Abstract Apparatus for moving an operator in three dimensions relative to a work location, such as a fruit bearing tree. A mobile vehicle carries a pair of towers which in turn pivotally and rotatably support extensible booms. An operator platform is mounted through self leveling means on the end of each boom and is provided with foot controls enabling the operator to control platform position while his hands are free for other tasks, such as picking fruit. The control system includes hydraulic actuators adapted to extend, elevate and rotate the boom under influence of vacuum operated hydraulic valves which receive command signals through flexible lines extending along the booms from valves actuated by the foot controls. The towers are offset both transversely and longitudinally of the vehicle to permit the platforms to be positioned on the same or opposite sides for increased work efficiency. A closed chamber is formed in one of the towers to provide a reservoir of fluid for an hydraulic pump. An operator station is provided at ground location on the vehicle with controls for engine operation and steering functions.
In apparatus for moving an operator relative to a work location, such as a fruit-bearing tree, the combination including a mobile vehicular support, an upright tower carried by the support, a platform for carrying said operator, and an extensible boom having a distal end mounted on said platform and a proximal end, a bearing member mounted on said tower for pivotal movement about a vertical axis, means mounting said boom proximal end on a margin of said bearing member for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis, a support frame mounted on a portion of said tower below said bearing member for rotary movement about said vertical axis, brace means interconnecting said bearing member for rotary movement with said support frame, and rotary actuator means on said mobile support for selectively rotating said support frame about said vertical axis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
In apparatus for moving an operator relative to a work location, such as a fruit-bearing tree, the combination including a mobile vehicular support, an upright tower carried by the support, a platform for carrying said operator, and an extensible boom having a distal end mounted on said platform and a proximal end, a bearing member mounted on said tower for pivotal movement about a vertical axis, means mounting said boom proximal end on a margin of said bearing member for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis, a support frame mounted on a portion of said tower below said bearing member for rotary movement about said vertical axis, brace means interconnecting said bearing member for rotary movement with said support frame, and rotary actuator means on said mobile support for selectively rotating said support frame about said vertical axis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
68 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 which includes extensible actuator means to pivot said boom relative to said bearing member about said horizontal axis, said actuator means having an upper end connected with said boom proximal end and a lower end connected with said support frame on a side thereof remote from the side of said tower on which said boom proximal end is connected with said bearing member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said tower is formed with an outer cylindrical surface, and said support frame includes an inner cylindrical bearing plate mounted for movement about said tower cylindrical outer surface, an outer cylindrical drive wheel radially spaced from said plate and mounted for movement therewith, and said rotary actuator means is in driving engagement with said drive wheel.