GB2278528A

GB2278528A - Fruit picking tool

Info

Publication number: GB2278528A
Application number: GB9311359A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Stephen Battye
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-06-02
Filing date: 1993-06-02
Publication date: 1994-12-07
Anticipated expiration: 2013-06-02
Also published as: GB2278528B; GB9311359D0

Abstract

A tool comprising a stick 1 at one end of which is a hoop like frame 3 to which is attached a bag or tube 10, the hoop like frame being so shaped that it facilitates the picking of fruit which, when so picked, fall into the bag or tube to be recovered by the picker. The hoop like frame has on its inward facing edge a blade or bladed notches for cutting fruit from trees. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELNTED TO TOOLS This invention relates to tools to facilitate the picking of fruit from trees.

Many fruit trees grow much of their fruit out of the reach of unaided pickers. According to the current art a picker may use a ladder to reach higher fruit, but it is often difficult to suitably position and support a ladder to facilitate this. Also according to the current art a picker may use a long stick to knock high fruit to the ground, but this usually results in fruit being bruised when struck by the stick and bruised when striking the ground.

In an industrial situation the efficient removal of fruit from trees is sometimes achieved with special, large machinery made to shake a tree and catch the fruit in a net automatically placed beneath. Robots are also used industrially to automatically sense, locate and pick individual apples with an articulated arm. Such industrial equipment is expensive and complicated. It is unsuitable for domestic use and often illappropriate in less industrially developed couiitr-ies because of its expense and the technical capabilities needed of those necessary to maintain it.

slide invention is of a tool to facilitate the picking and recovery of apples individually in such a way that they are undamaged by the operation. The tool is manipulated by the picker and requires no other form of power. It uses low technology, is simple to manufacture and is expected to find service not only in the domestic environment of countries where high technology products are common place but also widely in countries where high technology products are uncommon.

The tool accor-ding to the invention is particularly expected to find service in aiding the picking of moderately large fruit like apples, pears, oranges, lemons and figs but should also pr-ove useful for smaller fruit such as rambutans and nuts. Its particular usefulness is that it enables the picking of tree fruit which is out of the reach of unaided pickers.

ihe present invention is of a light weight tool comprising a stick, a hoop like frame and a bag or tube in which the hoop like frame is attached to one end of the stick and is formed on its inward facing edge into a blade or bladed notches for cutting fruit from trees, and the mouth of the bag or tube is attached around the edge of the frame for catching the released fruit or directing the released fruit towards the picker or an assistant.

Figure 1 is a perspective, and Figure 1B a detail of one particular and exemplary form of the invention. In the particular and exemplary form of the invention shown in Figures 1A and 1B there is a stick 1, at one end of which is a handle 2 and the other end of which is an approximately hoop shaped frame 3. The plane of frame 3 is at right angles to the length of stick 1. Attached around the edge of frame 3 is a bag 10. Stick 1 is of non-cicular cross section at right angles to its length so that handle 2 and frame 3 fasten to it in such a way that neither handle 2 nor frame 3 can rotate independently about the length of stick 1 as axis.

Viewed in the direction of the length of stick 1, the outside edge 4 of frame 3 is smoothly contoured but the inside edge 14 is so shaped that it roughly resembles the profile of a retort with a neck 5 drawn to a point 6 very close to the large space 7 which resembles the retort 5 main body.

Fixed to frame 3 on one side of neck 5 is a first cutting blade 8 and on the other side of neck 5 is a second cutting blade 9. Bag 10, which is attached around the edge of frame 3, is so fixed that when stick 1 is vertical with frame 3 above handle 2, the closed end of bag 10 hangs downward so that anythirlg dropped through the space 7 of hoop like frame 3 falls within bag 10.

Figure 2 helps illustrate the use of the particular and exemplary form of the invention described in connection with Figures 14 and 1B by showing the position of the tool according to the invention with respect to the fruit which is to be picked at one moment in the tool 's operational use. To use the tool the fruit picker holds handle 2 and first positions the hoop like frame 3 just below fruit 11 hanging on stalk 13 from tree bough 12. The tool is next pushed upwards, so that fruit 11 passes through space 7 of frame 3, then moved slightly sideways so that the stalk 13 of the fruit is touchillg or close to the inside edge 14 of frame 3.

By twisting the wrist the picker then partially rotates handle 2 to cause the corresponding rotation of frame 3 about stick 1 as axis. This action causes fruit stalk 13 to slide into neck 5, momentarily assuming the position as illustrated in Figure 2, and so move on towards point 6. In sliding towards point 6 stalk 13 is cut by blades 8 and 9 so that fruit 11 drops into bag 10. The picker lowers the tool to recover the fruit from bag 10.

It is not necessary that the plane of hoop like frame 3 is at right angles to stick 1 for there are other forms of the invention in which the plane of hoop like frame 3 is at a different angle to stick 1.

It is not necessary that stick 1 is of non-circular cross section along the whole of its length for there are other forms of the invention in which it is only of non-circular cross section where it passes into handle 2 and frame 3, and other versions of the invention in which it is of circular cross section where it passes into handle 2 and frame 3 but is pinned, splined or keyed to prevent the independent r-otation of handle 2 and frame 3 about the length of stick 1 as axis, for the invention includes all means for preventing the independent rotation of handle 2 and frame 3 about stick 1 as axis.

It is not necessary that stick 1 is of fixed length for there are other forms of the invention in which stick 1 is of adjustable length. In one particular and exemplary form of the invention in which stick 1 is of adjustable length stick 1 is made of a first part which can be slid a required length into a second part and locked to it with a tapered collet. Figure 1C illustrates a detail of a particular and exemplary arrangement for locking the first part of stick 1 to the second part of stick 1 according to this particular and exemplary form of the inveiition.

In the particular and exemplary means for adjusting the length of stick 1 which is illustrated in Figure 1C the cross section of stick 1 at right angles to its length is as sliowii in Figure 1B and the part of stick 1 shown to the left of Figure XC can be slid snugly, but freely, into the part of stick 1 shown to the right of Figure 1C. The part of stick 1 shown to the right of Figure 1C has several slots around its circumference which extend from the free end a short distance along the length of stick 1 to form several tangs 96. Just beyond tangs 96 the outer surface of stick 1 is foamed into threads 98. fi collet 97, which is shown iii section in Figure 1C, with its inside surface threaded, engages with threads 98 and has a tapered overhang which extends over tangs 96 and a short distance over the exposed par-t of stick 1 shown to the left in Figure 1C. Rotation of collet 97 in a first direction allows the part of stick 1 shown to the left in Figure 1C to slide freely in and out of the part of stick 1 shown to the right in Figure 1C, but rotation of collet 97 in the opposite direction compresses tangs 96 onto the part of tube 1 shown to the left in Figure 1C so that the part of stick 1 shown to the right of Figure 1C and the part of stick 1 shown to the left in Figure 1C are locked together. The length of stick 1 is adjusted by sliding the required length of stick 1 shown to the left in Figure 1 into the part of stick 1 shown to the right of Figure 1 and adjusting collet 97 so that the two parts of stick 1 are locked together.

It is not necessary that stick 1 is made adjustable in lengtll by being made from only two pieces of material for there are other forms of the invention in which stick 1 is made of three pieces of material and other forms of the invention in which it is made of four pieces of material for stick 1 can be made of any number of pieces of material necessary to achieve the required adjustability of length.

It is not necessary that stick 1 is made adjustable in leiigtli by having two or more lengths which slide into one another for there are other forms of the invention in which stick 1 is made of two or more lengths which slide side by side one another and other forms of the invention in which stick 1 is made of two or more lengths which can be separately removed or attached to one another, for the invention includes all means for adjusting tie length of stick 1.

It is not necessary that forms of the invention in which stick 1 is made of several pieces of material have the several pieces of material which form stick 1 locked together by collets for there are other forms of the invention in which they are locked together by nuts and bolts and other forms of the invention in which they are locked together by clamps for the invention includes all suitable means for locking several parts of stick 1 together.

It is not necessary that a closed bag 10 is attached near the outer edge of frame 3 in order to catch fruit, for there are other forms of the invention in which a tube of flexible material is attached near the edge of frame 3. Figure 1D shows such a particular and exemplary form of the inven Lion WhiCIl has a stick 1, handle 2 and frame 3 as described in connection with Figures 1R aiid XB and a flexible plastic tube 80 attached near the outer edge of frame 3. rube 80 is about the same length as stick 1 and a little way along its leiigti, from where it is attached to frame 3, reduces slightly in diameter. The particular and exemplary form of the invention described in connection with Figure 1D is used in tlie same way as the particular and exemplary form of the invention described in connection with Figures 1R and 1B but the fruit which is released from the tree by the action of the tool according to this form of invention, slides down the tube to be collected by the picker, or an assistant, at the end of the tube remote from frame 3, without the need to lower stick 1. Tube 80 serves to guide the fruit safely to tie picker, or an assistant, and slow its decent so that it can be easily and safely caught by the picker, or an assistant, without damage.

It is not necessary that flexible tube 80 is made of plastic for there are other forms of the invention in which it is made of cloth, other forms of the invention in which it is made of nylon and other forms of the invention in which it is made of iieoprene for the invention includes tube 80 made of any material suitable for the purpose.

It is not necessary that flexible tube 80 is made of all one type of material for there are other forms of the invention in which the part of tube 80 attached and near frame 3 is made of wle material and the part of tube 80 at and near the free end is made of another material. In one such particular and exemplary form of the invention the part of tube 80 near to frame 3 is made oF plastic and the free end of tube 80 made of cloth. The benefit of this particular and exemplary form of the invention is that when in use the fruit falls freely through the plastic section of tube 80 until it nears the picker, or an assistant, and then its fall is more inhibited and slowed as it falls through the cloth section so that it is easier to retrieve without damage.

It is not necessary that the length of tube 80 is approximately the same as the length of stick 1 for there are other forms of the invention in which it is considerably shorter than stick 1 so that fruit is only partially guided towards the picker, or an assistant, and thereafter falls freely to be caught. This version of the invention has the benefit that since it has a shorter tube 80, tube 80 is less likely to be caught in the branches of the fruit tree. There ar-e also other forms of the invention in which tube 80 is considerably longer than stick 1 so that fruit can be guided away from the picker, and more greatly slowed in its decent, to facilitate safer retrieval by the fruit picker's assist ant .

It is not necessary that tube 80 is of fixed length for there are other forms of the invention in which its length caii be adjusted by temporally attaching or removing lengths of tubing. In one such version of the invention adjustment leiigtjis ar-e attached by press studs, in other forms of the invention adjustment lengths are attached by Velcro and yet other forms of the invention adjustment lengths are attached by a zip, for the invention includes all means for attaching adjustment lengths to tube 80. These forms of the invention in which there are adjustment lengths for tube 80 are expected to find particular use with forms of the invention in which the length of stick 1 can be adjusted.

It is not necessary that the invention takes only the form with a bag 10, as described with reference to Figure 1A, or te form with a tube 80, as described with reference to Figure 1D, for there are other forms of the invention in which it can assume either form. In one such particular and exemplary form of the invention a very short tube is fitted to frame 3 and the free end of the tube is fitted with press studs fastenings. In use the press studs can be either clipped together to close the free end of the short tube in order to form a bag in which to catch the fruit, or the press studs can be clipped to extension lengths of tubing, as described with reference to Figure 1D, in order to guide the decent of the picked fruit to the picker or an assistant. It is not necessary that such forms of the invention use press studs to close the short tube, or attach extension lengths of tubing, for there are other forms of the invention in which a zip and other forms of the invention in which Velcro is used as a fastening, for the invention includes all suitable means for closing the free end of the short tube or- attaching extension tubes.

Figure 3R is a detail of the hoop like frame, with attached bag, of another particular and exemplary form of the invention in which an approximately hoop like frame 24 is at right angles to the length of a stick 25, at the other end of which is a handle 26 (not shown). Viewed in the direction of the length of stick 25, the outside edge 14 of frame 24 is smoothly contoured, but the inside edge 15 of frame 24 is so shaped that its peripheral line roughly resembles two diametrically opposed semi-circles of different diameter whicll are maximally separated by approximately the diameter of the smaller of the two semi-circles to form a first notch 16 and second notch 17 where the differently sized semicircles connect. Cutting blades 18 and 19 are fixed to frame 24, on the opposite sides of the first notch 16, and cutting blades 20 and 21 are fixed to frame 13 on opposite sides of second notch 17. n bag 22 is fixed to frame 24 such that when stick 1 is vertical with frame 13 uppermost, the closed end of bag 22 hangs downward so that anything dropped through space 23 enclosed by hoop like frame 24 falls within bag 22.

Use of the particular and exemplary form of the invention described with reference to Figure 34 is the same as the use of the particular and exemplary form of the invention described with reference to Figures 1, 1B 1C and 1D. The benefit of the particular and exemplary form of the invention described with reference to Figure 3, over the particular and exemplary form of the invention described with reference to Figures IS, 1B 1C and tD, is that the fruit stalk is caught in a notch and cut, whichever direction frame 24 is rotated by handle 26 (not shown) about stick 25 as axis. If stick 12 is rotated in a first direction the fruit stalk goes into notch 16 to be cut by blades 18 and 19. If stick 12 is rotated in the opposite direction the fruit stalk goes into notch 17 to be cut by blades 20 and 21.

It is not necessary that the plane of hoop like frame 24 is at ninety degrees to the length of stick 25 for there are other forms of the invention in which the plane of hoop like frame ain 24 is at an angle other than ninety degrees to the leiigtii of stick 25.

It is not necessary that stick 25 is of fixed length for there are other forms of the invention in which stick 25 is of adjustable length like described with reference to the particular and exemplary form of the invention described with reference to Figures 15, 1B, 1C and 1D.

It is not necessary there is a bag 22 attached to frame 13 or there are other forms of the invention in which instead of a bag 22 there is a tube like that described in connection with tube 80 of the particular and exemplary form of the invention described with reference to Figure ID. In yet other forms of the invention there is attached to frame 13 a short tube which can be temporarily fastened to form a closed bag or fastened to extension lengths of tubing as described with reference to Figures 15 and 1D.

Figure 3B is a detail of the hoop like frame of another particular and exemplary form of the invention in which an approximately hoop like frame 31 is at ninety degrees to the length of a stick 30, at the other end of which is a handle 41 (not shown). Viewed in the direction of the length of stick ;3;C), the outside edge 32 of frame 31 is smoothly contoured but the inside edge 33 of frame 31 is so shaped that there are formed six, similar, deep notches 34, 35, 36, 37, 38 and 39. The shape of notches 34, 35, 36, 37, 38 and 39 are such that if a fruit stork is close to or touching the inside edge 33 of frame 31, continual rotation of frame 31 about stick 30 as axis in a first direction causes the stalk to slide freely, though rather bumpily, around the inside edge 33 of frame 31, but rotation of frame 31 about stick 30 as axis in the opposite direction causes, after no more than approximately 60 degrees rotation, the stalk to enter one of the notches 34, 35, 36, 37, 38 or 39. The thickness of the hoop like frame 31, at the sides of notches 34, 35, 36, 37, 38 and 39, is tapered so that the edges of each notch is blade like. n bag 40 is fixed to frame 31 so that when stick 30 is vertical with frame 31 uppermost, the closed end of bag 40 hangs downward so that anything dropped through space 42 enclosed by hoop like frame 31 falls within bag 40.

Use of the particular and exemplary form of the invention described with reference to Figure 3B is the same as the use of the particular and exemplary form of the invention described with reference to Figures 15, 1B, 1C and 1D. The benefit of the particular and exemplary form of the invention described with reference to Figure 3B over the particular and exemplary form of the invention described with reference to Figures 15, lB, 1C and 1D is that rotation of frame 31 by handle 41 (not shown) about stick 30 as axis, through an angle of only a little more than 60 degrees, ensures that the fruit stalk slides along the sides of one of the notches 34, 35, 36, 37, 38 or 39 to be cut. When the fruit stalk is cut the fruit falls into bag 40 to be recovered by the picker when the tool is lowered.

It is not necessary that all the notches 34, 35, 36, 37, 38 and 39 are the same for there are other forms of the invention in which notches 34, 35, 36, 37, 38 and 39 are not all the same.

It is not necessary that the inside edge 33 of frame 31 is contoured to form six notches for there are other forms of the invention in which there are two notches, other forms in which there are three notches, other forms of the invention in which there are four notches, other forms of the invention in which there are five notches, other forms of the inveition in which there are seven notches, other forms of the invention in which there are eight notches, other forms of the invention in which there are nine notches, other forms of the invention in which there are ten notches, other forms of the invention in which there are eleven notches, other forms of the invention in which there are twelve notches and other forms of the invention in which there are other- numbers of notches for the invention includes a frame 31 with the inside edge 33 formed into any number of notches suitable for the purpose.

It is not necessary that the plane of hoop like frame 31 is at ninety degrees to stick 30 for there are other forms of the invention in which the plane of hoop like frame 31 is at an angle other than ninety degrees to stick 30.

It is not necessary that stick 30 is of fixed length for there are other forms of the invention in which stick 30 is of adjustable length like described in connection with the particular and exemplary form of the invention described with reference to Figures t, lB, lC and lD.

It is not necessary there is a bag 40 attached to frame 31 for there ar-e other- forms of the invention iri which instead of a bag 40 there is a tube like that described in connection with tube 80 of the particular and exemplary form of the invention described with reference to Figure ID.

Figure 3C is a detail of the hoop like frame of another particular and exemplary form of the invention in which an approximately hoop like frame 45 is at right angles to the length of stick a 53, at the other end of which is a handle 54 (not showii). In the particular and exemplary form of the invention partially illustrated in Figure 3C the hoop like frame 45 has an inside edge 46 which is shaped into six notches 47, 48, 49, 50, 51 and 52 like the six notches descr-ibed in connection with Figure 3B, but with a separately made blade 54 on one side of each of the notches. In this particular and exemplary form of the invention each of the six notches has a separate blade slightly recessed into the frame to ensure its correct location, and is held in place by a screw. 5 bag 55 is fixed to frame 45 so that when stick 53 is vertical with frame 45 uppermost, the closed end of bag 55 hangs downward so that anything dropped through space 56 enclosed by hoop like frame 45 falls within bag 55.

Use of tie particular- and exemplary form of the invention described with reference to Figure 3C is the same as the use of the particular and exemplary form of the invention described with reference to Figures 15, tB, 1C, 1D and 3B. The benefit of the particular and exemplary form of the invention described with reference to Figure 3B over the particular- and exemplary form of the invention described with r-eference to Figures 15, 1B, lC and 1D and 3B is that cutting edges can be easily replaced and maintained to ensure easier cutting of fruit stalks.

It is not necessary that the inside edge 46 of frame 45 is contoured to form six notches for there are other forms of the invention in which there are two iiotci-ies, other forms in which there are three notches, other forms of the invention in which there are four notches, other forms of the invention in which there are five notches, other forms of the invention in which there are seveii notches, other forms of the invention in which there are eight notches, other forms of the iiivention in which there are nine notches, other forms of the invention in which there are ten notches, other forms of tlie invention in which there are eleven notches, other forms of the invention in which there are twelve notches and other forms of the invention in which there ar-e other numbers of notches for the invention includes a frame 45 with the inside edge 46 formed into any number of notches suitable for the purpose, each notch fitted with a separate blade along one edge.

It is not necessary that a separate blade is fixed to only one side of each notch for there are other forms of the invention in which a separate blade is fitted to each of the two sides of each notch.

It is not necessary that the plane of hoop like fr-ame 45 is at right angles to stick 53 for there are other forms of the invention in which the plane of hoop like frame 45 is at an angle other than ninety degrees to stick 53.

It is riot necessary that stick 53 is of fixed length for there are other forms of the invention in which stick 53 is of adjustable length like described in connection with the particular and exemplary form of the invention described in coiiiiection with Figures 15, 1B, 1C and lD.

It is not necessary there is a bag 55 attached to frame 45 for there are other forms of the invention in which instead of a bag 55 there is a tube like described in connection with tube 80 of the particular and exemplary form of the invention illustrated in Figure 1C. In yet other forms of the inveiitioii there is attached to frame 45 a short tube which can be temporarily fastened to form a closed bag, or fasteiied to extension lengths of tubing as described with reference to Figures 15 and 1D.

Figure 3D shows two orthogonal elevations of the hoop like end of another particular and exemplary form of the invention. In the particular and exemplary form 66. lhe outside edges of stout metal ring 64, profiled neoprene ring 65 and thin metal ring 66 are all of the same diameter as the hoop like frame 60. The inside edge of stout ring 64 is the same diameter as the inside edge of frame 60.

The inside edge of thin metal ring 66 is of slightly smaller diameter than the inside edge of frame 60. The inside edge of neoprene r-ing 65 is contoured so that there are formed six, similar, deep notches 67, 68, 69, 70, 71 and 72. The shape of notches 67, 68, 69, 70 71 and 72 are such that if a fruit stork is close to or touching them, then continual rotation of frame 60 about stick 61 as axis in a first direction causes the stalk to slide freely, but rather bumpily, over the profile of the neoprene ring 65, but rotation of frame 60 about stick 61 as axis in the opposite direction causes, after no more than approximately 60 degrees rotation, the stalk to enter one of the notches 67, 68, 69, 70, 71 or 72. In sliding towards the end of the notch it has entered the fruit stalk is cut by thin steel ril-g 66 which acts as a blade so that the fruit drops into bag 73. ihe picker lowers the tool to recover the apple from bag 73.

It is not necessary that contoured ring 65 is made of neoprene for there are other forms of the invention in which the ring is made of rubber, other forms of the invention in which ring 65 is made of plastic and other forms of the insZelltioll in which it is made of plastic, other forms of the invention in which it is made of metal, for the invention includes r-ing 65 made of any flexible or rigid material suitable for the purpose.

It is not necessary that stout ring 64 is made of ietal for there are other forms of the invention in which ring 64 is made of plastic and other forms of the invention in which it is made of wood, for the invention includes ring 64 made of any material suitable for the purpose.

It is not necessary that thin ring 66 is made of steel for there are other forms of the invention in which ring 66 is made of titanium, other forms of the invention in which ring 66 is made of copper-, other forms of the invention in which it is made of bronze and other forms of the invention in which it is made of ceramic, for the invention includes ring 66 made of any material suitable for making a cutting blade.

It is not necessary that tlie contoured ring 65 has an inside edge which is shaped to form six notches for there are other forms of the invention in which the shaping is to form two notches, other forms of the invention in which there are thr-ee notches, other forms of the invention in which there are four notches, other forms of the invention in which there are five notches, other forms of tie invention in which there are seven notches, other forms of the invention in which there are eight notches, other forms of the invention in which there are nine notches, other forms of the invention in which there are ten notches, other forms of the invention in which there are eleven notches, other forms of the invention in which there are twelve notches and other forms of the invention in which there are other numbers of notches for the invention includes the inside edge of ring 65 formed into any number of notches suitable for the pur- pose.

It is not necessary that the plane of hoop like frame 60 is at ninety degrees to stick 6l for there are other forms of tl-ie inveiition in which the plane of hoop like frame 60 is at an angle other than ninety degrees to stick 61.

It is not necessary that stick 61 is of fixed length for there are other forms of the invention in which stick 61 is of adjustable length like described in connection with the particular and exemplary form of the invention described with reference to Figur es lS, lB, 1C aiid 1D.

It is not necessary there is a bag 73 attached to frame 60 for tilere are other forms of the invention in which instead of a bag 73 there is a tube like described in connection with tube 80 of the particular and exemplary form of the invention described with reference to Figure 1D. In yet other forms of the invention there is attached to frame 60 a shor-t tube which can be temporarily fastened to form a closed bag or fastened to extension lengths of tubing as described with reference to Figures 15 and 1D.

Figure 3E is a detail of the hoop like frame of another particular and exemplary form of the invention in which an approximately hoop like frame 90 is at right angles to the length of stick 91, at the other end of which is a handle 92. In the particular and exemplary form of the invention partially illustrated in Figure 3E both the inside edge 93 and the outside edge 94 are smooth and a bag 95 is attached near the outer edge 94. The thickness of frame 90 is thinned at the inside edge 93 to form a blunt blade.

USES of tie particular and exemplary form of the invention described with reference to Figure 3E is similar to the use of the particular and exemplary form of the invention described with reference to Figures 15 and 1B except that hoop like frame 90 is not rotated about stick 91 as axis but mel-ely pushed sideways sufficiently that its pressure on the stalk of the fruit causes the fruit s stalk to break so causing the Fr-uit to fall into bag 95.

It is not necessary that frame 90 is thinned at its inside edge 93 to form a blunt blade for there are other forms of the invention in which frame 93 is not thinned to form a blade at its inside edge.

It is not necessary that the plane of hoop like frame 90 is at ninety degrees to stick 91 for there are other forms of the invention in which the plane of hoop like frame 90 is at an angle other than ninety degrees to stick 91.

It is not necessary that stick 91 is of fixed length for there are other forms of the invention in which stick 91 is of adjustable length in the same way as stick 1 is described as being of adjustable leiigtii in connection with the par tic- ular and exemplary form of the invention described with r-eference to Figures 15, 1B, tC and tD.

It is iiot necessary that there is a bag 95 attached to frame 90 for- there are other forms of the invention in which instead of a bag 95 there is a tube like described in connec tion with tube 80 of the particular and exemplary form of the invention described with reference to Figure 1D. In yet other forms of the invention there is attached to frame 90 a short tube which can be temporarily fastened to form a closed bag or fastened to extension lengths of tubing as described with ref er-ence to Figures 15 and ID.

Claims

What I claim is 1. 5 tool comprising a stick, a hoop like frame and a bag iri which the hoop like frame is attached to one end of the stick and is Formed on its inward facing edge into a blade or bladed notches for cutting fruit from trees, and the mouth of the bag is attached around the edge of the frame.
2. 5 tool as described in 1 in which the thickness of the frame at the sides of each notch is tapered to form a blade.
3. A tool as described in 1 in which the a blade is attached to the frame at one side of each notch.
4. 5 tool as described in 1 in which a blade is attached to the frame at both sides of each notch.
5. 5 tool as described in 1, 2, 3 and 4 with a tube, rather than a bag, attached around the edge of the hoop like frame substantially as described with reference to Figure 1D.
6. 5 tool as described in 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 in which a short tube attached to the hoop like frame can he fastened at the free end to form a bag or connected to extension lengths of tubing.
7. A tool as described in 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 in which the tube can be extended or shortened by the attachment or removal of extension tubes.
8. 5 tool as described in 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 in which the plane of the hoop like frame is at approximately ninety degrees to the length of the stick.
9. 5 tool as described in 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 with a handle at the opposite end of the stick to the hoop like fr ame.
10. 5 tool as described in 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 in which tie length of the stick is adjustable.
11. 5 tool as described in 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 in which the length of the stick is adjustable substantially as described with reference to Figure 1C.
12. 5 tool as described in 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 in wliich the hoop like frame, stick and handle are keyed to one another to prevent their independent rotation about the stick as axis.
13. A tool as described in 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 in which the stick is of none circular cr-oss section at right angles to its length so that the hoop like frame, handle and different sections of the stick, if the stick is made of several lengths, cannot rotate independently of one another about the stick as axis.
14. A tool as described in 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 in which tie hoop like frame, when viewed at right angles to the plane of the frame, has an outward facing edge wiiicfi is smoothly coiitoured and an inwar-d facing edge which has a shape resembling a retort with the sides of the neck formed into blades, or fitted with blades, all substantially as described with reference to Figures 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D.
15. 5 tool as described in 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 in which the hoop like frame, when viewed at right angles to the plane of the frame, has an outward facing edge which is smoothly contoured and an inward facing edge resembling two diametrically opposed semi-circles of different diameter which are maximally separated by approxi mately- the diameter of the smaller of the two semi-circles to for iii a fir sot and second notch where the differently sized semi -circles conllect, and the sides of the notches are formed or fitted with blades, all substantially as described with reference to Figure 3A.
16. A tool as described in 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 in which the hoop like frame, when viewed at right angles to the plane of the frame has an outward facing edge which is smoothly contoured and an inward facing edge formed into a number of notches with the sides of the notch es formed or fitted with blades, all substantially as described with reference to Figures 3B and 3C.
17. 5 tool as described in 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 in which the hoop like frame is fitted with an assembly of rings all substantially as described with refers ence to Figure 3D so that, when viewed at right angles to the plane of the frame, the outward facing edge of the assembly is smoothy contoured but the inward facing edge of tiie assembly chows several notches, and near the closed end of each notch is a blade formed by the slight protru simon of one of tlie r-ings towards the centre of the space enclosed by the hoop like frame.
18. 5 tool with stick, hoop like frame and handle arranged and adapted to be formed, made and used substantially as described with refer-eiice to any or all of the Figures 15, IB, 1C 1D, 2, 3B, B, 3C, 3D and 3E of the accompanying draw- irigs, or any combination of the features described in the tet or in connection with Figures 15, 1B, 1C, 2, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D ad 3E of tie accompanying drawings.