US1195724A - Post-hole atjgeb - Google Patents

Description

0. S. PRESTON.

POST HOLE AUGER.

APPLICATION FILED 0012s, 19x5.

1 ,1 95,724. Patented Aug. 22, 1916,

n1: Nonms PETERS 5a., Pnmouma, WASHING "m. u. c.

ORIE S. PRESTON, OF EFFINGHAM, KANSAS.

POST-HOLE AUG-ER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 22, 1916.

Application filed October 26, 1915. Serial No. 57,913.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ORIE S. PRESTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Etfingham, in the county of Atchison and State of Kansas, iave invented certain new and useful Improvements in Post-Hole Augers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an earth boring tool and particularly to one capable of use a post hole digger. V

The invention aims to generally improve, simplify and provide an article of this nature which will prove durable in use and which is capable of manufacture at low cost.

Among the definite objects of the invention from the novelty standpoint, is the provision of a boring tool which may be placed adjacent a fence post in order to dig a hole relatively close thereto and another object is to provide the device of such a construction as to have a removable handle element to enable the object just mentioned to be accomplished, and further, to provide an article of this nature which will effectively operate on the ratchet principle.

Vith the above and additional objects in view, the invention has been embodied in one preferred form as illustrated in accompanying drawings and described and claimed hereinafter.

In said drawings: Figure 1 is a view of the complete tool partly in front elevation and partly broken away and in section; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary elevation of the tool at the, upper portion but at right angles to Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an inverted plan view of the earth boring element; Fig. 4 is an en larged fragmentary detail view, partly in section, of the ratchet mechanism with the ratchet members disengaged for illustrating purposes, and Fig. 5 is a detail cross sectional View partly broken away, taken on line 55 of Fig. 4.

Referring specifically to the drawings, A generally designates the boring section of the tool which is provided with a tubular standard 1 adapted to be screwed at 2 to screw threads within a socket 3. Socket 3 is part of the boring member proper and as shown, may have a plurality of screw or auger blades 1. Also a point 5 may be provided and depend from a brace 6 for the blades a which brace has cutter blades 7 which project beyond the periphery of blades 1 and which are preferably sharpened at edges 8 so as to cut roots or other obstacles encountered during boring actions. IVhile I have shown and described this particular type of auger, it is to be understood that it is by way of illustration only and therefore I may use any approved form of anger or boring member. In addition to the parts above described, section A includes a rod or shaft 9 which is disposed at its lower end within the tube 1 and fastened so as to turn said tube 1 therewith by means of a bolt 10. This rod 9 is provided with a. handle 11 to facilitate portage of the complete tool and which handle is attached to a plate 12 screwed to the rod at 13 and fastened against displacement by means of a pin 1st extending diametrically of rod 9.

A11 operating or turning section generally designated B is also employed, having the parts now to be described. Numeral 15 designates a coupling head having sockets 16 interiorly screw threaded so as to removably receive handle bars 17 at their screw threads 18. Coupling 15 has a socket 19 into which removably screws at 20 a tubular standard 21 through which the rod passes. Rod 9 also passes through a cap section 22 of coupling 15. The top of the cap or crown section 22 is closed as at 23, except for the aperture 24 through which the rod 9 directly passes. A coil spring 25 surrounds rod 9 and bears at one end against the top or wall 23 and at its other end against the base of plate 12, exerting pressure against the operating section to force the same toward the tubular standard 1. At the lower extremity of tubular standard 21 is fastened a suitable ratchet clutch member 26, by means of set-screws 27 passing through its collar 28 and the standard 21. The ratchet teeth of this member are illustrated at 29. At the top of the tubular standard 1, is fastened a ratchet clutch member similar to the clutch member 27, which is fastened in place by tion downwardly, it maintains the ratchet teeth 29 and 82 in engagement when turned in one direction so that the operating section will turn the boring section. If the space in which the tool is operated is limited, after turning of the operating section part of a revolution in one direction, it may be turned in the opposite direction, with the ratchet teeth disengaging and slipping over each other against the tension of spring and thereafter again turned for further boring action.

I have found in actual use that the tool is very handy where a post hole is to be dug adjacent a standing post and such post is not to be dug. With the post standing, of course, complete rotation of the tool could not occur since the handle bars would contact with the post. In such an instance, I remove one of the handle bars 17 which enables greater leverage or extent of throw to be obtained with the remaining handle bar.

Since merely the preferred embodiment has been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction may be resorted to within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an earth-boring tool, a boring section, an operating section, engaging ratchet clutch members for the said sections, a rod turnable with the boring section, and means associated with the rod and operating section to yieldingly maintain said clutch members in engagement.

2. In an earth boring tool, a boring section, an operating section, clutch means for sald sections, .a rod turnable with the boring sectlon, abutment means on said rod, and a spring associated with said rod and operating section engaging said abutment means to yieldingly maintain said clutch means in engagement.

3. In an earth boring tool, a boring section, an operating section, clutch means for said sections, a rod movable with the boring section extending through the operating section, a plate on said rod, and a spring surrounding said rod intermediate said plate and the operating section to yieldingly maintain said clutch means in engagement.

4. In an earth boring tool, a boring section, an operating section, ratchet clutch members on said sections, a coupling for said operating section, a rod rising from ORIE S. PRESTON.

Witnesses JAMES M. ELLIs, WILLIAM H. TUCKER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of 1acents,, Washington, D. G.

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