US3169403A

US3169403A - Grain sampling device

Info

Publication number: US3169403A
Application number: US190929A
Authority: US
Inventors: Paul J Mcginn
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1962-04-30
Filing date: 1962-04-30
Publication date: 1965-02-16
Anticipated expiration: 1982-02-16

Description

Feb. 16, 1965 P. J. MGGINN 3,169,403

GRAIN SAMPLING DEVICE Filed April 30. 1962 m WM United States Patent Ofiice 3,lb,4fi3 Patented Feb. 16, 1%65 3569, 363 GRAIN AMPL1N-G DEVHIE Paul E. Mic-Gina, Box 393, Ipswich, S. Bali. Filed Apr. 30, 1962, Ser. No. 198,929 6 Clmrns. (ill. 73-4252) This invention relates to a grain-type sampling device and more particularly to a probe-type grain sampling device having a sectional handle structure.

An object of this invention is to provide a novel grain sampling device, of simple and inexpensive construction, including a grain sampling probe having an elongate sectional handle structure arranged and constructed for ready assembly to thereby permit a user to very substantially reduce the time ordinarily required for performing the grain sampling operation.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a novel and improved sectional handle structure for use in conjunction with grain type probes, and including a plurality of elongate handle sections coupled together in end-to-end relation, readily releasable locking means interlocking adjacent handle sections together, and lock guide means for facilitating locking of the locking means whereby the handle structure may be very quickly disassembled in section-by-section order.

A more specific object of this invention is the provision of a sectional handle structure for use in coniunction with a grainsampling probe and including elongate upper and lower sections and a plurality of similar intermediate sections interconnected together in end-to-end relation, and wherein adjacent sections are interconnected together by male and female socket members, the latter having releasable locking means positively but releasably locking the interconnected sections together.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein like character references refer to the same or similar parts throughout the various views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of my invention foresnortened for clarity;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view on an enlarged scale taken approximately along line ?,-2 of FIG. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 3 is a side view partly in section and partly in elevation on enlarged scale of the grain sampling probe.

Referring now to the drawing and more specifically to FIG. 1, it will be seen that one embodiment of my grain sampling device designated generally by the reference numeral iii, is thereshown. This sampling deviceis of the type employed in sampling various kinds of grain such as wheat, corn, oats and the like normally stored in storage structures such as bins, silos and the like.

The grain sampling device it; includes a grain sampling probe 11 and an elongate sectional handle structure 12. detachably secured to the probe. The probe 11 is of hollow, generally cylindrical construction and has a lower pointed end 12 to facilitate penetration of the grain into which the probe is forced during the sampling operation. The upper end of the probe 11 is opened to permit the entrance of grain into the probe during the sampling operation. An elongate pin 14 traverses the interior of the probe and is ailixed to opposed wall portions thereof in close proximity to the open upper end.

A closure cover 15 is shiftably connected to the pin 14 and serves to open and close the upper end of the probe 13.. This closure cover 15 is provided with a de pending annular dan e 16 which fits around the upper circumferential edge portion of theprobe when the cover 15 is in closing relation therewith. The underside of the cover 15 has a centrally located U-shaped element 17 rigidly alfixed thereto and an elongate ring-type link 18 is shiftably connected to the transverse pin 14 and the U-shaped element 1'7. Thus it will be seen that the cover 15 and the probe 11 are interconnected for relative move ment therebetween. It is also pointed out that the probe 11 and cover 15 therefor are preferably constructed of a suitable rigid material such as metal or the like.

The sectional handle structure 12 is comprised of a lower handle section 19, a plurality of intermediate similar handle sections 2%, and an upper handle section 21 interconnected together in end-to-end relation. The lower end portions of the lower section 19 terminate in a reduced threaded male member 22 for threadedly engaging a threaded female member 15:: on the cover 15, as best seen in FIG. 3. All of the sections are of substantially tubular construction and are detachably connected to! gether in end-to-end relation for ready assembly and disassembly. The respective inner engaging end portions of adjacent sections each define a coupling connector.

Referring again to FIG. 1, it will be seen that all of the intermediate sections are of substantially identical construction while the upper terminal portion of the upper section 21 is provided with a hand gripping element Zita to facilitate extension and retraction of the grain probe into and out of the grain being sampled. The upper end of the lower section 19 and the respective upper ends of each of the intermediate sections each define an axially extending, upwardly opening socket member 23, as best seen in FIG. 2. In this connection it is pointed out that although FIG. 2 illustrates the interconnected relation between adjacent intermediate sections it is pointed out that the socket member defined by the upper end of the lower section is of identical construction.

Rigidly afiixed to the lower end of the upper section 21 and the respective lower ends of each of the intermedi ate sections 29 is a male socket-engaging member 24. Again, it is pointed out that the male socket-engaging member 24 is of identical construction in the upper section 21 and in each of the intermediate sections 20 and that the illustration 'of FIG. 2 while showing one such socket-engaging member is adequate for the description of this structure. It will be noted that the male socketengaging member 24 is of reduced size and is fixedly retained within the lower end portion of its associated section by means of rivets 25. Each of the male socketengaging members 24 is received within the socket member 23 of the next adjacent section to define the coupling connection for interconnecting the various sections in end-to-end relation.

Means are provided for positively but releasably locking the coupling connections between adjacent sections in interlocked relation and this locking means includes a resilient lease spring element 26 secured to the exterior surface of the socket member 23 for each coupling connection. It will be seen that the lower portion of the resilient lease spring 26 is secured to its associated socket member by means of rivets 2'7 and that the upper end of the lease spring has locking element 23 secured thereto. Each of the socket members 23 has an aperture 29 therein to permit its associated locking element 28to project therethrough so that the locking element extends radially inwardly of the socket member.

Each of the male socket engaging members 24 has a locking recess or aperture 3% extending diametrically through the lower portion thereof. This locking recess 3% serves to receive the locking element 28 therein for positively but releasably locking the female socket memher and the male socket-engaging member of each coupling connection into interlocked relation. To this end, it will be noted that the locking element 28 will be urged radially inwardly by the spring 25 'sothat the locking eleprobe. The handle is then retracted ment will be retained in locked relation but it is pointed out that the locking element may be forcibly retracted to readily unlock the socket and socket engaging members. It will also be noted that the lower terminal portion of each male socket engaging member is tapered, as at 24,

and this tapered end serves to cam the locking element 28 versely therethrough and affixed thereto. It will be noted' that the pin'31 is spaced from the lower terminal portion of its associated male socket-engaging member and projects radially outwardly'from opposite sides thereof.

Each of the socket members. 23 is provided with a pair of diametrically opposed slots 32 each extending axially from the end of thesocket member and terminating in an angular olfset portion 33. During the locking operation, the radially extending portions of the pin 31 will be positioned within the slots 32 and when the sectionis revolved to position the radially extending portions of the pin 31 intothe olfset portions 33 of the slots, the locking element 28 and locking recess will be positioned into radial alignment to thereby permit the locking element to be snapped into the locking recess. It will also be noted that the obstructing surface 34 defined by the offset portion of each slot serves to lock the radial extending portions of the pin-31 against axial movementso that in effect the pin and slot of each coupling connection not only serves as a means for positioning'the locking elements in radial alignment but also al locking means.

time. In the conventional sampling devices, the various sections thereof are'threadedly interconnected and con- To this end,

in 'the conventional sampling devices very often'tend to bind anddisengagement of the threaded connections often results in a very time consuming operation.

It will further be seen that each coupling connection is 7 'not only secured and positively locked bythe locking eletogether.

comprises an addition- When sampling granular material, such as wheat or the like, the samplerwill take samples at a number of different locations of the wheat stored in the storage receptacle. In order to obtain the good representative sample of the storage grain, the sampler will take a predetermined number of samples at various depths at each location. In the conventional storage receptacles employed for storing wheat, corn and the like, samples are taken at four different depth levels and at five different cured to the grain probe. When so assembled, the sampling device is urgeddownwardly through the grain to substantially the full length of the handle structure. It

is pointed out that the grain probe will be forced against the cover as the probe is urged downwardly through the granular material. When the probe is extended into the grain substantially the full length thereof, agitation of the handle causes relative shifting movement between the probe and cover to permit grain to fill the interior of the to remove the grain retainedinthe probe. In order to acquire the sample at thenext level, the sampler merely removes one of the intermediate sections v20 from the handle structure and reassembles the handle structure and takes a sample of the next lower level. This operation is repeated, until the required number of samples is obtained from the variouslevels of'a given location, The readily releasable locking means and the guide meanspermit'ready assembly and disassembly of the handle with a of effort and in a of From the foregoing, it will be seen that I have provided a novel sampling device and which includes a sectional handle structure which may be readily assembled and disassembled with a minimum of effort and in a minimum of time thereby permitting a great reduction in the cost of labor during the sampling operation.

Il'Wlll also be seen from the preceding paragraphs that while the various sections of the handle structure are capable of ready assembly and disassembly, these sections,

are sointerconnected that even if the cooperating locking element and recess become disengaged, the cooperative relation between the pin 31 and the oifset lock portion 33 of each coupling connection also serves to retain the sections in locked relation. v

Thus it will be seen that I have provided a novel sampling device which is not only of simple and inexpensive construction, but one'which functions in a'more efficient manner than any'heretofore known comparable devices. 7

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement, and proportionsof the various parts without departing from the general scope of my invention. What is claimed is:

' 1. A sampling device for use in sampling particulate material such as grain andthe like,

said device comprising a grain type sampling probe having a pointed lower end and an open upper end, a closure. cover shiftably connected to said probe for opening and closing said open upper end,

'an elongate sectional handle structure for said probe, and includingelongate'upper, lower and intermediate sections 'detachably connected together in end-to-end V relation, the lower end portion of said lower section being detachably connected to the closure cover in fixed relation therewith and the upper end portion of said upper section having a transversely extending hand grip element aflixed thereto,

the respective end portions of saidintermediate section, 3

the lower end portion of the upper section, and the upper end portion of said lower section each defining a coupling connector,

one coupling connector on said intermediate section and one of the coupling connectors of said upper and lower sections comprising anaxially extending generally cylindrical socket member, the other connector .7 of one of said upper and lower sections comprising a generally cylindrical shaped socket engaging mem ]gaging and socket member of each coupling connec- Q tion and 'a radially extending recess in the other of of said intermediate section and the other connector aresnoa said members for receiving the locking element therein, said locking element when disposed in locking relation in said locking recess extending radially inwardly of the socket defined by said socket member, and each coupling connection including a slot formed in 5 one of said members and in the same member as said locking element, said slot for each coupling connection extending first axially from the end of said member and terminating in an angular oltset portion and & disconnectible upon axial retraction of its locking element from the associated locked recess and there after revolving the socket and socket engaging members relative to each other.

3. A sectional handle structure for use in conjunction with a grain sampling probe having a pointed lower end and an open upper end and having a closure cover shiftaoly connected thereto for opening and closing said open upper end,

being spaced axially of the locking element of the as- 19 said sectional handle structure including an elongate sociated member, a radially extending pin on the other upper section, a plurality of intermediate sections and of said members of each coupling connection which a lower section detachably connected together in endwhen disposed within said angular offset portion posito-end relation, tioning said locking element in radial alignment with the lower end portion of said lower section having its associated recess to thereby facilitate locking of means thereon for detachable connection to the closaid coupling connection, said pin being spaced axialsure cover of a probejin fixed relation therewith and ly of the locking recess of the associated member, the upper end portion of said upper'section having and each of said coupling connections being readily a transversely extending hand grip. element afiixed disconnectible upon axial retraction of its locking elethereto, ment from the associated locking recess and there- 20 the upper end portion of said lower section and the after revolving the socket and socket engaging members relative to each other.

2. A sampling device for use in sampling particulate material such as grain and the like, said comprising a grain type sampling probe having a pointed lower end and an open upper end,

respective upper end portions of each of said intermediate section each defining an upwardly opening generally cylindrically shaped socket member,

the lower end portion of said upper member and the respective lower end portions of each of said intermediate members each defining a generally cylina closure cover shiftably connected to said probe for opening and closing said upper end, an elongate sectional handle structure for said probe dricaily shaped socket engaging member for ready insertion into the socket member of the adjacent section,

and including elongate upper, lower and a plurality releasable locking means for releasably locking each Of intermediate sections detachably interconnected to of the socket members with its associated socket 11- gether in end-to-end relation, gaging member, said locking means comprising a the lower end portion of said lower section being despring urged locking pin shiftably mounted on each tachably connected to the closure cover in fixed relaof said socket members for radial shifting movetion therewith and the upper end portion of said ment relative thereto and radially of the opening upper section having a transversely extending hand defined by the socket member, each of said socket grip element affixed thereto, engaging members having 'a radially extendingrccess tie upper end portion of said lower Section and therein for receiving the axially extending locking respective upper end portions of said int rm d element of the associated socket member therein, Section each dafinillg all p y opafling generally 40 each locking element when in locked relation in the cylindrical socket member, associated locking recess extending radially inwardly E116 IQWEY end POffiOfl of the pp Section and the of the socket defined by the associated socket memrespective lower end portions of each of said interb mediate Sections each defining a generally cylindricaleach of said socket members having an elongate slot ly-shaped socket engaging member for ready inserformed therein and extending axially from the end (i011 nt the Socket member 05 next fidlacefit of the socket member and terminating in an angular Section Wllefebl Said coopfimlillg Sockets and 8093551 offset portion, said slots being spaced axially upwardly engaging membfiTs define a Coupling Connection, from the locking element of the associated locking releasable locking means for releasably locking said b h f id sgcket engaging Ingmbgrs socket member and cooperating socket engag g having a radially extending pin thereon which when member together, said locking means comprising a disposed within the angular offset portion of its asy Extending locking Element mQl-mtB-d 011 (me Of sociated slot positioning said locking element in radial sai socket engaging and Socket members Of each alignment with its associated recess thereby facilitatwulfiing Connection #1116 in a radially extending Tecfiss ing locking of cooperating socket and socket engaging in the other of said members for receiving the lockmembers, said pin being spaced axially of said di n 511g element therein, Said locking 6151116111; when in ly extending recess of the associated socket engaging locked relation within said recess extending radially b inwardly 0f Socket fgfmfid y Said Socket and said cooperating socket and socket engaging member, bers being readily disconnectible upon axial retracand each coupling connection including a slot formed 0 tion of its locking element from its associated recess in one of said members and in the same member on which said locking element is mounted, said slot of each coupling connection extending first axially from one end of said member and terminating in an angular offset portion, said slot being spaced axially from said locking element on the associated member, a radially extending pin on the other of said members of each coupling connection which when disposed in said angular ofiset portion of its associated slot positioning said locking element in radial alignment with its associated locking recess to thereby facilitate locking of said coupling connection, said pin being spaced axially from the locking recess of the associated member,

and each of said coupling connections being readily and thereafter revolving. the socket and socket engaging members relative to each other.

4. The structure as defined in claim 3 wherein the lower terminal portions of each of said socket engaging members is tapered to define a camming surface for carnming the locking element of the cooperating socket member axially outwardly upon insertion of a socket engaging member into one of said socket members.

5. The structure as defined in claim 3 wherein each of said locking elements is provided with a resilient spring element for normally urging the locking element radially inwardly.

6. A sampling device {or use in sampling particulate material such as grain and the like,

said device comprising a grain-type sampling probe having a pointedlower end and an open upper end,

a closu're cover shiftably connected to said probe for opening and closing said open upperend,

an elongate sectionalliandle structure for said probe a generally cylindrical upwardly opening socket memher, 7 l a t the lower end of said'upper section and the respective lower section of said intermediate section each defining a generally cylindrically shaped socket engaging member forrready insertion into the socket member of the adjacent section, 1 a v releasable locking means for'releasably'locking said cooperating socket and socket engaging members in int terlocked relation, said locking means "comprising a plurality of locking elements each mounted on one of, said socket members in radially extending relation'therewith and beingradially shiftable relative thereto, each of saidsocket engaging members haying a radially extending recess therein for receiving the locking elements of the associated socket members therein, a

a plurality of elo'ngate resilient spring elements each mounted on one of said socket members'and, extending longitudinally thereof and each spring element being connected to one of said locking elements and disposed normally thereto for normally urging the same radially inwardly and intoits associated locking 7 v 'recess, each locking element when in locked relation inwardlyr of the socket defined by the associated socket member, V g .7 a

each of said socket members having a pair of opposed 6 slots formed therein, each of said slots extending first axially from the end of said socket member and terminating-in an angular offset portion, each of said slots being spaced axially upwardly from the upper end of the spring element on the associated socket member, a pin extending diametrically through each of said socket-engaging members and having terminal portions thereof'extending radially outwardly of the socket engaging member which when disposed within the angular ofiset slot portions positioning the locking element in radial alignment with'its associated recess and thereby facilitating locking of cooperating References Qited bythe Examiner UNITEDSTATES PATENTS soaoos 12/05 Cogle 2877-103 x V2,32s,9ss 9/43 Martin 237 -119 3 2,389,811. 11/45 Ozlek 2s7 1'19 X 2,660,457 11/53 Mallon 287-103 X 3,065, 37 i11/62"Landes V 73 42s.2

V FOREIGN'PVATENTS 14,964 A.VD ./99V Great Britain;

RICHARD C. QUEISSER, Primary Examiner. ROBERT L. EVANS, Examiner.

Claims

1. A SAMPLING DEVICE FOR USE IN SAMPLING PARTICULATE MATERIAL SUCH AS GRAIN AND THE LIKE, SAID DEVICE COMPRISING A GRAIN TYPE SAMPLING PROBE HAVING A POINTED LOWER END AND AN OPEN UPPER END, A CLOSURE COVER SHIFTABLY CONNECTED TO SAID PROBE FOR OPENING AND CLOSING SAID OPEN UPPER END, AN ELONGATE SECTIONAL HANDLE STRUCTURE FOR SAID PROBE, AND INCLUDING ELONGATE UPPER, LOWER AND INTERMEDIATE SECTIONS DETACHABLY CONNECTED TOGETHER IN END-TO-END RELATION, THE LOWER END PORTION OF SAID LOWER SECTION BEING DETACHABLY CONNECT TO THE CLOSURE COVER IN FIXED RELATION THEREWITH AND THE UPPER END PORTION OF SAID UPPER SECTION HAVING A TRANSVERSELY EXTENDING HAND GRIP ELEMENT AFFIXED THERETO, THE RESPECTIVE END PORTIONS OF SAID INTERMEDIATE SECTION, THE LOWER END PORTION OF THE UPPER SECTION, AND THE UPPER END PORTION OF SAID LOWER SECTION EACH DEFINING A COUPLING CONNECTOR, ONE COUPLING CONNECTOR ON SAID INTERMEDIATE SECTION AND ONE OF THE COUPLING CONNECTORS OF SAID UPPER AND LOWER SECTIONS COMPRISING AN AXIALLY EXTENDING GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL SOCKET MEMBER, THE OTHER CONNECTOR OF SAID INTERMEDIATE SECTION AND THE OTHER CONNECTOR OF ONE OF SAID UPPER AND LOWER SECTIONS COMPRISING A GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL SHAPED SOCKET MEMBER OF THE BER FOR READY INSERTION INTO THE SOCKET MEMBER OF THE ADJACENT SECTION TO DEFINE A COUPLING CONNECTION, RELEASABLE LOCKING MEANS FOR RELEASABLY-LOCKING SAID COUPLING CONNECTIONS, SAID LOCKING MEANS COMPRISING A RADIALLY EXTENDING LOCKING ELEMENT MOUNTED ON ONE OF SAID SOCKET ENGAGING AND SOCKET MEMBER OF EACH COUPLING CONNECTION AND A RADIALLY EXTENDING RECESS IN THE OTHER OF SAID MEMBERS FOR RECEIVING THE LOCKING ELEMENT THEREIN, SAID LOCKING ELEMENT WHEN DISPOSED IN LOCKING RELATION IN SAID LOCKING RECESS EXTENDING RADIALLY INWARDLY OF THE SOCKET DEFINED BY SAID SOCKET MEMBER, AND EACH COUPLING CONNECTION INCLUDING A SLOT FORMED IN ONE OF SAID MEMBERS AND IN THE SAME MEMBER AS SAID LOCKING ELEMENT, SAID SLOT FOR EACH COUPLING CONNECTION EXTENDING FIRST AXIALLY FROM THE END OF SAID MEMBER AND TERMINATING IN AN ANGULAR OFFSET PORTION AND BEING SPACED AXIALLY OF THE LOCKING ELEMENT OF THE ASSOCIATED MEMBER, A RADIALLY EXTENDIN PIN ON THE OTHER OF SAID MEMBERS OF EACH COUPLING CCONNECTION WHICH WHEN DISPOSED WITHIN SAID ANGULAR OFFSET PORTION POSITIONING SAID LOCKING ELEMENT IN RADIAL ALIGNMENT WITH ITS ASSOCIATED RECESS TO THEREBY FACCILITATE LOCKING OF SAID COUPLING CONNECTION, SAID PIN BEING SPACED AXIALLY OF THE LOCKING RECESS OF THE ASSOCIATED MEMBER, AND EACH OF SAID COUPLING CONNECTIONS BEING READILY DISCONNECTIBLE UPON AXIAL RETRACTION OF ITS LOCKING ELEMENT FROM THE ASSOCAITED LOCKING RECESS AND THEREAFTER REVOLVING THE SOCKET AND SOCKET ENGAGING MEMBERS RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER.