EP2773179A1

EP2773179A1 - Device for picking up fruits or other objects from the ground

Info

Publication number: EP2773179A1
Application number: EP12795751.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Alberto VALIER; Mathijs NIEUWENHUIJSEN; Arnold NIEUWENHUIJSEN
Original assignee: Multi-Roll Ltd
Current assignee: Multi-Roll Ltd
Priority date: 2011-11-04
Filing date: 2012-11-02
Publication date: 2014-09-10
Also published as: ITVI20110067U1; WO2013064660A1

Abstract

A device (100) is proposed for picking up fruits and other objects from the ground. The device (100) comprises a container (102) which can be rotated about a rotation axis (R) and extending from a first end (102a) to a second end (102b), both lying on the rotation axis (R). The container (102) comprises a plurality of elastic elements (103) of elongated shape, which extend between the first and second end (102a, 102b) so as to allow the objects to be picked up to be housed within the container (102). These elastic, wire-like elements (103) allow the objects to enter the container by means of elastic deformation during the rotation about the axis (R) of the container in contact with the ground. The elastic, wire-like elements (103) are fixed to at least one of the first and second end (102a, 102b) in a removable manner, so as to allow for quick fixing to or disconnection from the end of the container (102). This enables quick and cost-effective assembly and maintenance operations.

Description

DESCRIPTION

DEVICE FOR PICKING UP FRUITS OR OTHER OBJECTS FROM THE GROUND

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The current invention relates to the field of collecting objects from the ground. More specifically, the current invention relates to a device adapted to allow for collecting and picking up objects lying on the ground. The present invention is advantageously used in the field of agriculture for picking up fruits such as apples, pears, walnuts, olives, and similar fruits from the ground.

DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE OF THE ART

Picking up objects from the ground is a recurrent problem in several situations and areas. One can, for example, consider the need for picking up the balls scattered across a tennis court or a golf course after a match. However, one area in which the need for picking up objects, and in particular fruits, from the ground is frequent is agriculture. Farming techniques often include picking up fruits from the ground. Typical cases occur, for example, when farming, in an intensive or non-intensive manner, walnuts, olives and other plants whose fruits are caused to detach from the plant and fall to the ground, for example by shaking the plant. In some other cases, the fruits fall spontaneously, for example due to excessive ripening and/or disease. In this case, picking up the fruits is necessary for preventing infections spreading from the fallen fruits from affecting the soil.

Picking up fruits from the ground proves to be a tough task since, in many cases, it is not possible to render the operation automatic by using, for example, mechanical means such as tractors or the like. Indeed, it often occurs that the room between two adjacent rows of plants or trees is too narrow for using motorized means. Alternatively, the conformation of the terrain and/or the features of the fruits may not allow tractors or other motorized agricultural means to be used.

Hence, the need for a light, handy, small-sized tool arises, which can make the non-mechanical operation of picking up fruits more comfortable, more effective and quicker for an operator.

On the market several devices are available which consist of a metallic container or cage which can rotate about one axis of symmetry. The cage consists of a series of elastic metallic wires fixed to its ends. The fruits are introduced into the cage by letting the cage rotate while it is in contact with the ground, so as to exert a pressure on the ground and, hence, on the fruits. After filling the cage, the fruits can be let out by slightly shaking the cage or operating upon two adjacent wires so as to increase their reciprocal distance.

In the type of devices described above it often occurs that the wires making up the cage get damaged or worn-out because of use. The need thus arises to replace one or more than one damaged or worn out wires of the cage. However, such a task is not allowed or, at least, is not easy to accomplish with the devices currently known from the state of the art. Indeed, in order to replace a single wire, the whole apparatus must be disassembled or, in the worst cases, completely replaced. A typical problem with the devices according to the state of the art is therefore due to the fact that the metal wires are not interchangeable.

Since the wires cannot be easily replaced, the devices known from the state of the art require lengthy, cumbersome and often costly maintenance operations. Furthermore, these collecting devices are not versatile, whereas it would be desirable to have a tool for picking up objects from the ground which could be adapted to the type of object to be picked up and the type of terrain on which it operates. For example, it would be advantageous if the number of wires making up the cage and, therefore, their reciprocal distance could be varied depending on the needs and/or circumstances so as to adapt the picking tool to the dimensions of the objects to be picked up. Moreover, the option would be advantageous to adjust the tension of the wires in relation to the object to be picked up and to the type of terrain, so as to make it harder or easier for the objects, and in particular for the fruits, to enter the cage, again depending on the needs and/or circumstances. Finally, a further drawback of picking-up devices according to the state of the art is that mounting operations of these devices are often complicated and lengthy (and therefore long and costly), whereas it would be extremely advantageous to have a solution which could allow the mounting procedures of the collecting device to be simplified and speeded up, so as to conveniently limit the overall costs of the device. All these possibilities are ruled out by the tools currently on the market, which are designed and implemented for accomplishing exclusively a specific task and cannot be adapted to different needs. Therefore, a goal of the current invention is offering a device for picking up fruits or, in general, objects from the ground, which allows for obviating the drawbacks of the devices of known type. In particular, a goal of the current invention is suggesting, offering and implementing a tool for picking up objects from the ground which is handy, versatile, easy to maintain, adaptable to an extremely wide range of specific needs, as well as being cost-effective to mount.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention is based on the general consideration that the drawbacks and/or limits of the devices according to the state of the art can be overcome or, at least, partially solved by means of a device in which the elastic elements of the collecting container are singularly removable. In this manner, the features of the device are considerably improved by increasing its flexibility, its versatility and by making it easier to mount. Indeed, the container can be easily modified by adding or removing wires from the structure, thus varying the distance between adjacent wires. Furthermore, the type of wire can be chosen which best fits the type of objects to be picked up. Finally, mounting operations turn out to be much faster and easier.

In view of the considerations outlined above, the collecting device according to the embodiment of the present invention claimed in main claim 1 comprises a container with at least a rotation axis which extends from a first end to a second end, both lying on the rotation axis. The container comprises in turn a plurality of wire-shaped elastic elements which extend between the first and the second end of the container so as to form a housing for the fruits to be caught. The device according to this embodiment is also characterized by the fact that the wire- shaped elastic elements are fixed to the ends of the container in a removable manner.

The feature of the device according to the current invention that the wire-shaped elastic elements or wires limiting the containers are fixed to the ends of the containers in a removable manner determines a considerable number of advantages with respect to the devices known in the state of the art. First and foremost, the wires can be replaced one by one. This turns out to be particularly helpful when maintaining the device, in those cases when one or more damaged or worn-out wires have to be replaced. Furthermore, the device can be easily adapted to the size and the features of the object to be picked up by choosing a wire of a diameter and made from a material suitable for the purpose. Moreover, it is possible to choose the preferred number of wires. For example, when picking up objects of small size, such as walnuts or ping pong balls, wires can be added to the device so as to increase their density and decrease their relative distance. Conversely, when collecting objects with larger sizes, such as for instance apples or tennis balls, a sufficient number of wires can be removed to increase the distance between adjacent wires, thus making this distance suitable for the size of the fruits or objects.

A further consideration on which the current invention is based is that the operations of mounting the wires to and removing the wires from the container can be speeded up if the ends of the container comprise appropriate elements for clamping the wires and having variable reciprocal distance. In view of these considerations, according to an embodiment of the current invention, the device for picking up objects from the ground comprises, on at least one of its ends, two clamping elements arranged adjacent to each other along the rotation axis of the container. Such clamping elements define a substantially flat surface each and are arranged in such a way that the substantially flat surfaces define a space between the clamping elements. An end portion of the elastic wires making up the container is fixed, gripped, or clamped between the two clamping elements. According to this embodiment of the current invention, the device also comprises means adapted to vary the reciprocal distance between the substantially flat surfaces of the clamping elements and, thus, adapted to vary the grip of the two clamping elements on the end portions of the metal wires.

The fact that the distance between the clamping elements can be varied makes it particularly easy and convenient for the wires to be fixed to and disconnected from the structure. The end portion of the wires clamped in the inner space between the substantially flat surfaces of the two clamping elements can be easily removed from the cage by operating on the contrast means so as to increase the distance between the clamping elements. Conversely, when the wires have to be fixed to the container, it is sufficient to operate again on the contrast means so as to decrease the distance between the clamping elements, thus clamping an end portion of the wires in the inner space between the substantially flat surfaces of the clamping elements.

In particular, according to a further embodiment of the current invention, the means adapted to vary the reciprocal distance between clamping means comprises of contrast means adapted to come into contact with the external surfaces of the two clamping means opposite to the inner space between the clamping elements. Furthermore, the contrast means engage on a rotation shaft having a symmetry axis which substantially coincides with the rotation axis of the container, furthermore the rotation shaft is partially housed within corresponding through holes drilled into the clamping elements.

Yet more in detail, according to a further embodiment of the present invention, the contrast means comprise one or more threaded elements. The position of the threaded elements can be varied, thus adjusting their reciprocal distance as well as the distance between the clamping elements and, consequently, the grip applied by the clamping elements on the end portions of the elastic wires housed in the space between the clamping elements.

According to a further embodiment of the current invention, the device is such that one of the clamping elements on at least one end of the container displays radial grooves on its face facing the inner space between the two clamping elements. Such grooves on the surface of one of the two clamping elements serve as housing for the end portions of the wires which, in this manner, are allowed to maintain a predetermined relative spacing. In particular, it is possible to vary the average distance between adjacent wires by using, depending on the fruits or objects to collect, different clamping elements, each having a different number of grooves. In this way, it is possible to utilise the same device for collecting objects of different sizes and shapes by choosing clamping elements with a number of grooves suitable for providing the sought spacing between wires. Alternatively, the same clamping element with a predetermined number of groove can be utilised but using only some of the grooves, for instance 1 in 2, 1 in 3, etc. In this way, it will be also possible to adapt the device to the type and dimensions of fruits and/or objects. However, in this case, the clamping elements will not have to be replaced, rather, in order to give the container the shape which bets fits the type of objects to be picked up, it suffices to add or remove a suitable number of wires.

According to a further embodiment of the current invention, the device for picking up objects from the ground is also provided with a handle adapted to be fixed to one of the ends between which the container extends. The handle, which can be handled during the collecting operation, allows the operator to adjust the pressure of the rotating container on the ground and, thus, on the fruits or objects to collect, depending on the shape and dimensions of the objects. The handle also allows the user to push the container on the ground and, in so doing, to collect the objects from the ground without the need for the user to bend or lean forward thus assuming postures which are unnatural, inconvenient and harmful to health. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Further features and advantages of the current invention will be made clearer by the following description of the embodiments of the device according to the current invention schematically depicted in the drawings. In the drawings identical and/or similar and/or corresponding parts are identified by the same reference numbers or letters. In particular, in the figures:

Fig. 1 shows a perspective front view of the device according to an embodiment of the current invention.

Fig. 1a shows side view over detail of one end of the container of the device according to the embodiment of the current invention shown in figure 1.

Fig 2 shows a side of a detail of the device according to the embodiment of the current invention shown in figures 1 and 1a. Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the device according to the embodiment of the current invention shown in figures 1, 1a and 2.

Fig. 4a and 4b schematically show details of constituting parts (clamping elements) of two possible embodiments of a device according to the current invention.

Fig 5 shows the view of a cross section, taken across the plane including the segment AA' identified in figure 2 and perpendicular to the plane of figure 2, of a device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig 6a and 6b each show the view of a cross section, taken across the plane including the segment AA' identified in figure 2, of the device according to two further embodiments of the current invention.

Fig 7a, 7b and 7c each show the view of a cross section, taken across the plane including the segment AA' identified in Fig. 2, of the device according to three further embodiments of the current invention.

Fig 8a and 8b each show the view of a cross section, taken across the plane including the segment AA' identified in Fig. 2, of the device according to two further embodiments of the current invention

Fig 9 shows the view of a cross section, taken across the plane including the segment AA' identified in Fig. 2, of the device according to a further embodiment of the current invention.

Fig 10 shows the view of a cross section, taken across the plane including the segment AA' identified in Fig. 2, of the device according to a further embodiment of the current invention.

Fig 11a and 11b each show the view of a cross section, taken across the plane including the segment AA' identified in Fig. 2, of the device according to two further embodiments of the current invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Although in the following the embodiments of the present invention schematically depicted in the figures will be described, it is here pointed out that the present invention is by no means restricted to such embodiments. Rather, the particular embodiments described in the following will clarify several aspects of the present invention, the goals and the scope of which are defined by the claims.

As apparent from figures 1 through 3, the device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention depicted therein comprises a container 102 which can rotate about a rotation axis R, which in this case substantially coincides with the symmetry axis of the container. The container or box 102 comprises a plurality of elastic elements 103 fixed to two ends 102a and 102b, respectively, both lying on the rotation axis R.

The elastic elements 103 may have elongated shape (wire-like) as in the case shown in the figures and may be made from any material which is sufficiently elastic to enable the fruits or objects to be picked up from the ground in the way comprehensively described below. For example, plastic materials such as teflon, or metals such as steel, iron, etc. can be numbered among the possible materials.

The device shown in figures 1 through 3 also comprises a handle 101 which the operator can handle and which facilitates picking operations. The handle 101 is mounted to the container 102 so as to enable the rotation of the container 102 about the axis R. In the embodiment shown in figures 1 through 3, the portion of the handle in the proximity of the container 102 is implemented as a two-pronged fork. The end portion of each prong is mounted to the container 102 in the manner which will be thoroughly described in the following. According to a further embodiment of the present invention not shown in the figures, the portion of handle 101 in the proximity of the container 102 may be designed so as to be mounted onto one of the two ends 102a and 102b, respectively, of the container 102 only. For example, the portion of handle 101 in the proximity of the container 102 could be shaped so as to have a substantially U-like profile, in which the concave part of the profile faces one of the ends 102a and 102b, respectively, of the container 102 and one of the straight portions of the profile is mounted to one of the ends 102a and 102b and serves as a rotation shaft for the container 102.

The objects are picked up from the ground by means of the following procedure. An operator, after holding the handle 101 of the device, pushes it forward while keeping the container 102 in contact with the ground in such a way that the container is spun about its rotation axis R. In this manner, the container 102 comes into contact with the fruits scattered around on the ground (from a position lying substantially above them), thus applying a pressure on the fruits which are like "trapped" between the ground and the rotating container 102. The pressure applied by the container 102 upon the fruits (variable at will by the operator by acting upon the handle) causes the two elastic wires 103 in contact with the fruit to edge away from each other and, therefore, a gap to open which is sufficiently large to let the fruit through. Due to the rotation of the container 102 about the axis R and the tension of the wires 103, the object penetrates through the gap and is introduced into the inner region of the container 102. The subsequent rotation of the container 102 during its advancement causes the gap between the two wires 103 in contact with the fruit to close and, therefore, the object to be confined within the container 102. When the container is full, it can be emptied out by shaking it or, more conveniently, by acting upon two adjacent elastic elements or wires 103 in order to increase their reciprocal distance and widen up the opening between them.

Fig. 1 clearly shows that, according to the embodiment schematically depicted therein, at least one end 102a and 102b, respectively, of the container 102 comprises two clamping elements 201 and 202, respectively. In particular, in the embodiment shown in figures 1 through 3, such elements are disc-shaped and can be made of metal, for example. The discs 201 and 202 are arranged adjacent to each other along the rotation axis R, so that an inner disc 201 and an outer disc 202 can be identified, where the terms "inner" and "outer" are referred to the container 102, being one disc arranged inside and the other disc outside the container 102 delimited by the wires 103 and the ends 102a and 102b, respectively. Both discs 201 and 202 comprise a substantially flat surface facing the second disc. The two substantially flat surfaces of each disc delimit thus an inner space I adapted to house the end portions of the wires 103 of the container 102. In particular, an end portion of each wire 103 is clamped or tightened in the inner space I between the two substantially flat surfaces of the discs 201 and 202, respectively.

Each disc 201 and 202, respectively, comprises also a through hole in which a portion of the rotation shaft 104 is housed. The symmetry axis of the rotation shaft 104 substantially coincides with the rotation axis of the rotation axis R of the container 102. In the embodiment of the device according to the present invention shown in figures 1, 1a, 2 and 3, the rotation shaft 104 is comprised of the end parts of the prongs of the fork formed by the handle shown in figures 1 through 3.

Fig. 1a shows in detail the way how the discs 201 and 202 are kept in position by contrast means 204 which, in the embodiment shown in the figures, are represented by elements with a thread or which can be screwed in, such as a bolt and a nut. The rotation shaft 104 is housed in a corresponding through hole in the discs 201 and 202 or in one or more of the contrast elements 204. In the embodiment shown in the figures, one part of the contrast element 204 is brought into contact with the surface of the inner disc 201 facing the interior of the container 102. Analogously, a second part of contrast element 204, such as a nut, is brought into contact with the surface of the outer disc 202 facing the exterior of the container 102. By screwing or unscrewing at least one of the contrast means 204, their reciprocal distance and, thus, the distance between the discs 201 and 202 can be varied, thus increasing or decreasing the pressure applied by the discs 201 and 202 to the end portions of the wires 103 and, therefore, tightening or loosening, respectively, the grip applied by them to the end portions of the wires 103 housed between the discs 201 and 202. According to a further embodiment of the present invention not shown in the figures, the contrast means may be a multitude of screws fastened directly into the discs 201 and 202. In a similar manner to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1a, by screwing or unscrewing at least one of the contrast means 204 can enable the distance between discs 201 and 202 to be varied, thus enabling the grip on wires 103 to be varied.

An end portion of each wire 103 of the container 102 is thus clamped in the gap I between the inner disc 201 and the outer disc 202. Since the reciprocal distance between the two discs can be varied at will by acting upon the contrast elements, the wires 103 can be easily mounted to and disconnected from the container 102. For example, when adding a wire to the structure, the contrast means 204 can be used in order to slightly widen up the gap between the discs 201 and 202 by an amount sufficient to insert the end portion of the wire into the space I, while taking care that the end portions of the wires (housed in the space I) already present in the structure do not come out by unfastening from the ends of the container 102. When the end portion of the wire 103 which is to be added to the structure is in the desired position between the two discs 201 and 202, one can resort to the contrast means 204 once again in order to reduce the reciprocal distance between the discs 201 and 202 and clamp the end portion of the added wire 103 between the two discs 201 and 202.

In the following, with reference to Fig. 4(a) and 4(b) further embodiments of the present invention will be described. In figures 4(a) and 4(b) constituting parts and/or features of the device according to the current invention which have been previously described with reference to figures 1 through 3, are identified by the same reference numbers and/or letters.

Fig. 4(a) shows the face of a clamping element or inner disc 201 bound to face the inner space I between the two clamping elements 201 and 202. According to this particularly advantageous embodiment of the current invention, this face of the clamping element 201 displays a plurality of radial grooves 220 adapted to house an end portion of a wire 103 each. Such grooves determine consequently the spacing between the wires 103 of the container 102, fixed between the inner disc 201 and the outer disc 202 and extending between the two ends of the container 102. This spacing can thus be varied by using each time a clamping element (disc) with a different number and/or a different arrangement of grooves on the face of the disc 201. In Fig. 4(b) a further embodiment of the present invention is schematically depicted which differs from the embodiment schematically depicted in Fig. 4(a) in that the number and density of grooves 220 on the face of the clamping element 201 bound to face the inner space I are less than the number and density of such grooves according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 4(a). The device 100 according to the present invention can thus be marketed in combination with a set of different clamping elements 201, each provided with a number and/or arrangement of grooves suitable to accomplish different tasks (for fruits or different objects) and/or to meet different needs. For example, a clamping element 201 with a large number of grooves, such as in the example shown in Fig. 4(a), can be used for implementing a container 102 with a large number of wires 103 and, thus, with a small distance between adjacent wires 103. Such a device is particularly recommended for picking up objects or fruits of small size. Conversely, if the objects or fruits to be picked up have larger sizes, a clamping element 201 with a smaller number of grooves 220 can be chosen, such as that shown in the example of Fig. 4(b). This allows for using the same device 100 for picking up objects with different shapes and sizes. Alternatively, the user may consider adapting the device according to the present invention to his or her needs by keeping the same clamping element 201 and mounting to or disconnecting from the structure a number of wires 103 such that the container 102 assumes the most suitable shape for the type of objects to be picked up. For example, only a part of the grooves 220 can be used as housing for a corresponding number of end portions of the wires 103. As suggested in the introductory part, an option consists of periodically repeating a pattern along the perimeter of the clamping element, according to which a groove 220 is used for housing and end portion of a wire 103 and a predetermined number of grooves 220 adjacent to the occupied one is left empty.

The portion of the face of the clamping element 201 which faces the inner space I and which does not display grooves is indicated in figures 4(a) and 4(b) by the reference number 221. In the embodiment of the present invention shown in Fig. 4(a) and 4(b), the through hole 210, bound by the edge 212 and adapted to house a portion of the rotation shaft 104, is circular and concentric with the circumference or outer edge 211 of the clamping element 201. Alternatively, the through hole 201 may have an edge with a different shape from a circle. For example, the through hole may have a section which is regular or irregular polygonal, ellipsoidal, etc.

According to the embodiments of the present invention schematically depicted in figures 4(a) and 4(b), the grooves 220 on the face of the clamping element 201 facing the inner space I stretch in radial direction from the outer edge 211 to the edge 212 of the through hole 210. Alternatively, the grooves 220 may occupy only a portion of the radial segment between the outer edge 211 and the edge 212 of the through hole 210. In particular, according to the embodiment of the present invention schematically shown in Fig. 7(a), 7(b) and 7(c), the radial grooves 220 are blind by the end facing the edge 212 of the through hole 201. Since the radial grooves 220 may have different radial lengths on the face of the clamping element 201 facing the inner space I, it is possible to design several types of housing for the end portion of the wire 103 clamped in the inner space I between the inner disc 201 and the outer disc 202, as will be described in the following with reference to figures 5 through 11. Of course, according to a further embodiment of the present invention not shown in the figures, one or more radial grooves 220 can be made on the face of the clamping element or outer disc 202 facing the inner space I. Or else, according to an alternative solution not shown in the figures, the faces facing the inner space I of both clamping elements 201 and 202 may display radial grooves, in corresponding as well as alternate positions. Fig. 5 shows an embodiment of the device 100 according to the present invention according to which the wires 103 are bent at one of their ends so as to form a hook 103b which is fixed between the inner disc 201 and the outer disc 202. Fixing of the wire is achieved by engaging or anchoring the hook 103b to an element 203 made of rubber or elastomeric material interposed between the clamping elements 201 and 202. The element 203 of rubber or elastomeric material may, in turn, be a disc. In this manner, it is possible to mount the wires 103 to the container 102 simply by inserting them into the space I between the clamping elements 201 and 202 and by engaging the hook 103b at the end of the wire 103 with the element 203 of rubber or elastomeric material. Conversely, every single wire 103 can be disconnected from the container 102 by disengaging the hook 103b from the element 203 of rubber or elastomeric material and pulling it out of the gap I between the discs 201 and 202. Of course, although in figure 5 the end portions of the wires are shown to be housed each in a corresponding groove, it is also possible, depending on the needs and/or circumstances, to use clamping elements without grooves, while still using or omitting to use the intermediate layer 203 of rubber or elastomeric material. Analogously, according to a further embodiment of the present invention not shown in the figures, the hooks 103b in the proximity of the end of the wire 103 may be more than one; obviously it will be possible also in this case to use or omit to use the element 203 of rubber or elastomeric material. Or else, alternatively, the end portions of the wires may be not bent as in the case of figure 1 a.

Fig. 6(a) shows an embodiment of the device 100 according to the present invention according to which the grooves 220 of the inner disc 201 are provided with a fitting and/or engagement indentation or valley 201 i . An element 203 of rubber or elastomeric material is interposed in the inner space I between the discs 201 and 202. The end portion of the wire 103 is bent in the point 103b closest to the end point so as to fit together or engage with the indentation 201 i . A further bend of the wire 103 at the point 103b to form a kink in contact with the element 203 of rubber or elastomeric material, ensures that the outer disc 202 applies a pressure on the end portion of the wire 103 such that the end portion is kept firmly compressed inside the indentation

201 i . Fig. 6(b) schematically shows an alternative embodiment of the device according to the present invention, according to which the element 203 interposed between the discs 201 and 202 is absent and the end portion of the wire 103 bent at the point 103b so as to form a kink is directly in contact with the face of the outer disc 202 facing the inner space I. If the end portion of the wire 103 has been previously bent in such a way as to adapt to the shape of the indentation 201 i , while fixing the wire 103 to the container 102 it is sufficient to insert the end portion of the wire 103, appropriately bent, into the gap I between the discs 201 and

202 and apply a slight pressure in order to cause the bend of the end portion of the wire 103 to fit together with the indentation 201 i . Although in the device according to the embodiments of the present invention shown in Fig. 6(a) and 6(b) the indentation 201 i has a substantially V-shaped profile, other forms of the indentation 201 i are possible. Furthermore, different types of wire bends are possible, although in many cases bends such as to adapt to the shape of the indentations are preferable. According to a further embodiment of the device according to the present invention not shown in the figures, the indentations 201 i of the radial grooves 220 of the inner disc 201 are more than one. Consequently, bending of the end portion of the wires 103 to be fixed to the container 102 may be carried out at more points 103b, so as to adapt the profile of the end portion of the wire 103 to the shape and the number of fitting indentations 201 i . According to a further embodiment of the device according to the present invention not shown in the figures, the fitting indentations are on the face of the outer disc 202 facing the inner space I.

Fig. 7(a) shows an embodiment of the device 100 according to present invention according to which the radial grooves 220 of the inner disc 201 extend from the outer edge 211 of the disc 201 by a length less than the radial distance between the outer edge

211 and the edge 212 of the through hole 210. Therefore, the radial grooves 220 have an end which is blind toward the edge

212 of the through hole 210. An indentation 201 i is formed by the blind end of the groove 220, i.e. by the end which lies closer to the centre of the inner disc 201. When fixing the wires 103 to the container 102, the bent end 103b of the wire 103 is introduced into the gap I between the inner disc 201 and the outer disc 202. The bent end 103b is housed in the indentation 201 i . As shown in Fig. 7(a), a second bend may be made on the end portion of the wire 103 so as to form a kink which brings the wire 103 into contact with the outer disc 202 or with the layer of rubber or elastomeric material, when used. In this manner, the outer disc 202 applies a pressure on the end portion of the wire 103 such as to keep the bent end portion compressed within the indentation 201 i . Also according to this embodiment of the present invention, the end portion of the wire 103 may be bent in different ways and positions, depending on the specific needs. Figures 7(a), 7(b) and 7(c) show examples of possible alternative versions of the embodiment of the present invention according to which the end portion 103b of the wire 103 is bent so as to form a hook, a ring and a kink, respectively. Anyway, other forms of bending are possible. Alternatively, as previously anticipated, one or more embodiments shown in figures 7(a), 7(b) and 7(c) may comprise an element 203 of rubber or elastomeric material interposed in the space I between the clamping elements 201 and 202. Furthermore, it is pointed out that blind grooves 220, of the type shown in figures 7(a), 7(b) and 7(c), may be used also in combination with the embodiments of the device according to the present invention schematically shown in figures 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 and 11.

Figures 8(a) and 8(b) show two further embodiments of the device 100 according to the present invention. In Fig. 8(a) the wire 103 is bent at one end so as to form a hook 103b. The substantially flat face of the outer disc 202 facing the inner space I has a rigid protruding element 301 (202r) adapted to anchor the hook 103b at one end of the wire 103. In particular, said protruding element 103b protrudes from the substantially flat face of the outer disc 202 and is partially housed in groove 220 of the inner disc 201. Alternatively, according to a version of this embodiment of the present invention, the protruding element 301 (202r) may be elastic so as to be allowed to switch between a position in which the wire is fastened by means of a hook or bend of the wire (as shown in Fig. 8(a)), and a position in which the wire is released (protruding element upside-down or folded upwards). According to the further alternative version of Fig. 8(b), the substantially flat face of the outer disc 202 facing the inner space I has a protruding element 202r substantially rigid and hefty, and the groove 220 of the inner disc 201 facing said protruding element 220r has an indentation 201 i h in correspondence to the protruding element 202r and with a shape substantially complementary to that of the protruding element 202r. In this case, when mounting the wire 103 to the container 102, the end portion of the wire 103, suitably bent, is introduced into the gap I between the discs 201 and 202 and fitted between the protruding element 202r on the outer disc 202 and the indentation 201 i h on the inner disc 201.

Fig. 9 shows an embodiment of the device 100 according to which an end portion of each wire 103 is fixed to the container 102 by fastening one of its ends, suitably bent so as to form a hook, to the outer edge of an indentation or valley concentric with the through hole of the outer disc 202. In particular, according to this embodiment of the present invention, the indentation 202 i is made on the substantially flat (free of additional grooves) face of the outer disc 202 facing the inner space I. The wire 103 to be mounted to the container 102, bent at one end so as to form a hook 103b, is introduced into the gap I between the discs 201 and 202 and, therefore, engaged with the indentation 202 i by means of the hook 103b.

Fig. 10 shows an embodiment of the device 100 according to which each groove on the face of the inner disc 201 facing the inner space I has an indentation or valley connected to the through hole 210 housing the rotation shaft. An element 203 of rubber or elastomeric material is interposed in the space I between the discs 201 and 202. An end portion of the wire 103 to be mounted to the container 102, bent at one end so as to form an angle 103b substantially right, is introduced into the gap I between the inner disc 201 and the element 203 of rubber or elastomeric material. The end portion of the wire 103 is then anchored to the indentation 201 i by means of the part bent in a substantially right-angled manner. In order to more conveniently mount the wire 103 to the container 102, it is possible, before introducing the wire 103, to increase the relative distance between the inner disc 201 and the outer disc 202, for example by using the contrast means 204. After hooking the end portion of the wire 103 to the indentation 201 i , it is possible to reduce the relative distance between the discs 201 and 202, for example by using the contrast means 204, so as to apply a pressure on the end portion of the wire 103 which keeps it firmly fixed in the working position. According to an alternative version of the embodiment of the device according to the present invention shown in Fig. 10, the element 203 of rubber or elastomeric material is absent and the end portion of the wire 103 is clamped in the inner space I between the discs 201 and 202.

Fig. 11(a) shows an embodiment of the device 100 according to which one or more than one grooves of the inner disc 201 have two protruding elements 201 r shaped like a spherical cap. Such protruding elements 201 r are adapted to engage with an end portion of the wire 103 to be inserted into the space I, suitably bent in the points 103b so as to engage with the protruding elements 201 r. An element 203 of rubber or elastomeric material is interposed between the clamping element 201 and 202. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 11(b), according to this embodiment the face of the outer disc 202 facing the inner disc 201 has some fitting indentations 202 i in correspondence to the protruding elements 201 r on the inner disc 201. In this manner, the end portion of the wire 103 is firmly fitted between the indentations 202 i and the protruding elements 201 r. In this case, as shown in the figure, it is possible to omit using the element 203 of rubber or elastomeric material.

Of course, other embodiments of the present invention are also possible. For instance, embodiments according to which the protruding elements 201 r and/or the indentations 202i are in a number different from two are possible. Furthermore, the shape of the protruding elements 201 r on the surface of the inner disc 201 facing the inner space I may be different from a spherical cap. In this case, the indentations 202i have a profile different from an arc of circle and such as to follow the profile of the protruding elements 201 r.

Thus, the detailed description of the embodiments shown in the figures has proved that the present invention allows for reaching the goals specified above and for overcoming or, at least, reducing the typical drawbacks of the devices for picking up fruits or other objects from the ground known from prior art. In particular, it has been proved that the picking device according to the present invention allows for being quickly, easily and cost- effectively assembled, for replacing worn-out and/or damaged elements in as quick, easy and cost-effective a manner, for varying the total number of elastic elements at will and/or depending on the needs and/or circumstances so as to adapt the device to different needs, as well as for adjusting the tension of the wires by varying the length of their end portions trapped between the clamping elements.

Obviously, several modifications can be made to the embodiments of the device according to the present invention and shown in the figures without departing from the goals and the scope of the invention. It is to be noticed that the goal and the scope of the present invention are defined by the claims.

For example, the clamping elements 201 and 202 may have different shape from a disc, since the particular shape can be chosen according to the shape the container 102 is designed to assume. Furthermore, the clamping elements 201 and 202 may be made from a material different from a metal. For example they may be made from a plastic material such as Teflon.

Analogously, although according to the embodiments shown in figures 5 through 11 the clamping element 201 has radial grooves 220 on the face facing the inner space I, other embodiments are possible according to which said grooves are on the face facing the inner space I of the clamping element 202 or, else, on both clamping elements.

Claims

1. Device (100) for picking up fruits or other objects from the ground comprising a container (102) which can be rotated about a rotation axis (R) and extending from a first end (102a) to a second end (102b), both lying on said rotation axis (R), said container (102) comprising a plurality of elastic elements of elongated shape (103) which extend between said first and second end (102a, 102b) so as to allow said fruits or other objects to be housed within said container (102), said elastic elements (103) allowing said fruits or other objects to enter said container (102) by means of elastic deformation during the rotation about said axis (R) of said container (102) in contact with the ground; being said device characterized by the fact that said elastic elements (103) are fixed to at least one of said first and second end (102a, 102b) in a removable manner, so as to allow fixing to or disconnection from said at least one end (102a, 102b) of said container (102).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that at least one of said first and second end (102a, 102b) comprises two clamping elements (201, 202) facing each other and defining at least a substantially flat surface each, said two clamping elements (201, 202) being arranged adjacent to each other along said rotation axis (R) so as to define an inner space (I) between their respective substantially flat surfaces, and by the fact that the end portions of said elastic elements (103) are housed in said inner space (I) and are clamped between said clamping elements (201 , 202).

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized by the fact of comprising means adapted to vary the reciprocal distance between said substantially flat surfaces of said clamping elements (201, 202) and, hence, the grip applied by said two clamping elements on said end portions of said elastic elements (103).

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that said means adapted to vary the reciprocal distance between said substantially flat surfaces of said clamping elements (201, 202) comprise contrasting means (204) adapted to abut on the external surfaces of said two clamping means (201, 202) opposite to said inner space (I).

5. Device according to claim 4 characterized by the fact that said contrasting means (204) comprise one or more threaded elements.

6. Device according to on claims 2 to 5, characterized by the fact that at least one of said two clamping elements (201, 202) comprise at least a groove (220) extending in the radial direction on the face or surface of said at least one clamping element facing said inner space (I), and by the fact that the end portion of said elastic elements (103) housed in said inner space (I) between said two clamping elements (201, 202) is housed in said at least one groove (220).

7. Device according to one of claims from 2 to 6 characterized by the fact that at least one of said two clamping elements (201, 202) comprises a plurality of grooves (220) which extend in the radial direction on the face or surface of said at least one clamping element facing said inner space (I), and by the fact that the end portions of a corresponding plurality of said elastic elements (103) housed in said inner space (I) between said two clamping elements (201, 202) are housed each in a corresponding groove (220).

8. Device according to one of claims 6 and 7 characterized by the fact that at least one of said radial grooves (220) extends by a length such as to connect the housing hole (210) of said rotation shaft (104) and the outer edge (211) of said clamping element (201 , 202).

9. Device according to one of claims 6 and 8 characterized by the fact that at least one of said radial grooves (220) extends by a length less than the radial distance between the edge (212) of said housing hole (210) of said rotation shaft (104) and the outer edge (211) of said clamping element (201, 202).

10. Device according to one of claims from 2 to 9 characterized by the fact that the end portion of at least one of said elastic elements (103) housed in the inner space (I) between said substantially flat surfaces of said clamping elements (201, 202) comprises one or more subportions (103b) which are bent and/or shaped so as to improve the grip on said end portions and, hence, to prevent said end portion from accidentally unfastening from said inner space (I) between said two clamping elements (201 , 202).

11. Device according to claim 10, characterized by the fact that at least one of said clamping elements (201, 202) comprises one or more protruding elements (201 r , 202r) which extend within the inner space (I) between said two clamping elements (201, 202) and/or one or more insert indentations or valleys (201 i , 201 ih, 202i).

12. Device according to one of claims 10 and 11, characterized by the fact that at least one of said grooves (220) comprises at least one protruding element (201 r) which extends within said groove (220) and/or at least one insert indentation or valley (201 i , 201 i h ) drilled on the inner surface of said at least one groove (220).

13. Device according to one of claims 2 to 12, characterized by the fact that said device further comprises an element of rubber or elastomeric material (203) arranged between said two clamping elements (201, 202) and adapted to improve fixing of said end portion of said at least one elastic element (103) between said clamping elements (201, 202).

14. Device according to one of claims from 2 to 13, characterized by the fact that at least one of said clamping elements (201, 202) is disc-shaped with an outer edge (211) substantially circular.