Harvesters – Fruit gatherer – Berry strippers
Patent
1991-03-04
1992-04-07
Novosad, Stephen J.
Harvesters
Fruit gatherer
Berry strippers
56 155, 56DIG2, 56DIG19, A01D 4628
Patent
active
051016184
ABSTRACT:
A pivoting counterforce brush for use with an underslung grapevine comber for cleaning and positioning shoots of a grapevine overhanging the guide wires of a divided canopy is mounted on the frame of the comber in a position to provide a counterforce against a primary brush of the comber which grooms above the roof portion of the canopy as the comber moves along a path of travel parallel to the guide wires. A spindle is mounted on the comber frame at a level below the roof portion of the canopy. The axis of the spindle is substantially transverse to the path of travel of the comber. A bracket is journalled on the spindle. A rotating brush is mounted on the trailing side of the bracket with the axis about which the brush rotates extending rearwardly from the bracket. A brush driver is mounted on the leading side of the bracket and is coupled to the rotating brush to drive the brush about its axis. The rotating brush and the drive apparatus provide a moment about the axis of the spindle sufficient to urge the brush upwardly against the roof portion of the canopy. However, the brush remains free to rotate downwardly about the spindle in response to contact of the brush with the canopy cross members or other immovable objects. A stop member limits the upward rotation of the brush about the spindle axis to a preselected angle above the horizontal. Preferably, the bracket will permit the angle of the rotating brush in relation to the direction of travel to be varied depending on conditions to maximize the benefit of the brush. Similarly, the relationship of the stop member to the bracket may also be varied the stop member to the bracket may also be varied to adjust the positioning of the brush in relation to horizontal, again to maximize efficiency of the brush in the combing process. A vine guide extending in front of the leading portion of the drive apparatus directs the vines to the appropriate side of the brush. A deflector extending in front of the leading portion of the apparatus protects the apparatus from damage due to contact with immovable objects. The frame of the comber on which the deflector is mounted is spring hinged to allow the frame to swing away from immovable objects in response to the deflector making contact with such objects.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3760574 (1973-09-01), Tassone
patent: 4207727 (1980-06-01), Poytress
patent: 4291526 (1981-09-01), Hiyama et al.
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