Abstract:
A harvester having a frame, with multiple components operably connected to the frame. The components that are operably connected to the frame are a cutting mechanism, a lifting mechanism, a plurality of conveyor mechanisms, at least one roller, and a stripper mechanism. Thus, the crops are lifted from the ground, placed on the harvester, and the crops are stretched and detangled in order to separate a desired portion of the crops from an undesired portion of the crops.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a harvester which is used for removing crops from the ground.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     In view of modern farming techniques, it is desirable to use machinery for planting and harvesting of crops in order to reduce the amount of man power needed to farm a parcel of land. Thus, the use of machinery allows more land to be farmed while using less man power. The sophistication of these farming machines allows a single person to plant acres of crops in a short period of time. Likewise, the farming machines allow a single person to harvest acres of crops in a short period of time. However, the use of these farming machines is efficient and economical only when the machine is capable of harvesting the crops while causing minimal damage to the crops.  
         [0003]     For example, cucumbers are difficult to harvest due to the cucumbers being attached to vines. In addition, the harvesting of cucumbers are difficult due to the varying size of the cucumbers which are attached to the vines. Thus, as the cucumbers are harvested, the vines get tangled upon itself and other vines, which makes it difficult for the cucumbers to be detached from the vines. Also, as the vines get tangled upon the harvester machine, which makes it difficult for the cucumbers to become detached from the vine and causes damage to the cucumbers.  
         [0004]     One known harvester is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,915,993 to Butler et al. This device used a pinch bar assembly to move the cucumbers from the ground to the conveyor.  
         [0005]     It is desirable to develop a harvester which is capable of harvesting crops with long vines and prevent tangling of the vines or detangle the vines in order to prevent damage to the desirable portions of the crops. Thus, it is desirable to have a harvester which stretches the vines, which causes the vines to detangle and prevents the vines from tangling upon the harvester. Once the vines are stretched and detangled, the desirable portion of the crops, such as a cucumber, is easily detached from the vines no matter the size of the cucumber.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The present invention relates to a harvester for harvesting crops. In a first embodiment, the harvester comprises a frame adapted to be connected to a motorized vehicle. The harvester further comprising a cutting mechanism operably connected to the frame. At least a portion of the cutting mechanism is placed below the ground while in operation. A lifting mechanism is operably connected to the frame. A conveyor mechanism is operably connected to frame, and extends between a first end and a second end. The conveyor mechanism coacts with the lifting mechanism to guide the crops. At least one roller having a plurality of fingers is operably connected to the frame. The first roller is adjacent the second end of the conveyor.  
         [0007]     In a second embodiment, the harvester comprises a frame adapted to be connected to a motorized vehicle. The harvester further comprises a cutting mechanism operably connected to the frame. At least a portion of the cutting mechanism is placed below the ground while in operation. A lifting mechanism is operably connected to the frame. A first conveyor mechanism, having a plurality of rods, coacts with the lifting mechanism to guide the crops. At least a portion of the plurality of rods have a plurality of flexible fingers extending transversely. At least one roller having a plurality of roller fingers is operably connected to the frame. The first roller is adjacent the first conveyor mechanism. A second conveyor mechanism is operably connected to the frame adjacent the first roller. A stripper mechanism is operably connected to the frame, and is adjacent the second conveyor mechanism. The stripper mechanism has a plurality of rollers.  
         [0008]     Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a schematic plan view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention where a portion of a frame is removed;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a first roller in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of a single element of the first roller.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0015]     The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.  
         [0016]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a harvester for removing crops from the ground is generally shown at  10 . The harvester  10  has a frame, generally shown at  12 , which provides a structure for the various components to be attached. The frame  12  is adapted to be connected and disconnected to a motorized vehicle  14  in any well known manner. In a preferred embodiment, the vehicle  14  is a tractor or combine, but any vehicle  14  that is capable of supporting the frame  12  in order to function the harvester  10  is within the scope of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, the frame  12  extends forwardly from the vehicle  14  a predetermined length in order to accommodate all the components of the harvester  10 . Furthermore, the frame  12  can be any desired width in order to accommodate the components and cover a predetermined amount of area. For example, the width can be made so as to simultaneously harvest four rows. Alternatively, the width can be made so as to simultaneously harvest six rows. It will be apparent that any width may be used.  
         [0017]     The frame  12  may be moveable between an operating position and a raised position (not shown). That is, the frame  12  may include hydraulic cylinders connected to the vehicle&#39;s hydraulic system that are operable to raise and lower the frame  12 . In this manner, the frame  12  can be moved to a lower operable position as shown for harvesting crops. The frame  12  can be raised to a non-operable position so that the harvester  10  can be transported to various locations.  
         [0018]     A cutting mechanism generally indicated at  16 , is operably connected to the frame  12 . In a preferred embodiment, the cutting mechanism  16  comprises a vibrating blade that is at least placed partially below the ground in order to severe the crops from the ground. In the preferred embodiment, the cutting mechanism  16  extends the entire width of the frame  12  in order to maximize the area in which the harvester  10  is capable of harvesting in a single pass.  
         [0019]     The frame  12  comprises a top support  17 , which has a plurality of legs  18  that extend from the top support towards the ground. The cutting mechanism  16  extends between the legs  18 , so that the cutting mechanism  16  extends the entire width of the harvester  10 . Also attached to the legs  18  is a driving device  20  which is used to vibrate the cutting mechanism  16 . In a preferred embodiment there is a driving device  20  on both legs  18 , which is for example but not limited to, an electric motor or a hydraulic motor that is operably connected to the power system of the motorized vehicle  14 .  
         [0020]     A lifting mechanism or hugger, are generally indicated at  22 , is operably connected to the frame  12  for lifting vines onto a conveyor mechanism generally indicated at  32 . As best shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the lifting mechanism  22  preferably comprises of a first belt  24  on an edge, a second belt  26  on an opposite edge, and a plurality of rods  28  extending between the first belt  24  and the second belt  26 . Thus, a first end of the rod  28  is connected to the first belt  24  and a second end of the rod  28  is connected to the second belt  26 . It is preferred that the rods  28  extend substantially parallel between the first belt  24  to the second belt  26 . The rods  28  are spaced from adjacent rods  28 . The rods  28  are adjacent to conveyor mechanism  32  to support the crops while allowing dirt or other debris to fall between the rods  28  back to the ground.  
         [0021]     Typically, the first belt  24  and second belt  26  rotate about two sprockets  30   a ,  30   b . By rotating about two sprockets  30   a ,  30   b , the lifting mechanism  22  is capable of moving substantially vertical toward the ground and then move partially horizontally or diagonally in order to lift the crops off the ground and place the crops onto the conveyor mechanism  32 . Preferably the lifting mechanism  22  has enough slack, as shown in  FIG. 1 , so that the lifting mechanism  22  acts with the conveyor mechanism  32  to lift or hug the crops between the lifting mechanism  22  and conveyor mechanism  32 . In a preferred embodiment, the rods  28  are made of metal, for durability reasons and that the weight of the rods  28  causes the extra slack in the lifting mechanism  22  to sag over the conveyor mechanism  32 . It should be appreciated that any number of sprockets  30   a ,  3   b  can be used, so long as the lifting mechanism  22  is capable of coacting with the conveyor mechanism  32  for lifting the crops off the ground.  
         [0022]     In a preferred embodiment, the sprockets  30   a ,  30   b  are operably connected to the frame  12 . Further, it should be apparent that in some instances additional belts may be used placed between the first belt  24  and second belt  26  in order to add additional support for the rods  28 . Thus, depending on the width of the harvester  10 , additional belts may be beneficial in order to support the rods  28  along the width in order to support the weight of the crops. The lifting mechanism  22  is rotated by a driving device  31  that is operably connected to the frame  12 . The driving device  31  is, for example but not limited to, an electric motor or a hydraulic motor that is operably connected to the power system of the motorized vehicle  14  in a well known manner. Preferably, the driving device  31  is operably connected to the driven sprocket  30   a  in order to move the lifting mechanism  22 . The remaining sprocket  30   b  is an idler, and rotates due to the motion of the driven sprocket  30   a  and the lifting mechanism  22 .  
         [0023]     As set forth above, the harvester  10  further comprises the conveyor mechanism  32 , operably connected to the frame  12  which is used to move the crops along the harvester  10 . The conveyor mechanism  32  extends between a first end adjacent the ground and a second end spaced from the first end adjacent the ground.  
         [0024]     The conveyor mechanism  32  has a first belt  34  on one edge, and a second belt  36  on an opposite edge, and a plurality of rods  38  extending between the first belt  34  and the second belt  36 . A first end of the rod  38  is connected to the first belt  34  and a second end of the rod  38  is connected to the second belt  36 . It is preferred that the rods  38  extend substantially parallel to one another. Further, the first belt  34  and second belt  36  typically move about two sprockets  40   a ,  40   b  in order for the conveyor mechanism  32  to move the crops. The sprockets  40   a ,  40   b  are operably connected to the frame  12 . Furthermore, each rod  38  is spaced from the next adjacent rod  38  so that dirt from the crops and other debris falls between the rods  38 , but the rods  38  supports the crops as the crops move along the conveyor mechanism  32 . Depending on the width of the harvester  10 , additional belts are used to adequately support the rods  38 . The conveyor mechanism  32  is rotated by a driving device  41  that is operably connected to the frame  12 . In a preferred embodiment the driving device  41  is an electric motor or hydraulic motor that is operably connected to the power system of the motorized vehicle  14  in a known manner. Preferably, the driving device  41  is operably connected to the driven sprocket  40   a  in order to move the conveyor mechanism  32 . The remaining sprocket  40   b  is an idler, and rotates due to the motion of the driven sprocket  40   a  and the conveyor mechanism  32 .  
         [0025]     The rods  38  have a plurality of fingers  42  that extend traverse to and outwardly from the rods  38 . Typically, the fingers  42  extend in a single direction from the rods  38 , so that the fingers  42  extend towards the crop when the crops are placed on the rods  38 . In a preferred embodiment, the fingers  42  are made of a rubber or flexible material so that the fingers  42  are rigid enough to grip or move the crops, but are flexible in order to bend when a sufficient amount of force is applied to the fingers  42  in order to prevent damage to the crops. These fingers  42  engage the crops, such as the cucumber vines, and helps lift them off of the ground. The fingers  42  also aid in conveying the vines. In addition, rods  38  which do not have fingers  42  are preferably placed between rods  38  that do have fingers  42  in order to provide proper spacing of the fingers  42  and for additional support for the crops on the conveyor mechanism  32 .  
         [0026]     A first roller, generally indicated at  44 , is positioned adjacent the top end of the conveyor mechanism  32 . The roller has an axle  45  that extends across the width of the frame between the legs  18  in order to support the first roller  44 . The first roller  44  has a plurality of fingers or roller fingers  46  that are circumferentially placed around the first roller  44 . Typically, the first roller  44  is connected to a driving device  48  on the frame  12  which rotates the first roller  44 . The driving device  48  is preferably an electric motor or a hydraulic motor that is operably connected to the power system of the motorized vehicle  14  in a known manner.  
         [0027]     The fingers  46  on the first roller  44  are used to stretch or detangle the crops from themselves and grab the crops from the conveyor mechanism  32 . The fingers  46  are preferably made of a flexible or rubber material so that the fingers  46  grab the crops in order to stretch and detangle the crops. However, the fingers  46  flex when a sufficient amount of force is applied to the fingers  46  in order to prevent damage to the crops. It should be appreciated that the fingers  46  are capable of being made of any material, so long as the fingers  46  are rigid enough in order to stretch or detangle the crops. In a preferred embodiment, the fingers  46  have an arcuate shape, so that the fingers  46  better grasp the crops  46  in order to stretch and detangle the crops  40 . Thus, the fingers  46  are able to reach between the fingers  42  of the conveyor mechanism  32  in order to grab the crops off of the conveyor mechanism  32 .  
         [0028]     A second conveyor mechanism generally indicated at  50 , is operably connected to the frame  12 . The second conveyor mechanism  50  moves about a spread of sprockets  52   a ,  52   b  adjacent the first roller  44 . A gap  70  is provided between the first roller and the second conveyor mechanism  50 . The gap  70  preferably comprises an adjustable dirt gap  70 , which allows dirt to be ejected from the conveyor mechanism  50 . Thus, the dirt falls through the dirt gap  70  while the vines are passed from the first roller  44  to the second conveyor mechanism  50 . The dirt gap  70  is preferably adjustable so that the dirt gap  70  is altered depending on the crops and dirt conditions. Typically, the dirt gap  70  is adjustable by a threaded adjustment mechanism or a hydraulic adjustment mechanism. It will be appreciated that the dirt gap  70  may be fixed. In this manner, the gap  70  remains constant and is not changeable by the operator.  
         [0029]     The sprockets  52   a ,  52   b  are operably connected to the frame  12 . Similar to the conveyor mechanism  32 , the second conveyor mechanism  50  comprises a first belt  54  at one edge, a second belt  56  on a second edge, and a plurality of rods  58  that extend between the first belt  54  and the second belt  56 . Thus, a first end of the rods  58  is connected to the first belt  54  and a second end of the rods  58  is connected to the second belt  56 , such that the rods  58  extend substantially parallel to one another.  
         [0030]     Typically, the plurality of sprockets  52   a ,  52   b  are operably connected to the frame  12 . Preferably, a driving device  60  is operably connected to a driven sprocket  52   a  so that the sprocket  52   a  rotates and causes the second conveyor mechanism  50  to move. The sprocket  52   b  is an idle sprocket which guides the second conveyor mechanism  50  and moves due to the rotation of the driven sprocket  52   a  and the movement of the second conveyor mechanism  50 . The driving device  60  is preferably an electric motor or a hydraulic motor that is operably connected to the power system of the motorized vehicle  14  in a known manner.  
         [0031]     Also, each rod  58  is preferably spaced from the adjacent rod  58  which allows dirt from the crops and other debris from falling through the rods  58 , but the rods  58  are close enough to support the crops. Furthermore, additional belts may be used in order to adequately support the rods  58  depending on the width of the harvester  10 . Furthermore, the rods  58  create a substantially flat surface in order for the second conveyor mechanism  50  to transport the crops as the second conveyor mechanism  50  rotates about the plurality of sprockets  52 .  
         [0032]     A second roller, generally indicated at  60 , is operably connected to the frame  12 , and a plurality of fingers or roller fingers  62  are circumferentially placed around the second roller  60 . The second roller  60  is similar to the first roller  44 , in that the roller is operably connected to the frame  12  by a driving device  64  that rotates the second roller  60 . As described above, the driving device  64  is preferably a hydraulic or electric motor that is operably connected to the power system of the motorized vehicle  14  in a known manner. Typically the fingers  62  are made of a flexible or rubber material so that the fingers  62  are rigid enough to move the crops, but a sufficient amount of force causes the fingers  62  to bend in order to prevent or reduce damage to the crops. The second roller  60  has a similar function as the first roller  44 , in that the second roller  60  grabs the crops by the flexible fingers  62  and is used to stretch or detangle the crop. Also, the second roller  60  is used to move or fluff the crops in order for the stripper mechanism  65  to more effectively remove the desirable portions of the crops, as described below, when compared to the crops not being fluffed. In an alternate embodiment, the second roller  60  does not have fingers  62 . The second roller  60  is a bumped roller or ribbed roller that moves or fluffs the crops.  
         [0033]     The harvester  10  further comprises at least one circular cutter  66 . The circular cutter  66  is operably connected to the frame  12  so that the circular cutter  66  is disposed at least partially in the ground when the harvester  10  is in the operating position. In a preferred embodiment, there are two circular cutters  66  on opposite sides of the frame  12  and the circular cutter  66  is a metal blade that is rotated as the harvester  10  is in operation in order to cut the crops that are outside the width of the harvester  10 . Thus, the circular cutters  66  are preferable placed on the outside peripheral edge of the frame  12 . The circular cutters  66  severs the vines of the crops that are within the width of the harvester  10  from the crops that are outside the width of the harvester  10 , which results in reducing the tangling between the vines of the crops inside and outside the width of the harvester  10 .  
         [0034]     The harvester  10  further comprises at least one wheel  68  operably connected to the frame  12 , such that the wheel  68  supports the frame  12  when the harvester  10  is in the operating position. In a preferred embodiment, there are two wheels on opposite sides of the frame  12 , and the wheels  68  are on a front portion of the frame  12  or the portion of the frame  12  farthest from the vehicle  14 . Typically, the wheel  68  is includes a rubber tire, but any suitable wheel  68  that is capable of supporting the frame  12  is used. Preferably, the wheel  68  is adjustable with respect to the frame  12 , such that the height of the frame  12  and the components which are operably connected to the frame  12  are dependent upon the position of the wheel  68 . Such an adjustment can be made in a well known manner.  
         [0035]     The harvester  10  further comprises a stripper mechanism generally indicated at  65 . The stripper mechanism  65  comprises of a plurality of rollers in which the crops pass through the plurality of rollers of the stripper mechanism  65 . The stripper mechanism  65  moves the crops with a sufficient amount of velocity and force so that the desired portion of the crop is separated from the undesired portion of the crop. Then the desired portion of the crop is dropped into a first location or typically a collection bin and ultimately conveyed in the usual manner. The undesired portion of the crop is deposited into a second location or typically the ground. Such a stripper  65  is well known in the art.  
         [0036]     In operation, the frame  12  is connected to the vehicle  14 , in which the vehicle  14  supplies the power to the components operably connected to the frame  12 . The height of the frame  12  relative to the ground when in the operating position, is controlled by the placement of the wheel  68 , so that the wheel  68  is positioned at a desired height in order to keep the cutting mechanism  16  at a desired depth in the ground and the lifting mechanism  22  and conveyor mechanism  32  a desired height from the ground. In a preferred embodiment, the harvester  10  is used for the harvesting of cucumbers for pickles which have long vines in which the desired portion of the crop is attached to the vine. Thus, as the vehicle  14  moves the harvester  10 , the circular cutter  66  on the outside peripheral edge of the frame  12  cuts the portion of the crops or vines which are outside the width of the frame  12 . The circular cutter  66  helps prevent the lifting mechanism  22  from lifting a portion of the crops which are outside the width of the frame  12  and reduces tangling of the vines between crops that are within the width of the frame  12  and the crops that are outside the width of the frame  12 .  
         [0037]     As the harvester  10  is being moved by the vehicle  14 , the cutting mechanism  16 , in the form of a vibrating blade, is being moved along at least partially under the ground in order to severe the vines from the ground. After the vines have been severed from the ground by the cutting mechanism  16 , the lifting mechanism or hugger  22 , preferably in conjunction with the conveyor mechanism  32 , lifts the crops from the ground and place the crops onto the conveyor mechanism  32 . Preferably the lifting mechanism has enough slack so that the lifting mechanism  22  coacts with the conveyor mechanism  32  to guide the crops along the conveyor mechanism  32 . In an alternate embodiment, the lifting mechanism  22  is only used to move the crops from the ground to the conveyor mechanism  32 .  
         [0038]     The flexible fingers  42  on the conveyor mechanism  32  contact the crops in order to move the crops along the conveyor mechanism  32  from a first end adjacent the ground to a second end adjacent to the first roller  44 . The fingers  42  grasp the vines in order to move the crops, but are flexible and bend in order to prevent or reduce damage to the cucumbers. The crops are then accepted from the conveyor mechanism  32  by the first roller  44 , which utilizes flexible fingers  46  to stretch and detangle the vines of the crops. Typically, as the crops move along the first conveyor mechanism  32 , the crops settle in between the rods  38  and the fingers  42 . The preferred shape of the fingers  44  allow for the fingers  42  to reach between the rods  38  and fingers  42  in order to grab the crops from the first conveyor mechanism  32 .  
         [0039]     After the first roller  44  stretches and detangles the vines of the crops, the second conveyor mechanism  50  accepts the crops at a first end which is adjacent the first roller  44 . Dirt is removed through the dirt gap  70 .  
         [0040]     The second conveyor mechanism  50  then moves the crops towards the stripper mechanism  65 . In a preferred embodiment, the second roller  60  is placed at a second end of the second conveyor mechanism  50  between the second conveyor  50  and the stripper mechanism  65 . The second roller  60  is similar to the first roller  44 , such that the second roller  60  has the plurality of fingers  62  that are used to stretch and detangle the vines. The crops then pass from the second roller  60  to the stripper mechanism  65 . However, in an alternate embodiment, the second roller  60  is removed and the crops pass from the second conveyor mechanism  50  directly to the stripper mechanism  65 .  
         [0041]     As the crops pass through the stripper mechanism  65 , the crops pass through the plurality of rollers of the stripper mechanism  65  so that the desired portions of the crops are separated from the undesired portion of the crop in a well known manner. The rollers of the stripper mechanism  65  move the crops with a sufficient amount of velocity and force so that the pickle or cucumber is separated from the vine. Then the cucumber is dropped from the stripper mechanism  65  into a collection bin  72  or another device used for collection of crops. Then the undesirable portions of the crop or the vines are discharged from the stripper mechanism  65  to the ground.  
         [0042]     Even though the above description of the harvester  10  in operation dealt with the harvesting of cucumbers, it is within the scope of the present invention that the harvester  10  is used for harvesting of any crop that it is desirable to straighten or detangle the crops from upon themselves.  
         [0043]     The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.