps used for securing as in claim 4 plus a large section of reusable fixing at the bottom of the supporting insert.

6. A collapsable frame as described in claim I with all the features listed above plus a supporting insert with reusable fixings as in claim 2, plus a set of ajustable straps with reusable fixings as in claim 3 plus two sets of securley fixed loops above & below the ajustable straps used for securing as in claim 4 plus a large section of reusable fixing at the bottom of the supporting insert as in claim 5 plus a treatment tray with two hinged supporting sections. 7. A collapsable frame as described in claim I with all the features listed above plus a supporting insert with reusable fixings as in claim 2, plus a set of ajustable straps with reusable fixings as in claim 3 plus two sets of securley fixed loops above & below the ajustable straps used for securing as in claim 4 plus a large section of reusable fixing at the bottom of the supporting insert as in claim 5 plus a treatment tray with two hinged supporting sections as in claim 6 plus a resseced area

8. A collapsable frame as described in claim 1 with all the features listed above plus a supporting insert with reusable fixing as in claim 2 plus a set of ajustable straps with reusable fixings as in claim 3 plus two sets of securley fixed loops above & below the ajustable straps used for securing as in claim 4 plus a large section of reusable fixing at the bottom of the supporting insert as in claim 5 plus a treatment tray with two hinged supporting sections as in claim 6 plus a resseced area as in claim 7 plus a number of holes for retaining fluid vessels.