TREE FRUIT PICKING MACHINE

Abstract

The above is a description of a self-propelled tree fruit picking machine, of the type which includes a vibrator device which acts on the trunk of a tree detected by a probe device, including two side frames joined by a transverse gantries device, equipped with pulling devices to move the fruit towards peeling devices, and from these towards hoppers, in which each gantry includes four successively articulated segments, with anchoring devices between adjacent segments, which are extractable to fold the machine by the closing together of both side frames via the action of cylinders to a minimum width, with the machine equipped with a control cabin which can be moved inwards to the position of minimum width, and with the transport wheels connected to suspension devices adjustable in height via cylinders.

Claims

1. A self-propelled tree fruit picking machine (15) designed for the picking tree fruits by an action of a vibrator (30) on a trunk of the tree when the presence of the trunk is detected by a probe (31), the machine comprises: two side frames (16,17) between which there is a lower longitudinal opening for the passage of the tree in accordance with a movement of the machine (15), with the side frames joined at the top by using two parallel gantries (20,21), extended crosswise and separated by a certain distance in a longitudinal direction; pulling devices (28) located in the interior of the respective longitudinal channels, to move the detached fruit towards peeling devices (34) located in a rear part of each of the side frames (16, 17) of the machine, from which the detached fruit are then pulled, once peeled, to two hoppers (33) of considerable size and located in the rear part of each of the frames (16, 17) of the machine (15). wherein each of the said transverse parallel gantries (20, 21) comprising a group of four segments (22, 23), respectively articulated between each other at hinge points (24), of which the outer segments (22) includes fixed vertical struts emerging from each respective side frame (16, 17) and the two intermediate segments are articulated with the vertical struts (22) at the articulation points (24), and between themselves in an intermediate articulated position (25).

2. The tree fruit picking machine according to claim 1, wherein by each of the segments (22, 23) posses fixation lugs (26) attached to the articulation points between adjacent segments, equipped with a through hole, and with the fixation lugs (26) of each of the two consecutive segments overlaid between each other to allow the insertion of anchoring bolts through the respective facing holes.

3. The tree fruit picking machine according to claim 1, wherein the pulling devices (28) for the detached fruit includes transporter belts specifically designed to avoid damaging the fruit.

4. The tree fruit picking machine according to claim 1, further including suspension devices (19) connected to the transporting wheels (18), with the suspension devices on each wheel acting independently to facilitate adaptation to the irregularities of the terrain, and where each of the suspension devices (19) includes a respective cylinder (36) allowing adjustment of the height of the machine (15).

5. The tree fruit picking machine according claim 1, further comprising a cabin (29) located on one (17) of the said side frames, with a capacity for lateral movement on guide rails, activated by means of a cylinder, between an external or working position, enabling the operator to control operation of the machine without striking the branches of the tree, and an interior or transport position, where the cabin (29) is aligned with the rest of the machine.

6. The tree fruit picking machine according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate segments (23) of each of the transverse parallel gantries (20, 21) foldable inwards in relation to the side struts (22) via the removal of the anchoring bolts housed in the facing holes of the fixation lugs (26), through the action of the cylinders (32), thereby facilitating the lateral folding of the machine to its minimum width.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] These and other characteristics and advantages of the invention are more clearly demonstrated via the detailed description that follows of a preferred embodiment of the same, provided merely as an illustrative and non-definitive example with reference to the accompanying diagrams, in which:

[0017] FIG. 1 (already mentioned), shows a schematic representation of a prior art picking machine, described in Utility Model U-200002889;

[0018] FIG. 2 is a schematic view, seen from the front part of a machine consistent with the invention in its picking state;

[0019] FIG. 3 is a frontal schematic view, equivalent to that of FIG. 2, except that the machine is shown in a fold-up state ready for transport or storage;

[0020] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the machine in FIGS. 2 & 3, taken from the rear and in fold-up position; and

[0021] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of a machine according to the invention, ready to be transported to other locations.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0022] As mentioned in the above, the detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the object of the invention, will be provided below with the help of the appendix diagrams, via which identical or similar parts will be referred to using the same numerical references. In this manner, in reference firstly to FIG. 2 of the diagrams, the schematic representation of a machine consistent with the invention, indicated in general by numerical reference 15, comprising two side frames 16 & 17, separated by an intermediary longitudinal opening of sufficient width to allow the passage of a tree trunk, of normal diameter, between both frames when the machine is moved during tree fruit picking operations (not shown). Each of the side frames 16 & 17 include wheels 18 for transport, with each wheel equipped with independent suspension devices 19, allowing adaptation of the machine to the irregularities of the terrain and the adjustment of height during transport.

[0023] The connection between both side frames 16 & 17 is made by means of the parallel gantries 20 & 21, extended in a transverse direction to the machine and separated in a longitudinal direction by a previously fixed distance. Both these gantries are designed in the same manner, in which each one comprises four segments successively articulated between themselves. In reference to gantry 20, for the purposes of description, two of the segments consist of upright struts, each fixed and emerging from the respective side frames 16 & 17, and the other two segments referenced as 23, extend according to the general upper horizontal direction, respectively articulated with the vertical struts 22 at tilting points 24, and with themselves via a tilting device 25 in a central position. This same arrangement can be observed in relation to gantry 21, although the description will be omitted to avoid unnecessary repetition.

[0024] In connection with the articulation points 24 & 25, there is a fastening device for each gantry 20 & 21 in its operative state, consisting of two fixation lugs 26, attached to each respective gantry segment, overlaid between each other and equipped with opposing through holes to allow the insertion of anchoring bolts.

[0025] Additionally, each of the side frames 16 & 17 of the invention machine includes, in a conventional manner, a channel 27 extended lengthwise, in a position mutually facing both of the frames, in the interior of which is a transporting device 28 for the picked fruit. These transporting devices for the picked fruit 28, in contrast to the conventional design, consist of transporter belts specifically designed and finished to prevent damage to the detached fruit, which is then pulled towards the rear of the machine where the peeling devices are located (visible in FIG. 4) and the storage hoppers for the peeled fruit (also visible in FIG. 4).

[0026] In addition, the machine includes, as usual, a cabin 29 from which the operator controls the action of the machine at all times during the picking and transport operations, although in the case of the present invention, this cabin 29 is not in a fixed position but can be moved laterally on guide rails towards either the interior or exterior by means of cylinders (not visible in the Figure). By this means the cabin 29 may adopt an interior position (in other words aligned with the machine as shown in FIG. 2 being described), corresponding to the transport position, that is to say, occupying the minimum width possible, or otherwise in an exterior position (not shown in the Figure), in other words moved to the outside of machine 15, corresponding to the operative state of the said machine and as a result separated from the space provided for the passage of the trees between the two side frames 16 & 17 in a manner so as not to interfere with the branches of the tree. In the representation shown in FIG. 2, the cabin 29 appears located over side frame 17, although this should not be understood to be definitive as it may also be located over the opposite side frame as required.

[0027] Finally, as is conventional, the vibrator 30 is situated on one of the sides (in the representation shown in FIG. 2, for illustrative purposes, it appears located over side frame 16), and is designed for attachment to the tree as soon as the presence of a trunk is detected by the single probe 31, with the action of vibrator 30 pre timed. The invention allows the vibrator to be moved via longitudinal guides, via a predetermined path, in the opposite direction to the movement of the machine 15, in a synchronized way in order that the vibrator 30 remains static in relation to the tree to which it is applied for the time fixed by the timer device (not shown)connected to the said vibrator. This action allows a continual operation, in such a way that as soon as the timer period is over, the vibrator 30 releases itself from the tree to which it was applied and returns to its initial position, in order to restart the cycle when the machine reaches a new tree detected by probe 31.

[0028] In reference to FIG. 3 of the diagrams, one can see a schematic representation of the machine 15 shown in Figure, taken from the front, in the folded state of the machine. That is to say in the state in which the upper segments of gantries 20 & 21 have been successively folded in relation to the vertical struts 22. For this purpose it is simply necessary to remove the fastening bolts (not shown) housed in the through holes facing the lugs 26, and via the action of cylinders 2, to provoke the pivoting of each intermediary segment 23 in relation to the other and in relation to the respective vertical struts 22. The folded state shown in the Figure allows one to observe how the side frames 16 & 17 are now in a joined together position, thus reducing the width of the machine to a minimum.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of the machine in FIGS. 2 & 3, seen from behind, in the folded state. This representation allows one to observe the position of the hoppers 33 (one in each side frame), which are of a much larger size than the hoppers of conventional machines, thus allowing a far greater storage capacity. The transporter belts 28 of each of the lateral channels 27, pull the fruit in the direction of the back end of the machine 15, for the purpose of feeding them into the peeling devices 34 from which they are fed, once peeled, into both hoppers 33.

[0030] As previously mentioned, the present invention machine is of a self-propelled type. FIG. 5 of the diagrams shows the state of the machine ready to be transported to any location (another place of work, transport to the warehouse etc.), where the structure of the machine is mounted on a platform 35 sustained by the wheels 18 attached to each of the side frames 16 & 17. In the representation it can be observed that the machine is at a predetermined height from the floor, which can be achieved by means of the independent suspensions 19 attached to each wheel, thanks to each of the suspensions 19 including a cylinder 36 (also visible in FIG. 2), which raises the said platform to a predetermined height. The elevation operation for the movement and transport and the return to the operative height when necessary, is controlled by the operator from cabin 29.

[0031] It should be clarified that the numerical references of the present invention have been assigned starting with reference number 15 for the sole purpose of avoiding confusion with the reference numbers of FIG. 1 illustrating an equivalent machine from the prior art.

[0032] It has not been considered necessary to expand the content of the present description any further in order for an expert in the subject to understand its scope and the advantages deriving from the same, and to produce a practical embodiment of its object.

[0033] Notwithstanding the above, and given that the description provided solely corresponds to a preferred embodiment example of the invention, it will be understood that within its essential design multiple variants in the detail may be introduced, likewise protected, which may affect the form, size or manufacture materials of the whole or its parts, without this altering the invention in its entirety, which is solely defined by the claims which are provided below.