FR2636500A1 - Device for the selective picking of fruit and vegetables - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for the selective remote picking of fruit and vegetables comprising two separate tools, one held in each hand: - one for grasping, - one for cutting. They are formed from a handle 1, a grip 8, motion transmission (cable) and an identical opening system 25. The grasping system is characterised by a tripod 4 and 5 formed from two fixed fingers 5 and one moving finger 4, the latter being controlled from the grip 8 via the cable. The cutting system 23 and 24 is characterised by two blades, one of them fixed 24 and the other pivoting 23 on the latter. The pivoting of this blade is controlled from the grip 8 via the cable.

Description

The present invention relates to a set of tools
allowing the selective picking of fruits or vegetables at
distance and without having to stoop.

 Picking fruits' (example melons) is traditionally done with a pruner held in one hand and. one basket in the other. To pick the fruit it is essential to bend down or bend over. These repeated movements cause fatigue and muscle pain for the picker but also loss of time and damage to the flat due to trampling to reach a distant fruit.

 The set of tools according to the invention overcomes these major drawbacks by providing ergonomic solutions.

This set is made up of two separate tools:
1. A gripping tool to remove the
selected fruit.

2. A cutting tool to cut the
fruit stalk.

 The user holds a tool in each hand.

 The accompanying drawings (3 in number) illustrate the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE TOOLS
A. Description of the handle, base common to the two tools
The drawing on board 1/3 shows the common base for the two tools.

 It is a handle (1) made of a rigid and light material measuring approximately 110 centimeters (variable depending on the type of fruit & pick and the size of the user).

 Holding this handle vertically we find approximately 40 centimeters from the top a handle (8) hinged on it (value adjustable according to the size of the user). It will serve as a control lever.

 At the handle, the handle is worked or surrounded to make it comfortable to hold.

 When the user takes the handle and the handle in his hand, the upper part of the handle, whether or not provided with an anatomical groove, rests under his forearm. This part of the handle will serve as a lever arm and thus reduce the effort to handle the tool.

 At the lower end of the handle we find the attachments of the gripping or cutting mechanism supports.

The handle itself is hollow. It allows a sheath to pass through which slides a cable connected on the one hand to the handle and on the other hand to the mechanism.

According to preferred manufacturing methods:
- the handle can be hollow or full
- the cable can be free and pass outside
It can also be replaced by
any other mode of transmission (rigid rod, wire
iron, nylon etc ...).

- the handle can be provided with an increasing lug
the distance between the articulation point and the
cable anchorage point. This will allow more
large range of motion of the moving parts
mechanisms.

B. Gripping and cutting mechanisms
The gripping and cutting mechanisms being different we will study them separately.

1. The gripping mechanism (plate 2/3)
It consists of:
- a mechanism support (2) fixing at the bottom
of the handle (l>. According to a variant the mechanism
can be attached directly to the handle.

 - two rigid fingers (5) attached to the support (2).

They form a fork with points bent towards
the bottom in a quarter of an arc. This curvature is.

function. fruit to be picked and allows to marry
their rounding.

According to a variant, the two fingers (5) can
be more numerous or be replaced by a
shell.

- a rigid finger (4) pivoting on an axis
secured to the support (2). The bottom of this finger in
starting from the axis is also formed in an arc
and draw a tripod with the other two fingers.

Its upper part connected to the cable will ensure its
pivoting & operator control.

According to a variant, the bottom of this finger can between
formed in a fork or be formed in a shell for
adapt to any fruit and vegetable.

 We thus have three curved fingers which cap the melon. On operator control, the articulated finger of the tripod pivots. Its curved part approaches the melon then. The block c shows the fixed fingers. The fruit can then be removed and it is to separate the fruit from its plant that the cutting tool becomes essential.

2. The cutting mechanism (plate 3/3)
It consists:
- a mechanism support (22) fixing at the bottom
of the handle (1).

- a rigid blade (24) slid and fixed in a
slot provided on the support (22) At approximately one
third of its length this blade is folded over its
song which thus draws an obtuse angle.

According to a variant, the formed end can have
its inner song sharp or not.

- another rigid blade which comes to articulate
flat on the first. An axis will make both
integral blades while allowing pivoting
of the movable blade. This movement will be ensured on
operator control by the target linked to a
end of this blade.

The other end will be sharp on its edge
interior to pivot.

 When the operator wants to cut the peduncle he will slide it inside the cutting angle formed by the two blades. By tightening the handle, it will control the pivoting of the movable blade via the target.

 This blade will pivot on the fixed blade, wire the peduncle against the latter and shear it with its edge while continuing its stroke.

C. Description of the opening recall mechanics
The opening of the cutting gripping mechanisms and the handle is ensured in the same way on both tools.

 When the operator licks the handle, a spring connected on the one hand to the support and on the other hand to the bottom of the movable part of the mechanism opens the latter. By leverage, the moving part pulls on the cable which itself opens the handle.

 According to preferred embodiments, these springs can be placed indifferently on all the movable members of the tools. They will then be in extension, compression or bending. Likewise they could be in the form of a turn, of a blade, etc ... t? T be of any material (steel, rubber etc. ...

Claims (12)

 - a cutting  - a grip  separate, held one in each hand:  remote fruits and vegetables with two tools  l. Set of tools for picking  2. A set of tools according to claim l characterized in that each tool has a handle on which is articulated a handle allowing, when the user squeezes it in his hand, to operate via a system the mechanism attached to the bottom of the handle (gripping mechanism for the gripping tool, cutting mechanism for the cutting tool).  A spring allows the opening of the mechanism when the user loosens his hand.  3. Tool set according to claims l and 2, characterized in that the cutting tool comprises a cutting mechanism consisting of a fixed blade on which is articulated a movable blade for cutting the peduncle of the fruit.  4. A set of tools according to claims l, and 2 characterized in that the gripping tool comprises a gripping system consisting of a tripod with three fingers.  5. A set of tools according to claims l and 2, characterized in that the gripping tool comprises a gripping system consists of a number of fingers greater than three.  6. A set of tools according to claims l and 2 characterized in that the gripping tool comprises a gripping system consisting of a shell for trapping the fruit more effectively.  7. Tool set according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handles (1) have an anatomical gutter at their upper end.  8. Tool set according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transmission systems are constituted by cables.  9. Tool set according to one or more of the following claims, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, characterized in that the transmission systems are constituted by rigid rods.  10. Tool set according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handles are full.  11. Tool set according to one or more of the following claims, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, characterized in that the sleeves are hollow, thus allowing the interior passage of the transmission system.  12. Tool assembly according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control handle (8) comprises a lug at the end of which the transmission system is fixed. This will increase the amplitude of movement of the moving parts of the mechanisms (23 and 4).