Abstract: A three-dimensional stereo vision camera communicates the location of a targeted fruit (preferably an apple) to a controller. The controller directs a vacuum selection tube to the location of the targeted apple. The selection tube has a gripping orifice that has a smaller diameter than the apple so that the vacuum suction from the selection tube grips the apple. The selected fruit is then rotated and pulled away from the tree canopy by the selection tube until the apple detaches from the canopy. The detached apple is then gently placed in a collection bin for later sorting and processing.

Abstract: The present application provides a handheld plant trimming apparatus. The handheld plant trimming apparatus, in one aspect, includes a wand having a longitudinal axis. The wand includes a wand inlet tube defining a void and an elongate slot, an outlet port having a through bore parallel to the wand longitudinal axis and an outlet bore where the outlet bore is in fluid communication with the void, and a handle. A cutting element is contained in the wand inlet tube and coupled to a motor to provide rotative force to the cutting element. A drum is in fluid communication with the wand and a vacuum pulls plant parts that are cut by the cutting element from the wand to the drum.

Abstract: An anti-wrap guard system for shielding an exposed bearing assembly of an agricultural apparatus from any material borne by a rotatable shaft that in the course of operating the apparatus may naturally come in contact with the exposed bearing including a guard being disposable between a working section of the rotatable shaft and the bearing assembly supporting the shaft, the guard substantially blocking the material from the bearing. A windrow merger and a method of guarding are further included.

Abstract: A device for harvesting fruit for biological entities such as a tree or bush utilizing a frame member. The frame member includes a first cutting edge portion and a second cutting edge portion which is linked to the frame member. The first and second cutting edge portions are positioned adjacent one another and form a converging channel which is capable of severing attachment of the fruit attached to the tree. Handle means is also included for permitting the user to grip the frame member and capture fruit in the channel portion formed by the first and second cutting edges.

Abstract: A device for harvesting fruit for biological entities such as a tree or bush utilizing a frame member. The frame member includes a first cutting edge portion and a second cutting edge portion which is linked to the frame member. The first and second cutting edge portions are positioned adjacent one another and form a converging channel which is capable of severing attachment of the fruit attached to the tree. Handle means is also included for permitting the user to grip the frame member and capture fruit in the channel portion formed by the first and second cutting edges.

Abstract: Apparatus is lowered over the top of a tree to sever the tree top and to collect the severed tree for later use in reforestation. The apparatus includes a housing having a conically shaped inner passageway which diverges downwardly to provide a lower opening for guiding the tree upwardly through the downwardly diverging passageway to provide a lower opening for guiding the tree upwardly through the passageway and out the top of the conical housing. In an exemplary embodiment, the cutting assembly includes a movable engaging arm which is propelled in scissor-like movement toward a fixed engaging arm by a fluid cylinder/piston assembly. The inner edges of the arms are shaped to guide the tree toward a cutting blade attached to the inner edge of one of the arms. The tree is moved into cutting engagement with the cutting blade by the closing movement of the movable arm.

Abstract: A pole mounted, fruit picking device for collecting fruit from trees. The fruit picker is comprised of a double ring jaw assembly mounted on the top end of a pole, with the bottom jaw being stationary and having a receiving bag or chute attached to it. The upper ring has a cutting edge and is pivotally movable by a pull device on the pole handle to snap down against the lower jaw and sever a fruit stem. The severed fruit drops through the bottom ring into the receiving chute. Flexible guard bands on the top ring extend around both sides of the cutting edge, and serve to protect the fruit against damage as a fruit stem is severed.

Abstract: A hand-held fruit picker comprises an elongated rigid tube which is surmounted at one end by a cylindrical lattice cage coaxially communicating with the tube bore. A double-bladed knife which is slidably supported on the top of the lattice cage proximate to fruit-stem receiving channels, is constrained to move reciprocally in a plane perpendicular to the tube and lattice axes. Force transmitting means connect the knife with a pivotable lever that is mounted in a handle attached to the exterior of the tube. When the lever is squeezed against the handle the knife is retracted a distance sufficient to move the cutting edges of the knife blades across the channels and to slice through fruit stems held therein. The severed fruit falls into the tube and a flexible chute which depends from the lower end of the tube, and from which the fruit can be discharged into a container on the ground.

Abstract: A fruit plucking device which has a pair of scissors with a stationary member and movable member each provided on its top portion with a cutting edge to cut fruit stems therebetween. A holding means is connected to the rear of the scissors and is adapted to enclose the fruit plucked to prevent the fruit from falling to the ground when plucked. Also, a conveying means is connected to the rear end of the holding means for storing and/or conveying the plucked fruits. By this structure fruit can be effectively plucked by using only one hand.

Abstract: A hand-held fruit picker comprises an elongated, rigid tube which has one open inlet end and an outlet end closed by a spring-biased, pivotally movable cover. A pair of knives are mounted adjacent the inlet end of the tube. In the rest position the knives are disposed at an angle relative to each other. To detach fruit, one of the knives is pivoted to close with the other knife, thereby severing the fruit stem. The fruit drops into the tube where it is stored until it is discharged through the outlet end after the cover has been removed therefrom. A pair of handles are attached to the exterior of the tube: one handle includes a lever for actuating the movement of the pivotable knife, and the other handle includes a lever for actuating the movement of the cover from the closed to the open position of the outlet end. Force transmitting means convert the action of one lever into a movement of the knife, and the action of the other lever into a movement of the cover.

Abstract: A fruit clipper with a scissor-like cutter at the front end. A spring is attached to the scissor-like cutter biasing the blades in the open position and a wire from the scissor-like cutter extends to a solenoid. When the solenoid is enabled, and the core of the solenoid is pulled into the coil it pulls the wire which in turn closes the cutter blades against the spring bias. Electrical contacts are on one of the blades and frame which are connected by a circuit to the solenoid so that when the contacts are joined the circuit is closed enabling the solenoid and closing the cutter blades. A scoop and chute assembly are disposed under the cutter blades and cut fruit drops into the scoop and is carried by gravity down the chute.

Abstract: A fruit picker having an elongated pole with a remotely operable cutter at one end, and a fruit conducting and collecting sleeve coextensive with the pole for carrying fruit safely from the cutter to a collecting pocket at the other end. The sleeve has an open mouth under the cutter to receive detached fruit, which then travels down the sleeve to the pocket, the speed of travel being retarded by one or more restrictions formed in the compliant material of the sleeve by adjustable encircling bands. The collecting pocket has a flap which can be opened and closed from any position along the pole to unload collected fruit from the pocket.