JPH0775488B2 - Fruit harvesting equipment - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to a self-propelled mechanical harvesting device that enables multiple workers to more efficiently pluck and collect citrus from a citrus tree, and more particularly to a selectively raised machine. And / or a selectively tiltable tray and / or a fruit harvesting device with a conveyor system extending beyond the side wall of the tray for conveying picked fruits from the tray to the hopper.

[0002]

Citrus fruits are generally harvested by manual picking. Traditional harvesting methods use expensive orchard trucks with collection bags, pallet tabs, and booms. More specifically, during a typical harvesting operation, the citrus picker picks the fruit from the tree and puts it in the collecting bag carried on the shoulder. When the collection bag is full,
The picker will bring the collection bag to the pallet tab and will collect about 3 bags.
Lift 0 inches to place all the fruit in the pallet tab, then return to the same or the next tree with the empty collection bag and repeat the cycle. The top height of a conventional pallet tab is about 30 inches above the ground.

A full pallet tab typically has a capacity of 10 boxes and weighs about 900 pounds. A full pallet tub is usually emptied shortly after being placed in an expensive orchard truck with a boom. Expensive orchard trucks with booms are like field trucks or "loaders" (sometimes called goats) that travel with workers during the harvesting process. The loader is an improved truck with a rotatably mounted hydraulic boom specifically designed to lift a fruit-filled pallet tab and load all the fruit into the loader's bed or hopper. The loader's bed is designed so that all the fruit can be put into the trailer, which then transports the fruit to the processing plant.

In conventional harvesting operations, a large number of pallet tabs are substantially full during harvesting,
Arranged systematically in the orchard. Therefore, the distance between each pallet tab is determined by the amount of tree citrus between the pallet tabs. For example, in a stable orchard with "dense trees," the pallet tabs are placed relatively close together. More specifically, in a "dense" orange orchard with 8 to 10 year old trees, about 1100 oranges are produced per tree. An average worker harvesting high density trees repeats the process of filling and emptying the collection bag with about 45 pounds of fruit about 200 times per day.

US Patent Application No. 07 dated August 23, 1990 entitled "HARVESTING APPARATUS AND METHOD"
/ 572,152, and "TRAY FOR FRUIT HARVESTING SYSTE
In US patent application Ser. No. 07 / 802,362 dated December 4, 1991, entitled "M", a fruit harvesting device specifically used for harvesting from young orchards with "low density" trees is disclosed. ing. (For example, a low-density orange orchard has a young tree that is 2 to 4 years old and produces about 8 to 12 oranges per tree.) And a means for moving the vehicle along the ground. To receive the collected fruits,
The tray is attached to the vehicle (preferably the front end of the vehicle). A rotatable hopper is attached to the rear end of the vehicle for temporary storage of the harvested fruits. A transport system is provided to transport the collected fruits from the tray to the hopper. The transfer system is connected to the tray opening so that a smooth transfer surface is formed between the tray and the transfer system. Early experimental field tests have shown that such a device significantly improves yields when compared to a device composed of pallet tubs and expensive loaders.

One of the design features of the devices disclosed in the above application is the height of the tray above the ground.
More specifically, it is important that the height of the tray be such that lifting or emptying a potentially heavy container, such as a collection bag, does not place an excessive burden on the operator. is there. The tray, which is about 24 inches above the ground, is about 6 inches below the ground than a conventional pallet tub and is required to put the fruit from the collecting bag into the conventional pallet tub in order to put the fruit into the tray. It doesn't require as much effort. In such an arrangement, the side wall of the tray is about 12 inches high and thus the bottom wall of the tray is about 12 inches above the ground.

[0007]

When the height of the tray is reduced in the conventional fruit harvesting apparatus, sufficient clearance with the ground cannot be secured when the vehicle is moved on the surface of the orchard which is not flat.

Further, according to the conventional apparatus, the tray has an opening in one of the side walls, which forms a smooth transfer surface between the tray and the transfer system. When the tray is lowered to the desired height, the angle between the tray and the transport system decreases (ie becomes sharper),
As a result, the possibility of clogging increases, and a smooth transport surface is not formed.

Accordingly, the present invention is generally directed to a self-propelled mechanical harvesting device, and more particularly to a selectively liftable device, that allows multiple workers to more effectively pluck and collect citrus from a citrus tree. And / or a tray that can be selectively tilted, and / or a fruit harvesting device with a delivery system that extends picked fruits from the tray over the side wall of the tray for delivery to the hopper. To aim.

[0010]

A fruit harvesting device of the present invention is a vehicle having a front end and a rear end, a means for moving the vehicle along the ground, and a fruit connected to the vehicle for picking fruits. A receiving tray, a rotatable hopper attached to the rear end of the vehicle for temporarily storing the picked fruits, and a conveying system for conveying the picked fruits from the tray to the hopper, A lift assembly for selectively raising the tray, the tray including a bottom wall surface and sidewalls extending from the bottom wall, at least one sidewall of the sidewalls being the tray. The upper end of the carrier to raise the upper end between the first height at a distance H ₁ from the ground and the second height at a distance H ₂ from the ground, The system uses the tray and the transport A fruit harvesting device coupled to the tray such that a smooth transport surface is formed between the system and the transport system extending from an opening in the tray to the hopper, The above object is achieved by the above configuration.

Preferably, the first height H ₁ is
It is approximately equal to or less than 13 inches and the first height H ₁ is at least 5 inches greater than the second height H ₂ .

Also preferably, when the lifting assembly raises the upper end of the tray to the first height H ₁ , the height of the bottom wall of the tray from the ground is:
It is 1 inch or less.

Also, preferably, the tray further includes a channel formed at least in part by a channel forming portion of the bottom wall surface, and the bottom wall surface further includes at least one inclined portion inclined toward the channel side. Including.

Also preferably, the group of side walls are substantially vertical and surround the bottom wall surface and together define a polygonal contour of the bottom wall surface.

Also, preferably, the side wall groups together define a rectangular contour of the bottom wall surface.

[0016] Also, preferably, a tilting assembly for selectively tilting the tray is further included.

Further, the fruit harvesting apparatus of the present invention comprises a vehicle having a front end and a rear end, means for moving the vehicle along the ground, and a tray connected to the vehicle for receiving picked fruits. A rotatable hopper attached to the rear end of the vehicle for temporarily storing the picked fruit;
A transport system for transporting the picked fruits from the tray to the hopper, and a tilting assembly for selectively tilting the tray, the tray having a bottom wall surface and a sidewall extending from the bottom wall surface. A group, the transfer system being coupled to the tray such that a smooth transfer surface is formed between the tray and the transfer system, and
A fruit harvesting device in which the transport system extends from the opening of the tray to the hopper side, and the above-described object is achieved by the above configuration.

[0018] Preferably, the tilt assembly is
Tilt the tray between a horizontal position and a position offset from the horizontal position.

[0019] Preferably, it further includes a lifting system for selectively lifting the tray.

The fruit harvesting apparatus of the present invention comprises a vehicle,
A means for moving the vehicle along the ground, a tray having an inclined bottom wall surface and attached to the vehicle for receiving picked fruits adjacent to the ground, and a first end connected to the tray And a second end connected to a hopper that is held by the vehicle and that temporarily stores the picked fruit, and receives and receives the picked fruit at the first end Means for transporting fruit from the first end to the hopper through the second end, the hopper being rotatably connected to a vehicle adjacent the rear end of the hopper, And a vertically movable frame assembly that can be selectively pivoted about the pivotal connection to remove temporarily stored fruit, and the tray selectively elevates the tray. A supported fruit harvesting device, The above-mentioned object can be achieved by serial configuration.

[0021] Also, preferably, a tilting assembly for selectively tilting the tray is further included.

Further, preferably, the first of the carrying means.
Is attached to the tray rotatably.

Further, preferably, the second portion of the conveying means.
Is rotatably attached to the vehicle.

The fruit harvesting apparatus of the present invention comprises a vehicle having a front end and a rear end, means for moving the vehicle along the ground, a tray connected to the vehicle for receiving picked fruits, and the vehicle. A rotatable hopper attached to the rear end of the tray for temporarily storing the picked fruits, and a transport system for transporting the picked fruits from the tray to the hopper. , A bottom wall surface and a side wall group extending from the bottom wall surface,
Extending beyond the sidewalls and positioned to form a smooth transport surface between the tray opening and the transport system, and the transport system from the tray to the hopper. An extending fruit harvesting device, wherein the above object is achieved by the above configuration.

Also, preferably, the transport system includes a conveyor for transporting fruits.

[0026]

The present invention relates to an improved device which can be used in low density orchards, but which particularly benefits harvest operations in high density orchards. One such improvement is to position the tray so that the top of the tray is as close to the ground as possible. This positioning of the tray is highly desirable because it reduces the height at which the operator lifts the collection bag to empty it. As mentioned above, the top edge of a conventional pallet tab is 3 degrees above the ground.
It is 0 inches. Again, as mentioned above, the average worker plucking from a dense tree takes about 20 pounds per day to fill and empty a collection bag.
Repeat 0 times. Therefore, eliminating the conventional palette tab,
Instead, by providing a tray positioned so that the top edge is approximately 5 inches above the ground, for example, the average operator must lift 45 pounds of collection bag each 22 inches or more in height. Reduce by 24 inches.
The average daily dose reduction with trays is about 37
0 feet.

By lowering the height of the top of the tray, the bottom wall of the tray is also lowered, preferably substantially to the ground or to the point where it is held.
This positioning of the bottom wall on a non-flat surface (most orchards from which fruits are harvested has such a surface) provides sufficient clearance to the ground when moving the vehicle. Do not provide. The tray of the present invention is preferentially raised so that the bottom wall of the tray has sufficient clearance from the ground as the vehicle moves. In this way, the tray can be raised before moving the vehicle and then lowered to receive fruit from the operator. This feature is particularly advantageous in harvesting operations in high-density orchards, since the fruit harvesting device stays in one position for an extended period of time. However, even in some low density orchards, the reduction in effort due to the lower height of the top of the tray may justify the continuous change in tray height.

The selectively liftable tray according to the invention thus solves the problem of "ground clearance",
At the same time, it allows the tray to be positioned at the desired "low" height.

However, positioning the tray in a lower position may complicate other design features of the device. In particular, in the device disclosed in the above-mentioned application, the tray has an opening in one of the side walls, so that a smooth transport surface is formed between the tray and the transport system. When the tray is lowered to the desired height, the angle between the tray and the transport system decreases (ie, becomes sharper), which increases the likelihood of clogging and sacrifices a smooth transport surface. Conceivable. The present invention, by positioning or extending the transport system beyond the rear wall surface such that a smooth transport surface is formed between the tray opening and the transport system regardless of the height of the tray, It is thought to solve this problem.

In addition or in the alternative, the tray according to the invention is selectively tilted, whereby
It further ensures a smooth transport surface between the tray openings and the transport system. This feature also allows for adjustment of the slope of the bottom wall if the orchard surface requires it. Also,
Due to the tiltable tray, the fruit harvesting system
Allows to pass through culverts or other similar obstacles. While the preferred fruit harvesting system includes both a lift assembly and a tilt assembly, the present invention
It is contemplated to use either of these assemblies independently in one device.

[0031]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Reference is made to the drawings for further details. Referring first to Figure 1, multiple young citrus trees 1
Are planted in close proximity to each other, generally in the first row of trees designated by reference numeral 2. Young citrus,
The second row of trees, indicated generally by the reference numeral 3, is planted so as to be substantially parallel to the first row 2. The parallel rows 2 and 3 of the citrus tree 1 define the passage 4. Similarly, of the relatively young citrus,
The third row of trees, designated by the reference numeral 5, is usually planted parallel to the second row 3 of the citrus tree 1. Rows 3 and 5 of citrus trees define the passage 7. Rows of these normally parallel citrus trees that limit the passageway are planted in vast plots of land,
It forms a citrus orchard.

A number of new citrus trees have been planted, replacing the trees lost by some of the past severe cold weather. Line up to have narrower passageways in between,
There is a tendency to plant these new trees in close proximity to each other. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a fruit harvesting device for efficiently picking fruits from a young citrus tree that is closely planted in an orchard and has a low density of fruits.

The fruit harvesting device 8 has a self-propelled vehicle 9 equipped with two or four wheel drive mechanisms as required so as to move forward or backward. The self-propelled vehicle 9 has a semi-circular tray shown at 10 attached to its front end. A large number of workers pick fruit from the citrus tree at the front part of the self-propelled vehicle 9 and at a position close to the self-propelled vehicle 9, and the picked citrus fruits are put into the tray 10 by the worker.

Usually, the citrus pickers are composed of 4 to 10 persons and move along the front part of the self-propelled vehicle 9 or the side part thereof. The self-propelled vehicle 9 is driven in the direction indicated by the arrow 12 on the passage 4. The number of pickers depends, inter alia, on the fruit density, the distance between trees and the labor force.

As shown by 13a to 13f in FIG.
Six workers are engaged in picking, and a seventh worker 13g is driving the self-propelled vehicle 9. Picking hand 13a
And 13b take citrus from tree 1 of row 2 and place the citrus in a bag (or other container) carried on each shoulder. The pickers 13e and 13f pick citrus fruits from the citrus tree 1 in row 3 and put the citrus fruits in a bag carried on each shoulder. Pickers 13c and 13d
Puts the picked fruits in a tray 10 from a full bag carried on their shoulders. The driver 13g is the picker 13a-1.
Working as a supervisor for 3f.

These picking hands are usually close to the front part of the self-propelled vehicle 9 and the self-propelled vehicle 9, so that they can be easily seen by the supervisor 13g and can communicate verbally. By moving the self-propelled vehicle 9 substantially continuously in the direction indicated by the arrow 12, the supervisor 13g
Controls the speed of the fruit harvesting work and controls the picking hands 13a-1
3f has established a comfortable picking speed. Further, when the self-propelled vehicle 9 is moved substantially continuously, the distance between each of the picks 13a to 13f and the tray 10 becomes the minimum, and the picks to move the citrus fruits from the full bag to the tray 10 are minimized. The distance you have to walk becomes shorter.

The tray 10 is attached to the self-propelled vehicle 9 at a height above the ground that is convenient for the picker to transfer the fruit to the tray. For this purpose, the height of the tray above the ground is preferably 2-2.5 feet.

The fruits picked and placed in the tray 10 are passed from the tray 10 through a conduit conveying system shown by a reference numeral 15 to a substantially cylindrical hopper 16 which is rotatably attached to the rear portion of the vehicle 9. It is transported by the action of air. The hopper 16 has a capacity to store about 90 boxes of oranges. When the hopper 16 is substantially full, the citrus fruits temporarily stored in the hopper 16 are unloaded on a goat or trailer and transported to a collection point. Details of the vehicle 9, tray 10, conduit transport system 15 and hopper 16 are shown and described in FIGS. 2 and 3.

First, referring to FIG. 2, the self-propelled vehicle 9 is
It has a front chassis assembly 17 and a rear chassis assembly 18. The front chassis assembly 17 and the rear chassis assembly 18 are connected by a hinge indicated by 19, and in order to assist steering, a pivotable connection is usually made along the center line of the axis of the vehicle 9. Is forming. The pair of front wheels 21 are rotatably mounted on the front chassis 17, and the pair of rear wheels 22.
Are rotatably mounted on the rear chassis 18. As is well known in the automotive art, depending on the desired use, only the front wheels 21, only the rear wheels 22,
Or all four wheels can be driven. The diesel engine 23 is housed mounted on the front chassis assembly 17 and drives a hydraulic pump that operates a hydrostatic device to rotate the wheels forward or backward. As shown in FIG. 3, the fuel tank 24
Is mounted on the front chassis assembly 17,
Diesel fuel is supplied to the diesel engine 23.

The operation console section indicated by the outline 26 is
In order to provide a good line of sight to the operator 13g, it is arranged at a relatively upper position, preferably a central position, in the front part of the self-propelled vehicle 9. The driving console unit 26 is used for the self-propelled vehicle 9
A steering wheel 27 for steering the vehicle, and a conventional accessory control device (not shown) for controlling the direction and speed of the self-propelled vehicle 9 during the harvesting operation in which citrus is loaded on the tray 10. Have Further, the driving console unit 26 has an actuator for controlling the damping operation of the hopper 16.

Preferably, the tray 10 has a semicircular shape in plan view and extends over substantially the entire width of the vehicle 9. The approximately 8 foot wide self-propelled vehicle 9 and tray 10 are advantageous for plucking younger trees that are even more closely planted.

The tray 10 has a semi-circular front wall surface 28, an upper opening, a curved bottom wall surface, shown generally at 29, which slopes downward, and a rear wall surface 30. The bottom wall surface 29 is inclined downward from the front wall surface 28 to the rear wall surface 30 adjacent to the front portion of the self-propelled vehicle 9. The downward inclination of the bottom wall surface 29 is preferably up to about 20 ° with respect to the horizontal plane. The bottom wall surface 29 also
The fruits are conically curved so that they are directed radially inward toward the center of the rear wall surface 30. The gravity acting on the inclined and curved bottom wall surface 29 causes the citrus fruits 31 picked and put into the tray 10 from the upper opening to move as shown by the arrow 32 in FIGS. Radial to 9, backward, downward, and inward.

The bottom wall surface 2 of the tray 10 which is inclined downward.
9 may preferably be formed to have a first section 34 and a second section 35. The first section 34 may be sloped downward more steeply than the second section 35. By using two bottom wall sections, the citrus fruits 31 are delivered unharmed, radially to the inlet of the conduit delivery system 15 in a backward, downward and inward direction.

The tray 10 has in its center a flanged tubular outlet opening 37 located at the bottom of the rear wall 30 of the tray 10. Tubular outlet opening 37
Is connected to the front end of the conduit transport system 15. The conduit transportation system 15 has a plurality of hollow conduit portions connected to each other.

The front or first conduit portion 15a is a flexible elbow conduit that is sealingly connected at its front end to the tubular outlet opening 37 of the tray 10. The rigid, straight second conduit portion 15b of the conduit delivery system 15 is sloped upward from the front to the rear, between the flexible first elbow conduit portion 15a and the flexible third elbow conduit portion 15c. To connect these conduits. Rigid fourth
The conduit portion 15d is substantially linear and extends between and connects the flexible third elbow conduit portion 15c and the flexible fifth elbow conduit portion 15e. The rigid, straight sixth conduit portion 15f is sloped upward from the front to the rear and extends between the flexible fifth elbow conduit portion 15e and the flexible seventh elbow conduit portion 15g, These conduit parts are connected. The rear end of the flexible elbow conduit portion 15g is sealingly connected to the tubular orifice 38 at the upper inlet end of the hopper 16.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the conduit conveying system 15 having the conduit portions 15a to 15g extends substantially along the central axis of the vehicle 9. Flexible elbow conduit portions 15a, 15c, 15e and 15g
Raises the conduit transport system 15 from the tray 10 to the top of the hopper 16 with a smooth arcuate curve with a relatively large radius that facilitates smooth movement of citrus fruits.

The tubular orifice 38 is 14 to
It can be as high as 15 feet. Conduit transport system 15
The fruits carried by the action of air therethrough are thus raised about 12 to 13 feet along the conduit carrying system 15 which is about 30 to 35 feet long. A conduit transport system 15 with a gentle curve provided by a flexible elbow conduit section for heightening purposes.
The axial direction allows the use of conduits having a relatively large diameter of, for example, 8 inches, reducing clogging and fruit scratches or damage. An air delivery system is provided to move the fruits from the tray 10 through the conduit delivery system 15 to the hopper 16.

For this purpose, the hopper 16 is provided with an outlet elbow 40 adjacent the tubular orifice 38. The elbow 40 has a space 41 inside the hopper 16,
A vacuum conduit 42 extending along one sidewall of the hopper 16.
Is connected to. At the bottom end of the vacuum conduit 42,
A flange 43 is provided opposite the flange 44 provided at the top of the vertical vacuum conduit 46 and is normally sealed by the flange 44. The vacuum conduit 46 is the hydraulic motor 4 mounted on the rear chassis 18 of the self-propelled vehicle 9.
8 extends downwards towards a blower 47 operated by 8. The hydraulic liquid tank 49 is the diesel gas tank 2
It is arranged so as to be parallel to 4 and face each other.
A conduit transport system 15 passes between them. The hydraulic liquid tank 49 has a reservoir for hydraulic fluid so that the blower 47 also rotates continuously by selectively rotating the hydraulic motor 48 continuously.

The variable speed blower 47 blows air downward through the vacuum conduits 42 and 46 to form a state in which the pressure is lower than that in vacuum or the atmosphere in the space 41 inside the hopper 16. The blower operation and vacuum conditions thus formed are also from the tray 10 through the conduit transfer system 15 to the hopper 1 as indicated by arrow 50.
Send air to 6. This air movement is caused by the conduit portion 15a.
The citrus fruits 31 which have been conveyed to the entrance of are conveyed by the action of air to the hopper 16 through the entire conduit system 15. This pneumatic action transport system delivers picked citrus fruits from tray 10 through conduit delivery system 15 to hopper 16 faster than a picker can put fruit into tray 10. Thus, the fruit harvesting device 8 according to the present invention is used substantially continuously along the orchard walkway until the hopper 16 is substantially full of fruit. The fruit conveyed by the action of air enters the hopper 16 through the tubular orifice 38, but the orifice at the entrance of the elbow 40 of the decompression pipe system is covered with a net or the like, from which citrus fruits are sucked. Is preventing.

Also, as shown in FIG. 14, a variable speed blower 47 'may be attached to the top of the inner surface of the hopper 16 adjacent the tubular orifice 38. In such a system, the blower 47 'draws air in the hopper 16' upwards, thereby causing the space 4 in the hopper 16 'to rise.
A state in which the pressure in 1'is lower than that in vacuum or the atmosphere is formed. It is believed that this configuration eliminates noise and redirects the exhaust into the atmosphere above and away from the operator. Such air flow is desirable. If a blower 47 'is installed, the elbow 40, vacuum conduit 42,
The flanges 43 and 44 and the vertical vacuum conduit 46 are considered unnecessary.

When the hopper 16 is substantially full,
The damping position is raised from the normal receiving position shown in FIG. For this purpose, the hopper 16
At the upper rear end of the rear chassis assembly 18
Are connected via a shaft shown by. Two cylindrical piston assemblies 5 spaced apart in the width direction
3 is provided between the rear support frame 54 on the rear chassis assembly 18 and the sidewalls of the hopper 16. The piston rod of the cylindrical piston assembly 53 selectively extends so that the shaft 52, which is a pivotal connection, is connected.
It acts to rotate the hopper 16 around.

In order to provide clearance for this pivoting movement, the front end of the sixth conduit section 15f and the rear end of the flexible fifth conduit section 15e are separated from each other. Similarly, flanges 43 and 44 are also separated from each other, breaking the connection between vacuum conduit 42 and vacuum conduit 46. When these connections are released and the piston rod of the cylindrical piston assembly 53 extends, the hopper 16 moves in an arc around the shaft 52 that is the rotational connection part.

When the piston rod is fully extended, the hopper 16 rotates about the shaft 52 to the damping position. The discharge door 55 is arranged on the top wall surface 56 of the hopper 16. When the hopper 16 is in the damping position, the top wall surface 56 of the hopper and the fruit discharge door 55.
Is generally below space 41 of hopper 16 and just above the platform of the trailer, which is positioned to receive fruit. The tubular piston assembly 57 includes a discharge door 5
It acts to open 5 and allows the fruit to move by gravity from the hopper 16 to the platform of the trailer. In the dumping position, the hopper 16 tilts upwards from the rear to the front with a gentle slope or angle that allows the fruit to move gently by gravity from the space 41 of the hopper 16 to the platform of the trailer. is doing.

In some cases, the fruit harvesting device 8 of the present invention
May be used with a fruit carrier having a higher fruit receiving platform and / or higher trailer sidewalls.
In order to accommodate fruit carriers and fruit trailers of all sizes, the hopper of the invention in other embodiments is optionally vertically raised before it enters the damping position.

As shown in FIGS. 7-10, the rear chassis assembly 18 has a fixed rear frame generally indicated at 60 and a vertically movable movable rear frame generally indicated at 61. Fixed rear frame 6
0 has a fixed base channel material 62 that extends horizontally across the width of the rear chassis assembly 18. The fixed rear frame 60 further has two parallel side channel members 63A and 63B fixed to the base channel member 62 and extending upward. As best shown in FIG. 9, the side channel members 63A and B are oriented inwardly relative to each other, and the movable rear frame 6 is
It guides the selective vertical movement of one.

Movable rear frame 61 typically includes parallel tubular side posts 65A and 65B extending vertically.
have. These tubular side posts 65A and 65B have a lower cross angle 66, a central I-beam 6
A generally horizontal cross member having a 7 and an upper cross beam 68 is connected and securely held together. The lower, central and upper cross members 66-68 are
Extending between the side posts 65A and 65B and coupled to the side posts 65A and 65B, a rigid and movable rear frame assembly 61 is formed.

As best shown in FIG. 9,
The tubular side posts 65A and 65B are respectively
Channel material 63A and 63B of fixed rear frame 60
It is slidably inserted inside. Vertical movement of the movable rear frame 61 with respect to the fixed rear frame 60 is selectively performed by a cylindrical piston assembly 71 extending between a base channel member 62 of the fixed rear frame 60 and a central I-beam 67 of the movable rear frame 61. To be done. As the piston rod of the cylindrical piston assembly 71 extends, the movable rear frame 61 rises with respect to the fixed rear frame 60. Such vertical movement is caused by the channel material 63A of the fixed rear frame 60.
And 63B. Similarly, the movable rear frame 61 is lowered by selectively retracting the piston rod of the cylindrical piston assembly 71. Due to the selective vertical movement of the vertically movable rear frame 61, the vertical movement of the hopper 16 simultaneously occurs.

For this reason, the cylindrical piston assemblies 53 arranged at intervals in the width direction are rotatably connected at their base ends to the lower angle members 66 of the movable rear frame 61. The tip end of the piston rod of the cylindrical piston assembly 53 is rotatably connected to the lower wall surface of the hopper 16. In this way, the cylindrical piston assembly 53 is
1 and the hopper 16, and is rotatably connected to the movable rear frame 61 and the hopper 16 at each end. Similarly, the rotative connecting portions 5 of the hopper 16 and the movable rear frame 61, which are spaced apart from each other.
2 is an upper tubular beam 68 of the movable rear frame 61.
It is placed on top. Thus, when the movable rear frame 61 is raised, the movable rear frame 61 and the hopper 16 are coupled together (as provided by the cylindrical piston assembly 53 and the hinge coupling 52) to simultaneously move the movable rear frame assembly 61 and the hopper. 16 moves vertically.

The operation of the mechanism for selectively raising the hopper 16 in the vertical direction appears to be clearer than the above description, but will be described with reference to FIG. 10 for further details. If the fruit carrier trailer body has a raised platform and / or a raised sidewall,
The cylindrical piston assembly 71 is actuated to extend its piston rod 71A upward, and simultaneously raises the entire movable rear frame 61 and the hopper 16. In this manner, the cylindrical piston assembly 53 is actuated when the movable rear frame 61 and the hopper 16 are further raised (if necessary) to provide a vertical spacing of up to 10 feet. When the piston rod 53A of the piston cylinder 53 extends upward,
The hopper 16 is rotated around the hinge connecting portion 52,
The position is as shown in FIG. In such a position, the hopper tilts slightly from the front to the rear with respect to the horizontal. The discharge door 55 is opened and the contained fruit is loaded into the haulage trailer, generally in the direction indicated by arrow 73 in FIG.

Upon completion of damping, the piston rod 53A of the cylindrical piston assembly 53 retracts, pivoting the hopper 16 about the hinge 52 and returning the hopper to its normal "picking" position. Then, the piston rod 71A of the cylindrical piston assembly 71
Moves backward to lower the movable rear frame 61 and place the hopper 16 in the side frame on the rear chassis assembly 18. At that time, the hopper 16 is provided with elbow conduit portions 15e and 15f for the next picking cycle.
And flanges 43 and 44 are reconnected.

It will be apparent from the above that variations in construction and form may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as limited by the claims. For example, the tray 10 at the front of the self-propelled vehicle 9 can be selectively and removably mounted on the self-propelled vehicle 9, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6.

For this purpose, the rear wall surface 3 of the tray 10 is
0 has two L-shaped mounting brackets spaced apart from each other, indicated generally by 75A and 75B. These mounting brackets are identical and mounting bracket 75B is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 for purposes of explanation.

The L-shaped mounting bracket 75B has a vertical leg 76 and a horizontal leg 77. The vertical leg 76 of the mounting bracket 75B is fixed to the front surface of the rear wall surface 30 of the tray 10. L type mounting bracket 75B
Horizontal legs 77 extend beyond the top of the rear wall surface 30. The horizontal leg 77 has a selectively arranged hole 78, and a post 81 fixed on the frame of the front chassis assembly 17 of the vehicle 9 is inserted into the hole 78.

Such a chassis frame has a tubular cross brace 80 extending in the width direction near or at the front of the self-propelled vehicle. The tubular cross brace 80 is
Post 81 fixed to the top wall surface and extending vertically
have. The tray 10 descends to a position where the post 81 is inserted into the hole 78 in the horizontal leg 77 of the L-shaped mounting bracket 75. After that, the holding pin 82
It is inserted into the bore 83 in the upright portion of the post 81 and holds the mounting bracket 75B in place. In such a position, the horizontal leg 77 is supported on the top wall surface of the cross brace 80 on the frame of the vehicle, thereby attaching the tray 10 to the vehicle 9.

As described above, the tray 10 has the semicircular front wall surface 28, the bottom wall surface 29, and the rear wall surface 30. With such an arrangement, the tray 10 may be considered to include a bottom wall surface 29 and a group of substantially vertical side walls surrounding the bottom wall surface 29. The substantially vertical side wall group defines a rear wall surface 30 attached to a front end portion of the self-propelled vehicle 9 and a semicircular front wall surface 28 by extending from opposite ends of the rear wall surface 30. Including a pair of walls. Therefore, it can be considered that the side wall group defines the semicircular contour of the bottom wall surface 29.

Again, as described above, the tray 10 has an outlet opening 37 centrally located at the bottom of the rear wall 30 and connected to the first conduit portion 15a of the conduit transport system 15. As further described above, the bottom wall surface 29 of the tray 10 includes inclined and discontinuous first and second sections 34 and 35. The assembly of these sections 34 and 35 can be considered as the channel forming part of the bottom wall 29. Accordingly, the tray 10 further includes a tray channel at least partially defined by the channel formations in the bottom wall surface 29, and more specifically, a tray channel defined by the bottom wall surface 29 and the outlet opening 37.

The outlet opening 37 may be considered to be at least partially defined by the rear end of the tray channel.
In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-10, the outlet opening 37
Is also one of the side walls, and more specifically, an opening in the rear wall surface 30.

The tray channel can be considered to include a substantially planar bottom wall that slopes toward the outlet opening 37. Here, “substantially planar” does not necessarily mean that the surface is flat, but means a surface that does not have an angled bent portion. Thus, in such a definition, a semi-cylindrical shaped channel may be considered "substantially planar". Further, it is preferable that the bottom wall surface is inclined rather than completely horizontal, but it is closer to horizontal than vertical or the inclination angle is less than 45 °. More preferably, the tilt angle is 20 °. Thus, the citrus transport path from the outlet opening 37 is substantially horizontal.

First conduit portion 15a of conduit conveying system 15
Also, with the bottom wall of the tray channel, the tray 10
It can be considered to have a bottom wall surface, which forms a smooth transport surface, preferably in a substantially horizontal plane, between the and the conduit transport system 15. The term "smooth transport surface" as used herein means a flat surface or a surface that is gently inclined from the horizontal posture by less than 45 °.
Therefore, if the connecting portion between the outlet opening 37 and the first conduit portion 15a includes the elbow portion, a smooth conveying surface is not formed.

If necessary, the tray 10 is used for the self-propelled vehicle 9
Can be removed from. To this end, the holding pin 82
It is pulled out from the post 81 in the vertical posture. afterwards,
The tray 10 is lifted up to a position where the horizontal leg 77 on the upper part of each mounting bracket is removed from the post 81 on the self-propelled vehicle 9, whereby the tray 10 is removed. Thereafter, another tray may be attached to the vehicle 9. This other tray may have a different shape than the removed tray 10, but preferably includes mounting brackets 75A and 75B having the same space as the removed tray 10. The other tray is lowered to a position where the vertical post 81 on the frame of the self-propelled vehicle 9 is inserted into the hole 78 of the horizontal leg 77 of the mounting bracket. After that, the holding pin 82 is inserted into the bore 83 of the post 81 to complete the attachment.

The size and design of the alternative trays described above can be selected to suit the shape of the orchard to be harvested in order to maximize the efficiency of the fruit harvesting apparatus and method. For example,
In an orchard with aisles slightly wider than the width of the vehicle 9, the width of the tray can be reduced. This reduction in width provides clearance on the side and front of the tray for workers picking fruit. Moreover, the shape of the tray can be varied depending on the desired volume. Further, the position of the tray with respect to the vehicle can be, for example, the side or rear of the vehicle. The tray according to the invention may also be used in boom-type picking and trimming machines to improve the efficiency of picking fruits from young trees or lower parts of more mature trees.

11 to 13 show modified examples of the tray. Although not shown, these trays include mounting members similar to tray 10. Tray 110 shown in FIG.
Includes a bottom wall surface 129 and a group of substantially vertical side walls surrounding the bottom wall surface 129. The side wall group includes a rear wall surface 130 adjacent to the front end portion of the vehicle 9, and a pair of wall surfaces 128A and 128B extending from opposite ends of the rear wall surface 130. Sidewalls 128A and 128B each extend at right angles from opposite ends of rear wall surface 130 and, together with rear wall surface 130 and front wall surface 128C, define a polygonal, more particularly rectangular, contour of bottom wall surface 129. It's Such polygonal or square contours are preferred over semi-circular shapes because they allow for more efficient use of the space of passages between rows of citrus trees. In addition, the square tray increases the area of the bottom wall surface, thereby more evenly distributing the fruit contained in the tray.

The tray 110 further includes a channel 13 partially defined by the channel forming portion of the bottom wall surface 129.
6 and the bottom wall surface 129 includes inclined portions 134 and 135 inclined toward the tray channel 136 side. In this embodiment, the bottom side surface 129 is inclined toward the channel 136 but not toward the rear wall surface 130. Thereby, the flow of fruit to tray channel 136 is more gradual and near horizontal. The tray channel 136 includes a trailing end 150 that defines a tray opening 137. The tray opening 137 is flush with the rear wall surface 130 in the illustrated embodiment and therefore may be considered part of the rear wall surface 130, in which case the rear wall surface 130 includes the tray opening 137. . However, the tray opening 137 may also be positioned in front of or behind the rear wall surface 130, in which case the tray 110 may be used as the primary means of attaching the tray 110 to the mobile vehicle 9.

The tray channel 136 further includes a substantially planar bottom wall surface 13 that slopes toward the tray opening 137.
6A included. When the tray 110 is mounted on the self-propelled vehicle 9, the bottom wall surface and the bottom wall surface 136A of the first conduit portion 15A of the conduit transportation system 15 form a smooth transportation surface between the tray 110 and the conduit transportation system 15. In this way, the fruits picked and stored in the tray 110 are
It is transported through the ramps 134/135 towards the channel 136 and smoothly through the tray opening 137 to the conduit transport system 15. It should be noted for the future that the slopes 134 and 135 are inclined toward the channel 136 side but not toward the rear wall surface 130 side.

Further shown in FIG. 12 is another tray 110 'for the fruit harvesting device 8 in a perspective view. The tray 110 'is shown in FIG.
The members similar to the tray 110 shown in FIG. 1 and the members similar to the members related to the tray 110 are denoted by the same reference numerals with ('). However, the opening 137 'of the channel 136'
Protrude from the rear wall surface 130 '. Further, the tray 110 'includes a tilt adjustment device for selectively adjusting the tilt of one or more portions of the bottom wall surface 129'. This device may also include another independent mechanism for adjusting the bottom wall surface 136C 'of the channel 136', thereby controlling the amount of fruit delivered to the tray opening 137 'side. (Here, the inclination adjusting device is not limited to the one shown in the figure, and any device may be used as long as it selectively or automatically adjusts the inclination of one or more portions of the bottom wall surface 129 'of the tray 110'. However, for example, FIG.
In, the inclined portions 134 ′ and 135 ′ are positioned so as to incline toward the channel 136 ′ side and the rear wall surface 130 ′ side.

In the illustrated embodiment, the tilt adjusting device has a front wall surface 129 'with a front end of the bottom wall surface 129'.
And a tilting assembly 170 for selectively pivoting the bottom wall surface 129 'with respect to these pivoting hinges 160. Thus, the slope of the bottom wall 129 'is adjusted when the size of the fruit and the number of workers justify adjusting the slope. The illustrated tilt determination assembly 170 takes the form of a drive cylinder that mechanically adjusts the tilt of the bottom wall surface 129 '. However, the tilt determination assembly 170 may also be a system that includes pins and slots for manual adjustment. Furthermore, the tilt determination assembly 17
The zero may also be a spring system that automatically adjusts the slope of the relevant portion of the bottom wall 129 'depending on the weight of the fruit picked and contained in the tray 110'.
The rear wall surface 130 'includes an opening 180 that allows movement of the bottom wall surface 129' so that the tray opening 137 'is always in a substantially vertical plane while the tilt of the bottom wall surface 129' is adjusted. Moving.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing another tray 210 for the fruit harvesting device 8. The tray 210 has a bottom wall surface 22.
9 and a group of substantially vertical sidewalls surrounding the bottom wall 229. The side wall group is a pair of side walls 228A and 228B extending from the rear wall surface 230 adjacent to the front end portion of the self-propelled vehicle 9 and the opposite end portions of the rear wall surface 230.
including. The side walls 228A and 228B are respectively the rear wall surface 2
Extending outwardly at right angles from the opposite ends of 30 and together with the rear wall surface 230 and the third front wall surface 228C form a polygonal, more particularly rectangular contour of the bottom wall surface 229.

The bottom wall surface 229 includes a channel forming portion that at least partially defines the channel 236, and an inclined portion 234 inclined toward the tray channel 236. In this embodiment, the tray channel 236 includes the rear wall surface 2
It is adjacent to and parallel to 30. As described above, the tray opening 237 is provided at any position (front part, front part) along the conveyance path of the tray channel 236 as required by the apparatus.
Can be located at the rear, or in a position that aligns with the rear wall / side wall of the tray 210). In FIG. 13, the tray opening 237 is located beyond the side wall 228A of the tray 210 so that the tray 210 can accommodate a self-propelled vehicle in which the conduit transport system 15 is not centrally located.

The tray channel 236 also has a substantially planar bottom wall 23 that slopes toward the tray opening 237.
6A included. In the assembled fruit harvesting device 8,
The bottom wall surface 236A and the bottom wall surface of the first conduit portion 15A of the conduit transportation system 15 form a smooth transportation surface between the tray 210 and the conduit transportation system 15.

Further shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 is another tray 310 for the fruit harvesting device 8. The tray 310 includes a bottom wall surface 329 and a group of side walls extending from opposite ends of the bottom wall surface 329. According to the invention, the sidewall groups can have various shapes. For example, the sidewalls may simply comprise the curved and / or beveled ends of the bottom wall surface 329 and / or may extend only from certain parts of the bottom wall surface 329. However, the sidewalls are preferably
It is substantially vertical and surrounds the bottom wall surface 329. Furthermore,
The side wall group is preferably a rear wall surface 330 adjacent to the front end of the self-propelled vehicle 9 and a pair of side walls 328A and 328B extending from opposite ends of the rear wall surface 330.
including. Sidewalls 328A and 328B each extend outwardly at a right angle from opposite ends of rear wall surface 330,
These side walls 328A and 328B are the rear wall surface 33
0 and the front wall surface 328C together with the bottom wall surface 329,
More specifically, it forms a rectangular outline of the polygon. Side wall 3
28A and 328B are preferably about 5 to 8 inches high. As described in more detail below, the tray 310 includes a rear wall surface 330 or side wall 328A, 3,3.
It can be used in a self-propelled vehicle 9 that cannot accommodate a tray having an opening at 28B.

The tray 310 further includes a channel 336 partially defined by the channel forming portion of the bottom side surface 329.
And the bottom side surface 329 includes slopes 334, 335 and 338 that slope toward the channel 336. More specifically, the sloped portion 338 defines the rear wall surface 3 of the channel 336.
Incline downward from 30. Ramps 334 and 335
Preferably slopes toward the channel 336 but not toward the rear wall surface 330. Due to such a configuration, the transportation of the fruit in the tray channel 336 is considered to be gentler and closer to horizontal. Although the channel formations in the bottom wall 329 are illustrated as forming apparently independent essentially "stepped" channels, such exaggerated configurations are necessary for channel formations according to the present invention. Should not be construed as. vice versa,
Any portion of the bottom wall surface 329 forming an assembly for fruit transport can be a channel formation. For example, the bottom wall surface 329 may be the rear wall surface 330 or the side wall 328A,
It is inclined to the side of 328B and is connected to the rear wall surface 330 or the side walls 328A and 328B so that the fruit is placed in the tray opening portion 3.
A channel leading to 37 may be formed.

As best shown in FIG. 15, the first conduit portion 15a of the conduit transport system 15 extends beyond the rear side surface 330 to form a smooth transport surface between the tray 310 and the conduit transport system 15. Is positioned to do. The tray opening 337 (or inlet of the conduit delivery system) may be defined as the point at which the conduit delivery system 15 effectively connects the channel 336 to the hopper 16. This point can be any part of the transport path of the tray channel 336, depending on the needs of the device.

In the tray 310, the main means for attaching the tray 310 to the self-propelled vehicle 9 is located on the rear wall surface 330. More specifically, the pair of brackets 340 are attached to the rear wall surface 330. Each bracket 340 includes a hook portion 342 and a rod insertion channel 34.
6 includes a rotating portion 344 having a number of six. As will be described in more detail below, the hook portion 342 and the pivot portion 344 of the bracket 340 cooperate to attach the tray 310 to the self-propelled vehicle 9 and thereby the tray 310 during operation of the fruit harvesting device 8. Operate properly.

17-21 show the tray handling assembly of the present invention in greater detail. The operating assembly is tray 3
Lifting assembly 400 for selectively lifting 10 and tilting assembly 5 for selectively tilting tray 310.
00 is particularly included. Although assemblies 400 and 500 are shown with tray 310, such an assembly may be used with the above and / or any other suitable tray.

As suggested above, the lifting assembly 4
00 selectively moves the upper end of the tray 310 up and down between a first height (H ₁ from the ground, see FIG. 17) and a second height (H ₂ from the ground, see FIG. 18). The tray 310 is raised to a _first height H ₁ when the fruit harvesting device 8 is moving down the aisle, for example when the fruit harvesting device 8 is stationary and the fruit is being picked. Rises to H ₂ . Although not specifically shown, the lift assembly 400 positions the top of the tray 310 between a height of 30 inches (measured from the ground) and a height corresponding to the height at which the bottom wall 329 rests on the ground. Move up and down. As mentioned above, the sidewalls of tray 310 are preferably about 5 inches to 8 inches high, thereby
The lift assembly 400 moves the bottom wall 329 up and down between a height of 22 inches to 25 inches above the ground and a height of less than 1 inch above the ground.

The lift assembly 400 includes a stationary vertical frame 402, a movable horizontal crossbar 404, a pair of vertical brackets 406, and a pair of vertical side members 408.
Such an arrangement is best shown in FIG. Although not particularly shown, the vertical frame 402 is held on the front chassis assembly 17 of the vehicle 9. The rod cylinder unit, or more specifically the cylinder 410 of each unit, has a vertical frame 402 such that the rods 412 of the unit are selectively movable vertically.
Held in each. The rod 412 is attached to a horizontal crossbar 404 attached to a vertical bracket 406. The vertical bracket 406 includes side members 4
It is attached to 08. The horizontal bar 414 extends between the side members 408, and the tray 310 is attached to the self-propelled vehicle 9 by hooking the hook portion 342 of the tray 310 on the horizontal bar 414. When the rod 412 of the rod cylinder unit moves vertically, the horizontal crossbar 404 moves, which causes the vertical bracket 4 to move.
06, side member 408, and tray 310 move.
In this way, the tray 310 can be selectively raised.

Again, as described above, tilt assembly 50.
0 selectively tilts the tray 310 between a horizontal position (FIGS. 17 and 18) and a position offset from the horizontal position (FIG. 19). Tilt assembly 500
Has a pair of rod cylinder units, one of which is a cylinder 502 held by a movable member of the lifting assembly 400, and the other of which is a rod 504 held by a tray 310. More specifically, the cylinder 502 is positioned and retained between each vertical bracket 406. Each of the rods 504 has a lock pin (not particularly shown) extending in the corresponding rod 504 and a channel 346 of the rotating portion 344 corresponding to the corresponding bracket 340.
It is held on the tray 310 by. With such a configuration, the tray 310 can be tilted at a desired height and at a desired angle. Although not specifically shown, the tilt assembly 500
Preferably tilts the tray 310 between a horizontal position and a position offset 90 ° from the horizontal position.

FIG. 22 shows a modification 310 'of the tray. The tray 310 ′ includes a large number of members that are the same as the members related to the tray 310, and similar members are denoted by the same reference numerals with (′). However, the rear wall surface 330 'is formed with a recess into which the first conduit portion 15a of the conduit transport system 15 is inserted. To retain the first conduit portion 15a on the tray 310 'to form the tray opening,
A suitable fastening member 370 'can be used if desired. In this embodiment, the bottom wall surface 336 'may be held on the ground and the conduit delivery system 15 contacts the opening. In this way, the tray 310 'is closer to the ground.

As is apparent from the above description, the present invention is
Provided is a fruit harvesting device that enables multiple workers to more efficiently pluck and collect citrus from a citrus tree. Although the present invention has been described in terms of several preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that equivalent changes and modifications will be made upon reading and understanding this specification.
The present invention includes all such equivalent changes and modifications.

[0090]

According to the fruit harvesting apparatus of the present invention, the tray is selectively moved up and down. The tray can be raised before moving the vehicle and then lowered to receive fruit from the worker. Therefore, the bottom wall surface of the tray has sufficient clearance with the ground when the vehicle moves.

The transport system is also positioned or extended beyond the rear wall. Therefore, a smooth transport surface is reliably formed between the tray opening and the transport system regardless of the height of the tray.

Furthermore, since the tray is selectively tilted,
A smoother transport surface between the tray openings and the transport system is more reliably ensured. If necessary, the inclination of the bottom wall of the tray can be adjusted. Thus, the fruit harvesting system is allowed to pass through culverts or other similar obstacles.

Furthermore, since the height of the fruit harvesting apparatus of the present invention can be adjusted by moving it up and down, it can be used not only for high-density orchards but also for low-density orchards.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a fruit harvesting device according to the present invention with a picker moving along a path between citrus trees.

FIG. 2 shows the fruit being transported from the tray in the front through the conduit transport system to the hopper from the tray,
It is a side view of a fruit harvesting device.

FIG. 3 is a partial plan view of the fruit harvesting device taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2, showing the front semi-circular tray and operating console area.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a tray removably retained in a chassis frame of a fruit carrier.

5 is an enlarged plan view showing an example of a selectively removable tray attachment of the fruit transport vehicle, which corresponds to part X in FIG. 4. FIG.

6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5, showing an L-shaped mounting bracket for the tray.

7 is a partial side view similar to the rear end of FIG. 2, showing another frame structure for selectively lifting the hopper with respect to the fruit carrier.

8 is a rear view of the frame structure taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7, showing details of the fixed and movable frames for selectively moving the hopper up and down.

9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8 showing a guide state of the movable frame with respect to the fixed frame.

FIG. 10 is a partial side view similar to FIG. 7, but showing the hopper in a raised and swiveled state for placing fruits into a fruit carrier.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another tray that may be removably retained or permanently affixed to the chassis frame of a fruit carrier.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of yet another tray that may be releasably retained or permanently affixed to the chassis frame of a fruit carrier.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of yet another tray that may be removably retained or permanently affixed to the chassis frame of a fruit carrier.

FIG. 14 is a side view of a fruit harvesting device according to the present invention similar to FIG. 2 except that the blower inside the hopper is shown.

FIG. 15 is a side view of a tray according to another embodiment of the present invention with appropriate portions of a fruit carrier.

16 is a perspective view of the tray shown in FIG.

FIG. 17 is a side view showing the tray shown in FIG. 15 in a raised and non-inclined state together with an appropriate portion of the fruit transport vehicle.

FIG. 18 is a partial side view of a fruit harvesting device according to the present invention, similar to FIG. 17, except that the tray is not raised and is not tilted.

FIG. 19 is a partial side view of a fruit harvesting device according to the present invention, similar to FIGS. 17 and 18 except that the tray is not raised and is tilted.

FIG. 20 is a front view of the lift assembly, tilt assembly, and appropriate portions of the fruit carrier vehicle.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of the lift assembly, tilt assembly, and fruit carrier vehicle shown in FIG. 20, taken along line 19-19.

22 is a perspective view of a modified example of the tray shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

8 Fruit harvesting device 9 Self-propelled vehicle 10, 110, 110 ', 210, 310 Tray 15 Conveying system 16 Hopper 17 Front chassis 18 Rear chassis 28, 128C, 128C', 228C, 328C Semicircular front wall surface 29, 129, 129 ', 229, 329 bottom wall surface 30, 130, 130', 230, 330 rear wall surface 136, 136 ', 236, 336 channel 400 lift assembly 500 tilt assembly

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued Front Page (72) Inventor James F. Horst United States Ohio 44667, Orville, Burton City Road 16155 (72) Inventor Charles S. Wright United States Florida 32748, Leesburg, Osceola Avenue 1213 (72) Inventor John Dee. Matthews United States Florida 32901 Melburn, APT. 1304, Elbert Road 151

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A vehicle having a front end and a rear end, means for moving the vehicle along the ground, a tray connected to the vehicle for receiving picked fruits, and attached to the rear end of the vehicle. A rotatable hopper for temporarily storing the picked fruits, a transport system for transporting the picked fruits from the tray to the hopper, and a lifting assembly for selectively raising the tray. The tray includes a bottom wall surface and a group of side walls extending from the bottom wall surface, at least one side wall of the side wall group defining an upper end of the tray, and the lift assembly including Between the first height at a distance of H ₁ to H ₁ and a second height at a distance of H ₂ from the ground, the upper end is raised so that the transport system is between the tray and the transport system. Smooth transport in As There is formed, it is connected to the tray and conveying system, extends to the hopper from the opening of the tray, fruit harvesting apparatus. Wherein said first height H ₁ is approximately equal at 13 inches or less than that, the height of said 1 H ₁
But wherein at least 5 inches greater than the second height H _2, fruit harvesting apparatus according to claim 1. 3. The height of the bottom wall of the tray from the ground is 1 inch or less when the lifting assembly raises the upper end of the tray to the first height H _1. Item 2. The fruit harvesting device according to item 2. 4. The tray further comprises a channel, at least a portion of which is formed by a channel forming portion of the bottom wall surface, wherein the bottom wall surface further comprises at least one ramp sloping toward the channel. 1. The fruit harvesting device according to 1. 5. The fruit harvesting device according to claim 1, wherein the side wall group is substantially vertical and surrounds the bottom wall surface and together defines a polygonal contour of the bottom wall surface. 6. The fruit harvesting device of claim 5, wherein the side wall groups together define a rectangular contour of the bottom wall surface. 7. The fruit harvesting device of claim 1, further comprising a tilting assembly that selectively tilts the tray. 8. A vehicle having a front end and a rear end, means for moving the vehicle along the ground, a tray connected to the vehicle for receiving picked fruits, and attached to the rear end of the vehicle. A rotatable hopper for temporarily storing the picked fruits, a transport system for transporting the picked fruits from the tray to the hopper, and a tilting assembly for selectively tilting the tray. Wherein the tray includes a bottom wall surface and a group of side walls extending from the bottom wall surface, and the transfer system has a smooth transfer surface formed between the tray and the transfer system. A fruit harvesting device coupled to the tray and wherein the delivery system extends from the tray opening to the hopper side. 9. The fruit harvesting device of claim 8, wherein the tilt assembly tilts the tray between a horizontal position and a position offset from the horizontal position. 10. The fruit harvesting device of claim 8, further comprising a lifting system for selectively lifting the tray. 11. A vehicle, means for moving the vehicle along the ground, a tray having an inclined bottom wall surface, attached to the vehicle adjacent to the ground, for receiving picked fruits, and the tray. A first end connected to the first end, and a second end connected to a hopper that is held by the vehicle and temporarily stores the picked fruit, and is picked at the first end. Means for receiving the received fruit and transporting the received fruit from the first end to the hopper through the second end, the hopper being adjacent to a rear end of the hopper. It is pivotally connected to the vehicle and can be selectively pivoted about the pivotal connection to remove the temporarily stored fruit, and the tray selectively raises the tray. Supported by a vertically movable frame assembly There is a fruit harvesting device. 12. The fruit harvesting device of claim 11, further comprising a tilting assembly that selectively tilts the tray. 13. The first end of the conveying means is rotatably attached to the tray.
The fruit harvesting device according to. 14. The fruit harvesting device according to claim 11, wherein the second end portion of the conveying means is rotatably attached to the vehicle. 15. A vehicle having a front end and a rear end, means for moving the vehicle along the ground, a tray connected to the vehicle for receiving picked fruits, and attached to the rear end of the vehicle. A rotatable hopper for temporarily storing the picked fruits, and a transport system for transporting the picked fruits from the tray to the hopper, the tray having a bottom wall surface, A group of sidewalls extending from the bottom wall, the transport system extending beyond the sidewalls and positioned to form a smooth transport surface between the tray opening and the transport system. And a delivery system extending from the tray to the hopper. 16. The fruit harvesting device of claim 15, wherein the transport system comprises a conveyor for transporting fruits.