Device for Harvesting Bilberries

Abstract

A device for harvesting bilberries comprises: a frame including a handgrip portion; a shaking unit, including a hook-shaped portion for grasping a branch of a bilberry plant, wherein the shaking unit is movable relative to the frame with reciprocating motion along an axis of vibration to shake the branch; a motor; a transmission unit, wherein the motor is associated with the transmission unit to vibrate the shaking unit along the axis of vibration at a variable vibrating frequency; a frequency adjustment system drivable by the operator to select the vibration frequency at least between a first frequency and a second frequency, wherein the frequency adjustment system is configured to keep the vibration frequency permanently set at the setting selected by the operator.

Claims

1. A device for harvesting of bilberries, comprising: a frame including a handgrip portion; a shaking unit, including a hook-shaped portion for grasping a branch of a bilberry plant, wherein the shaking unit is movable relative to the frame with reciprocating motion along an axis of vibration to shake the branch; a motor associated with the frame; a transmission unit, interconnected between the motor and the shaking unit, wherein the motor is associated with the transmission unit to vibrate the shaking unit along the axis of vibration at a variable vibrating frequency; a start and stop system drivable by an operator to switch the motor on and off; a frequency adjustment system drivable by the operator to select the variable vibrating frequency at least between a first frequency and a second frequency, wherein the frequency adjustment system is configured to keep the variable vibrating frequency permanently set at the setting selected by the operator unless the frequency adjustment system is acted upon by the operator.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the frequency adjustment system is configured to keep the variable vibrating frequency permanently set at the setting selected by the operator, independently of the operator acting on the start and stop system, for switching the motor off and, subsequently, for switching the motor on.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the frequency adjustment system is drivable by the operator independently of the start and stop system.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the frequency adjustment system is configured to store the variable vibrating frequency even after the motor is switched off through the start and stop system.

5. The device according to claim 1, comprising a braking system connected to the start and stop system and configured to dampen vibration of the shaking unit responsive to the motor being switched off through the start and stop system.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the motor is an electric motor and wherein the frequency adjustment system includes an electronic adjuster configured to power the electric motor with a variable frequency electric current in order to vary the variable vibrating frequency of the shaking unit at least between the first frequency and the second frequency.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the electronic adjuster is configured to reduce frequency of the variable frequency electric current, to brake the motor, responsive to the motor being switched off through the start and stop system.

8. The device according to claim 6, wherein the electronic adjuster is configured to vary the frequency of the variable frequency electric current steplessly between a plurality of frequency values.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the frequency adjustment system is configured to select the variable vibrating frequency in a frequency interval between 1200 and 2200 oscillations per minute.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the shaking unit has a stroke along the axis of vibration of less than 20 mm.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit includes a slider crank mechanism.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the shaking unit is adjustable to vary a size of the hook-shaped portion.

13. A method for harvesting small fruits, comprising the following steps: positioning a hook-shaped portion of a shaking unit around a branch of a small fruits plant; selecting by an operator a vibration frequency of the shaking unit at least between a first frequency and a second frequency using a frequency adjustment system; starting a motor to start vibrating the shaking unit along a vibration axis at the vibration frequency, wherein the step of starting the motor comprises a step of the operator driving a motor start and stop system; stopping the motor, wherein the step of stopping the motor comprises a step of the operator driving the motor start and stop system, wherein the vibration frequency selected by the operator is kept permanently at the selected setting through the frequency adjustment system unless the frequency adjustment system is acted upon by the operator.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the step of selecting the vibration frequency is independent of operation of the motor start and stop system and wherein the vibration frequency selected by the operator remains set during the steps of starting and stopping the motor.

15. The method according to claim 13, comprising a step of controlled braking of the shaking unit to dampen the vibration of the shaking unit responsive to the motor being stopped.

16. The method according to claim 13, wherein in the step of selecting, the vibration frequency of the shaking unit is selected in a frequency interval between 1200 and 2200 oscillations per minute.

17. The method according to claim 13, wherein the small fruits are bilberries.

18. The method according to claim 13, wherein the frequency adjustment system keeps the vibration frequency set at the setting selected by the operator, independently on the operator acting on the start and stop system for switching the motor off and for switching the motor on.

19. The method according to claim 13, wherein the frequency adjustment system can be driven by the operator independently of the start and stop system.

20. The method according to claim 13, wherein the frequency adjustment system stores values of the vibration frequency, responsive a selection of a user, and retains the stored values even when the motor is switched off through the start and stop system.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] These and other features will become more apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0040] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a device according to this disclosure;

[0041] FIG. 2 shows a top view of the device of FIG. 1;

[0042] FIG. 3 shows a lateral cross section of the device of FIG. 1;

[0043] FIG. 4 shows a horizontal cross section of the device of FIG. 1;

[0044] FIG. 5 shows the device during its operation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] With reference to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 denotes a device for harvesting bilberries.

[0046] The device 1 comprises a frame 2. The frame 2 is made, for example, of plastic material. The frame 2 comprises a handgrip portion 21. The handgrip portion 21 can be used by an operator 91 to grip the frame 2. More specifically, the operator 91 grips the handgrip portion 21 with one hand.

[0047] The device 1 comprises a shaking unit 3. The shaking unit 3 is movable relative to the frame 2 with vibratory reciprocating motion along an axis of vibration A. The shaking unit 3 includes a hook-shaped portion 31. The shaking unit 3 includes a rod 32. The rod 32 extends along the axis of vibration A. The hook-shaped portion 31 is located at a free end of the rod 32.

[0048] The hook-shaped portion 31 is configured for grasping a branch of a bilberry (or other small fruits) plant 93.

[0049] More specifically, the rod 32 includes a first portion 321 and a second portion 322 which are detachably coupled to each other. The first portion 321 in turn extends between a first end 321A and a second end 321B. The hook-shaped portion 31 is connected to the first end 321A of the first portion 321.

[0050] The second portion 322 extends between a first end 322A and a second end 322B. The second end 321B of the first portion 321A is structured to be detachably coupled to the first end 322A of the second portion 322.

[0051] The detachable coupling of the first portion 321 to the second portion 322 allows dismantling the device 1 for transportation or storage.

[0052] The hook-shaped portion 31 comprises a first element 31A and a second element 31B connected to the rod 32 (specifically to the first portion 321). At least one (or both) of the first element 31A and the second element 31B is slidable along the rod 32 to vary a respective mutual position. That way, the distance between the first element 31A and the second element 31B is adjustable to vary the size of the hook shaped portion 31.

[0053] The device 1 comprises an electric motor 4. The electric motor 4 is located inside the frame 2. In effect, the frame 2 defines a closed enclosure.

[0054] The device 1 comprises a battery (or battery pack) located in a backpack 92 wearable by the operator 91. The device 1 comprises an electrical connecting cable to connect the backpack 92 to the frame 2 (hence to the electric motor 4).

[0055] The electric motor 4 comprises a rotary portion. The motor 4 comprises a pinion 41, connected to the rotary portion. The pinion 41 is thus driven in rotation by the electric motor 4.

[0056] The device comprises a transmission unit 5. The transmission unit 5 is configured to transmit motion from the electric motor 4 to the shaking unit 3. The transmission unit 5 comprises a slider crank mechanism (or slotted link mechanism) 50. The transmission unit 5 (that is, the slider crank mechanism 50) comprises a slider element (or slotted link element) 51, connected (or fixed) to the end of the rod 32 (specifically to the second end 322B of the second portion 322 of the rod 32). The slider element 51 is slidable in a guide, with reciprocating motion along the axis of vibration A. The slider element 51 defines a slot inside it. The transmission unit 5 comprises a pin 52 which is slidable inside the slot in the slider element 51. The transmission unit 5 comprises a first toothed wheel 53, to which the pin 52 is fixed. The rotation of the first toothed wheel 53 causes the pin 52 to move within the slot and, at the same time, causes a movement of the slider element 51, and thus of the rod 32, along the axis of vibration A.

[0057] The transmission unit 5 comprises a second toothed wheel 54, which meshes with the first toothed wheel 53. The pinion 41 is fixed to the second toothed wheel 54 (specifically mounted internally thereof). Thus, the rotation of the pinion 41 is transmitted, through the second toothed wheel 54, to the first toothed wheel 53 and to the pin 52, which causes the slider element 51 to move in the guide along the axis of vibration A.

[0058] The transmission unit 5 also comprises rolling bearings 55 connected to the first toothed wheel 53 (to reduce friction during the rotation thereof).

[0059] The device 1 comprises a start and stop system 6. The start and stop system 6 comprises a trigger 61 actuatable by the operator 91. More specifically, the trigger 61 is in the proximity of the handgrip portion 21 so that the operator 91 can pull the trigger 61 while holding the handgrip portion 21. The start and stop system 6 comprises a spring 62, operable by pulling the trigger 61. The start and stop system 6 is connected to the motor 4 to send it a start command and a stop command. More specifically, pulling the trigger 61 gives the start command and releasing the trigger 61 gives the stop command. Thus, the trigger 61 is movable between a pulled position, where it gives the start command, and a released position, where it gives the stop command.

[0060] The device 1 comprises a frequency adjustment system 7. The frequency adjustment system 7 is located on the frame 2 at a position distant from the handgrip portion 21. The frequency adjustment system 7 comprises a frequency increase control 71 and a frequency decrease control 72. More specifically, the frequency increase control 71 and the frequency decrease control 72 are pushbuttons. The operator 91 increases the oscillating frequency by acting on (specifically by pressing) the frequency increase control 71. The operator 91 decreases the oscillating frequency by acting on (specifically by pressing) the frequency decrease control 72.

[0061] The device 1 comprises a shutdown control 8. The shutdown control 8 is configured to power-off the device and deactivates both the start and stop system 6 and the frequency selection system 7. The shutdown control 8 is also configured to power-on the device 1 and reactivates both the start and stop system 6 and the frequency selection system 7. In an embodiment, the shutdown control 8 is located in proximity to the frequency selection device 7. For example, the device 1 may comprise a keyboard including the shutdown control 8, the frequency increase control 71 and the frequency decrease control 72. The keyboard is located in an area of the device 1 distant from the trigger 61.

[0062] This disclosure also relates to a method for harvesting small fruits (for example, bilberries, or berries, or olives). The method comprises a step of positioning a hook-shaped portion 31 of a shaking unit 3 around a branch of a small fruits plant 93 (for example, a bilberry plant, or a berry plant, or an olive plant).

[0063] The method comprises a step of an operator 91 selecting a vibration frequency of the shaking unit 3 at least between a first frequency and a second frequency through a frequency adjustment system 7. More specifically, the operator 91 selects the oscillating frequency by acting on the frequency increase control 71 and the frequency decrease control 72.

[0064] The method comprises a step of starting a motor 4 to vibrate the shaking unit 3 along an axis of vibration A at a vibration frequency. The step of starting the motor 4 comprises a step of an operator 91 giving a command to start the motor. More specifically, the operator 91 gives the start command by acting on a start and stop system 6 (that is, by pulling a trigger 61).

[0065] The method comprises a step of stopping the motor 4. The step of stopping the motor 4 comprises a step of the operator 91 giving a command to stop the motor 4. More specifically, the operator 91 gives the stop command by acting on the start and stop system 6 (that is, by releasing the trigger 61). Thus, the start and stop system 6 (that is, the trigger 61) is used to give both the command to start the motor 4 and the command to stop the motor 4.

[0066] The vibration frequency selected by the operator 91 is kept permanently at the selected setting through a frequency adjustment system 7 unless the frequency adjustment system 7 is acted upon by the operator 91. More specifically, the step, of selecting the vibration frequency is carried out by the operator 91 independently of the step of giving the command to start and stop the motor 4. The vibration frequency selected by the operator 91 remains set during the steps of starting and stopping the motor.

[0067] Thus, following the step of selecting the frequency, the method comprises further steps of positioning, starting and stopping, repeated cyclically; during these steps, the frequency remains permanently set at the value initially selected by the operator.

[0068] The device 1 may also be provided with an indicator configured to show the operator 91 whether the tool (that is, the motor 4) is on or off. The indicator may be an illuminated (LED) indicator. The indicator may be located in proximity to the frequency increase control 71 and frequency decrease control 72 (on the keyboard).

[0069] The device 1 may also include an interface configured to show the operator 91 the selected frequency value (or a corresponding value on a scale). The interface may be located in proximity to the frequency increase control 71 and frequency decrease control 72 (on the keyboard).