Patent ID: 7810306
Filing Date: 2010-10-12
Classification: A01D

Abstract:
1. A vibrating tong apparatus having an adaptable clamping force for engaging a tree trunk for fruit harvesting, the apparatus comprising: a fixed support; a pair of jaws in which at least one jaw of said pair of jaws is mobile, said pair of jaws being pivotally connected at one end thereof to said fixed support, each jaw of said pair of jaws having a free end opposite said fixed support; at least one hydraulic jack interconnected to said pair of jaws so as to open and close said pair of jaws; a vibrating means cooperatively interconnected to said pair of jaws for communicating vibration to said pair of jaws, said at least one hydraulic jack having an oil intake chamber therein suitable for controlling a movement of said at least one hydraulic jack; a pressure detecting means cooperative with said oil intake chamber for detecting an increase of pressure in said oil intake chamber when said pair of jaws contact the tree trunk; and a blocking jack directly connected to and extending between said pair of jaws adjacent said free ends of said pair of jaws, said blocking jack cooperative with said pressure detecting means, said blocking jack having a hydraulic fluid supply connected thereto, said pressure detecting means for supplying hydraulic fluid from said hydraulic fluid supply to said blocking jack so as to oppose a force of said pair of jaws upon the tree trunk when said pressure detecting means detects the increase of pressure in said oil intake chamber.