Method and apparatus for harvesting fruit from a row crop trained on trellis wires or the like

A method for harvesting fruit from a row crop trained on a trellis wire and an apparatus having a vehicle adapted for earth traversing movement along a row crop supported on a trellis wire, a striking member having an end portion, an assembly mounting the striking member on the vehicle with said end portion disposed for movement with the vehicle along a course adjacent to the trellis wire and for reciprocal movement in a path to and from engagement with the trellis wire, and a mechanism connected in driving relation to the striking member for reciprocating the striking member to move the end portion thereof in the path repeatedly to strike the trellis wire to shake the fruit from the row crop.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for havesting fruit 
from a row crop trained on trellis wires or the like and more particularly 
to such a method and apparatus which have particular utility in the 
harvesting of grapes in both vine dried and undried form which have been 
trained and cultured in accordance with the method of the Applicants' 
invention. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
As illustrated by the Fisher, et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,601,964, it has been 
known to use batons or beater rods to strike trellis wires in an effort to 
dislodge vine borne crops trained along the wires. This practice has been 
less than successful for a variety of reasons including the inadequacies 
residing in the manner in which the vines are trained in such prior art 
practices. 
The primary difficulties, however, result from the manner in which the 
striking force is applied to the trellis wires as well as in the 
proclivity for the batons to become entangled in the canes and foliage of 
the vines during continuous movement along the row. Where such 
entanglement occurs, the apparatus must ordinarily be stopped to permit 
disentanglement of the canes and batons in order to avoid ripping out the 
vines or otherwise seriously damaging the row crop and/or the apparatus. 
To a degree, two conflicting objectives are encountered. On the one hand, 
it may be desirable to have pronounced movement of the batons in order to 
impart the optimum striking force to the trellis wires. On the other hand, 
it is desirable to have only quite limited movement of the batons in order 
to minimize the propensity for entanglement. Heretofore, these conflicting 
objectives have prevented practical utilization of such prior art 
concepts. 
Therefore, it has long been known that it would be desirable to have a 
method and apparatus for harvesting fruit from a row crop trained on 
trellis wires or the like in which the striking force was applied to the 
trellis wires with optimum effectiveness in dislodging the crop from the 
vines while minimizing the likelihood of entanglement in the canes and 
foliage of the row crop or causing other damage to the row crop, fruit, 
trellis wires, trellises or apparatus. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved 
method and apparatus for harvesting fruit from a row crop trained on 
trellis wires or the like. 
Another object is to provide such a method and apparatus which have 
particular utility when used in conjunction with the method and apparatus 
of the Applicants' co-pending United States Patent Application Ser. No. 
844,147, filed Oct. 21, 1977, and entitled "Method And Apparatus For Use 
In Drying And Harvesting Vine Borne Crops And Performing Other Work 
Operations". 
Another object is to provide such a method and apparatus which can be 
employed to harvest fruit from row crops trained on trellis wires where 
the fruit has been vine dried as well as to harvest such fruit where no 
such drying has taken place. 
Another object is to provide such a method and apparatus in which the 
heretofore conflicting objectives of applying the optimum harvesting force 
to the trellis wires and avoiding entanglement in canes and foliage of the 
row crop are achieved in a manner fully effective in the harvesting of 
such fruit. 
Another object is to provide such a method and apparatus which are 
particularly well suited to use on gravevines trained along trellis wires 
in accordance with the Applicants' invention. 
Another object is to provide such an apparatus which possesses a simplicity 
of structure and dependability of operation not heretofore achieved in the 
art. 
Another object is to provide such an apparatus wherein the harvesting force 
can be applied with little or no damage to the harvested fruit and leaves 
the row crop substantially free of injury for the next growing season. 
Another object is to provide such an apparatus which applies the striking 
force to the trellis wires in a slapping action and which operates 
automatically to free itself from resistance encountered during operation 
so as to minimize damage to the row crop, trellis structure and the 
apparatus itself. 
Further objects and advantages are to provide improved elements and 
arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is 
dependable, economical, durable and fully effective in accomplishing its 
intended purposes.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring more particularly to the drawings, the apparatus of the present 
invention is generally indicated by the numeral 10 in FIG. 1. The 
apparatus is shown disposed on the earth surface 11 above a row of 
grapevines 12. In the normal fashion, rows of grapevines are separated 
from each other by paths or spaces 13 between the rows along which the 
apparatus is adapted to move, as will hereinafter be described. 
In accordance with the method of the present invention, each row of 
grapevines 12 is trained and grown in a manner herein described and shown 
in FIG. 1. Grapevines trained in accordance with this method bear some 
visual similarity to those disclosed in the Hiyama U.S. Pat. No. 
3,564,856. However, in the method of the present invention, each row of 
grapevines is composed of and supported by a plurality of trellises or 
supports 14. Each support has a substantially vertical member or stake 15 
which is secured in upright relation in the earth. A lower cross piece 16 
is affixed on each support in substantially horizontal relation and normal 
to the vertical member. The lower cross pieces are disposed at 
substantially common elevations on their respective supports and are 
individually composed of arm portions 17 extending on opposite sides of 
their vertical member. Corresponding arm portions of the lower cross 
pieces of each row are interconnected by an outer trellis wire 18, a 
central trellis wire 19 and an inner trellis wire 20. These trellis wires 
are disposed in spaced, substantially parallel relation and are strung so 
as to be under moderate tension. 
Each support has an upper cross piece 21 individually secured thereon above 
and substantially parallel to the lower cross piece 16 thereof. The upper 
cross piece is composed of arm portions 22 individually extending on 
opposite sides of the support. Corresponding arm portions of the upper 
cross pieces of the supports in a row are interconnected by a pair of 
spaced, substantially parallel upper trellis wires 23. The arm portions 17 
and 22 on each side of each support are interconnected by vertical braces 
24 which assist in maintaining the rigidity of each support. 
A grapevine 30 is grown on each side of each support 14 within each row of 
grapevines 12. Thus, a pair of grapevines are provided individual to each 
support with the grapevines being substantially aligned longitudinally in 
the row. Each grapevine is trained to grow so as to form an upper, 
laterally directed portion 31 extending outwardly from the vertical member 
15 along one of the arm portions 17 of the lower cross pieces 16. Thus, 
the portions 31 of the grapevines of each support extend in opposite 
directions from the vertical member and on opposite sides thereof. The 
portion 31 of each grapevine terminates in a head 32 adjacent to the 
central trellis wire 19 of its respective arm portion 17. The head of each 
grapevine produces canes 33 which are tied tightly on and trained to grow 
along their respective central trellis wire. The canes are preferably 
trained to grow along the central trellis wire in a direction away from 
the arm portion 17 so that the corresponding canes 33 of the respective 
grapevines of each support extend in opposite directions from the support. 
The canes 33 produce a plurality of secondary canes 34 which, in 
accordance with the method hereof, are laid outwardly on opposite sides of 
each central trellis wire and over the inner and outer trellis wires 20 
and 18 respectively. Other of the secondary canes are laid over the upper 
trellis wires 23. The particular, a secondary cane which appears suitable 
for use as a cane to be trained along the central trellis wire during the 
next growing season and which is near the head 32 of the grapevines is 
laid over the upper trellis wires from each grapevine. 
This method for training the growth of the grapevines 30 causes the vines 
to produce bunches of grapes 35 nearly all of which are suspended from the 
canes in a common zone or path 36 between the vertical member 15 and the 
remote end of the arm portion 17 and within a vertical distance of 
approximately twelve inches from the arm portion. Furthermore, the foliage 
37 grown by the grapevines is substantially all supported above the 
bunches of grapes, as shown in FIG. 1, trained upon and supported by the 
upper trellis wires 23. Thus, the bunches of grapes are exposed from 
beneath the arm portions. 
The apparatus 10 has a vehicle or mobile frame 40 of any suitable type. A 
vehicle of the type described in the Applicants' co-pending patent 
application heretofore identified is excellently suited to the purpose. As 
shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle has a pair of front vertical corner members 
41 which are disposed in substantially parallel vertical attitudes and 
constitute the front corners or forward portions of the frame. The corner 
members have upper ends 42 and have steering shafts 43 individually 
rotationally extended through the corner members longitudinally thereof. 
Each steering shaft 43 mounts a front wheel assembly 44 on the lower end 
thereof for ground engagement. The upper ends 42 of the corner members are 
interconnected by a front cross beam, not shown. It will be understood 
that the vehicle possesses four wheel assemblies to support the vehicle 
for earth traversing movement and has suitable drive and control systems 
for independent operation in movement along a row of grapevines 12. 
As in the vehicle of the co-pending patent application to which reference 
has previously been made, the vehicle 40 has a pair of vertical members 93 
secured on the vehicle and vertically suspended therefrom. The pair of 
vertical members constitute portions of opposed parts of a subframe borne 
by the vehicle and are preferably of tubular construction. Each of the 
vertical members has an "L" shaped forward arm 95 slidably mounted for 
vertical adjustment in its respective vertical member. The lower portion 
of each forward arm extends in right angular relation to its respective 
vertical member and toward the center of the vehicle. Thus, these lower 
portions extend transversely of the intended direction of travel of the 
vehicle, as best shown in FIG. 1, to inwardly extending remote ends 96. 
Preferably the arms 95 are vertically adjustable in their respective 
vertical members, by any suitable mechanism, for precise elevational 
positioning of the remote ends 96. 
It will be understood that the vehicle 40 can have any suitable support 
systems for collecting the fruit during the harvesting operation and for 
conveying to a central location. The systems shown in the Applicants' 
aforementioned co-pending patent application are excellently suited to the 
purpose. 
The harvesting assembly of the apparatus of the present invention is 
generally indicated by the numeral 110 in the drawings. In use with 
grapevines trained on the trellises 14 heretofore described, typically a 
pair of the harvesting assemblies 110 are mounted on the vehicle 40 in the 
arrangement shown in FIG. 1. Each harvesting assembly has a base plate 111 
which is secured, as by welding, on one of the front arms 95 adjacent to 
the remote end 96 thereof. The harvesting assemblies are preferably 
mounted on their respective front arms in the relationship shown best in 
FIG. 1 wherein a harvesting assembly is disposed on each side of the row 
12 during passage along the row of grapevines 12. Each harvesting assembly 
is located beneath the trellis wires 18, 19 and 20 on its respective side 
of the row. 
The base plate 111 of each harvesting assembly 110 has a forward edge 112 
and a rearward edge 113 relative to the intended direction of travel of 
the apparatus 10 along the row of grapevines 12. A diagonal brace 114 is 
affixed on the front arm so as to interconnect the front arm 95 and the 
rearward edge 113 of the base plate in supporting relation. 
A pair of angle iron supports 120 are mounted, as by welding, on the base 
plate 111 in inverted relation extending in spaced substantially parallel 
relation to each other and the intended direction of travel of the vehicle 
40, as best shown in FIG. 1. The supports 120 have upper surfaces 121 
which define a substantially horizontal plane and the supports bound a 
space 122 therebetween. A forward plate 123 is fastened on the forward 
edge 112 of the base plate and the ends of the angle iron supports 
immediately thereabove. 
A motor support plate 130 is secured, as by welding, on the pair of angle 
iron supports 120 disposed in substantially right angular relation 
thereto, parallel to its respective front arm 95 and forwardly thereof 
relative to the intended direction of travel of the apparatus 10. A 
channel member 131 is borne by the motor support plate upstanding relation 
normal to the support plate and spaced from the angle iron supports, as 
best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. An hydraulic motor 132 is mounted on the 
channel member in a predetermined position spaced upwardly from the 
support plate 130. The hydraulic motor has a pair of supply hoses 133 
which connect with a suitable hydraulic system, not shown, for driving the 
hydraulic motor in the conventional manner. The hydraulic motor has an 
output shaft 134 which is extended through the channel member and adapted 
to be driven by the hydraulic motor in rotational movement. 
A pair of bearings 140 are individually mounted on the upper surfaces 121 
of the angle iron supports 120 by bolt and nut assemblies 141. The 
bearings are oriented so as to be in axial alignment with the output shaft 
134 of the hydraulic motor 132. A shaft 142 is received for rotational 
movement in the bearings 140 in axial alignment with the output shaft 134 
of the hydraulic motor. A coupler 143, such as one of the chain type shown 
in FIG. 2, interconnects the shaft 142 with the output shaft 134 so that 
operation of the hydraulic motor causes rotation of the shaft 142 within 
the bearings 140. 
A pair of spaced, substantially parallel roller plates 144 are secured on 
the shaft 142 in substantially right angular relation to the shaft and 
extending into the space 122 defined by the angle iron supports 120. Four 
rollers 145 are fastened on the roller plates by mounting assemblies 146. 
The rollers are mounted by the mounting assemblies for rotational movement 
about individual axes of rotation adjacent to the individual corners of 
the plates parallel to the shaft 142. Each of the rollers has a peripheral 
surface which extends outwardly from the roller plates, as can perhaps 
best be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. Thus, it will be seen that the hydraulic 
motor 132 is operable to rotate the shaft 142 about an axis of rotation 
substantially normal to the intended direction of travel of the vehicle 
40. Similarly, the rollers are individually adapted for free wheeling 
movement on their respective mounting assemblies about axes of rotation 
substantially normal to the intended direction of travel of the vehicle 
and parallel to the axis of rotation of the shaft in substantially equally 
spaced relation therefrom. This relationship can best be seen in FIG. 3. 
A second pair of angle iron supports 150 are individually mounted on the 
upper surfaces 121 of the first pair of angle iron supports 120. The 
supports 15 extend rearwardly with respect to the intended direction of 
travel of the vehicle 40 farther than the supports 120, as can best be 
seen in FIG. 5. The supports 150 have upper surfaces 151 defining a common 
substantially horizontal plane. The supports are substantially parallel to 
each other and have a space 152 therebetween. A channel member 153 is 
mounted, as by welding on the supports 150 extending therebetween in 
upwardly facing relation to form a U-shaped configuration. The channel 
member has a rearward portion 154 extending farther rearwardly than the 
supports 150. A rearward support plate 155 is mounted on the rearward edge 
113 of the base plate 111 and is fastened on the rearward portion 154 of 
the channel member 153 in supporting relation thereto. 
A pair of bearings 160 are mounted on the upper surfaces 151 of the 
supports 150 by bolt and nut assemblies 161. The bearings are mounted in 
axial alignment to define an axis substantially parallel to the shaft 142 
of the bearings 140. A shaft 162 is rotationally received in the bearings 
160 parallel to shaft 142. A pair of spring mounting plates 163 are 
weldably secured on each of the supports 150 in predetermined positions 
extending to positions midway between the shafts 142 and 162, as best 
shown in hidden lines in FIG. 2. A spring support 164 is affixed on the 
rearward portion 154 of the channel member 153 oriented so as to be 
substantially parallel to the shafts 142 and 162. 
Each harvesting assembly 110 has a striking member 170 mounted for pivotal 
movement on the shaft 162 thereof. The striking member has a main plate 
171 having a sleeve 172 affixed as by welding thereon and locked on the 
shaft 162 for rotational movement therewith by a key 173. The main plate 
171 has a forward portion 174 adjacent to the rollers 145 and a rearward 
portion 175 above the spring support 164. The main plate has a lower 
surface 176 extending to a position so as to be engageable with the 
peripheral surface 147 of one roller at a time, during rotation of the 
shaft 142, as can best be visualized in FIG. 5. The main plate has an 
upper surface 177 on which is mounted a brace 178 to reinforce the main 
plate against deformation during use. A pair of forward compression 
springs 179 interconnect the lower surface 176 of the main plate 171 at 
the forward portion 174 thereof and the spring mounting plates 163. A pair 
of rearward compression springs 180 interconnect the spring support 164 
and the lower surface 176 of the rearward portion 175 of the main plate. 
The forward and rearward compression springs serve to prevent pivotal 
movement of the main plate and shaft 162 beyond certain extremes in each 
direction of movement and to stabilize such movement during operation as 
will hereinafter be described. 
A pair of clamp assemblies 190 are borne by the rearward portion 175 of the 
main plate 171 in spaced relation to each other, as best shown in FIG. 3. 
Three semi-flexible rods 191, constituting the semi-flexible portion of 
each striking member 170, have square tube rod housings 192 fastened on 
corresponding ends thereof. The rod housings are received in the clamp 
assemblies 190 in spaced relation and clamped into position using the 
clamp assemblies. As can best be seen in FIGS. 1, 4 and 6, the rods are of 
substantial length and are positioned so as to diverage slightly in a 
rearward direction with respect to the intended direction of travel of the 
vehicle 40. The rods have remote end portions 193. The rods are of a 
sufficient length and construction so as to provide limited flexibility 
during use. Fiberglas rods of the type used in conventional grape 
harvesters to beat the foliage of the grapevines during harvesting are 
well suited to this purpose. 
A panel 194 is fastened on the remote end portions 193 of the rods 191. The 
panel has rearwardly divergent marginal edges 195 which lead to an 
upwardly curved rearward or wire contacting portion 196. The wire 
contacting portion terminates in an edge 197 extending substantially 
normal to the intended direction of travel of the vehicle 40. The panel 
has a leading edge 198. The leading edge is curved downwardly between the 
rods to form a pair of troughs 199 therebetween. 
For purposes of illustrative convenience, it will be understood that the 
panel 194 constitutes a first end portion of the striking membr 170 and 
the main plate 171 constitutes a second end portion of the striking 
member. 
A frame 205 is mounted on the supports 150 adjacent to the spring support 
164 and extending upwardly from the supports 150. The frame is composed of 
a pair upright plates 206 individually secured on the supports and 
extending upwardly therefrom in substantially parallel relation. A cross 
piece 207 is affixed on the upwardly extending rods of the upright plates 
and extends therebetween. A cushioning assembly 208, constructed of a 
resilient material such as rubber, is mounted on the forwardmost clamp 
assembly 190 beneath the cross piece 207, as best shown in FIG. 3. A pair 
of pad assemblies 209 are fastened on the cross piece 207 for engagement 
by the cushioning assembly during operation of the harvesting assembly 
110. 
OPERATION 
The operation of the described embodiment of the subject invention is 
believed to be clearly apparent and is briefly summarized at this point. 
In accordance with the method hereof, grapevines trained in the manner 
heretofore described are prepared for harvesting of the fruit by a 
combination of steps dependent upon the condition desired for the fruit at 
the time of harvest. If drying of the grapes on the grapevines to form 
raisins is desired, the bunches of grapes 35 are sprayed by or immersed in 
a fluid, such as a solution of potassium carbonate and methyl oleate, 
operable to initiate the dehydration process. The next step involves 
selected pruning of the grapevines 30. This can be accomplished in the 
method of the present invention by simply severing the canes 33 relatively 
near the heads 32 of the vines. Since, as previously noted, the method of 
the present invention preferably, but not necessarily, calls for at least 
one of the secondary canes 34 near the head 32 of each grapevine to be 
draped over one of the upper trellis wires 23 for use as a primary cane in 
the next growing season, the canes 33 are severed beyond this selected 
cane so as to preserve it for such later use. 
If harvesting of non-dehydrated grapes is desired, the spraying or 
immersing step is not performed. The pruning step set forth above is 
preferably performed, however. The step is performed approximately one 
week prior to harvest which achieves some drying of the canes and stems 
without drying the grapes. The grapes are more easily removed from the 
grapevines during the harvesting step where this has been done. 
The harvesting step of the method of the present invention is performed in 
exactly the same manner where the grapes have been dried on the grapevines 
as in the case where the grapes are to be harvested in a non-dried 
condition. The apparatus 10 is driven to and oriented relative to a row of 
grapevines 12 and to the trellises 14 thereof as shown in FIG. 1. In this 
position the apparatus straddles the row and trellises with the panels 194 
of the striking members 170 vertically aligned with and beneath the 
trellis wires 18, 19 and 20 on their respective sides of the row, as best 
shown in FIGS. 1 and 6. 
Using the hydraulic system and drive system, not shown, of the vehicle 40, 
the apparatus 10 is driven along the row of grapevines 12 with the 
striking members 170 of the harvesting assemblies 110 in operation. 
Operation of the harvesting assemblies through the hydraulic system is 
achieved by driving the hydraulic motors 132 to rotate the shafts 142. 
Such rotation of the shaft of each harvesting assembly carries the rollers 
thereof in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIGS. 3 and 5, so that the 
rollers are sequentially brought into contact with the lower surface 176 
of the main plate 171 of the striking member 170. Such free wheeling or 
rolling contact with the forward portion 174 of the main plate causes the 
main plate to be reciprocated or pivoted about the axis of shaft 162 in 
movement with shaft 162 between the positions shown in full lines in FIG. 
5 and the position shown in phantom lines in FIG. 5. Thus, a relatively 
limited reciprocal movement of the main plate achieved under alternate 
compression of the forward and rearward compression springs 179 and 180 
and the cushioning assembly 208. It will be seen that the forward and 
rearward compression springs and the cushioning assembly cooperate to 
stabilize reciprocation of the main plate as well as to limit the length 
of travel of the main plate in each such reciprocation. 
As can best be visualized in FIG. 4, such reciprocation of the main plate 
causes the panel 194 of each striking member 170 to be moved in a similar 
reciprocal, substantially vertical path to carry the wire contacting 
portion 196 and more specifically the edge 197 thereof against the trellis 
wires 18, 19 and 20 in a striking direction and from the trellis wires in 
an opposite return direction in such reciprocal movement. During such 
reciprocal movement, the rods flex to a degree so that the motion imparted 
to the trellis wires is in the nature of a slapping action found 
particularly effective in transmitting crop dislodging motion to the wires 
and to the canes 33 trained along those wires. This motion results in the 
grapes 35 being removed from the canes cleanly, efficiently and with 
little or no damage to the grapes for collection by any suitable means 
therebelow. 
It has been found that the motion imparted to the trellis wires 18, 19 and 
20 is transmitted along the wires as the apparatus 10 moves along the row 
of grapevines 12. Therefore, the shaking motion of the wires precedes the 
actual point of contact of the panel with the wires. As a result, it has 
been found that the grapes are virtually all removed from the vines 
approximately one foot or more in advance of the points of contact with 
the wires. Accordingly, all of the grapes are removed from the canes 
before any portion to the harvesting assembly can make contact with the 
grapes. Thus, the grapes are removed with virtually no damage to the 
grapes or to the grapevines. 
As previously noted, the apparatus of the present invention is particularly 
well suited to the harvesting of grapevines trained in accordance with the 
method of the Applicants' invention as heretofore set forth. This is true 
because the grapes borne by grapevines trained in this manner are 
suspended from the trellis wires 18, 19 and 20 while the foliage 37 is 
supported by the upper trellis wires 23. Thus, the foliage and canes do 
not interfere with transmission of the harvesting force to the grapes. 
Still further, the quite limited movement of the striking members 170, the 
upward and rearward incline of the striking members, the upward extension 
of the edges 197 of the panels and the rearwardly divergent configuration 
of the striking members cooperate during operation to minimize any 
tendency for the striking member to become entangled in the canes and 
foliage of the grapevines. 
As can perhaps best be visualized in FIG. 4, the flexing of the rods 191 
causes the limited reciprocal movement of the main plate 171 of each 
striking member 170 to be amplified. This factor coupled with the distance 
of the edge 197 from the shaft 162 about which the striking member 170 is 
pivoted carries the edge of each striking member in an arc of roughly two 
and one-half feet of vertical movement in each stroke. These operational 
characteristics coupled with the slapping action applied to the wires as a 
result have been found remarkably successful in removing grapes from the 
canes of grapevines trained along the trellis wires. 
As can also be visualized in FIG. 4, when the panel 194 of a striking 
member 170 comes into contact with greater resistance in its path of 
movement than would normally be the case, the striking member operates 
automatically to avoid damage to itself and the object causing the 
resistance. This operational effect is achieved in the first instance by 
flexing of the rods. If the resistance is such that normal flexing of the 
rods is inadequate in itself, the striking member is forced downwardly 
against the rearward compression springs 180 to draw the forward portion 
174 of the main plate 171 from rested engagement with the rollers 145 and 
terminate the slapping action of the striking member. These actions permit 
the panel 174 to slide under the obstruction to free itself. Thus, for 
example, where the panel contacts an arm portion 17 of a trellis 14, it 
simply slides under it preventing damage either to the arm portion or the 
striking member. Contributing to this sliding action is the shape and flat 
disposition of the panel. The troughs 199 of the panels operate to 
discharge any grapes from the panel which may fall thereon. 
Therefore, the method and apparatus of the present invention operate to 
harvest fruit from row crops with little or no damage to the fruit, row 
crop, trellis, trellis wires, or apparatus while affording a convenience, 
efficiency and dependability not heretofore achieved. 
Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is 
conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is 
recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the 
invention, which is not to be limited to the illustrative details 
disclosed.