Fruit clipper
OwnerJames T. Cooperinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims7
A fruit cutter comprising in combination:
- a. a frame assembly (17) with a front end, a travel guide (31) being defined in said front end (29), side brackets (35) on said frame;
- b. a plier-like cutter (20) having blades (37) which can be opened and closed with a fulcrum (41), and rear lever members (39) held on said frame, coupling means (43) coupling said cutter (20) to said travel guide so that said fulcrum can move relative to said travel guide as said blades open and close;
- c. rear spring means (63) coupled to said lever members (39) biasing said lever members so that the cutter blades (37) tend to be open;
- d. solenoid means with a core and coil (75, 77) coupled to said lever members (39) which when actuated will draw the core (75) into the coil (77) drawing the lever members (39) together and closing the cutter (20);
- e. a circuit including contacts, connecting said solenoid means and said cutter whereby on closing of said contacts said cutter will close, cutting a fruit stem, dropping a fruit;
- and,
- f. a scoop and chute assembly (21) held by said side brackets (35) disposed under said cutter means (20), the fruit dropping into said scoop and chute assembly when cut.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.