Patent Description:
Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for harvesting the aforementioned small fruits.

Several apparatuses are known for shaking the branches of some plants by vibrating and/or rotating the same by rods, or fingers, of which they are provided with. In this way, the aforementioned apparatuses cause the small fruits, in particular olives, but also almonds, pistachios, coffee beans, etc. to fall down from the branches of the plants, in order to be collected.

An example of a similar apparatus is described in <CIT>. The apparatus comprises two comb-like members, each of which comprising an elongated base body and a plurality of rods which protrude from the same face. The base bodies are pivotally connected to a support by hinges having the same axis, therefore, the two comb-like members are arranged on parallel planes and facing with each other. In particular, in a determined relative position they are overlapped with each other, if viewed from one side. The apparatus is provided with an electric motor which causes the two comb-like members to oscillate by a motion transmission group. More precisely, the motion transmission group is arranged to cause an alternating rotational motion in opposite phases of the two comb-like members. The apparatus provides, furthermore, a pole having a first end fixed to the support and a second end having a handle to be grasped by a user. A drawback of the apparatus described above is the small working area that is generated by the movement of the comb-like members with respect to their size.

Another example of an apparatus for harvesting is described in <CIT>. In this case, the two comb-like members are positioned side by side in order to have a larger working area with respect to the previous case. Also in this case, the comb-like members are operated to move according to an alternative rotational motion in opposite phases with respect to each other about a respective axis. More in detail, a motion transmission group is provided which trasforms the continuous rotational motion provided by a motor, at first, into a reciprocating translational motion of a shaft and, then, into the alternative rotational motion of the comb-like members by two connecting rods hinged at one side to the end, and to the other to respective elongated bases of the comb-like members.

However, this apparatus is structurally complex and too much heavy owing to the kind of transmission that is used.

Still another example of an apparatus for harvesting fruits is described in <CIT>. In this case, analogously to the previous case, the two comb-like members are positioned side by side, but the motion transmission group provides two superimposed connecting rods hinged, at a first end to the same eccentric pivot, and at the other end to a respective elongated base element of one of the two comb-like members.

However, the superimposition of the two connecting rods provided by the motion transmission group described in <CIT>, unavoidably implies that the working head of the apparatus has a great thickness. This, during working conditions, obstructs the user's view impeding to see clearly the area involved by the shaking operation. Therefore, there is the risk to apply the shaking action with the comb-like members in areas without fruits, or even, on parts of the plant which shouldn't be involved because particularly fragile and that, therefore, would be unavoidably damaged.

Another apparatus for harvesting is described in <CIT>. In this case the apparatus comprises a first and a second oscillating element positioned side by side and respectively provided with a series of rods. The first and the second oscillating element are pivotally connected to a support body at respective fulcrum points. A motor is, furthermore, provided with a shaft on which a first gear wheel is mounted. This meshes with a second gear wheel in order to cause a rotational motion about a respective rotational shaft on which a third gear wheel is mounted. This latter, then, meshes with a fourth gear wheel connected to an end of the first connecting rod for causing the first oscillating element to oscillate. The fourth gear wheel, then, meshes with a fifth gear wheel connected to an end of the second connecting rod for causing the second oscillating element to oscillate. More precisely, the fourth and the fifth gear wheels are connected to respective ends of a respective connecting rod by a connection member comprising a respective pivot. The solution described in <CIT> is, therefore, structurally complex in particular owing to the five gear wheels, which have problems of wear at the teeth that can cause over time the shaking action of the branches to be ineffective and, therefore, to make necessary to carry out a high number of maintenance operations to replace the same. Furthermore, also the solution of <CIT> provides high overall dimensions not only along a plane orthogonal to the axes of the gear wheels, like the prior art solutions described above, but also to a high lateral dimension owing to the great number of gear wheels of the motion transmission group that mesh one with another with consequent problems when the apparatus is used for harvesting fruits between two branches of the plant to be shaked in particular owing to the high weight to be supported by the user. In addition to the above, the solution of <CIT> have problems of penetration of dust, dirty, such as vegetable materials that are ground during the use of the apparatus that accumulate in particular between the fourth and the fifth gear wheel and the respective connection member providing the pivot actuating the connecting rods. Therefore, the apparatus described in <CIT> needs to be subjected to frequent maintenance operations in order to remove by hands the external materials that, over time, accumulate between the different mechanical parts impeding the same from working correctly.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for harvesting small fruits, such as olives, almonds, pistachios and similar fruits, which allows to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art solutions.

It is, in particular, an object of the present invention to provide such an apparatus for harvesting small fruits, such as olives, almonds, pistachios and similar fruits, having a small thickness without reducing the effectiveness of the shaking action.

It is another object of the present invention to provide such an apparatus for harvesting small fruits, such as olives, almonds, pistachios and similar fruits, that is able to assure an effective shaking action over time, reducing, at the same time, the number of maintenance operations that are necessary with respect to the prior art solutions.

These and other objects are achieved by an apparatus, according to the invention, for harvesting small fruits, in particular olives, almonds, pistachios and similar fruits, said apparatus comprising:.

whose main characteristic is that said pinion is arranged to directly mesh with said first gear wheel of said first crank group.

Other features of the invention and the related embodiments are set out in the dependent claims.

In particular, the aforementioned first ends of the first and of the second elongated base portion are arranged to face one another.

In particular, the first and the second crank group are respectively provided with a first and a second eccentric pivot arranged to pivotaly engage, respectively, into a first and into a second engagement hole provided at the second ends of the first and of the second crank group.

Advantageously, between the first and the second eccentric pivot and the first and the second engagement hole a first and a second auxiliary bearing are, respectively, provided.

In particular, each said first and second crank group can comprise a first part and a second part that are fixed at opposite sides to the first and to the second gear wheel. More in particular, the aforementioned first parts are provided with the first and the second eccentric pivot.

Advantageously, the aforementioned first parts and the aforementioned second parts are associated to respective bearings.

In particular, the aforementioned first and second oscillating comb-like members comprise, respectively, a first and a second directing body. More in particular, the first and the second directing body comprise, respectively, a first and a second plurality of tubular bodies operatively connected by a plurality of connection rods, each tubular body being arranged to house and direct along a predetermined direction a respective rod.

Advantageously, the first and the second plurality of tubular bodies are arranged to be engaged, respectively, to the first and to the second oscillating comb-like member.

The invention will now be shown with the following description of its exemplary embodiments, exemplifying but not limitative, with reference to the attached drawings in which:.

As diagrammatically shown in <FIG>, an apparatus <NUM>, according to the invention, for harvesting small fruits, in particular olives, almonds, pistachios, and similar fruits, comprises a manoeuvring pole <NUM> provided with at least a handle portion <NUM>, for example a first and a second handle portion 6a and 6b, in order to be grasped by a user <NUM>. According to a known embodiment, the manoeuvring pole <NUM> can have a telescopic arrangement formed by two or more sections, which are telescopically arranged one with respect to the other.

The apparatus <NUM> comprises, furthermore, a working head <NUM> having a support body <NUM>, or protection carter, to which a first and a second oscillating comb-like member 20a and 20b are connected to. In particular, the first and second oscillating comb-like members 20a and 20b are positioned in the space in such a way to have a respective first end 21a and 21b facing one another.

In particular, the first and second oscillating comb-like members 20a and 20b are pivotally connected to the support body <NUM> at respective fulcrum points 23a and 23b. More precisely, the first and second oscillating comb-like members 20a and 20b are positioned side by side and comprise, respectively, a first and a second elongated base portion 30a and 30b provided, respectively, with a first and a second plurality of rods 35a and 35b. A motor group <NUM> is, furthermore, provided comprising, for example, a brushless motor, operatively connected to the first and second oscillating comb-like members 20a and 20b by a motion transmission group <NUM>. This, according to the invention, comprises a first and a second connecting rod member 61a and 61b having a respective first end 62a and 62b pivotally connected to a respective end portion 31a and 31b of one of the two elongated base portions 30a and 30b, and a respective second end <NUM> and 62b arranged to connect the first and the second connecting rod member 61a and 61b to a first and a second crank group 65a and 65b, respectively.

In particular, the first crank group 65a (as shown as an example in the figures from <NUM> to <NUM>) or, alternatively, the second crank group 65b, is operatively connected to the motor group <NUM>, and is configured to cause the other crank group 65b, or 65a, to rotate, in particular in such a way that the two crank groups 65a and 65b are counter-rotating.

The technical solution provided by the invention, allows, on the one hand, to reduce the thickness of the support body <NUM> of apparatus <NUM>, and, therefore, to allow the user, with respect to the prior art solutions, and in particular <CIT>, to have a better view during working conditions and, on the other hand, to have an accurate and reliable transmission with respect to the aforementioned technical solution of <CIT> which provides to use two superimposed connecting rods hinged to the same eccentric pivot.

According to a preferred embodiment, the first and the second crank group 65a and 65b are configured to mesh with each other.

In particular, the motor group <NUM> is provided with a motor shaft <NUM> on which is mounted a pinion <NUM>. This is arranged to directly mesh with a first gear wheel 64a of the first crank group 65a in order to directly transmit the rotational motion of the motor shaft <NUM> and, therefore, the oscillating motion to the first comb-like member 30a by the first connecting rod member 61a. The first gear wheel 64a is, furthermore, arranged to mesh with a second gear wheel 64b of the second crank group 65b in such a way to transmit the rotational motion to the same but in the opposite direction of rotation, and, therefore, the oscillating motion also to the second comb-like member 30b by the second connecting rod member 61b.

According to a possible embodiment of the invention that is diagrammatically shown in the figures from <NUM> to <NUM>, the first and second crank groups 65a and 65b comprise a respective first part <NUM>'a and <NUM>'b, and a respective second part <NUM>"a and <NUM>"b, advantageously, fixed at opposite sides to the first and to the second gear wheel 64a and 64b. In particular, still with reference to <FIG>, the first parts <NUM>'a and <NUM>'b are, respectively, provided with first and second eccentric pivots 66a and 66b. In particular, the first parts <NUM>'a, <NUM>'b are arranged to engage the respective second parts <NUM>"a, <NUM>"b at respective flange portions <NUM>'a, <NUM>'b and <NUM>"a, <NUM>"b, advantageously by fixing members <NUM> as for example screws, bolts, or similar fixing members (see <FIG>).

As diagrammatically shown, for example, in <FIG>, both the first and the second parts <NUM>'a, <NUM>'b and <NUM>"a, <NUM>"b are configured to prevent dust, or other external impurities, from penetrating between the different parts of the first and of the second crank group 65a and 65b. In particular, both the first and the second parts <NUM>'a, <NUM>'b and <NUM>"a, <NUM>"b are configured to form a respective closed body. However, the possibility is also provided that the aforementioned closed bodies are provided with grooves, or recessed portions, not shown in the figures for simplicity, in order to lighten the component without departing from the inventive concept described above. In this way, differently from the prior art solutions and in particular from that of <CIT>, it is possible to reduce the number of maintenance operations that are necessary to guarantee that the apparatus <NUM>, and in particular the gear wheels 64a and 64b, are able to operate in the highest efficiency conditions. As diagrammatically shown in <FIG>, for example, each of the aforementioned first and second parts <NUM>'a, <NUM>'b and <NUM>"a, <NUM>"b can comprise a respective flange portion <NUM>'a, <NUM>'b, <NUM>"a, and <NUM>"b from which a protruding portion <NUM>'a, <NUM>'b, <NUM>"a, and <NUM>"b, for example substantially cylindrical-shaped, or substantially conical-shaped, is arranged to protrude. In particular, the protruding portions <NUM>'a, <NUM>'b, <NUM>"a, and <NUM>"b have a width, or diameter, smaller than the respective flange portion <NUM>'a, <NUM>'b, <NUM>"a, and <NUM>"b.

Still with reference to the figures from <NUM> to <NUM>, the first parts <NUM>'a and <NUM>'b and the second parts <NUM>"a and <NUM>"b of the crank groups 65a and 65b are associated to respective bearings <NUM>'a and <NUM>'b, and <NUM>"a, <NUM>"b. Advantageously, the bearings <NUM>'a, <NUM>'b and <NUM>"a, <NUM>"b can be positioned at opposite sides of the first and second gear wheels 64a and 64b with respect to a respective flange portion <NUM>'a, <NUM>'b and <NUM>"a, <NUM>"b of the first and second parts <NUM>'a, <NUM>'b and <NUM>"a, <NUM>"b.

More in particular, the first and the second crank group 65a and 65b are, respectively, provided with a first and a second eccentric pivot 66a and 66b, arranged to pivotally engage respectively into a first and into a second engagement hole 67a and 67b provided at the second ends 63a and 63b of the first and the second crank group 65a and 65b. Advantageously, the first parts <NUM>'a, <NUM>'b and <NUM>"a, <NUM>"b of the first and of the second crank group 65a and 65b are, respectively, provided with the first and the second eccentric pivot 66a and 66b.

According to the preferred embodiment that is diagrammatically shown in detail in the figures from <NUM> to <NUM>, between the first and the second eccentric pivot 66a and 66b and the first and the second engagement hole 67a and 67b, a first and a second auxiliary bearing 68a and 68b are, respectively, provided.

As shown for example in <FIG>, according to an embodiment of the invention, the first and the second comb-like member 20a and 20b comprise, respectively, a first and a second directing body 40a and 40b. In particular, the first and the second directing body 40a and 40b can provide, respectively, a first and a second plurality of tubular bodies 41a and 41b. Advantageously, each tubular body 41a is connected to a following tubular body 41b, by a connection member 42a and 42b, in particular a connection rod, preferably a transversal connection rod. More precisely, each tubular body 41a and 41b is arranged to house and direct along a predetermined direction a respective rod 35a and 35b. As shown, for example, in <FIG>, the first and the second plurality of tubular bodies 41a and 41b are arranged to be engaged, respectively, to the first and to the second oscillating comb-like member 20a and 20b, in particular at respective engagement openings 43a and 43b.

Claim 1:
An apparatus (<NUM>) for harvesting small fruits, in particular olives, almonds, pistachios and similar fruits, said apparatus (<NUM>) comprising:
- a handle portion (<NUM>) at which a user is arranged to grasp said apparatus (<NUM>);
- a support body (<NUM>);
- a first and a second oscillating comb-like member (20a,20b) pivotally connected to said support body (<NUM>) at respective fulcrum points (23a,23b), said first and said second oscillating comb-like member (20a,20b) being positioned side by side and comprising, respectively, a first and a second elongated base portion (30a,30b) provided, respectively, with a first and a second plurality of rods (35a,35b);
- a motor group (<NUM>) comprising a motor shaft (<NUM>) on which a pinion (<NUM>) is mounted operatively connected to said first and to said second oscillating comb-like member (20a,20b) by a motion transmission group (<NUM>) comprising a first and a second connecting rod member (61a,61b) having a respective first end (62a,62b) pivotally connected to a respective end portion (31a,31b) of said elongated base portion (30a,30b) and a respective second end (63a,63b) arranged to connect said first and said second connecting rod member (61a,61b), respectively, to a first and to a second crank group (65a,65b) comprising, respectively, a first and a second gear wheel (64a,64b) arranged to mesh one with the other in such a way to be counter-rotating; said apparatus (<NUM>) being characterized in that said pinion (<NUM>) is arranged to directly mesh with said first gear wheel of said first crank group (65a).