Abstract: A device for picking a piece of fruit from a fruit plant. The device includes locating members arranged to be positioned around a piece of fruit to be picked. The locating members are actuatable from an open position to receive the piece of fruit between the locating members to a closed position to surround the stem by which the piece of fruit is attached to the fruit plant. The device also includes a mechanism for detaching the piece of fruit to be picked from the fruit plant. The mechanism is mounted on or relative to one or more of the plurality of locating members, and wherein the mechanism is arranged to detach the piece of fruit from the plant when the plurality of locating members are in the closed position.

Abstract: A handheld crabtrap for catching crabs includes a shaft having a handle with a lever on a proximal end, a trap head with a lid at a distal end of the shaft, and a linkage within the shaft attached to the lever and the trap head. The handle further includes a crab alert bell attached to a cable that also extends to and into the trap head, where it ends in a clip to which the crabber's bait is attached. The trap head is held open via the linkage and lever until a crab pulls on the bait ringing the bell and alerting a crabber to pull on the lever and close the trap head via a string therebetween.

Abstract: The present invention is a switchable gripping terminal device that can be switched from a voluntary open prehension mode to a voluntary closed prehension mode, at will by the user. In an embodiment of the present invention, the terminal device may comprise a movable digit attached to a fixed digit, whereby the user can actuate the movable digit, such that the movable digit rotates relative to the fixed digit. The terminal device may comprise a lever, which enables the user to switch from a first mode, voluntary open (VO), to a second mode, voluntary closed (VC). This switchable biasing means, allows the user to decide the prehension mode, and easily switch the mode at will, according to the circumstances.

Abstract: The present invention is a switchable gripping terminal device that can be switched from a voluntary open prehension mode to a voluntary closed prehension mode, at will by the user. In an embodiment of the present invention, the terminal device may comprise a movable digit attached to a fixed digit, whereby the user can actuate the movable digit, such that the movable digit rotates relative to the fixed digit. The terminal device may comprise a lever, which enables the user to switch from a first mode, voluntary open (VO), to a second mode, voluntary closed (VC). This switchable biasing means, allows the user to decide the prehension mode, and easily switch the mode at will, according to the circumstances.

Abstract: A fruit picking device for picking fruits from a tree is provided. The fruit picking device includes an elongated rod defining a first end and a second end, a lower jaw detachably attached to the first end of the elongated rod, and an upper jaw attached to the lower jaw through a first pivot. The upper jaw is movable between a first position and a second position about the first pivot. The lower jaw and the upper jaw are configured to grab a fruit. The fruit picking device also includes one or more blades configured to cut the stem of the fruit. These blades are attached to at least one of: the lower jaw or the upper jaw. In addition, the fruit picking device includes a slider attached to the upper jaw. The movement of the slider in a predefined direction moves the upper jaw from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A harvesting apparatus for harvesting generally spherical fruit by severing each fruit from its stem and conveying it using air flow into a receptacle. The harvesting apparatus includes a tubular body with a clamshell cutter for severing items of fruit from their stems, and a retractable throat that is able to restrict and then allow passage of the fruit. The apparatus further includes a control unit that can control the clamshell cutter and the throat. A funnel-shaped orifice is preferably included at the harvesting end of the tubular body. When a piece of fruit enters the harvesting end, it contacts the throat and blocks the airflow. The control unit senses the resulting pressure drop, and then activates the clamshell cutter while causing the throat to open so as to allow the piece of fruit to pass through the tubular body and into the receptacle.

Abstract: A collapsible remote mechanical grasping apparatus that can be used to grasp explosive devices is provided. The collapsible remote mechanical grasping apparatus comprises a first rod and a second rod which are connected by a joint assembly. The collapsible remote mechanical grasping apparatus further includes a claw assembly pivotably connected to the second rod, a cable assembly mounted to the first rod, and a slidable locking sleeve assembly positioned around the first rod, the joint assembly, and the second rod. The cable assembly comprises a claw control lever and an actuation cable that is mechanically connected to the claw control lever and the claw assembly. Actuation of the claw control lever causes the actuation of the claw assembly. Additionally, the joint assembly allows the second rod to pivot towards the first rod when the slidable locking sleeve is retracted from the second rod and the joint assembly.

Abstract: The twister fruit picker which comprises a pole mounted tool; with the tool having scissor like arms whose upper ends are opposing circular configured planes, which planes, when closed nearer to each other, will hold a fruit; and the opposing planes nearness to each other, being controlled by two opposing forces, originating from springs or elastic device, with one force stronger than the other one, and with device for controlling the strongest force. Such ability to control the configuration and size of the picker, when moving throughout a tree, makes it quick and easy to get on the fruit; and because fruit damage is minimal when fruit is twisted off, this invention is designed to allow twisting.

Abstract: A hand-operated gatherer for gathering pecans, nuts, or other objects such as golf balls. The gatherer includes a basket assembly connect to a first end of a shaft and a handle and trigger connected to a second end of the shaft. A pair of pivotally hinged doors biased to a closed position by a spring device attach to a frame member in the basket assembly via depending tabs, and a gatherer head comprised of wire bails separate the doors. A control linkage attaches to at least one of the doors and runs lengthwise along the shaft to the trigger, whereby the trigger is finger actuated to pull the control linkage and open the door or doors that are attached to the control linkage to release the items held within the storage component of the basket assembly.

Abstract: A voluntary closing prosthetic prehensor includes a locking mechanism which may be locked into any position, and released with a small amount of force. With locking enabled, the prehensor opens and closes normally until the user applies sufficient tension to the prehensor cable after the prehensor has closed upon an object. Then, a lever arm attached to the cable rotates, pulling a second cable which causes an elliptical cam to rotate such that its wider portion presses against a pawl, causing the pawl to rotate into engagement with a toothed sector, locking the prehensor closed. When the user releases the force on the cable, the lever arm is biased to return to its normal position, but the prehensor stays closed because the pawl remains engaged with the sector. The cam includes a ratcheting drum which takes up the slack in the second cable. To release the prehensor, the user applies a small amount of force to the first cable, moving the lever arm and pulling the second cable, which rotates the cam.

Abstract: A lawn and garden tool for removing weeds and dandelions includes a cutting blade fixedly secured to the distal end of a shaft and a pivotable claw arranged to have its serrated edge pivotably closed against a flat surface of the blade, The claw has two spaced pivot arms secured to opposite sides of the shaft to evenly distribute the closure force, A linkage rod is actuable by a trigger grip secured at the proximal end of the shaft to permit selective closure of the claw in opposition to a bias force exerted by a compression spring disposed for protection in a recess defined in the pistol grip handle.

Abstract: A portable hand-operated fruit picker for mounting on a telescoping pole having a container or bag at one end thereof for receiving the fruit when removed from a tree. The portable hand-operated fruit picker consists primarily of a telescoping pole, a first hoop member fixed to the distal end of the upper section of the telescoping pole, a second hoop member pivotally mounted to the upper section of the telescoping pole adjacent its distal end, a container or bag fixed to the second hoop member, and a member for actuating the second hoop member relative to the first hoop member to facilitate the fruit picking process.

Abstract: A litter pick-up conversion kit for a butterfly-type sponge mop is provided whereby hooks or spikes may be secured to the pivoted operating plates of the sponge mop in lieu of the sponge so as to engage and pick up litter upon pivotal movement of the operating plates. The litter pick-up conversion kit may be stored separately and secured to the pivoted operating plates upon removal of the sponge or may be secured to the upper surface of the operating plates opposite the sponge and upon removal of the sponge, pivoted downwardly into an operative litter pick up position.

Abstract: A hand-operated fruit picker having a cage defining a fruit gathering chamber with a fruit receiving frontal opening, an upper concavity and a top central forwardly directed stem slit, and a gate hinged to the cage for movement from a fruit receiving to a fruit clamping position, is provided with an outwardly diverging scoop-like extension formed at the top forward margin of the opening to envelop the lateral members of a fruit cluster, and is further provided with removable chamber and gate linings of resilient tufted material contoured to extend the concavity of the chamber and serving to protect more sensitive and fragile fruits against bruising.

Abstract: A tool for servicing an overhead limb is comprised of an elongated tube with a hook element on one end and a foot engaging chain on the other.

Abstract: This disclosure describes an electrical and pneumatic device for picking fruit, particularly citrus fruit, by severing the fruit from its stem with an electrical current, or pulling the fruit from its stem pneumatically by applying a suction cup to the side of the fruit and physically pulling the fruit from its stem, or by using a combination of electrical current and pneumatic (vacuum) force to sever the fruit from its stem.

Abstract: A fruit-picking implement having a mechanical hand with pivoted fingers, mounted on the end of a suitable pole such that the fingers can be manipulated by an operator, pulling a cord or rope, to grasp a fruit on a branch or limb of a tree. A latching mechanism for maintaining a gripping action of the fingers on the fruit such that twisting the pole effects removal of the fruit from the tree; then by releasing the latch the fruit is released from the fingers.

Abstract: A receptacle at the end of a pole is provided with loop members which open or spread apart under engagement with the fruit to allow passage thereby of the fruit and which then spring back into enclosing relation with the fruit to enable the fruit to be pulled off the tree.

Abstract: A fruit picker positions a fixed and a movable jaw on a pole-like handle and encloses a majority of the jaw area with an open top fabric bag. Springs are provided normally urging the jaws toward or away from one another and act to hold the uppermost portion of the fabric bag in open position at all times. An actuating cord extends downwardly along the pole-like handle for manual operation of the device. An adjustable stop limits the degree of closure of the jaws to avoid clamping engagement on a limb or a twig.