US1482346A - Fruit gatherer - Google Patents

Description

- B. uwsssis fan. 29

FRUIT GATHERER Filed April 11. 1923 Patented Jan. 29, 1924.

stares BENJAMIN BURGESS, OF DAINVILLE, ILLINOIS.-

IRUIT GATHEBER.

Application filed April 11, 1923. Serial No. 631,429.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN BURGESS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Danvi'lle, in the county of Vermilion and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fruit Gca-therers of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain improvements in fruit gatherers and it is an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved device of this general character wherein fruit- ,or the like irrespective of its size may be collected.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved device of this general character wherein the fruit may be picked by either a push or a pull and gathered without injury.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved fruit gatherer whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, 1 will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein "Figure 1 is a view in elevation of -a fruit gatherer constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention, thechute being shown in fragment;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken through the device as illustrated in Figure 1, the chute being-omitted and a handle being applied;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially onthe :line 33 of Figure 1 Figure 4: is a fragmentary sectional view taken atone side of the front opening of the hood.

As herein disclosed, my improved gatherer comprises a hood consisting of a lower sleeve 1 of requisite diameter and which has its lower end or marginal portion defined by an outstanding bead 2. Soldered or otherwise secured to the upper portion of the sleeve 1 is a reticulated fabric or wire mesh 3 constituting the side wall of the hood. This fabric 3 extends almost entirely around the sleeve 1 and is flared upwardly and outwardly. The end marginal portion of the fabric or mesh '3 is engaged and clamped between the overlying laminations a of a binding strip 4. preferably of metal. Thelower end portion of each of the strips 1 straddles a wall of the sleeve 1 fromabove as indicated at 5 in Figure 2, said overlying portions being soldered or otherwise secured to the wall of the sleeve 1. tions of the strips 4 and the upper marginal portion of the mesh or fabric 3 are soldered or otherwise secured to a depending flange 6 associated with the top member 7. The top member 7 is disposed on a predetermined downward incline toward the front opening afforded by the members 1. The lower portion of the member 7 is provided at its transverse center with a slot 8 substantially V- shaped in form and having the edges defining the slot rounded, said edges being defined by' an upstanding flange 9.

Bridgingthe spacebetween the lower portions of the members 4 and soldered or otherwise secured thereto is a plate 10, the lower portion of said plate overlying and soldered or otherwise secured to the adjacent portion of the sleeve 1. The upper marginal portion of the plate 10 is also provided with Ea substantially V-shaped slot 11, the edges defining the same being also rounded. Secured to the sleeve 1 'is a barrel 12 into which is adapted to be fitted an end portion of an elongated rodor .pole 14: by which the device in its entirety is adapted to be manipulated.

The sleeve 1 is adapted to deliver within a chute 0 preferably nettingthe major portion of the chute, as illustrated in Figure 1, being normally contracted or restricted but readily permitting fruit or the like to pass therethrough. This is of particular advantage as the travel of the fruit or the like through the chute is retarded whereby is substantially eliminated the liability of injurvas by bruising or the like.

. The chute .C is connected by the loops 15 with a band 16. This band 16 encircles the lower portion of the sleeve 1 directly above and substantially in contact with the bead 2. One end portion of the band 16 is provided with a loop 17 through which the opposite end portion of the band 16 is threaded whereby said band may be properly fitted upon the sleeve 1. This band 16 is preferably of metal which may be bended to effect the de The upper end porsired securement of the band upon the sleeve 1.

In practice, fruit or the like may be readily picked by engaging the stem of the fruit or the like within the slot 11 so that upon a slight upward movement being imparted to the sleeve 1 the fruit will be severed and fall through the sleeve 1 into the chute C. If preferred the stem of the fruit or the like may be engaged within the'slot 8 so that upon proper manipulation of the handle 14 the stem will be severed.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a fruit gatherer constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not Wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as here inafter claimed.

I claim I 1. A fruit gatherer comprising a hood consisting of a bottom sleeve, a perforated wall extending a material distance around the sleeve, an end portion of? the wall being secured to the sleeve, strips connected to the end marginal portions of said wall, a top member secured to the upper portions of the wall and the strips, said top member at a point between the strips being provided with a slot, and a plate connected to and bridging the space between the lower portions of the strips, said plate being provided with a slot.

2. A fruit gatherer comprising a hood con sisting of a bottom sleeve, a perforated wall extending a material distance around the sleeve, an end portion of the wall being secured to the sleeve, strips connected to the end marginal portions of said wall, a top member secured to the upper portions of the wall and the strips, said top member at a point between the strips being provided with a slot, and a plate connected to and bridging the space between the lower portions of the strips, said plate being provided with a slot, each of said slots being substantially V-shaped.

3. A fruit gatherer comprising a hood consisting of a bottom sleeve, a perforated wall extending a material distance around the sleeve, an end portion of the wall being secured to the sleeve, strips connected to the end marginal portions of said wall, a top member secured tothe upper portions of the wall and the strips, said top member at a point between the strips being provided with a slot, a plate connected to and bridging the space between the lower portions of the strips, said plate being provided with a slot, and an operating member engaged with the sleeve.

4:. A fruit gather-er comprising a hood consisting of a bottom sleeve a perforated wall extending a material distance around the sleeve, an end portion of the wall being secured to the sleeve, strips connected to the end marginal portions of said wall, a top member secured to the upper portions of the wall and the strips, said top member at a point between the strips being provided with a slot, and a plate connected to and bridging the space between the lower portions of the strips, said plate being provided with a slot, said side wall being outwardly flared with respect to the sleeve.

5. A fruit gather-er comprising a hood consistin of abottom sleeve, a perforated wall extending a material distance around the sleeve, an end portion of the wall being secured to the sleeve, strips connected to the end marginal portions of Said wall, a top member secured to the upper portions of the wall and the strips, said top member at a point between the strips being provided with a slot, a plate connected to and bridging the space between the lower portions of the strips, said plate being provided with a slot, and a chute engaged with the sleeve.

6. A fruit gatherer comprising a hood consisting of a bottom sleeve, a perforated wall extending a material distance around the sleeve, an end portion of the wall being see cured to the sleeve, strips connected to the end marginal portions of said "wall, a top member secured to the upper portions of the wall and the strips, said top member at a point between the strips being provided with a slot, and a plate connected to and bridging the space between the lower portions of the strips, said plate being provided with a slot, said side wall constituting a reticulated fabric. i

In testimonv whereof I hereunto afiix my signature.

BENJAMIN BURGESS.

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