A net cage walking platform

Abstract

The application provides a breeding net cage walking platform, which belongs to the technical field of breeding net cages and is connected to the top of a breeding net cage. The walking platform comprises an annular support plate, a plurality of columns and an annular pipe. The bottom of the annular support plate is connected to the top of the breeding net cage. The area surrounded by the annular support plate forms a breeding area. The plurality of columns are arranged along the circumference of the annular support plate at intervals and are all connected to the annular support plate. Each column is located at a position close to the inner side of the annular support plate. The area between the columns and the outer side of the annular support plate on the top of the annular support plate is a walking area. The annular pipe is connected to the plurality of columns to form a fence. The annular pipe is provided with an air inlet. The annular pipe is also provided with a connecting pipe for communicating with a ballast pipe for adjusting the buoyancy of the breeding net cage. Through the above arrangement, an operator can throw feed to the breeding area at the top of the breeding net cage, thereby reducing the feed falling outside the breeding net cage and further reducing the waste of feed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of aquaculture cage technology, specifically relating to a walking platform for aquaculture cages. Background Technology

[0002] Marine aquaculture cages are facilities for intensive fish farming in natural sea areas. They achieve efficient farming through the cage structure in flowing seawater. Existing marine aquaculture cages include structures such as frames, nets, and floats. After the marine aquaculture cage is placed in seawater, the top of the cage is above the sea surface, and then fish fry are released into the net inside the cage.

[0003] When feeding fish fry, aquaculture workers need to use boats to moor near the marine aquaculture cages and then scatter the feed into the cages. However, the boats may rock on the sea, and during the process of scattering feed from the boats into the marine aquaculture cages, some feed may fall outside the cages, resulting in feed waste. Utility Model Content

[0004] This application provides a walking platform for aquaculture cages, which aims to reduce feed waste when feeding aquaculture cages.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted in this application is as follows: A walking platform for aquaculture cages is provided, connected to the top of the aquaculture cages, and the walking platform includes: A ring-shaped support plate is connected at its bottom to the top of the aquaculture cage; the area enclosed by the ring-shaped support plate forms the aquaculture area. Several columns are spaced apart along the circumference of the annular support plate and are all connected to the annular support plate; each column is located near the inner side of the annular support plate; the area between the column and the outer side of the annular support plate at the top of the annular support plate is the walking area. An annular pipe is connected to several of the aforementioned columns to form a fence; the annular pipe has an air inlet and is also provided with a connecting pipe for communicating with the ballast pipe for adjusting the buoyancy of the aquaculture net cage.

[0006] In one possible implementation, the walking platform further includes a guide plate, which is disposed between two adjacent columns; the guide plate is inclined, with its bottom end facing into the aquaculture cage and its upper end located at the column position; wherein, the guide plate can guide the feed so that the feed slides into the aquaculture cage.

[0007] In one possible implementation, side plates are fixedly provided on both sides of the guide plate to laterally limit the feed on the guide plate; the upper end of the guide plate does not exceed the outer side of the column.

[0008] In one possible implementation, a support structure is fixedly provided on the column, and the support structure is fixedly connected to the bottom of the guide plate.

[0009] In one possible implementation, a plurality of hooks are connected to the bottom edge of the annular support plate, the hooks being used to attach to the top of the netting inside the aquaculture cage; wherein, in the horizontal direction, the hooks are located on the outer side of the lower end of the guide plate.

[0010] In one possible implementation, the top of the aquaculture cage is provided with several flanges, and the annular support plate has mounting holes aligned with the through holes on each flange; wherein, the top of the mounting holes is provided with hexagonal holes for placing nuts; the annular support plate is fixed to the top of the aquaculture cage by bolts.

[0011] In one possible implementation, three rings of pedals are laid on the top of the annular support plate, the column is connected to the innermost pedal, and the remaining two rings of pedals are the walking area; wherein, the pedals are provided with anti-slip textures, and the pedals are bolted to the annular support plate.

[0012] In one possible implementation, the annular tubes are in two sets, and the two sets of annular tubes are arranged along the height direction; each of the columns is provided with a through hole for the annular tubes to pass through. The annular support plate is connected to a sleeve, and the bottom end of the column is inserted into the sleeve; the insertion ends of the sleeve and the column have through holes aligned with each other and are fixed by bolts.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the protective structure is located at the top of the columns and is fixedly connected to each of the columns; wherein the protective structure has a protective ring that can slide circumferentially, the protective ring being used to connect to a safety buckle on the operator's body.

[0014] In one possible implementation, the protective structure includes: An annular slide rail is connected to the top of the column; the protective ring slides in conjunction with the annular slide rail, and there is a space between the protective ring and the top of the annular slide rail; the annular slide rail has annular limiting grooves on both its inner and outer sides. Two sets of protruding parts are slidably engaged with the annular limiting grooves on the inner and outer sides of the annular slide rail, respectively; the top and bottom of the protruding parts are in contact with the top and bottom of the annular limiting grooves, respectively. The protruding component is fixedly mounted on the protective ring.

[0015] This application provides a walking platform for aquaculture cages. Compared with existing technologies, an annular support plate is fixed to the top of the aquaculture cage, and columns and annular pipes are installed on the annular support plate. The columns and annular pipes form a fence, which can play a protective role. After the operator stands on the annular support plate, the feed canister is placed on the annular support plate, and then the feed in the feed canister is scooped out using a scooping tool and scattered into the aquaculture area. With the above-mentioned configuration of this application, the operator can scatter feed from the top of the aquaculture cage into the aquaculture area, reducing the amount of feed falling outside the aquaculture cage and thus reducing feed waste. By setting an air inlet on the annular pipe and connecting the annular pipe and the ballast pipe of the aquaculture cage through a connecting pipe, pressurized gas can be introduced into the ballast pipe through the annular pipe, and the pressurized gas in the ballast pipe can also be discharged through the annular pipe, thereby adjusting the overall buoyancy of the aquaculture cage. Therefore, the annular pipe in this application can not only serve as a guardrail, but also as an air supply channel for the aquaculture cage. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a walking platform for aquaculture cages provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 2 for Figure 1 Enlarged diagram of section A in the middle; Figure 3 A schematic diagram illustrating the installation of a walking platform for aquaculture cages onto the top of aquaculture cages, as provided in this application embodiment; Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the annular slide rail portion of a walking platform for aquaculture cages provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 5 for Figure 4 Enlarged diagram of section B in the middle; Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the guide plate portion of a walking platform for aquaculture cages provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the protective ring and annular slide rail portion of a walking platform for aquaculture cages provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 8 This is an exploded view of the annular support plate and pedal portion of a walking platform for aquaculture cages provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0017] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Aquaculture cage; 11. Top pipe; 12. Bottom pipe; 13. Ballast pipe; 2. Annular support plate; 21. Mounting hole; 22. Pedal; 23. Hexagonal hole; 24. Sleeve; 3. Column; 4. Annular pipe; 5. Protruding part; 6. Guide plate; 61. Side plate; 62. Support structure; 7. Hook; 8. Protective structure; 81. Protective ring; 82. Annular slide rail; 821. Annular limiting groove. Detailed Implementation

[0018] To make the technical problems, technical solutions, and beneficial effects to be solved by this application clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of this application.

[0019] Please refer to the following: Figures 1 to 8 This application describes a walking platform for aquaculture cages. The walking platform is connected to the top of the aquaculture cage 1. The platform includes an annular support plate 2, several columns 3, and an annular pipe 4. The bottom of the annular support plate 2 is connected to the top of the aquaculture cage 1. The area enclosed by the annular support plate 2 forms the aquaculture area. Several columns 3 are spaced apart circumferentially along the annular support plate 2 and are all connected to it. Each column 3 is located near the inner side of the annular support plate 2. The area between the columns 3 and the outer side of the annular support plate 2 at the top of the annular support plate 2 is the walking area. The annular pipe 4 is connected to the columns 3 to form a fence. The annular pipe 4 has an air inlet and a connecting pipe for communicating with a ballast pipe 13 for adjusting the buoyancy of the aquaculture cage 1. There are multiple connecting pipes, which are spaced apart circumferentially along the annular pipe 4.

[0020] This application provides a walking platform for aquaculture cages. Compared with the prior art, an annular support plate 2 is fixed to the top of the aquaculture cage 1. A column 3 and an annular pipe 4 are installed on the annular support plate 2, forming a fence that provides protection. After the operator stands on the annular support plate 2, a feed hopper is placed on it, and then the feed is scooped out using a scooping tool and scattered into the aquaculture area. With the above-mentioned setup, the operator can scatter feed from the top of the aquaculture cage 1 into the aquaculture area, reducing feed falling outside the cage and thus reducing feed waste. By setting an air inlet on the annular pipe 4 and connecting it to the ballast pipe 13 of the aquaculture cage 1 via a connecting pipe, pressurized gas can be introduced into the ballast pipe 13 through the annular pipe 4, and the pressurized gas in the ballast pipe 13 can also be discharged through the annular pipe 4, thereby adjusting the overall buoyancy of the aquaculture cage 1. Therefore, the annular pipe 4 in this application not only serves as a guardrail but also as an air supply channel for the aquaculture cage 1.

[0021] It should be noted that the aquaculture cage 1 includes a top pipe 11, a bottom pipe 12, and a ballast pipe 13 fixed between the top pipe 11 and the bottom pipe 12; both the top pipe 11 and the bottom pipe 12 are annular structures, and there are several ballast pipes 13, which are spaced apart circumferentially; the bottom of the ballast pipe 13 is provided with a water inlet, and when the aquaculture cage 1 is placed into the seawater, the seawater enters the ballast pipe 13 through the water inlet, so that the aquaculture cage 1 sinks into the sea; each ballast pipe 13 is connected to the annular pipe 4 through a connecting pipe.

[0022] The air inlet on the annular pipe 4 is connected to the air-inflating equipment via a flexible hose. The hose is equipped with a valve and a float. When seawater needs to be discharged from the ballast pipe 13, the valve on the flexible hose is opened, and pressurized gas is introduced into the annular pipe 4. The pressurized gas in the annular pipe 4 can then flow into the ballast pipe 13 through the connecting pipe, discharging some of the seawater from the ballast pipe 13. Since the gas density is less than the seawater density, the pressurized gas entering the ballast pipe 13 will accumulate at the upper part of the ballast pipe 13, while the lower part of the ballast pipe 13 contains seawater. When the weight of the ballast pipe 13 needs to be increased, the valve on the flexible hose is opened, and seawater continuously enters the ballast pipe 13 from the inlet, discharging some of the gas from the ballast pipe 13. The rising and falling process of the aquaculture cage is existing technology and will not be described in detail here.

[0023] In some embodiments, such as Figures 1 to 8 As shown, the walking platform also includes a guide plate 6, which is set between two adjacent columns 3. The guide plate 6 is inclined, with its bottom end facing into the aquaculture cage 1 and its top end located at the column 3. The guide plate 6 can guide the feed so that it slides into the aquaculture cage 1. Side plates 61 are fixed on both sides of the guide plate 6 to laterally limit the feed on the guide plate 6. The top end of the guide plate 6 does not exceed the outer side of the column 3. The outer side of the column 3 is the walking area for operators. The top end of the guide plate 6 is limited to the outer side of the column 3 to prevent the top end of the guide plate 6 from protruding into the walking area and thus avoid obstructing the operators.

[0024] The number of feed guide plates 6 is determined by need. The top of the feed guide plate 6 has a dropping space. When the operator pours the feed into the feed guide plate 6, the feed slides down along the feed guide plate 6 and eventually falls into the breeding net cage 1. By setting side plates 61 on both sides of the top of the feed guide plate 6, the feed on the feed guide plate 6 can be laterally limited, reducing the situation of feed falling laterally.

[0025] It should be noted that the operator can pour the feed into the feed guide plate 6 or directly into the breeding net cage 1, and the operator can choose freely. After the feed is poured into the feed guide plate 6, the feed slides down along the feed guide plate 6. Some feed will stick to the feed guide plate 6. At this time, the operator can use a scraper to scrape the feed off the feed guide plate 6 and the scraped feed will fall into the breeding net cage 1.

[0026] To improve the connection between the guide plate 6 and the column 3, a support structure 62 is fixedly installed on the column 3, and the support structure 62 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the guide plate 6. After the feed is poured into the guide plate 6, the feed will impact the guide plate 6. By setting the support structure 62 between the guide plate 6 and the column 3, the impact resistance of the guide plate 6 can be improved and the deformation of the guide plate 6 can be reduced.

[0027] In some embodiments, such as Figures 1 to 8 As shown, several hooks 7 are connected to the bottom edge of the annular support plate 2. The hooks 7 are used to hang the top of the netting inside the aquaculture cage 1. In the horizontal direction, the hooks 7 are located on the outer side of the lower end of the guide plate 6.

[0028] It should be noted that hook 7 is hooked at the top edge of the netting, which can keep the area enclosed by the top of the netting basically unchanged; by setting hook 7 on the outside of the lower end of the guide plate 6, the lower end of the guide plate 6 is positioned above the area enclosed by the netting, and the feed falling from the guide plate 6 can fall into the area enclosed by the netting, thus making it easier to feed the feed into the netting.

[0029] In addition, the number of hooks 7 depends on actual needs, ensuring that the top of the mesh can always be in an open position.

[0030] In some embodiments, such as Figures 1 to 8 As shown, the top of the aquaculture cage 1 is provided with several flanges, and the annular support plate 2 has mounting holes 21 aligned with the through holes on each flange; wherein, the top of the mounting holes 21 is provided with hexagonal holes 23 for placing nuts; the annular support plate 2 is fixed to the top of the aquaculture cage 1 by bolts; three rings of pedals 22 are laid on the top of the annular support plate 2, the uprights 3 are connected to the innermost ring of pedals 22, and the remaining two rings of pedals 22 are the walking area; wherein, the pedals 22 are provided with anti-slip textures, and the pedals 22 are bolted to the annular support plate 2.

[0031] It should be noted that when fixing the annular support plate 2 to the top of the aquaculture net cage 1, the mounting hole 21 on the annular support plate 2 is aligned with the through hole of the flange on the top of the aquaculture net cage 1, and then the nut is placed in the hexagonal hole 23. The threaded end of the bolt passes through the flange and engages with the nut threaded in the hexagonal hole 23, which can fix the annular support plate 2 to the top of the aquaculture net cage 1.

[0032] The depth of the hexagonal hole 23 is greater than the depth of the nut. After the bolt and nut are properly fitted, the threaded end of the bolt is coplanar with the top surface of the annular support plate 2, ensuring the flatness of the top surface of the annular support plate 2, which facilitates the installation of the pedal 22 on the annular support plate 2.

[0033] The pedal 22 is connected to the annular support plate 2 by a threaded connection. Specifically, the annular support plate 2 has a threaded hole and the pedal 22 has a countersunk hole. After placing the pedal 22 on the annular support plate 2, the countersunk hole on the pedal 22 is aligned with the threaded hole on the annular support plate 2, and then the pedal 22 is fixed to the annular support plate 2 by bolts. The bolt nut is located in the countersunk hole to prevent the nut from protruding from the pedal 22.

[0034] In some embodiments, such as Figures 1 to 8 As shown, there are two sets of annular tubes 4, which are arranged along the height direction; each column 3 has a through hole for the annular tube 4 to pass through; a sleeve 24 is connected to the annular support plate 2, and the bottom end of the column 3 is inserted into the sleeve 24; the insertion ends of the sleeve 24 and the column 3 have through holes that are aligned with each other and are fixed by bolts.

[0035] It should be noted that the sleeve 24 is fixed on the innermost pedal 22. After the sleeve 24 is inserted into the bottom end of the column 3, the bottom end of the column 3 contacts the bottom end of the sleeve 24, the outer peripheral wall of the column 3 contacts the inner peripheral wall of the sleeve 24, and the through hole on the column 3 is aligned with the through hole on the sleeve 24. Then, a bolt is passed through the column 3 and the sleeve 24, and the column 3 is fixed to the sleeve 24 by the threaded engagement of the nut and the bolt. Through the above settings, the connection stability between the column 3 and the sleeve 24 can be guaranteed.

[0036] In some embodiments, such as Figures 1 to 8 As shown, the walking platform also includes a protective structure 8, which is located on top of the columns 3 and is fixedly connected to each column 3; wherein, the protective structure 8 has a protective ring 81 that can slide circumferentially, and the protective ring 81 is used to connect with the safety buckle on the operator's body.

[0037] It should be noted that a safety rope is attached to the operator, with one end of the rope fixedly connected to a safety buckle. After the operator moves from the boat onto the footplate 22, the safety buckle is first put on the protective ring 81. The safety buckle is a D-shaped buckle with a notch. A connecting rod is hinged to one end of the D-shaped buckle at the notch, and the other end of the connecting rod can be aligned with the other end of the D-shaped buckle at the notch. The connecting rod has external threads, and the D-shaped buckle at the other end of the notch also has external threads. The connecting rod has a threaded sleeve. When the connecting rod is aligned with the other end of the D-shaped buckle at the notch, by rotating the threaded sleeve, the threaded sleeve can engage with the threads of both the D-shaped buckle and the connecting rod, so that the D-shaped buckle forms a closed area. The safety buckle is existing technology and will not be described in detail here.

[0038] When the operator moves on the pedal 22, the protective ring 81 can slide on the annular slide rail under the action of the safety buckle and safety rope, ensuring the safety of the operator.

[0039] In some embodiments, such as Figures 1 to 8 As shown, the protective structure 8 includes an annular slide rail 82 and two sets of protruding parts 5; the annular slide rail 82 is connected to the top of the column 3; the protective ring 81 is slidably engaged with the annular slide rail 82, and there is a space between the protective ring 81 and the top of the annular slide rail 82; the annular slide rail 82 has annular limiting grooves 821 on both its inner and outer sides; the two sets of protruding parts 5 are slidably engaged with the annular limiting grooves 821 on the inner and outer sides of the annular slide rail 82, respectively; the top and bottom of the protruding parts 5 are in contact with the top and bottom of the annular limiting grooves 821, respectively; wherein, the protruding parts 5 are fixedly mounted on the protective ring 81.

[0040] It should be noted that the annular slide rail 82 is fixed to the top of the column 3, and the protective ring 81 slides in cooperation with the annular limiting groove 821 on the annular slide rail 82 through the protruding part 5; multiple protective rings 81 are provided on the annular slide rail 82, and the number of protective rings 81 is determined according to the on-site usage requirements; by contacting the top and bottom of the protruding part 5 with the top and bottom of the annular limiting groove 821 respectively, the protective ring 81 can be limited in the height direction.

[0041] The inner and outer sides of the annular slide rail 82 contact the two inner sidewalls of the protective ring 81, respectively. The two inner sidewalls of the protective ring 81 are curved surfaces, allowing the protective ring 81 to slide along the annular slide rail 82. This design limits the protective ring 81 in the diametrical direction of the annular slide rail 82, reducing the likelihood of the protective ring 81 separating from the annular slide rail 82. Furthermore, all components in this application undergo anti-corrosion treatment.

[0042] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A walking platform for aquaculture cages, characterized in that, The walking platform, connected to the top of the aquaculture cage, includes: A ring-shaped support plate is connected at its bottom to the top of the aquaculture cage; the area enclosed by the ring-shaped support plate forms the aquaculture area. Several columns are spaced apart along the circumference of the annular support plate and are all connected to the annular support plate; each column is located near the inner side of the annular support plate; the area between the column and the outer side of the annular support plate at the top of the annular support plate is the walking area. An annular pipe is connected to several of the aforementioned columns to form a fence; the annular pipe has an air inlet and is also provided with a connecting pipe for communicating with the ballast pipe for adjusting the buoyancy of the aquaculture net cage.

2. The walking platform for aquaculture cages as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The walking platform also includes a guide plate, which is set between two adjacent columns. The guide plate is inclined, with its bottom end facing into the aquaculture cage and its top end located at the column position. The guide plate can guide the feed so that it slides into the aquaculture cage.

3. The walking platform for aquaculture cages as described in claim 2, characterized in that, Side plates are fixed on both sides of the guide plate to laterally limit the feed on the guide plate; the upper end of the guide plate does not exceed the outer side of the column.

4. The walking platform for aquaculture cages as described in claim 2, characterized in that, A support structure is fixedly provided on the column, and the support structure is fixedly connected to the bottom of the guide plate.

5. The walking platform for aquaculture cages as described in claim 2, characterized in that, Several hooks are connected to the bottom edge of the annular support plate. The hooks are used to attach to the top of the netting inside the aquaculture cage. In the horizontal direction, the hooks are located on the outer side of the lower end of the guide plate.

6. The walking platform for aquaculture cages as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The top of the aquaculture cage is provided with several flanges, and the annular support plate has mounting holes aligned with the through holes on each flange; wherein, the top of the mounting holes is provided with hexagonal holes for placing nuts; the annular support plate is fixed to the top of the aquaculture cage by bolts.

7. The walking platform for aquaculture cages as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The top of the annular support plate is covered with three rings of pedals, and the column is connected to the innermost pedal. The remaining two rings of pedals are the walking area. The pedals are provided with anti-slip textures, and the pedals are bolted to the annular support plate.

8. The walking platform for aquaculture cages as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The annular tubes are in two sets, and the two sets of annular tubes are arranged along the height direction; each of the columns is provided with a through hole for the annular tubes to pass through. The annular support plate is connected to a sleeve, and the bottom end of the column is inserted into the sleeve; the insertion ends of the sleeve and the column have through holes aligned with each other and are fixed by bolts.

9. A walking platform for aquaculture cages as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The walking platform also includes a protective structure located on top of the columns and fixedly connected to each of the columns; wherein the protective structure has a protective ring that can slide circumferentially, the protective ring being used to connect to the safety buckle on the operator's body.

10. A walking platform for aquaculture cages as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The protective structure includes: An annular slide rail is connected to the top of the column; the protective ring slides in conjunction with the annular slide rail, and there is a space between the protective ring and the top of the annular slide rail; the annular slide rail has annular limiting grooves on both its inner and outer sides. Two sets of protruding parts are slidably engaged with the annular limiting grooves on the inner and outer sides of the annular slide rail, respectively; the top and bottom of the protruding parts are in contact with the top and bottom of the annular limiting grooves, respectively. The protruding component is fixedly mounted on the protective ring.

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