US3777462A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fruit harvester
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-03-17
•
Granted: 1973-12-11
•
Expires: 1992-03-17
Abstract
Abstract A harvesting machine for picking up fruit, such as apples, which has fallen to the ground and placing it in a box or other suitable container. A drive shaft is concentrically disposed within an elongated shield of uniform, substantially semicircular cross section. The shaft carries and imparts rotation to a plurality of blade assemblies arranged in closely spaced relation axially along the shaft, each assembly having a plurality of radially extending blades substantially tangential to the drive shaft. The fruit is picked up by the blades, carried around the shield, and propelled against a resilient curtain to drop onto conveying means without bounce or bruise and be transported to the container. Blower means are provided for separating grass, and the like, from the fruit as it is traveling between the blades and the curtain. Means are also provided for selectively tilting the container to avoid bruising the fruit as it is placed therein.
Inventors
- 👤 J Sharp
- 👤 D Sharp
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 21:20
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01D; A01D51/00; A01D51/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
203 words
Harvesting apparatus for picking up and collecting fruit lying on the ground, said apparatus comprising, a. frame means supported on wheels for movement over the ground in a forward direction to pick up fruit; b. an elongated shield extending transversely of said forward direction, having a substantially semi-circular cross section and supported by said frame means with one edge in close proximity to the ground and the open side disposed in said forward direction; c. a rotatable support member extending longitudinally and centrally of said shield; d. a plurality of rotary blade assemblies connected to said support member and extending from an anchored end to a free tip portion which passes in close proximity to the ground at the lower end of blade rotation to engage fruit thereon; e. means for rotating said support member, and thereby said blades, in a direction such that said tip portions are moving rearwardly when at the point of closest proximity to the ground; and f. conveyor means extending transversely of said forward direction and supported by said frame means forwardly of said shield to receive fruit propelled in said forward direction by said blade assemblies at the uppermost point in the travel of said tip portions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
203 words
Harvesting apparatus for picking up and collecting fruit lying on the ground, said apparatus comprising, a. frame means supported on wheels for movement over the ground in a forward direction to pick up fruit; b. an elongated shield extending transversely of said forward direction, having a substantially semi-circular cross section and supported by said frame means with one edge in close proximity to the ground and the open side disposed in said forward direction; c. a rotatable support member extending longitudinally and centrally of said shield; d. a plurality of rotary blade assemblies connected to said support member and extending from an anchored end to a free tip portion which passes in close proximity to the ground at the lower end of blade rotation to engage fruit thereon; e. means for rotating said support member, and thereby said blades, in a direction such that said tip portions are moving rearwardly when at the point of closest proximity to the ground; and f. conveyor means extending transversely of said forward direction and supported by said frame means forwardly of said shield to receive fruit propelled in said forward direction by said blade assemblies at the uppermost point in the travel of said tip portions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
The invention according to claim 1 and further including a curtain of flexible material arranged substantially vertically to extend upwardly from said conveyor along the forward side thereof, whereby fruit propelled forwardly by said blades which would otherwise pass over said conveyor strikes said curtain and falls onto the conveyor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention according to claim 2 wherein said flexible material is a woven fabric.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said means for rotating said support member is so related to the speed of movement of said frame means over the ground that the speed of said tip portions is greater than the forward speed of said frame means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
89 words
A pick-up head for incorporation in harvesting apparatus for picking up fruit and like crops, lying on the ground comprising: a. an elongated, tubular member; b. means for imparting rotation to said tubular member about its axis; c. a plurality of flexible blades having a fruit contacting surface, the plane of which forms a chord with respect to said tubular member parallel to and substantially spaced from a chord through the center thereof and trailing said central chord with respect to the direction of rotation of said tubular member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
89 words
A pick-up head for incorporation in harvesting apparatus for picking up fruit and like crops, lying on the ground comprising: a. an elongated, tubular member; b. means for imparting rotation to said tubular member about its axis; c. a plurality of flexible blades having a fruit contacting surface, the plane of which forms a chord with respect to said tubular member parallel to and substantially spaced from a chord through the center thereof and trailing said central chord with respect to the direction of rotation of said tubular member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention according to claim 5 wherein said blades extend from said tubular member with said fruit contacting surfaces in a plurality of planes spaced at even angular intervals about the axis thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention according to claim 6 and further including a plurality of blade supports extending rigidly from, and substantially tangent to, the outer surface of said tubUlar member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention according to claim 7 wherein said blades are affixed to said blade supports with the surface of said blades opposite said fruit contacting surface in engagement with said supports.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-10 | 1977-06-11 | 1977-12-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-10 | 1981-06-11 | 1981-12-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-10 | 1985-06-11 | 1985-12-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |