US4888941A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fruit harvesting machine
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1989-02-06
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Granted: 1989-12-26
•
Expires: 2009-02-06
Abstract
Abstract A fruit harvesting machine comprising a pair of vertically disposed booms which are pivotally connected at their lower ends to opposing ends of a transverse extensible axle rigidly connected to the underside of a transport mechanism such as a conventional tractor. A pair of man supporting baskets are reciprocatably mounted to each boom. A trough is positioned at each basket allowing picked fruit to be conveyed via a conveying tube into a storage bin at the rear of the tractor. The fruit harvesting machine is particularly adapted for harvesting fruit from hedged rows of fruit trees and the like.
Inventors
- 👤 Curtis E. Gerber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 01:30
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01D; A01D46/00; A01D46/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
A fruit harvesting machine for harvesting fruit from fruit trees, comprising in combination: a transport mechanism; an axle connected transversely to a lower portion of said transport mechanism; a cross beam connected transversely to an upper portion of said transport mechanism, said cross beam including a pair of extensible members extending from both ends thereof; a pair of booms positioned on opposing sides of said transport mechanism; first means for pivotably connecting a lower end of each said booms to respective ends of said axle; second means for pivotably connecting an end of said extensible members of said extensible member to a middle portion of respective said booms, whereby, extension of said extensible member causes tilting of said boom about said first pivot means; at least one man supporting basket slideably mounted to each said boom; and means for lifting said basket along the respective said boom.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
A fruit harvesting machine for harvesting fruit from fruit trees, comprising in combination: a transport mechanism; an axle connected transversely to a lower portion of said transport mechanism; a cross beam connected transversely to an upper portion of said transport mechanism, said cross beam including a pair of extensible members extending from both ends thereof; a pair of booms positioned on opposing sides of said transport mechanism; first means for pivotably connecting a lower end of each said booms to respective ends of said axle; second means for pivotably connecting an end of said extensible members of said extensible member to a middle portion of respective said booms, whereby, extension of said extensible member causes tilting of said boom about said first pivot means; at least one man supporting basket slideably mounted to each said boom; and means for lifting said basket along the respective said boom.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The fruit harvesting machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein said axle is extensible.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The fruit harvesting machine as set forth in claim 1, further including tilt controls positioned within at least one said basket for controlling extension of respective said extensible members thereby controlling the tilting of respective said booms.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The fruit harvesting machine as set forth in claim 1, further including transport mechanism controls positioned in at least one of said baskets for controlling forward movement of said transport mechanism.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The fruit harvesting machine as set forth in claim 1, further including lift controls positioned within each said basket for controlling movement of said baskets on the respective said boom.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The fruit harvesting machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least two of said baskets are slideably mounted on each said boom and wherein said lifting means includes means for lifting each said basket independently of the others.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The fruit harvesting machine as set forth in claim 1, further including a conveying tube or trough interconnecting each said basket with a fruit bin transported by said transport mechanism allowing picked fruit to be transported from said baskets to said storage bin.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
63 words
The fruit harvesting machine as set forth in claim 1, further including a temporary storage bin affixed to each said basket and a chute affixed to said transport mechanism such that picked fruit is deposited into said temporary storage bin and when necessary, the accumulated picked fruit is emptied into said chute to flow into a fruit bin transported by said transport mechanism.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The fruit harvesting machine as set forth in claim 1, further including wheeled outriggers pivotably connected to opposing ends of said axle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The fruit harvesting machine as set forth in claim 9, wherein said outriggers are pivotably connected to opposing ends of said axles and include means for restraining pivoting when the respective said boom is tilted outwardly.
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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) | 1992-12-25 | 1993-06-26 | 1993-12-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-12-25 | 1997-06-26 | 1997-12-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-12-25 | 2001-06-26 | 2001-12-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |