Harvesters – Fruit gatherer
Patent
1999-09-28
2000-08-08
Shackelford, H.
Harvesters
Fruit gatherer
56330, 56332, A01D 4624
Patent
active
060983892
ABSTRACT:
A picking finger assembly is insertable into and withdrawable from a canopy of a fruit tree during a mechanical harvesting. The picking finger assembly provides for, during the withdrawal, a gathering of fruit growing upon the fruit tree where a picking pressure may be applied during to sever the fruit from the tree. A finger extending from an arm producing this gathering and application of the picking pressure to the fruit. The finger is displaceable relative to the arm in response to engagement of an obstruction, such as a large branch. This displacement provides for an initial relatively strong resistance to displacement, then a significantly lesser resistance. In one embodiment a transfer shaft moves within a transfer channel to provide for this dual resistance pressure feature. An angular change in the transfer channel provides for immediate transfer of transfer shaft within transfer channel once such transfer commences. A guide path on the finger acts to ensure proper positioning of stems and branches relative to the finger during the withdrawal. A cutting edge adjacent the guide path provides for assistance in severing the stem of the fruit being harvested.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3827221 (1974-08-01), Chen
patent: 5161358 (1992-11-01), Crunkelton
patent: 5428947 (1995-07-01), Visser
patent: 5666795 (1997-09-01), Wilkinson
patent: 5966915 (1999-10-01), Crunkelton
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