FOLDABLE EXTENDABLE HEAD FOR AGAVE HARVESTING

Abstract

This invention refers to an improved foldable and extensible head for agave harvest, characterized by including a vertical structure in whose lower end there is a support and fixation element of a lower-cut clamp, to cut the agave plant from its base, defined by a pair of straight-cut blades in a couple of curved clamps, completely opposing each other, each one fixed with its own rotating axis on the aforementioned support and fixation element. Each clamp includes a circular or semi-circular gear that allows the interlocking of both clamps and that together define a zipper mechanism to accurately synchronize the closing and opening movement between the clamps; a fixation structure of at least one hydraulic or pneumatic actuator is assembled in the rear area of the aforementioned support and fixation element, where the stem is pivotally fixed in the rear part, next to the rotating axis of at least one curved clamp to close or open both clamps as a result of the abovementioned zipper mechanism.

Claims

1- the improved foldable and extensible head for agave harvest, in compliance with the above claims, characterized by including a vertical structure in whose lower end there are lower-cut pliers to cut the agave plant from the base (banquear in spanish), formed by a pair of straight-cut pliers in a pair of curved clamps completely opposing each other, each one fixed with its own rotating axis in the aforementioned support and fixation element; in addition, each clamp includes a circular or semi-circular gear that allows both clamps to interlock and to define together a zipper mechanism to accurately synchronize the closing and opening movement of the clamps; a fixation structure of at least one hydraulic or pneumatic actuator is mounted on the rear area of the aforementioned support and fixation element, where the stem is fixated pivotally in the rear area next to the rotation axis of at least one curved clamp, to close or open both clamps as a result of the aforementioned zipper mechanism.

2. The improved foldable and extensible head for agave harvest, in compliance with claim 1, characterized by including each clamp of each pair of lower-cut pliers that includes an actuator, to offer more closing strength of both clamps with higher pressure to facilitate the cutting of the agave plants.

3. The improved foldable and extensible head for agave harvest, in compliance with claim 1, characterized by a curved clamp that defines an internal beveled surface, and, close to its inner border, it has a variety of fixation means of the aforementioned straight-cut blades, defined by a semi-circular body, with the blade applied in its internal straight border.

4. The improved foldable and extensible head for agave harvest, in compliance with claim 1, characterized by the aforementioned vertical structure to also include in its front face a pair of sliding vertical skates, adapted to fit in a sliding manner, at least one clamp mechanism defined by a sliding support and fixation element on which a pair of clamps, opposed to each other, are fixed, and each clamp including a circular or semi-circular gear interlocked between them, defining a zipper mechanism to accurately synchronize the closing and opening movement of the abovementioned clamps; a fixation structure of at least one hydraulic or pneumatic actuator is assembled on the rear part of the above support and fixation element, where the stem is fixed pivotally in the rear part next to the rotating axis of at least one clamp to close and open both clamps as a result of the abovementioned zipper mechanism, and to be able to close and compress the stalks of the agave plant into a bundle.

5. The improved foldable and extensible head for agave harvest, in compliance with claim 4, characterized by each opposed clamp of each clamp mechanism, defined by an arm whose first section has a significantly curved shape, followed by a second external section which is substantially straight, ending in a pointed end; and where each arm is defined by two attached boards one over the other, joined through a board, either on the inner or outer face, to define a bigger contact surface of the clamps with the stalks of the agave plants.

6. The improved foldable and extensible head for agave harvest, in compliance with claim 4, characterized by the aforementioned clamp mechanism which includes a height adjustment system that allows each clamps mechanism to go up and down depending the height of the agave plants.

7. The improved foldable and extensible head for agave harvest, in compliance with claim 4, characterized because it also includes upper-cut pliers to cut the tip of the stalks of the agave plants (banquear in Spanish), formed by a pair of straight-cutting blades in a pair of completely opposed clamps one in front of the other, each one fixed with its own rotation axis in a sliding support and fixation element, mounted on each pair of vertical skates, and each clamp includes a circular or semi-circular gear interlocked between them, defining a zipper mechanism to synchronize in an accurate manner the closing and opening movement of the plants. A fixation structure of at least one hydraulic or pneumatic actuator, assembled in the rear part of the aforementioned support and fixation element where the stem is fixed pivotally in the rear area next to the rotating axis of at least one curved clamp, to close or open both clamps as a result of the abovementioned zipper mechanism.

8. The improved foldable and extensible head for agave harvest, in compliance with the above claims, characterized because said vertical structure of the improved foldable and extensive support to harvest agave includes, in its upper end, a support structure adapted to fix the aforementioned head into a maneuver arm, to be able to control the head from a transport equipment.

9. The improved foldable and extensible head for agave harvest, in compliance with the above claims, characterized by also including a mechanic/hydraulic mechanism to move a mechanical arm where the aforementioned head is mounted, and to adjust said head over the X, Y and Z axes with a guide, either laser or light, as well as to adjust the height of such pliers depending on the height of the agave plants to harvest, which is controlled from a control board by an operator.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0051] FIG. 1 shows a conventional perspective of the foldable and extensible head for the harvest of agave, in compliance with one of the embodiments of the invention.

[0052] FIG. 1a shows an enlargement of the fixation of the pair of curved clamps of the lower cut pliers, in the support and fixation element in compliance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, shown in FIG. 1.

[0053] FIG. 2 shows a conventional perspective of the foldable and extensible head for the harvest of agave, in compliance with the second embodiment of the invention, where a mechanism of clamps is incorporated.

[0054] FIG. 2a shows an enlargement of the fixation of the pair of clamps of the clamps mechanism in the support and fixation element, in compliance with the second preferred embodiment of the invention, shown in FIG. 2.

[0055] FIG. 3 shows a conventional perspective of the foldable and extensible head for the harvest of agave, in compliance with a third embodiment of the invention where two mechanisms of clamps are integrated.

[0056] FIG. 3a shows the enlargement of the fixation of the pair of clamps of the second clamps mechanism in the support and fixation element, in compliance with the third preferred embodiment of the invention, displayed in FIG. 3.

[0057] FIG. 4 shows a view in conventional perspective of the foldable and extensible head for the harvest of agave, in compliance with the fourth embodiment of the invention, where lower cut pliers, a clamps mechanism and upper cut pliers are incorporated.

[0058] FIG. 4a shows the enlargement of the fixation of the pair of curved clamps of the upper-cut pliers in the support and fixation element, in compliance with the fourth preferred embodiment of the invention, displayed in FIG. 4.

[0059] FIG. 5 shows a view in conventional perspective of the foldable and extensible head for the harvest of agave, in compliance with the fifth embodiment of the invention, where lower cut pliers, two clamps mechanisms and upper cut pliers are incorporated.

[0060] For a better understanding of the invention, some of the embodiments thereof shall be described in detail, depicted in the drawings that are attached to this description for illustrative purposes and other purposes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0061] The characteristic details of the improved foldable and extensible head for the harvest of agave are clearly shown in the following description and the drawings attached, using the same reference signs to indicate the same parts.

[0062] Making reference to FIGS. 1 and 1a, the improved foldable and extensible head (1) for the harvest of agave has a vertical structure (2) in whose upper end there is an L-shaped support structure (3), fitted to fix the aforementioned improved flexible and extensible head (1) in a maneuver arm (not displayed) to be able to manipulate it from a transport equipment (not displayed) and in whose lower end there is a support and fixation element (4) of lower cut pliers (5) to cut an agave plant from the base, that is defined by a pair of straight-cut blades (6) mounted on a pair of curved clamps (7) completely opposed between them, each of them fixed with their own rotating axis (8) in the abovementioned support and fixation element (4), and each clamp of the pair of curved clamps (7) includes a circular or semi-circular gear (9) that allows the interlocking of both clamps and that together define a zipper mechanism (10) to accurately synchronize the closing and opening movement, the closing pressure, and the triggering time as well as the distance between the curved clamps (7); a fixation structure (11) of the hydraulic actuators is mounted on the rear part of the aforementioned support and fixation element (4) of the lower-cut pliers (5) where the stem (13) is fixed pivotally to the rear part next to the rotating axis (8) of each pair of curved clamps (7) to close or open both clamps as a result of the abovementioned zipper mechanism (10).

[0063] Each curved clamp of the pair of curved clamps (7) defines an internal beveled surface (7a) and, close to its internal border, there are several fixation means (7b) of the aforementioned straight-cut blades (6), defined by a semi-circular body with the blade on the straight internal border.

[0064] Regarding FIGS. 2 and 2a, the aforementioned improved foldable and extensible head (1) for the harvest of agave also includes the abovementioned lower-cut pliers (5) structured, configured and mounted as described in FIGS. 1 and 1a; in addition, it includes in its vertical structure (2) on its front face a pair of parallel vertical sliding skates (14) adapted to assemble, in a sliding manner, at least one clamp mechanism (15) defined by a sliding support and fixation mechanism (16) built-in in a sliding manner in the aforementioned vertical sliding skates (14) upon which a pair of clamps are fixed (17) opposed between them, each of them fixed with their own rotating axis (18) in the aforementioned sliding support and fixation element (16); and each clamp (17) includes a circular or semi-circular gear (19) that allows the interlocking of both clamps and that jointly define a zipper mechanism (10) to accurately synchronize the closing and opening movement, the closing pressure, and the triggering time, as well as the distance between the clamps (17); a fixation structure (21) of a pair of hydraulic or pneumatic actuators (22) is mounted on the rear area of the aforementioned sliding support and fixation element (16), where the stem (23) is fixated pivotally in the rear area next to the rotation axis (18) of the clamps, (17) to close or open both clamps as a result of the aforementioned zipper mechanism (20), and thus, be able to close and compress the agave plant into a bundle.

[0065] The aforementioned clamps mechanism (15) includes a system of height adjustment (24) that allows to move it up and down depending on the height of the agave plant.

[0066] A embodiment of the foldable and extensible head (1) for the harvest of agave can be observed in FIGS. 3 and 3a, in compliance with a third embodiment of the invention where lower-cut pliers are incorporated (5) structured, configured and mounted as described above in FIGS. 1 and 1a, and two clamps mechanisms (15) structured, configured and mounted as described in FIGS. 2 and 2a, so that the same numeric references are used to signal the same parts.

[0067] Regarding FIGS. 4 and 4a, the aforementioned improved foldable and extensible head (1) for the harvest of agave includes lower-cut pliers (5) structured, configured and mounted as described in FIGS. 1 and 1a; a clamp mechanism (15) structured, configured and mounted as described in FIGS. 2 and 2a, to which reference is made, and upper-cut pliers (25) to cut the tips of the stalks of the agave plants (baquear in Spanish), and said upper-cut pliers are set (25) in the same way as the lower-cut pliers (5), to which a support and fixation element (26) of the abovementioned upper-cut pliers (25) is mounted in a sliding manner, on the aforementioned vertical sliding skates (14) and including height adjustment means (27) depending on the height of the agave plants to cut the tips of the stalks of the abovementioned agave plants, removing the dangerous apical spines.

[0068] Regarding FIG. 5, the foldable and extensible head (1) for the harvest of agave, in compliance with a third embodiment of the invention where lower-cut pliers are incorporated, (5) structured, configured and mounted as described above in FIGS. 1 and 1a, and two clamps mechanisms (15) structured, configured and assembled as described in FIGS. 2 and 2a, and upper-cut pliers (25), structured, configured and assembled as described in FIGS. 4 and 4a, so that the same numeric references are used to signal the same parts.

[0069] The invention has been sufficiently described so that a person with average knowledge in the field may be able to reproduce and obtain the results mentioned in this invention. However, any person skilled in the art in the field of the applicable technology is able to make unwritten modifications in this request; nevertheless, if, for the application of these modifications in a specific structure or in the process of manufacture thereof, the field claimed in the following claims is required, such structures shall be included in the scope of the invention.