Alignment and fastening device for loading tubes in poultry houses.

Description

5 Alignment and fastening device for loading tubes in poultry houses. Field of invention

[001] This patent application applies to the poultry industry and relates to mechanical devices used in poultry houses, specifically for fixing and aligning loading tubes. The device is used to hold the tubes in the correct position and eliminate joints between the tubes themselves, optimizing tube assembly and improving the transport and handling of boxes containing birds during loading. The device also incorporates a surface designed for oil deposition, preferably vegetable oil, facilitating the sliding of the boxes without the need for direct application of lubricant to the tubes. Fundamentals of the invention and state of the art

[002] Currently, in the state of the art, it is common to use devices popularly known as spiders in poultry houses to align the loading tubes and fix them to the ground. These devices generally have multiple arms that extend for fixation, which can be complex and expensive to manufacture, in addition to requiring specific installation on the ground in order to keep the tubes aligned.

[003] These spiders are made of metal (such as steel) or other materials which, although robust, increase the weight and production costs. Similarly, lubrication to facilitate the sliding of the boxes with birds becomes time-consuming and inefficient, as cooking oil must be applied manually and directly to the tubes, which can result in uneven distribution, lubricant waste and the need for periodic lubrication, since the oil runs off the tubes very quickly, increasing friction and likely to promote wear on the tubes and boxes. Petition 870250016009, dated 26 / 02 / 2025, p. 6 / 14 / 5

[004] Furthermore, the pipes present installation complexity, because although spiders are used to align, fix and join the pipes, not all pipe joints use these spiders. Thus, the joining of the pipes is done by the fitting principle, that is, the end of one of the pipes has a smaller diameter to allow the subsequent pipe to be inserted, which does not guarantee a perfect connection and requires the use of spiders to make the pipe line more rigid and stabilized in the ground.

[005] Observing the recurring problems of currently accepted loading tubes, the present invention aims to simplify the alignment and fixing system of the tubes, reduce weight and manufacturing costs, optimize lubrication and facilitate maintenance by developing an alignment and fixing device for loading tubes in poultry houses with a modular and functional design. Description of the figures

[006] The present inventive activity will be described in greater detail below, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to its preferred embodiment illustrated in the drawings below, in which: Figure 1 illustrates, in an isometric view, the preferred configuration of the alignment and fixing device for loading tubes in poultry houses and its main external components. Figure 2 shows an isometric view of the structural components of the alignment and fastening device for loading tubes in poultry houses. Figure 3 depicts a top view of the insertion of the loading tubes into the device. Figure 4 shows a top view of a second version of the alignment and fixing device for loading tubes in poultry houses. Petition 870250016009, dated 26 / 02 / 2025, page 7 / 14 / 5 Detailed description of the invention

[007] According to Figure 1, the alignment and fixing device for loading tubes in poultry houses (1) is manufactured from high-strength polymeric material in a mold for plastic injection molding and consists of a base (2) equipped with lateral circular fittings (3), which allow the insertion of loading tubes, and ramps (4) on its front and rear faces, with a series of channels (5), (6) and (7) on the surfaces of the base and ramps responsible for storing vegetable oil or any other lubricating medium. In detail, the aforementioned channels allow the boxes, as they pass through the base and ramps, to have their bottoms lubricated, carrying this lubrication to the tubes at the same time, thus maintaining the necessary lubrication for longer, without wasting oil.

[008] In the lower part of the device (1) (Figure 2), specifically below the base and ramps, structural reinforcements (8), (9) and (10) are included. These reinforcements, in addition to making the device rigid, eliminate weight and reduce the amount of material in the manufacturing process without compromising strength and durability.

[009] As several devices (1) will be used in the loading tubes (11) of a poultry house (Figure 3), it will not be necessary to lubricate the tubes, as the oil applied to the base and ramps is sufficient to keep the entire assembly lubricated, also reducing the frequency of daily or weekly lubrication. Similarly, the person in charge of lubricating the assembly can place the oil in the right place, i.e., directly on the devices, thus facilitating the work and speeding up the lubrication process.

[010] In a second alternative or version of the device (1') (Figure 4), only a circular fitting (2') may be provided in the center with ramps (4') on both sides, thus allowing the device to be installed individually on the tube (11). Petition 870250016009, dated 26 / 02 / 2025, p. 8 / 14 / 5

[011] If necessary, rods can be inserted into the bottom of the device to secure it to the ground, further improving the stability of the assembly.

[012] In terms of advantages, the alignment and fixing device for loading tubes in poultry houses was designed to be coupled directly to the loading tubes, ensuring their alignment and firm fixation to the ground without the need for additional fixing arms; the surface of the device is specially designed to allow the deposition of vegetable oil, facilitating the sliding of the boxes with birds, eliminating the need to apply oil directly to the tubes; the device is lightweight and low-cost, being produced by injection molding processes, which reduces the total weight of the system and allows for economical large-scale manufacturing; the device has a modular design, allowing for quick replacement of components in case of wear or damage, without the need to disassemble the entire system, contributing to simplified maintenance, especially in remote environments;The device is versatile and can be integrated into various models of loading tubes in poultry houses, easily adapting to the different configurations and needs of agricultural systems.

[013] In summary, the invention presented provides an innovative solution for the poultry industry, replacing traditional spider-type devices with an alignment and fixing device made of plastic. With a modular, lightweight and economical design, the device not only aligns and fixes the loading tubes to the ground, but also integrates a lubrication surface that optimizes the sliding of the boxes with birds. In this way, the product significantly improves operational efficiency, reduces maintenance costs and increases safety and practicality in the operation of loading systems in poultry houses.

[014] It is worth noting that the inventive activity in question should be understood as representative and not limiting, and is subject to modifications and updates. Petition 870250016009, dated 26 / 02 / 2025, page 9 / 14 / 5 convenient, provided that such modifications do not deviate from the essence of the proposal. Petition 870250016009, dated 26 / 02 / 2025, page 10 / 14

Claims

CLAIMS 1. ALIGNMENT AND FIXING DEVICE FOR LOADING TUBES IN POULTRY HOUSES, CHARACTERIZED by the device in question (1) being manufactured in high-strength polymeric material in a mold for plastic injection and having a base (2) equipped with lateral circular fittings (3) for the insertion of loading tubes (11) and ramps (4) on its front and rear faces, with a series of channels (5), (6) and (7) on the surfaces of the base and ramps.

2. ALIGNMENT AND FIXING DEVICE FOR LOADING PIPES IN POULTRY HOUSES, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the existence, in the lower part of the device (1), specifically below the base and ramps, of structural reinforcements (8), (9) and (10).

3. ALIGNMENT AND FIXING DEVICE FOR LOADING PIPES IN POULTRY HOUSES, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that a second version of the device (1') is available, which is defined by a circular fitting (2') in the center with ramps (4') on both sides. Petition 870250016009, dated 26 / 02 / 2025, page 11 / 14

Images