US3667201A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for harvesting fruit with an elliptically moving striker member
Assignee: Up Right Inc
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Filing: 1970-12-28
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Granted: 1972-06-06
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Expires: 1990-12-28
Abstract
Abstract A harvesting machine for use in harvesting fruit, such as grapes which grow on a longitudinal row of vines, in which the vines are struck with striker members to dislodge the fruit therefrom. The striker members are each translated through a generally elliptical, horizontal path as the machine moves along the row so that the speed of the striker member, into an out of the vines, transverse to the row, is maximized, and at the same time the longitudinal movement of the striker members relative to the vines during engagement therewith is minimized to prevent vine or fruit damage.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerald L Claxton
- 👤 Darrell C Horn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 19:13
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01D; A01D46/00; A01D46/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
70 words
A machine for harvesting fruit from a row of fruited plants, comprising: a. a wheeled frame having upstanding side portions adapted to straddle and move longitudinally along said row, b. a vertically disposed striker member between said side portions of said frame, c. operating means carried by said frame for translating said striker member through a generally elliptical, horizontal path, the major axis of which is transverse to said frame.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
70 words
A machine for harvesting fruit from a row of fruited plants, comprising: a. a wheeled frame having upstanding side portions adapted to straddle and move longitudinally along said row, b. a vertically disposed striker member between said side portions of said frame, c. operating means carried by said frame for translating said striker member through a generally elliptical, horizontal path, the major axis of which is transverse to said frame.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said striker member consists of a slender rod.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said striker member comprises a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontal fingers which extend generally transversely of said frame.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
A machine as sEt forth in claim 1, and further including: d. a second vertically disposed striker member between said side portions of said frame, e. second operating means carried by said frame for translating said second striker member through a second generally elliptical, horizontal path, the major axis of which is transverse to said frame.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
59 words
A machine as set forth in claim 4, and further including: f. means for moving said first and second striker members in unison in their respective elliptical paths towards and away from the longitudinal centerline of said frame from opposite sides thereof, g. means enabling said elliptical paths as a whole to move in unison transversely of said frame.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A machine as set forth in claim 5, wherein said striker members each consist of a slender rod.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A machine as set forth in claim 5, wherein said striker members each comprise a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontal fingers which extend generally transversely of said frame.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
A machine as set forth in claim 4, wherein the first and second operating means are on opposite sides of the longitudinal centerline of said frame, and further including: f. means suspending the upper end of each operating means from said frame for independent swinging movement of said operating means transversely of said frame.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A machine as set forth in claim 8 and further including: g. means for synchronizing the movement of said first and second striker members in their respective elliptical paths.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
95 words
A machine as set forth in claim 4, and further including: f. third and fourth vertically disposed striker members between said side portions of said frame, g. third and fourth operating means carried by said frame for translating said third and fourth striker members through third and fourth generally elliptical, horizontal paths, the major axes of which are transverse to said frame, h. two of said elliptical paths each being substantially on one side of the longitudinal centerline of said frame and the other two elliptical paths being on the other side of said centerline.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
80 words
A machine as set forth in claim 10 wherein two of said operating means are mounted on a first subframe on one side of the longitudinal centerline of said wheeled frame and the other two of said operating means are mounted on a second subframe on the opposite side of said centerline, and further including: i. means suspending the upper ends of said subframes from said wheeled frame for independent swinging movement of said subframes transversely of said wheeled frame.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
61 words
A machine as set forth in claim 10, and further including means for moving two of said striker members in unison towards and away from said centerline from opposite sides thereof, and for moving the other two striker members in unison towards and away from said centerline from opposite sides thereof but in out-of-phase relation to said first two striker members.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
A machine as set forth in claim 12 wherein each of said striker members consists of a slender rod.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
A machine as set forth in claim 12 wherein each of said striker members comprises a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontal fingers which extend generally transversely of said frame.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
126 words
In a harvesting machine having a wheeled frame with sides arranged to straddle and move longitudinally along a row of fruited plants, the improvement comprising: a. a crank arm carried by said frame, said crank arm being journaled at one end for rotation about a first vertical axis, b. a first lever pivotally connected at one end thereof to the other end of said crank arm, c. a vertically disposed striker member carried by the other end of said first lever, d. a second lever carried by said frame, said second lever being pivotally mounted at one end thereof for pivotal movement about a second vertical axis, said second lever being pivotally connected at the other end thereof to an intermediate point on said first lever.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
126 words
In a harvesting machine having a wheeled frame with sides arranged to straddle and move longitudinally along a row of fruited plants, the improvement comprising: a. a crank arm carried by said frame, said crank arm being journaled at one end for rotation about a first vertical axis, b. a first lever pivotally connected at one end thereof to the other end of said crank arm, c. a vertically disposed striker member carried by the other end of said first lever, d. a second lever carried by said frame, said second lever being pivotally mounted at one end thereof for pivotal movement about a second vertical axis, said second lever being pivotally connected at the other end thereof to an intermediate point on said first lever.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
In a machine as set forth in claim 15 and in which the horizontal distance between said first and second vertical axes is fixed.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
114 words
In a machine as set forth in claim 15 and further including: e. a second crank arm carried by said frame, said second crank arm being journaled at one end thereof for rotation about a third vertical axis, f. a third lever pivotally connected at one end thereof to the other end of said second crank arm, g. a second vertically disposed striker member carried by the other end of said third lever, h. a fourth lever carried by said frame, said fourth lever being pivotally mounted at one end thereof about a fourth vertical axis, said fourth lever being pivotally connected at its other end to an intermediate point on said third lever.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
In a machine as set forth in claim 17 wherein said first and third vertical axes of rotation of said first and second crank arms are on opposite sides of the longitudinal centerline of said frame.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
52 words
In a machine as set forth in claim 18 wherein said first and second crank arms are mounted on first and second subframes respectively, and further including: i. means suspending the upper ends of said subframes from said wheeled frame for independent swinging movement of said subframes transversely of said wheeled frame.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
In a machine as set forth in claim 17, wherein said first and third vertical axes are coaxial and said first and second crank arms extend in opposite directions therefrom.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
102 words
A machine for harvesting fruit from a row of fruited plants, comprising: a. a wheeled frame having upstanding side portions adapted to straddle and move longitudinally along said row, b. first and second subframes disposed one on each side of the longitudinal centerline of said wheeled frame, c. a striker member associated with each of said subframes, d. operating means carried by each subframe for moving the striker member associated therewith towards and away from said centerline, e. means suspending the upper ends of said subframes from said wheeled frame for independent swinging movement of said subframes transversely of said wheeled frame.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
102 words
A machine for harvesting fruit from a row of fruited plants, comprising: a. a wheeled frame having upstanding side portions adapted to straddle and move longitudinally along said row, b. first and second subframes disposed one on each side of the longitudinal centerline of said wheeled frame, c. a striker member associated with each of said subframes, d. operating means carried by each subframe for moving the striker member associated therewith towards and away from said centerline, e. means suspending the upper ends of said subframes from said wheeled frame for independent swinging movement of said subframes transversely of said wheeled frame.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
A machine as set forth in claim 21, and further including: f. means for synchronizing the operation of said operating means whereby said striker members move in unison.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-06-06 | 1975-12-06 | 1976-06-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-06 | 1979-12-06 | 1980-06-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-06 | 1983-12-06 | 1984-06-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |