ANTI PREDATOR SEMI RIGID STEEL WIRE FENCE SYSTEM Field of the invention

The present invention refers to a removable modular fence or barrier, of the kind constituted by steel meshes and a series of fastening elements that compose it. It is useful as fence in floating structures like water-dwelling rafts, preferably round ones, in this way providing security to the enclosure. Also, a method to enclose a floating structure with the abovementioned fence is disclosed.

Background of the Invention

Commonly, fish culturing, for example salmon, is overlapped with feeding and/or reproduction areas of different species of pinnipeds such as seals and sea dogs. The high concentration of fish in limited systems, such as cage-rafts, inevitably attracts these predators, which attack the cages to provide themselves with food.

From the preceding, the necessity for excluding the predators from the culturing areas by means of physical barriers arises. Precisely, meshes tied to the floating rafts have been employed with that purpose, which can be square and metallic or round and plastic. Said meshes are installed perimetrically, in other words, they are put both in the sides and under the cage-rafts. However, given that the predators, mainly sea dogs, have learnt to climb up the rafts and jump into them, there is also a necessity to install meshes on the passageways of the cage-rafts, in order to prevent the predators from gaining access to the rafts.

Nowadays, the aquaculture industry uses the same nylon meshes as fences for the rafts due to their flexibility; however, they present the great problem of permitting the predator to climb up the tubes of the cage and get into to attack the fishes.

On the other hand, another important aspect to consider is that the working activity in the marine platforms involves risks, such as working in narrow passageways in floating structures on the sea exposed to the swell. This is the reason why it would be recommendable to have a barrier that prevents workers from falling into the sea.

Summary of the Invention

The proposed solution in this invention is a barrier useful to fence in water-dwelling rafts, for example round rafts, in which the connection or fixation of the meshes to the vertical supporting posts can be carried out in a fast and simple way, with no need to adjust the structure of the cage-raft, because its anchorage to said floating structures does not use welding nor perforations. Also, its installation does not require complicated operations, nor special tools, therefore the assembly and disassembly can be done in a simple and effective way, even by non-specialized personnel.

The present invention is based on steel meshes and a series of accessories that comprise a rigid-flexible set, designed with removable modules which permit the release of sections of the raft perimeter in order to carry out the works of the activity such as removal of mortality, change of meshes, sampling offish and harvest.

Description of the invention

The present fence consists mainly of brackets (1), posts (2), meshes (5), rods (4), tensors (7) and cables (6).

The brackets (1) are metallic structures that surround the perimeter of the tube(s) of the cage-raft (0), said brackets (1) have a peg (9) in which the posts (2) are mounted or fitted. The posts (2) of the fence are preferably metallic columns that provide firmness to the fence preventing predators from getting in, and have elements of fixation usually welded that provide hooking points (3) for the rods (4). These rods (4) are the elements that both permit the hooking of the mesh (5) to the post (2) and keep it rigid vertically. The mesh (5), for its construction, is flexible horizontally, which permits the absorption of the movements of the tubes of the rafts (0) as a result of the swell. In order to give more resistance to the mesh (5), cables are horizontally interweaved (6). The cables (6) next to the upper end of the mesh (5) are joined to the posts (2) by means of tensors (7) that maintain the rigidity of the mesh (5) and absorb energy in front of the movements of the posts (2).

Thus, the present invention lies in enclosing the external perimeter of the tubes of the cage (0) with the system above described, generating an inviolable barrier to predators, preventing them from climbing up the flotation tubes of the raft (0).

Another noteworthy aspect of the present system is that it is easy to handle; light and it does not have loose pieces that can fall into the water or latches that require keys or special tools. So in spite of the movements of the raft and the difficulties posed by the environment the operator can install and uninstall the fence without any previous training or special tools.

Another characteristic of this system is its adaptability to the constituent elements of the floating structures like cage-rafts, especially round rafts, because of its structure it is possible to put sections of different lengths between posts (2) in the perimeter of the rafts, as well as being flexible allowing them to endure the sudden movements of the tubes of the rafts-cages (0) during the period of storms, without the fence collapsing or generating damage where the predators could get in.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention itself can be easily understood by reference to the following figures, which have an illustrative but not limiting character.

Figure N ⁰ 1 corresponds to a general view of the fence of the invention.

Figure N ⁰ 2 shows the bracket of the fence.

Figure N ⁰ 3 shows the post.

Figure N ⁰ 4a to 4c show types of clips.

Figure N ⁰ 4d and 5 show the clips installed in the post.

In the figure N ⁰ 6a a rod is shown.

In the figure N ⁰ 6b a rod to be included in the door of the Figure N ⁰ 10 is shown.

Figure N ⁰ 7 the configuration of the mesh is shown.

Figure N ⁰ 8 shows the elements that are mounted in the mesh.

Figure N ⁰ 9 shows the iron hoops.

Figure N ⁰ 10 shows a door that can be included in the fence of the Figure N ⁰ 1.

Detailed Description of the Invention

A general view of the fence can be seen in Figure N ⁰ 1.

The Figure N°2 shows the bracket (1) of the fence. This fence has a peg (9) with a metallic base, preferably a steel base and a square, rectangular, round or another transversal section, that has an edge or diameter between 0.5 and 3" (1.27 to 7.62 cm), a length of between 5 and 25 cm and a thickness of between 1 and 5 mm approximately, in which the post (2) is mounted or inlayed. The bracket (1) is composed of a semi-rigid wire (13), preferably a drawn, steel wire, of diameter between 6 and 15 mm approximately that is coiled up to form one or more coils. Generally, however, the bracket (1) comprises two coils significantly parallel and analogue, which are designed according to the dimensions of the tubes of the raft (0) so the adjustment to the structure is optimal. The distance from one bracket (1) to another is preferably between 1 and 5 m approximately.

The coils have a connection point which can be observed in Figure N ⁰ 2. In said point, the folded up ends of every coil are joined thanks to, at least, a connection set composed by a bolt "L" (20) between 3/8 and 5/8" (0.95 to 1.58 cm) of 60 to 140 mm, a

nut (21) between 3/8 and 5/8" (0.95 to 1.85 cm), a flat washer (22) and a pressure washer (23).

Thus, to install the bracket (1) said connection set is removed permitting the opening of the bracket (1) and its placement around the structure of the cage-raft so that it surrounds said structure and then the bracket (1) is immediately fixed installing the connection set.

The bracket (1) also has in a first end a structural supporting plate (14) in the shape of an inverted "L" of 5 to 10" (12.7 to 25.4 cm), whose horizontal part is used as a base for the peg (9), as in its vertical part one or more pieces of pipe (19) are held where the base of the rod (4) is inserted.

In a second end of the bracket (1) there is a hinge of tubes of 3/4" (27) with a closing system that consists of a bolt (26) with its respective nuts (21), a flat washer (22) and a pressure washer (23). This system facilitates the opening of the bracket (1) at the moment of its installation or removal, because the rigidity of the wires would make its opening and handling difficult.

For the protection of the tubes of the raft (0), the wires of the bracket (13) can be partially or totally coated by a packing (18) that prevents rubbing. The packing can be composed of a rubber hose between 3/8 and 5/8" (0.95 to 1.58 cm) or another element soft with or without reinforcement.

The bracket (1) can be galvanized with 10 to 700 g/m ² and painted with electrostatic paint or another similar paint to make it resistant to corrosion in the marine atmosphere.

The Figure N°3 shows the post (2). This is an empty metallic structure, ideally a steel one, that has a lid (15) preferably made of plastic in its upper end and whose base is mounted or inlayed in the peg (9) of the bracket (1). The transversal section of the post (2) can be square, rectangular, round or another shape with an edge or diameter of between 1 and 3 " (2.54 to 7.62 cm), a height of between 1.5 and 3m and a thickness of between 1 and 5 mm approximately. Therefore, when the post (2) has a transversal square or rectangular section said post (2) has a side directed to the interior of the cage raft, another side to the exterior of the raft and two lateral sides perpendicular to the mesh (5).

Structures substantially equidistant are coupled to the post (2) preferably metallic so-called clips (3), whose quantity depends on the height of the post, but preferably 4 are used. Said clips (3) are held to the post (2) to the lateral sides or to the exterior side by means of welding or another known element of coupling and they are placed in the perimeter of the post with alternated positions, to the same side (Figure N ⁰ 5) or with only one clip in the opposite position (Figure N ⁰ 3), used to secure the closing of the fence. In the preferred modality the opening of the clips (3) is directed to the exterior part of the raft (2) (Figure N°5), however in another preferred modality the opening of the clips (3) can be directed to both sides of the post (2) (Figure N ⁰ 3 and 4d). Also, one or two adjustment bars (35) are welded to the post (2) that, with the clip (3), prevents the rod (4) from getting out from its security position. This adjustment bar (35) is made of a drawn wire of 7 and 15 mm and has a length of around 1 to 7 mm and is welded one per each clip (3), taking into

account that in the case of the double clip (3) two adjustment bars (35) must be welded to the post (2).

The post (2) can be galvanized with 10 to 700 g/m ² and/or painted with electrostatic paint or another paint to prevent corrosion of the metal in the marine atmosphere.

In the Figures 4a-4c different configurations of clips (3) are shown.

The figure N ⁰ 5 shows the form of the clip (3) which is welded to the post (2). This has only one piece when it is directed to the exterior part of the raft, whereas when it is directed to the sides of the post (Figure 4d) one or two pieces can be welded to the post (2). The clips (3) are preferably metallic, ideally steel wires between 7 and 12 mm.

In the figures N°6a and 6b the rods (4, 30) are shown, which are preferably made of drawn wire of around 7 to 15 mm and have a height of approximately 1.5 to 3 m. In their upper end they have a top or hole of diameter between 30 and 100 mm which prevents the rod (4) from passing through the openings of the mesh (5). The rod (30) of the Figure N ⁰ 6b is used in the door of the Figure N ⁰ 10 and has three handles preferably square or rectangular handles.

In the figure N ⁰ 7 the configuration of the mesh (5) preferred for the fence is shown. This is a mesh (5) composed of threads woven in vertical position and separated in panels or removable modules. These panels are placed in the external perimeter of the raft covering, at least partially, the tubes of the periphery of the raft (0). The diameter used is

between 1 and 3 mm for the nucleus of the wire, whereas when the wire is coated it comprises of a range between 1.1 and 5 mm. For the galvanized wire, this must have a coating of approximately 10 to 500 g/m ² . The size of the square is between 30 and 100 mm approximately, being preferably around 70 mm. The steel wires must assure an approximate resistance between 400 and 900 N/mm2. The ends of the mesh (5) can be closed by a standard knot (24), like a barb (25) or another one. The length of the mesh (5) of the fence is around 5 to 15 m, whereas the height is from 1.5 to 3 approximately. Other types of woven mesh can be used for example gabion, hexagonal mesh, fence ursus or the like.

The Figure N ⁰ 8 shows how the mesh (5) is held to the posts (2). In the present system the mesh (5) is crossed vertically by a rod (4) which fits the helicoidal turns of the mesh (5) remaining intertwined. Also, said rod (4) is put into the clips (3) of the posts (2) and its inferior end is inlayed in the piece of pipe (19) held to the vertical section of the plate of structural supporting (14) of the bracket (1). In this way the rods (4) remain firmly held to the posts (2).

The Figure N ⁰ 8 also shows the elements that are mounted on the mesh (5) such as the cable (6) made of plastic or galvanized, a tensor (7), and a thimble (16) and presses (8).

Said cable (6), provides more resistance to the mesh (5), and can be plasticized or galvanized and varies between 1/8 and 1/4" (0.317 to 0.635 cm) of diameter. This is horizontally intertwined to the mesh (5) and is placed, preferably, in three positions along

the mesh (5). The first and last cables (6) are preferably between the first and fourth square of the inferior and upper ends of the mesh (5) respectively, whereas the central one is placed in the central square of the mesh (5). At the same time, the ends of the cables (6) are passed through the thimbles (16) and are each pressured with two presses (8) to prevent them from getting loose. The end of the cable (6) next to the upper end of the mesh (5) is tied to the limit or the hole of the rod (4) in case the damping system breaks (tensor (7)), the module or section of the fence remains in its position without causing damages whilst still blocking the entry of predators.

Due to the constant movements the cage undergoes as a result of the marine currents, it is necessary that the fence incorporates some element that provides an additional elasticity to the one provided by the configuration of the mesh (5). That is why a tensor (7) is added which can be made of any elastic material or composed of elastic elements that permit the mesh (5) to stretch and then return to its original position, whether a spring, an elastic itself, for example elasticized polyester of diameter between 7 and 20 mm or another one. In each fence section two tensors (7) are preferably used; the first one is placed between 100 and 200 mm lower than the upper end of the mesh (5) and the second in the centre of the height of the mesh (5). The link of the tensor (7) to the system is carried out directly to the rod (4) that holds the mesh (5) in the edge and another end to the thimble (16) which the cable crosses through.

At the same time, the thimble (16) used is 3/16" (0.476 cm) and the presses (8) 3/16" (0.476 cm).

The figure N ⁰ 9 shows the bands (10) that surround the external tubeof the flotation cage (0). As predators can get into the lower part of the mesh (5), it is necessary to close the lower end of the fence from sea dogs. For this reason, bands (10) are used which can be made from plastic or metallic materials that have a length of between 1 or 2 m that surround the external tube of the cage (10). This band (10) is held to a clasp (11) preferably a galvanized steel clasp with around 10 to 200 g/m ² of zinc and/or with the painted surface. The clasp (11) has a ring (12) made of wire of diameter between 1 and 3 mm galvanized, painted and covered to pass a cable tie (17) that hooks the cable (6) plasticized or galvanized placed in the lower end of the mesh (5).

As multiple works are carried out in the cage raft daily, it is necessary to have at least one entrance in order to avoid constant removal of one section of the fence and then having to reinstall it. This is how, according to the requirements, the fence can have one or more doors.

Figure N ⁰ 10 shows the door. These doors are composed of a frame that is comprised of an upper beam (28), a lower beam (29) and two posts, as well as a portion of the mesh (5) already described.

Both the upper beam (28) and lower beam (29) are built from a hollow metallic structure, ideally a steel beam of a square or rectangular transversal section that has an edge of approximately 1 and 3" (2.54 to 7.62), a length of around 1 and 2 m and a thickness of

between 1 and 5 mm. The upper beam (28) has the shape of an inverted "u", so it has two arms and a portion base that connects said pair of arms; it has in each end a metallic peg (34) of square or rectangular transversal section with an edge between 0,5 and 3" (1.27 to 7.62 cm), a length of between 5 and 25 cm and a thickness between 1 and 5 mm. The pegs (34) are the ones that permit that the piece fits in the upper end of the posts (2). Also, the upper beam (28) has perforations in its arms of a diameter around 7 to 15 mm so an upper rod (36) that holds the mesh (5) through rings (32) can get into, said rings (32) are fixed to the periphery of the lower face of the portion base of the upper beam (28) and its number depends on the length of the upper beam (28). The rings (32) are made preferably of drawn wire of 5 to 10 mm and have a diameter of approximately 50 to 100 mm.

At the same time, the upper rod (36) is made preferably of drawn wire of around 7 to 15 mm. In one end it has a fold, so the rod (36) has the shape of an "L", where its smallest portion is approximately 2 to 5 cm long, whereas its longest portion has a length of approximately 1 to 2 m.

In order to hold the mesh (5) to the upper beam (28), the longest portion of the rod (36) is put through one of the perforations of the arms of the upper beam (28), immediately the rod (36) is interwoven to the upper end of the mesh (5) and is put into the rings (32), the end of the longest portion of the rod (36) after being interwoven to the mesh and put into the rings is inserted in the perforation of the other arm of the upper beam (28), the smallest portion of the rod (36) is used as a limit in order to restrict the movement of the rod (36). In this way the upper rod (36) holds the portion of the mesh (5) firmly to the upper beam (28).

The lower beam (29) has a length of around 1 to 2 m. In each end it has metallic plates (31) in the shape of a "U", to hold the posts, of thickness between 1 and 7 mm, so its open side remains directed to the interior or the exterior of the raft. Every plate (31) of square or rectangular section has plates of 30 and 120 mm of length with perforations so a bolt (33) of between 3/8 and 5/8 can be put in.

The inferior beam (29) has pieces of tubes (19) fixed to its upper side in which the rods (4, 30) are fitted or inlayed in order to fix them to the structure.

Also the door has a rod with handles (30) of drawn wire of 7 to 15 mm with a length of 1 to 3 m. This rod (30) has three square or rectangular handles of 5 to 15 cm of length made of drawn wire of 5 to 15 mm. The first handle is 20 cm from the base of the rod (30) whereas the rest are separated by 50 cm. The handles included in the rod (30) are considered to be the points from where a person holds it to open or close the door, in other words, holding the handles and hooking or unhooking the rod (30) in the clips (3).

The rods (4 and 30) are inserted vertically into a piece of mesh (5) remaining interwoven with the mesh (5), then the lower ends of said rods (4 and 30) are inserted into the pieces of the tubes (19) fixed to the upper face of the lower beam (29). At the same time, the upper rod (36) can be put into the limit or the hole of the rods (4 and 30), thus the rods (4 and 30) remain fixed to the structure holding the mesh (5) firmly.

Another aspect of the present invention is a method to enclose a floating structure with the fence before described. Said method involves the installation of the brackets (1) adjusting them to the tubes of the floating structure (0); the mounting or the introduction of the posts (2) in the pegs (9) of said brackets (1); the introduction of the rods (4) into the meshes (5) so each rod (4) remains vertically intertwined to the mesh (5) while at the same time (4) is put into the clips (3) placed in the periphery of the posts (2) and finally the insertion of the lower end of the rods (4) into the piece of pipe (19) held to the vertical section of the structural supporting plate (14) of the bracket (1).

Also, before adjusting the mesh (5) to the posts (2), said mesh is interwoven horizontally with cables (6) which gives it more resistance to the mesh (5) and then the tensors (7) are installed which help to keep the mesh held to the posts (2) by means of the tight rods (4).

Finally, the bands (10) are installed which hold the lower end of the mesh (5) to the perimeter tubes of the floating structure (0).

To uninstall a portion of the fence or the totality of this the above described steps must be followed but in an inverse order.

Although a specific embodiment of the present invention has been described previously, for a skilled person in the subject it will be evident, after examining the previous, that many modifications and changes are possible in the embodiment described

without moving away from the invention as is defined in the enclosed claims. Thus, fences can be provided within the scope of the present invention with a different way to the one showed and described previously.