Patent ID: 7568332

Claim:
A mechanical harvesting device comprising: a housing and central axle rotatable in relation thereto and substantially disposed therein; the housing having a front opening and a rear opening and a void therebetween corresponding to a picking path, the longitudinal axis of the picking path being perpendicular to the axle; at least one circular support positioned perpendicular to the axle and affixed thereto such that the circular support and axle are concurrently rotatable; the circular support further comprising an inner hub and an outer circular arm with at least one picking element disposed therebetween; the at least one picking element having a curvilinear shape and extending from a plane defined by the circular support into a plane defined by the picking path, the picking element having a length longer than the radius of the circular support from which it extends; a gatherer positioned at the front opening, the gather having a first end, a curved portion, and a second end, the first end in communication with the housing adjacent the front opening and extending outward from the housing and downward below the housing, the curved portion of the gatherer curving back towards the housing and extending into the picking path, the second end positioned in the picking path substantially adjacent the at least one picking element; wherein as the mechanical harvester moves forward branches below the housing are engaged by the gatherer and travel along the gatherer to be engaged by the at least one picking element.