US3911653A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Machine for harvesting fruit grown on plants arranged in a row
Assignee: MCCONNELL MANUFACTURING Co Inc A CORP OF NY
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Filing: 1974-04-25
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Granted: 1975-10-14
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Expires: 1994-04-25
Abstract
Abstract A machine for harvesting fruit grown on plants arranged in a row including an improved picking arm in the form of a movable cantilever-mounted elongated member having a main portion extending rearwardly and inwardly relative to the longitudinal extent of the row of plants being harvested and also having a trailing free end portion which extends laterally relative to the longitudinal extent of the main portion, such main portion preferably being adjustable about its longitudinal axis so that the engagement of the arm with the plants can be arranged to produce efficient picking for the condition and variety of plant being harvested.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles G Burton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 18:33
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01D; A01D46/00; A01D46/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
In a machine for harvesting produce grown on plants arranged in a row and having a frame movable forwardly along said row, produce picking means arranged on said frame for movement back and forth transversely of said row including constantly rearwardly extending arm bar means engageable with the plants and mens for movIng said arm bar means back and forth transversely of the row, wherein the improvement comprises finger means on the trailing end of said arm bar means and extending laterally therefrom.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
83 words
In a machine for harvesting produce grown on plants arranged in a row and having a frame movable forwardly along said row, produce picking means arranged on said frame for movement back and forth transversely of said row including constantly rearwardly extending arm bar means engageable with the plants and mens for movIng said arm bar means back and forth transversely of the row, wherein the improvement comprises finger means on the trailing end of said arm bar means and extending laterally therefrom.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A machine according to claim 1 wherein the lateral extension of said finger means relative to said arm bar means has a profile in a horizontal plane.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A machine according to claim 1 wherein the lateral extension of said finger means relative to said arm bar means has a profile in a vertical plane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A machine according to claim 1 wherein the lateral extension of said finger means relative to said arm bar means has profiles in both horizontal and vertical planes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
A machine according to claim 1 wherein said arm bar means comprises a cantilever-mounted arm bar having a longitudinal axis, and said finger means comprises a finger bar having a longitudinal axis arranged at an angle to said longitudinal axis of said arm bar.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
A machine according to claim 5 wherein said longitudinal axis of said finger bar lies in a vertical plane inclined to another vertical plane in which said longitudinal axis of said arm bar lies.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
A machine according to claim 6 wherein said arm bar inclines inwardly relative to said row, said finger bar inclines at a greater included angle relative to said row than said arm bar, and the tip of said finger bar points inwardly relative to the plants.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
A maching according to claim 5 wherein said longitudinal axis of said finger bar lies in a vertical plane which is substantially coincident with another vertical plane in which said longitudinal axis of said arm bar lies.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
A machine according to claim 5 wherein the cantilever-mounting of said arm bar permits the same to be adjusted selectively about its said longitudinal axis whereby the disposition of said finger bar may be varied relative to the plants.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
A machine according to claim 1 wherein said moving means includes an oscillatable lever, and said arm bar means comprises a pair of arm bars severally cantilever-mounted at their forward ends on said lever.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
74 words
A machine according to claim 10 wherein each of said arm bars has a longitudinal axis, said finger means comprises a finger bar for each of said arm bars and angled with respect thereto, and the mounting of said arm bars on said lever permitting each of said arm bars to be adjusted selectively about its said longitudinal axis whereby the disposition of its said finger bar may be varied relative to the plants.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
74 words
In a machine for harvesting produce grown on plants arranged in a row and having a frame movable forwardly along said row and a plurality of elongated vertically-spaced plant-engaging produce-harvesting means arranged on said frame constantly to extend rearwardly and for harvesting movement back and forth transversely of the line of forward movement of said frame, wherein the improvement comprises said means being inclined at an angle to a horizontal plane during harvesting movement.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
74 words
In a machine for harvesting produce grown on plants arranged in a row and having a frame movable forwardly along said row and a plurality of elongated vertically-spaced plant-engaging produce-harvesting means arranged on said frame constantly to extend rearwardly and for harvesting movement back and forth transversely of the line of forward movement of said frame, wherein the improvement comprises said means being inclined at an angle to a horizontal plane during harvesting movement.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
A machine according to claim 12 wherein the inclination of said means is adjustable.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
A machine according to claim 12 wherein said means are also inclined at an angle to a vertical plane during said harvesting movement.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
A machine according to claim 14 wherein the inclination of said means is adjustable.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
75 words
In a machine for harvesting produce grown on plants arranged in a row and having a frame movable forwardly along said row and a plurality of elongated vertically-spaced plant-engaging produce-harvesting means arranged on said frame constantly to extend rearwardly and for harvesting movement back and forth transversely of the line of forward movement of said frame, wherein the improvement comprises said means being inclined at an angle to a vertical plane during said harvesting movement.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
75 words
In a machine for harvesting produce grown on plants arranged in a row and having a frame movable forwardly along said row and a plurality of elongated vertically-spaced plant-engaging produce-harvesting means arranged on said frame constantly to extend rearwardly and for harvesting movement back and forth transversely of the line of forward movement of said frame, wherein the improvement comprises said means being inclined at an angle to a vertical plane during said harvesting movement.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
A machine according to claim 16 wherein the inclination of said means is adjustable.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3439482A
Cited
US3613343A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-10-13 | 1979-04-14 | 1979-10-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-13 | 1983-04-14 | 1983-10-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-13 | 1987-04-14 | 1987-10-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |