Patents by Inventor Merritt C. Erickson

Merritt C. Erickson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5437146
    Abstract: An apparatus for harvesting olives and like fruit, including the use of opposing rake members on extended supports. The rake members, which include extending tines, are arranged and powered to oscillate during the harvesting process. The opposing and oscillating rake members engage a group of small tree branches and maintain the fruit bearing branches properly placed as the tines of the rakes oscillate up and down to strip the fruit from the branches. The rake members are drawn through the branches in order to access all of the fruit. The rake members may be attached to a single hand-held extension pole, or may be attached on the end of a pivotally mounted extended support connected to a harvesting vehicle having capabilities for catching and boxing the fruit as it falls from the tree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Inventor: Merritt C. Erickson