US3713282A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Harvesting apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-11-04
•
Granted: 1973-01-30
•
Expires: 1990-11-04
Abstract
Abstract A harvesting or picking head incorporating a pair of interested sections mounted for reciprocation relative to each other. Each of the sections includes plural rows of projecting rods which coact with the rods of the other section so as to effect a snapping of the stems of mature fruit and a gentle movement of the severed fruit to a common collection point.
Inventors
- 👤 A Baker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 19:14
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01D; A01D46/00; A01D46/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
A fruit harvester comprising a rigid mounting frame, a pair of generally vertical adjacent picking head sections, means mounting said picking head sections on said frame for reciprocal movement relative to each other and to said frame, means for reciprocally moving said head sections in synchronization, each of said picking head sections including several spaced rows of generally horizontal picking rods, said picking rods projecting for picking engagement with fruit stems upon A movement of the head sections, the rows of rods of each head section alternating with the rows of rods on the other head section and extending in generally free overlying relation to the other head section between the rows thereof, said rods in each row being closely adjacent each other and precluding passage of the fruit transversely therethrough, the severed fruit moving to a collecting area over the rods of each row.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
A fruit harvester comprising a rigid mounting frame, a pair of generally vertical adjacent picking head sections, means mounting said picking head sections on said frame for reciprocal movement relative to each other and to said frame, means for reciprocally moving said head sections in synchronization, each of said picking head sections including several spaced rows of generally horizontal picking rods, said picking rods projecting for picking engagement with fruit stems upon A movement of the head sections, the rows of rods of each head section alternating with the rows of rods on the other head section and extending in generally free overlying relation to the other head section between the rows thereof, said rods in each row being closely adjacent each other and precluding passage of the fruit transversely therethrough, the severed fruit moving to a collecting area over the rods of each row.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
145 words
A fruit harvester comprising a rigid mounting frame, a pair of generally vertical adjacent picking head sections, means mounting said picking head sections on said frame for reciprocal movement relative to each other and to said frame, means for reciprocally moving said head sections in synchronization, each of said picking head sections including several spaced rows of generally horizontal picking rods, said picking rods projecting for picking engagement with fruit stems upon A movement of the head sections, the rows of rods of each head section alternating with the rows of rods on the other head section and extending in generally free overlying relation to the other head section between the rows thereof, said rods in each row being closely adjacent each other and precluding passage of the fruit transversely therethrough, the severed fruit moving to a collecting area over the rods of each row.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
145 words
A fruit harvester comprising a rigid mounting frame, a pair of generally vertical adjacent picking head sections, means mounting said picking head sections on said frame for reciprocal movement relative to each other and to said frame, means for reciprocally moving said head sections in synchronization, each of said picking head sections including several spaced rows of generally horizontal picking rods, said picking rods projecting for picking engagement with fruit stems upon A movement of the head sections, the rows of rods of each head section alternating with the rows of rods on the other head section and extending in generally free overlying relation to the other head section between the rows thereof, said rods in each row being closely adjacent each other and precluding passage of the fruit transversely therethrough, the severed fruit moving to a collecting area over the rods of each row.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
125 words
In fruit harvesting apparatus, multiple spaced rows of parallel laterally spaced picking rods, means for reciprocally moving at least alternate ones of said rows so as to effect a lateral movement of the rods therein and a stem snapping engagement with encountered fruit stems, said rods attached to the moving means at a one end, each row of rods accommodating the fruit stems therethrough while precluding passage of severed fruit, the rods in said rows being orientated so as to effect movement of severed fruit therealong, the rods in each row having common collecting means at ends thereof at said one end thereof, the collecting means of all of the rods of each row being generally vertically aligned for passage of the fruit vertically therethrough.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
125 words
In fruit harvesting apparatus, multiple spaced rows of parallel laterally spaced picking rods, means for reciprocally moving at least alternate ones of said rows so as to effect a lateral movement of the rods therein and a stem snapping engagement with encountered fruit stems, said rods attached to the moving means at a one end, each row of rods accommodating the fruit stems therethrough while precluding passage of severed fruit, the rods in said rows being orientated so as to effect movement of severed fruit therealong, the rods in each row having common collecting means at ends thereof at said one end thereof, the collecting means of all of the rods of each row being generally vertically aligned for passage of the fruit vertically therethrough.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
140 words
In fruit harvesting apparatus, multiple spaced rows of parallel laterally spaced picking rods, means for reciprocally moving at least alternate ones of said rows so as to effect a lateral movement of the rods therein and a stem snapping engagement with encountered fruit stems, each row of rods accommodating the fruit stems therethrough while precluding passage of severed fruit, the rods in said rows being orientated so as to effect movement of severed fruit therealong, said rows being straight and generally horizontal, the rods in each row being substantially coplanar and inclined slightly downward from first ends thereof to the second ends thereof, and the rods of each row having common collecting means at the second ends thereof, the collecting means of all of the rods of each row being generally vertically aligned for passage of the fruit vertically therethrough.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
140 words
In fruit harvesting apparatus, multiple spaced rows of parallel laterally spaced picking rods, means for reciprocally moving at least alternate ones of said rows so as to effect a lateral movement of the rods therein and a stem snapping engagement with encountered fruit stems, each row of rods accommodating the fruit stems therethrough while precluding passage of severed fruit, the rods in said rows being orientated so as to effect movement of severed fruit therealong, said rows being straight and generally horizontal, the rods in each row being substantially coplanar and inclined slightly downward from first ends thereof to the second ends thereof, and the rods of each row having common collecting means at the second ends thereof, the collecting means of all of the rods of each row being generally vertically aligned for passage of the fruit vertically therethrough.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the adjacent rows are moved in opposite directions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the collecting means of all of the rows are maintained in fruit passing alignment throughout the range of movement of the rows.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein each collecting means includes centrally directed baffles at the opposite ends thereof for a central directing of the fruit received thereby.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
123 words
In fruit harvesting apparatus, multiple rods, said rods being in vertical and horizontal spaced relation to each other and arranged in a pair of sections, means for oppositely moving said sections with respect to one another and laterally of the length of the rods for effecting a stem snapping engagement with encountered fruit stems, said rods defining fruit retaining means for moving the severed fruit to a collecting area, the rods being arranged in rows, and said rows being arcuate and generally concentrically arranged, the rods of each row extending generally horizontal with each row being at its maximum height at the center thereof with the opposed ends thereof being lower whereby severed fruit will move to the opposite ends of the rows.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
123 words
In fruit harvesting apparatus, multiple rods, said rods being in vertical and horizontal spaced relation to each other and arranged in a pair of sections, means for oppositely moving said sections with respect to one another and laterally of the length of the rods for effecting a stem snapping engagement with encountered fruit stems, said rods defining fruit retaining means for moving the severed fruit to a collecting area, the rods being arranged in rows, and said rows being arcuate and generally concentrically arranged, the rods of each row extending generally horizontal with each row being at its maximum height at the center thereof with the opposed ends thereof being lower whereby severed fruit will move to the opposite ends of the rows.
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) | 1976-01-30 | 1976-07-31 | 1977-01-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-30 | 1980-07-31 | 1981-01-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-30 | 1984-07-31 | 1985-01-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |