TITLE OF THE INVENTION: DEVICE MOUNTABLE ON VEHICLES FOR REACHING ELEVATED HEIGHTS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to devices for reaching elevated heights. Particularly the present disclosure relates to a device mountable on vehicles for reaching elevated heights, thus enabling easy access to fruit trees for harvesting or maintenance purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventionally, harvesting or maintenance of fruit trees such as coconut and palm has been done manually using ladders. Alternatively, such activities can also be carried out using long poles with sickles connected at one end of the poles for easy cutting of fruits from the tree. The above mentioned conventional methods suffer from various drawbacks such as high consumption of time, high cost of labour, high risk to the labourer involved in climbing of trees and possibility of damage to the plucked fruits if they fall to the ground. Though mechanical devices are present, such devices are not easily transportable and are not easily amenable to narrow spaces present in between rows of crops in commercial plantations. There is therefore a need in the art for a device for reaching elevated heights that helps overcome the above mentioned drawbacks and has the below mentioned objectives.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

An objective of the present invention is to provide a device mountable on vehicles for reaching elevated heights, said device facilitating quick and easy access to tall trees on either side for performing harvesting and/or maintenance activities. Another objective of the present invention is to provide a device mountable on vehicles for reaching elevated heights, in which there is no risk of a labourer slipping and falling to the ground, thus providing high levels of safety and security. Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a device mountable on vehicles for reaching elevated heights, in which the risk of damage to the plucked fruits is highly reduced. Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a device mountable on vehicles for reaching elevated heights, which is portable and thus can be transported easily. Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a device mountable on vehicles for reaching elevated heights, which can easily function in narrow spaces in between rows of crops in commercial plantations. Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a device for reaching elevated heights, which can be easily mounted on a vehicle without disturbing the chassis of the vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art and achieve the above mentioned objectives, a device mountable on a vehicle for reaching elevated heights is disclosed. The device comprises a chassis that can be fitted over the entire length of the vehicle without disturbing its integrity; an auxiliary power source that powers a plurality of hydraulic cylinders; a swivel mechanism; an extensible assembly comprising a lower boom, an upper boom and an intermediate boom; a basket comprising a duplex tree encircling feature for facilitating easy access to a particular tree from three directions; a roll-over protection system that protects a driver/operator of the vehicle in case the vehicle capsizes; a stabilizer for ensuring the stability of the vehicle when the basket is raised; and a conveying chute that is mounted beneath the basket by a plurality of mounting brackets, said conveying chute being secured to a bottom of a funnel using a rim. The conveying chute comprises a plurality of equidistant elastic shrink bands that arrest the free fall of objects passing through the conveying chute by constricting the length of the conveying chute, wherein each elastic shrink band possesses a lower circumference than the rim, but is capable of stretching to the circumference of the rim.

The device can be operated through two operating controls, namely a first operating control at the basket and a second operating control near a seat of the vehicle. A control lock ensures that the device cannot be operated through both the first operating control and the second operating control simultaneously. The disclosed device has a high level of safety and security, is portable and thus can be transported easily. The device is amenable to harvesting fruits from commercial plantations, which have narrow spaces between two rows. Other possible applications accessing and servicing of electrical installations, rescue of stranded objects/persons and accessing aircrafts/buildings/power stations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 depicts an embodiment of a device mountable on vehicles for reaching elevated heights.

Figure 2a depicts an embodiment of the chute arrangement, with a funnel and a rim.

Figure 2b depicts "Detail A" in Figure 2a, comprising the rim.

Figure 3 depicts an embodiment of the hydraulic circuit used in the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Throughout this specification, the use of the word "comprise" and "include" and variations such as "comprises", "comprising" and "includes" may imply the inclusion of an element or elements not specifically recited. In the specification below, the words "swiveling" and "swivelling" are used interchangeably. As illustrated in Figure 1, an embodiment of a device mountable on vehicles for reaching elevated heights comprises a chassis (8) which can be fitted over any vehicle such as an agricultural tractor, without disturbing its integrity. The chassis (8) is configured to extend to both a front side and a rear side of the vehicle. A bumper (5) is associated with a first end of the chassis (8) for safety and enables the device to sustain any impact without causing damage to the chassis (8). An auxiliary power source comprising an engine (2), a hydraulic oil reservoir (1), a hydraulic pump (3) and an intermediate shaft (6), is also associated with the first end of the chassis (8). The engine (2) drives the hydraulic pump (3) to create high hydraulic pressure to power a plurality of hydraulic cylinders (13, 15,18, 19, 22) including a rear stabilizer hydraulic cylinder (15), a front stabilizer hydraulic cylinder (19), an upper boom hydraulic cylinder (22), a lower boom hydraulic cylinder (18) and a swiveling hydraulic cylinder (13). The intermediate shaft (6) supports a pulley and enables the hydraulic pump (3) i to provide drive without any radial/axial load exerted on a pump shaft.

A second end of the chassis (8) is associated with a swivel mechanism comprising a swiveling drum (10), a swivel cylinder anchoring bracket (11) and the swiveling hydraulic cylinder (13). The swivel mechanism facilitates the attachment of an extensible assembly, i said extensible assembly being associated with the swivel mechanism at a first end and to a specially configured basket (14) at a second end, wherein the basket (!4) can be lifted by means of the auxiliary power source i.e. independent of the vehicle's power. The extensible assembly comprises three booms of differing lengths i.e. a lower boom (21), an upper boom (20) and an intermediate boom (23) along with an I-beam (17). The I-beam (17) is mounted on the swiveling drum (10) and is associated with a first end of the lower boom (21) to facilitate pivoting of the lower boom (21). A second end of the lower boom (21) is associated with a first end of the intermediate boom (23), with a second end of the intermediate boom (23) being associated with a first end of the upper boom (20). The extensible assembly further comprises a plurality of balance control linkages (not shown) for facilitating movement of the i extensible assembly in a balanced manner by always ensuring a vertical orientation of the intermediate boom (23). The extensible assembly is configured so as to conceal the plurality of balance control linkages within the body of the upper boom (20) and the lower boom (21). This ensures a stream lined movement of the extensible assembly and helps prevent entanglement within trees in an agricultural field. The basket (14) is associated with a second end of the upper boom (20) and comprises a duplex tree encircling feature which facilitates easy access to a particular tree from three directions. The curved configuration of the upper boom (20) and the lower boom (21) enables easy access to the top of any tree without cutting across the branches of that tree. In one i embodiment, the basket (14) is made up of tubular steel rods and layered with fiber reinforced plastic. The basket (14) is associated with a platform, said platform being preferably made up of wood or the like materials (insulators) for providing a primary level of protection from electrocution. A ladder (16) is associated with the basket (14) to enable a user to reach the basket (14).

A roll-over protection system (9) (ROPS) comprising two inverted U- shaped structures acts as a resting base for the extensible assembly. Additionally, the ROPS provides support for mounting of the chassis (8) to the vehicle and also protects a driver/operator of the vehicle in case the vehicle capsizes. Further, a stabilizer comprising a front stabilizer (7) associated with the front stabilizer hydraulic cylinder (19) and a rear stabilizer (12) associated with the rear stabilizer hydraulic cylinder (15) ensures the stability of the vehicle when the basket (14) is raised. The front stabilizer hydraulic cylinder (19) swings the front stabilizer (7) up and down through hydraulic pressure. Similarly, the rear stabilizer hydraulic cylinder (15) swings the rear stabilizer (12) up and down through hydraulic pressure. Optionally, one or more ballasts (4) are associated with the chassis (8) for providing traction. The basket (14) is associated with a conveying chute (Figure 2), to convey the plucked fruits (or any other similar object) to the ground in a controlled fashion. The conveying chute ensures that the fruits descend down at a controlled speed and thus do not get damaged. The conveying chute is mounted beneath the basket (14) by means of a plurality of mounting brackets (25) and is associated with a funnel (24) at a first end. The conveying chute is secured to the bottom of the funnel (24) using a rim (27).

In an embodiment, the funnel (24) is made of galvanized steel. In another embodiment, the conveying chute is made of free flowing industrial fabric. In yet another embodiment, the conveying chute is 12,800 mm long. In still another embodiment, the plurality of mounting brackets (25) are made of mild steel plate. In still another embodiment, the rim (27) is made of galvanized steel. The conveying chute is constricted to arrest the free fall of the fruits (or any other similar objects) dropped inside the funnel (24). The constriction occurs due to a plurality of equidistant elastic shrink bands (preferably, one elastic shrink band for every 1,000 mm length) that possess a lower circumference than the rim (27), but are capable of stretching to the circumference of the rim (27). The plurality of elastic shrink bands are stitched, so that in the "as- stitched and shrunk condition", the size (cross sectional area) of each elastic shrink band (26) is less than that of the fruits (or any other similar objects), thereby arresting the free fall. But the elastic shrink band (26) eventually stretches due to its elasticity and allows the fruits to pass freely to the next elastic shrink band. The process continues until the fruits are collected at the bottom.

The device has a first operating control (also referred to as "Basket Control") at the basket (14) and a second operating control (also referred to as "First Ground Control") near a seat of the vehicle. However, at any given point of time, the device can only be operated using either the first operating control or the second operating control. This is achieved by a control lock which ensures that the device cannot be operated through both the first operating control and the second operating control simultaneously. The device is operated and controlled by hydraulic means using the auxiliary power source. The lifting and lowering operation of the upper boom (21) and the lower boom (20), and the swiveling operation of the swivel mechanism are achieved by the upper boom hydraulic cylinder (22), the lower boom hydraulic cylinder (18) and the swivelling hydraulic cylinder (13) respectively. The hydraulic circuit used for the operation of the device is illustrated in Figure 3. A three way selector valve (28) directs the pressurized hydraulic oil to a first plurality of directional control valves (29) at the first ground control or to a second plurality of directional control valves (30) at the basket control or to a third plurality of directional control valves (31) at a second ground control.

The first plurality of directional control valves (29) includes a first upper boom directional control valve (29a), a first lower boom directional control valve (29b) and a first swivel mechanism directional control valve (29c). The second plurality of directional control valves (30) includes a second upper boom directional control valve (30a), a second lower boom directional control valve (30b), a second swivel mechanism directional control valve (30c) and a neutral directional control valve (30d). The third plurality of directional control valves (31) includes a rear stabilizer directional control valve (31a) and a forward stabilizer directional control valve (31b). Preferably, the first plurality of directional control valves (29), the second plurality of directional control valves (30) and the third plurality of directional control valves (31) are solenoids. A first plurality of shuttle valves (33a), a second plurality of shuttle vales (33b) and a third plurality of shuttle valves (33c) ensure the flow of pressurized hydraulic oil from either the first plurality of directional control valves (29) or the second plurality of directional control valves (30) to their respective hydraulic cylinders, namely the upper boom hydraulic cylinder (22), the lower boom hydraulic cylinder (18) and the swivelling hydraulic cylinder (13). The first plurality of shuttle valves (33a), the second plurality of shuttle vales (33b) and the third plurality of shuttle valves (33c) allow oil flow only from either the first ground control or the basket control and thus ensure there is no compounding effect of flow.

Fail safe features are also introduced in the lifting of the upper boom (21) and the lower boom (20), by which the basket (14) will not come crashing down due to failure of hydraulic power. In the event of stoppage of pressurised hydraulic oil, the positions of the upper boom (21), the lower boom (20) and the basket (14) are ensured by a plurality of dual over centre valves (34a, 34b and 34c), including a first dual over centre valve (34a) associated with the upper boom hydraulic cylinder (22), a second dual over centre valve (34b) associated with the lower boom hydraulic cylinder (18) and a third dual over centre valve (34c) associated with the swivelling hydraulic cylinder (13). The plurality of dual over center valves (34a, 34b and 34c) prevent the ascent or descent of the basket (14) from overshooting the operator's intent, and at the same time, do not allow hydraulic oil to flow freely and escape, causing unintended fall of the basket (14), in the event of a hose burst. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the above description is for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as limiting. Various modifications, additions, alterations, and improvements without deviating from the spirit and the scope of the invention may be made by a person skilled in the art. For example, though the description above pertains to the use of the device for harvesting fruits in an agricultural field, the device can be used for other applications as well, including but not limited to accessing and servicing of electrical installations, rescue of stranded objects/persons, accessing aircrafts/buildings/ power stations etc. (any application where a human being requires access to elevated heights) rS~

We claim:

1. A device mountable on a vehicle for reaching elevated heights, comprising: a chassis (8) configured to extend to both a front side and a rear side of the vehicle, said chassis (8) capable of being fitted over the vehicle without disturbing its integrity; a bumper (5) associated with a first end of the chassis (8) that enables the device to sustain any impact without causing damage to the chassis (8); an auxiliary power source comprising an engine (2), a hydraulic oil reservoir (1), a hydraulic pump (3) and an intermediate shaft (6), said auxiliary power source being associated with the first end of the chassis (8), wherein the engine (2) drives the hydraulic pump (3) to create high hydraulic pressure to power a plurality of hydraulic cylinders, including a rear stabilizer hydraulic cylinder (15), a front stabilizer hydraulic cylinder (19), an upper boom hydraulic cylinder (22), a lower boom hydraulic cylinder (18) and a swiveling hydraulic cylinder (13); a swivel mechanism comprising a swiveling drum (10), a swivel cylinder anchoring bracket (11) and the swiveling hydraulic cylinder (13), said swivel mechanism being associated with a second end of the chassis (8); an extensible assembly that is associated with the swivel mechanism at a first end, said extensible assembly comprising a lower boom (21), an upper boom (20), an intermediate boom (23) and an I-beam (17), wherein:

the I-beam (17) is mounted on the swiveling drum (10) and is associated with a first end of the lower boom (21) to facilitate pivoting of the lower boom (21); a second end of the lower boom (21) is associated with a first end of the intermediate boom (23); and a second end of the intermediate boom (23) is associated with a first end of the upper boom (20); a basket (14) that is associated with both a second end of the extensible assembly, said basket (14) comprising a duplex tree encircling feature for facilitating easy access to a particular tree from three directions; a platform made up of an insulating material, that is associated with the basket; a ladder (16) that is associated with the basket (14) to enable a user to reach the basket (14); a roll-over protection system (9) (ROPS) that provides support for mounting of the chassis (8) on the vehicle and also protects a driver/operator of the vehicle in case the vehicle capsizes; a stabilizer comprising a front stabilizer (7) associated with the front stabilizer hydraulic cylinder (19) and a rear stabilizer (12) associated with the rear stabilizer hydraulic cylinder (15), said stabilizer ensuring the stability of the vehicle when the basket (14) is raised; a conveying chute that is mounted beneath the basket (14) by a plurality of mounting brackets (25), said conveying chute being secured to a bottom of a funnel (24) using a rim (27);a plurality of equidistant elastic shrink bands that arrest the free fall of objects passing through the conveying chute by constricting the length of the conveying chute, wherein each elastic shrink band (26) possesses a lower circumference than the rim (27), but is capable of stretching to the circumference of the rim (27); and a first operating control at the basket (14) and a second operating control near a seat of the vehicle; and a control lock that ensures the device cannot be operated through both the first operating control and the second operating control simultaneously.

2. A device mountable on a vehicle for reaching elevated heights as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle is an agricultural tractor.

3. A device mountable on a vehicle for reaching elevated heights as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elevation of the basket (14) is independent of the vehicle's power.

4. A device mountable on a vehicle for reaching elevated heights as claimed in claim 1, wherein the basket (14) is made of tubular steel rods layered with fiber reinforced plastic.

5. A device mountable on a vehicle for reaching elevated heights as claimed in claim 1, wherein the insulating material is wood.

6. A device mountable on a vehicle for reaching elevated heights as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device further comprises one or more ballasts that are associated with the chassis (8) for providing traction.

7. A device mountable on a vehicle for reaching elevated heights as claimed in claim 1, wherein the funnel (24) is made of galvanized steel.

8. A device mountable on a vehicle for reaching elevated heights as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conveying chute is made of free flowing industrial fabric.

9. A device mountable on a vehicle for reaching elevated heights as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conveying chute is 12,800 mm long.

10. A device mountable on a vehicle for reaching elevated heights as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of mounting brackets (25) are made of mild steel plate.

11. A device mountable on a vehicle for reaching elevated heights as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rim (27) is made of galvanized steel.
12. A device mountable on a vehicle for reaching elevated heights as claimed in claim 1, wherein the distance between two successive elastic shrink bands is 1,000 mm.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
1 Hydraulic Oil Reservoir
2 Engine
3 Hydraulic Pump
4 Optional Ballasts (s)
5 Bumper
6 Intermediate Shaft
7 Front Stabilizer
8 Chassis
9 ROPS (Roll-over Protection System)
10 Swiveling Drum
11 Swivel Cylinder Anchoring Bracket
12 Rear Stabilizer
13 Swivelling Hydraulic Cylinder
14 Basket
15 Rear Stabilizer Hydraulic Cylinder
16 Ladder
17 I-beam
18 Lower Boom Hydraulic Cylinder
19 Front Stabilizer Hydraulic Cylinder
20 Upper Boom
21 Lower Boom
22 Upper Boom Hydraulic Cylinder
23 Intermediate Boom
24 Funnel
25 Plurality of Mounting Brackets
26 Elastic Shrink Band
27 Rim
28 Three Way Selector Valve
29 First Plurality of Directional Control Valves
29a First Upper Boom Directional Control Valve
29b First Lower Boom Directional Control Valve
29c First Swivel Mechanism Directional Control Valve
30 Second Plurality of Directional Control Valves
30a Second Upper Boom Directional Control Valve
30b Second Lower Boom Directional Control Valve
30c Second Swivel Mechanism Directional Control Valve
30d Neutral Directional Control Valve
31 Third Plurality of Directional Control Valves
31a Rear Stabilizer Directional Control Valve
31 b Forward Stabilizer Directional Control Valve
33a First Plurality of Shuttle Valves
33b Second Plurality of Shuttle Valves
33c Third Plurality of Shuttle Valves
34a First Dual Over Centre Valve
34b Second Dual Over Centre Valve
34c Third Dual Over Centre Valve (^ Kalyan Jhabakh (Agent for Applicant) IN/PA-830