Patent US3636688A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3636688A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for picking grapes
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-11-10
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Granted: 1972-01-25
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Expires: 1989-11-10
Abstract
Abstract A mobile grape harvester for straddling vines. Batteries of needles are reciprocated horizontally to impact the grapes and thereby disengage them. Spacing of the needles sufficiently close to each other assures that each grape is impacted. The striking force of each needle is limited and the needles are organized to recoil so that grapes are dislodged but vines and supports are not damaged. A grape-receiving arrangement is positioned below the battery of needles and it seals automatically about the stocks of the grape vines. The grape-receiving arrangement includes a conveying system to transport the grapes.
Inventors
- 👤 Andre Fontan
- 👤 Rene Benac
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 19:30
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01D; A01D46/00; A01D46/28; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S55/00; Y10S55/31
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
223 words
An apparatus for harvesting grapes having diameters from a row of vines each having a stock, the apparatus comprising in combination: a frame supporting a battery of needles in proximity to the vine with each of the needles substantially parallel to the others; means for continuously advancing the frame along the row of vines; the space between the needles being smaller than the diameter of the grapes; reciprocating means for reciprocating the frame substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the needles for imparting a percussion to the grapes; retractile means operatively connected to each of the needles to make said needle retractable relative to the frame when it encounters a resistance more than a predetermined amount; receiving means arranged below the needles and organized to collect the grapes; the frame having a vineward side and a side remote from the vine; the frame provided with perforations through which the needles penetrate longitudinally whereby each needle has a vineward portion and a portion remote from the vine; each of the retractile means comprising an elastic member connected between the frame and the portion of its associated needle remote from the vine on the side of the frame remote from the vine; each of the needles being provided with a stop arranged for engagement of the frame under the urging of said elastic member.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
223 words
An apparatus for harvesting grapes having diameters from a row of vines each having a stock, the apparatus comprising in combination: a frame supporting a battery of needles in proximity to the vine with each of the needles substantially parallel to the others; means for continuously advancing the frame along the row of vines; the space between the needles being smaller than the diameter of the grapes; reciprocating means for reciprocating the frame substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the needles for imparting a percussion to the grapes; retractile means operatively connected to each of the needles to make said needle retractable relative to the frame when it encounters a resistance more than a predetermined amount; receiving means arranged below the needles and organized to collect the grapes; the frame having a vineward side and a side remote from the vine; the frame provided with perforations through which the needles penetrate longitudinally whereby each needle has a vineward portion and a portion remote from the vine; each of the retractile means comprising an elastic member connected between the frame and the portion of its associated needle remote from the vine on the side of the frame remote from the vine; each of the needles being provided with a stop arranged for engagement of the frame under the urging of said elastic member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 1 with: each needle depending from the frame by means of an elastic collar; the retractile means comprising an elastic wire connected between the needle and the frame whereby the needle becomes retractable relative the frame when it encounters a resistance more than a predetermined amount.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
251 words
An apparatus for harvesting grapes having diameters from a row of vines each having a stock, the apparatus comprising in combination: a frame supporting a battery of needles in proximity to the vine with each of the needles substantially parallel to the others; means for continuously advancing the frame along the row of vines; the space between the needles being smaller than the diameter of the grapes; reciprocating means for reciprocating the frame substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the needles for imparting a percussion to the grapes; retractile means operatively connected to each of the needles to make said needle retractable relative to the frame when it encounters a resistance more than a predetermined amount; receiving means arranged below the needles and organized to collect the grapes; the frame having a vineward side and a side remote from the vine; the frame provided with perforations through which the needles penetrate longitudinally whereby each needle has a vineward portion and a portion remote from the vine; each of the retractile means comprising an elastic member connected between the frame and the portion of its associated needle remote from the vine on the side of the frame remote from the vine; each of the needles being provided with a stop arranged for engagement with the frame under the urging of said elastic member, a grid parallel to the frame on the vineward side thereof and adapted to pass therethrough, the reciprocating means adapted for retracting the needles completely past the grid.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
251 words
An apparatus for harvesting grapes having diameters from a row of vines each having a stock, the apparatus comprising in combination: a frame supporting a battery of needles in proximity to the vine with each of the needles substantially parallel to the others; means for continuously advancing the frame along the row of vines; the space between the needles being smaller than the diameter of the grapes; reciprocating means for reciprocating the frame substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the needles for imparting a percussion to the grapes; retractile means operatively connected to each of the needles to make said needle retractable relative to the frame when it encounters a resistance more than a predetermined amount; receiving means arranged below the needles and organized to collect the grapes; the frame having a vineward side and a side remote from the vine; the frame provided with perforations through which the needles penetrate longitudinally whereby each needle has a vineward portion and a portion remote from the vine; each of the retractile means comprising an elastic member connected between the frame and the portion of its associated needle remote from the vine on the side of the frame remote from the vine; each of the needles being provided with a stop arranged for engagement with the frame under the urging of said elastic member, a grid parallel to the frame on the vineward side thereof and adapted to pass therethrough, the reciprocating means adapted for retracting the needles completely past the grid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 3 with each of the needles provided at its vineward end with a rounded tip
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The Apparatus of claim 4 with the reciprocating means comprising a motor connected to said frame by means of connecting rods and a set of double-acting jacks operatively connected therewith and with balancing masses for elimination of vibrations.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
68 words
The apparatus of claim 4 with: the frame comprising three subframes each capable of being imported with reciprocations which are out of phase with each other; the three subframes including a central subframe which carries twice the number of needles as each of two other subframes; said central subframe imparted with a movement in phase opposition with respect to said two other subframes which are driven in phase.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
97 words
The apparatus of claim 5 with: the receiving means comprising two half receptacles arrangeable each on opposite sides of the stocks of a row; the half receptacles each having an edge located near the stock and each of the half receptacles provided with an ascending elastic skirt capable of deforming in contact with said stocks and snugly fitting the contours thereof; each of the half receptacles having a guide shoe for resting against the stocks of the vines of a row to position the two frames; articulating means connected to the apparatus to suspend the apparatus thereby.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-24 | 1975-07-26 | 1976-01-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-24 | 1979-07-26 | 1980-01-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-24 | 1983-07-26 | 1984-01-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |