US609515A - Fruit-picker - Google Patents

Description

Nu. 609,5l5. Patented Aug. 23, I898. D. LLOYD.

FRUIT PICKER.

(Application filed Dec. 28, 1897.)

(No Model.)

5mm azza l I Zoyd 7H: uonms PETERS c0 mum-urns. wAsmNomu, u n

DANIEL LLOYD, OF CAMBRIDGE, MARYLAND.

FRUIT-PICKER.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent NO. 609,515, dated August 23, 1898.

Application filed December 28,1897. Serial No, 664,034. (No model.) I

To (0Z6 whom it may concern: j

Be it known that I, DANIEL LLOYD, a citizen of theUnited States, residing at Cam:

bridge, in the county of Dorchester and State of Maryland, have invented a new and useful Fruit-Picker, of which the followingis a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in fruit-pickers and the object thereof is to provide a simple device by means of which fruit of various sizes may be quickly and readily plucked from the tree by the operator and deposited in the receptacle provided therefor without bruising or otherwise injuring said fruit.

With the above object in view the invention consists in a handle havinga rod secured at the upper end thereof, a receptacle comprising a fixed section which is secured on the upper end of the rod, a sliding section movable upon the rod and held normally in engagement with the fixed section, and means for separating the said sections.

My invention further consists in the improved construction, arrangement, and combination of parts hereinafter fully described and afterward specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In order .to enable others skilled in the art to which my invention most nearly appertains to make and use the same, I will now proceed to describe its construction and operation, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is an elevation of a fruit-picker embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the same. Fig. 3 is aplan view of the adjustable collar.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, A indicates the handle of the device, which may be of any desired length and having the rod 13 secured to the upper'end thereof.

0 is the upper section of the casing, which is spherical in the present instance, said section having a strengtheningplate secured upon the exterior thereof and at its center by rivets D, which pass through the radial arms E of said plate. The section is secured upon the upper end of the rod B, as illustrated in Fig. 2.

1: is the sliding section, having a strengthening-plate G similar to the strengthening plate for the fixed section secured upon the :GXtGIlOI thereof at its center and carrying the of the collar to serve as guides for the cords ,or wires M, which pass therethrough, the upper ends of said cords or wires being secured :in staples N, carried by the plate G on opposite sides of the rod, while the lower ends of said cords are attached to the ring 0, to which the upper end of the operating-rope P is secured, said rope being provided at its lower end with a handle Q. Thus it will be seen that the sections are normally held in contact and the casing closed by the coiled spring I and that they may be separated by drawing upon the operating-rope P.

The operation of my picker is as follows: The sections of the casing are separated by drawing upon the operating-rope and positioned over the fruit to be plucked, the operating-rope being then released to permit the spring to move the movable section into engagement with the fixed section, thus inclosing the fruit. The fruit is then removed from the tree by drawing the picker downwardly through the medium of its handle, the sections being again separated to permit the fruit to fall therefrom into the receptacle provided therefor.

The meeting edges of the casing-sections are wired, as illustrated at B, so that said edges are not sharp, and hence cannot in any way out or injure the fruit.

From the above description it will be seen that I have provided a very conveniently-operated picking device, whereby the fruit may be removed from the tree without in any way injuring it.

While I have illustrated and described the best means now known to me for carrying out my invention, I do not wish to be understood as restricting myselfto the exact construction and arrangement shown, but hold that any slight changes, such as might suggest themselves to the ordinary mechanic, would properly fall within the limit and scope of my invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. In a fruit-picker, the combination of a handle, a rod carried thereby, a sectional casing the upper section of which is secured to the upper end of said rod and the lower section movable upon said rod, a collar adjustable upon the rod and formed with perforated ears, ropes or wires secured at one end to the movable section and extending through the perforated cars, a spring coiled about said rod between the collar and the movable section and serving to hold the latter in engagement with the stationary section, and an operating-rope to which the ropes or wires are attached, substantially as set forth.

2. In a fruit-picker, the combination wit-ha handle having a rod carried by its upper end, of a casing com prising two hemispherical sections, one of which is secured to the upper end of the rod and the other movable thereon, a collar adjustable on said rod and having perforated ears, a coil-spring arranged between said collar and the movable section and serving to hold the latter in engagement with the stationary section, ropes or Wires secured to the movable section and extending through the perforated ears of the collar, said collar thus serving as a guide for said wires, and also for the purpose of adj usting said spring to vary the tension thereof, and an operatingrope to which said ropes or wires are attached, substantially as described.

3. In a fruit-picker, the combination with a handle having a rod carried by its upper end, of a casing comprising two sections, one of which is secured to the upper end of the rod and the other formed with a socket and movable on said rod, a collar adjustable on said rod and having perforated ears, a spring coiled about said rod between said collar and socket and serving tohold the movable section normally in engagement with the stationary section, ropes or wires secured to eyes carried by the movable section-on opposite sides of the socket, said ropes or wires extending through the perforated ears of the collar, said collar thus serving as a guide for said wires, and also for the purposev of adjusting saidspring to vary the tension thereof, and an operating -'rope to which said ropes or wires are attached, substantiallyas described.

DANIEL LIJOYD.

Witnesses:

S. 'CARMINE, OLIVER SPEDDEN.

Images