Harvesting aid
US4736574A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 19, 1987 |
| Grant date | Apr 12, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 19, 2007 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S56/02
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A harvesting aid for fruit, particularly vine-borne fruit such as grapes, includes a steerable, self-propelled vehicle configured for straddling the row and supporting workers on either side of the vines. Workers sever the fruit and deposit it on a conveyor assembly which moves the fruit to a discharge point. The conveyor assembly includes a right angle conveyor segment for changing the direction of the movement of the fruit. Workers on one side deposit fruit directly onto a conveyor belt. Workers on the other side deposit fruit onto downwardly sloping pivotal diverter plates, positioned along the center line of the vehicle, having lower, outer ends above the conveyor belt. The diverter plates pivot out of the way when a vine trunk or stake is encountered as the vehicle moves down a row in either direction. The wheels of the vehicle are independently steerable over at least 90.degree. for maneuverability and for allowing the vehicle to maintain a constant azimuthal orientation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.