U.S. patent application number 09/832766 was filed with the patent office on 2002-02-14 for fruit harvesting device.
Invention is credited to McCowan, John D..
Application Number | 20020017429 09/832766 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26892010 |
Filed Date | 2002-02-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020017429 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McCowan, John D. |
February 14, 2002 |
Fruit Harvesting device
Abstract
A fruit harvesting device having a frame supported on wheels,
one of which is a drive wheel. An elevatable and tiltable carriage
supports a worker. An arm on the front of the frame is engageable
with the tree so that device may be driven circumferentially about
the tree as an area is picked to advance to an unpicked area of the
tree.
Inventors: |
McCowan, John D.; (Goodyear,
AZ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Gregory J. Nelson
NELSON & ROEDIGER
Suite 212
3333 E. Camelback Road
Phoenix
AZ
85018
US
|
Family ID: |
26892010 |
Appl. No.: |
09/832766 |
Filed: |
April 10, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60196557 |
Apr 11, 2000 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
182/63.1 ;
182/69.6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01D 46/243
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
182/63.1 ;
182/69.6 |
International
Class: |
E04G 021/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A harvesting device to assist a worker in removing fruit from a
tree having a trunk, said device comprising: (a) a frame having a
front and rear supported on wheels, including at least one drive
wheel; (b) an arm on the front of said frame engageable with the
trunk of the tree; (c) a carriage on said frame having a platform
for a worker which may be raised and lowered relative to said frame
whereby said arm may be engaged with a tree trunk and said drive
wheel selectively operated to rotate said device circumferentially
about said tree to provide a worker on said platform access to the
fruit. (d)
2. The harvesting device of claim 1 wherein said carriage is
pivotal relative to said frame.
3. The harvesting device of claim 1 wherein said frame comprises
fruit, second and third sub-frames with at least said first
sub-frame being longitudinally slidable to position said
elevator.
4. The harvesting device of claim 1 wherein fruit receptacles are
carried on said elevator.
5. The harvesting device of clam 1 wherein said carriage is
hydraulically actuable.
6. The harvesting device of claim 1 wherein said arms are
longitudinally moveable relative to said frame.
7. The harvesting device of claim 1 wherein the drive wheel is
located on the rear of said frame, and is steerable.
Description
REFERENCE TO PROVISIONAL APPLICATION
[0001] This application is based on provisional application No.
60/196,557, filed Apr. 11, 2000 entitled "Fruit Harvesting
Device."
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a fruit picking device and
more particularly to a fruit picking device which is engageable
with the trunk of a fruit tree and which may then be driven
circumferentially around the tree to provide the worker convenient
access to the entire tree and the fruit to be picked.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] There are numerous devices in the prior art to assist in
picking or harvesting fruit. Many of the prior art fruit harvesting
devices are simply manual devices which assist in severing the
fruit and in some cases have an associated basket or bag which
catches the fruit.
[0004] Other devices are attachable to the tree and are operable to
shake the tree to cause the ripe fruit to be released and dropped
to the ground or dropped into a collection device. These devices
have the disadvantage in that they can cause severe damage to the
tree and shorten the productive life of the fruit tree.
[0005] Other types of harvesting devices to assist worker include
scaffolds which are elevatable by mechanical or hydraulic systems
to raise and lower the worker on a platform. While these type of
devices do provide advantages in that they provide access to fruit
at higher elevations, such devices require frequent repositioning
so that the entire circumference or periphery of the tree can be
reached.
[0006] Accordingly, there exists a need for an effective fruit
harvesting or fruit picking device which provides accessibility to
the fruit at all locations on the fruit tree and which device may
be easily operated by a single worker. Further, there exists a need
for a device which will make harvesting the fruit more efficient,
faster and will not cause any damage to the fruit tree.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Briefly, in accordance with the present invention, a fruit
harvester is provided which has a horizontal frame which includes
three sub-frames. The lower frame carries a pair of spaced-apart
wheels, at least one of which is driven by an electric or hydraulic
motor. At least one of the rear wheels is steerable either manually
or by means of a hydraulic steering linkage. The intermediate frame
is fixed and carries a pair of front wheels which are on swivels
located on opposite sides of the frame. A pair of arms are carried
on the front of the intermediate frame to engage the tree.
[0008] The upper sub-frame is slidable relative to the intermediate
frame and at its rear end carries a pair of vertical uprights which
support a carriage which may be selectively moved up and down along
tracks on the uprights. The carriage includes a platform on which a
worker may stand along with safety bars and supports for fruit
receiving baskets. The controls that operate the harvesting device
are also located on the platform.
[0009] In use, the device is positioned adjacent to the tree with
the arms engaging or abutting the tree. The rear-drive wheel may be
positioned either manually or by means of a cylinder in a position
so that upon actuation of the drive wheel, the harvesting device
will be caused to move in a circular path about the tree with the
carriage located just outward of the tree foliage. The uprights can
be tilted and the carriage raised as necessary so as to access the
fruit within the area that can be reached by the worker on the
platform. When the fruit in an area has been picked, the device is
rotatively advanced to a new position so the worker can access the
fruit in that section of the tree. The device can towed from one
field location to another by means of a hitch at either the front
or rear of the machine. In the towed position, the front wheels are
elevated above the ground.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The above and other objects of the present invention will be
more fully understood from the following description and drawings
in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of fruit harvesting device of
the present invention shown engaging a fruit tree in a picking
position;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a side view of the fruit harvesting machine
showing the vertical uprights and carriage in a forwardly tilted
position;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a top view which illustrates the various positions
of the fruit harvesting machine as the machine moves in a
circumferential path about a tree in the harvesting procedure;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the drive wheel; and
[0015] FIG. 5 is front perspective view of the fruit harvesting
machine of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] Turning now to the drawings of the fruit harvesting machine
is generally designated by the numeral 10. The machine 10 has a
main frame 12 which consists of an upper sub-frame 14, intermediate
sub-frame 16, and a lower sub-frame 18. Intermediate sub-frame 16
is fixed and has a pair of longitudinally extending channel members
19 and 20. A pair of arms 22 and 24 are mounted at the forward end
of the frame members 19 and 20. The arms may be fixed or may be
moved between an open position as shown in FIG. 1 and a closed
position as shown in FIG. 5 by pivot links 28 which are connected
to pivot the arms which may be either hydraulically or mechanically
actuated. A semi-circular fixed arm member 32 extends between the
arms 22 and 24. The interior surfaces of the gripping arms 22, 24
and 32 are preferably covered with a protective, resilient coating
to prevent damage to the trees.
[0017] A transverse front wheel support member 36 is secured as by
welding to the frame members 18 and 20, as best seen in FIG. 5. A
swivel 38 is secured at the opposite outer ends of the wheel
support. The swivels support wheels 40 and 42. The swivels 38
allows the front wheels to track or follow as the machine is
rotatively driven around the fruit tree as will be more fully
explained hereafter.
[0018] The lower sub-frame 18 also comprises a pair of spaced-apart
members 44 and 46. The members 44 and 46 are shown as being
longitudinally slidable with respect to the intermediate fixed
sub-frame 16, to move the rear wheels rearwardly for stability
although in some instances the lower the sub-frame 44 may be fixed
as the particular application may not require this feature.
Relative movement between sub-frames 16 and 18 is facilitated by
means of rollers associated with one of the members receivable
within or on a track 48 in the other of the members. The sub-frames
14 and 18 may be moved by means of a hydraulic cylinder or, as
shown in FIG. 5, a pair lead screws 50 and 52 operated by a motor
54 whose output is connected to a chain 56 engaging sprockets 55 on
the lead screws so that they are simultaneously driven.
[0019] As seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the rear end of the lower
sub-frame 18 supports a transverse wheel support 56 which extends
outwardly from the frame a greater distance than the front wheel
support member 36. The rear wheel support 56 is shown as a channel
supporting a swivel 62 at one end. Swivel 62 carries a wheel
assembly 64 which may be locked in place by arm 66 or which in the
unlocked position is freely allowed to swivel.
[0020] The opposite end of wheel support 56 carries drive wheel 70,
as seen in FIG. 4. Drive wheel 70 is also positioned on L-shaped
support 72 which may be locked by means of arm 76 and which may be
allowed to freely swivel. Wheel support 72 has a vertically
extending pivot pin 75 to which is attached manual steering arm 78.
The manual steering arm may be rotated to change the position of
the wheel assembly. A locking arm 76 may be tightened or loosened
to either lock the drive wheel in a fixed position, or allowed to
be rotated. Alternatively, the wheel support 72 may be connected to
hydraulic cylinder 79 which can be extended or retracted to pivot
the wheel relative to the transverse wheel support.
[0021] The drive wheel 70 is carried on an axle 80, which axle
carries a sprocket 82. A wheel motor 84, which may be electric or
hydraulic, has an output shaft which carries a sprocket 88. The
sprockets 82, 88 are either connected by a drive belt or chain 85
so that the wheel 70 is driven by the motor 84 at a predetermined
speed.
[0022] The upper sub-frame 14 is axially slidable with respect to
the intermediate sub-frame assembly 16 by means of rollers which
are receivable in tracks 48 on the upper surface of frame 16 as
seen in FIG. 5. The upper sub-frame may be moved either in a
forward or rearward direction by any suitable mechanical means such
as hydraulic cylinder or a lead screw 52 as seen in FIG. 5. The
positioning of the upper sub-frame assembly will horizontally
position the vertical rails 110 and 112 at the rear of the frame in
accordance with the diameter of the tree foliage. The lower end of
the vertical rails 110 and 112 are pivotally connected to uprights
114 and 116. The lower end of the vertical rails 110 and 112 are
connected to arms 115 as seen in FIGS. 2 and 6. Arms 115 are
interconnected by a transverse frame member 118 which may be moved
forwardly or rearwardly by means of a hydraulic cylinder 120 so the
rails may be tilted forwardly from a generally vertical
position.
[0023] A carriage assembly 125 is movable along the rails 110 and
112 from a lowered position resting on the frame to a fully
elevated position which may be, for example, eight or ten feet or
more above the ground. The carriage is moved by any convenient
drive system such as a cable and pulley or a hydraulic linear
actuator 170 as shown. The carriage has a horizontal platform 126
which is connected to a pair of vertical rails 130 and 132. The
vertical rails 130 and 132 are received or captured within guide
members 134 secured to the forward side of the vertical members 110
and 112. One or more rollers 140 are provided at the inner end of
the platform to provide for a smooth movement of the platform 126
along the vertical rails. The platform 126 includes posts 150 and a
plurality of safety bars 152 to partially enclose the worker.
Baskets 160 and 162 are received within receptacles 165 on either
side of the platform. The baskets are preferably a durable plastic
and can be removed from the receptacle 165 and replaced when
filled.
OPERATION
[0024] The invention will be better understood from the following
description of operation. The harvesting machine is positioned
adjacent a tree T to be harvested as shown in FIG. 1 with the arms
engaging 22, 24 the lower trunk portion of the tree. The machine
may be manually moved to this position or may be driven to this
position under the power of the drive wheel 70. The drive wheel 70
is manually or hydraulically steered so as to properly position the
harvester. The operator can control the operation of various
mechanical components from a control panel CP located on the worker
platform. If the arms are closeable, the operator will close the
arms 22 and 24 so that they extend around the trunk of the tree. As
pointed out above, the gripping arms are preferably coated with a
resilient material to protect the tree trunk. The upper sub-frame
14 is then advanced to a position to allow the worker to access the
lowest fruit on the tree. This can be accomplished by moving the
sub-frame forward by means of the lead screw which positions the
platform in a position close to the foliage on the tree. The worker
can then remove the fruit and as the fruit is removed in the lower
section of the area being picked, the worker can, by operating the
controls elevate the platform 125 so that fruit at a higher
elevation can be accessed. In order to reach the highest fruit in
the section being picked, it may be necessary to tilt the rails 110
and 112 forwardly as seen in FIG. 2. When the fruit has been picked
in the area indicated as Area A, the drive wheel 70 can be steered
and actuated to rotate the harvesting device about the tree moving
it to position B. The picking operation can then be continued in
area B, as described above, until the fruit in this area has been
removed. The operator may then further drive the harvesting device
to positions C and subsequently D until the harvesting device has
been rotated around the entire circumference of the tree and all of
the fruit has been harvested. As the baskets 160, 162 become full
with fruit, they can be removed and replaced with empty baskets.
When the operation is completed, the operator will then lower the
platform and, if necessary, open the forward gripping arms so that
the device is released from the tree. The steering wheel can then
be actuated to move the device away from the tree and the steering
wheel 70 steered to position the harvesting machine at the next
tree to be picked.
[0025] When the picking operation is completed, the harvesting
machine may be connected to a tractor or truck or other towing
vehicle and moved to a machine storage shed or an adjacent field.
In the towing position, the front wheels are preferably removed and
a tow bar positioned relative to the device so as to cause the
front of the frame to be slightly elevated during towing thereby
lifting the front wheels off the ground.
[0026] From the foregoing, it will be seen that the harvesting
machine of the present invention can be operated by a single
worker, allows the worker to efficiently remove fruit from the tree
providing convenient access to the entire tree. The gripping arms
that secure about the trunk provide a pivot location about which
the machine can be rotated during the picking operation. The
mounting of the worker platform on the vertical rails allow the
worker to reach the higher foliage of the tree which reach is
further facilitated by the frame assembly which allows the platform
to be moved forwardly and rearwardly and also the vertical rails
which allow the platform to be forwardly tilted.
[0027] It will be obvious to those skilled in the art to make
various changes, alterations and modifications to the harvesting
machine described herein. To the extent these various changes,
alterations and modifications do not depart from the spirit and
scope of the above description, they are intended to be encompassed
therein.
* * * * *