US187491A

US187491A - Improvement in fruit-gatherers

Info

Publication number: US187491A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1877-02-20
Anticipated expiration: 1894-02-20

Description

A. J. SHUNK.

FRUIT GATHERER.

No.187;491. Paume@ Feb. zo, A1877.

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ALEXANDER J. SHUNK, OF DES MOINES, IOWA.

IMPROVEMENT IN FRUIT-GATHERERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 187,491 dated February 520, 1877; application filed J nly 22, 1876.

To all 'whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALEXANDER J. SHUNK, ot'` Des Moines, in the county of Polk and State of Iowa, have invented a new and valuable Improvement in Fruit-Gatherers; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawing, making a part ot' this specification, and to the letters and gnres of reference marked thereon.

The figure of the drawing is a representation of a side elevation, part sectional, of my fruit-gatherer.

This invention relates 4to devices for pick` ing fruit; and it consists in a fixed rim, to which is attached a sack or sleeve, in combination with a hinged cup or hollow jaw, and devices for opening and closing the same, as hereinafter fully set forth.

In the annexed drawing, AA designate the sections of a fruit-gathering pole or handle, said sections being detachably connected by means of pin a on section A, and L- shaped slot al in sleeve a2, fixed on section A. To the upper end of section A is rigidly secured an upright metal hoop or ring, B, which forms the rim of the opening ot' fruit sack or sleeve C. The attachment'ot' said ring to said section A is by means of a Wire, I), which is bent round said ring, and secured by its end b to the end of' said handle-section. Opposite to rim or hoop B is hinged a cup, D, which consists ot' a wire frame covered by some flexible material, and corresponds to the shape of one-half of the fruit. From thelower part ofthe front ot' this cup extends a short hinged arm or link, E, which passes between arms b b, and is hinged at its outer end to the upper end of sliding rod F. Said sliding rod moves in slotted guide-plates ff, which are rigidly 'secured to handle-section A', and it is attached by link f at its lower end to cylindrical metal slide G, which is provided with anger-piece, G`

When said finger-piece G is drawn or pressed downward the hinged cup D is drawn against hoop B, inclosing and detaching the fruit, which falls into the sack C. A slight pull on the pole or handle will aid in this operation.

The device is automatically opened for further use by the following means: To vertical sliding rod F, between guide-plates f f, is secured a disk, f2, and between said disk and flower plate f a helical spring, H, is wound around said rod. This spring operates to force said disk and rod upward, throwing back cup D in readiness for use again.

A number of apples, peaches, or other fruit may be plucked in this manner before sack O becomes too heavy for convenient use. It should then be unloaded into the basket or other receptacle provided to receive the fruit.

Many slightvchanges may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention. For instance, a retracting-sprin g may be substituted for one operating by expansion, the. lower end being secured to disk f2, and the upper end attached to the upper guide-plate. Again, the handle or pole may be made in one piece, or the sections A A may be attached together by any known fastening device other than that shown, and applicable to the purpose designed. Also, the vertical sliding rod F may be iliade in one or more pieces, as preferred. There may be. one attaching end ot' wire Z), instead of two, -and cup D may be constructed entirely ot metal or any suitable material; but I prefer the construction shown and described What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The handle A A', having slotted guideplates ff and slide G, in combination with the hoop B, provided with' a sack, O, hinged cup D, link E, sliding rod F, disk f2, and spring H, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination ot' handle A A with slide G, finger-piece G', link f1, sliding rod F, slotted guide-plates ff, disk f2, and spring' H, substantially as and forV the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the pres-ence ot' two witnesses.

ALEXANDER J SHUNK.

Witnesses:

J. C, Lorna, P. HosTETTEE.