Patents by Inventor Kenneth R. Penfold

Kenneth R. Penfold 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: 5074108
    Abstract: A grape harvesting picking head is provided having a pair of C-shaped arms which are each independently pivotally suspended at their upper ends. A reaction mass which forms the drive system carries a pair of cranks which drive a pair of connecting rods which are connected to each of the C-shaped arms. The cranks have a large throw relative to the length of the connecting rods, so that relative motion occurs between the shaker rails carried at the lower ends of the C-shaped arms, the relative motion causing a "snapping" action to help harvest the grapes. The distance between shaker rails is automatically adjusted "on the fly," the adjustment being facilitated by two halves of the picking head being free to articulate about a central axis and providing a hydraulic cylinder between these two sections of the picking head which balances the weight of the two sections and allows the two sections to float relative to each other as the machine moves down the row of plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1991
    Assignee: American Grape Harvesters, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald L. Claxton, Kenneth R. Penfold