FR2726153A1 - MACHINE FOR AUTOMATICALLY LIGATING VINEYARDS ON A TIGHT WIRE - Google Patents

Abstract

A machine for automatically binding vine shoots to a taut wire, essentially including at least one frame (4) hung on a high-clearance tractor (T) and provided with two pairs of counter-rotating brushes (5, 5a, 6, 6a) placed one above the other. Endless chains arranged downstream the brushes have fingers (10) engaging underlying drums for sandwiching the vine shoots (3) and holding them along the wire (1) as the tractor (T) advances, whereafter the shoots (3) are automatically bound to the wire (1) by a binding system (16). The machine is particularly useful for automatically binding cordon-pruned vine foot shoots.

Description

 The present invention essentially relates to a machine for the automatic folding down and ligation of vine branches on a stretched wire.

We know that the vines, especially those pruned in "cord" mode, in particular in so-called "cordon de mode"
Royat ", must be tied to a metallic wire stretched to support their development.

 Until now, the operations of folding down and tying the branches on the wire were carried out manually, which was obviously long, tedious and represented a significant labor cost.

 Also, the present invention aims to remedy these constraints by proposing a machine which can be made integral with a straddle tractor and allows the pruning operation of the branches left on the frame after pruning to be carried out automatically, then the binding of these same branches on the wire provided for this purpose.

 In general, the subject of the invention is a machine for automatically ligating the vine branches on a stretched wire, characterized by at least one mobile suspended frame comprising means capable of bringing and maintaining the branches near and along the wire as the frame advances, and means for then automatically ligating said branches maintained along the wire.

 This machine is further characterized in that the means for feeding and holding the branches along the wire consist of two pairs of rotating brushes, rotating in opposite directions, arranged one above the other, and in downstream of which are provided moving parts retaining the branches along the wire.

 According to one embodiment, the aforementioned moving parts consist of a plurality of fingers which are movable in a horizontal plane and under which is arranged a plurality of drums or the like situated in the same horizontal plane so that the branches are sandwiched between fingers and drums.

 According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the aforementioned fingers and drums are carried by two chassis integral with the mobile suspended frame and spaced from one another to allow the passage of the branches, the taut wire, and the supporting posts thread.

 The aforementioned fingers are mounted articulated on an endless chain associated with each chassis which comprises cams or the like allowing the fingers to assume a substantially horizontal working position between the two chassis and any out of service position.

 It will also be specified here that the machine comprises at least one hydraulic motor capable of driving the chains carrying the fingers at a speed relative to the chassis substantially equal to the speed of advance of the frame suspended relative to the ground and, as regards the chain strands between the two chassis, in the opposite direction to that of the advance of the suspended frame.

 According to another embodiment, the above-mentioned moving parts downstream of the brushes consist of a set of drums comprising at least one pair of axially superposed drums with reverse external thread, associated with a pair of axially superimposed drums with smooth periphery, the drums externally threaded being driven in rotation about their axis in a direction and at a speed suitable for folding the vine shoots in the vicinity of the stretched wire.

 Each drum is mounted articulated on the mobile frame suspended by means of at least one arm capable of struggling in the horizontal plane and constantly stressed by a spring.

 According to yet another characteristic of this embodiment, the drums of each pair of drums are rotatably mounted on a telescopic axis equipped with a compression spring biassing said drums towards one another.

 Thus, as is already understood, as the machine advances, the branches, the tensioned wire and the wire support posts can pass between the two pairs of drums axially superimposed, the branches being picked up by the reverse threads of the two drums externally threaded so as to be guided and therefore folded towards the opposite ends of these two drums, where the tensioned wire is located.

 It will also be specified here that the aforementioned moving parts can comprise four pairs of axially superposed drums, namely two pairs of superimposed drums with reverse external threads, arranged along one of the diagonals of a quadrilateral, and two pairs of superimposed drums at the periphery smooth arranged along the other diagonal of this quadrilateral.

 According to yet another embodiment, the means for supplying and holding the vine shoots along the stretched wire consist only of a set of drums as indicated above, that is to say comprising at least one pair of drums axially superimposed with reverse external threads, associated with a pair of axially superimposed drums with smooth periphery.

 As explained above, the drums can be connected to the mobile frame suspended by arms capable of struggling in the horizontal plane and constantly stressed by a spring, the drums of each pair being rotatably mounted on a telescopic axis equipped with a compression spring biasing one of the drums axially towards the other.

 Also, the means for supplying and holding the branches along the stretched wire may comprise four pairs of axially superposed drums, arranged two by two along the two diagonals of a quadrilateral.

 The machine according to this invention is further characterized in that the means for automatically ligating the branches on the stretched wire are integral with the downstream part either of the above-mentioned suspended frame, or of the two aforementioned frames supported by said frame.

 It will also be added that the suspended mobile frame is provided, at its upstream part, with deflecting plates advantageously allowing the centering of the vine shoots before they are folded down and tied on the wire.

 According to a preferred embodiment, the suspended frame is articulated to at least one arm secured to a straddle tractor so as to be able to freely oscillate at least transversely to the direction of advance of said tractor.

 The aforementioned arm is advantageously a telescopic arm adjustable by means of a jack.

 It is therefore understood that the frame supported by the tractor will not risk damaging the vine since, because of its freedom of oscillation, it can automatically adapt to irregularities in the position of the vines and posts.

However, other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear better in the detailed description which follows and which refers to the appended drawings, given solely by way of example, and in which
- Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a machine according to this invention, according to a first embodiment
- Figure 2 is a side view in elevation of this associated machine, as is also visible in Figure 1, with a tractor-straddle
- Figure 3 is a plan view and from above, along arrow III of Figure 1
- Figure 4 is a front and end view of the machine, along arrow IV of Figure 2
- Figure 5 is a schematic top plan view of another embodiment of this machine
- Figure 6 is a side view of the machine along the cutting line marked VI-VI in Figure 5; and
FIG. 7 is a half-view at the end of the machine along the line marked VII-VII in FIG. 5.

 Referring firstly to Figures 1 to 4 illustrating a first embodiment of machine according to the present invention, there is seen a tractor-straddle T that can roll between the rows of vines formed by metal wires 1 stretched between posts 2 and on which must be tied, after pruning, the frame 3 of a succession of vines planted in rows.

 On the side of the straddle tractor T is fixed in a suspended manner by means of an arm or the like 100, a frame 4 comprising a certain number of means capable of bringing and maintaining the frame or the branches 3 near and along stretched wire 1 as the advancement of said frame.

 In reality, on each side of the straddle tractor T is provided a frame such as 4, and a third frame can even be provided at the rear of the tractor so that, in this case, three lines of feet can be treated simultaneously. vine.

 The suspended frame 4 forms for example a mechanically welded structure supporting at the front two pairs of rotary brushes arranged one above the other, namely a pair of upper brushes 5, 5a and a pair of lower brushes 6, 6a. The two brushes of each pair and the bristles of which face each other rotate simultaneously, but the two pairs of brushes rotate in opposite directions as shown by the arrows F1 and F2 in FIGS. 1 and 2.

 Upstream of the four brushes 5, 5a, 6, 6a, are fixed to the frame 4, in an adjustable manner, two deflectors 7 which allow the centering of the branches 3 as the frame 4 materializes by the arrow F in FIG. 1. The branches 3 will first be pushed up by the brushes which sandwich them and will then, due to the reversal of the direction of rotation of the brushes, pulled down, ie -to say in the direction of the stretched wire 1. In other words, thanks to the arrangement and rotation of the brushes 5, 5a, 6, 6a, it is possible to gently manipulate the branches 3 both up and down, c '' i.e. for a pruning of the vine stock, in the direction of the cord and in the opposite direction. We can perfectly, without departing from the scope of the invention, adopt a direction of rotation for the brushes opposite to that shown in Figure 1, if you want to fold the branches 3 on the wire 1 in a direc tion opposite to that shown. Such a situation generally occurs when the machine moves from one row of vines to another.

 Downstream of the two pairs of brushes, the suspended frame 4 carries two frames 8 which are spaced from one another to allow passage to the taut wire 1, to the branches 3 folded down by the two pairs of brushes 5, 5a, 6 , 6a, and at posts 2.

 Each chassis 8, as best seen in Figure 3, contains an endless chain 9 on which are articulated fingers 10, it being understood that the chains 9 with their fingers rotate in the same horizontal plane.

 Under the chains 9 with fingers 10, are arranged, in the same horizontal plane, drums 12 clearly visible in Figures 2 and 3. According to the example shown, these drums are four in number and are arranged in pairs, as clearly seen in Figure 3. These drums are mounted rotating on the chassis 8, their axis being orthogonal to the plane of said chassis. Thus, the branches 3 folded down by the rotary brushes 5, 5a, 6, 6a can be sandwiched between the drums 12 and the fingers 10 which can take, between the two chassis 8, a horizontal or working position clearly visible on the Figure 3, while said fingers can take a vertical position out of service that can be seen in Figure 1, and this when the fingers are located at the chain strands outside the suspended frame 4.The passage from the horizontal position to the vertical position of the fingers 10, or vice versa, is caused by cam tracks provided at the ends of the chassis 8, and identified at 13 in FIG. 3.

 Clearly seen in Figures 3 and 4 the symmetrical arrangement of the various means described above with respect to the median longitudinal plane of the frame 4 materialized by the line in phantom lines XX 'and in which are obviously the tensioned wire 1 and the branches 3 after passage between the two pairs of superimposed brushes 5, 5a, 6, 6a.

 We see at 14 in Figures 2 and 4, a hydraulic motor capable of simultaneously driving the chains 9 with their fingers 10, and this at a speed proportional to the advancement of the frame 4 according to arrow F (Figure 1), in order that in the folded-down position of the branches 3 by the brushes, the fingers can maintain the vegetation without risk of damaging it. To do this, the speed relative to the ground of the fingers 10 now the vegetation must be zero. In other words, the chain strands 9 between the two chassis 8 move in the opposite direction to that of the advance F of the suspended frame 4 and at a speed relative to the chassis substantially equal to the speed of advance of the frame 4 by report to the ground.

 Of course, the fingers 10 are mounted articulated by means of an axis (not shown) on their respective chains 9 so as to be able to take the horizontal or vertical position as explained above. Furthermore, the rotation of the brushes 5, 5a, 6, 6a is hydraulically controlled by the various means identified at 15 in the figures.

 There is shown schematically at 16 in FIGS. 1 and 3 a means of binding the branches 3 to the stretched wire 1, this means being provided on the rear part of each chassis 8.

It is possible to envisage several binding systems without departing from the scope of the invention, it being understood that such a system could be mobile for hooking on the wire 1 all of the branches 3 previously held and locked by the fingers 10 and the four support drums 12.

 The operation of the machine is immediately deduced from the above description.

 The straddle tractor T on which the frames 4 are mounted suspended advances in the direction of the arrow F, it being understood that the pairs of brushes 5, 5a, 6, 6a rotate in the direction of the arrows F1, F2 and that the fingers 10 mounted articulated on the chains 9 rotate in the direction indicated by the arrows F3 in FIGS. 1 and 3.

 The branches 3 guided by the deflectors 7 are oriented by the brushes which move them up and then bring them down in the direction of the stretched wire 1 between the frames 8 carrying the chains 9 with fingers 10. As soon as the brushes exit, the articulated fingers 10 (mounted on an axis not shown which allows them to struggle laterally with respect to the chains 9) take the horizontal position (see Figures 3 and 4) to retain the branches 3 between them and the drums 12. Thus, downstream of the chassis 8, the branches 3 will be maintained along the stretched wire 1, and the binding means 16 will come into action to crochet, every 15 or 20 cm for example, said branches on the wire 1, as seen in 17 in FIG. 1. Thus, the ligation of the branches 3 on the wire 1 can be carried out automatically and continuously, it being understood that the chains 9 carrying the fingers 10 will rotate at a speed always substantially equal to the speed of advance along F of the tractor mbeur T.

 In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 where identical references have been used to designate the elements common to the embodiment described above, the suspended frame 4 no longer comprises, downstream of the two pairs of brushes 5, 5a, 6, 6a, chassis with chain equipped with fingers, as described above, but quite simply a set of drums carried by said frame.

 More specifically, the frame 4 carries a pair of drums 20, 20a, which are axially superimposed and have an inverted external thread 21, 2la, as can be seen in FIGS. 6 and 7. To this pair of drums is associated a pair of drums 22 with smooth periphery 22a. These two pairs of drums, as is clearly visible in FIG. 5, are arranged symmetrically on either side of the median longitudinal plane of the frame 4.

 According to a preferred embodiment, the suspended frame 4 is equipped, downstream of the two pairs of aforementioned drums, with two other pairs of drums which also consist respectively of two axially superimposed drums 23 with reverse external thread, and two axially drums superimposed 24 with smooth outer periphery 24a.

 As is clearly visible in FIG. 5, the pairs of externally threaded drums 20, 23 are arranged along the diagonals of a quadrilateral, the four vertices of which are constituted by the drums 20, 22, 23, 24.

As for the two pairs of externally smooth drums 22, 24, they are arranged along the other diagonal of the quadrilateral.

 25 has been shown adjustable arms articulated at 26 on the suspended frame 4 and carrying the aforementioned drums 20, 20a, 22, 23 and 24. These arms 5 are constantly stressed each by a spring 27 to constantly stress the pairs of drums 20 -20a and 24 pressing respectively against the pairs of drums 22, 23, it being understood that the arms 25 can be struggled in a horizontal plane around the articulation 26.

 The rotary drums 20, 20a, 22, 23, 24 are rotatably mounted on the free end of the arms 25 by means of a telescopic axis marked at 28 in FIGS. 5 and 6 and equipped with a compression spring 29 biassing the two drums of each pair of drums towards each other.

 The means for binding the branches 3 to the stretched wire 1 are fixed to the downstream part of the suspended frame 4, as shown diagrammatically at 16 in FIG. 5.

 The operation of the embodiment which has just been described is as follows.

 The machine advancing in the direction of the arrow F visible in Figure 5, and after taking over the branches 3 by the two pairs of brushes 5, 5a, 6, 6a, the branches are again and immediately at the exit of the brushes , supported by the two pairs of drums 2020a and 22, then by the other two pairs of drums 23 and 24.

 Thanks to the inverted thread 21, 21a of the drums 20, 20a cooperating with the smooth periphery 22a of the pair of drums 22, the branches somewhat distant from the wire and penetrating into said threads will all be brought back towards the axis of the wire and then be ligated by automatic tying means 16.

 Obviously, the reverse threads of the two superimposed drums 23 will cooperate with the smooth periphery 24a of the two drums 24, in the same way as previously, so that the branches 3 will be brought twice to the stretched wire 1 before being tied up on this thread. However, it would perfectly be possible, without departing from the scope of the invention, to use only two pairs of drums such as 20, 20a and 22.

 It should be observed here that the externally threaded drums 20, 20a-23 will be driven around their axis in a direction and at a speed suitable for folding down the vine shoots 3 in the vicinity of the stretched wire 1.

 The speed of rotation of the drums can be adjusted by an appropriate control, such as a hydraulic motor, as a function of the speed of advance of the frame 4 relative to the ground, so that the tangential speed of the nets carried by these drums is substantially greater, but not excessive, than said speed of advance of the suspended frame 4, and that this tangential speed is zero when the frame stops with respect to the ground.

 According to a third embodiment (not shown) of this invention, the two pairs of brushes 5, 5a, 6, 6a are omitted, and the suspended frame 4 comprises only one set of drums exactly as described above with reference to the figures 5, 6 and 7.

 This therefore means that the vine shoots 3, after being guided by the deflector plates 7, arrive directly at the pairs of cooperating drums 20-20a, 22 and 23, 24, between which they are gathered and brought back in the direction of the stretched wire 1, as previously explained, to be finally ligated to said wire.

 It will also be observed here that, in the various embodiments which have just been described, the suspended frame 4 is mounted articulated by means of an axis 102 (FIGS. 6 and 7) on the arm 100 connecting said frame to the straddle tractor T, and this in such a way that the suspended frame 4 can freely oscillate, like a pendulum, transversely to the direction of advance of said tractor.

Consequently, as it is understood, the machine can tolerate, without damage to the vine, the irregularities in the position of the vines and posts 2, as well as the slight swerves of the tractor due for example to irregularities in the ground.

 In addition, as can be seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, the arm 100 for connecting the frame 4 to the straddle tractor T advantageously carries a hydraulic cylinder generally identified at 101 and making it possible to make the arm 100 telescopically adjustable. .

 Of course, the invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described and illustrated which have been given only by way of example.

 Thus, various systems for tying the branches on the metal wire can be provided and fixed on the frames 8 carried by the frame 4 (Figures 1 to 4) or on the suspended frame itself (Figures 5 to 7). Similarly, the mechanical construction of the suspended frame can be arbitrary, it being understood that the various elements (in particular brushes) integral with said frame can be mounted on the latter with the appropriate games or adjustments.

 The invention therefore includes all the technical equivalents of the means described and their combinations if these are carried out according to the spirit.

Claims (18)

 1. Machine for automatically ligating vine branches on a stretched wire, characterized by at least one mobile suspended frame (4) comprising means capable of bringing and holding the branches (3) near and along the wire (1) to the as the frame (4) advances, and means (16) for then automatically ligating said branches maintained along the wire (1).  2. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for feeding and holding the branches (3) along the wire (1) are constituted by two pairs of rotating brushes (5, 5a, 6, 6a) rotating in the opposite direction, arranged one above the other and downstream of which are provided moving parts retaining branches (3) along the wire.  3. Machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the aforementioned moving parts consist of a plurality of fingers (10) which are movable in a horizontal plane and under which is arranged a plurality of drums or the like (12) located in a same horizontal plane, so that the branches (3) are sandwiched between the fingers (10) and the drums (12).  4. Machine according to claim 3, characterized in that the fingers (10) and the aforementioned drums (12) are carried by two chassis (8) integral with the mobile suspended frame (4) and spaced from each other for allow the passage of branches (3), tensioned wire (1), and posts (2) supporting the wire.  5. Machine according to claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the aforementioned fingers (10) are mounted articulated on an endless chain (9) associated with each frame (8) which comprises cams or the like (13) allowing the fingers (10) to assume a substantially horizontal working position between the two chassis (8) and any out-of-service position.  6. Machine according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized by at least one hydraulic motor (14) capable of driving the chains (9) carrying the fingers (10) at a speed relative to the chassis (8) substantially equal at the speed of advance of the suspended frame (4) relative to the ground and, as regards the strands of chain between the two frames (8), in the opposite direction to that of the advance of the suspended frame.  7. Machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the aforementioned moving parts consist of a set of drums comprising at least one pair of axially superimposed drums (20,20a-23) with reverse external thread (21, 21a), associated to a pair of axially superimposed drums (22-24) with smooth periphery (22a-24a), the externally threaded drums (20, 20a-23) being driven around their axis in a direction and at a speed suitable for folding down the branches vineyard near the stretched wire (1).  8. Machine according to claim 7, characterized in that each drum is articulated on the mobile suspended frame (4) by means of at least one arm (25) capable of struggling in the horizontal plane and constantly stressed by a spring (27).  9. Machine according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the drums (20, 20a, 22, 23, 24) of each pair of drums are rotatably mounted on a telescopic axis (28) equipped with a compression spring ( 27) axially biasing the drums of each pair towards each other.  10. Machine according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the aforementioned moving parts comprise four pairs of axially superposed drums, namely two pairs of superimposed drums (20, 20a-23) with reverse external thread, arranged according to one of the diagonals of a quadrilateral, and two pairs of superimposed drums (22, 24) with smooth periphery arranged along the other diagonal of this quadrilateral.  11. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for feeding and holding the branches (3) along the stretched wire (1) consist solely of a set of drums comprising at least one pair of axially superimposed drums (20,20a-23) with reverse external thread (21, 21a) associated with a pair of axially superimposed drums (22-24) with smooth periphery (22a, 24a).  12. Machine according to claim 11, characterized in that each drum is mounted articulated on the suspended mobile frame (4) by means of at least one arm (25) capable of struggling in the horizontal plane and constantly stressed by a spring (27).  13. Machine according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the drums (20, 20a, 22, 23, 24) of each pair of drums are rotatably mounted on a telescopic axis (28) equipped with a compression spring ( 27) axially urging the drums of each pair towards one another.  14. Machine according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the aforementioned moving parts comprise four pairs of axially superposed drums, namely two pairs of superimposed drums (20, 20a-23) with reverse external thread, arranged according to one of the diagonals of a quadrilateral, and two pairs of superimposed drums (22, 24) with smooth periphery arranged along the other diagonal of this quadrilateral.  15. Machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means (16) for automatically ligating the branches (3) on the tensioned wire (1) are integral with the downstream part of the above-mentioned suspended frame (4) or two aforementioned chassis (8).  16. Machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least two deflector plates (7) integral with the upstream part of the suspended mobile frame (4).  17. Machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the suspended frame (4) is articulated to at least one arm (100) secured to a straddle tractor (T) so as to be able to oscillate freely at least transversely to the direction of advancement of said tractor.  18. Machine according to claim 17, characterized in that the aforementioned arm (100) is a telescopic arm adjustable by means of a jack (101).