Harvesters – Fruit gatherer – Catchers
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-10
2001-09-04
Pezzuto, Robert E. (Department: 3671)
Harvesters
Fruit gatherer
Catchers
Reexamination Certificate
active
06282878
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to the field of agricultural implements. Specifically, the invention relates to a device for collecting produce as it is harvested.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the fruit and nut growing industries, it is desirable to harvest crops mechanically to minimize crop damage and increase efficiency, thus lowering costs and increasing profits to the grower. One mechanical harvesting device that has been used successfully for harvesting certain varieties of fruits and nuts, hereinafter referred to simply as produce, is the tree shaker. Typically, tree shaker-type harvesters include a means for applying a shaking force to a tree. The shaking force causes the produce to drop from the tree onto the ground, where it is then gathered and placed into bins. A disadvantage of this method of harvesting produce is that the produce must fall a substantial distance, and may be bruised or otherwise damaged in the process. A further disadvantage of this method of harvesting produce is the need for manually gathering the produce after it has fallen, and placing it on a conveyor or in a bin.
Attempts have been made to solve the problem described above by providing a device for catching the produce as it falls. However, all of the devices known to date are complex and costly to build, operate and maintain. It would be useful, therefore, to have a device for catching produce as it falls from a tree, which is inexpensive to build, operate and maintain.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The present invention provides a produce catcher. The produce catcher includes a support frame having a support member, a first extending arm and a second extending arm. The the first extending arm is substantially parallel to and extendible from the support member, and the second extending arm is substantially parallel to and extendible from the support member. The first extending arm extends in a direction substantially opposite from the extension of the first extending member. A first tarp pole pivotally attaches to the first extending member and a second tarp pole is affixed to the support member. A third tarp pole pivotally attaches to the second extending member, and a fourth tarp pole is also affixed to the support member. The second tarp pole and the fourth tarp pole are spaced apart from one another at a distance sufficient to allow the positioning of a trunk of a tree between the second tarp pole and the fourth tarp pole.
The produce catcher further includes a first tarp adapted to be suspended between the first tarp pole and the second tarp pole. Similarly, a second tarp is adapted to be suspended between the third tarp pole and the fourth tarp pole. Produce falling from the tree is received on the first or second tarp.
The produce catcher can be attached to a forklift, a forklift attachment on a tractor, or equivalent motivation means.
The present invention has the advantage of minimizing damage to produce falling from the tree. An additional advantage of the present invention is that it eliminates the need for manually gathering the produce after it has fallen, and provides for the transfer of the produce to a conveyor or bin.
A further advantage of the present invention is that it provides a produce catcher which can be economically built, operated and maintained.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1371999 (1921-03-01), Allshouse
patent: 3250065 (1966-05-01), Frost
patent: 3548579 (1970-12-01), Shipley, Jr.
patent: 3608292 (1971-09-01), Perry
patent: 3739561 (1973-06-01), Boudeman
patent: 3896612 (1975-07-01), McHugh et al.
patent: 4573310 (1986-03-01), Friedel
patent: 4702065 (1987-10-01), Littau
patent: 5875625 (1999-03-01), Pavone
Friday Tractor Co., Inc. “Friday Self-Propelled Half-Rollout Trunk Harvester” brochure. (no date).
Orchard-Rite Ltd., Inc.
Pezzuto Robert E.
Stratton Ballew PLLC
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