US3968631A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fruit picking device
Assignee: MONICAL LEAH HAINES
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Filing: 1975-10-08
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Granted: 1976-07-13
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Expires: 1995-10-08
Abstract
Abstract A rotatable assembly having a plurality of groups of three outstanding finger members spaced along an elongate drum of generally rectangular cross-sectional configuration. Two of each group of finger members are located in a common plane and the third intermediate finger member lies in a plane staggered relative to the plane of the said two finger members. The assembly is caused to rotate so that the finger members will contact fruit to be picked from a tree or the like. The fruit first contacts one finger member and is wedged between it and a next adjacent finger member lying in the same plane. As the assembly continues to rotate, the fruit is pivoted by reason of being wedged between the fingers, to twist the fruit relative its stem and enhance removal from the tree.
Inventors
- 👤 Delmar C. Haines
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 08:21
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01D; A01D46/00; A01D46/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
221 words
Apparatus for picking fruit from a tree comprising, a housing, an elongate drum mounted for rotative movement in the housing, the drum having a plurality of outer-facing generally planar surfaces, a first group of fruit engaging fingers disposed on each respective surface along a first line extending parallel to the elongate dimension of the drum, each pair of adjacent fingers of said first group defining a space therebetween, a second group of fruit engaging fingers disposed on each respective surface spaced from each other along a second line extending parallel to the elongate dimension of the drum spaced from said first line, adjacent ones of said first and second groups of fingers being staggered with respect to each other to provide a plurality of adjacent groups of three fingers along the length of the drum, each finger including a first generally straight portion extending normal from the drum and a second generally curved portion formed as an extension of the first portion, means for moving the housing adjacent the fruit on the tree and means for imparting rotative movement to the drum, whereby the fruit is engaged by a finger of said first group to move pivotally about the stem of the fruit to be wedged into said space and thereby is separated from the tree and deposited in the housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
221 words
Apparatus for picking fruit from a tree comprising, a housing, an elongate drum mounted for rotative movement in the housing, the drum having a plurality of outer-facing generally planar surfaces, a first group of fruit engaging fingers disposed on each respective surface along a first line extending parallel to the elongate dimension of the drum, each pair of adjacent fingers of said first group defining a space therebetween, a second group of fruit engaging fingers disposed on each respective surface spaced from each other along a second line extending parallel to the elongate dimension of the drum spaced from said first line, adjacent ones of said first and second groups of fingers being staggered with respect to each other to provide a plurality of adjacent groups of three fingers along the length of the drum, each finger including a first generally straight portion extending normal from the drum and a second generally curved portion formed as an extension of the first portion, means for moving the housing adjacent the fruit on the tree and means for imparting rotative movement to the drum, whereby the fruit is engaged by a finger of said first group to move pivotally about the stem of the fruit to be wedged into said space and thereby is separated from the tree and deposited in the housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the drum is of generally square cross-sectional configuration.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 including a plurality of plate members removably retained on the respective outer-facing surfaces of the drum, said fingers being formed on said plate members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the housing includes a generally curved rear and bottom wall and end plate members formed on the walls to close the sides of the housing, said drum being journalled in said end plate members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which the rear and bottom walls form an open mouth between the end plate members and said fingers project beyond the mouth as the drum is rotated.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which the bottom wall is substantially closed to form a fruit catching container.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 including an opening in the bottom wall for discharge of the fruit deposited in the container.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which a portion of the rear wall is formed of wire mesh.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the fingers are of generally circular cross-sectional configuration.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 in which the terminal ends of the fingers are flattened to form reduced diameter parts thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 in which the terminal ends of the fingers are blunted.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the fingers of said groups of three form the apexes of a triangle at the points at which they are disposed on the drum.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 in which the fingers rotate a fruit wedged therebetween through an angle of approximately 45° relative its stem during rotation of the drum.
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) | 1979-07-13 | 1980-01-12 | 1980-07-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-07-13 | 1984-01-12 | 1984-07-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-07-13 | 1988-01-12 | 1988-07-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |