Patent Description:
Several devices are known for harvesting small fruits, in particular olives, by causing a plurality of rods to vibrate and/or rotate, said rods arranged to shake the end portions of the branches.

Such a device <NUM>, as described in <CIT> and shown in <FIG>, comprises two comb-like elements <NUM>, each consisting of an elongated base body <NUM>, and of a plurality of rods <NUM> extending from a same face <NUM> of base bodies <NUM>. The base bodies <NUM> are pivotally connected to such a support as a carter <NUM> through hinges having a common axis <NUM>, in such a way that comb-like elements <NUM> are arranged on parallel planes and generally face each other. In particular, in a predetermined relative position, the comb-like elements are overlapped, if observed laterally. An electric motor <NUM> having an axis <NUM> is housed in carter <NUM>, along with a transmission mechanism <NUM>,<NUM> configured to cause two comb-like elements <NUM> to oscillate in such a way that the comb-like elements perform in-phase and symmetric rotational alternated movements 22a/b. A pole <NUM> has a first end connected to support <NUM> and a second end, not shown, at which a handle is provided.

A drawback of device <NUM> is that the movement of the comb-like elements <NUM> creates a relatively small working area, depending on the size of comb-like elements <NUM>.

<CIT> describes a different device <NUM>' for harvesting small fruits, as diagrammatically shown in <FIG>, in which components corresponding to the components of device of <FIG> are generally indicated by equal numbers to which a superscript is added. In this device, comb-like elements <NUM>' are arranged adjacent to each other and are substantially coplanar instead of being overlapped and parallel as in the device <NUM> of <FIG>. This arrangement solves the above-mentioned working area extension issue. Comb-like elements <NUM>' are arranged to perform rotational alternated movements symmetrically to each other about respective axes <NUM>'. To this purpose a transmission <NUM>' is provided that changes a continuous rotation of a motor <NUM>' first into a translational alternated movement of a shaft <NUM>' and then into rotational alternated movements of comb-like elements <NUM>' through a couple of links <NUM>' hinged at an end <NUM>', on the one hand, and to respective base members <NUM>' of comb-like elements <NUM>' on the other hand.

This device has the drawback that the transmission is mechanically too complicate and too heavy.

In particular, an arrangement of the motor at the head of the device instead of at the handle portion is preferable in order to simplify the transmission, in particular, if last generation brushless motors are used, which are advantageously very light. A heavy transmission as in <CIT> would practically eliminate this advantage.

It is therefore a feature of the present invention to provide a portable device for harvesting small fruits from a plant by shaking the end portions of the branches causing them to vibrate, which makes it possible to create a wide working surface in a plane working area without excessively complicating the transmission.

It is a particular feature of the invention to provide such a device in which the motor can be mounted close to the shaking head, without significantly increasing the weight thereof, and without causing discomfort to a user.

These and other objects are achieved by a portable device for harvesting small fruits from a plant by causing a vibration or a shaking movement thereof, as defined by claim <NUM>. Advantageous exemplary embodiments of the device are defined by the dependent claims.

According to the invention, such a device comprises:.

With such a technical solution, several advantages are obtained, which cannot be attained at the same time by a device like those described in the above-mentioned prior art.

More in detail, the side-to-side arrangement of the comb-like elements, when observed transversally, makes it possible to maximize the working area defined by their movements, i.e. the extension of the portion of the plant that is caused to vibrate. At a same time, the tang portion with hinges rotatably arranged about a same rotation axis simplifies the transmission.

Preferably, the drive unit is configured in such a way that the rotational alternated movements of the two comb-like elements are mutually symmetrical in-phase movements. In other words, when operating the device, the speed and the acceleration of any two mutually symmetrical points of respective comb-like elements have the same value and opposite directions, i.e., their directions are symmetrical in a plane passing through the rotation axis of the hinges and perpendicular to the movement plane. This way, inertial effects on the support are eliminated, which facilitates the work of the operator.

However, in another exemplary embodiment, the drive unit can be configured in such a way that the rotational alternated movements of the two comb-like elements are mutually parallel in-phase movements. In other words, when operating the device, the speed and the acceleration of any two mutually symmetrical points of respective comb-like elements have the same value and the same direction. In fact, it has been observed that this increases the fruit collection efficiency in some plant conformations.

Preferably, the hinges have a same pin as a fixed portion connected to the support and arranged along the common rotation axis of the two hinges. This allows for a less cumbersome connection between the base members of the comb-like elements and the support.

In an exemplary embodiment, the drive unit can comprise a motor mounted at the handle end. This makes it possible to reduce the weight of the portion of the device that must be raised when collecting fruits at a significant height above the ground. This way, the device is easier to handle than in the case of a motor mounted close to the two comb-like elements, which reduces the user's fatigue.

In another exemplary embodiment, the support comprises a box arranged at one end of the pole opposite to that of handle, and the drive unit is mounted to this box. This way, a simpler motion transmission is possible.

Preferably, the drive unit comprises an electric motor, in particular a battery-supplied DC motor, and the device comprises a housing for at least one battery configured to form an electric connection between the battery or the batteries and the electric motor.

Preferably, the electric motor of the drive unit is an brushless electric motor. Brushless motors, besides being more reliable and more durable, are also lighter than conventional electric motors of the same power. For this reason, they are particularly advantageous if the motor of the drive unit has to be arranged at the end of the pole of the support opposite to the handle portion. Such an arrangement of a brushless motor allows for a simple transmission structure, since the motor is mounted near the comb-like elements, and at the same time reduces the weight that has to be raised when collecting fruits at a significant height above the ground, which reduces the user's fatigue and improves the collection rate accordingly.

Several well-known technical solutions are possible to obtain the rotational alternated movement of the comb-like elements. In particular, the drive unit can be made as in <FIG>, i.e., as described in patent application <CIT>, which is incorporated herein by reference. Therefore, in a preferred exemplary embodiment, each tang portion has an elongated hole, and the drive unit comprises:.

wherein the cylindrical pins have axes angularly spaced apart about the second rotation axis by a predetermined phase angle.

This is a particularly compact and easy-to-make solution, besides requiring very limited maintenance. However, in comparison with what is described in <CIT>, the axes of the cylindrical pins can be angularly spaced apart from each other by any angle about the second rotation axis, i.e., they are not necessarily at <NUM>° from each other, even if this is one of the preferred arrangements, so that the rotational alternated movements of the two comb-like elements are opposite to each other, which has the previously mentioned advantages. In another preferred arrangement, the angle is <NUM>°, so that the rotational alternated movements of the two comb-like elements are parallel to each other, which has the previously mentioned advantages.

In particular, the drive unit can comprise at least two gear wheels or two friction wheels having a predetermined transmission ratio with respect to each other, the at least two wheels forming a motion transmission mechanism, the output wheel of the transmission mechanism having the second rotation axis as an own rotation axis, and the cylindrical pins are arranged on opposite faces of the output wheel. This allows for a particularly compact and light arrangement in which the rotation axes of the two hinges re coincident.

In an advantageous exemplary embodiment, the rods of a couple of innermost rods, each arranged at a minimum distance from the longitudinal axis with respect to the other rods of a same comb, are mounted skew to each other, so as to keep themselves at a mutual distance longer than a minimum predetermined distance when the comb-like elements are near their closed configuration. In fact, during the rotational alternative plane movement of the comb-like elements, the mutually skew arrangement of the innermost rods is maintained. This way, two rods of respective comb-like elements are prevented from hitting each other or from sliding on each other, or in any case from approaching each other too much, thus forming a sort of scissors that can cut or in any case damage branches and twigs of the plant, which occurs, on the contrary with most prior art devices.

In particular, concerning the other rods, the rods of pairs of corresponding rods that have the same rank with respect to the distance from the longitudinal axis are also mounted skew, in order to be kept at a predetermined mutual distance when the comb-like elements are near the closed configuration.

The base members can have a substantially parallelpiped shape with a face arranged perpendicularly to the direction of the longitudinal axis, and the innermost rods or the corresponding rods are arranged at respective angles with respect to this face. For instance, the rods can have a cylindrical shape and/or a parallelpiped shape and can be arranged within respective holes or rod housings having a corresponding shape, made at said respective angles on said face.

In an exemplary embodiment, the innermost rods, and in particular also the other corresponding rods that have the same rank with respect to the distance from the axis, are arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the device. This can be obtained, in particular, by providing pairs of rod housings or rod holes in the first and second bases, at symmetrical angles with respect to the longitudinal axis of the device.

Advantageously, each of the two arrays of rods comprises five rods. Due to the shorter distance between the comb-like elements, which is allowed by the connection provided by a single pin arranged at a central position of the support, it becomes possible to arrange more shaking elements, i.e. one further rod In addition to the four conventional rods for each comb, with a same length of the bases, thus obtaining a device providing a higher shaking efficiency with a same width and, accordingly, a same size.

Advantageously, the device comprises an articulated means for orienting the comb-like elements with respect to the pole by an angle set between -<NUM>° and +<NUM>°, preferably between -<NUM>° and +<NUM>°.

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

With reference to <FIG>, in a portable device <NUM> for harvesting small fruits from a plant, a support <NUM> comprises a handle pole <NUM>, a couple of comb-like shaking elements <NUM>',<NUM>" pivotally connected to support <NUM> through respective hinges <NUM>',<NUM>", and a drive unit <NUM> mounted to support <NUM>, for example in a housing or box <NUM> of support <NUM>.

Two comb-like elements <NUM>',<NUM>" arranged for performing out a vibrational movement with respect to support <NUM>, in order to shake branches and twigs of a plant, and to cause the fruits hanging on the branches to fall down accordingly. More in particular, each comb <NUM>',<NUM>" comprises a base <NUM>',<NUM>" having an elongated shape, whose longitudinal direction is defined by a longitudinal axis <NUM>',<NUM>". An array of rods <NUM> is mounted to basis <NUM>',<NUM>", preferably by removable engagement means, said array of rods extending from base members <NUM>',<NUM>" on the side opposite to support <NUM>.

Preferably, elongated bases <NUM>',<NUM>" have a substantially prismatic shape, in the case shown in the figure a parallelepiped shape, and rods <NUM> extend from a face <NUM> of the prism or parallelepiped oriented oppositely to support <NUM>, i.e., to box <NUM>. In particular, rods <NUM> extend within a dihedral angle of predetermined amplitude δ (<FIG>) having longitudinal axis <NUM>',<NUM>" as its edge.

A conventional handle portion <NUM> is provided at an end <NUM> of pole <NUM> to assist a user to manipulate device <NUM>. Pole <NUM> is shown in the figures regardless the proportions. In soe exemplary embodiments, not shown, a means is provided for extending pole <NUM>, such as telescopic extension means or removable extension elements conventionally connected to standard length pole <NUM>.

Drive unit <NUM>, as anticipated, is mounted to support <NUM>. Basically, drive unit <NUM> comprises a motor, for example a preferably battery-supplied electric motor on board of device <NUM>, and a motion transmission mechanism from the motor to comb-like elements <NUM>',<NUM>", more in detail to base members <NUM>',<NUM>". The transmission mechanism can possibly comprise a reduction gear portion. In the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures, drive unit <NUM> is completely contained within box <NUM> of support <NUM>, which is connected to one end <NUM> of pole <NUM> opposite to handle end <NUM>, at least the motor run/stop key being advantageously provided at the handle end, if an electric motor is used.

In this case, motor is preferably a brushless motor, in order not to excessively increase the weight of the head portion of device <NUM>, so as t facilitate the manipulation of the same.

However, in some exemplary embodiments, not shown in the figures, drive unit <NUM> can be at least in part arranged at handle end <NUM> of pole <NUM>. For example, at least the motor can be mounted at handle end <NUM>, the transmission mechanism extending along pole <NUM> and possible box <NUM> of support <NUM>.

As <FIG> show, base members <NUM>',<NUM>" of comb-like elements <NUM>',<NUM>" are substantially coplanar arranged on a movement plane α, more in detail, longitudinal axes <NUM>',<NUM>" are substantially contained in movement plane α. Therefore, if device <NUM> is observed transversally to longitudinal axes <NUM>',<NUM>", the comb-like elements are arranged beside each other, as <FIG> clearly shows.

According to the invention, hinges <NUM>',<NUM>", through which comb-like elements <NUM>',<NUM>" are connected to support <NUM>, have rotation axes coincident in a same axis <NUM> that is substantially orthogonal to movement plane α.

As shown still in <FIG>, each hinge <NUM>',<NUM>" has a fixed portion integral to support <NUM> that, in the depicted exemplary embodiment, comprises a same cylindrical pin <NUM> arranged along axis <NUM>. Each hinge <NUM>',<NUM>" also comprises a rotatable portion integral to basis <NUM>',<NUM>" of a respective comb <NUM>',<NUM>". More in detail, according to the invention, each comb <NUM>',<NUM>" comprises a tang portion <NUM>',<NUM>" extending from respective base <NUM>',<NUM>" and a preferably plane end portion <NUM>',<NUM>" forming the movable part of hinge <NUM>',<NUM>", end portion <NUM>',<NUM>" arranged along rotation planes β',β" opposite to each other with respect to movement plane α and at predetermined distances D<NUM>, D<NUM> from the latter. Hinges <NUM>',<NUM>" have therefore suitably spaced-apart rotation planes β',β" opposite to each other with respect to movement plane α of comb-like elements <NUM>',<NUM>".

More in detail, tang portion <NUM>',<NUM>" comprises a transversal connection part <NUM>', <NUM>" at an angle with respect to basis <NUM>',<NUM>", i.e., at an angle to longitudinal axis <NUM>',<NUM>" thereof, and a connection part <NUM>',<NUM>" parallel to the longitudinal axis that, in the depicted case, has a hole <NUM> engaging with pin <NUM> to form hinge <NUM>',<NUM>".

Still according to the invention, drive unit <NUM> is arranged to cause each rotatable portions <NUM>',<NUM>" of hinges <NUM>',<NUM>", and therefore comb-like elements <NUM>',<NUM>", to perform a rotational alternated movement between two angular limit positions about rotation axis <NUM>.

The rotational alternated movement of each comb <NUM>',<NUM>" is not necessarily related to the rotational alternated movement of the other comb, in other words the two alternate movements do not have necessarily the same period. <FIG> refer to a particular but preferred exemplary embodiment in which the movements of two comb-like elements <NUM>',<NUM>" are synchronous, i.e. they are in-phase movements, and opposite, so that two comb-like elements <NUM>',<NUM>" periodically move from a contracted configuration, as shown in <FIG>, in which the distance of corresponding elements of comb-like elements <NUM>',<NUM>" is at a minimum, to an expanded configuration, as shown in <FIG>, in which the distance of the corresponding elements is at a maximum. In this case, the plan space occupied by two comb-like elements <NUM>',<NUM>" also changes from a minimum value, as shown in <FIG>, to a maximum value, as shown in <FIG>, the width between the free ends of the outermost rods, in a top plan view, changing from a value L<NUM> typically set between <NUM> and <NUM>, preferably about <NUM>, to a value L<NUM> typically set between <NUM> and <NUM>, preferably about <NUM>.

In another preferred exemplary embodiment, not shown in the figures, the rotational movements of two comb-like elements <NUM>',<NUM>" are even in this case synchronous movements, i.e., in-phase movements, but are parallel to each other, so that the distance of the corresponding elements of two comb-like elements <NUM>',<NUM>" is kept substantially unchanged, as well as the plan space occupied by two comb-like elements <NUM>',<NUM>". In other words, two comb-like elements <NUM>',<NUM>" periodically moves from a right-displaced configuration to a left-displaced configuration for someone looking at device <NUM> from a side.

With reference to <FIG>, another device <NUM> according to the invention is described. The features of device <NUM>, which are described in respective paragraphs hereinafter, can be present in several devices according to different exemplary embodiments of the invention, independently from one another.

In an exemplary embodiment, box <NUM> is made of two longitudinal halves <NUM>' and <NUM>" that are mutually connected by conventional connection means such as screws <NUM> and nuts, more in detail, in an exemplary embodiment, longitudinal halves <NUM>' and <NUM>" comprise flanges <NUM> for mutual connection.

In an exemplary embodiment, box <NUM> comprises a first housing <NUM> for a motor, in particular a battery-supplied electric motor, and a second housing <NUM> for a motion transmission mechanism from the motor to comb-like elements <NUM>',<NUM>". In the case of the box <NUM> comprising two longitudinal halves <NUM>' and <NUM>", housings <NUM> and <NUM> are advantageously symmetrical with respect to the plane at which two halves <NUM>' and <NUM>" are connected. In the shown example, first and second housings <NUM> and <NUM> have a substantially cylindrical shape.

In an exemplary embodiment, base members <NUM>',<NUM>" of comb-like elements <NUM>',<NUM>" have a substantially parallelepiped shape and a substantially empty structure, including a substantially rectangular plane central portion and two edge portions, at opposite sides of the plane portion, along the longer sides larger and along one shorter side of the plane portion, while tang portion <NUM>',<NUM>" extends on one side only at the other shorter side, as shown in <FIG>. Tang portion <NUM>',<NUM>" comprises connection part <NUM> which, in this case, includes a cylindrical crown-shaped portion in which radial reinforcement elements are provided, and also comprises a plane connection portion <NUM>',<NUM>".

In the depicted exemplary embodiment, five rods <NUM> are shown for each comb <NUM>',<NUM>". Rods <NUM> can be different in length, for example they can comprise groups of rods having a same length. Moreover, rods <NUM> can be at an angle to face <NUM> of the respective elongated base <NUM>',<NUM>" different from the right angle, as described more in detail hereinafter.

In an exemplary embodiment, as show <FIG>, at least the innermost rods, i.e., those rods <NUM> that are most close to each other of two comb-like elements <NUM>',<NUM>", are mounted skew with respect to each other, in other words they are neither coplanar nor parallel to each other.

The skew arrangement of innermost rods <NUM> is maintained during the movement of comb-like elements <NUM>',<NUM>" and, in particular, when comb-like elements <NUM>',<NUM>" approach the closed configuration, i.e., the minimum mutual angular distance configuration. Therefore, near the closed configuration of comb-like elements <NUM>',<NUM>", innermost rods <NUM> are at a mutual distance longer than a minimum safety distance, which can be predetermined when mounting innermost rods <NUM> to respective base members <NUM>',<NUM>".

This way, innermost rods <NUM> are prevented from hitting each other or from sliding on each other, or in any case from approaching each other too much, whenever the device comes to the closed configuration, and are prevented from forming a sort of scissors that would damage or in particular cut the branches and the twigs of the plant, and/or would cause device <NUM> to get caught by the branches and twigs of the plant.

In a modification of this exemplary embodiment, still shown in <FIG>, also corresponding rods <NUM> that have the same rank with respect to the distance from the innermost rods are mounted skew, even in this case to avoid the above-mentioned "scissor effect". This is useful if rods <NUM> are particularly long and/or particularly close to each other.

The skew arrangement of innermost rods <NUM> or, more in general, of corresponding rods <NUM>, can be obtained as shown in <FIG>, i.e., by alternately arranging rods <NUM> at opposite angles γ', γ" with respect to the normal to face <NUM> of base <NUM>',<NUM>" from which rods <NUM> extend, observing comb <NUM>',<NUM>" along longitudinal axis <NUM>',<NUM>" of base <NUM>',<NUM>". In the depicted case, angles γ', γ" have substantially a same measure. In a modification of this exemplary embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, adjacent rods are at angles different from one another, observing transversally to longitudinal axes <NUM>',<NUM>", passing from an inward inclination to an outward inclination with respect to device <NUM>.

In the exemplary embodiment of <FIG>, in order to maintain a predetermined inclination of each rod <NUM> with respect to connection face <NUM> of respective base <NUM>',<NUM>", spacers <NUM> are provided comprising oriented guide tubular elements <NUM> arranged to be introduced into holes <NUM>' of connection face <NUM> and to receive respective rods <NUM> inside themselves, guide tubular elements <NUM> being at the relative angle at which rods <NUM> must be positioned. <FIG> also shows, conventional fixing means for rods <NUM>, consisting of screws <NUM> and bolts (not shown).

<FIG> refer to a further device <NUM> according to the invention, whose features can be present in several devices according to different exemplary embodiments of the invention, independently from one another.

In an exemplary embodiment, drive unit <NUM> comprises a brushless motor <NUM>, which in this case is arranged within housing <NUM>.

In an exemplary embodiment, tang portion <NUM>',<NUM>" of base <NUM>',<NUM>" of each comb <NUM>',<NUM>" has an elongated hole <NUM> opposite to comb-like elements <NUM> with respect to hole <NUM> of the movable portion of hinge <NUM>',<NUM>". This elongated hole <NUM> is intended for engaging with drive unit <NUM>, which comprises, in addition to motor <NUM>, a couple of cylindrical pins <NUM>',<NUM>" each slidingly engaged within elongated hole <NUM> of a respective comb <NUM>',<NUM>". In a modification of this exemplary embodiment, a rolling bearing, not shown, is provided between pins <NUM>',<NUM>" and elongated hole <NUM>. Cylindrical pins <NUM>',<NUM>" are pivotally actuated by motor <NUM> and are eccentrically arranged about a second rotation axis <NUM>. Moreover, cylindrical pins <NUM>',<NUM>" have axes angularly spaced apart from each other by a predetermined angle about second rotation axis <NUM>. The phase shift of the alternated movements of two comb-like elements <NUM>',<NUM>" is defined by this angle. In particular, this angle is selected between <NUM>° and <NUM>°, in order to actuate the comb-like elements symmetrically or parallel to each other, respectively.

In a modification of this exemplary embodiment, at least two gear wheels or two friction wheels <NUM>,<NUM> are provided having a predetermined transmission ratio with respect to each other, so as to form a transmission in which output wheel <NUM> has second rotation axis <NUM> as an own rotation axis, and in which cylindrical pins <NUM>',<NUM>" are eccentrically arranged on opposite faces of output wheel <NUM>. In this case, the transmission mechanism comprises two cylindrical gears <NUM> and <NUM>, the former being a drive wheel fitted on the output shaft of motor <NUM>, and the second being a driven wheel <NUM> having a diameter larger than wheel <NUM>, so as to define the rotations per minute and therefore the period of the alternated movement of comb-like elements <NUM>',<NUM>".

Tis modification of the exemplary embodiment is described more in detail in patent application <CIT>, incorporated herein by reference, with reference to <FIG>, in which the second rotation axis is indicated as <NUM>, the eccentric pins are indicated as <NUM> and <NUM>, the driven wheel is indicated as <NUM> and the tang is indicated as <NUM>, and the bearing <NUM> arranged between one of eccentric pins <NUM> and the elongated hole <NUM> is also shown.

Claim 1:
A driven portable device (<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>) for harvesting small fruits from a plant by causing a vibration or a shaking movement of said plant, said device comprising:
- a support (<NUM>) comprising a pole (<NUM>) equipped with a handle portion (<NUM>) at an end (<NUM>) thereof;
- a couple of comb-like elements (<NUM>',<NUM>") pivotally mounted to said support (<NUM>) through respective hinges (<NUM>',<NUM>"), said hinges (<NUM>',<NUM>") having respective fixed portions (<NUM>) and rotatable portions (<NUM>',<NUM>"), wherein said comb-like elements (<NUM>',<NUM>") comprise:
- respective elongated base members (<NUM>',<NUM>") extending along respective longitudinal axes (<NUM>',<NUM>");
- respective arrays of rods (<NUM>) extending from said elongated base members (<NUM>',<NUM>") oppositely to said support (<NUM>),
wherein said longitudinal axes (<NUM>',<NUM>") are substantially coplanar arranged in a movement plane (α), so that said comb-like elements are placed beside each other if observed transversally to said longitudinal axes (<NUM>',<NUM>"),
- a drive unit (<NUM>) mounted to said support (<NUM>),
characterized in that said hinges (<NUM>',<NUM>") have a same rotation axis (<NUM>) substantially orthogonal to said movement plane (α),
in that respective tang portions (<NUM>',<NUM>") extend from said elongated base members (<NUM>',<NUM>"), away from said movement plane (α), said tang portions comprising said respective rotatable portions (<NUM>',<NUM>") of said hinges (<NUM>',<NUM>"), so that said hinges (<NUM>',<NUM>") have rotation planes (β',β") each at a predetermined distance from said movement plane (α) and opposite to each other with respect to said movement plane (α),
and in that said drive unit (<NUM>) is arranged for causing each of said rotatable portions (<NUM>',<NUM>") of said hinges (<NUM>',<NUM>"), and therefore each of said comb-like elements (<NUM>',<NUM>"), to perform rotational alternated movements between two limit angular positions with respect to said rotation axis (<NUM>).