GB2177884A

GB2177884A - Fish scooping device

Info

Publication number: GB2177884A
Application number: GB08617955A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hans Kiplesund
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-07-26
Filing date: 1986-07-23
Publication date: 1987-02-04
Also published as: FI863049A7; FI863049L; NO157162B; FI863049A0; NO157162C; GB8617955D0; NO852972L

Abstract

Scooping device for scooping fish from a fish rearing system comprises a flexible web (15) suspended between two rods (21, 22) extending between two wall members (11, 12) being submersed in a sea body inlet (26). One of the rods (21) is permanently mounted at one side edge of the wall members at a distance over sea level, while the other rod (22) is suspended between a pair of endless chains (13, 14) extending along the edges of the wall members. On rotating the chains the movable rod (22) is moved passing the permanently mounted rod and down into the sea body inlet (26) to make a bag structure for scooping fish. The web is then lifted to an inclined position (15'') to release the fish. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Fish scooping device The invention relates to a device for scooping of fish from a confined sea body, e.g. from a funnelshaped fish net.

The development of fish farming has created a need for mechanizing of various operations, previously being done manually. Such an operation is scooping of fish from a fish rearing system. It has not been possible to exploit the fish pumps created for scooping small fish. This work has therefore had to be done manually.

The main object of the invention is to create a device for mechanically scooping of fish, particularly of fish from a fish rearing system. It is a basic requirement that the fish is handled gently and that the device can be operated economically. This means certain limits for the procurement and maintenance costs.

According to the invention, such a device is created with the basic principles as described in the accompanying claims.

It has been proven that such an equipment can be used for effective scooping of fish from fish farms, e.g. from a funnelshaped net which is attached at the inlet end of the scooping device.

The invention will be described further with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows schematically a vertical section through an embodiment of the invention, while Figure 2 shows a corresponding schematical front view of the inlet end of the device in Figure 1.

The scooping device shown comprises following main parts: two side parts 11 and 12 arranged sidewise with a circulating powered chain 13 and 14 respectively on each part and a scooping web 15 suspended between the side parts 11 and 12 and moved by the chains 13 and 14 as described further below.

The side parts 11 and 12 shown are generally rectangular with rounded corners. The side edge on the inlet or front side of the device is inclined outwardly toward the top, while the other side edge on the outlet or rear side, is vertical. The top edge is inclined upwardly toward the inlet side. Along the edges of the side parts 11 and 12 is provided a groove for an endless chain 13 and 14. The chains 13 and 14 are preferably formed from nylon and are commercially available. Due to the rounded corners of the side parts, this kind of chain will not need guiding wheels. Along the submersed parts of the chains, cover shields 29 and 30, carried by the side parts 11 and 12 respectively, are provided. Whilst the side parts 11, 12 are shown to be generally rectangular it will be appreciated that the parts may be of a different shape, for example elliptical.

For powering the chains 13 and 14, a transverse shaft 16 with a drive sprocket 17 and 18 respectively, for each of the chains, is provided. The shaft 16 is in turn rotated by a motor 19, preferably hydraulically driven. The control system for this shaft is now shown, as it can be of conventional design. The motor 19 and the shaft 16 are carried by a transverse girder 20 connecting the side parts 11 and 12 in the upper region of the inlet end. The side parts 11 and 12 are further connected by a second girder 31 on the opposite end. The mounting of the scooping device can be suitably effected by attaching the girders 20 and 31.

Between the side parts 11 and 12 arejournalled two rods, 21 and 22 respectively, below called web rods, which serve to attach the rear and front edges respectively of the web to the parts 11, 12. The web rods 21 and 22 carry between them the scooping web 15 as described further below. The web rod 21 is arranged at the edge of the side parts 11 and 12 close to the chains 13 and 14 at the outlet side of the scooping device. It is placed a predetermined distance above the water level, depending on the kind of equipment the scooping device is to be joined to.

The second web rod 22 is at its ends connected to an oppositely arranged pair of links of the chains 13 and 14, to be carried with at the movement of the chains in a looped path around the side parts 11 and 12.

The scooping device shown is intended for partial submersion below the sea level 23. Afunnelshaped net 25, connected to a fish rearing system not shown, is attached to the device such that fish from the rearing system will go into the inlet end 24 and thus move into the sea body confined between the lower region of the side parts 11 and 12, referred to as 26. When the chains 13 and 14 are driven in the direction 27, the web rod 22 will move along the path of the chain. Thus the web 15 will change position. In a first position drawn with a continuous line it will create a bag like structure, scooping or taking in fish. On further chain movement the web rod 22 is raised to position 22'. The web 15 with catched fish will then be raised to position 15'. In an upper position 15" the web is stretched and inclined toward the outlet end 28 of the scooping device.

Fish on the web will then fall out of the scooping device and be collected or further suitably processed, e.g. screened.

In this interval, further fish will have moved into the sea body 26 at the inlet end 24. Further movement of the web rod 22 will move the movable end of the web 15 down under the sea body 26, to the position shown with a continuous line in Figure 1.

The scooping device shown can be used e.g. with a screening device or an equipment for processing the fish. It is convenient to arrange the scooping device on a float or a similar floating platform.

The scooping web 15 is prepared from a flexible and water permeable material, e.g. a perforated plastic web. It is connected to the web rods 21 and 22, which are rounded to avoid damaging fish. For the same purpose, a space has to be available between the bottom of the web in its lower position and the net 25.

It is also possible to journal both web rods 21 and 22 on the chains 13 and 14.

1. Device for scooping of fish from a confined sea body, particularly from a part of a fish rearing

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Fish scooping device The invention relates to a device for scooping of fish from a confined sea body, e.g. from a funnelshaped fish net. The development of fish farming has created a need for mechanizing of various operations, previously being done manually. Such an operation is scooping of fish from a fish rearing system. It has not been possible to exploit the fish pumps created for scooping small fish. This work has therefore had to be done manually. The main object of the invention is to create a device for mechanically scooping of fish, particularly of fish from a fish rearing system. It is a basic requirement that the fish is handled gently and that the device can be operated economically. This means certain limits for the procurement and maintenance costs. According to the invention, such a device is created with the basic principles as described in the accompanying claims. It has been proven that such an equipment can be used for effective scooping of fish from fish farms, e.g. from a funnelshaped net which is attached at the inlet end of the scooping device. The invention will be described further with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows schematically a vertical section through an embodiment of the invention, while Figure 2 shows a corresponding schematical front view of the inlet end of the device in Figure 1. The scooping device shown comprises following main parts: two side parts 11 and 12 arranged sidewise with a circulating powered chain 13 and 14 respectively on each part and a scooping web 15 suspended between the side parts 11 and 12 and moved by the chains 13 and 14 as described further below. The side parts 11 and 12 shown are generally rectangular with rounded corners. The side edge on the inlet or front side of the device is inclined outwardly toward the top, while the other side edge on the outlet or rear side, is vertical. The top edge is inclined upwardly toward the inlet side. Along the edges of the side parts 11 and 12 is provided a groove for an endless chain 13 and 14. The chains 13 and 14 are preferably formed from nylon and are commercially available. Due to the rounded corners of the side parts, this kind of chain will not need guiding wheels. Along the submersed parts of the chains, cover shields 29 and 30, carried by the side parts 11 and 12 respectively, are provided. Whilst the side parts 11, 12 are shown to be generally rectangular it will be appreciated that the parts may be of a different shape, for example elliptical. For powering the chains 13 and 14, a transverse shaft 16 with a drive sprocket 17 and 18 respectively, for each of the chains, is provided. The shaft 16 is in turn rotated by a motor 19, preferably hydraulically driven. The control system for this shaft is now shown, as it can be of conventional design. The motor 19 and the shaft 16 are carried by a transverse girder 20 connecting the side parts 11 and 12 in the upper region of the inlet end. The side parts 11 and 12 are further connected by a second girder 31 on the opposite end. The mounting of the scooping device can be suitably effected by attaching the girders 20 and 31. Between the side parts 11 and 12 arejournalled two rods, 21 and 22 respectively, below called web rods, which serve to attach the rear and front edges respectively of the web to the parts 11, 12. The web rods 21 and 22 carry between them the scooping web 15 as described further below. The web rod 21 is arranged at the edge of the side parts 11 and 12 close to the chains 13 and 14 at the outlet side of the scooping device. It is placed a predetermined distance above the water level, depending on the kind of equipment the scooping device is to be joined to. The second web rod 22 is at its ends connected to an oppositely arranged pair of links of the chains 13 and 14, to be carried with at the movement of the chains in a looped path around the side parts 11 and 12. The scooping device shown is intended for partial submersion below the sea level 23. Afunnelshaped net 25, connected to a fish rearing system not shown, is attached to the device such that fish from the rearing system will go into the inlet end 24 and thus move into the sea body confined between the lower region of the side parts 11 and 12, referred to as 26. When the chains 13 and 14 are driven in the direction 27, the web rod 22 will move along the path of the chain. Thus the web 15 will change position. In a first position drawn with a continuous line it will create a bag like structure, scooping or taking in fish. On further chain movement the web rod 22 is raised to position 22'. The web 15 with catched fish will then be raised to position 15'. In an upper position 15" the web is stretched and inclined toward the outlet end 28 of the scooping device. Fish on the web will then fall out of the scooping device and be collected or further suitably processed, e.g. screened. In this interval, further fish will have moved into the sea body 26 at the inlet end 24. Further movement of the web rod 22 will move the movable end of the web 15 down under the sea body 26, to the position shown with a continuous line in Figure 1. The scooping device shown can be used e.g. with a screening device or an equipment for processing the fish. It is convenient to arrange the scooping device on a float or a similar floating platform. The scooping web 15 is prepared from a flexible and water permeable material, e.g. a perforated plastic web. It is connected to the web rods 21 and 22, which are rounded to avoid damaging fish. For the same purpose, a space has to be available between the bottom of the web in its lower position and the net 25. It is also possible to journal both web rods 21 and 22 on the chains 13 and 14. CLAIMS

1. Device for scooping of fish from a confined sea body, particularly from a part of a fish rearing system, characterised in that it comprises a flexible, webshaped member arranged between two walls mounted in a parallel relationship and in use being partially submerged in a sea body inlet for fish, the flexible web being at opposite edges attached to a pair of rod members extending between the walls, of which one is movable in a loop extending in a vertical plane, passing the other rod member and down into the sea body inlet for fish.

2. Device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the walls are constituted by closed plate structures with rounded corners, each being provided with a powered chain along its edge, one of the rod members being suspended between the chains to be moved on movement thereof.

3. Device according to Claim 2, characterised in that the flexible member comprises a perforated web of plastics material.

4. Device according to Claim 2 or 3, characterised in that said other rod member is permanently mounted on a vertical or substantially vertical part of the chains on the opposite side of the device relatively to the sea body inlet

5. Device according to one of the Claims 2-4, characterised in that each plate structure has the general form of a rectangle or an ellipse.

6. Device for scooping fish substantially as described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

7. Device for scooping fish from a body of water, the device comprising a pair of walls arranged parallel to one another and in use being partially submerged in the body of water, a flexible web extending between said pair of walls, a rear edge of the web being secured at a fixed location relative to said walls, the fixed location in use being located above the level of the body of water, the front edge of the web being movably mounted relative to said walls and arranged to move along a looped path such that movement of the front edge along the path and through the body scoops fish located between said walls onto the web, continued movement of the front edge along said path causing lifting of the web from the body of water and discharge of fish located on the web.

8. Device for scooping fish from a body of water, the device comprising a pair of walls arranged parallel to one another, a flexible web extending between the side walls, the front and rear edges of the web which extend between the side walls being attached to the side walls to enable movement of the web relative thereto such that the web is able to move between said walls to scoop fish and on continued movement lift and discharge fish from the device.