Harvesters – Fruit gatherer
Patent
1997-09-30
1999-10-19
Melius, Terry Lee
Harvesters
Fruit gatherer
56329, 56330, A01D 4624
Patent
active
059669152
ABSTRACT:
A fruit harvesting machine is provided which may mechanically harvest fruit from fruit trees. Means are provided for a transport assembly to carry an arm housing member which has installed thereon a plurality of arms. The arm housing member provides for repetitive displacement of the arms into and out of a canopy of the fruit trees. Means are provided for arms to deflect during insertion and withdrawal relative to the arm housing member in the event that the respective arm encounters a deflecting obstruction. Means are provided for arms to yield during insertion relative to the arm housing member in the event that the respective arm encounters an impacting obstruction. These actions, both the deflecting and the yielding, act to prevent damage to either the fruit tree or the machine. A plurality of picking fingers, each having unique engaging qualities, extend from each arm. These picking fingers allow for engagement of fruit during a withdrawal action to produce a picking pressure during subsequent withdrawal of the arm following engagement of the fruit. Means are provided to catch the severed fruit prior to contact with the earthen ground for subsequent transfer to a storage or transport container. Automation of the harvesting process allows for the most efficient operation of the harvesting machine by eliminating lag times associated with human control of such operations.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3713282 (1973-01-01), Baker
patent: 4377064 (1983-03-01), Peterson
patent: 5161358 (1992-11-01), Crunkelton
patent: 5428947 (1995-07-01), Visser
patent: 5666795 (1997-09-01), Wilkinson
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