US1176605A - Ratchet-handle for post-hole augers. - Google Patents

Description

W SCHAD.

RATCHET HANDLE FOR POST HOLE AUGERS.

APPLICATION FILED MAV 12. 1915.

Patented Mar. 21,1916. 1

WALTER SGI-IAD, OF HUDSON, ILLINOIS.

RATCI-IET-HANDLE FOR POST-HOLE AUGERS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar, 21, 1916.

Application filed May 12, 1915. Serial No. 27,631.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, \VALTER SoHAD, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Hudson, in the county of McLean and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ratchet- Handles for Postllole Angers, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to a ratchet handle for post hole angers and has for its principal object the production of a device which is so formed as to allow the use thereof adjacent the side wall of a structure or which may be used in the open, as desired.

Another object of this invention is the production of a sectional handle for post hole angers, this handle being pr vided with a ratchet and being so formed as to be used in the ordinary manner of an anger handle. or which may be used adjacent the side wall of a structure, in which case one section of the handle remains inoperative.

Another object of this invention is the production of a ratchet handle for post hole angers. this handle being provided with a pivoted cap whereby the cap may be swung so as to cause the two sections of the handle to operate simultaneously, or which may be swung so as to allow onlv one section of the handle to operate, when necessary.

.Vith these and other objects in view, this invention consists of certain novel combinations, constructions, and arrangements of parts, as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawing :-Figure 1 is a side elevation of the ratchet handle, a portion of the auger staff being broken away. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary horizontal longitudinal section of the handle. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side elevation of the handle, the cap being shown in section. Fig. 4 is a section taken on the line 4% of Fig. 3, looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side elevation of a portion of the device, illustrating the manner in which the spring engages the pawl.

Referring to the accompanying drawing by numerals 1 indicates the auger shaft which is adapted to be provided with the usual head or digging portion 2. As above stated, the principal object of this device is to provide this auger shaft with a ratchet handle so as to allow the shaft to be rotated for causing the head to dig into the ground by the rocking of the handle, this handle bemg so formed as to allow only one section thereof to operate when it is desired to dig a hole adjacent the side wall of a structure, such. for instance, as a house, allowing the remaining section of the handle to reinain stationary. This handle comprises a primary section 3 and an auxiliary section 1. The primary section 3 is provided with parallel arms 5 between which the wooden stock 6 is adapted to fit. The bolts 7 may then be passed through the arms and the stock 6 so as to fixedlv retain the stock in position. The inner end of this stock (5 bears upon the abutment wall 8 as clearly shown in Fig. 3. This primary section is also provided with the parallel ears 9 which lit between the ears 10 of the auxiliary section 4. This auxiliary section 4 is also provided with the parallel arms 11 for the purpose of carrying the stock 12. These stocks (5 and 12 are adapted to be grasped for the purpose of rocking the handle when desired. The stock 12 is also retained in engagement with the arms 11 by means of the bolts 13 passing through the arms 11 and the stock 12. The auger staff 1 passes through the ears 9 and 10 for pivotally mounting the sections of the handle upon the shaft and allowing the same to freely swing when necessary.

The ratchet wheel 11 is positioned upon the upper end of the staff 1 and is fixedlv retained in position by means of the transverse pin 15 which passes through this gear and also through the staff 1 as clearly shown in Fig. 2. This gear 14 is so positioned as to rest between the ears 9 as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 3 and therefore the two sections of the handle are prevented from having a downward movement upon the shaft inasmuch as this gear will efficiently support the same. A pivot bolt 16 is carried by the ears 9 and upon this pivot bolt 16 the pawl 17 is mounted. This pawl 17 is provided with a pocket 18 within which one end of the coiled spring 19 is positioned. The opposite end of this coiled spring 19 terminates in a straight end 20 fitting within the aperture 21 of the wall 8. Therefore this spring will normally exert a pressure upon the pawl 17 for urging the same in one direction and retaining this pawl in engagement with the ratchet 14.

From this construction, it will be seen that by swinging the primary section to and fro, the pawl 17 may rotate the ratchet 14 which will in turn rotate the auger staff 1, and thus cause the head of the device to dig into the ground. During this operation, it will of course be seen that the auxiliary section 4 and the stock 12 will remain inoperative. For the purpose of causing the auxiliary section to assist in the rotation of the staff 1, the primary section 3 is provided with a pair of spaced lugs 22 to which the sleeve of the cap 2-1 is pivotally mounted by means of the bolt 25. This cap 24 is provided with side portions 26 so as to present a substantially U-shaped construction in cross section as disclosed in Fig. 4.. This cap is adapted to be swung upon the bolt 25 so as to fit over the auxiliary section 4: as clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4. This operation w ill cause the auxiliary section to remain in alinement with the primary section and present a substantially rigid one-piece handle. A. person may grip the ends of the stocks 6 and 12 and by swinging the same 'will cause the pawl 17 to impart rotary motion to the staff 1 by means of the ratchet 14. \Vhen the two sections of the handle are held in a rigid position, the device is adapted to be used in an obstructed place such, for instance, as a field when digging a post hole. \Vhen it is desired however to use the device adjacent the side wall of a house or a barn or adjacent another post, the cap may be swung to the position illustrated in Fig. 1 at which time the auxiliary section of the handle will be released and will therefore be inoperative. The primary section however may be swung and will cause the pawl to operate the staff in the usual manner.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that a very simple and eflicient handle has been produced for post hole augers which comprise. a plurality of sections capable of being held in alinement with each other to present a rigid one-piece structure for operating the auger, but which is so formed as to allow the cap thereof to be swung for causing only one section of the handle to operate, whereby the auger may be used adiacent another structure which would not allow the use of the entire handle.

What I claim is 1. In a ratchet handle for post hole augers, the combination of an auger shaft, a handle pivotally mounted upon the upper end of said shaft, said handle comprising a primary section and an auxiliary section, means for rotating said auger shaft when said primary section is swung in one direction, and a u shaped cap removahly fitting over the inner ends of said sections, whereby said handle may be swung as a unit.

2. In a ratchet handle for post hole augers, the combination of an auger shaft, a handle pivotally mounted upon the upper end of said shaft, said handle comprising a primary section and an auxiliary section, means for rotating said auger shaft when said primary section is swung in one direc tion, and a Ushaped cap pi votally mounted upon said primary section, said cap being adapted to be swung over the inner ends of said sections so as to embrace the side portions thereof, whereby said handle may be swung as a unit.

In a device of the class lescribed, the combination of an anger shaft, a handle pivotally mounted upon said auger shaft, said handle comprising a primary section and an auxiliary section having bifurcated inner ends, the inner ends of said auxiliary section overlapping the inner ends of said primary section, means carried within the bifurcated end of said primary section for imparting rotary motion to said auger shaft as the primary section is swung in one direction, spaced lugs formed upon said primary section, an elongated cap pivotally secured to said lugs, said cap being U-shaped in crosssection, said cap being adapted to be swung over the inner ends of said sections so as to embrace the side portions thereof whereby said handle may be swung as a unit, said lugs being adapted to hold the cap evenly when in operation.

In testimony whereof I hGI'QIlIJltO aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WALTER sonar). \Vitnesses:

J. E. Anivnuno,

H. A. CHENEY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

Images