US3913307A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vacuum conduit pick-up device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-07-19
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Granted: 1975-10-21
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Expires: 1993-07-19
Abstract
Abstract A flexible pick-up conduit is connected to a source of vacuum for picking up fruit, leaves and the like. The conduit is mounted to an assembly which includes at least three longitudinally expandable accordian-like tubular control members normally extending parallel to the conduit. Pressurized air flows through the control members, and the relative air flow therethrough is selectively variable, as by a proportioning valve, thereby causing the tilt angle of the conduit and its mouth to change.
Inventors
- 👤 Jr Daniel E Cardinal
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 14:57
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01D; A01D46/00; A01D46/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A device for picking up fruit or other materials comprising, in combination: a. a frame, b. an elongated flexible conduit mounted on said frame and with said flexible conduit having an outer end mouth for engaging the said materials, c. means for vacuumizing said conduit so that the said materials will flow through said conduit from said mouth, d. a plurality of tubular flexible longitudinally expandable members disposed along and generally parallel to the outer end portion of said flexible conduit, e. and means to expand said flexible expandable members to thereby support the wall of said flexible conduit and hold it in a relatively rigid position at a desired angle of disposition.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
113 words
A device for picking up fruit or other materials comprising, in combination: a. a frame, b. an elongated flexible conduit mounted on said frame and with said flexible conduit having an outer end mouth for engaging the said materials, c. means for vacuumizing said conduit so that the said materials will flow through said conduit from said mouth, d. a plurality of tubular flexible longitudinally expandable members disposed along and generally parallel to the outer end portion of said flexible conduit, e. and means to expand said flexible expandable members to thereby support the wall of said flexible conduit and hold it in a relatively rigid position at a desired angle of disposition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 1 which includes: means to selectively vary the amount of relative expansion of said plurality of flexible members to cause said conduit to change its angle of disposition.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
74 words
The device of claim 2: a. which includes longitudinally spaced support means for the ends of said flexible expandable members, b. which includes air inlet means for said expandable members, as well as air bleeder means for the discharge ends of said expandable members, c. and in which said means to expand said expandable members includes a source of air connected to said air inlet means for continuously pressuriziNg the interior of said members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 3 in which said expansion varying means comprises a proportioning valve disposed between said source of air and said inlet means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device of claim 4 in which said longitudinally spaced support means comprises a pair of annular rings through which said flexible conduit passes, one of said rings being movable relative to the other ring.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 5 in which said expandable members comprise bellows.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
102 words
A device for picking up fruit or other materials comprising, in combination: a. a frame, b. an elongated flexible conduit mounted on said frame and with said conduit having an outer end mouth for engaging said materials, c. means for vacuumizing said conduit so that the said materials will flow through said conduit from said mouth, d. a plurality of bellows disposed along and generally parallel to the outer end portion of said conduit, e. and means to expand said bellows to thereby support the wall of said conduit and hold it in relatively rigid position at a desired angle of disposition.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
102 words
A device for picking up fruit or other materials comprising, in combination: a. a frame, b. an elongated flexible conduit mounted on said frame and with said conduit having an outer end mouth for engaging said materials, c. means for vacuumizing said conduit so that the said materials will flow through said conduit from said mouth, d. a plurality of bellows disposed along and generally parallel to the outer end portion of said conduit, e. and means to expand said bellows to thereby support the wall of said conduit and hold it in relatively rigid position at a desired angle of disposition.
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) | 1978-10-20 | 1979-04-21 | 1979-10-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-20 | 1983-04-21 | 1983-10-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-20 | 1987-04-21 | 1987-10-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |