Fruit harvesting machine
US5074108A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 13, 1990 |
| Grant date | Dec 24, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 13, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA01D46/28
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A grape harvesting picking head is provided having a pair of C-shaped arms which are each independently pivotally suspended at their upper ends. A reaction mass which forms the drive system carries a pair of cranks which drive a pair of connecting rods which are connected to each of the C-shaped arms. The cranks have a large throw relative to the length of the connecting rods, so that relative motion occurs between the shaker rails carried at the lower ends of the C-shaped arms, the relative motion causing a "snapping" action to help harvest the grapes. The distance between shaker rails is automatically adjusted "on the fly," the adjustment being facilitated by two halves of the picking head being free to articulate about a central axis and providing a hydraulic cylinder between these two sections of the picking head which balances the weight of the two sections and allows the two sections to float relative to each other as the machine moves down the row of plants.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.