Abstract: The present invention provides a networked computer system for retrieving and displaying information, comprising a front-end sub-system and a back-end sub-system. The back-end comprises one or more selectable pipelines for processing the user query, each comprising one or more component software modules selected from a library of modular component software modules having predefined functions or created by a user to cooperate in extracting and processing extracted data, wherein at least one of the one or more pipelines may be customized by modifying either or both of a selection or sequence of the component software modules.

Abstract: The present invention provides a networked computer system for retrieving and displaying information, comprising a front-end sub-system and a back-end sub-system. The back-end comprises one or more selectable pipelines for processing the user query, each comprising one or more component software modules selected from a library of modular component software modules having predefined functions or created by a user to cooperate in extracting and processing extracted data, wherein at least one of the one or more pipelines may be customized by modifying either or both of a selection or sequence of the component software modules.

Abstract: A vibration transporter for harvesting fruit which includes an inclined platform that receives falling fruit at an upper end and delivers the fruit to a lower end. The platform vibrates to move the fruit from the upper end to the lower end and is coupled to an orbiting shaft eccentrically mounted to a driven shaft. The speed of rotation of the driven shaft is selected to be commensurate with the vertical displacement of the platform so that the fruit bounces toward the lower end of the platform during upward travel of the vibrating platform.

Abstract: A fruit removal assembly forming part of a mobile fruit harvester has a single motor for orbiting two pairs of oppositely disposed panels to which are mounted a plurality of longitudinally extending fingers which penetrate a fruit tree canopy and dislodge fruit. The motor is coupled to the panels by a mechanical drive and thereby provides for synchronized simultaneous movement of the panels. The panels are coupled to a structural frame for supporting the panels and tethers fixed to an anchor positioned to space the tethers from the structural frame at an intermediate portion between the panels and the structural frame are provided to align the panels and mitigate the occurrence of collisions between orbiting panels.

Abstract: A fruit removal assembly forming part of a mobile fruit harvester has a single motor for orbiting two pairs of oppositely disposed panels to which are mounted a plurality of longitudinally extending fingers which penetrate a fruit tree canopy and dislodge fruit. The motor is coupled to the panels by mechanical drive means and thereby provides for synchronized simultaneous movement of the panels. The panels are coupled to a structural frame for supporting the panels and tethers fixed to an anchor positioned to space the tethers from the structural frame at an intermediate portion between the panels and the structural frame are provided to align the panels and mitigate the occurrence of collisions between orbiting panels.

Abstract: There is provided a gripping device with lifting arms mounted for relative rotational movement on a slider and having free ends spaced from each other and adapted to receive a load there-between. An arm link assembly coupled to the arms is movable between a gripping position and a release position to respectively close the arms to grip a load and to separate the arms to receive a load. An over-center clamp is incorporated into the device to move the arm link assembly between the gripping position and release position and to hold the arm link assembly in the release position for the arms to receive a load.